Milken Scholars Mentorship in College and Beyond
Published 03/31/2026 in Program Updates
Written
by Reyes, Natalie |
03/31/2026
At the heart of the Milken Scholars Program is a commitment to building a supportive community that evolves with Scholars at every stage of life. For many, that journey begins in their first year of college, when freshmen are paired with mentors who help guide their transition. More often than not, these relationships grow far beyond their initial purpose to become lasting friendships that shape the college experience and beyond.
At the University of Pennsylvania, even as a junior, Sandra Cheah, MS ‘23, still remains close with a freshman year mentor, Clarke Dickens, MS ’22 (they/them), “Clarke has been an invaluable friend since my very first day at Penn. Last summer, while I was juggling online classes and my internship, Clarke went out of their way to make sure I felt supported.” Whether they are checking in from afar or organizing Milken meals, Clarke has cultivated a sense of connection that extends across cohorts on campus.
Samuel Sosa Sanchez, MS ‘24, described Clarke as “like an older sibling,” adding that Clarke’s “sincere advice and witty humor” are deeply cherished by all of the Penn students. Janet Omoruyi, MS ‘25, echoed this sentiment, “Clarke has honestly been one my rocks since I came to campus! They’re so easy to talk to and will always be supportive.”
But mentorship within the program is not one-sided. Reflecting on their experience, Clarke shared, “Being a mentor through the program has allowed me to help my mentees discover themselves. Most importantly, I love learning from them whether it be related to their niche hobbies or academic goals.” At a large university, where finding genuine community can be challenging, Clarke noted, “The community we have created with each other is not easy to find elsewhere on campus, it is a true bond that I hold close to me.”
This culture of mentorship also continues as Scholars become both mentors and mentees in their professional lives. Dr. Lalit Patel, MS ’03, created a legacy of influence within the Program. He mentored Dr. Julie Lee, MS ‘07, while she was at Columbia and helped her successfully navigate the medical school application process. Reflecting on that time, Dr. Julie Lee shared, “Despite his busy schedule, he was always thoughtful, detail-oriented, and completely nonjudgmental in the way he offered guidance. Nearly ten years later, we ran into each other again at a Milken event—he was finishing his MD-PhD program while I was about to complete my residency. It was such a special full-circle moment. I’m incredibly proud to call him my friend, colleague, and mentor.”
His guidance has extended beyond professional support as well. In addition to crediting Lalit with shaping her path as a physician-scientist now pursuing a dual MD/PhD, Ru Ekanayake, MS ‘16, also credits Lalit for providing support during deeply personal moments. Ru shared, “When my grandmother was hospitalized in Michigan with a COVID-19 exacerbation, Lalit connected me with someone who was running Paxlovid clinical trials in Michigan, who was able to provide direction regarding the kinds of therapeutics we could advocate for. This was a horrific time for my family and Lalit's connection helped us navigate my grandma's treatment and eventual recovery.” Now that they are both at Emory (Ru as a medical student and Lalit as a resident physician), Ru said, “It's been extra special to be able to run into him in the hospital! Lalit exemplifies everything that is good about the Milken Scholars Program and medicine/research: he is generous, thoughtful, sharp, and insightful, and pretty dang fun beyond all that!”
For Dr. Jonathan Meng, MS ‘14, Lalit’s influence has been transformative. “It’s hard to overstate the impact he’s had on my life. Lalit has been my steady North Star. More than a mentor, he feels like a professor, a guide, and an older brother who has always cared deeply for my career, my personal development, and, most importantly, my well-being.” At times where Jonathan was at a crossroad and needing wisdom, Lalit challenged him to think deeply and find his own direction. Jonathan remembers, “Whenever I’ve come to him lost or seeking answers, he never took the easy way out by just telling me what to do. Instead, he walked through the fire with me, challenging me to ask myself the hard questions. It was through that Socratic soul-searching and his deeply probing guidance that I truly found my way. Despite his own demanding life, he has always made me feel like I was just a phone call away from a safe harbor.” After reading this, it may be surprising to know that all of these moments took place over the phone, and the pair didn’t actually meet in person until five or six years after Jonathan graduated with his PhD in Chemistry at Cambridge University in the UK.
Across continents, campuses, careers, and cohorts, these stories reflect how mentorship within the Milken Scholars Program is not just a resource—it is a lifelong relationship. Through guidance, friendship, and mutual growth, Scholars continue to shape one another’s legacies.
