Star Trek Legacy Mentors For Starfleet Academy Cadets

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Be warned, spoilers ahead! The new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy could really benefit from having some iconic characters from Star Trek‘s history as mentors. The show follows seven young cadets learning under Captain Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) and the instructors aboard the USS Athena, which also functions as Starfleet Academy.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows the journey of the graduating class of 3196. The story begins in 3192 and focuses on the first group of Starfleet cadets to train on Earth – specifically in San Francisco – after the devastating event known as The Burn, which occurred over a century earlier. The academy features skilled instructors like Chancellor Ake, along with familiar faces such as The Doctor (played by Robert Picardo) and Commander Jett Reno (Tig Notaro).

Unfortunately, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been cancelled after two seasons, ending the cadets’ time at the academy after their second year. While the show won’t continue, season 2 will focus on how the cadets grow, building on what they’ve learned about themselves and their potential. Here’s a look at which established Star Trek characters would be the best mentors for each cadet, based on what we know from season 1.

7. Series Acclimation Mil – Captain Benjamin Sisko

It’s clear Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) would be an excellent guide for Series Acclimation Mil (Kerrice Brooks). SAM previously turned to Sisko for insight into her role as Emissary to the Kasqians, and meeting Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) and Professor Illa Dax (Tawny Newsome) in episode 5 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy motivated her even more to succeed in that position.

If Captain Sisko took SAM under his wing, the young cadet would learn valuable lessons about leadership and selflessness. As a father to Jake, Benjamin Sisko possesses the understanding and patience a teenager needs while figuring out their future. SAM could also learn from Captain Sisko’s willingness to be innovative and bend the rules when the situation demands it.

6. Ocam Sadal – Nyota Uhura

Ocam Sadal, also known as Romeo Carere, has quickly become a source of humor at Starfleet Academy. Like his sister, Tarima Sadal (Zoë Steiner), Ocam is a Betazoid who has been a positive and encouraging friend to others throughout the first season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. He considers himself someone who loves to be involved, and his personality might make him a good fit for a role as a Communications Officer.

Whether it’s the Uhura portrayed by Celia Rose Gooding in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds or Nichelle Nichols’ iconic Lieutenant in Star Trek: The Original Series, she’d likely find Ocam interesting and truly understands the importance of knowing her crew. Having overcome her own doubts to become a Starfleet legend, Uhura would be a strong role model for a cadet like Sadal.

5. Tarima Sadal – Captain Worf

Although Tarima Sadal is Betazoid like Deanna Troi, Troi wouldn’t be the best person to guide her. Tarima struggles with unpredictable emotions because she possesses great psychic power, which can be harmful to those around her. She originally enrolled in the War College hoping to improve her combat skills, suggesting she needs a mentor who can help her overcome her own self-doubt and fear.

Captain Worf, played by Michael Dorn, would be a fantastic teacher for Tarima Sadal. While he wasn’t a natural father, Worf proved to be a supportive and skilled mentor to Ensign Sito Jaxa on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He clearly thrives when working with strong women, and could help Tarima become a fierce warrior with a kind heart.

4. Jay-Den Kraag – Dr. Beverly Crusher

Jay-Den Kraag, played by Karim Diané, shows great promise as a future doctor, and could even become a starship’s chief medical officer. While The Doctor is already at Starfleet Academy, Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) would be an ideal mentor for this empathetic Klingon healer.

Dr. Beverly Crusher is a highly respected and experienced physician in Starfleet, well-known for her work with diverse species like the Klingons during her time on the Enterprise. As a compassionate mother of two and the former head of Starfleet Medical, she possesses incredible skill and knowledge. Any young doctor, like Jay-Den, could learn a great deal from her.

3. Darem Reymi – Lieutenant Tom Paris

Darem Reymi, also known as George Hawkins, is a complicated young man from Khion who has a difficult relationship with his parents. At Starfleet Academy, he acts like a confident and popular student, and develops an interest in Jay-Den Kraag. In the first season finale of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Darem surprised everyone with his impressive piloting abilities, catching the attention of Commander Jett Reno.

This sets up Lieutenant Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) as a perfect mentor for Darem Reymi. Paris turned his own difficult past with Starfleet into a successful career as a skilled starship pilot, and he can help Darem grow up and move beyond his overconfidence. Plus, Paris has experience with interspecies relationships – he’s married to Lt. Commander B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson).

2. Genesis Lythe – Captain Christopher Pike

As a huge Star Trek fan, I’m already rooting for Genesis Lythe! She’s clearly got the smarts and drive to make it as a Starfleet Captain – you can just feel it. She’s got some great examples to look up to, like Captain Ake and her Admiral father, but honestly? I think a 23rd-century Enterprise Captain would be the perfect mentor for her. She needs to ditch the self-doubt and really embrace her potential, and I think someone with that kind of experience could really help her become the leader she’s meant to be.

As a huge Star Trek fan, I think Captain Christopher Pike, played by Anson Mount, would be the perfect mentor for Genesis Lythe. I mean, look at Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – he’s built this amazing team of really smart women aboard the Enterprise. Pike could really help Genesis understand how important it is to listen to your crew’s advice when you’re facing tough decisions, and also how to quiet that little voice of self-doubt we all have.

1. Caleb Mir – Colonel Kira Nerys

Caleb Mir, played by Sandro Rosta, is fortunate to have two strong female influences in his life: Captain Nahla Ake and his mother, Anisha Mir, portrayed by Tatiana Maslany. The gifted but troubled and defiant Caleb could also gain valuable insight from Colonel Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor), a memorable character from Star Trek’s past.

Caleb lived for fifteen years in the 32nd century, and Kira spent her life battling the Cardassians who had taken over her home planet, Bajor. Like Caleb, Kira slowly began to trust Starfleet despite initially being skeptical. Kira’s direct and uncompromising personality would resonate with Cadet Mir, and the two would likely connect through their shared strength and hidden depths of caring and devotion.

Just because familiar characters from previous Star Trek series might not appear in season 2 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, doesn’t mean they’re ruled out completely. There are many ways to bring back iconic Star Trek figures – like using holograms or time travel – and they could offer valuable guidance to the new cadets at the Academy.

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2026-03-30 19:10