Speziani’s Little, Northwestern Senior High School Sophomore Emmanuel Riles, credits his recent personal and professional growth to his experience with the program. “It was a chance to get out of my community and experience something more. This program has allowed me to understand that I have to plan for my future, and it has shown me how to conduct myself in a working environment around professionals.”
Inspiring Our Future Workforce The UM Big Brothers Big Sisters School to Work Mentoring Program
The work you do at the University has the power to influence futures. Imagine how rewarding it would be if you could actually meet someone whose life and career was directly influenced by you. That opportunity is possible for University faculty and staff participating in the UM Big Brothers Big Sisters School to Work Mentoring Program. The program is designed to expose high school students to a professional environment with positive adult role models. As a mentor, or Big, participating employees commit to a one-onone mentoring relationship with a high school student, or Little, for a period of two years. During that time, Bigs meet with their Littles on a monthly basis for four hours and share ideas, give advice, and familiarize them with their working environment. For first-time mentor Humberto Speziani, Assistant Vice President for Financial Operations, it has been an enjoyable and gratifying experience. “It has been great to be able to get to know a student as a young adult in high school and share ideas and thoughts that will ultimately influence their goals. It has been an opportunity to serve the community and ensure we are guiding our young adults into responsible adults.”
The monthly visits expose the students to University experts and professionals in a variety of areas. Each visit begins with a presentation led by guests that have included Brian Blake, Dean of the Graduate School; Ricardo Hall, Dean of Students; Erroll Douglas, Executive Director of the University of Miami Hospitals; and David Zambrana, COO and Interim CEO of the University of Miami Hospital. The Big Brothers Big Sisters School to Work Mentoring Program was launched last summer by the Office of Workforce Engagement and Development with 19 high school students from Miami Northwestern and Booker T. Washington high schools. The next mentoring opportunity will begin in October 2014. If you are interested in helping to plan the next kick-off event or to serve as a “Big,” please contact: @ Sophia Galvin Director of Inclusion Programs
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