Special to UM News

Students graduating from UM’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program celebrate with Human Resources Vice President Nerissa Morris (left), program coordinator Cecilia Salzburg (center), Cynthia Moore from Booker T. Washington High School (right), and University mentees.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (May 13, 2015)—On Tuesday, May 5, seven students (Littles) from Miami Northwestern and Booker T. Washington High Schools entered the main doors of Gables One Tower and were escorted up to the 11th floor where they hugged and high-fived their University of Miami mentors (Bigs) before sitting down to a continental breakfast and a special welcome by Rudy Green, vice president and chief compliance officer. It was an exciting day because it would be the last time during this academic year that the Littles would meet with their Bigs. For two committed Littles, it would be the very last time they would be a Little, as they would  graduate from the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor program later that afternoon.

“The BBBS mentor program provides a rewarding opportunity to interact and inspire youth in a way that seamlessly integrates in your 9 to 5,” says Thabo Nyathi, and business intelligence report developer for UMIT and one of the Bigs. “The exposure to different experiences throughout the program encourages the Littles to challenge their own personal limiting beliefs.”

The mentoring program, which was coordinated by UM human resources, is a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters designed specifically for people with busy schedules who want to give back to the community. It provides flexibility by allowing University of Miami employees the opportunity to transform lives through service while at work. The two-year pilot program exposed local high school students to topics ranging from goal setting and professionalism to the importance of a positive public image and social media.

In addition to Nyathi, participating mentors on the Coral Gables campus include Veronica Maristany, director of human resources; Alex Osorio, manager of finance; Nick Poynter, customer service manager, Parking and Transportation; Michelle Roy, trainer, IT; Humberto Speziani, assistant vice president for business services; Richard Sobaram, director of parking and transportation; and Rafael Toll, systems analyst.

On the Miller School campus, the mentors are Alex Acosta, assistant director, perioperative operating room; Valderia Allen, lead central services technician; Jean Marie Badio, leasing and facility manager; Tiana Blount, director of outpatient cardiology; Steve Friedman, director of psychiatric services; Esteban Humeniuk, operating room nurse; Estin Kelly, director of hospital case management; Mary Marlin, operating room nurse; Bridgette Morgan, operating room clinical coordinator, clinical anesthesiology; Samantha Rowley, executive director of surgical services; and Blanca Rivera, executive director of the pharmacy.

Breakfast and lunch was generously provided during the two-year program by Michael Ross, Chartwells’ resident district manager.

For additional information about the BBBS mentoring program, contact Cecilia Salzburg, senior program coordinator for inclusion programs at [email protected].