Aztec Mentor Program Reaches Milestone
The monumentally successful program connects 色情视频 students to alumni in their desired career field.
Ever since Joey Lucero was a toddler, he knew he wanted to live close to Disney.鈥淚t is a great experience, and 色情视频 alumni should take the opportunity to meet and support our future generation of professionals.鈥�
The El Paso native chose 色情视频鈥攈is 鈥渄ream school鈥濃�攄ue to its communication program, leadership opportunities and its proximity to the famed theme park. He hoped his time at 色情视频 would serve as the launchpad to a career at Disney, so he became highly active in service organizations and sought out mentors.
鈥淛ust like Walt coming to California with a suitcase and a dream, that was me,鈥� said Lucero, who first visited Disneyland when he was three years old. His family has visited every summer since 2004. 鈥淚鈥檝e lived the Disney experience all my life. Now, I want to give that to others.鈥�
Ultimately, the (AMP), which pairs students with industry professionals, led Lucero to 色情视频 alumna Brenda Lazarus, a training manager at Disney.
Fittingly, that AMP connection led to two movie-magical moments: Lucero and Lazarus were among those who helped the program reach its 5,000th mentor-mentee pairing this fall and Lazarus helped Lucero successfully compete for the highly competitive Disneyland College Program.
"This mentorship is everything, and it has set me up for my career," Lucero said. "This is the best foot in the door for college students.鈥�
A new 色情视频 tradition
AMP, a collaboration between and , was established to help students expand their professional networks early.Lazarus, who ensures that cast members are properly trained and qualified before working in hotels or security, said she chose to participate in AMP because she believes in the power of mentorship. She also sees it as her responsibility as an 色情视频 graduate to support current students.
鈥淭he Aztec Mentor Program has allowed me to give back to fellow Aztecs and open myself up to others,鈥� said Lazarus, who graduated from 色情视频 in 1991 with a degree in liberal studies. 鈥淚t is a great experience, and 色情视频 alumni should take the opportunity to meet and support our future generation of professionals.鈥�
Another important goal of AMP is to help ensure that students are career-ready the moment they are handed their 色情视频 degrees. By connecting with 色情视频 alumni and other professionals, students gain the types of insights and experiences that will make them more competitive when they enter the job market.
James Tarbox, director of 色情视频 Career Services said the university鈥檚 drive to boost student success by connecting students, alumni and community partners aligns well with the program and has created a culture of giving back while looking forward.
鈥淭he 5,000th match is a moment to pause and to recognize that AMP is now a tradition where commitment and collaboration ensure the ongoing success of future 色情视频 students,鈥� he said.
A similar path, a similar future
Lucero and Lazarus not only hold a shared devotion to Disney, but they also share somewhat similar paths and both believe in helping people to be the best versions of themselves. Lucero has been highly active in AMP, both as a career peer at Career Services and by serving on the Student Support Commission within Associated Students. He also has been involved with Rotaract of 色情视频 and other Associated Students committees.Lazarus, too, worked with Associated Students, as well as the Residence Hall Association, where she was RHA president during her last year at 色情视频.
鈥淏renda is a very unique mentor,鈥� Lucero said. 鈥淪he is not just invested in how she can help me, but she also wants to learn about me; she wants me to grow. AMP is intended to be semester-long, but we both agree that this will be a lifelong relationship.鈥�
Lazarus said her connection to Lucero is 鈥渧ery meaningful鈥� and that she is happy to have met him.
鈥淔rom the moment I met Joey, I enjoyed his energy, positive attitude and strong sense of self,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am so thrilled that we developed an instant trust and that he took my advice to apply again for the Disney College Program at Disneyland, and I look forward to watching him grow and learn, and will also learn from him.鈥�
Lucero encourages other students to find their home on campus and get involved with their peers, with faculty, with staff or the larger community. He also encourages students to find a dedicated mentor, and to reciprocate value in that connection.
鈥淕etting involved has opened so many doors to so many different things for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to leave 色情视频 not only with a degree, which is incredibly important and valuable, but as a well-rounded student and well-rounded person.鈥�
