The unstructured format and one-on-one aspect of the program are a formula for success.
Photo: Left to right, Lisa Crawley, Jody Latimer, Bianca Thornley, Keith Gagnon, Isata Sesay, Trenae Darden, Mariyette Williams, Tiara Pennington, Karen Park, Latoya Ludd, and Anna Borgerding.
The Administration and Finance (A&F) Mentorship Program graduated its second cohort of participants Jan. 14. The course unites volunteer members of A&F senior leadership team with A&F employees who are seeking a mentor.
Mentors and mentees were paired after filling out a short questionnaire that touches upon their professional goals, interpersonal strengths, and life experiences. Unlike many of the other professional enrichment programs around the University, the one-on-one aspect of the program ensures that no two programs are the same.
“We didn't want to put too many parameters on it, to tell people what they should and shouldn't do, because it's not a one-size-fits-all program. We wanted [the participants] to decide to do what works for them,” said Latoya Ludd, MBA, manager of business operations, Office of the Senior Vice President, who is part of the program’s founding committee along with Lisa Crawley, executive assistant, Office of the Senior Vice President, and Anna Borgerding, MA, assistant vice president, Facilities and Operations.
Mariyette Williams, a senior recruiter in Human Resource Services, was mentored by Denise Meyer, director, Environmental Services. “Denise is very busy in her role, but she never made me feel like our time was taken for granted. She always made sure I was the priority and our meetings were the priority.”
“This program is awesome. I feel like I grew in my career since I started this. She helped me take the next step of what I was too scared to do, and just kind of gave me the confidence to do it.”
Isata Sesay, MS, a radiation health physics technician in UMB's Environmental Health and Safety, was mentored by Keith Gagnon, MBA, assistant vice president in Strategic Sourcing and Acquisition Services. “I'm so happy about this program. I thought it would just be a normal program, but Keith took it to another level," she said. "I graduated this December with a Master of Science in data analytics. Keith was there with me. He met with my husband and my other family members. When I went to Texas to present on new trends in the packaging and transporting or radioactive material, Keith helped me know how to present. He’s a very supportive person and I learned a lot from him.”
Tiara Pennington, an accounting associate in the Office of the Controller, was mentored by Karen Park, MA, MBA, chief of staff and executive director of strategic projects in the Office of the Senior Vice President. “Karen was my mentor, and I tell you, she exceeded [all my] expectations," Pennington said. "Anytime I called or reached out, she was always there, providing resources and just talking me through some things that I need a little bit more balance and clarity on. I received so much valuable information from Karen, I couldn't have gotten it anywhere else. Couldn't have picked a better person for me.”
Not all mentorships happened in person. The second cohort included a pairing that spanned two countries and crossed eight time zones.
Trenae Darden, an administrative coordinator in Human Resource Services, was mentored by Mwanaisha "Aisha" Rashid, MBA, Human Resources business partner in International Operations who works from Kenya. “Even so many miles away, across different time zones, we were still able to coordinate," Darden said. "She provided me with resources, helped me with building confidence. Giving me words of inspiration that you got this. And you know, everything that she did and everything that she helped me out with and got me to do has been really effective.”
While all of the mentees had specific goals and areas of professional development to focus on, the benefits of the program often transcended traditional work boundaries.
Bianca Thornley, an administrative assistant II with Parking and Transportation Services, was mentored by Jody Latimer, executive director, Design and Construction. “Not only have I learned a lot from her, and now have someone to connect with, but I think I've also gained a friend. I think that we're good friends. We're both Cancers so we have a lot in common!”
As a result of the program’s intentional ambiguity when it comes to content, both the mentor and the mentee need to take a leap of faith when signing on.
Gagnon, who mentored Sesay, said, “When I was looking at volunteering to participate in this program, I asked myself, ‘What can I really bring to the table?’ Once we met, we talked about what she wanted to get out of it. Isata gave me a very clear course.
“Every time she challenged me with what she wanted to learn, it made me either relearn it or learn if I hadn't before. So, I think the value proposition was definitely both ways and definitely a 50-50 sharing.”
Gagnon added, “I would encourage any of my peers out there to be a mentor in this program, and I've encouraged all my staff to participate one way or the other, depending upon the position. It's been a great experience.”
The next session is scheduled for May 2026 and is open to any A&F employee. Questions can be directed to af-mentoringprogram@umaryland.edu.