National Mentoring Month – THEA Supports

This month is National Mentoring Month*. National Mentoring Month focuses attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities, and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors to help ensure positive outcomes for our young people. When we reflect on career success or academic success, there is often a person or group of people that we remember who stand out as vital role models who helped us excel and find greater success. At THEA, we believe strongly in the power of mentorship and foster that within our Tampa Bay community. 

One thing Lee Roy Selmon asked of us when we sought to honor his legacy with naming our toll road, the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway was to find a way to help and mentor the young people at the University of South Florida. Our CEO, Joe Wagonner, and the team at THEA has been making good on this commitment through mentorship programs and developing the Selmon STEM Scholarship program. 

Each year scholarships are given for paid internships and books for USF Engineering students through the Selmon S.T.E.M. Scholarship Program (S3). We also offer paid internship opportunities for juniors and seniors majoring in engineering. These internship opportunities increase their educational opportunities and provide invaluable exposure to transportation careers. This fund supports engineering students on the University of South Florida Tampa campus who are graduates of  Tampa Bay area high schools. These scholarships are based on merit and financial need. The scholarship seeks to increase the educational opportunities and exposure to transportation careers for Tampa Bay area students.

The S3 Program includes sponsorship:

To advance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M) education, we provide materials for and sponsor middle and high school student exhibitions in the USF Engineering Expo and sponsor the Bridge Building Competition. At the competition, teams of students must work together to design and build their model bridges. They use their collective strengths and pull on the S.T.E.M. principles while also having fun. Working with an engineering mentor, they try to build the greatest load-bearing bridge. The competition allows students to focus on a S.T.E.M project and work alongside an Engineer, hopefully sparking their interest for a future career.

Volunteering time, insights and energy improves our youth’s outcomes for success. Having mentors that help us excel is invaluable as we navigate academic studies and new careers. Get involved in your communities and help support our rising youth!

#MENTORINGMONTH #THEA #CONNECTINGCOMMUNITIES

*https://www.mentoring.org/our-work/campaigns/national-mentoring-month/#1563897653832-f418e916-3546