When Burgard High School student Kaheem Green walked into the Montante Cultural Center at Canisius College, he was looking for someone who could offer him help to achieve very specific academic goals. Thankfully for Kaheem the student’s lunchtime audience was there to listen and offer that assistance he’s looking for.
“I’d really like someone to help me with school work and reading skills, someone who cares about my dreams,” said Green.
Green and a group of fellow students from Burgard, along with Principal Florence Krieter and Buffalo Public Schools Executive Director for Project Initiatives Amber Dixon, were invited to lunch by members of the Canisius College Masters Business Alumni Association. The organization has graciously offered Burgard students their business and educational expertise as mentors.
“What we expect from you is a desire to learn, grow, and succeed. This is an important program, and we want you to achieve your goals. We want you to know what’s outside the doors of Burgard, said Sherrida Davis from Citigroup and the Canisius College Masters Business Alumni Association.
Mentors from the “Adopt a School” Mentoring Program can assist Burgard students in a number of ways: through coaching, teaching, advising, guiding, counseling, serving as role models, and sometimes just being there to listen to students’ needs.
That certainly falls in line with the program’s Mission Statement: “We strive to enrich the lives of students by fostering academic success, promoting higher learning and encouraging graduation, employment and other life opportunities as an ultimate goal. It is our mission to provide support in the form of mentoring activities that encourage academic excellence, life skills development, self-esteem and personal growth.”
“The position I am in today is because someone helped me. Now I’d like to return the favor, said Nancy La Tulip from Greater Buffalo Savings Bank and the Canisius College Masters Business Alumni Association.
The Burgard students in attendance for the introductory lunch at Canisius were Larry Watkins, Demetrius Wooten, Kaheem Green, Victor Goudlock, Jordan Smalls, Jesus Perez, Harlena Yates, and Cassandra Torres. Burgard Guidance Counselors Brian Woods and Ryan Bower were there as well.
In attendance from Canisius were Masters Business Alumni Association President Sherrida V. Davis MBA '00, Second Vice President Nancy LaTulip '75, MBA '82, and Treasurer Danielle Hawbaker MBA '05.
“This is the type of program we’re looking for. We have very hard working students who you’ll be privileged to work with,” said Amber Dixon.
- Canisius College Masters Business Alumni Association
