If you are visiting campus this fall, you may be surprised by the absence of a very familiar face. On June 30, our dear colleague Ann Helmers retired after 38 years of dedicated service to the University of Miami.
Most recently, Ann served as Director of Career Services for the College of Engineering. Her responsibilities included advising students in all areas of professional preparation for career success and administrative supervision of student organizations within the College. While that job description encompasses much more than a full-time post, Ann always went above and beyond to welcome returning alumni and help current students with a variety of requests.
“Ann is admired by both students as well as hiring corporations for her passion, determination and success. She does an outstanding job of promoting the greatest resource at the U, the talented students and their promise to be leaders in business and society,” said Pete Martinez, BSEE’75.
During Ann’s 25 years of service to the College, she met many students who were excited by the opportunity to attend an industry conference only to fall short of being able to afford a presentable suit, resume or the travel expenses to get there.
Ann worked tirelessly to help our students with varying needs. It is in the spirit of Ann’s dedication that we establish the “Ann Helmers Student Career Support Fund.”
The College of Engineering is the only undergraduate unit within the University that has its own career resource center, and the placement rate for engineering graduates eligible for permanent employment is one of the highest at the University, with partner firms including Microsoft, Google, Johnson & Johnson, NextEra and many other leading technology and business firms. Ann founded the career-services function at the College, and also served as staff liaison for the long and active roster of student organizations, including the Society of Women Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and Engineers Without Borders. Every student who studied at the College was touched by Ann’s leadership, resourcefulness and mentorship.
Before joining the CoE, Ann worked as the professional development manager in the UM Department of Information Technology and in staff positions within the University’s departments of English and mathematics. Ann received both her bachelor’s degree in developmental counseling and an MBA with a concentration in human resource management from UM. She has been awarded the Employee of the Quarter award by the UM Division of Business and Finance; the May A. Brunson Award for Leadership by the UM Women’s Commission; and the Eliahu I. Jury Excellence in Service Innovation award for implementation of a College-wide staff training program to improve customer service, cross training and collaboration. She was a member of and faculty advisor to the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor that can be bestowed at UM.
We are calling on all who have been inspired by Ann’s dedication to make a gift in honor of her legacy to the Ann Helmers Student Career Support Fund. Please consider making a donation of any amount by visiting our online giving page. Your support will help ensure that our College of Engineering students will be able to travel for conferences, participate in internships, and pursue the job of their dreams.
Congratulations, Ann, and thank you for your leadership at the U!
Make a gift to the Ann Helmers Student Career Support Fund here.
