Since a young boy, Joshua Yepes has dreamed of attending the University of Miami.
“I feel so excited,” said Yepes, an incoming student from Pembroke Pines, Florida, who will major in computer science. “I’ve only been able to visit this campus like four times and it feels surreal to now be attending UM and be here at this event today.”
’Canes Connect, a collaboration between the ’Canes Success Center and the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, was held Saturday. It was designed to support the transition and onboarding of incoming students and their families from the Miami-Dade and Broward County areas.
“Being here today, and learning all this new information, is just a realization that I’ll be coming here for the next four years—every day,” said Yepes.
For the first time since 2019, this unique event was held in person, providing incoming students the chance to truly get a behind-the-curtain look at all the University has to offer.
“This is my favorite event that we do because they are so excited,” said Darby Plummer, executive director of first year foundations and student success at the ’Canes Success Center. “We try really hard to make them feel extra special because we want the best and the brightest from South Florida to come to UM. So, we’re hoping that this event is the thing that helps them feel welcomed.”
The start of a new chapter for incoming students can sometimes feel overwhelming, according to Plummer. The mission of this collaborative event is to assure both the student and their family have all the tools needed to have a great start at the University, she noted.
“We feel like if they have the right start then they are going to have less challenges down the road,” said Plummer. “The goal is to get them started on the right foot and connect them to the resources and services, so that they have that their very first days and to know that we will support them throughout their academic careers.”
New students were introduced to resources and opportunities, including the Money Talks series, a free program presented by the Office of Undergraduate Financial Assistance for undergraduates seeking to achieve and sustain financial success.
“The financial part of the presentation was so interesting to us,” said Daily Triana, a parent of an incoming student and ophthalmic technician at the University’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. “We got to learn so much and it made me realize how much she’s going to learn.”
During the event, the incoming ’Canes also were paired with current students for a chance to ask their peers questions and to learn more about the University from a student point of view.
LaTosha Ramsey, assistant director of programs for the ’Canes Success Center, said that she hopes that all the students who attended the event now have a sense of belonging.
“This event is made for these local students to find community,” said Ramsey. “Some of them are going to stay on campus, some of them will be commuting. We really want them to feel at home and for them to know that they are a part of the ’Canes community.”
