Office of Academic Enhancement

What’s Next? New Opportunities beyond the U

Whether students have just completed their first semester or are about to begin their last, it’s always good to question what they can do outside the classroom to sharpen skills and enhance their education.

Perhaps this means pursuing a government-funded study abroad experience to increase fluency in another language or applying to a national award recognizing the student’s achievements and potential in their field. Maybe this means considering post-grad plans to study or conduct research abroad on a national fellowship or secure funding for graduate school through a competitive scholarship program. 

At the Office of Academic Enhancement, we support students applying for external awards and fellowships, which are gateways to various professional opportunities. In the application process, students learn to craft their personal narratives, polish their writing, and present themselves as competitive applicants on a national and sometimes international scale. Students learning how to put their best foot forward by applying to an award are provided an experience that fosters the skills needed to successfully apply to graduate school and nail a job interview in the future.  

If your student is eager to learn “What’s next?” encourage them to contact Prestigious Awards and Fellowships in the Office of Academic Enhancement. Applying for a competitive award could be the new opportunity they are searching for.

Student Activities and Student Organizations

Spring Involvement Fair

There are more than 300 student organizations at the University of Miami, spanning interests like academic and professional, community outreach and social change, multicultural and identity-based, religion and spirituality, Greek life, club sports, and more. Studies show that when students meaningfully engage in co-curricular activities such as student organizations, it can lead to higher academic performance and personal fulfillment. They are also a lot of fun and offer a space to connect with fellow ‘Canes and create lifelong friendships!

Encourage your student to browse organizations that interest them on Engage, the University's social student organization platform. Advise them to maximize involvement opportunities aligning with their career aspirations, personal goals, and leadership development.

The Spring Involvement Fair is a great opportunity for your students to explore student organizations, engage with their members, and ask questions about their mission and objectives. It will occur on Tuesday, January 30 from noon to 3 p.m. on the Foote Green.

Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement

A Note from the VPSA

Happy New Year! It is wonderful to be back to campus and preparing for the start of the spring semester with our students. Welcome to the parents and families of our new spring students! We are excited to have you join us along with the parents and families of our returning students. The spring semester has a different rhythm than the fall semester, making time feel faster. As our students get started, their willingness to prepare and get ahead on assignments becomes crucial to their success. There are a variety of resources available to our students to plan for their well-being from tutoring to help with that challenging class to group exercise classes to help with keeping their minds ready to learn.

While the fall semester may seem far away, preparation for it is not. The housing application process will begin on February 5. Throughout January, the Housing and Residential Life team will host events to help students learn about the process and get connected with potential roommates. Please have a conversation with your student about what may be best for them concerning where they will live next year. If your students choose to live off campus, we provide a variety of resources to navigate off-campus living.

I hope that the new year treats you and your family well. Do not hesitate to reach out if you or your student need anything.

Dr. Patricia A. Whitely began her service as senior vice president for student affairs in 1997 and is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education and Human Development. Dr. Whitely is responsible for oversight of residential life, leadership development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, service learning, orientation, student organizations, student activities, student facilities, student counseling, Greek life, the Dean of Students Office, the Camner Center for Academic Resources, and alumni engagement.

Student Note

Hello ’Canes, and Happy New Year! We hope you have had a restful holiday break with family and friends. As we welcome the new year, we are preparing to usher in our newest ’Canes. Our Spring ’Cane Kickoff prepared new students and their families for various events and traditions as they entered the University of Miami. Our orientation team and staff worked hard to coordinate these events to give new ’Canes the best welcome to the U. Hopefully, they found the first of many connections and have already begun accessing campus resources to assist their success.

While the new year brings the anticipation of new beginnings, January is always the time I reflect on my start as a student at the U.  As a student who was also admitted in the Spring semester, I think back to the resources and areas of campus that have helped ground me as a freshman. A significant part of my starting experience was participating in ’Cane Kickoff events that connected me to campus resources. Furthermore, once I was settled, I began to explore the Engage platform, which gives students a digital layout of many student organizations on campus, where they can find basic information, upcoming events, and contact leaders if needed. The Shalala Student Center is also home to the physical offices of many of these organizations, which students may explore on the second floor of the building. Utilizing Engage and interacting with these organizations have strengthened my sense of community at the U, as well as making connections that I might not have had the opportunity to make otherwise.

Semesters tend to fly by quickly and with little notice. It is important to encourage your student to immerse themselves in what our campus can offer them—whether that be a student organization, community service initiative, job posting, or artistic opportunity. There is truly something for everyone at the U, whether they are a new student or have had their fair share of semesters, allowing them to realize that they may not know when something will change their life. There is no harm in trying something new simply because there is always something new coming on to campus. A significant amount of students’ time is spent here, so they must be encouraged to make the most of their time here. While their time here is finite, the opportunities and their potential longevity for students are nearly endless.

Eliza Lee is a junior majoring in Political Science and Religious Studies with a Pre-Law track. She is a commuter student from Miami, FL. On campus she serves as a Commuter Assistant and Copywriter for Student Government. Additionally, she shares her time and talents as a Staff Writer with The Miami Hurricane.