FEATURE: Mentoring program grows at TAMIU
By Margot Amaya
Bridge Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026
TAMIU alumna Celeste Franco has held the head of mentoring title since 2021. She began as a part-time campus mentor, when she quickly became known for her reliability and ability to connect with students navigating academic and personal challenges.
Her commitment to the program led to new opportunities and in 2023, a year after graduating as a business major, she earned her position as head of the mentorship program, a role she says she puts her whole effort into.
Celeste Franco
“I’ve always been aiming toward something in management,” Franco said. “It wasn’t until I got this job that I realized how much of a difference it makes helping students … Now, everything is student success to me.”
Franco’s experience with mentorship began even before becoming a mentor herself. Moving from Roma, Texas, to Laredo in 2019 to pursue an education at Texas A&M International University was a big change. New and fresh, Franco needed that guidance, and the program was that guide.
“I lived here my first semester, I had a mentor, and it changed my life,” Franco said. “I think those things built my foundation in being here; so, hey, I wanna help out the same way I would’ve wanted, or help someone going through the same thing I was.”
The program has changed since Franco went from mentor to training the next generation of mentors. When she earned the position, she began with only eight program mentors; this past semester, that number reached 35. Franco saw how much work needed to be done, and the needed change. The mentorship program’s collaboration with TAMIU’s counseling services provided that change.
“I brought in professional development training,” Franco said. “I wanted to make sure [the mentors] were equipped to handle difficult situations.”
Connection among students plays a huge role in how the program functions. Franco said she is deeply committed to fostering that sense of belonging. She strives to create a safe, welcoming space where freshmen, especially those who feel overwhelmed or unsure of their place, can find support, guidance and community. Her goal is to ensure that each feels seen, valued and confident as they begin their journey.
“I feel like a lot of students [who] come to our program … feel lost,” Franco said. “If [students] are having struggles … it’s very difficult to function. So I would say that’s something very big for us.”
Preparation, connection and readiness serve as central pillars of Franco’s leadership philosophy, shaping the way she approaches every challenge and opportunity. Equally important to her is advocacy, specifically for the program and her mentors.
“I saw all the work that we do,” she said.” We don’t only mentor, we do different things on campus that keep us very much involved. No one would advocate for us, so I became the strongest supporter … being the biggest advocate is what really shaped my program.”
The heart of the mentorship program, and the aspect Franco is most passionate about highlighting, is its unwavering commitment to supporting freshmen through the real, unfiltered challenges of transitioning into college life. She understands that the first year isn’t just about academics, it’s about navigating uncertainty, managing stress and finding one’s footing in an entirely new environment.
“One of the biggest lessons we learn is that failure will be a part of the experience, and our program makes sure they understand that it’s a normal part of the process,” Franco said. “That is why the program works so well; we’re real.”
