A Labor of Love in Leadership Development Provides Students the Opportunity of a College Future

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Feb 23, 2012, 11:26 ET

MIAMI, Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An educational revolution is being launched March 1st in South Florida. Recognized for its mission of developing leaders for the past fifty years, St. Thomas University (www.stu.edu) has created a unique corporate work-study program for students who are high school graduates of the Cristo Rey Network. Cristo Rey is a national coalition of 24 Catholic college prep schools for urban students facing limited educational options founded by the Jesuit educational community. They are known as "schools that work."

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The Cristo Rey educational model is a win-win for all. Each Cristo Rey high school student, upon entering as a freshman and for each year thereafter, must work at least one day a week for a business or non-profit entity. Employers pay for student labor and their remuneration goes directly to the high school. Their earned income supports approximately 60% of the actual cost of their education. In 2011, the earned income of Cristo Rey students totaled $32,500,000, with all proceeds directed towards funding the cost of their own tuition. These students have a "paid-for" and "vested interest" in their success.

"Working in established law and accounting firms, banks and investment management companies and other successful organizations, students develop leadership skills and a new level of self-confidence. The employers also benefit, not only as recipients of their efforts, but also when overall morale is lifted as their full-time employees take ownership of these students' futures. It is truly a win-win-win," said St. Thomas University Trustee Rudy Cecchi. The insurance entrepreneur is spearheading the STU program as per a successful partnership between the private sector and Jesuits secondary schools he saw flourish in New York.

By enrolling at St. Thomas University, graduates of the Cristo Rey program will now be offered the ability to continue to build their resumes and provide value to their employers. Upon graduation they will be in the unique position of having 8 years of significant and meaningful work experience. A review of the companies and organizations participating in the program will clearly demonstrate the quality of the initiative.

"The St. Thomas University/Cristo Rey Corporate Work-Study Program will continue to build the dream for these students, their families and communities as well as the organizations sponsoring their efforts," said University President Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale. Trustee Rudy Cecchi is hosting a reception March 1, 2012 at the Coral Reef Yacht Club for a select group of South Florida business leaders. Joining him and Monsignor Casale are Citibank's former CEO Carlos Palomares and St. Thomas School of Business Dean Tony Villamil, who are encouraging South Florida corporations, law firms and non-profit circles to join the private sector/higher education partnership that drives youngsters to aim high and find a way to a successful future. Under this new program, St. Thomas University students will provide real value to Florida organizations as those companies provide real experience to them.

The March 1st reception is by invitation only but media members are welcomed to attend. For additional information, please contact Chief Marketing Officer Marivi Prado at [email protected], tel. 305 – 474 6880.

SOURCE St. Thomas University