A Walk in Their Shoes: How Alumni are Supporting Each Other Through Mentoring 

When people think about the value of NAF, it’s impossible to look past the network of nearly 80,000 active NAF alumni who have been through the NAF experience, have taken all of the lessons and experiences that their NAF academies have provided, and have gone on to do big, bold things. It is in their experience that newer NAF alumni can learn in a practical way. NAF’s Alumni Mentorship Program, founded in 2020, takes all of the lessons NAF academies provide through their localized programs and brings it to the next level by empowering NAF alumni to share their practice experience, guidance, and advice with the next generation.  

Since its inception, over 250 alumni have participated, connecting college-aged alumni to their more seasoned counterparts to continue their growth long after the NAF academy experience has been in their rear-view mirror. 

One such story comes from the pairing of Jayne Joseph and Crystal Harvey. Jayne is a recent graduate (’23) of the NAF Academy of Finance at Miami Edison Senior High School.  She was paired with fellow Miami resident Crystal Harvey, who graduated from the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism at Miami Norland Senior High School in 1996.  Crystal went on to attend Florida International University, thanks to the Black Hospitality Initiative (BHI), a nonprofit organization a led by Dr. Gralyn Swilley-Woods, that offers scholarships, talent development and more to Black students who want to join the hospitality industry. BHI was established by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). Crystal earned her degree in hospitality management and is now a member of the admissions committee for BHI.  

Following a decade working for Carnival Cruise Lines, Crystal started her own catering company, later restructuring to focus more on training and coaching those in the service and hospitality industry. 

While Jayne’s academy focused on finance, she attends Florida State University and is majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management. She even received one of NAF’s coveted scholarships to support her journey – the American Express Jesse Blackmon Hospitality Award. 

This particular pairing had a unique twist that enabled the mentorship to go both ways. This past year, Crystal went back to school after 20 years to pursue her Master’s degree at the Chaplin School of Hospitality Management at Florida International University. “Because I was also in school for my Master’s degree, Jayne and I were able to connect personally and academically,” said Crystal.  

Jayne saw much value in this pairing. “It is a great chance to connect with someone who knows a lot about the career I want to pursue and is always there to share their advice. My mentor is super supportive and always ready to help me out when I have questions or just need someone to talk to. I joined the program because I knew that starting college and diving into my major would be a big change. Having a mentor who has been through it all before seemed like the perfect way to get some guidance and support. I also wanted to expand my network and meet someone who could give me some tips on how to make the most of my college experience.  

Through the program, I have learned a ton about college life, time management, juggling school work with social activities, and potential career paths related to my major. My mentor has helped me set achievable goals and given me advice on how to stay on top of things and stay motivated. It has been helpful to have someone who can offer career guidance and share their own experiences, which has made me think more about my future plans. The best part of the program is definitely the one-on-one time I get with my mentor. I love the personal connection we have built and how she has helped me feel more confident about facing the challenges of college.” 

Crystal also felt the benefits of this program. “The mentorship program has been an incredible experience for me. My mentee, Jayne Joseph from NAF, Miami Edison Sr. High School, Class of 2023, has been fantastic! It’s often thought that mentors have nothing left to learn, but Jayne has brought new insights and made a significant impact with her experiences, which have inspired and motivated me. Our mentor-mentee relationship is unique because we often switch roles, learning from each other. 

I look forward to our monthly meetings as Jayne is highly communicative and actively participates in our sessions, making it easy to get to know her better. I strongly recommend the NAF mentorship program and am thrilled to be a part of it.” 

Are you interested in participating in our 2025 program? Contact Susan Climan, Manager, Alumni Engagement, at scliman@naf.org.