From mentee to MentHER

Before she stepped onto Towson University’s campus as a college student, Helen Santos-Melendez ’27 had already started building connections through the College of Business and Economics (CBE).

It was Theodore Thompson ’85 and his business class at Lansdowne High School that sparked her interest in TU.

Then, as a junior, she joined CBE’s MentHER program, which connects professional businesswomen with CBE sophomores in one-on-one mentoring relationships, who in turn mentor high school students at Lansdowne High School.

MentHER focuses on teaching financial literacy, career planning and life and workplace skills through guided discussions, workshops, mentoring sessions and presentations.

“Seeing there was a program that not only helped students in class but gave a view of what the real world is like really motivated me to come to TU,” Santos-Melendez says. “It was nice to get out of the classroom and experience the campus with students who have been here. It’s really helped me see myself at TU.”

From mentee to mentor

Now a junior business administration major at TU, Santos-Melendez is the one providing mentorship to students at her old high school.

“It helps me give back to my community, which I really value,” she says. “I remember what MentHER did for me. I want to be able to do that with other people.”

Lauren Tigue Meredith, professional development partner in CBE and facilitator for the MentHER program, met Santos-Melendez in high school and has watched her thrive in both components of the program.

Seeing (Santos-Melendez) continue with the program into college is exactly what mentorship is about: giving young women the support and confidence to grow into who they’re meant to be.

Lauren Tigue Meredith

“Seeing Helen’s transition from high school to thriving college student has been incredibly special,” Meredith says. “I’ll never forget visiting Lansdowne High School with our College of Business & Economics students and Helen showing us her Towson University acceptance letter. 

“Seeing her continue with the program into college is exactly what mentorship is about: giving young women the support and confidence to grow into who they’re meant to be.”

One of the key aspects of Santos-Melendez's continuing participation in college was the opportunity to work with Meredith, who, in part because of her work with the program, was named a 2025 University System of Maryland Board of Regents Staff Award winner for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

Under the direction of Meredith, MentHER also won the Inspiring Programs in Business Award from Insight Into Academia magazine.

“Lauren has such a passion for what she does,” Santos-Melendez says. “She'll give you the best tools and resources she can, and she doesn't just care for you as a student but as a person as well.”

Helen Santos-Melendez (right) joined MentHER while she was a junior in high school. Now a member as a Towson University student, she works with the group's facilitator Lauren Tigue Meredith to gain valuable mentorship. 

Continuing mentorship

Each academic year, students participating in MentHER are provided with a mentor from a local Baltimore-area business.

For Santos-Melendez, her mentor is Mia Blom ’05, senior director of government and community affairs at Visit Baltimore.

The junior remembered when she attended Insight for Growing Lation Owned Businesses networking event with Blom. This event allowed her to connect with local business professionals while having someone she knows to guide her through the process.

Relationships like that between Blom and Santos-Melendez are the backbone of MentHER.

“Mia has been so open and willing to help me grow,” Santos-Melendez says. “Being able to have a mentor as I was networking has really helped me. Sometimes you just need someone to hold your hand at first and help lead you to where you need to be.”