A University of South Florida student leader reshapes a campus mentorship program. The initiative emphasizes affordability, sisterhood, and community outreach.
In 2026, the University of South Florida founded the Sister Sister Mentorship Program. The program supports underclassmen in their college endeavors. Roshae Tracey, president of the Sister Sister Mentorship Program, drew inspiration from her own experiences as a college freshman. This guided her to create a support system for other students.
“I wanted to make an impact on not only the USF community, but then also the Tampa Bay community as well,” Tracey said. “And I wanted to help freshmen just feel welcome because I feel like when I was a freshman, I didn’t really have someone to tell me the resources that were on campus to help me succeed.”
The organization, formerly known as Big Sister Little Sister, changed its name to Sister Sister Mentorship Program this year. The new name aims to better represent the relationships she wants members to build without dealing with the pushback of BSLS National. Tracey believed the organization no longer was affordable for college students after nationals raised dues from $25 to $110.
“I didn’t want to add a club that’s supposed to be helpful on top of the financial hardship,” Tracey said.
SSMP continues to provide members with opportunities for mentorship, community service, and professional development. Last year the organization held a career scavenger hunt where members received resume feedback, financial literacy, and professional head shots.
With the start of the new school year, Tracey hopes to expand SSMP’s membership and sisterhood while also exploring more community involvement in Tampa Bay.