“Great Start gave me more than just a beginning, it gave me a place in the 'Canes community through the people I met and the friendships I built. Walking into school no longer felt intimidating because I had people by my side. My advice is simple: step out of your comfort zone, stay open-minded, and be yourself. The people here make it easy. I came in nervous about being a commuter, unsure if I’d ever get the full college experience, but Great Start showed me just how real and strong this community is. It truly is one of the best experiences a commuter can have.” - Great Start 2025 Participant
Great Start gives you the opportunity to experience campus while in small groups led by experienced student staff. Our staff is comprised of students with various majors and class standings who know what commuter life is like and are trained to help new commuter students in their transition to the University of Miami. After a year of preparing to welcome commuter students to campus, Great Start staff members spend the entire weekend of Great Start building community with program participants. You’ll reconnect with many of the Great Start staff members during the ’Cane Kickoff orientation program.
Program Coordinators
The Student Program Coordinators serve as the lead student facilitators of Great Start. They supervise the staff and manage Great Start both as the face of the program as well as behind the scenes. Adrianna Zambrano and Carlos Gutierrez 
Steering Committee
The steering committee consists of five staff members who serve as the chairs of various committees in the Great Start program. Each chair oversees unique projects which come together to make Great Start an exciting and seamless experience for new students.
Staff
The Great Start staff members are student leaders who facilitate new student engagement in Great Start. Staff members provide mentorship and help build community throughout the Great Start program. Staff members are a wealth of knowledge on how to be successful as a commuter student at the University of Miami. Each staff member is a part of a committee.Transition and Student Involvement
Recreation and Competition Committee
Hospitality and Sponsorship Committee
Marketing and Design Committee
Promotion and Outreach Committee
