Transitioning from high school to university can be challenging for many young men. Maturity and responsibility does not come overnight, and some have to face these challenges alone with no guidance.
Man Up, a male development organization on campus, helps students adapt to university life and adulthood.
“Man Up is really there to help encourage the young men that are coming from high school to learn how to navigate the college lifestyle, to learn how to equip and acquire those skills that you may need during and after college,” Trevon Sanchez, Man Up president, said. “It may be things like essential life tips, how to survive. If something happens on the side of the road, how do I fix my car if I have no assistance, or just professional environments, or really a wide range of things.”
Man Up is primarily a minority organization but they accept males of any race and ethnicity.
“Man Up is an organization created to help strengthen all males at Lamar University through a variety of workshops and character building tools,” treasurer Ramond Stevens said.
The organization started in 2007. Sanchez said he joined the organization because he wants to leave a legacy.
“When I heard about Man Up, I was like, this is a great opportunity for me to get out of my room, because they’re always hosting events,” Sanchez said. “For my career field, networking is essential, and with Man Up, they have always focused heavily on just getting your name out there and putting you in positions to meet other people around campus.”
Jalen Freeman, Dallas senior, said he joined Man Up to better himself as a football player and as a man.
“I play football, and that comes with leadership and other values that you learn to develop as a as a player and as a man,” he said. “Some people don’t have that type of mentor or really know the kinds of values that it really takes.”
Man Up hosts workshops that teach subject such as mechanics, financial literacy, or how to start your own business. They also host fun events to interact with the community and get people to socialize, Sanchez said. They also mentor Beaumont ISD students to help them on the right path.
“We do peer mentorship on campus, but there’s only so much you can do when you’re around the same age group, so we’re really focused on Beaumont ISD,” Sanchez said. “(We’re) building relationships with kids in Beaumont, whether it’s elementary or high school, and just being able to get to them to open their minds to going to college — just being a positive influence.”
The organization has focused on community service this year, Sanchez said.
“(We are) just going out and doing stuff like feeding the homeless, or (supplying) backpacks for back-to-school drives,” he said.
Man Up has more than 30 active members.
To join, visit Man Up’s Instagram page @manuplamar.