During our recent staff development conference, keynote speaker Jevon Wooden compared legacy to one’s shadow. “It follows you everywhere, even when you’re not paying attention,” he explained. I couldn’t agree more. Former UHS Regent and two-time UHD alumnus Paula Mendoza (class of 1995 and 2017) routinely casts a wide shadow that allows up and coming professionals, specifically UHD Gators, to shine. As Founder, President, and CEO of Possible Missions, Mendoza has provided numerous internships to current UHD students and recent graduates over the last eight years. While many of Mendoza’s interns were business majors, she has also employed one graduate from UHD’s criminal justice program and one who completed a degree in mathematics. In Mendoza’s own words, “I am super proud of our UHD peeps.”
Accounting major Patrick Stoner, who will graduate in 2026, completed his internship with Possible Missions in September. He says the internship helped him to understand what accounting looks like in the real world, moving the skills learned in class beyond theoretical applications. When asked what he most appreciated about Possible Missions, Patrick noted, “From the onset, there was an open-door policy. If I had a question, there was always someone more experienced to help me work through it, and my immediate supervisor was a great mentor. Possible Missions really is one of those places where everyone wants to see you succeed.”
Last summer, marketing major Jocelynn Sanchez, who graduates this December, served as an intern. When reflecting on her internship experience, Jocelynn said, “This internship not only sharpened my marketing skills but also allowed me to gain insight into the many moving parts of a logistics company” (LinkedIn post). She described the Possible Missions staff as a supportive team who offered their guidance and invested in her professional development. As for Jocelynn’s interactions with Mendoza in particular, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work for such an inspiring woman.
Like Jocelynn and Patrick, each of Mendoza’s interns gained a strong foundation to a more prosperous career through hands on experience and one-on-one mentorship, with many pursuing master’s degrees following employment at Possible Missions. The total number of UHD students who have interned at Possible Missions is now up to nine, and Mendoza says she has no plans to stop hiring Gators.
As for Mendoza’s own entry into the business world, she founded Possible Missions in 2001 with a mere $100 in the bank. Most would have waited to get started, but Mendoza saw possibility in what seemed impossible. Today, Possible Missions is a thriving procurement company with global partnerships. “When you consider Ms. Mendoza’s story, where she began her entrepreneurial journey, there’s no doubting that she has the kind of genuine spirit and grit we are pushing for in all of our students. Those who intern with Possible Missions are unlikely to ever be the same. They will have grown, not only in skills but in heart,” said President Blanchard.