Our Story

John Kelly was named the seventh president of Florida Atlantic University in January 2014 and quickly declared his intention to make FAU “America’s fastest-improving university.” The university established a track record of relentless improvement under his transformational leadership, which includes doubling research expenditures, enrolling an all-time high number of National Merit Scholars, setting records for private gifts to the FAU Foundation, increasing graduation and academic progress rates, raising the profile of the athletics program, and being ranked as one of the nation’s top public schools by U.S. News & World Report.

Dr. Kelly began his academic career in 1982 as an assistant professor at Texas A&M University. Three years later, he joined the faculty at Clemson, rising through the ranks to become professor and department head by 1991. He was named vice president for public service and agriculture in 1997 and vice president for economic development in 2010.

Active on the national level, Dr. Kelly served on the boards of the Administrative Heads Section of the National Association of State Universities and Land-grant Colleges (now the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities) and the American Distance Education Consortium. His leadership excellence has been recognized with the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEO Award, Sun Sentinel’s Excalibur Award for Large Business Leader of the Year in Palm Beach County and the Clemson University Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award. He also was named one of Florida Trend’s “500 Most Influential Business Leaders.”

Dr. Kelly was raised in South Carolina. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Clemson and both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. He is married to Carolyn Kelly, and they are the parents of Carly and Stella.

When asked the question, “What does it take to level the playing field that perpetuates societal imbalance,” Aubrey Strul, businessman/philanthropist, answers in a singular word – “passion.”

After more than a year of crafting the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, Aubrey knows that his passion for leveling the playing field so that more and more worthy students can attend Florida Atlantic University, must never ebb. With the initial class of four emerging scholars in 2017, his enthusiasm and vision for the program has only intensified.

As co-founder of the program with FAU President John Kelly, his goal is to grow the program to include 80 students per year, or a total of 320 students by 2029. The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program enrolled 18 students in 2018 and enrolled15 students in both 2019 and 2020.  He has also recruited passionate people to the program’s board of directors to ensure rapid and steady growth.

A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Aubrey, and his family immigrated to the United States in 1977. His educational background is in accounting, finance, and mathematics. He represented South Africa in the World Bridge Championships in 1972 and has won three American National Bridge Championships in 2007, 2012, and 2016. Aubrey decided to retire from world class bridge at the end of 2018 to focus more of his time on building the Kelly/ Strul Emerging Scholars Program at FAU.

Major businesses Aubrey has owned were involved in plastic extrusion, machine tool industry, chemical manufacturing, injection molding, land development, real estate development etc.

Aubrey is currently a private equity investor who invests in companies with strong management teams, quality product lines and exceptional people. He has often been quoted as saying “it’s always all about the people.”

His ability to groom and develop people carried over to his passion for emerging scholars. He has always wanted to help young people who had the intellect, ability, and desire, but not the resources to attend college. The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program became a calling for Aubrey and his wife Sally.

The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program is far more than the money that goes into the program. The goal is to build a turnkey program that allows students to graduate in four years without debt and leaves them with a passion to “give-back” when they graduate.

Beyond the education of young, deserving people, Aubrey sees a larger paradigm shift in the works, one that will help balance prevailing socio-economic inequities. He is concerned about the decimation of the middle class in this country and believes it is imperative that we lift up young people who have the desire and ambition to do well and give them a level playing field.

Board Member Arthur Adler only serves on one other board besides the Board of Directors for the new Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, but it is a very significant one. As chairman of the Boca West Foundation, which he has spearheaded since 2010, Arthur has focused on caring for underprivileged area children at every stage of their development.

He joined The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program board because he saw it as way to provide for the last part of the life cycle, which is supporting and financing a child’s higher education. The Boca West Foundation facilitates services for children from birth through high school; however, its comprehensive reach stopped at college.

“I knew giving young people an opportunity at an advanced degree was more than just putting up money for scholarships,” Arthur said. “When my dear friends (and program co-founders) Aubrey Strul and FAU President John Kelly unveiled the program, it was so important to me that it provided housing on campus and gave the scholars a chance to engage with other students through the mentoring program. I knew that the kids would have the greatest chance of success, which was my impetus for getting involved. The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program completed the childhood circle from birth to college.”

Arthur was an emerging scholar, the first and only in his family to attend a university.

“I understood very quickly that without a degree as part of your paperwork, you simply are not going to have the same opportunity to achieve a certain level of success,” he said. “We have tens of thousands of jobs going unfilled in this country. The good news is that we also have tens of thousands of people who could be doing those jobs, if they were better educated. If we can prepare the young people to take on these jobs, the country will just fly.”

As someone who has always recognized and appreciated the value of accessibility to education, The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program is the perfect match for Board Member Barry Beck.

Raised in the suburbs of London, Barry was educated in England’s state school system. His strong academic performance allowed him to bypass university studies and pursue a career in accounting through an apprenticeship program.

Barry went on to qualify as a chartered accountant – the U.K. equivalent of a CPA – at the age of 21. He quickly realized, however, that accounting was not his calling.

Instead, Barry used the skills gleaned from his accountancy training to enter the commercial arena. He has since been involved with several successful startup businesses. In growing these businesses, Barry witnessed firsthand the value of both teamwork and strong leadership – something he feels makes The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program an exemplary program.

“Aubrey Strul’s board appointments represent professionals with diverse skills and accomplishments,” said Barry. “This, combined with the exceptional student mentorship team President Kelly has put together, makes for an impressive group of personnel committed to promoting student success.”

However, it is the program’s mission with which Barry can personally identify.

“My parents could not afford to provide a private education for me, but they were able to financially and emotionally support me through my school years and my accountancy training,” recalled Barry. “I have been so fortunate in this respect, and I think that is one of the drivers that enables me to identify with The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program.”

Barry and his wife purchased a vacation home in Florida in 1990 and have lived in the state full-time since 2015.

Board Member Howard Boilen spent his career pioneering marketing strategies that led to global sales. From calculators to Seiko watches to Direct Response TV, Howard led marketing initiatives that took products from one side of the world to the other.

As a board member for The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, Howard is continuing to build bridges, but now instead of connecting people to products, he is connecting first-generation students to next-level education.

“I am personally involved with other charities that support immigrant families that bring with them the spirit and dreams that most of our own families came here with – to have a better life for their families, especially their children,” Howard said.

“These are typically young adults who have … achieved educational and community service success, and they have proven that they can achieve their dreams, if they can continue their education. Although their parents did not have the chance or the means to go to college, with the help of The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, they can be the first in their families to achieve this.”

Howard invites local community leaders, residents, and even other students to join him and the board, in increasing the opportunities for other worthy young people to attend FAU. He suggests two tangible ways for people to get involved.

“We want to get financial and mentoring support to as many students as possible. The need is there – our goal is to support every deserving student that needs our help,” he said.

 “Among all the elements that students need to succeed in school, two stand out – money — $16,000 per year for four years will cover the financial need. This covers all the student’s costs, so the financial worries are taken away. The second is mentoring. The students will need guidance and support. FAU is doing a fantastic job, but as The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program grows, we will need additional one-on-one mentoring.”

Adrian Minor believes to achieve one’s highest potential, the necessary inner ingredients of passion and perseverance must be coupled with the support and nurturing of mentors who provide insight and access to the doors of opportunity. Adrian is an investor whose own inner grit, drive, and resilience has evolved through a multi-faceted career spanning the fields of public accounting, real estate development, leasing and investment, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and strategic fund investments.

Through the course of his career, Adrian has co-founded and successfully launched multiple business endeavors, overseeing, operating, and orchestrating investment opportunities in real estate, inventory liquidation, invoice factoring, and protein brokerage, among others. Adrian understands and appreciates the importance of a strong network to enhance one’s innate talents. Having immigrated with his family from Uruguay at the age of 11, while applying his own strength, fortitude, and skills along with the support of his family, he graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting.  

Adrian has successfully applied his growth mindset to reach great achievements and happiness for himself, his family, and colleagues. He has shared his learnings and teachings with his own children and co-workers, and looks forward to economically and emotionally investing in Florida Atlantic’s Kelly/Strul Scholars to help them unlock and harness their own inner drives, grit, and achievement.

“Immigrating to the United States at 11 years old, being in a new country and having to learn and excel in a foreign language was a task that required hard work, dedication, and drive to reach my goals. I appreciated that this country was full of opportunities. I was fortunate to have a loving and supportive family, and to meet many mentors along the way to help propel me forward.  I believe these Kelly/Strul Scholars share that same grit I felt growing up, and I feel honored and privileged to have the opportunity to hopefully help elevate them along their journey. Success and happiness are only attained with the support, guidance, and mentorship of others, and enjoyed most when shared,” said Adrian Minor.

Cecilia Peters is a native of Rutigliano, a beautiful medieval town in the region of Puglia, Italy, and just fifteen minutes away from the Adriatic Sea. She has been married to Gary Peters, president of Boca Helping Hands, for 40 years. They have two sons: Gary, 30 years old, who graduated from Vanderbilt with a Bachelor of Engineering in 2013, and Carnegie Mellon University with a Master of Science from the School of Engineering in 2018, and Adam, 26 years old, a graduate of Belmont University, who is currently attending Miami Law School.

Cecilia enjoyed a Wall Street career from 1979 until 1990, the birth of her first son, Gary. She began her second career and greatest passion, teaching, 21 years ago. For three years, Cecilia served as a board member at the Saint Andrew’s School, Boca Raton, Florida. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Gary Peters Family Foundation. Cecilia serves as Board Trustee and Committee member for The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. She has also volunteered her time teaching English to international students at Boca High School and Boca Helping Hands. She is currently an English tutor at A Place for Hope on their Boca Raton campus.

To Cecilia, family is the greatest of all responsibilities, a most fulfilling endeavor, and the most important aspect of her life. However, she regards teaching as integral to the future of our country and an extremely rewarding career. To that end, she devotes most of her spare time to helping kids of all walks of life reach their full potential through education.

Board Member Andrew Queen can relate to the students applying for The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, now offered at Florida Atlantic University. As the father of college-aged children, Andrew understands the challenges of student life and the importance of focusing on academic success. He joined the board not only because his friend and program co-founder Aubrey Strul invited him, but also because he hated the thought of qualified, ambitious students unable to attend a university due to lack of finances.

“When I first learned about the program’s mission and about the talented students, who had only a financial requirement holding them back, it was an easy decision to become involved. My brother and I are delighted to provide scholarships to pay for tuition, housing, and other university expenses for these capable students,” Andrew said.

As the Executive Chairman of Integrated Dermatology Group, Andrew and his brother, Jeff, offer paid internships within their company to the FAU Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. 

“We hire students from FAU, and they are phenomenal,” Andrew said. “Professionally, we are excited to help them, mentor them along this road, as they take this journey to further their education.”

Andrew is one of the founders of Integrated Dermatology Group, LLC and currently serves as a Manager and Director. Andrew brings 26 years of technology and business operations experience to Integrated Dermatology Group. Andrew is also a founder and serves as an executive officer of US Path Labs, LLC, OneSite Dermatology, LLC, and eDerm Systems, LLC. Prior to co-founding these businesses in 2004, 2005, and 2007, respectively, Andrew co-founded Health Watch, Inc. in 1991, home medical alert systems provider. From 1991 through 2001, Andrew served in a variety of executive officer capacities with Health Watch and its successor, to whom Health Watch was successfully sold. Andrew is currently a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Board Member Glen Stein has witnessed how economic disparity can lead to a malfunctioning society. The solution, in his opinion, is to create economic opportunity through education as a bridge to the middle class.

“There was no middle class in South Africa,” Glen said. “Education is a way from low-income into the middle class. I am passionate about creating those opportunities.”

Through his work, serving on the Board of The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, Stein is helping first-generation students attend Florida Atlantic University, free from worry about how they will pay for their education.

Stein also serves as Partner of Integrated Dermatology, the country’s largest independent dermatology practice, and is a member of the Drexel University President’s Parents Council where his passion is obtaining jobs and internships for student with neurodiversity. Stein previously served on the Advisory Board of the FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities for a dozen years, most recently as Chair. Stein expanded his work at FAU through the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, thanks to his relationships with program co-founder Aubrey Strul, and his admiration of FAU President John Kelly and First Lady Carolyn Kelly.

“They are caring and competent leaders. I see the difference they are making already,” Glen said.

He hopes to be an inspiration for people who want to contribute in a meaningful way and welcomes others to support the program and its students.

“Helping people pursue their goals is a joy,” Glen said. “Being educated in America gave me an opportunity for a great life, and I want to share that with others.”

Board Member Jeff Queen sees an active role for the community to play in helping The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program assist local university students.

“It takes a few people to help a few,” he said. “But it takes a village to help all who need help.”

Along with his brother and business partner at Integrated Dermatology/eDerm Group, Andrew Queen, Jeff is encouraging all who can to assist low-income, first-generation students in becoming the next generation of The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program at Florida Atlantic University. Jeff joined the board not only because his friend and program co-founder Aubrey Strul invited him, but also because he understands how improbable attending college can be without financial resources and support.

“We’re helping tomorrow’s leaders afford college,” Jeff said. “The concept of The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program is that these kids can focus on college. (Andy and I) had jobs while we were in college. We want these kids to focus on getting a great education and not worry about making ends meet.”

Jeff and his brother, Andrew, plan to offer paid internships within Integrated Dermatology/eDerm Group to the FAU Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. 

“We’re the largest independent dermatology practice in the country, and we want to offer internships to any of The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program who wants to work during their off time,” Jeff said. “Our corporation offers opportunities in just about every field from medicine to accounting. We want to offer them a real-life, professional perspective.”

David Green joined FAU in 2017 as Assistant Vice President of Development for the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. In 2023, upon the launch of the Transcend Tomorrow campaign, he was promoted to Assistant Vice President in Institutional Advancement, overseeing the administration of the entire Advancement division, including the planning and implementation of all campaign operations. Green’s career in planning and fundraising for nonprofit organizations spans more than three decades, beginning as an officer for Harvard University where he directed various efforts for its 1980s capital campaign.

• Based in South Florida, Green recently served as Assistant Vice President/Campaign Director at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. There he focused on principal gift prospects and assisted in securing more than $6 million in key donations supporting arts education activities.
• Prior, Green served as Executive Director in Medical Development at the University of Miami, Miller School Of Medicine where he was involved in securing several eight- and seven-figure gifts.
• Formerly a senior consultant with the national firms Milano, Ruff & Associates of Los Angeles, and C. W. Shaver & Company of New York City, Green’s responsibilities included designing and implementing fundraising programs, guiding and implementing strategic planning activities, and developing operating and capital pro forma budget projections, raising hundreds of millions of dollars.

Education:

• Harvard College: Bachelor of Arts Degree
• Harvard Business School: Master’s Degree in Business Administration

The newly created Office of Scholarships and Annual Giving will be responsible for providing guidance and strategic leadership for FAU’s scholarship fundraising, along with oversight of the annual giving program. In his role, Haki is responsible for the overall direction and management of the office, as well as partnering with colleagues to create a viable portfolio of donors by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding scholarship prospects.

• Prior to arriving at FAU, Haki spent four years at the UNCF (United Negro College Fund), as the Area Development Director for South Florida. At UNCF, he was charged with cultivating relationships with influential philanthropic foundations, corporations, and friends interested in furthering UNCF’s commitment to transforming Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and increasing the total annual number of African American college graduates.
• Haki’s experience in higher education philanthropy spans more than 25 years, and includes positions with American University in Washington, D.C., Miami Dade College in Miami, FL, as well as service to his alma mater, Howard University in Washington, D.C.
• Haki is also a dedicated advocate for people on the autism spectrum of disorders and serves as a board member for the Arts for Autism Foundation in South Florida.

Education:

• Howard University: Bachelor of Science Degree, Bachelor of Arts Degree

Larry Faerman, Ph.D., joined FAU in 1999 as Area Coordinator for Housing and Residential Life and has served the university in many roles over the years. In 2016, he was named Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. As Acting Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, he oversees all aspects of student life, promoting a campus culture that embraces student success through academic excellence, leadership development and civic responsibility. He oversees the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, which provides a wide array of programs and services to FAU’s student body. Prior to FAU, Faerman worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign for the Department of Housing & Residential Life. Faerman also serves as Associate Graduate Faculty in the Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology. 

Education: 

• Florida State University: Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems 
• Florida State University: Master of Science, Higher Education Administration  
• Florida Atlantic University: Ph.D., Educational Leadership  

Tracy L. Boulukos is the Assistant Vice President for Financial Aid & New Student Service Initiatives in the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Tracy has over thirty years of experience advocating affordability, student success and access to higher education. Tracy is a current member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and the Higher Education Loan Coalition (HELC). 

Tracy is a leader in Enrollment Management at Florida Atlantic University and Co-Executive Sponsor of various student service initiatives. Technology focused solutions include the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) - Salesforce, optimization of the SIS (Student Information Systems), and various student service enhancements such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) driven BOT, virtual platforms, Call Centers, and lobby management. Intelligent, intuitive, integrated technology to promote student success is a primary goal of Tracy’s current role with the University. 

Education: 

• Ohio Wesleyan University: Bachelor of Arts, Pre-Law 
• Kaplan University: Master of Science, Management with a concentration in Change Leadership