The Scholars

When Isabel Hidalgo earned her bachelor’s degree in Spring 2020, a year ahead of her class, she became the first Kelly/Strul scholar to graduate from the program The Cooper City resident is currently finishing her master’s degree in history at FAU and will graduate in August 2022. In addition to her studies, Isabel works as a graduate teaching assistant for the FAU history department. It has been a dream of hers to one day work in the Library of Congress. 

As an undergraduate, Isabel was active in student life and co-founded First and Proud, a student-led organization dedicated to connecting first-generation students. To date, the club has more than 1,500 members. She was also a recipient of numerous distinguished awards, including the Traci Jill Edelman Memorial Award in History in 2019, the Percy and Pauline Greenberg Memorial Award in 2020, the Traci Jill Edelman Memorial Award in History of Women, Gender, or Sexuality for a History Major in 2020, and the University Scholar Award for the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters in 2020.  

Dedicated, compassionate and resilient are just a few of the words used to describe Kendra Flash. Born in Staten Island, NY, her family moved to Port St. Lucie when she was only 13 years old, after her father was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. Throughout high school, Kendra successfully juggled helping care for her father, serving as captain of the dance team, and working part-time.  

Grateful for the opportunity to attend FAU debt-free as a Kelly/Strul scholar, Kendra took advantage of the numerous opportunities and organizations available on campus. Through the National Council of Negro Women, she volunteered with youth in the community, which prompted her to switch her major from business management to early childhood education. After graduating in only three years, Kendra has set her sights on graduate school. She would like to open a pre-school one day.

Neasha Prince believes having an impact on students means more than changing the trajectory of their lives, but of the entire community for generations to come. She credits the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program for teaching her the value of service and commitment. As an undergraduate student, Neasha advocated for opportunities for underprivileged students like herself. She co-founded the First and Proud student organization to help guide fellow first-generation students toward success. She also launched the First and Proud Foundation, a sister organization, with a mission to raise funds for first-generation students.  

After graduating from FAU with two degrees, Neasha joined AmeriCorps. She spent six months guiding under-resourced students in their academic achievement at a STEM charter school in Connecticut. She then returned home to Fort Lauderdale to work as a success coach, where she provided academic support for eighth grade math students and empowered students to evolve into leaders by encouraging in their social and emotional growth.  

Neasha is currently attending St. Thomas University College of Law with plans to become a civil rights attorney.

As a first-generation student, Odjeenie Jean-Louis has a heartfelt appreciation for the opportunities she was granted. She was born in Haiti but moved to the United States as a young child. In high school, Odjeenie volunteered as a tutor at an afterschool program where she discovered her love of teaching.  

The Miami resident was able to pursue her passion thanks to the financial support of the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. At FAU, she served as a Residential Student Scholar, helping students connect to resources and study guides, and was actively involved with the National Society of Leadership and Success.  

Odjeenie completed her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in only three years. Afterward, she passed the Florida Teacher Certification Examination and attained a Professional Florida Educator's Certificate. She is currently an elementary education teacher for Miami Dade County Public Schools. In addition, Odjeenie is pursuing her master’s degree at FAU.  

Angie Joseph has kept busy since she graduated with bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and mathematics and a minor in economics. She’s been putting all her talent to work, dividing her time as a social media account manager and as a member of the 2022 Global Leaders Program Cohort, an international executive social entrepreneurship program. She was recently recognized by her hometown of Naples for her work with students and was presented with a community leadership award.  

Angie will begin her residency at the New York Academy of Art this summer and plans to apply to graduate school in the fall. She hopes to one day to launch a nonprofit that provides artistic outlets for children, especially those with developmental disabilities.

Ever since she was little, Shyra Johnson had a passion for sports. At 21, the first-generation Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program graduate became one of the youngest certified NBA agents in history. Shyra, who founded and serves as CEO of Team Empire Sports, graduated from FAU in April 2021 with her bachelor’s in business administration and management. She is currently enrolled in FAU’s MBA program and gives back to the Kelly/Strul program as a First-Generation Retention Specialist. 

While an undergraduate, the Kelly/Strul scholar worked as a client relations manager at a sports agency specializing in athlete management and partnership marketing and served as an intern at ESPN. She credits her ability to secure top-notch internships with influential sports agencies on the networks she built through her professional mentors and Kelly/Strul advocates.  

Brianna Rogers has always loved two things – sports and communications. Growing up in Port Charlotte with three brothers, Brianna developed a deep love of football. At FAU, the Kelly/Strul scholar was able to combine her interests by covering sports and other campus stories for University Press, the university’s student-run newspaper. The scholarship allowed this driven first-generation student to earn a degree in multimedia studies, and it set her down the path to realizing her dream of becoming an NFL sideline reporter.

Academics have always been important to Megan Togno, and she was elated when she received news of her acceptance into the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. As an undergraduate student in the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, Megan was frequently on the Dean’s List and was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She also completed an internship with the Women’s Foundation of South Florida, whose mission is to empower women and girls to be leaders so they can change the world. 

The dedicated student graduated in three years with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and was accepted into FAU’s master’s program in the College of Education. After completing an internship with the Organization of Appreciative Education, Megan is expected to graduate in December 2022. She then intends to enter a doctoral program in higher education and/or attend law school.  

At nine years old, Jacob Browne knew exactly what he wanted to become. Inspired by Joe Buck’s play-by-play call of the 2009 World Series, Jacob was determined to become a sportscaster.  

As a member of the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, Jacob earned a B.A. in Multimedia Studies and served as the voice of FAU baseball and football, eventually becoming the sports director for the station. Jacob worked NFL Super Bowl Radio Row in Miami in 2020 and Tampa in 2021, interviewing players and sportscasters. He also launched his own show, Strictly Sports on Owl Radio, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio. In addition to his on-campus activities, Jacob interned at SiriusXM PGA Tour Sports Programming. 

After graduating in just 3.5 years, Jacob is now the play-by-play broadcaster for the Forest City Owls in Forest City, North Carolina. There, he announces every baseball game, hosts pre- and post-game shows, and conducts interviews with players and coaches. 

When Rikita Gupta’s mother left India to create a better life for her two children, it ignited a fire within Rikita to make her mother’s sacrifice worthwhile. Her willpower earned her the honor of becoming a Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholar. 

The first-generation student totally immersed herself in FAU’s campus life. She served as president of Japanese Kimono and Tea Ceremony Club and was a member of the FAU Boxing Club and the Asian Student Union. Rikita also gained experience through internships at the Frost Science Museum and in FAU’s undergraduate primatology lab, as well as a position working in a kennel as a veterinary assistant.  

But most inspiring of all, Rikita completed her degree in just two years. Graduating with a B.A. in Psychology, Rikita plans to pursue a master’s and doctorate degree in Biology, with the goal of becoming a researcher and professor. She has applied to graduate research fellowships and expects an acceptance into a post-graduate program imminently.  

Alexandria Lalonde’s steadfast determination comes from watching her mother go above and beyond to provide security for her family. In high school, Alexandria worked part-time jobs at local restaurants to help contribute to household expenses while balancing her schoolwork. It was a coworker who encouraged her to take the leap and go to college.  

Alexandria used this same discipline and perseverance to graduate from FAU with her degree in elementary education in just two and a half years. After graduation, she moved back to her hometown of Satellite Beach and is teaching at a local elementary school. She hopes to encourage her own students to pursue their academic and career goals, just as she did. In the future, Alexandria plans to earn her master’s and doctorate degrees in child psychology and become a school psychologist.

Connor Manford developed a love for business while working at a golf course in high school. Since then, the first-generation student has focused on building a career in marketing.  

While at FAU, the Kelly/Strul scholar spent significant time gaining hands-on experience through various internships. Connor learned how to build a brand’s social media presence and how to oversee administrative responsibilities. During his final internship at Scientific Instruments, he was challenged to think outside of the box and step out of his comfort zone.  

Connor was so successful, Scientific Instruments offered him a full-time position upon completion of his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. The Palm Coast native is now an inside sales and marketing coordinator where he works on a multitude of projects ranging from advertisements and social media to e-commerce and email marketing. 

Originally from Venezuela, Luisana Munoz remembers when there was no power, water or food in her home. Luisana’s parents knew they couldn’t fulfill their daughter’s dreams in Venezuela and emigrated to America. She worked hard in high school and was involved in several organizations, leading to her acceptance as a Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholar. 

Luisana flourished at FAU. The biological sciences major conducted research in two different labs, where she analyzed songbirds and studied empathy in children. She also worked as a pharmacy technician at CVS, where she accrued over 100 shadowing hours in preparation for medical school. Luisana also worked as an admissions ambassador, leading orientations for new and prospective students around campus. 

After graduating with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, the first-generation student was admitted into FAU’s Biological Sciences master’s program. She hopes to begin medical school in 2023. 

The value of the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program was not lost on Aquanna Cartwright, who grew up in a foster home with twelve other children. She learned of the scholarship and mentorship program through Best Foot Forward, a non-profit organization that offers guidance to foster care youth. 

Now, the former foster teen is a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in health science. She has been fortunate to supplement her academic studies with an internship at the Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Her hope is to pursue a career in forensic nursing, a critical resource for anti-violence efforts, including helping apprehend or prosecute criminals.

Virone Devine strives to follow his late father’s teachings to never let outside influences deter him from his goals. In high school, this meant playing football and acting, while also balancing numerous jobs to help support his single mother. This hard work and perseverance led Devine to become a Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholar and will serve him well in his next endeavor. Days before his graduation ceremony, Virone was commissioned as a military officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. 

Throughout college, the public management major routinely gave back to the FAU community by serving as a mentor for Kelly/Strul and for Project Men, an organization that encourages young Black men to create change in their community and beyond through mentoring, service, and empowerment training. He was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the Black Student Union.

A natural caregiver who grew up tending to her younger cousins, Alyssa Lowe is realizing her childhood dream of becoming a nurse thanks to the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. Following her graduation from the FAU nursing program, the Fort Lauderdale native is studying for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and will enter a nursing residency program. 

Throughout her time on campus, Lowe was actively involved in student life. In addition to volunteering as a Kelly/Strul program mentor, she served as a member of the Black Student Union and as a parliamentarian for Sistuhs, a national community service-based organization for African American women.

It’s not surprising that after graduating from FAU with a degree in biochemistry, Torey Lundy is applying to medical school. He has always loved science, calling chemistry and math his favorite subjects. The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholar aspires to work as a chemist in a lab or medical office.

Throughout his undergraduate program, Lundy has been a dedicated and determined student. He maintained stellar grades and took an active role in student organizations. Lundy served as president of the Running Owls, FAU’s running club, and was a member of the Urban Male Initiative, which empowers students to become “men of content and character.”

When Jaireen Ruiz learned about the 4,500 teacher vacancies in Florida, she knew she could make a difference. Now, the first-generation student is applying for teaching jobs in Palm Beach County where she hopes to give back to the community by instilling confidence in other first-generation students like her.

Ruiz found her voice and blossomed into a thriving young adult while at FAU. She volunteered at a local elementary school to gain firsthand experience in her desired field, all while serving as the vice president of First and Proud and a Kelly/Strul program mentor. The Lake Worth native excelled in the classroom and credits much of her success to her “support community” of Kelly/Strul mentors. 

After graduating with a degree in elementary education, Leightiana Smith moved to Tennessee to complete the Memphis Teacher Residency program, after which she will earn her master’s in teaching and serve a three-year commitment to teach in a Memphis high-need school. She hopes to use her story as a first-generation college student to connect with her students and help them achieve their goals.

Undoubtedly, the future teacher will be an inspiration to her students. She was able to excel in her rigorous course load while taking advantage of the extracurricular activities and internships available to FAU students. In addition to serving as a Kelly/Strul program mentor, Leightiana participated in UNICEF FAU and interned at A.D. Henderson Elementary School.

Born in Peru and raised in South Florida, Valeria Tineo has taken full advantage of all the opportunities afforded to her through the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. After graduating with degrees in marketing and international business, this first-generation student now has her sights set on graduate school. She was recently accepted into the online Sports MBA program at the University of Miami and will begin working in a marketing role with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. 

While at FAU, Tineo interned at Keenability, Inc., a boutique marketing agency. She then joined PeakActivity, a technology and marketing consulting firm, first as an intern and then was offered a position as a junior digital marketing strategist. The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholar successfully balanced work and her studies with campus involvement and professional development, including serving as president and media director for First & Proud, director of professional development for the American Marketing Association, “FAU Today” news anchor, and member of the Sports Business Association.