The Scholars

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.

Jessica Alvarez knew early on she wanted to be a first-generation college student and was able to fulfill that dream thanks to the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars program. During her four years at FAU, Alvarez harnessed the same dedication and tenacity that earned her the full scholarship to complete her bachelor’s degree in health services. Alvarez is now pursuing a career in health administration because she wants to be an advocate for patients like her mother, who has Parkinson’s disease. 

Outside of her rigorous academic studies, Alvarez was actively involved on campus. She was a member of SOMOS Boca – a student organization for the Hispanic/Latinx community at FAU, a member of Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity, and she served as president of the Community Service Club for one semester.

Maresa Rivellini counts “Women in Criminal Justice,” which highlights the disparities that women encounter in the criminal justice system, among her favorite courses while she was at FAU. After graduation, the Kelly/Strul Scholar returned to Englewood, Fla. to work for a year before attending the prestigious New York Police Academy. 

Rivellini has always aspired to a career as a public servant, recognizing early on the valuable role they play in society. Growing up, she always treasured having her mother, who was a cafeteria worker at her elementary, middle, and high schools, close by. The two have shared a tight-knit relationship following the death of her father when she was only nine years old. 

When Gema Cervantes arrived at Florida Atlantic University, she promised herself she’d take advantage of every opportunity. Two-and-a-half years later, the Belle Glade native earned her bachelor’s in Biological Sciences, with a minor in Spanish.

Because of the Kelly/Strul program, the first-generation student was able to fully immerse herself in campus life without financial burden. She served as the president of the Blood Pressure Screening Association and was instrumental in founding Mission Brain, a nonprofit dedicated to providing neurosurgical expertise to underserved areas worldwide. Gema also received an honors biology research designation and served as The American Medical Student Association’s co-director of records. 

After graduation, Gema secured a position as a medical scribe and assistant at South Palm Orthopedics, where she will test the novel anti-microbial peptides for anti-tumor activities. She also plans to study for the MCAT, work as a social media specialist at Socratic Med and find a shadowing opportunity in Family Medicine. 

At age 12, Michel Isaac immigrated to the U.S. from Haiti with his father. Throughout high school, he was a member of the Principal Rapid Orientation and Preparation in Educational Leadership (PROPEL) program, which expands academic opportunities for at-risk youth. Attending college seemed out of reach for Michel, who was resolved to enlist in the U.S. Army. Then, he was accepted into the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. 

The Kelly/Strul program provided Michel with the support needed to overcome financial and emotional struggles as a first-generation college student. During his time at FAU, Michel grew into a confident young adult, finding ways to celebrate his native culture by participating in Konbit Kreole, a Haitian student organization on campus. 

In December 2022, Michel proudly graduated with a degree in Economics from the College of Business. He plans to immediately enter the workforce and find ways to promote his family history by giving back to the Haitian community. 

Attending college seemed like a far-off dream for Emily Seymour. Though she was academically gifted, Emily feared her mother wouldn’t be able to afford college. Thanks to the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, the accomplished young woman graduated in less than three years with a degree in History and a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. 

The once-shy teen blossomed at FAU. She immediately bonded with like-minded peers and bonded with other first-generation scholars, giving her a newfound sense of confidence. Emily took advantage of FAU’s valuable resources to ensure academic success and became actively involved in student-run organizations, including Lambda United, the National Organization for Women at FAU, the Girls Who Code College Loop, First & Proud, Community Service Club, Generation Action, and Tri Alpha National Honors Society. 

After graduation, Emily plans to become an AmeriCorps Success Coach through City Year. After serving in the corps, she plans to attend graduate school to study College Student Affairs. One day, she hopes to return to FAU as a student affairs professional, supporting the future goals of other first-generation students.

Joseph Alexander is a determined individual who has overcome significant challenges to achieve their goals. Born premature with a grim prognosis, Joseph surpassed all expectations as a healthy adult and became the first member of their family to attend college. Despite the loss of their mother at a young age, Joseph has persevered and successfully graduated in her memory. 

At FAU, Joseph excelled as a neuroscience major, engaging in community outreach projects and participating in undergraduate research. The New Port Richey native’s biggest accomplishment was presenting sharks, rays and skates skin biomechanical research at scientific conferences and symposiums, showcasing a passion for marine life. 

After graduation, Joseph plans to pursue graduate school while working full time as an aquatic biologist. Watching their dreams turn into a budding reality reminds Joseph that none of this would have been possible without the support of donors. Joseph is eager to embark on a new chapter filled with opportunities for growth and development.

Klark Balay was inspired by his father’s work ethic and grew up determined to make him proud. Thanks to his dedication in school, Klark was accepted as a Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholar and is well on his way to achieving his goals of pursuing a career in technology.

The Greenacres native was actively involved in various extracurricular activities during his time at FAU, including the Asian Student Union and Google Developer Student Club. The computer science major is determined to use his degree to make a difference in the lives of first-generation students, just as donors have done for him.

After graduation, Klark will proudly join the Ignite Leadership Team at NextEra Energy, a two-year development program where he’ll gain leadership and functional training while engaging in numerous projects. He plans to leverage the skills the Kelly/Strul program equipped him with to drive positive change and create opportunities for minority communities. 

Lanicia Haynes’ perception of hard work was shaped by her experience of having been raised by a single mother, who became her biggest inspiration. Lanicia is thrilled to have made her mother proud by graduating debt-free from FAU’s Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program.

Driven by a desire to pay forward the support she has received, Lanicia decided to major in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. Throughout her time at FAU, she spent her summers interning with the city’s police department and working alongside 911 dispatchers. The Miami native was also involved in the Black Student Union and Tri Alpha Honor Society. 

Lanicia plans to launch her career in law enforcement and criminal investigation after graduating with her bachelor's in psychology. She is forever grateful to the donors who believed in her from the start and supported her in achieving her goals. 

After Hurricane Maria devastated her home country, Shernira Hurtault moved to Hollywood, Florida, to live with her sister. As a junior in high school, she quickly realized that the education system in the United States was very different from what she was used to in the Caribbean. Despite the challenges of being a first-generation student in a new country, Shernira persevered. With her family’s guidance, she applied to college and was accepted to FAU as a Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholar, taking the first step in her higher education journey.

As a biology major with a minor in psychology, Shernira was deeply involved in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. She served as the Secretary of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the College of Science’s student ambassador program and also worked as an Owls Care Leader, promoting physical and mental health on campus. In addition, Shernira was an active member of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society and participated in a psychology research lab. 

After graduation, Shernira plans to pursue graduate school to advance her passion for advocating for equitable healthcare practices and empowering young children and teens. She dreams of becoming a mental health counselor one day. 

Hannah James’s unwavering determination to succeed can be traced back to her upbringing. Growing up as the youngest of four siblings with a single mother, the Miami native worked tirelessly every summer to support her family.  Even when her grandmother became ill during her sophomore year of high school, Hannah remained steadfast in her commitment to her family. 

As the first in her family to attend college, Hannah was determined to make the most of her opportunities. Her mother’s health struggles inspired her to pursue a major in nursing, and she wasted no time immersing herself in campus life by joining the Black Student Union and Student Nurses Association. She also was part of the CARES grant, which allows undergraduate nursing students to work with vulnerable populations, including veterans and the homeless. 

After graduation, Hannah plans to take her boards to become a registered nurse. She is currently interested in a stepdown intensive care unit role, or community nursing, as the CARES grant has opened her eyes to a sector of nursing she didn’t know existed.

Francisco Aguirre is a true testament to the power of giving. A first-generation immigrant, Francisco developed a strong work ethic from a young age, as he grew up helping translate for his parents and working hard for their benefit. 

In middle school, he found invaluable support from Take Stock in Children, further fueling his determination and resilience on his educational journey. His unwavering diligence paid off when he was accepted into the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program in 2019.

The Lantana native majored in multimedia studies and was an active member of Alpha Psi Lambda national fraternity. Throughout his time at FAU, he broke out of his shell and gained confidence by socializing more and making connections with peers and program mentors.

Thanks to the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars program, Francisco was able to enjoy his time in Paradise without worrying about the financial burden of paying for college. He credits the program's incredible support system, which helped him navigate any obstacles he encountered during his four years at FAU. 

After graduation, Francisco hopes to work in a company's media department and has dreams of starting his own photography and videography business one day.

Abigail Augustin’s parents immigrated from Haiti with the hope of providing their daughters with the best opportunities available. Their sacrifice paid off when Abigail was accepted to Florida Atlantic University as a Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholar. 

The Lake Worth native pursued her passion for exercise and weightlifting by majoring in exercise science and health promotion. During her time at FAU, she was actively involved on campus, serving as the President of Konbit Kreyol, FAU’s Haitian student organization; vice president of Tri-Alpha, the first-generation honor society; and as a member of Fanm Kreyol, a Haitian women’s empowerment club.

After graduation, Abigail will pursue post-degree classes in preparation for physical therapy school. She’s excited to continue her passion for exercise science and make a positive impact on people’s lives through her work as a physical therapist. 

Arthi Khan had an unwavering dream to attend college and to make a positive impact in the healthcare industry. Growing up, the Boca Raton native dedicated her time to volunteering at local hospitals, tutoring younger children, and mentoring peers.  

Throughout her FAU journey, Arthi thrived on building connections with fellow students, mentors, and professors. She was actively involved in the Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association, where she showcased her commitment to educating the FAU community about healthcare and medicine. Additionally, she engaged in the Learning Environment and Academic Research Network, seizing opportunities to conduct experiments and present findings at symposiums.  

Looking ahead, Arthi will pursue graduate school, enabling her to further her passion for research and contribute to the ever-evolving medical field. With her experience and ambition, Arthi is well-positioned to make an impact in medicine, improve patient care and contribute to the advancement of healthcare practices.

Roberto Romoleroux broke barriers in his family as the first to attend college, thanks to the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. With a keen analytical mind, Roberto found his passion in management information systems at FAU. 

While on campus, the Hialeah native immersed himself in augmented and virtual reality content with the Owls Gaming Club, where he even led the “Call of Duty” team, showcasing his technological prowess and leadership skills. 

After graduation, Roberto plans to enter the cybersecurity field, utilizing his software programming skills to protect critical systems from digital threats. As a proud first-generation graduate with a B.B.A. in Management Information Systems, Roberto is confident that the knowledge and experiences he gained at FAU will serve as a solid foundation for his professional journey. That said, he is eager to continue learning and growing in his field, driven by his passion for technology and determination to make a meaningful impact in the cybersecurity realm. 

Jermaine Binns has always been captivated by the world of computers. This passion encouraged him to develop his skills in data modeling, coding and 3-D printing for prosthetics. His dream of pursuing a degree in management information systems became a reality when he was accepted into the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program.

At Florida Atlantic, Jermaine nurtured his passion for technology as a member of the Owls eSports Gaming Club, where he connected with fellow computer aficionados and honed his programming skills. He also served as an orientation leader, guiding other bright-eyed, first-generation students to success. 

After graduation, Jermaine plans to launch his IT career to support his younger brother through college. Jermaine is determined to inspire first-generation, low-income students to find solutions for their futures, just as others did for him.

When Suron Draden was accepted into the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, she set ambitious goals to get involved in the community and have a career plan in place by the end of four years. She achieved all of this and more in just two years. 

Suron earned her bachelor’s degree in social work and was accepted with advanced standing to Florida Atlantic’s Master of Social Work program for the following year. She also built connections with other students as a member of the Black Student Union and Fashion Forward, a student-led organization embracing all aspects of the fashion industry.

As the first in her family to attend college, Suron says that being a Kelly/Strul scholar helped her gracefully transition from teenager to adult and gave her “peace of mind” while she figured out her path in life. She is a strong believer that a good education is “priceless” and is grateful to the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program for investing in her future. Thanks to the support of the program, Suron achieved her academic goals and graduated from Florida Atlantic debt-free.

After completing post-graduate studies, Suron hopes to use her training and education to bridge the gap between law enforcement and social work by serving as a first responder to a special victims unit or working with victims of human trafficking.

Kayla Harris, an aspiring cetologist (the study of aquatic mammals), always gravitated toward the sciences – but her interest in environmental science was born during her time as a Kelly/Strul scholar. 

The Orlando native earned a bachelor’s in health science with a concentration in environmental science from Florida Atlantic and held an internship with the Palm Beach County’s Environmental Resources Management Department – an experience she recalls as deeply transformative. “Being part of a team that ensures beaches are dark for nesting sea turtles is something I'm very proud of,” she says.

After graduation, Kayla hopes to secure a position in marine science education or field work, and eventually relocate someplace where she can study and work with whales. She credits the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program for providing her both the academic guidance and emotional support that enabled her to graduate debt-free in just three and a half years. 

The eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants, Jacklyn Pinedo believed her early dreams of becoming a doctor were nothing more than fantasy. With two younger siblings at her home in Fort Pierce, she knew her family would be unable to financially support her academic endeavors. Her acceptance to the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program turned her dream into a reality, allowing her to earn a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at Florida Atlantic in just two years – and setting her up as a strong candidate for medical school.

Since embarking on her collegiate journey, Jacklyn has made the most of her experience through involvement in student organizations such as the Next in Action Club, the first K-pop dance team on campus, Global Medical Brigade, and the International Friends and Community Service Club. 

Aside from extracurriculars, Jacklyn also served as a biomedical student researcher, where she shadowed medical investigators exploring Huntington’s Disease. The lab experience allowed her to present research findings at the 12th Annual FAU Broward Student Research Symposium. One of the most rewarding parts of Jacklyn’s college experience was studying abroad at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, where she broadened her global perspective and made lasting friendships. 

After graduation, Jacklyn will focus on MCAT preparation and hopes to gain additional clinical experience by working in a research lab prior to attending medical school.