Stories

"Dr. Paikoff's invitation to join her research time really inspired me to look at my degree in a different light to achieve my dreams.”

Michaela Clarke, FGCU alumna ('22 Forensic Studies), is a recipient of the Funds for Education Abroad to the United Kingdom. 

MEET MICHAELA

"My mentors helped me develop the self-reliance and confidence I needed to pursue opportunities.”

Maxym Fairall, Honors College student (Nursing), is a recipient of the Summer Health Professions Education Program, University of Florida.

MEET MAXYM

"Having Dr. Coticone as a professor was great but having her as my research mentor has been even better. She’s not only there to offer her extensive knowledge in Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, but she has also taught me life skills that I will carry with me throughout my professional career.”

Camila Garcia, FGCU alumna ('22 Biochemistry),  is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at UNC Chapel Hill and UBA. 

MEET CAMILA

"The OCF is an encouraging community of like-minded individuals that are willing to be challenged."

Kea Kamiya, Honors College student (English and Art), is a recipient of the Critical Languages Institute for Russian. 

MEET KEA

"I have developed a passion for research during my time here at FGCU and it is not because I can follow an experimental procedure, but precisely because there is no experimental procedure laid out for me to follow.”

Elizabeth Recker, FGCU alumna ('22 Bioengineering), is a recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship.

MEET ELIZABETH

"Dr. DeWees gives me strength and motivation to perform as best as I can.”

Musarrat Shaira, FGCU student (Sociology), is accepted to the Public Policy Leadership Conference at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

MEET SHAIRA

"The OCF is so much more than an application or winning an award; it is an office of personal development ran by one of the most supportive people I know.”

Arianna Smith, Honors College alumna ('22 Biotechnology), is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, University of South Carolina.

MEET ARIANNA

"This office provides all students with the mentors and resources necessary to ensure that they maximize their possibilities of success here at FGCU and throughout their lives.”

Taylor Vickers, Honors College alumna ('22 Psychology), is a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Recipient.

MEET TAYLOR

"Through Dr. Mirjafari's mentorship, I have been able to take part in many amazing opportunities and have achieved more than I had thought possible."

Grace Anderson, Honors College alumna ('22 Chemistry), is one of FGCU's first two Goldwater Scholarship recipients.

MEET GRACE

"Dr. Terumi has allowed me to become a part of a community of students at FGCU where I feel comfortable and at home."

Kristina Gusty, Honors College alumna ('21 Chemistry), is FGCU's first student to be accepted into the Critical Language Institute Virtual Acquisition Program.

MEET KRISTINA

"The Office of Competitive Fellowships has made me aware of so many opportunities that I didn’t even know existed. OCF has quickly made itself known as an important asset to FGCU students."

Mark Leone, ACE Program graduate, is FGCU's first NOAA Hollings Scholarship recipient.

MEET MARK

"Without these three amazing professors I wouldn’t be where I am at today and I most certainly would not have won the Goldwater. "

Alexander Marsh, Honors College alum ('21 Biology), is one of FGCU's first two Goldwater Scholarship recipients.

MEET ALEX

"Whilst, this office certainly pushed me to win the Fulbright, it also, and perhaps most importantly, gave me a platform to understand my capabilities, aspirations, and the impact I have as a first generation Cuban-American."

Carolyne Mesa, Honors College alumna ('19 Communication and Philosophy), has been selected as a Fulbright Finalist for the English Teaching Assistant Program to Uzbekistan. This is FGCU’s first Fulbright selection since 2016. 

"I'm confident now to create a career that will give back to those around me in an educational and well-rounded way using my past experiences and new dreams as my guide."

Spring Olivares, Honors College alumna ('21 English), is part of the first cohort of 500 Gilman McCain's Award recipients from the United States with the program in its first year of existence.

MEET SPRING

"Even though the process of applying for a fellowship is demanding, I believe that the effort is worth it because I’ve been able to accomplish more than I thought I could."

Katherine Patterson, Honors College alumna ('22 Biology), is FGCU's first Critical Language Scholarship Program Finalist. 

MEET KATHERINE

"The OCF filled a hole at FGCU that we didn’t even know was there."

Rebekah "Becky" Rodriguez, Honors College alumna ('21 Psychology), is FGCU's first Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute recipient.

"In the past year, I would say the OCF has been one of my most useful resources as a student at FGCU, and any other individuals would be fortunate to work with an office that strives to lift students to success."

Roxana Ruiz, Honors College alumna ('21 Economics), was the first recipient for the newly established Office of Competitive Fellowships at FGCU. She was selected from a pool of over 200 applicants for the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) service weekend program at Georgetown University.

MEET ROXY

"The support given by the Office of Competitive Fellowships is unparalleled in any other part of FGCU I have seen and helps dreams become reality."

Melissa Sutter, Honors College alumna ('22 Civil Engineering), was selected as FGCU's first David L Boren Scholarship for Japan.

MEET MELISSA