My FSU Experience

Laurie Cagney

Being only in my second year at school, my Florida State experience is still very young and changing every day. All throughout high school I was very active in volunteering and with other club activities, and I knew that it wouldn't change when I got to college. Before classes started, I participated in the Service Leadership Seminar through the Center for Civic and Leadership Education. This 3 day seminar was an incredible experience and I learned about different ways to become involved both on my community and on campus. When the beginning of Fall semester came, I went to a lot of interest meetings for all the different clubs on campus, but it was very overwhelming and I didn’t know what here I wanted to do. I began asking myself: Where did I want to get involved? What organizations hold the same values as I do?

I eventually ended up pledging a co-ed Service Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. Since I made that decision, I have met some amazing people with whom I've become really close. I've had a lot fun participating in both on-campus and off-campus events and service projects. Becoming active on campus has changed the way I see my future at Florida State. This school has so much to offer students—there is something happening all the time! Coming here was one of the best decisions of my life, and I hope to help other students also find their passion for FSU.

"I would say that I have gained a ton from being involved. But honestly these are all things that I could've said no to. I could not have taken that chance to get involved and meet a variety of different people, but instead I did. And that has made a seminal impact on my career here at Florida State."

Chirag Shah

"Since setting foot on campus, involvement has defined my experience here at the Florida State University. Anything that piqued my interest presented an opportunity to get involved - the University did a great job facilitating my transition to college, so I gave back by serving in several organizations. I have a strong passion for helping others so I joined and devoted a lot of my time to service-oriented organizations such as Caring and Helping in Community Service and Dance Marathon. My majors are marketing and finance so I am highly involved with American Marketing Association, Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda, and the Homecoming PR/Marketing committee. For me, getting involved has been both invaluable and fulfilling - not only has it bettered my understanding of what I want to do with my life, but it has also allowed me to apply myself to those passions here and now. My main goal in life is to be become an U.S. Ambassador. By getting involved on campus and meeting different students every day, I know I will achieve my goal!"

Kimmy Siddle

My freshman year at Florida State I was surrounded by unfamiliar faces and it seemed that everything was thrown at me at once! Overwhelmed I didn't know where to start. But the decision to go through Panhellenic Recruitment in Fall 2008 was a pivotal decision in my FSU experience. Being apart of Greek Life, I was introduced to the incredible impact philanthropic events can make on this campus and in the community. With this new found passion I was able to discover my future career goal of becoming a Corporate Event Coordinator. These past few years at Florida State I have been involved in International Student Volunteers, Emerging Leaders, Women in Business, Homecoming Spirit Tribe, Light the Night, the LeaderShape Institute, and much much more. Currently I preside on the Executive Board of Alpha Delta Pi, Project Manager for The BIG Event, Dance Marathon Morale Captain and am an active member in Rho Lambda and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society.

Seleyna Lyn

In high school, I was involved in a lot of clubs and held a lot of leadership programs. The transition from high school to Florida State was a little uneasy for me. At first, I wasn't very involved in campus activities. I soon began to realize that being involved was the key to living a happy campus life. I have been involved in Catholic Student Union, Amnesty International, and Invisible Children. Being involved helped me to surround myself with others who had goals similar to mine. Involvement at Florida State allowed me to adjust better to the new setting, as well as meet new people. Being involved at Florida State has allowed me to gain perspectives on things that I would have never been able to do on my own. I intend on becoming more involved on campus, and definitely hope to help others as well!

Allison Guerny

Becoming involved at Florida State University is a great way to meet people while having fun and finding one's place on campus. I am an active member of Caring and Helping in Community Service, the National Association of Business Economists, the Economics Club, and Women in Business. I have also participated in the Professional Mentorship Program offered by the College of Business, and served as a note-taker for the Student Disabilities Resource Center. Had I not become involved on campus, I would not have enjoyed my college experience nearly as much. I am passionate about sharing this personal joy with others and helping them make the most of their time here.

Tatiana Daguillard

Being a freshman on-campus, I realized that I had to get involved in order to make a place for myself, and in order to meet and make friends. I started off by getting involved in Hall Government, being a floor representative; I became involved in the National Council of Negro Women organization, and Black Student Union. Later I became a Hall Ambassador, and thanks to a peer involvement counselor, I soon expanded the list to include The Black Actors Guild, and Latinos in Performance. These organizations have made my transition to FSU easier and enjoyable, aside from meeting great friends, I have made lasting memories and have grown as a person. Getting involved early is essential to enjoying your time here as a student.

Marilyn Horta

I believe campus involvement is the essential piece in attaining the most fulfilling college experience Florida State University has to offer. Taking part in campus activities gives us the opportunity as students to build a sense of community with one another, to interact in a meaningful and positive dimension, and to share in our visions for the future. It is important that students are encouraged to seek affirmation in their life's passions and also be challenged to participate in an environment of diversified thought. As a first generation college student, I came to Florida State University through the C.A.R.E. and Honors Program. Since then I have sought involvement in organizations dedicated to the promotion of multiculturalism, service, and human rights. Being involved with the Social Justice Living and Learning Community exposed to various extensions of the Center for Leadership and Civic Education, including the LeaderShape Institute and PeaceJam. I have been involved with several other organizations including the Hispanic Latino Student Union, Student United Way, Ambassadors of Multicultural Affairs, and Alpha Omega National Service Fraternity and still continuing to explore all the opportunities Florida State has to offer. In the midst of our quest for a higher education, campus involvement serves to motivate success, stir activism, and re-energize students. When students rise up to exemplify leadership and showcase their talents on campus, an event of important learning takes place that can equal learning in the classroom.

Sequeena Drayton

Every since I have been at Florida State University, my experience has been nothing outside of extraordinary!!! Being that I was new to the college life experience at a university, I came in with cold feet!! But since I have been involved with some of the activities that Florida State has to offer, the butterflies quickly turned into excitement!! Now I am apart of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, P.I.L.L.S, and The International Friends Program. I have also participated in American Medical Women’s Association Undergraduate Chapter. If It wasn’t for me getting involved in the activities that interest me, I would probably still have cold feet! The opportunities that I have with my activities allows me to be a help to people and enjoy my FSU experience to the fullest! I couldn’t have asked for better!!!

Jerry Howze

Being only in my second year here at The Florida State University studying Hospitality Management, my FSU experience hasi only just begun. In high school I was highly involved with our competitive marching band as Head Drum Major, and I was also involved in a few various other clubs. But, nothing in high school compares to FSU. I am in my second year as a Marching Chief as a member of the trumpet (TRUE.) section and couldn't be happier with my decision to come to this university and join this world renowned organization. I have ben involved in Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership Honorary, as well as campus politics as well as the Freshman Leadership Council and I participated in the Leadershape Experience, which have all shaped me as a person today, as well as shaped the relationships I have made and will make in the future. Getting involved has helped my experience only become that much better. I can't wait for what this university has in store for me.

Franchesca Gannon

As a transfer student to Florida State University I was completely overwhelmed when I began here. The move from a small private college to a large public university was a drastic change. I was always involved throughout my high school and college years, and wanted my FSU experience to be no different. The problem was where to start. With the help of the Peer Involvement Counselors I was given a list of school activities that matched my interests. I myself am a Peer Involvement Counselor hoping to spread the help which was given to me as a new student. I am currently the secretary of the Rifle Association at Florida State University, a member of the FSU Habitat for Humanity, a Peer Involvement Counselor, a member of the FSU Catholic Student Union (CSU), and am employed on campus. This year I will also be a part of Relay for Life and Dance Marathon. Becoming involved on campus has transformed my Florida State experience into amazing memories with friends I will never forget. If there is one thing you can do to make a difference in your college life, it is getting involved!

Peer Involvement Mentors