2016-17 WLP Bio Booklet - Meet our 61 Scholars!

Through the generosity of individual
named endowed scholarship donors and the collective
philanthropy of our entire membership, WLP was able
to provide a record 61 scholarship awards to exceptional
women throughout the USF System. We invite
you to meet these outstanding scholars.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP/ANNE MARIE CAMPBELL SCHOLARSHIP
VANESSA BELCHER
Second-year Graduate student, (Doctorate of Nursingfamily
nurse practitioner) Vanessa has called Largo home
for almost six years. As a single parent of two young children,
Marie, 9, and William 4, Vanessa must work full-time. They
are her inspiration for furthering her education, and her goal
is to be the best mother, provider and example to them.
Currently, she works as a registered nurse at the Bay Pines
VA hospital, which serves our veteran population. She works
in the Oncology Medical-Surgical Ward and finds fulfillment
in serving those who have protected our country. She is
enrolled in her second year of the BSN-DNP program at
USF and knew prior to starting this program that she would
not be able to afford tuition on her own. Thankfully, through
generous donations such as this scholarship, her dream is
becoming a reality.
WLP/BANK OF AMERICA EAST TAMPA SCHOLARSHIP
LAURA CORDERO
Senior, majoring in health sciences After completing
her degree, Laura plans to continue studying in a physical
therapy program and open her own practice. Outside of
school, Laura is involved in volunteering with the Future
Physical Therapists Organization and the Dominican
American Student Association. Upon graduation, she will
be the first in her family to graduate from a college in the
United States. Laura looks forward to engaging with the
members of WLP to help her grow both personally and
professionally.
JASMINE TREJO
Freshman, majoring in integrative animal biology
Jasmine’s interests are in science and art, which she
hopes to utilize in her future. Her goal is to attend medical
school after college and become a health professional. She
volunteered in a hospital radiology department and, after
spending the summer there, realized this was what she
wanted to do. As Jasmine continues her studies to be a
health professional, she wants to help people create
new beginnings, to live long healthy lives and enjoy the
company of their loved ones as long as they possibly can.
She believes in these words: Even when change seems
impossible, it is possible to paint over it and start anew.

WLP/BERKMAN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
MADELINE GLASSMAN
BRITTANY HAVENER
WLP/BERKMAN FAMILY FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP
ASHLEY PIERRE
2016 - 2017 WLP SCHOLARS
Senior, majoring in civil engineering and minoring
in geology Madeline plans to work in geotechnical and
transportation engineering. To supplement her academic
studies, she is also a member of Theta Tau, a co-ed
professional engineering service fraternity on campus,
as well as Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society. Madeline
is currently interning at Patel, Greene & Associates, PLLC, an
engineering firm. She has previously interned at the Tampa Hillsborough
County Expressway Authority. She volunteers at the USF Engineering Expo
every year to help kids K-12 become interested in STEM subjects, and also
volunteers at Elmira’s Sanctuary every year with Theta Tau.
Senior, double major in business management and
marketing, USF Sarasota-Manatee After completing her
undergraduate degree, Brittany plans to pursue a master’s
in business administration. She was inspired to continue her
education at the graduate level after attending the National
Collegiate Conference of Women Student Leaders in Washington
D.C. She served on the Student Center Planning Committee and
was privileged to be the only student member serving on the National
Chancellor Search Committee. She is a member of The National Society
of Student Leadership and Success, as well as the Delta Epsilon Iota Academic
Honor Society, and a Student Services disability note taker. When she is not
busy with her extra-curricular organizations and scholarly responsibilities,
she works full time as the assistant general manager at Muse at the Ringling,
the Tableside Restaurant Group’s newest addition located on the grounds of
the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.
Sophomore, majoring in biomedical sciences
Ashley’s career dream is to become a pediatrician, a job she
has envisioned for herself since she was a young girl. To
further that objective, she plans to attend the Morsani College
of Medicine after earning her undergraduate degree at USF.
Her goal is to work at All Children’s Hospital so that she can
begin bringing joy and health to the lives of children. Ashley
attended Lake Weir High School in Ocala, ranking in the top
35 of her class of 416 with a weighted GPA of 4.4, and earning
high honors. She lettered and was co-captain on the track and
weight lifting teams, participated in student government and
engaged in an array of work and volunteer opportunities, including
serving as a peer tutor and volunteering at an assisted-living facility.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP/BERKMAN FAMILY FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP
MARLEY TAYLOR
Sophomore, majoring in biomedical sciences Marley
graduated high school as a certified nursing assistant (CNA)
through her school’s Academy of Health and Medical
Professions program. She has spent three summers
volunteering at her local hospital, accumulating almost 300
hours in the hospital/clinical setting. She aspires to be a
physician, serving her country in the United States military.
Marley graduated high school with more than 700 community
service hours and plans to continue serving her school and
community at USF. She also hopes to combine her love for
service and medicine through medical mission trips.
WLP/BETTY CASTOR SCHOLARSHIP FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES
PRISCILLA FRANCOIS
Sophomore, majoring in biomedical sciences Priscilla plans
to become an OB/GYN and her goal is to travel to other countries
to help undeserved children, and speak out for women’s and
minority rights. She is currently a Trip Educator for Bulls Service
Break; her topic is Youth and Education and she aspires to create
a lasting impact on their upcoming service trip. Priscilla aspires to
create environments that will make the world safer for women
and people of color. She has become the Community Leader for
Partners in Health at USF, hoping to raise awareness for a variety
of public health issues and bring people together by doing so.
WLP/CAROLYN HOUSE STEWART ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
ELIZABETH GABAUD
Senior, majoring in English with a minor in political science
As an English major with a minor in political science at the
University of South Florida, Elizabeth will complete her bachelor’s
degree this spring. She plans to continue her education by going
to law school, then become a human rights lawyer to be a voice
for those who are unable to defend themselves. Her parents
migrated from Haiti to the United States when she was only 5, in
search of a safer and better life for her and her siblings. The move
from Haiti instilled in her a respect for diversity and an undying
desire to be an advocate for heavy-burdened individuals all over
the world. With the Carolyn House Stewart Endowed Scholarship
the burdens of college tuition were lightened. Elizabeth is grateful
and honored to be able to complete her senior year with this
scholarship and move forward to reach her goal of helping those
who cannot help themselves.

WLP/CREW TAMPA BAY SCHOLARSHIP
JORGELINA MORETTA
WLP/DEBORAH EAVES ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
CHERIANN BAKER
JENNA NEWMAN
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
Graduate student, Architecture Jorgelina Moretta started
her last year of graduate studies this fall. In May of 2017, she
will receive a master’s degree in architecture from USF’s
School of Architecture and Community Design. She plans on
becoming a licensed architect by the year 2020. Although she
is not sure yet what branch of architecture she wants to pursue,
she strongly believes in giving back to our communities. Her thesis
focuses on creating a mixed income/affordable housing community, in order to break
the borders that divide us in the city. This new type of community will integrate people
who are typically segregated due to their incomes, giving them equal opportunities at
a healthier lifestyle. Born in Argentina, she was brought to the states at age 10. She
considers the U.S. her home and is proud to say that in the future she wants to use
her architecture training to improve life in the Tampa community. She loves history
and historic sites, and believes we are lucky to live in a city that is rich in both. Through
architecture, she will have the opportunity to influence people in various ways and
help them see the city through different eyes.
Junior, majoring in mechanical engineering Cheriann
Baker, fueled by her passion for cars, plans on working in the
automotive industry. Her dream job is to work for Nissan in
Japan. Cheriann wants to build and test concept cars for an
automotive company that will allow her to create and design
her own automobiles. Cheriann is also the T.O.R.C.H. chair for
the National Society of Black Engineers, a student organization at
USF, and is responsible for community service events. This past summer she
completed an internship with United Technologies Corporation Aerospace Systems in
Illinois. Cheriann was an intern in the electric systems department and worked within
the power distribution group. Cheriann is a peer mentor for the college of engineering.
She has a class that meets once a week and focuses on concepts in pre-calculus.
Senior, chemical engineering major with a minor in
biomedical engineering Jenna is a fourth-year chemical
engineering major with a minor in biomedical engineering.
As a student, she has actively participated in the Society of
Women Engineers where she held the positions of secretary
and vice president, and is currently serving as president. To
further her interests in pharmaceuticals and prosthetics, Jenna
plans to conduct research in cancer and infectious disease to help
find more effective treatments and possible cures. In
addition to her studies, Jenna enjoys mentoring students to
help them find their passion in acting, singing and volunteering.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP/DONALD AND RUTH ANDERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
OREONNIA VIL
Sophomore, majoring in nursing Oreonnia is a sophomore
and plans to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. She began
her journey at USF during Summer 2015, two weeks after
graduating high school. Making the decision to begin college
early put her ahead of other nursing students. With the additional
time, she is considering adding a minor in American sign language.
She believes that this will not only expand her knowledge, but
also enhance her communication skills. She looks forward to
learning more about ASL and the deaf culture. She is passionate
about caring for others as she currently helps care for her
grandparents, both of whom suffer from spinal disabilities.
As the first in her family to attend college, she has many goals
to achieve and regards this scholarship as a great support in
her journey.
WLP/ELSIE A. MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
MARIA BECHT
Freshman, majoring in elementary education Maria is a
native of Clearwater, Florida and is majoring in Elementary
Education. She has a passion for helping children and showing
them what a wonderful gift education is. She is the first in her
family to go to college and is already seeing what a difference
higher education makes. This past semester she has worked
with Tutor-A-Bull as tutor for middle school students. Tutor-a-Bull
is a public/private partnership that provides aspiring USF
teachers with one-on-one, small group and classroom experience.
As a student she was inspired by her teachers to learn all she
could, and one day as a teacher, she hopes to do the same for
her students. A long term goal of hers is to go into education
administration.
LYNDSAY MAHONEY
Sophomore, majoring in elementary education Lyndsay is
pursuing her degree in Elementary Education and her goal is
to inspire students to pursue their passions and leave a lasting
impact on students through her teaching techniques. Lyndsay
works for the College of Education’s Tutor-a-Bull program and is
a participant in Sigma Kappa. Aside from her academically driven
passions, Lyndsay’s goal is to always live life as an adventure.
Lyndsay is intrigued by travel and loves to constantly explore new
heights. Her goal is to travel to a lesser developed country and
share her passion for learning with other students.

WLP/ELSIE A. MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
LENAE PROCTOR
WLP/ESTHER SCHNEID MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
CASSIDY HINSON
INDIRA RANAWEERA
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
Sophomore, majoring in elementary education
Lenae Proctor is currently an elementary education major
and plans to teach in Florida after she graduates with her
Bachelor’s Degree in the spring. She realized her passion for
teaching when she recognizedhow much she loved helping
students understand what they were learning. She wants to be
the kind of teacher who encourages students to learn so they
become active participants in their academic success.
Freshman, majoring in marine biology Cassidy is in
the Honors College and the STEM Academy at USF,
where she is pursuing her degree in Marine Biology.
She plans to join many clubs and student organizations
and has made it a goal to study abroad in Australia –
the home of the world’s Great Barrier Reef and many
outstanding Marine Biology institutes. She developed her
love for the environment by volunteering at Pasco County’s
Energy Marine Center and the Florida Aquarium for seven
years. She also kayaks recreationally in the estuaries and rivers
throughout Florida. She plans to stay involved at the Florida
Aquarium during college and volunteer through USF’s Center for
Leadership and Civic Engagement. Cassidy ultimately plans to
pursue a PhD and work at a marine research institute.
First year medical student, USF Morsani College of
Medicine Indira is excelling as a first-year medical student
at the USF Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM). She hopes
to work as a physician in underserved areas, domestically and
internationally. Toward this end, one of Indira’s main goals is to
become fluent in Spanish before she graduates. In addition to
her academics, Indira is very involved in her school and her
community. She is the current fundraising liaison for USF
Project World Heath, an organization that provides medical aid in
rural areas in the Dominican Republic. She is also a class liaison
for the MCOM Class of 2020, through which she helps improve
the medical school curriculum. In addition, Indira is working on a
research project regarding international health through the USF
MCOM Scholarly Concentrations Program. During 2015- 2016,
she volunteered through medical and educational service
programs in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP
ALEXANDRA BAILEY
Junior, majoring in marketing with a minor in psychology,
USF St. Petersburg Alex hopes to implement the knowledge
that she has acquired throughout different experiences in her
future endeavors. She plans to become a financial advisor and
help individuals as a consultant. She also wants to work with
different businesses overseas to help improve them. In her free
time, she loves reading, socializing and practicing yoga. She has
been involved in performance arts for a large portion of her life,
a pursuit she is very passionate about. Alex is minoring in
psychology and believes that the skills she will learn can be
applied to any career she undertakes.
KENDRA CAMBERO
Junior, majoring in health sciences Kendra hopes to attend the
Second Degree Sequence Nursing Program offered at USF for
Fall of 2018. After completing her undergraduate studies, Kendra
plans to obtain her Master’s Degree in Nursing and become an
educator for future aspiring nurses. For as long as Kendra can
remember, she has loved learning new things and sharing that
knowledge with anyone willing to listen. Kendra believes the
foundation for a great team begins with the individual, and the
foundation for a great individual begins in the classroom.
SAVANNA LEWIS
Junior, College of Nursing student Savanna decided to pursue
her career in the medical field at age 4. Since then, she has
dedicated her life to helping others through various volunteer
programs and events. She has just recently been accepted into
USF’s College of Nursing and is very excited about pursuing her
life-long goal of becoming a nurse. Through this program, she
hopes to expand her knowledge into many different medical
specialties – providing top-quality care to her future patients. She
also hopes to join a study abroad program next summer and help
provide the same quality care to other patients around the world.

WLP FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP
BRIANNA MATHEWS
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
Junior, majoring in behavioral healthcare Brianna’s
main aspiration is to become a mental health counselor and
specialize in working with adolescents with mental illness,
helping them live fulfilling lives. Her goal within the next year
is to volunteer and eventually find an internship in the Tampa
area. After attaining her master of science degree in Child &
Adolescent Behavioral Health, she will pursue her license for
mental health counseling. She has always been interested in
how the mind works, and wants to work hands-on with patients.
One of the greatest rewards she can imagine is to be a positive
influence and impact on someone’s health. Brianna also loves
to read, write and play music. She would love to one day have a
piece of her writing published.
JILLIAN MEDRANO
Junior, majoring in biology, USF St. Petersburg Jill wants
to raise awareness about marine wildlife and conservation
through organizations such as Mote Marine Laboratory and
Aquarium and the Georgia Aquarium. Through these
organizations, she hopes to engage the public in thoughtful
and critical thinking, while researching marine life and finding
ways to conserve the habitats of the oceans. Jill is a very active
reader, enjoys traveling with her family and has the dream of
working with the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica to preserve and
understand the animal she has grown to love and cherish.
Protecting wildlife, whether it is on land or water, is her main
priority. Jill is a career peer advisor at the USF St. Petersburg
Career Center and enjoys assisting students with their resumes,
as well as searching for jobs and internships. She finds that
working with others is something she is passionate about and
plans to continue doing in the future.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP
STEFANIE RAMOTAR
Junior, majoring in microbiology with a minor in global
communicable diseases Stefanie’s aspiration has always been
to become a doctor and help those who are unable to help
themselves, especially children. With her degree in microbiology,
Stefanie plans to further her education by enrolling in medical
school and preventing the spread of communicable disease in
the future. She also has a goal of opening her own pediatrics
practice, where one of her focuses will be to encourage
her patients to establish healthier habits that will lead to a
happier life.
WLP/FRED & KAY MEYER SCHOLARSHIP
MARCI CROWLEY
Senior, majoring in biomedical sciences Marci started her
college career in the Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officers Training
Corps) program and from there decided to pursue a career as
a Flight Nurse. Within the program, Marci joined the Arnold Air
Society, worked as the cadet recruiting officer, received Cadet of
the Month and earned the AFROTC Achievement Award as a top
ranking cadet. Marci regularly volunteers at a children’s hospital
and in children’s ministry. She also volunteers at a research lab
with the Center for Excellence in Aging and Brain Repair at the
USF College of Medicine. Marci has enjoyed supporting USF
athletics as a SunDoll and will continue on the dance team this
fall before graduating with an expected 3.9 GPA.
WLP/GERALDINE TWINE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
CHENICE FENTY
Junior, biomedical sciences Born in Bridgetown, Barbados,
Chenice always had a passion for science. So when it came time
to select her major, it was an easy choice. Her goals are to attend
pharmacy school and one day become a Medical Science Liaison
for a pharmaceutical company. Chenice is actively involved in her
sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, where she serves on the executive
board and the Caribbean Cultural Exchange.

WLP/JUDITH BRYAN DARSEY SCHOLARSHIP
TIFFANY LYP
ANDREA LYPKA
ANGELA PASSERO-JONES
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
Senior, majoring in elementary education with a minor in
environmental policy , USF St. Petersburg Tiffany is
pursuing a bachelor of science in education with certifications
in Elementary Education, along with endorsements in Reading,
ESE (Exceptional Student Education) and ESOL (English for
Speakers of Other Languages) as well as a minor in Environmental
Policy. Tiffany has wanted to be a teacher since the age of 5 and enjoys volunteering at
several high-need elementary schools in Pinellas County. Giving back to the community
has always been second nature to her. In fact, she started volunteering in middle school
and has continued helping others through her college years. On campus, she has been
a member of several clubs, including as a peer mentor, advising incoming students on
how to adjust to college life. She has even created a blog to keep members updated
on upcoming events, along with hosting activities on and off campus. She believes that
when you assist others you gain new knowledge, along with getting to enjoy once-in-alifetime
experiences. Upon graduation, she plans to be an elementary teacher, working
with children to help them get the best possible education and reach their own
personal goals.
WLP/LINDA BLUME AWARD
Doctoral candidate Andrea is a doctoral candidate in the
Second Language Acquisition and Instructional Technology
program. She aims to inspire her students to discover the
world through their individual voices and experiences. She
started developing her method of teaching English as a
second language through arts and digital photography, while
collaborating with second-language learners at various community-based
organizations. Andrea has meshed her passion for visuals as a form of
communication and language learning into a fulfilling and life long career
of teaching and community service. Raised as a Hungarian-minority in Romania,
Andrea was inspired to share her story and share others’ stories as well.
Doctoral candidate Angela is a doctoral candidate in the
Department of Leadership, Counseling, Adult, Career, and
Higher Education with a concentration in education leadership
and policy studies. Previously, she worked as a preschool
teacher for students with disabilities and as a coach for
pre-kindergarten teachers. Angela also interned with local, state,
and federal education agencies in the areas of policy development
and implementation. She is specifically interested in the effects of education
policies for historically marginalized groups. In addition, she utilizes various
methods to uncover the perspectives of culturally, linguistically and
economically diverse families of young children with disabilities.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP/NANCY SCHNEID SCHOLARSHIP
KALYN NYLANDER
Junior, majoring in marketing In tandem with her studies in
the Muma College of Business for her marketing degree, Kalyn is
the Director of Communications for the USF chapter of the Public
Relations Student Society of America and a writer for the online
women’s magazine, Her Campus. As a daughter of a military
family she is no stranger to moving frequently and all of the
dramatic changes that go along with it. Her travels throughout
the United States led her to become interested in the
psychological impact of clothing. Kalyn intends to utilize her
degree in the fashion industry, while exploring the relationship
between public relations and marketing.
WLP/NATIONAL MAH JONGG LEAGUE FOUNDATION INC. SCHOLARSHIP
DOMINIKA BORAKIEWICZ
Sophomore, pre-med track, majoring in chemical
engineering Dominika’s priority is to help people and impact
others’ lives for the better. As a doctor-in-training, she has
participated in an internship and hopes to find another one
while in Tampa. Aside from medicine, she is also interested in
playing guitar, painting and participating with the Junior Classical
League. She moved to the United States from Poland in 2010.
With her drive and determination, she overcame the language
barrier and embarked on a path marked by achievement.
ASHLEY DERR
Senior, double majoring in history and classics Ashley plans
to become a college professor. She is a peer mentor for the
Honors College, helping with orientation for incoming students
and leading an honors class in the fall to help incoming freshmen
with the transition into college. Ashley plans on participating in
hands-on research to further her understanding of the ancient
world. Whatever her future holds, she hopes to impact and
change the world in a way that makes it better for everyone.
Ashley enjoys volunteering at a summer camp, doing artwork
and playing piano. She is currently working on her honors
thesis – a rewrite of an ancient play to incorporate modern
environmental policy.

WLP/NATIONAL MAH JONGG LEAGUE FOUNDATION INC. SCHOLARSHIP
GIZEM KELES
WLP/PAM IORIO LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
FELECIA RICE
AMBER IMEH
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
Junior, double majoring in biomedical sciences and
political science Gizem’s goal upon graduating is to attend
medical school at the USF Morsani College of Medicine. Her
time at USF has exceeded her expectations in every way. She
secured a part-time job as a pharmacy technician and will start
shadowing in a hospital in the near future. Gizem grew up in
Turkey and loves living in Tampa, as well as attending a rising
research university. She looks for the good in everyone and
enjoys the diversity and kindness she has encountered in
everyone at USF.
Junior, majoring in pre-nursing Felecia’s ultimate goal is to
continue through nursing and anesthesia school, where she
will study to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
in the Intensive Care Unit. She wants to concentrate on
helping the members of the community who are in need of
rigorous medical care. Felecia believes in the importance of
volunteering in your community, which she demonstrates as a
park and recreation counselor and a teacher’s aide. She has also
volunteered with Hope Lodge at Moffitt Cancer Center. During
her time volunteering there, Felecia spends her time interacting
with patients and engaging in activities to help brighten their day.
WLP/PHILIP & ELLEN ASHERMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Sophomore, majoring in computer engineering Amber
has a strong interest in math and science and strives to
integrate everything she learns into her work. Her hobbies
include traditional sketching and computer animation. She
hopes to use her coding and graphic-design experience to
create her own Web comic and computer game in the future.
She is currently the secretary of MECH, the Mechanical Electrical
Computer Hub, and a member of the French and Japanese club
at USF. She is also a member of the Honors College and earned a
spot on the College of Engineering Dean’s List both semesters of
her freshman year. She plans on entering the computer engineering
department in spring and take honors and animation classes
on the side.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP/SANDRA SKINNER SCHOLARSHIP
BIANCA DRAWDY
Sophomore, Elementary Education Bianca is specializing in
Elementary Education and plans to teach kindergarten through
second grade after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree.
She realized her passion for teaching while working at Calvary
Christian Academy as an after-care teacher. Bianca says that
she has always had a passion for young children, and has
experienced the positive influence a teacher has on a child’s
life. She hopes to help every child she encounters enjoy a
brighter future through education and understanding. Bianca
believes that education is one of the most crucial aspects of
a child’s life and that every child is capable of learning and
making a difference. She will begin USF’s Elementary
Education Residency Program in Fall 2016 and will graduate
in Spring 2018.
WLP/TAMPA PALMS WOMEN'S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
EMILIA VANDERBURG
Senior, majoring in health sciences with a concentration in
biological science Emelia’s goals are to graduate by May 2017
and attend a Physician Assistant program the following year.
Her passion is medicine, more specifically surgery. She has
been fascinated by the field for years now, and found her love
for surgery after having the opportunity to shadow surgeons
in the Orthopedic Surgery unit at Tampa General Hospital.
Her other passions include traveling, exploring new places and
experiencing new and diverse cultures. Outside of school
Emelia works full-time at a popular south Tampa sushi restaurant.
She also enjoys being outdoors as much as possible and taking
any opportunity that she can to volunteer to help those in
need. Upon graduation she will be the first person in her
family to have graduated from college and apply for a
graduate studies program.

WLP/USAMERIBANK ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
JHULIANNA VIVAR
KARRIE DRENDEL
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
Senior, majoring in biomedical sciences and psychology
with a minor in sociology Jhulianna was born in Ecuador
and is a first-generation student. She currently has a 4.0 GPA
and is a member of the Honors College. Upon graduation, she
intends to attend medical school and pursue her passion for
making a difference and helping others. She plans to work in
internal medicine and serve underrepresented populations.
Jhulianna has a strong interest in diversity and inclusion issues,
and showcasing various cultures and backgrounds present in our
university and community. She is a member of Omega Phi Beta
Sorority Inc., where she has served as Vice President for three
semesters. Jhulianna is Vice President Internal of the Multicultural
Greek Council and a USF Ambassador. She served in the CLCE
Civic Engagement Board for two years, where she helped the
Youth and Education Board with projects in the Tampa Bay
community, as well as being involved with Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Tampa Bay. This summer she studied abroad in
Florence, where she shadowed Italian physicians, explored
Europe and got “bit” by the travel bug. In her spare time, she
loves to dance and sing, and her all-time favorite activity is
being a foodie and trying out new and unique restaurants!
WLP/USF SARASOTA-MANATEE SCHOLARSHIP
Senior, elementary education major, USF
Sarasota-Manatee Karrie is driven by her goal to teach
underprivileged children at the primary level. She hopes to
be an advocate for them in starting their education, helping
them find academic success in school and pursue their
dreams. She believes in the importance of encouraging
children to express themselves through art and music. She
also recognizes the importance of children having the opportunity
to develop interests and skills outside of school and activities that
they can become passionate about.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP/USF ST. PETERSBURG SCHOLARSHIP
SHELBY REHNKE
Senior, elementary education and entrepreneurship,
USF St. Petersburg Shelby recently graduated Magna
Cum Laude with her degree in Elementary Education with
endorsements in ESE (Exceptional Student Education), ESOL
(English for Speakers of Other Languages) and Reading during
the fall 2015 semester from the USF St. Petersburg campus.
A member of the Kappa Delta Pi honor society, Shelby is
passionate about working alongside adults with special needs.
After completing her ESE internship at Gibbs High School, she
realized there was a need for students post-graduation. She is
now pursuing her second degree in Entrepreneurship in order
to create her own business – one that will employ adults with
special needs. Shelby hopes that this unique business model
will become the new norm for entrepreneurs of the future. When
she is not studying, she enjoys all things creative – painting,
concerts and cooking, to name a few. Shelby would like to bring
a creative spin to her future business. In fact, one of her favorite
places to volunteer is Creative Clay. Shelby is grateful for all of
the experiences and people that she has met through USFSP
that have helped shape her dream career.
WLP/VINCENT ZECCHINO M.D./DREAM GIVERS USA SCHOLARSHIP
REGINA BROWN
Junior, biomedical sciences Regina’s goal has always been
to become a successful, caring physician. That desire remains
strong as she works on obtaining her bachelor’s degree in
biomedical sciences. She is looking forward to taking her
MCAT this summer and then will apply to medical school.
With her degree, she wants to not only have several offices,
but also travel and teach others. She would eventually like to
work in a community clinic to give back and help out the less
fortunate. She has previously worked in a doctor’s office as a
medical assistant, and is very active in her local ecclesia,
always looking for opportunities to help others.

WLP/VIRGINIA GREGORY ENDOWMENT IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
BRITTANY MITCHELL
Master of Science, entrepreneurship and applied
technologies Brittany is the Treasurer of the Graduate
Society of Entrepreneurs at the University of South Florida,
as well as a member of the M Project, a mentorship program
that prepares young Entrepreneurs by teaching important
business skills, networking, and logistics. After completing her
master’s degree this fall, Brittany will pitch a business idea to
three venture capitalists groups, with the hopes of turning her
dreams into a profitable reality. Brittany aspires to become a
household name and an established entrepreneur by the age
of 35. Separate from her studies, Brittany spends her free time
serving as project manager for a health care technology start-up
here in Tampa, where she leads a small team, balances multiple
projects and raises funds from “angel” investors. She also
creates children’s books, along with assisting her mother in
launching her very own start-up in home healthcare services.
Following the success of her first venture, Brittany pledges to
give back to a WLP scholar like so many women before her.
WLP/WALLER-WITTE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
GENTRY ALLEN
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
Senior, majoring in international studies and minoring
in Mandarin Chinese Gentry Allen is a rising USF senior
pursuing a major in International Studies and a minor in
Mandarin Chinese. She is also completing certificates in Film
Studies, East Asian Studies, and National and Competitive
Intelligence. Gentry is honored to be a member of Delta
Gamma Fraternity, Order of the Golden Brahman and the
USF Ambassadors. Her favorite place on campus is the USF
Confucius Institute Chinese Culture Center. At the center,
students have the ability to access resources on China, as well
as practice speaking with a native Chinese speaker. Gentry is
grateful to USF for giving her a global experience, not only in
the local Tampa Bay area but also through study abroad
opportunities in China and Taiwan. Through these combined
experiences, her current aspirations after graduation are to
continue her studies in Peace and Conflict Studies or
Cybersecurity through an institution abroad.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP/WILMA FOWLER SCHOLARSHIP FOR USFSP
KAITLYN MOLLO
Junior, interdisciplinary social sciences with concentrations
in psychology and environmental science & policy, USF
St. Petersburg After completing her undergraduate degree,
Kaitlyn plans to attend graduate school in pursuit of a dual master’s
degree in Business Administration and Educational Studies.
Using her degrees and experience, she plans to open a non-profit
organization in order to continually support veterans, her
community and the leaders of tomorrow. She will be volunteering
abroad in the spring, building homes for families who have lost
theirs due to rising sea levels, as well as building an artificial reef.
Kaitlyn knows that the most important thing for her to do is to
have a positive impact on our leaders of the future – both in the
classroom and outdoors.
WLP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
ASHLEY ABBONDANDOLO
Sophomore, health sciences major with a concentration
in health management Ashley hopes to change family
lives for the better and can’t wait to work in diagnostic medical
sonography when she graduates. She believes this career will be
rewarding and fulfill her love for children and newborns. Ashley
has prior work experience with a marketing and public relations
firm in Fort Myers and also currently works as a medical
transcriptionist. She recently became involved in Greek
Life at USF by joining Alpha Delta Pi, and hopes to
make philanthropic pursuits a big part of her life.
VICTORIA ADESSO
Junior, dual degree in sociology and international
studies with a minor in criminology Victoria aspires to
shape future generations in policy reform, international
relations, human rights and social issues. Upon
graduation, she plans to attend the Levin College of
Law at the University of Florida and earn a JD with a
certification in International and Comparative Law. Her
dream job is to work as either an international human rights
attorney, an attorney for the UN or an attorney working with
international corporations. After her law career, she would
like to become a sociology professor at USF.

ALEAH ATAMAN
AMAIA BROWN
MICHELLE CASTANO
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
WLP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Sophomore, marine biology major, minoring in
environmental policies Aleah is currently the vice
president of the marine biology club at USF. In that role,
she has had the opportunity to help organize and hold
amazing events for students in the club. This year,
highlights included bioluminescent kayaking and a beach
cleanup, with many more activities planned. This past
summer, she studied Tropical Marine Ecosystems in the
British Virgin Islands with USF. During the trip, she became
certified as a scientific diver. Aleah is currently interning at
the Florida Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), helping a
research scientist with fresh prep and data entry to study
sea turtle migration. This summer, she hopes to secue an
internship either with the Lowry Park Zoo or the Brevard
Zoo in their rehabilitation centers. She would eventually
like to work on a rehabilitation team or work in a natural
resources department for the county.
Senior, double major in biomedical science and
psychology Amaia hopes to attend veterinary school and
obtain a doctorate in veterinary medicine, in addition to
specializing in dentistry or ophthalmology. She currently
volunteers at a veterinary clinic and at the Pet Resource
Center of Tampa. As senator for the Magnolia Hall Council,
Amaia attends weekly meetings, plans events and helps
build a sense of community among students and faculty
living on campus for the Residence Hall Association. Amaia
is not only interested in science but is also a certified LGBT
ally and has previously received the USF LGBT Scholarship.
Freshman, pre-med track Michelle’s dream in life is to help
others. She believes that the most important thing is to be
happy and, by extension, try to share that happiness with
others. Michelle is a freshman on the pre-medical track, and
education is her number one priority. She wants to be a well
rounded individual who can contribute something positive
to the world. Michelle loves being social, and helping others.
She believes the experience and knowledge that she gains at
USF will help her attain her goals. Above all, Michelle wants
to help people improve their lives and hopes to do this with
a fulfilling career in health care. Her lifelong goal would be to
travel around the world offering medical help to those who
need it most.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
KATHERINE GARCIA
Sophomore, biomedical sciences major Katherine’s goal
is to become a physician of internal medicine and pediatrics.
She is currently an intern at a research lab working on
mammalian cancer cells, an HIV counselor at a free clinic
and a community relations captain for Bulls for Kids. This
year, Katherine is also serving on the WLP WISE (Women who
Ignite Student Engagement) advisory council for the inaugural
student symposium. Katherine is a research scholar in the
Honors College and is in the seven-year medical program.
PAULA GONZALEZ
Junior, pursuing a dual degree in biomedical
sciences and public health Paula is an active board
member in Phi Delta Epsilon, a medical fraternity, and is
currently shadowing a pediatrician at Tampa General
Hospital to expand her knowledge of the medical field.
Paula is also the assistant director of logistics for Bulls
Service Breaks, where she is helping to plan 12 trips,
each specific to a social issue so that students can give
back to our community during their spring break. With a
concentration in health preventions, she hopes to add a
public health perspective while pursuing a medical degree
so that she can help advance both prevention and
treatment options for her future patients.
CINTLI JAUREGUI
Third-year graduate nursing student Cintli received her
bachelor of science degree in Public Health and Nursing
from USF in 2014 and is now in graduate school. In addition
to her studies, Cintli works full-time as a registered nurse
in a pediatrics department. At both the graduate and
undergraduate level, she is the first in her family to earn
degrees. She plans on becoming a nurse practitioner,
helping underserved populations receive high-quality
care. Ultimately, Cintli’s goal is to reduce the ethnic and
racial disparities that exist in the health care system.

REBECCA KLARER
PHUONG LY
TATIANA MATOS
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
WLP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Freshman, majoring in psychology Rebecca worked
diligently in high school on AP, honors, and dual enrollment
courses, while also working and participating in a wide
range of student organizations. After obtaining her
bachelor’s in psychology, she plans to attend medical
school in order to become a child psychiatrist. She
knows it will be a long, arduous track, but Rebecca is
excited to have a job where she can make a difference,
make others happy and work with a topic she finds
fascinating. While at USF, she hopes to learn more about
subjects she is passionate about, find an internship
opportunity in the mental health and science field and
volunteer her time with some of the university’s
student service organizations.
Sophomore, pre-med track Phuong’s ambition is
to become a Physician’s Assistant. She plans to volunteer
at the Sallie House in order to help children,who have
been removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse
by tutoring them in math and reading and just being there
for them when they need someone to talk to. In addition,
Phuong is part of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars
and plans to study abroad within the next two years, preferably
in Western Europe. She volunteered in the health care field
throughout high school, and is excited to delve further into
the complexity of science. Her desire to help others stems,
in part, from taking care of her late grandfather as he
struggled with his health during the last years of his life.
Sophomore, accounting major Tatiana has just started
her major-specific classes this semester and is working
tirelessly to earn excellent grades in all of her classes.
After graduating with her Master’s in Accountancy, she
plans to enter the public accounting world as an external
auditor. At the moment, she is participating in different
organizations on campus such as the Accounting Society,
Women in Business, NSCS (The National Society of
Collegiate Scholars) and, of course, WLP. Tatiana is grateful
for each of these organizations because they are helping her
develop into the professional she wants to become.

MEET OUR STUDENTS
WLP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
JESSICA NGUYEN
Sophomore, double majoring in computer
engineering and computer science Jessica has a strong
interest in technology and aspires to work on perfecting
augmented and virtual reality in the future. She is a part of
the USF Japanese Club and the Society of Asian Scientists
and Engineers where she is running for the position of club
historian. While maintaining good grades in school, she also
gives back to her community by mentoring middle school
students in STEM in the Bulls-EYE Mentoring Program over
the summer, as well as actively volunteering at the Humane
Society of Tampa Bay and serving as an ambassador of Keep
Tampa Bay Beautiful. Jessica has recently been accepted
onto a research team and is excited to do undergraduate
research. She is working hard on getting an internship and,
after graduating from USF, plans to attend graduate school to
pursue a master’s degree.
MY NGUYEN
Sophomore, majoring in computer engineering
with a minor in biomedical physics My strives to be
influential in her community. As a person with high
aspirations, she dedicates herself in helping the world
become a better place for future generations. She chose
her disciplines of study with hopes of improving medical
technology and one day she hopes to represent the United
States as an ambassador. Beginning her journey as a Rotary
Youth Exchange Ambassador for the state of Florida, she
was nominated and selected as an ambassador for the
Province of Liege for Belgium. Despite her array of
commitments, she enjoys enhancing her language abilities
and cultural understandings. Her time spent abroad has
helped her in seeking to influence humanity after her
studies. Her motto in life: Go where the river takes you
with a bright smile on your face.

HAILY RADZISESKI
MELODY UCROS
2016 - 17 WLP SCHOLARS
WLP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Sophomore, majoring in biomedical sciences
After completing her undergraduate studies, Haily
will attend medical school at the Morsani College of
Medicine. She has spent the last two years volunteering
at the Suncoast Hospice Woodside Care Center, investing
her time and care in others. Haily is determined to become
a doctor at Tampa General Hospital, or to join Doctors
Without Borders. She has strong leadership skills, which
she demonstrated through her class presidency at Osceola
Fundamental High School and St. Petersburg College, as
well as serving as co-president of the Ukulele club at
Osceola Fundamental High School.
Senior, entrepreneurship major at USF
St. Petersburg Melody will graduate with her bachelor’s
degree in December 2016 and plans to pursue a master’s
in Business Analytics and Big Data, hopefully in Spain.
She hopes to work for companies and organizations that
will challenge her to learn, innovate, analyze and collaborate.
In addition to her studies, Melody is a Sales/Marketing
Operations intern for Sharp Electronics Corporation. She
served as President of the Entrepreneurship Club last year
and is still actively involved with the business community in
Tampa Bay. Building on the ambition and perseverance she
has demonstrated, Melody intends to use her experiences
and studies to make a significant impact in the world.

The mission of the USF System Women in Leadership and
Philanthropy program is to engage and educate visionary
leaders and philanthropists to make a difference for
women throughout the USF System and the community.
During the 2016-17 academic year, over 5,000 students applied
for scholarships through the USF Women in Leadership
& Philanthropy Scholarship Program, and WLP was
pleased to provide a record 61 awards to talented
women throughout the USF System.
To learn more about how you can create your own scholarship
through WLP and further expand our impact, please
contact India Witte at iwitte@usf.edu or 813.974.1886.
USFWomenInLeadershipPhilanthrophy
@USFWLP
@USFWLP
@usf.edu/wlp
@USFWLP