Keynote student speaker Vamaria Joe shared details about her journey before coming to FSU, describing a childhood that involved lots of moving, rotating through different caretakers and family arrangements, navigating instability and facing some deeply scary moments. She said that despite carrying \u201canger and resentment,\u201d she found a path to higher education thanks to the help of a teacher who taught a college-preparation class. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Now,\u00a0she is studying human development and family science with a minor in chemistry, with plans to pursue a career as a physician assistant\u00a0after graduating from FSU.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud to be part of the Unconquered community \u2013 a space that didn\u2019t just give me resources, but gave me belonging,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Joe, who\u00a0became the first grandchild of 10 in her family to attend college.\u00a0\u201cMy goal is to build a community of my own, one rooted in care, understanding and support, so I can help others who are walking the same path.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Unconquered Scholars Program offers students one-on-on advising, financial\u00a0assistance\u00a0and advocacy, tutoring, access to\u00a0a\u00a0state-of-the-art\u00a0computer lab and study spaces, mental health counseling, academic and skills workshops, volunteer\u00a0opportunities\u00a0and\u00a0enrichment events.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud to be part of the Unconquered community \u2013 a space that didn\u2019t just give me resources, but gave me belonging. My goal is to build a community of my own, one rooted in care, understanding and support, so I can help others who are walking the same path.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 Vamaria Joe<\/p>\n
There are currently 144 students in the Unconquered Scholars Program, with 14 expected to graduate this spring, seven this summer and four in the fall. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The program began in 2012 with a cohort of 20 students. Since then, it has served hundreds of students, building a community that provides academic support, guidance, leadership opportunities and a sense of belonging.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPrograms like ours do not exist on their own,\u201d said Michael Turner, the secretary of the Unconquered Scholars Program student advisory board. \u201cThey exist because there are leaders across this university who believe that every student deserves the chance to succeed and who work to make sure the right resources and support systems are in place.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
FSU has garnered national attention for its commitment to first-generation students, students receiving Pell Grants and those who have overcome\u00a0additional\u00a0obstacles. The university was named a First Scholars Institution in 2023 by\u00a0FirstGen\u00a0Forward, an initiative of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).\u00a0<\/p>\n
That year, FSU rolled out the new invitation-only QUEST Scholars Program\u00a0to support first-generation students and expanded its Illuminate\u00a0Program\u00a0and Scholarship,\u00a0for students\u00a0who have received a Federal Pell Grant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Through those programs and other transition and enrichment programs,\u00a0such as Summer Bridge and\u00a0Student Support Services,\u00a0CARE is currently serving 3,556 students across FSU.\u00a0Nearly a\u00a0quarter of FSU\u2019s students are in the first generation\u00a0of\u00a0their families to attend college.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In March, FSU held its third\u00a0annual\u00a0Horizon\u2019s Unlimited Conference<\/a>, an initiative led by FSU First Lady Jai\u00a0Vartikar\u00a0to celebrate and support first-generation students,\u00a0alumni\u00a0and university leaders.\u00a0Vartikar\u00a0also launched\u00a0Dr. Jai\u2019s\u00a0First-Gen Explorers, which supports\u00a0experiential learning beyond the classroom, such as\u00a0internships or\u00a0study abroad.\u00a0<\/p>\n