Name: Rose Rodriguez
Age: 20
Major: MIS – Management Information Systems
Hometown: St. Petersburg
Relationship Status: Taken
Courtesy: Rose Rodriguez
Her Campus (HC): So this is a classic question, but why did you choose FSU to be your university?
Rose Rodriguez (RR): It was for a lot of different reasons but it’s pretty kind of funny because I never thought I’d attend FSU. Looking back at it I’m so glad that I made the choices I did. Initially, it was just the university that offered me the most opportunities and the major tipping point was the Service Scholar program. Which has made such a positive impact on me personally and academically.
Courtesy: Rose Rodriguez
HC: What are you apart of on campus?
RR: I’m involved with a wide range of programs and clubs on campus that have really shaped who I am as an individual. A big portion of my time after school is dedicated to volunteer work. I am an Outreach Facilitator for Project Love through the Center of Leadership and Social change. It is a project dedicated to engaging volunteers with our elderly community at Westminster Oaks and being able to overcome generational difference by utilizing music as tool for conversation. I am also a PeaceJam coach and work with the TLP program at CCYS that I hold very dear to my heart. There I mentor some of the most beautiful teens inside and out. I also work with Impact America every spring on their Save First initiative to battle poverty. As a volunteer I provide free tax services to low-income families. Last year I had the opportunity to travel to Dothan, Alabama every weekend for 5 weeks to serve their sites. This year I am excited to be part of the first site in Florida. Though, I do a lot of service in our community I am also very passionate about sports. I’m in the FSU cycling and FSU Rock Climbing club. However, this semester I experienced a major accident that prevents me from being able to partake in these sports, but I am very excited to return to them upon my recovery.
HC: How did you find out about Service Scholars and can you tell me more about it?
RR: I found out about Service Scholar during my senior year of high school. I am absolutely in love with the curriculum of the program, the students involved and the facility and staff. The program has helped me foster my love for serving others and connecting concepts about what I can do to influence positive change in our community. It has exposed me to a multitude of ideas, beliefs and issues. It has truly shaped me to who I am today and what I will stand for.
HC: That sounds pretty cool, what’s your favorite service project that you like doing?
RR: That’s really hard to say. In my time with the program I’ve been exposed to many different topics and issues in our community and I have never had a bad experience with any of the agencies I’ve worked with. However, there has been one project that I really have held close to my heart and that would be Project Love. I love facilitating discussions and encouraging students to see the value of our elderly. To me it is a privilege to get to motivate and expose students to social problems. It is humbling to see a smile on a residents face because you have taken the time to ask them how they are and how they feel. I have been working with these residents for the past year and a half and it has made such a positive impact in my personal life.
Courtesy: Rose Rodriguez
HC: What would you tell incoming students who want to be apart of the program?
RR: Service Scholar is a four-year program that incorporates service and education into its curriculum. My advice would be to apply to the program as soon as you can. It is very competitive as only 12 freshmen are chosen to be part of the program. But don’t let those odds scare you! If you think this is something that can harbor the passion you have inside, please apply. The program is with out a doubt the best part of my experience here at FSU.
HC: What three words best describe you?
RR: Knee-slapping funny.