A College of Social Sciences and Public Policy student has been named Florida State University’s 2025 Humanitarian of the Year, one of 16 students nominated for the award.
Arantza Caudillo-Alvarez was recognized as FSU’s 38th Humanitarian of the Year for her commitment to human rights work.
Launched in 1988, the Humanitarian of the Year award underscores FSU’s commitment to making a significant contribution to the public good. Each academic college selects one student as its Humanitarian of the Year and a university-wide committee selects one student who exemplifies a dedication to service as the institution’s overall Humanitarian of the Year.
“Through partnerships with public and private sectors, Florida State University seeks to enrich scholarship, research and creative activity while enhancing curriculum, teaching and learning,” said Brandon Bowden, associate vice president for Student Affairs. “This engagement prepares students to become educated and engaged citizens, strengthens democratic values and promotes civic responsibility.”
Eager to understand human rights work beyond the classroom, Caudillo-Alvarez interned with the International Rescue Committee in the summer of 2023, shadowing caseworkers and translating for Spanish-speaking clients in the anti-trafficking program. She later joined FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights as a legal assistant, where she continued to work on pro-bono immigration cases, including adjustment of status for refugees, asylum applications and temporary protected status filings.
For her honors in the major thesis, Caudillo-Alvarez engaged in three months of research in the Eastern Mountain Range of Hidalgo, Mexico, through the nonprofit Psychology and Human Rights. While there, she facilitated sewing workshops for the women of the community, a nod to her grandmother, a seamstress who she spent many summers sewing with.
The 15 honorees and overall awardee will be honored for their contributions and efforts at the annual Leadership Awards Night hosted by the Division of Student Affairs.
The 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Honorees are:
- Rebecca Chuhak, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
- Amber Wilkinson, College of Applied Studies
- Maiya Johnson, College of Arts & Sciences
- Hannah Harring, College of Business
- Paige Elkin, College of Communication & Information
- Simran “Simmi” Purohit, College of Criminology & Criminal Justice
- Cate Calvert, College of Fine Arts
- Emelia LaCognata, College of Medicine
- Finley Stein, College of Motion Picture Arts
- Riley Murray, College of Music
- Nikki Fitzgerald, College of Nursing
- Claire Sciandra, College of Social Work
- Jaclyn Madson, Dedman College of Hospitality
- Saiabhinav Devulapalli, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
- Lauren Gaston, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
Learn more at thecenter.fsu.edu/HOY.