“Going to college was always my plan, and attending Florida State University was my dream. The CARE program made that dream a reality.”
Fast Facts
- Musician: Has played various instruments for 11 years
- Sports fan: Attended a Manchester City Football Club game at Yankee Stadium
- First-Generation Student: Part of the FSU Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement ‘21 cohort
- Trilingual: Speaks English, Haitian Creole and is re-learning French
- Favorite FSU memory: Going to the FSU Seminoles game at Notre Dame
As a first-generation student in the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) program at Florida State University, Urielle Laurent has dedicated her academic journey to fostering a culture where giving back is both meaningful and accessible to everyone. Laurent’s leadership roles, particularly in FSU’s Student Foundation, highlight her commitment to empowering peers and promoting a culture of philanthropy.
Pursuing a degree in economics, Laurent is deeply engaged in various student organizations and initiatives at FSU and the local community. Her contributions extend beyond campus, reflecting a dedication to creating meaningful change and inspiring students to become more involved at FSU.
What made you choose Florida State University?
As a first-generation student, I knew my journey wasn’t just my own. It was also for my mother and family, who left their home country of Haiti and worked tirelessly to provide me with the opportunity to pursue my dreams. Their sacrifices gave me the freedom to choose my path, and in return, I wanted to give back to my mother and share experiences she never had—a way to honor her journey and hard work.
Going to college was always my plan, and attending Florida State University was my dream. The CARE program made that dream a reality. FSU was at the top of my list, not just because I’m from Florida, but because of its national reputation. I always envisioned myself at a large school — so big that I could walk into a thrift store or any shop and easily find its merchandise. FSU offered that kind of presence.
How have you combined your academic achievements with community involvement?
One of my most significant academic experiences was interning at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides grants primarily for journalism, arts and community initiatives in the United States. My role involved developing strategies to enhance the use of data in grant-making decisions. In this position, I devised methods to improve data collection, ensuring that the processes we implemented would be lasting and efficient beyond my time there.
As an economics major, this internship allowed me to combine my passion for data with philanthropy. I have always been drawn to the financial sector, but I also have a deep commitment to philanthropy and activism. During my internship, I was able to bridge both interests, conducting research in the process. This experience reaffirmed my desire to work in roles that merge finance and social impact.
How have you been involved in the FSU community?
Being part of the CARE program at Florida State University gave me so much, that giving back to the university—whether financially or through my time—became a top priority for me. The university’s support inspired me to join the FSU Student Foundation as a way to express my gratitude and contribute to the community that has given me so much.
Serving as the Student Foundation chair has been an unprecedented experience. I am proud to be the first Black woman and the youngest person to hold this position. Under my leadership, we saw a 20% increase in student giving and a remarkable 40% surge in first-time student donors. In the fall of 2023, my first term, we hosted the university’s first-ever student-led philanthropy awards night, celebrating student contributions and launching the “21 Under 21” Award to recognize top student leaders. Additionally, we reimagined our grant application process, enabling organizations to secure funding for projects, scholarships, research and more.
How has your involvement at FSU impacted the community?
The mission of FSU’s Student Foundation has always been to instill a spirit of philanthropy on campus and increase the likelihood that students will give back as alumni. My challenge was bringing this vision to life within the unique campus culture, while addressing common misconceptions students have about giving back—such as believing their gift won’t make an impact or that small contributions don’t matter.
Since my freshman year, the foundation team and I have worked to help fund and raise awareness for vital projects such as the National Pan-Hellenic Council Park, the Circus Expansion Project and the Marching Chiefs’ trip to Ireland. Additionally, I contributed to campus initiatives like the relaunch of the FSU Round Up campaign, a philanthropic effort in collaboration with the Student Government Association that allows students to donate by rounding up their purchases at campus retail locations. The funds collected through this campaign directly support the FSU Food for Thought Pantry, providing essential resources to students facing food insecurity.
By demonstrating that every contribution truly counts, I’ve worked to foster a culture where giving back feels both meaningful and accessible to everyone. Empowering students and supporting their projects has kept philanthropy at the heart of FSU. Beyond fundraising, we’ve leveraged social media to amplify the importance of giving, sharing the stories behind these efforts to reach a broader audience and deepen engagement. These initiatives ensure that philanthropy remains a shared value across the FSU community.