Florida State University celebrated some of its most resilient students at an annual banquet for students who come to FSU after experiencing homelessness, foster care, relative care or ward of the state status. 

The Unconquered Scholars Program Awareness Banquet honored graduating seniors and other students from the Unconquered Scholars Program, a part of FSU’s Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement (CARE), on March 30 at the FSU Student Union Ballrooms.  

“Our mission is to provide students with guidance, mentorship, advocacy, security and a voice to ensure they can achieve academic success and long-term independence,” said Shannon Shannon, assistant director of student development in CARE. “Tonight we celebrate not only our graduating class, but every Unconquered Scholar who is one step closer to their degree.”  

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As Florida State University celebrates the summer class of 2025, more than 2,850 graduates are stepping into the next chapter of their lives, joining a global network of over 407,000 FSU alumni.

This summer, the university will award 1,692 bachelor’s degrees, 881 master’s and specialist degrees, 183 doctoral degrees, 4 Juris Doctor degrees, 93 Juris Master’s degrees, and 2 LLM degrees. Roughly 1,850 graduates will participate in person, marking a proud moment for the FSU community.

This summer’s graduates have had a variety of experiences, mentors and moments that shaped their individual academic journeys. From groundbreaking research to personal transformation, these stories reflect the resilience, curiosity and drive that define the spirit of FSU.

Miguel Garcia-Salas is graduating with a doctorate from FSU’s School of Communication Science and Disorders. His work focused on speech-language pathology with an emphasis on family-centered interventions.

During his time at FSU, Garcia-Salas published in top-tier journals, presented at national American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) conferences, earned multiple awards and taught undergraduate courses.

A highlight of his research was the development of the DREAM Program, Dialogic Reading Education through Accessible Modules. This online initiative helps families implement dialogic reading, a proven technique that fosters language development through interactive storybook reading. Garcia-Salas piloted the program with 42 families and reported promising outcomes in his dissertation.

Beyond academics, Garcia-Salas raised his young family in Tallahassee, an experience he describes as deeply meaningful.

“This is all my family knows, this FSU community,” Garcia-Salas said. “The FSU Childcare and Early Learning Program, the Florida Center for Reading Research my school, the library and university grants have all played a role in helping me balance fatherhood and scholarship.”

After graduation, Garcia-Salas will join the University of Arkansas as an assistant professor. He plans to continue working with historically underserved families and community organizations to promote language and literacy development through home-based interventions.

Carlton Wier, a Marine Corps veteran born and raised in Tallahassee, is graduating this semester with a degree in interdisciplinary social science from Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.

Wier chose to attend FSU for its tradition, culture and the outstanding reputation of the Student Veterans Center.

“It is an honor to walk in this semester’s commencement ceremony and join close relatives as Florida State alumni,” Wier said. “The history, culture, tradition and the people I had the privilege to meet set Florida State apart.”

During his time at FSU, Wier found support through the Student Veterans Center, which he described as a model of integrity, inclusion and expertise in navigating VA benefits.

“The Student Veterans Center is an example of what selfless service truly means,” he said. “It improves character, performance and confidence in a veteran experiencing college life after and during military service.”

He said he will miss the staff, facilities, athletics, academics, professors, students and alumni most from his time at FSU.

After graduation, Wier plans to start a business or organization dedicated to supporting veterans, law enforcement, first responders and their families with a broader mission to serve the community in any way possible.

“I look forward to continuing to uphold the title and responsibility that comes with being a graduate of Florida State University,” he said. “Go Noles!”

Zahria Moore, a first-generation college graduate from Boca Raton, Florida, is earning her degree in criminology with a minor in African American studies from Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Moore chose Florida State for its standout academic programs and vibrant campus life. Criminology, one of FSU’s top-ranked majors, caught her attention early on, but it was the university’s spirit and support systems that made it feel like home.

“My journey has been very unique and challenging,” Moore said. “Walking in this commencement ceremony is something I’ve always dreamt of, but never fully imagined happening until this week. Getting the email that I would graduate made my heart do a backflip.”

Throughout her time at FSU, Moore found a strong sense of community through the Unconquered Scholars Program and CARE (Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement). These programs provided her with more than just academic support—they gave her a village.

“These programs feel like drinking from a wishing well,” Moore said during her keynote address at the 2025 Unconquered Scholars Awareness Banquet. “Everything that I wanted, everything that I came to college looking for, I found in this remarkable program and these amazing people. My family, my home away from home, my safe space, my confidants.”

Moore’s proudest accomplishment was not only growing within the Unconquered Scholars Program but also helping it grow. Serving on the executive board became a defining part of her college experience.

“Joining the board was possibly one of the best things I could have done in my college career,” she said.

When she reflects on her time at FSU, Moore lights up at the memory of football season and spontaneous campus events.

“Something I love about FSU is the spirit of football season. It unites everyone—no matter who you are or where you came from,” she said. “And I’ll miss the random events on Landis. Waking up to a carnival being built genuinely made me smile.”

After graduation, Moore will begin her career as a youth counselor at a juvenile detention center in New Hampshire—her first step toward a long-term goal of positively impacting the criminal justice system.

“I earned this,” she said. “And I’m excited for everyone to see that.”

Alison Cole has always been drawn to the roar of engines. Growing up in Jupiter, Florida, she was captivated by a nearby facility that assembled and tested military helicopters.

“I grew up down the street from where they built the Blackhawks, and I’d always watch them get tested, and you could hear the engines going,” Cole said. “It was just really fascinating to me.”

That early fascination led her to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration at FSU, which she will receive this month. After graduation, she will work in Orlando for Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control department.

Cole credits her success to the support she received from professors and mentors, especially Larry Giunipero, one of the nation’s top supply chain experts.

“Without Dr. Larry Giunipero, I don’t know where I would be,” she said. “His connections and his love of the supply chain really helped me focus on where I wanted to go after graduation.”

Giunipero praised Cole’s intelligence, business acumen and drive, noting her potential to help solve complex supply chain challenges.

Cole said her MBA experience helped her understand business dynamics and corporate strategy, giving her the tools to navigate the professional world.

Outside of academics, Cole recently completed the London Marathon, a personal milestone she describes as one of her proudest accomplishments.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve probably ever had to accomplish, but I’m really proud that I did that,” she said.

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Florida State University student Zahria Moore grew up in a tough situation.  

As she describes it, her mother was abusive, struggled with alcohol dependency, and spent time in prison, causing Moore and her siblings to face food insecurity and homelessness. She saw school as her safe space, and that continued through college.  

Moore is set to graduate FSU this summer with a bachelor’s degree in criminology, thanks to FSU’s Unconquered Scholars Program, which provides support services and a community for students who have faced profound hardships during childhood that may increase their risk of leaving academia without a degree. 

The Unconquered Scholars Program held its annual banquet Monday, March 31, at FSU’s Miller Hall to celebrate the 136 students currently enrolled in the program and to recognize the 42 students who will be graduating this year. 

 “This program feels like drinking from a wishing well,” Moore said in her keynote address at the banquet. “Everything that I wanted, everything that I came to college looking for, I found in this remarkable program and these amazing people. My family, my home away from home, my safe space, my confidants.” 

 “This program feels like drinking from a wishing well. Everything that I wanted, everything that I came to college looking for, I found in this remarkable program and these amazing people.”

– Zahria Moore, Unconquered Scholar and summer 2025 graduate

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Andres Felipe Gil Arana, first-generation student from Bogotá, Colombia, arrived at Florida State University looking for community and guidance, and that’s exactly what he found. 

With the support of FSU’s Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), Gil Arana has been able to focus on his passion for neuroscience, accessible health care and mentorship.  

In his first year, Gil Arana joined CARE’s Unconquered Scholars Program (USP), which provides students who experienced foster care, homelessness, relative care or ward of the State status with advocacy, security and mentorship to ensure academic success and long-term independence. The experience helped him establish a support system of peers who understood the obstacles of professional growth as an independent, first-generation student.  

In his junior year, Gil Arana served as the USP president.  

“Serving as the USP president is the most significant achievement of my undergraduate career,” Gil Arana said. “I gave back to the program that guided me to FSU and deepened my understanding of the agency I held as a leader from an underrepresented minority community.” 

After learning the importance of mentorship from the USP, Gil Arana chose to extend this knowledge to students of various backgrounds. He co-founded and serves as the Undergraduate Students Together Achieving Results (U-STAR) coordinator of the College of Medicine’s Undergraduate Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence (U-SSTRIDE) program, where he matches pre-health students with more knowledgeable students to increase their success.  

Gil Arana is also a part of the leadership team for Engage 100, an immersive program that teaches student instructors how to use FSU resources to lead first-year students to develop their academic and social goals. He also teaches classes for first-year students pursuing health careers to establish a concrete, undergraduate plan and mentors the program’s instructors.  

“There are no limits to what we can achieve when we have the right support system in place, regardless of our backgrounds or circumstances,” Gil Arana said.  

Throughout his research and clinical commitments, Gil Arana incorporates his personal experience and neuroscience knowledge to ensure the inclusion and care of diverse populations. As a certified clinical medical assistant at FSU Primary Care Clinic, Gil Arana plans free, monthly health literacy workshops and interprets treatment plans for Spanish-speaking students. 

Gil Arana serves as a mental health team manager for the College of Medicine’s Global Health Collaboration Project (GHCP), overseeing global research operations in Honduras and connecting Honduran health care professionals in rural and urban areas. Furthermore, his IDEA grant has allowed him to collaborate with doctors, medical students and the Honduran science ministry to assess adverse childhood experiences among Honduran university students. 

“Listening attentively to the population’s needs and perspectives is paramount when devising effective strategies for helping them,” Gil Arana said. “These experiences have motivated me to pursue a doctorate in population health.” 

How has your experience as an independent, first-generation college student shaped your approach to leadership positions?

My life is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship. One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been the opportunity to put this belief forward by mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. There are no limits to what we can achieve when we have the right support, regardless of our backgrounds or circumstances. Being a first-generation student has given me a unique perspective on leadership. Actively listening to students is vital in helping them identify areas of improvement in their college experience. First-generation students carry the particular challenge of venturing into uncharted territory. However, this journey can also be enriched with guidance and support. We can create a brighter future for ourselves and pave the path toward generational wealth and success for our families and communities. 

In what ways have you promoted diversity and inclusion in your community, and how will you continue those efforts after graduation?

Recognizing and addressing student-specific needs is essential to fostering an environment where minority students feel genuinely supported and understood. Through my current fellowship with the Florida College Access Network (FCAN), I’m devising a campaign representing the USP during key sessions at the state capitol. I aim to bridge the gaps that underrepresented individuals face concerning the social determinants of health, specifically access to education, to prevent future students from enduring the adversity and struggle that has persisted for many generations. As I approach graduation, my vision for the future revolves around exploring the intricate relationship between non-communicable diseases and invisible health barriers. I will center my graduate studies on health care diversity and inclusion to drive positive population health outcomes for globally underrepresented groups. 

You’re involved in multiple student organizations, such as USSTRIDE and USP. How do your experiences outside the classroom synthesize with your pre-health curriculum?

In class, I learned that social determinants of health encompass a wide array of factors that shape the well-being of entire populations. Among these factors, access to education and health care are pivotal contributors to community well-being. My commitment has been deeply rooted in these principles. Collaborating with leaders in the College of Medicine through U-SSTRIDE and my role as a medical assistant and interpreter at the primary care clinic gave me a firsthand understanding of the importance of holistic care. My extracurricular activities instilled in me the importance of listening to diverse populations’ needs and the multidisciplinary collaboration necessary to achieve comprehensive and sustainable wellness. It was the experiential learning I needed to complement what I learned in the classroom. I will use these experiences to advocate for holistic well-being and equity in the health care and education fields. 

What does your experience at Florida State mean to you?

FSU has proved instrumental in my journey as an independent, first-generation student in the U.S. The unwavering care and support from FSU allowed me to persevere during my acculturation. The mentors I found at FSU played a pivotal role in this transformation. Now, with the experiences and opportunities that FSU has provided me, I am determined to pay it forward. I aspire to guide and support those who come after me, so they do not have to navigate the same adversities or encounter the same pitfalls that I did. I sincerely thank FSU and the CARE program for recognizing and nurturing my potential. Additionally, I am deeply grateful to the Unconquered Scholars Program for providing me with a sense of belonging and serving as my extended family throughout my FSU experience. 

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Florida State University hosted a celebration banquet for students and others from the Unconquered Scholars Program, which serves those who have experienced homelessness, foster care, relative care or ward of the State status.

The annual banquet, held last week in a Student Union ballroom, honored the upcoming graduating class of 38 Unconquered Scholars and featured two keynote speakers who reflected on how the program helped them find community and a support system essential to their success.

“We love the chance to celebrate the hard work, resiliency and talents of this special group of FSU students,” said Lisa Jackson, senior program director. “Unconquered Scholars come to FSU after experiencing challenging life circumstances, and our job is to ensure they thrive while they’re here and graduate well-prepared to reach their future dreams and goals.”

Keynote speaker Marcus Williams, a graduating senior majoring in interdisciplinary social sciences with concentrations in sociology and history, described some difficult experiences from childhood, such as multiple moves and the brief absence of a close family member, and contrasted that time with the comfort and stability of the FSU college experience.

“College was the chapter that I felt free – free from poverty, homelessness, pain,” said Williams, who serves as the Pride Student Union Center director and Golden Torch Lecture Series vice chair. “Unconquered was the home away from home because they supported me through any and everything.”

The Unconquered Scholars Program has served more than 300 students since its inception in 2012 and operates as a unit within the Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement, or CARE. CARE provides opportunity and access to those with identities traditionally underrepresented in higher education, such as Pell Grant recipients and first-generation college students.

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