Guissella E. Cruz Rodriguez, Class XXII

Major: Sociology & Political Science with certificate in Leadership Studies
Hometown: Miami

Florida State University Department of Sociology graduate Guissella E. Cruz Rodriguez found FSU’s location in the state’s capital city the ideal backdrop for her interest in service, social justice and law.

Inspired by her own experience as a survivor of sexual violence, Cruz Rodriguez is dedicating her life to helping those in need.

“I want my legacy to be a story of overcoming adversity as well as embodying resilience and strength,” she said. “As a low-income Latinx survivor of sexual violence, I overcame a lot of adversity to attend and excel at Florida State.”

As a freshman, Cruz Rodriguez enrolled in the FSU Service Scholars Program, which promotes civic responsibility. Admission to the program is reserved for first-year students who have demonstrated excellence in service and leadership in planning and promoting community involvement among peers.

“The Service Scholars program taught me how to be a servant leader and make space for a community — to express their needs, rather than assume them,” she said.

Read more at FSU News.