Students recognized for humanitarian work

By Alyson Mizanin

Nadia Rassech has been named Florida State University’s 2024 Humanitarian of the Year for her commitment to serving refugee communities. She was one of 13 students nominated for the award by their colleges and honored at a celebratory brunch March 22.

In engaging with the Tallahassee Afghan population, working with the International Rescue Committee, studying international human rights at Oxford University, and tackling refugee protection issues in Germany, Rassech has conducted extensive service and research endeavors over her three years at Florida State University. She cites Darasa, the Middle East Center, and the Middle Eastern Studies department as having transformed her personal, professional, and service journeys.

“I’m so grateful for Tanya Perry and all the work she has done to help me get here,” Rassech said. “I’m inspired to be here with all the other people who were nominated… We’re all out here doing this work and making this impact, and it means a lot to be recognized. It’s so great to see all the work the other awardees are doing, and I’m excited to see what they continue to do.”

Florida State University's Humanitarian of the Year nominees were honored at a ceremony on March 22, 2024. Pictured, from left, are Lucy Lawrence from the College of Social Work, Nadia Rassech from the College of Social Science & Public Policy, Lauren Morris from the College of Business, Emma Summers from the College of Communication & Information, Mia McSheffrey from the College of Medicine, Halie Hornsby from the College of Nursing, Kennedy Joy Foristall from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Julia Moffa from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Bridget Gorder from the College of Music, Andres Gil Arana from the College of Arts & Sciences, and Alondra Munoz from the College of Applied Studies. Not picture are Keith Cohen from the College of Motion Picture Arts and Sierra ElDeiry from the Dedman School of Hospitality. The overall winner will be honored at Leadership Awards Night on Tuesday, April 9. 

Rassech is the 37th FSU Humanitarian of the Year. Launched in 1988, the award emphasizes Florida State University’s mission to service on campus and beyond. Each academic college nominates one student each year in recognition of their service efforts. The Center for Leadership & Service selects an overall winner who is then recognized at the university's Leadership Awards Night in April.

“These students are shining examples of the Florida State experience—excelling beyond the classroom and offering their strength, skill and character to engage with communities to make the world better,” Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Brandon Bowden said at the ceremony.

About the nominees:

College of Arts & Sciences, Andres Gil Arana
Andres Gil Arana is a senior majoring in cell and molecular neuroscience. He combines research and advocacy in his work as a mental health team manager on the Global Health Collaboration Project, which seeks to address healthcare concerns in Honduras. Born in Colombia, Gil Arana is inspired by his background, seeking to support those born in underserved communities who do not yet have access to the educational experiences he received upon moving to the United States. Gil Arana will be pursuing a Ph.D. in population health at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine after graduating in the spring.

College of Business, Lauren Morris
Lauren Morris is a junior accounting major who credits her volunteer experiences as having shaped her into the person she is today. After volunteering in Hawaii the summer after her freshman year, Morris and her friends founded GIVE at FSU, an initiative seeking to bring cultural perspectives learned in global volunteer experiences to sustainability-centered service in the Tallahassee community. With one summer having impacted her life so significantly, Morris emphasizes the importance of small efforts for change.

College of Communications & Information, Emma Summers
Emma Summers is a senior majoring in communication disorders. A combination of service and research brought her to the realization that she wants to pursue a career in speech language pathology. Summers served for three years as camp manager for Friendship Journey, an organization dedicated to connecting neurotypical and neurodiverse young adults. Her service has helped her recognized how much of a privilege communication is, and she seeks help others find their voice as a speech language pathologist specializing in augmentative and alternative communication.

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Julia Moffa
Representing the School of Teacher Education, Julia Moffa is a senior majoring in elementary education. In tutoring students, organizing school supply drives, and funding a summer camp experience for children impacted by a parent’s cancer, Julia has worked to increase the accessibility of education for all. Her service experiences have taught her how socioeconomic status impacts literacy, and she prides education on its ability to make the world a better place. After graduation, she will pursue her master’s degree in curriculum & instruction at FSU.

College of Medicine, Mia McSheffrey
As a senior majoring in clinical professions, Mia McSheffrey is dedicated to making healthcare more equitable. Having volunteered and researched public health both locally in Tallahassee and abroad in Peru through the Global Scholars program, she acknowledges the barriers that limit access to high quality healthcare for people around the world. She cites her younger brother as her main motivator; his experiences with a rare genetic disorder have shown her firsthand the importance of healthcare access for all. She will continue her journey with the FSU College of Medicine as she enters medical school in the fall.

College of Motion Picture Arts, Keith Cohen
Keith Cohen, senior majoring in Motion Picture Arts-Production, believes strongly that art is one of the greatest catalysts for change. As an aspiring writer and director, Keith’s student Emmy nominated documentary, Healing Paws, showcased the work that facility and therapy dogs perform daily. Keith’s second project focused on developing sustainable water distribution and recycling systems that can be used on movie sets throughout the College of Motion Picture Arts. These films have shown Keith that one spark is all it takes to light a fire for change.

College of Music, Bridget Gorder
Inspired by the music educators who guided her in her childhood, Bridget Gorder is a senior majoring in choral music education. She is driven by a call to help others, which she carries out in her role as coordinator on the Board of Advisors at the College of Music. Bridget seeks opportunities to mentor first-year and transfer students, citing their evolution as testaments to the impact she is making. She hopes to serve as a music educator specifically for a nonprofit music organization in order to reciprocate the work that served her as a child.

College of Nursing, Halie Hornsby
Senior Halie Hornsby’s service is rooted in friendship. Through inspiration from her childhood friend Cali, Halie formally developed the Hair Fairy Project to provide children enduring pediatric cancer with moments of joy. In the style of the tooth fairy, the Hair Fairy Project has provided craft kits, toys, and treats to patients with hair loss at Golisano Children’s Hospital, the hospital that treated her friend, Cali. The Hair Fairy Project is thriving is at FSU, where it is on its fourth round of partnerships. As an aspiring pediatric cancer nurse, Halie hopes to continue the work of the Hair Fairy Project in the hospital that become her professional home later this year.

College of Social Sciences & Public Policy, Nadia Rassech
Nadia Rassech is a senior majoring in international affairs and Middle Eastern studies. Her work with the International Rescue Committee and engagement with the Tallahassee Afghan community has amplified her passion for refugee protection and humanitarian work. This passion has led to opportunities to study international human rights at Oxford University, researching refugee protection issues in Germany, and organizing service initiatives with the Arabic Honor Society. Nadia serves because her love for her family’s home country has opened her eyes to the necessities of advocacy, connection, and empathy. She also serves out of a respect for and the honoring of human life and dignity, especially when it feels that others have forgotten you.

College of Social Work, Lucy Lawrence
Lucy Lawrence, a senior majoring in Social Work and Theatre, believes in working for change. From fostering community connections to establishing mutual aid and support, Lucy has always heeded her mother’s advice to look out for those around her, especially those with no one else to depend on. Lucy’s unwavering hope for humanity is what drives her to ensure that everyone she serves can enjoy their inherited right to security, stability and joy.

Dedman College of Hospitality, Sierra ElDeiry
Engaging in community service and humanitarian activities has been the most significant aspect of Sierra ElDeiry’s academic journey. For the senior majoring in hospitality and tourism management, serving with Best Buddies gave Sierra a deeper understanding of the significance of embracing diversity. Sierra’s service has deepened her understanding of the importance of empathy, patience, and a compassionate approach to fostering connections. Volunteering with children at the Littlest Lamb Orphanage in Cairo, Egypt, offered Sierra insight into the challenges faced by the children and staff at the orphanage and the importance of having a nurturing home environment. Sierra’s service endeavors have taught her lessons in leadership, collaboration, and social responsibility.

Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Kennedy Joy Foristall
For senior commercial entrepreneurship major Kenndy Joy Foristall, FSU’s Service Scholar program and the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship helped her blend her passion for service with the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change in communities. In addition to her business, a peer-to-peer clothing rental app for FSU students aimed at reducing clothing waste and enhancing environmental sustainability, Kennedy Joy has spent her time mentoring her peers and partnering with small businesses and charitable organizations.