Student Profiles

Jordan

Jordan Bartoli

CLASS OF 2019

Neuroscience

From Chicago, Illinois

Jordan began her freshman year studying neuroscience at the Honors College after graduating from Plainfield East High School in 2015. She heard about the HC from family members and through the FAU grapevine. Her favorite part about the Honors College so far would be the resources provided to the student body by the Scripps and Max Planck research institutes and the one on one relationship she is able to build with her professors.Outside of class, Jordan leads our on-campus Christian organization called Kingdom Club while also working as a Chemistry TA, a Scripps intern, and a Burrow Student Union Operations Manager. She is also heavily involved as a volunteer with the Christ Fellowship Church. Jordan is a great team leader and is hoping to attend medical school at the University of Miami after she graduates.

Liberty

Liberty Boyd

CLASS OF 2018
Marine Biology and Environmental Science
From Boca Raton, Florida

Liberty began attending the Honors College after graduating from Boca Raton High School in 2014. Liberty is pursuing her passion for protecting and conserving the environment by double concentrating in environmental science and marine biology, serving as the Marine Biology Club President, interning with various organizations such as Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and The Ocean Foundation, and conducting research on green sea turtles and manatees. Liberty’s on campus involvement includes serving as the Student Government Program Board Coordinator, volunteering in the Admissions office as an Honors College Ambassador, and representing FAU University wide as an Elite Owl Leadership Ambassador. After touring the Honors College and meeting with various faculty and staff, Liberty knew right away that the HC was her future home. Liberty explains that “the intimate and close environment of the HC fosters long lasting friendships and allows students to have meaningful relationships with professors and advisors”. Liberty continued with the following statement: “I am so grateful for the personal growth and countless opportunities that have been presented to me due to the uniquely encouraging and supportive qualities that only the Honors College can provide.” After graduating from the Honors College, Liberty plans to pursue a Ph.D. in marine biology in order to continue conducting research on marine megafauna.

Dacia Medley

Dacia Medley

CLASS OF 2019
Political Science
From Fort Lauderdale, Florida

My name is Dacia Medley and I am a sophomore here at the Harriet Wilkes Honors College where I am pursuing a major in political science and a minor in English language. I came to the Harriet Wilkes Honors College after completing my first semester on the Boca Raton Campus because I thought it would best prepare me for graduate school as it has a very challenging curriculum which I thought would push me to work to my fullest potential. Additionally, I love the close knit relationship students share on the Jupiter campus not only with their fellow peers but with the faculty and staff who often go above beyond for their students. One thing I didn't know coming to the Harriet Wilkes honors college, is that I'd become so active on campus. I served as a member of the Student Government House of Representatives, Kingdom Club, and participated in the  Emerging Young Leaders Program. This upcoming fall semester, I anticipate being the secretary and treasurer of MacRSA, Vice President of the pre-law society and continue being a part of the Student Government Organization. I've also been fortunate to receive a scholarship from the Lifelong Learning Society. After college I plan to attend a prestigious law school where I will work to become a family or immigration lawyer.

Rudeski

Shane Rudeski

CLASS OF 2019 
Political Science & Law and Society 
From Sunrise, Florida 

Shane came to the Honors College in 2015 from Western High School in Davie, Florida. He was selected to receive the prestigious academic merit based J.M. Rubin Foundation Distinguished Internship in Government Scholarship in 2016. He chose the Honors College over other Florida universities for the many opportunities in the study of law and justice that the Honors College offers. He also was enticed by the opportunity to participate in the Moot Court program at the Honors College which competes against other universities throughout the country. Shane embraces the academic challenge of being an honors student with an all honors curriculum. Shane’s major is in Political Science. In addition, he is completing a minor concentration in Law and Society. His future plans include Law School and upon completion he intends to pursue a legal career that helps people with disabilities. In due course, he would like to become a Judge.

Kyle

Kyle Ryland

CLASS OF 2019

Biological Chemistry

From Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Kyle came to the Honors College after graduating from Cedar Crest High School in Pennsylvania. He heard about the Honors College while vacationing in Florida with his parents and while taking a tour of FAU's Boca Raton campus. His favorite parts about the HC are the connections with our on-campus research institutes, Scripps and Max Planck, his close relationship with his professors and the academic rigor that is encouraged and established by the Honors College environment. Outside of his time spent in class, Kyle is a lifeguard, an Orientation and Welcome Leader, he served on the TedxFAU committee, and avidly participates in any campus recreation event that is offered. Kyle is both incredibly involved and school spirited and hopes to be involved in field research on his way to graduate school after he graduates.

Ungerer

Jessica Ungerer

CLASS OF 2017
Business
From Juno Beach, Florida

Jessica came to the Honors College in the Fall of 2013 from Juno Beach Preparatory School. She is a business major and avid horseback rider, riding six days a week, and currently training for the Winter Equestrian Festival held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
"While looking at colleges, I had many things that I needed to look at," Jessica explains. "I am a very competitive horseback rider, and my goal is to become a professional. This means that I want to own and operate my own horse farm- I want to train young horses to be top show horses, and I want to teach people how to ride. With that being said, a very important step is to get exposure in the equestrian community. One of the best ways to do that is compete at big horse shows and do well. The HC is extremely close to Wellington, which would hopefully put a jump start on my career."
Jessica goes on to describe why she chose the HC over other schools in the area. "Other than the location, I truly adored everything about the HC, from the small class size to how friendly all the students and faculty I met were. ...[The Honors College is allowing] me to pursue my goal of becoming a professional horseback rider, while gaining an education at one of the best colleges in South Florida with extremely friendly and helpful peers and professors."

Valdes

Christopher Valdes

CLASS OF 2018
Chemistry
From Lake Worth, Florida

Christopher Valdes came to the Honors College after graduating from John I. Leonard High School in Lake Worth, FL. His concentration is in chemistry and is involved in Jupiter Campus Recreation and Health. He is also a wellness assistant. Valdes first heard about the college during a field trip in the 3rd grade and decided then that the HC was where he wanted to attend college, “I love this place, and even back then, I knew that it was something special.” Valdes values the close relationships he forms at the HC. “We are here to support each other fellow leaders, classmates, and friends. The professors are great because they get to know you and the classes are a great size, so you are able to interact with them. This campus has allowed me to grow as a leader, and though I still have much to learn, I know that the HC and the people in it will give me the tools I need to grow to my full potential.”