FSU Trailblazer: Stephanie Urbina

Every week ULoop features an FSU Trailblazer, a student doing new, important and exciting work on FSU’s campus. Since her arrival at Florida State, Stephanie has made quite an impact with the Hispanic Latino Student Union, Southern Scholarship Foundation, Multicultural Leadership Institute and the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement. Stephanie is only a sophomore yet she has so much drive and  passion that will take her far in the forthcoming years at Florida State.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Urbina

Q: What is your hometown?

SU: That’s a tricky question for me; I was born in Inglewood, CA, but lived in Lawndale, CA for about 10 years, and now we’ve lived in Hialeah Gardens, FL for the last ten years.

Q: What’s your major?

SU: International Affairs with a concentration in sociology.

Q: What year of school are you in?

SU: Sophomore year.

Q: Why did you pick your major?

SU: I took a Global Perspectives class and it was by far one the best class I’ve taken at Florida State. I asked my professor what major offered more of these classes, and she said “international affairs”, and I’ve been IA ever since.

Q: What is your favorite thing about FSU?

SU: I love how involved the students are; we do research, run programs, and many even get paid to do so!

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

SU: I like to sing, dance, binge watch tv, and hang out with friends and family.

Q: What organizations are you a part of on campus?

SU: I am on the executive board of the Hispanic Latino Student Union, I’ve been on the Love Your Body Day committee two years in a row, I’ve presented at the Multicultural Leadership Institute, I’m a CARE Ambassador for the Summer Bridge Program this year, to name a few!

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Urbina

Q: What causes are you passionate about?

SU: I have been personally very passionate about the arts, environmentalism, LGBTQ+ rights, and education for children world wide for a very long time and since joining HLSU I have become more aware of and passionate of immigration reform and the concerns of undocumented citizens, especially college students.

Q: How would you describe yourself?

SU: Passionate and purpose-driven!

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

SU: I want to go to grad school, join the Peace Corps, and then work for a non-profit within the next ten years.

Q: What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment during your time at FSU?

SU: I could say getting into The Southern Scholarship Foundation, presenting at the Multicultural Leadership Summit, or being a part of the Hispanic Latino Student Union, but convincing my sister to apply to FSU is something I am extremely proud of. I get to go on this amazing collegiate journey with her and watch her grow.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Urbina

Q: If you could go back and change something in your time at FSU, would you? If so, what would you change?

SU: Not a thing?

Q: What is the one thing that you’d like people to remember you for after you graduate from Florida State?

SU: I’d like to be remembered for always leading by example – someone once told me that in the end, people will always remember how you made them feel, and so I hope to make as many of our students feel as included and important as I can, because they are our Florida State family.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Urbina