1. Profiles of Service 2013
for the coaching component while still making the
time to mentor and coach. It was while at a retreat that
Stephanie had a life changing moment. “Jaime [Bayo]
was saying that we all carry this baggage and we need
to let go of it.” Initially, Stephanie came into Florida
State as a Pre-Med Biology major. Although being Dr.
Hernandez was a dream, it did
not match up with her service
passions. Within that moment,
Stephanie let go of what she
planned and turned her sights
onto the college of social work.
As a third year student,
Stephanie already has post
graduate plans in mind. Boys
and Girls Club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters as well as
PeaceJam had such an impact on her youth as well as
her college career that they sparked a desire to work in
the realm of non-profits. Issues such as at risk youth
and HIV/AIDS troubled Stephanie during her youth
and being able to address those battling through those
problems is Stephanie’s major aspiration in life.
Written by Qaree Dreher
Stephanie Hernandez’s inspiration for service
came from her experiences while growing up. “I have
always felt like I had someone there and that turned on a
major switch.” It was in high school that Stephanie had
a mentor that made an incredible impact on her, putting
her on the path of mentoring.
At Florida State University,
Stephanie became involved with
The Center for Leadership and
Social Change, finding her calling
in Youth Programs. Through
Youth Programs, Stephanie began
tutoring students at Fairview
Middle School during the 21st
Century after school program.
Stephanie upped her commitment to mentoring by
joining AmeriCorps’s College Access program, being
required to fulfill 300 hours of service. Through the
program, Stephanie mentors high school students with
academic needs or first generation students, providing
them with potential options for the future.
Stephanie’s passion for mentoring ultimately led
her to PeaceJam where she began a work-study program
Stephanie Hernandez
“I have always felt
like I had someone
thereandthatturned
on a major switch.”
“I have always felt
like I had someone
thereandthatturned
on a major switch.”
To learn more about community service opportunities and the Student Profiles of Service Award, contact the Center for Leadership & Social
Change at (850) 644-3342 or http://thecenter.fsu.edu. This ad is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.
To learn more about community service opportunities and the Student Profiles of Service Award, contact the Center for Leadership & Social
Change at (850) 644-3342 or http://thecenter.fsu.edu. This ad is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Stephanie Hernandez already has post
graduate plans in mind. Boys and Girls
Club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters as
well as PeaceJam had such an impact
on her youth as well as her college
career that they sparked a desire to
work in the realm of non-profits.
Photo by Melissa Meschler