Florida State University Chemical & Biomedical Engineering and Department of Economics pupil Kailen Christian endeavors to assist others in adapting to campus life through her role as a learning assistant and the director of the Freshman Leadership Institute. Christian pursued studies overseas and broadened her educational outlook with the global citizen certificate initiative.
What led you to select Florida State University?
Throughout my upbringing, my family has always cherished FSU. Being a huge football enthusiast, my father often claimed he would have attended FSU had he been raised in Florida. When the time for college applications arrived, I was certain that I wanted to apply. Spur of the moment, I chose to apply for the Honors Program. I was astonished and overjoyed to discover that I had been chosen as a semi-finalist for the Presidential Scholars Program. This program necessitated a face-to-face interview, so in April of 2022, my family embarked on a weekend visit to FSU. That trip confirmed to me that FSU was where I belonged. As soon as I learned about my acceptance and scholarship, I wasted no time in accepting. The chance to attend college alongside a community of peers alleviated my apprehensions and was an opportunity I did not wish to forfeit. From my initial days in Landis Hall, I have cherished my journey here.
Can you share a significant academic experience at FSU?
My paramount aspiration was to study abroad. I aimed to visit at least one unfamiliar country prior to graduating. I chose to study abroad at FSU’s Republic of Panama campus, where I could fulfill my math and physics prerequisites. This transformative experience broadened my horizons and revealed the worldwide opportunities accessible with an engineering qualification.
I enrolled in the global citizen certificate initiative through the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). My ongoing experiences, coursework, and various cross-cultural events enabled me to incorporate fresh viewpoints into my academic journey. I have appreciated connecting with individuals within the global citizen certificate initiative and the CGE community, as it has introduced me to experiences I would not have otherwise encountered.
How have you contributed to the community during your time at FSU?
In January 2023, I began mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend. My participation ignited my enthusiasm for mentorship and community service, especially within the STEM sector. Numerous opportunities exist to support the community and foster change with Big Brothers Big Sisters. During my freshman year, I organized a donation campaign through the Presidential Scholars Program that gathered over 10 bags of clothing and small household items for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Clear the Clutter Drive. This experience was immensely fulfilling.
I also spearheaded a service trip via the Florida State Alternative Breaks Program. I collaborated with Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, Florida, along with the Center for Leadership and Social Service to bring this service trip to fruition. My experience with these organizations reshaped my understanding of accessibility and motivated me to seek solutions within the biomedical engineering sector.
What sorts of influence have you had on the FSU community?
I have collaborated with Kassie Ernst and Sophia Rahming to enhance the curriculum for the First-Year Engineering Lab as a learning assistant (LA). I genuinely enjoy being an LA because it provides me with the chance to connect with aspiring engineers from diverse backgrounds and motivate other Black or female engineering students to persevere. Assisting new students in adjusting to campus life and discovering engineering organizations that resonate with them has been a fulfilling experience, as those same organizations supported my own growth.
Moreover, I was appointed as the director of the Freshman Leadership Institute, an executive initiative within FSU’s Student Government Association. Last year, I took on the role of operations facilitator, where I planned workshops, guided a small group of incoming students in a peer-mentorship arrangement, and managed overall participant interactions. This year, as director, I aim to enhance the program by further strengthening the connections within the peer mentorship scheme and throughout smaller groups.
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