Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIII, Issue I - Spring 2019 | Page 33

LARSHIP
spotlight:
Jessy Certain
Musunuru Family Scholarship
Hometown: Bay Shore, New York
What influenced your decision to attend PHSC?
A multitude of factors influenced me to apply, but the most
prominent was the atmosphere of learning. During orientation, I
was immediately captivated by how passionate the faculty was
about ensuring success for every student by connecting them with
the resources they need and fostering a lifelong love of learning
and service.
What are you studying?
Currently, I am working towards my Associate in Science in
Cyber and Information Security. Securing people’s data from
threats and theft is important to me. Furthermore, I would like
to be a significant part of protecting people, especially children,
from cybercrime and exploitation online. I am confident since my
professors have extensive experience and knowledge about their
respective fields. They constantly gift us with the tools and advice
we will need to be fully equipped for the workforce. I know when
I graduate from PHSC, I will have no trouble finding internships
and employment opportunities. That sense of security is a major
advantage of attending PHSC.
What is your fondest PHSC memory?
My most treasured memory has been the Student Leadership
Retreat. I highly recommend every student attend. Getting involved
will drastically change your college experience. I learned priceless
techniques and skills that have molded me into a better leader
and I made some of my closest friends there. I was connected
with influential faculty members and opportunities all while having
fun. The best part was everyone united by the shared goal of truly
making the world a better place.
Is there someone at PHSC that you admire and why?
I could honestly say I admire everyone who dedicates his or her
time at PHSC. To pick just one person, I would choose Assistant
Professor Bridey Collins. As a member of the West Campus
Synergy Club, I have seen firsthand how she has educated
countless students, including myself, about social issues that
plague our society and how we, as individuals, can take steps
within our personal lives to generate a wave of change together.
Assistant Professor Collins is constantly stimulating our minds to
think creatively, empathically, and intelligently through discussions
and sociology exercises. She has created an atmosphere where
students of numerous backgrounds and identities can freely
share their own personal truths and ultimately cooperate to give
back to the community. Her undying and contagious hope in our
generation is inspiring.
What did receiving this PHSC Foundation scholarship
mean to you?
As a recipient of the Musunuru Family Scholarship, I was able to
continue my studies at PHSC and grow as a person. In addition,
it meant expectations to be a leader for my peers and encourage
them to be more involved in service endeavors. Whether I am
tutoring my peers at the Academic Success Center, attending club
meetings, or assisting at school events, I am always finding new
opportunities to show others the generosity Dr. Musunuru and his
family showed me.
What does the future hold for you?
After I graduate with my AS degree, I am going to continue my
education at PHSC and pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in
Supervision and Management.
Why do you think philanthropy matters?
Philanthropy is a catalyst for change. By supporting courageous
causes and connecting our future’s leaders with the resources they
need to achieve their ambitious goals, philanthropists are directly
contributing to the greater good of humanity one gift at a time.
Would you like to say anything to those who make
scholarship opportunities happen for the students
at PHSC?
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed and invested
in the success of PHSC students. Scholarships give students
a chance at pursuing a higher education. Your generosity does
not go unnoticed. Your contributions are molding the world’s
next leaders across a wide variety of fields and making a college
education possible for those eager about learning.
To support a deserving student, visit foundation.phsc.edu
SPRING 2019
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