Seminole State’s Wanya Allen selected for Ginsburg Fellows Program

The Ginsburg Fellows Program supports a cohort of local youth leaders who aim to be positive activists in the community and Seminole State’s own Wanya Allen has been awarded the scholarship. Acting as a civic engagement incubator, the Ginsburg Fellows Program provides local youth with academic scholarships for the year, $2,500 in program seed funding, as well as networking, mentoring and education opportunities. The fellows will be empowered to be catalysts for change and launch non-profit efforts in the Central Florida community. “The application process was made so easy and accessible due to the hard work of Dr. Lua Hancock. Just make sure you get recommendations letters,” advised Allen.

As a Raider, Allen is pursuing his associates degree in political science and has big plans to continue his educational journey to UCF. He is active on campus and a leader to several on campus organizations including Unity Gay-Straight Alliance and the Black Student Union, where he serves as vice president. Allan was also the service event officer for the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society and volunteers with Seminole State Volunteers and H.O.P.E Scholars program.

He is looking forward to developing ways for college students to access resources and mentoring that will increase inclusion, belonging, leadership development and student success. “I feel amazed to have been granted the Ginsberg fellowship, it is an eye-opening experience to have been recognized for this opportunity. I can’t wait to start making a difference and be the change that I want to see in the world,” Allen said. “This is a remarkable achievement for me, and I think this opportunity will not only bring me happiness, but will open the door for me and my peers to new possibilities, provide valuable resources and enable all of us to make a meaningful impact to the world.”

Filled with gratitude he also has some sentiments for all the College’s help. “I would just love to thank a few staff members that not only helped me with this opportunity, but also helped me just believe in myself and make me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to. I would love to thank Associate Vice President Barbara Coleman-Foster, Dr. Kathryn Steinhaus, Dr. Frankie Huff, “Information” Jason Anfinsen, Alex Lambis, [Associate] Vice President Lorie Coachman, Dr. Janelle Robinson, Mauricio Garcia, Allison Walker, James Bush, Briyanna Jenkins and, last but not least, Professor Tracy Harbin,” said Allen. 

“These amazing people helped me accomplish so much by just being an open door and being the staff members that I can talk to when I have any issues with school or just need an inspiration. These are the people that I can look to for that! I would love to just thank them all because without their time, representation, and their caring for us students I wouldn't have taken that leap to applying for this amazing position.”

Thank you to the Ginsburg Family Foundation, the philanthropic fundraising service that runs the Ginsburg Fellows Program, for recognizing Allen’s achievements and providing him the opportunity to do good in our community. He is a shining example of what it means to Go State and Go Far!