FIU students overcome homelessness, poverty, violence to earn degrees


8704809449_08f3f6a0b2_k

 

U.S. Army veteran Rodney Demerritte, math teacher Esther Fineus Joseph and communications student Sally Sarmiento have overcome challenges such as homelessness, poverty and persecution by guerrillas and are now graduating with FIU degrees.

They are among the more than 4,200 students who will earn degrees this semester. The seven fall commencement ceremonies will take place Sunday, Dec. 14.; Monday, Dec. 15; and Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the FIU Arena on Modesto A. Maidique Campus.

Demerritte, Fineus Joseph and Sarmiento are also part of a group of standout students who will be recognized as Worlds Ahead graduates at the ceremonies.

“Our students are some of the most determined and capable people anywhere” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “They are doing good and doing well.”

U.S. Army veteran and Miami native Rodney Demerritte earned a national defense service medal and an army service ribbon. He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. In the years that followed he found himself without a permanent home and had trouble making ends meet for his growing family. In 2010, Demerritte met Jack Coschignano, a social worker at the Division of Veteran Affairs, who assisted the family with finding a home. He introduced Demerritte to the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCVC) program at FIU where he enrolled to finish his college studies. Demerritte is the first to graduate from FIU’s partnership with the HCVC Program. Demerritte graduates on Monday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies.

Former high school math teacher Esther Fineus Joseph will fulfill her dream of earning a doctorate degree after being the first in her family to earn a college degree. The journey, however, wasn’t easy. Fineus Joseph grew up in a tough neighborhood in West Palm Beach and began working at the age of 16 to help fund her education. In 2011, she earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from FIU. Her doctoral dissertation focused on whether factors such as demographics, persistence and academic performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses are good predictors of the likelihood of someone becoming a math or science teacher. After graduation, she will continue working as the director of secondary education in FIU’s College of Arts and Sciences. Fineus Joseph graduates on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m. with a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction.

At age 11, Sally Sarmiento and her family were forced to emigrate to the United States after experiencing violence at the hands of guerrillas in her native Colombia. In the United States, they moved in with family in Orlando. Sarmiento, her parents and her younger sister all slept on the same inflatable bed. Later, they moved to an apartment with no furniture in a very poor neighborhood. To make ends meet, her parents, who were undocumented, worked odd jobs. Ultimately, the family was able to gain political asylum. Sarmiento worked throughout her entire schooling. During her first semester at FIU, Sally slept on a friend’s couch and spent most of her days at the school’s library. It took her eight years, but her drive to finish pushed her forward. She is now president of the Public Relations Student Society of America and works as a marketing communications intern at Sony Music U.S. Latin. Sarmiento graduates on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. with a bachelor’s in public relations.

For more on these and other FIU Worlds Ahead graduates please click here. For a full commencement schedule, click here.

The commencement speakers will be:

During the commencement ceremonies, the following community members will be honored with FIU medallions:

  • Director Emeritus of the FIU Foundation Board of Directors Joan Peven Smith will be awarded the FIU Medallion–Cal Kovens Distinguished Community Service Award at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
  • Vice President Emeritus of Student Affairs Rosa Jones will be awarded with the FIU Medallion– University Service at 3 p.m. on Monday.

For more details about FIU’s fall commencement ceremonies, please visit commencement.fiu.edu.

Comments are closed.