Class of 2028: Scholars, leaders and champions start their journey

FIU’s newest Panthers are bringing their A-game to the ‘305’.

The Class of 2028 ushers in a new wave of outstanding academic, community and artistic achievement that is fueling the Panther community to reach new heights. Among the freshmen are scholars, researchers, business owners, bloggers, creatives, as well as students committed to environmental resilience, medicine, education and other areas crucial to the health of society.

FIU welcomed nearly 5,300 new freshmen to campus this summer and fall. There are seven National Merit awardees, four Silver Knight winners, 10 Silver Knight honorable mentions and 14 students recognized as scholars by the College Board. Nearly 658 high schools from across the country (including Florida) and 103 international high schools are represented in this class. The students also represent 41 states and 39 countries around the world. Freshmen who began in the fall have an average SAT score of 1259 and average GPA of 4.01.

Jody Glassman, assistant vice president of Enrollment and University Admissions, says that the Class of 2028 is a highly motivated, academic- and entrepreneurial-minded class who soared above all the challenges brought on by the pandemic and cemented themselves as leaders.

“This is my tenth year at FIU and my ninth incoming class,” says Glassman. “This class finished middle school and started high school in 2020. This is also a generation who has grown up with Apple devices, streaming services and social media, but they want human interaction. They’ve demonstrated that they want to be here in person at FIU, engaging with their Panther community. I am so excited for this class to challenge us to keep growing, changing and raising the bar on what’s possible.”  

Meet just a few freshmen starting their journeys at FIU.

Jesus Garcia

When Jesus Garcia was a child, he would stare at FIU as his parents drove by the university time and time again. “It impressed me,” he recalls. “It looks like a city. I told myself, ‘I want to be there one day.’ It motivated me a lot in my academics.”

Years later and after thoroughly researching other universities, he set his heart on FIU again. “I realized I was right as a kid. I’m super happy with my decision to attend FIU. It's a great school.”

Garcia is a National Merit Scholar. He graduated summa cum laude and in the top three percent of his class at Doral Academy. He also graduated with his AA. He was recently selected as one of only 750 Gates Millennium Scholars across the country. During the summer, he went on a three-day retreat with the scholars, where he networked with brilliant students and professionals and attended lectures on leadership, resume-writing and other professional development topics.   

In high school, Garcia logged over 150 hours of community service. He was part of Rho Kappa (National Social Studies Honor Society), HOSA – Future Health Professionals club, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Film Club. 

He was also an executive board member of the Green Campus club, where he led the recycling program. He oversaw a group of volunteers who would go into every classroom collecting paper waste to send to companies that would recycle the waste. Before graduating, he reached out to companies that recycled other kinds of materials and connected them with the new club leaders. Thanks to his efforts, the club will follow his blueprint and begin recycling cardboard and plastic, too.

Garcia begins FIU as a biology major. The son and grandson of doctors originally from Cuba, he plans to follow in their footsteps and become a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Caniya Brown

Caniya Brown wants to live her life inspiring children to succeed. She wants to give back. That is why she’s majoring in elementary education and plans to become a teacher.

Brown graduated as the valedictorian of Miami Edison Senior High School. She was part of the Cambridge AICE program. She received numerous awards for her academic and extracurricular involvement, including a string of Honor Roll diplomas, Miss Senior, MVP in softball and more. She is also a recipient of the national Coca-Cola Foundation Scholarship.

She was involved in 12 student organizations. She was the president of the Student Government Association and vice president of the National Honor Society. She was part of the morning announcements crew, the fashion club and the volleyball club. A lover of public speaking, she became something of a spokesperson for various school projects, even appearing on the news to discuss student activities several times. Through Future Business Leaders of America, Brown also participated in business competitions, winning two first place finishes. Brown completed the Police Explorer program, which allows students to learn about civic engagement and possible careers pathways in the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Brown received more than 15 college acceptance letters. She chose FIU. She first became part of the Panther community while in high school. Through FIU’s partnership with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Brown was matched with Emmanuele Bowles, an FIU staff member who has guided her throughout her academic journey and connected her with resources for success.

At one point during high school, Brown and her grandma became homeless. But Brown kept focused on her education. She excelled, she achieved and she overcame. Today, she is proud to be a Panther. “FIU gave me hope,” she says. “At FIU, I know I have so many people standing behind me. Whether faculty, staff, students, everyone is a unit and everyone is here for you. FIU really sees the greatness in students.”

She attended Panther Camp and lives on campus. She plans to get involved with the Black Student Union and the Student Government Association.

Josh Cunnison

Josh Cunnison was raised in a small city in Virginia. When it came time to choose a college, he decided FIU was the perfect place for him.

“Everybody I talked to at FIU, whether students or advisors or professors, everyone was super nice,” he says. “That matters. Also, I think the campus is just beautiful. There’s not a spot that you go to that’s not drop-dead gorgeous. It just adds to the atmosphere and the experience. I’m super excited to see what the next four years bring.”

Cunnison is a musical theater major. He graduated from Kecoughtan High School with a 4.33 GPA and was in the top five percent of his class. He was president of his senior class and of the drama club. He was part of the Virginia High School League in theater, the Educational Theater Association and the International Thespian Honor Society. He earned four “Best Actor” awards in three years and, during his senior year, he earned three scores of superior — the highest score — during theater competitions.

He was a Virginia State Thespian officer, through which he helped organize theater festivals and acted as a student voice on board meetings of the Educational Theater Association. He was one of only six people selected as an International Thespian Officer, the highest level of leadership a student can attain within the organization. In his role, he coordinated workshops, wrote for an online publication and helped organize fundraisers.

For his service project at school, he wrote a script and directed a production starring students with special needs. He spoke to their teachers and came in during class time to work with the children and tailor their roles so that they would enjoy the production. “This is one of the most important things I’ve ever done in my life,” he says. “I have family members that have autism and special needs. I’m passionate about advocating for people with special needs.”

Hannah Reyes

Hannah Reyes is on a mission to infuse engineering with sustainability. The civil engineering major and FIU Honors College student is passionate about the environment. She attended Fort Lauderdale High School, where she graduated as the valedictorian of her class. She was part of her school’s Cambridge AICE program and earned recognition as a scholar by the College Board and as an AP Scholar.

She was the historian of the National Honor Society and was part of a team of students who prepared a project on Broward County’s rising waters for a youth climate summit. She has tutored students in math and even took a job at Mathnasium, where she has been named employee of the quarter twice. Through an initiative of her job, she was part of a team that helped raise thousands of dollars to support those who are homeless.

In her spare time, Reyes runs her own blog in which she shares recipes for gluten-free deserts. “It’s really a passion of mine,” she says. She began the blog because she herself adopted a gluten-free diet to improve her eczema and stomach health. Her recent posts feature deserts like strawberry cupcakes, tahini brownies and soft-baked banana cookies. For years, she also practiced Judo at the same center where FIU alumna and Olympian Angelica Delgado trained. Reyes is also twin to a fellow Panther who recently started her journey at FIU.

Reyes, who is a Christian, says her faith motivates her to work hard, stay humble and serve others. “Jesus says there is more happiness in giving than receiving. My favorite Bible verse is Acts 20:35.”

As to why she chose FIU? She says she appreciates the Hispanic-influenced culture and diversity at the university. “When I came to FIU on tour, I fell in love with the vibe. I could see myself walking here and going to class here. I feel at home and warm here.”

Group spotlight: B.S.-M.D. freshmen

This fall, FIU welcomed four students who will inaugurate a new seven-year accelerated B.S-M.D. program that will allow them to earn a bachelor’s in biology and seamlessly begin medical school in their fourth year as undergraduates. Angelo Azzaretto, Melissa Hernandez, Olivia Jose and Revati Sabat are the program's first cohort.

The students each have a demonstrated committment to academic excellence, service and health care. Combined, their achievements include being listed as authors of two published scientific articles; shadowing doctors and volunteering at various hospitals across the state; earning numerous academic accolades and awards; logging hundreds of hours of community service; and a long list of extracurricular leadership activities. From playing instruments, excelling in sports, researching the environment, going on mission trips and earning coveted titles in academic science competitions across the state, these students have done it all.

Learn more about their individual stories and the new program.  

This story is part of a series celebrating incoming freshmen in the Class of 2028. Check out the full series.