Name: Dodlee Mosilme
Hometown: Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach County
University: Florida Atlantic University, biology major
Scholarship: Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Scholarship
Dodlee Mosilme’s path to higher education began with a dream that once seemed out of reach. Born to Haitian immigrant parents who arrived in the United States in the 1990s, Dodlee grew up witnessing their relentless work ethic and unwavering resilience. Although his parents had no personal experience with higher education in the U.S., they saw in him “value, purpose, and hope for the Haitian community,” he says.
Dodlee’s goal of being the first person in his family to attend college was daunting, but discovering the scholarship opportunities offered by the Community Foundation through the Path to College program was pivotal.
The Path to College program mentors low-income, high-achieving students, guiding them towards college admission and success. With this guidance, Dodlee applied for and was awarded a scholarship from the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation — a moment that brought his distant dream within reach.
In the fall of 2021, Dodlee left Lake Worth and enrolled at Florida Atlantic University, majoring in biology with a pre-health focus. While passionately working toward becoming a doctor, Dodlee and his family’s financial strain had been lifted by the scholarship he was awarded, offering tremendous relief.
For the first time, Dodlee could focus on his studies without the constant worry of paying for tuition or juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. The scholarship provided him with the freedom to excel academically, engage in meaningful community service, and embrace the full college experience.
His journey has since been marked by numerous achievements. Currently, Dodlee interns at Breakthrough Miami as a 7th-grade science teaching fellow, where he has the privilege of mentoring and guiding young minds. He has also participated in a six-week residential internship at Yale University, where he deepened his knowledge of chemistry and biology but also met valuable mentors and friends.
Dodlee’s interest in medicine, advocating for debt-free education, bringing awareness to mental health and financial literacy — is deeply rooted in his upbringing and the values instilled by his family. He is determined to inspire the next generation, especially those with Haitian heritage, as he acts as a mentor to his thirteen nieces and nephews and plans to open a club to help break language barriers for fellow children of immigrants — ultimately aspiring to become a healthcare changemaker in Haiti.
Reflecting on the scholarship’s overall impact, Dodlee recognizes he was given more than just financial support. “Assistance from donors at the Community Foundation was also an emotional and transformative gift that has empowered me to create a brighter future,” he said.
