Scholar Spotlight: Giselle Galvan, FAU Class of ’26

Giselle Galvan’s ambitions have always been rooted in her love of science fiction novels and the “guerrero sangre”—“warrior blood” in English—that she believes runs through every generation of her Mexican heritage.

“Those before me were fierce warriors known for their bravery, strength and resilience… And the dreams I had were rooted in the pages of a book. Within the contents of my favorite science fiction, each world contained different plants and ecosystems inspired by Earth, pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” she explains.

Much like the books that inspired her, Giselle would go on to push the boundaries that unfortunately confined the educational pursuits of those that came before her. “I saw the saddened look in my mother’s eyes when she told me she had to drop out of third grade in Mexico, and the hardened expression of my father when he told me he wasn’t able to pursue higher education.”

But, with the determination to change the trajectory of her family’s future, Giselle sought out scholarship opportunities through Path to College — a local nonprofit dedicated to helping low-income students achieve their college dreams debt-free — and soon applied to and was awarded the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties’ Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation scholarship.

In the fall of 2022, after being awarded her scholarship, Giselle began her studies at Florida Atlantic University, immersing herself in the Bachelor of Architecture program. The transition to university life, marked by the financial and emotional support of the scholarship, allowed her to focus entirely on her studies and her growing passion for architecture, blending her artistic visions with practical design.

At FAU, she quickly distinguished herself, joining the VISTA program reserved for the top 1% of students and the Alpha Alpha Alpha First-Generation Honors Society. She also became an active member of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), where she recently took on the role of Creative Director for the upcoming school year.

One of her most exciting projects was a design-build initiative with Habitat for Humanity, where she led a team creating playhouses for underserved families. Giselle’s design, inspired by the curvature of a stretched sphere, combined whimsical aesthetics with practical construction techniques. Her team’s work demonstrated her ability to turn imaginative concepts into tangible, impactful structures — and reflected her natural leadership.

Giselle’s commitment extends beyond architecture into advocacy. As a fellow with the Florida College Access Network’s Advocacy Fellowship, she passionately advocated for Universal FAFSA in the state capital, giving a voice to students who face barriers to higher education.

Currently, Giselle is in her third year at FAU, while also working part-time as Path to College’s Social Media Strategist, working as a designer, photographer and social media manager. Having returned to the nonprofit that helped catapult her dreams, Giselle is eager to offer a guiding hand to those who have faced similar challenges.

Reflecting on her journey, Giselle is deeply grateful for her donors at the Community Foundation who believed in her.

“My dreams used to feel like the stuff of the science fiction books I used to read for fun. But now, thanks to the Community Foundation, those dreams are becoming my reality.”