From Tallahassee to London, scholarships help Belle Glade student cultivate a greener future
Name: Jazmin Lopez
Hometown: Belle Glade
University: Florida State University, Environmental Science major
Scholarship: The Reuter Scholarship Fund; The Julian and Eunice S. Cohen Scholarship Fund
Fun fact: First-gen student; She loves to bike
Jazmin Lopez’s path to higher education was shaped by her family’s sacrifices. As the child of Mexican immigrants, she understood the immense effort and hope her parents invested in providing her with opportunities they did not have themselves. This understanding made the financial commitment of college all the more significant. Recognizing the burden it would place on her family, Jazmin worked diligently to secure scholarships.
Now a full-time student at Florida State University, Jazmin is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, with an expected graduation in Spring 2025. Her ambition is to become a wildlife conservationist, dedicated to protecting Florida’s wildlife and promoting a more harmonious relationship between people and nature.
Her current studies reflect the reality of her youth: Growing up in Belle Glade, Jazmin experienced firsthand the challenges of living in a high-risk area for environmental degradation. Her father and brother worked in agriculture, which is a sector crucial to the local economy but one that often grapples with the impacts of pollution.
It’s no surprise that the challenges faced by her family and community have ignited Jazmin’s passion for environmental science and her commitment to finding solutions that balance agricultural productivity with environmental protection.
But her commitment to change extends beyond the classroom. She volunteers at the Tallahassee Museum, where she advocates for Florida’s native wildlife and deepens her understanding of local environmental issues.
This summer, Jazmin broadened her horizons by studying abroad in London through the FSU Biology program. Her time at institutions like the Natural History Museum and Kew Gardens enhanced her knowledge and enthusiasm for environmental science, reinforcing her dedication to conservation.
None of her experiences would have been possible without the financial fuel she needed to pursue her aspirations.
“Receiving the Community Foundation’s scholarships has empowered me to thrive in school as a first-generation student, lifting the burden of financial worries and allowing me to focus on achieving my dreams of obtaining a higher education and becoming an environmental consultant,” Jazmin says.
