Nominate a Student for the Rosalina Gonzales Award

Black and white portrait of woman in cap and gown. Text includes: Rosalina Gonzales Award. Nominate a student through Nov. 2.

This message has been approved by Dr. Joi Phillips, director of the Center for Leadership & Social Change, for distribution to faculty and staff.

Nominations for the 2020 Rosalina Gonzales Award opened this week. Faculty and staff may nominate students for the honor through Nov. 2.

The purpose of the award is to encourage and recognize an undergraduate or graduate student for their outstanding contributions to the Florida State University community related to sharing and upholding the principles and ideals of the Latinx culture. While this recognition is a tremendous honor, it also carries a $500 award for the recipient.

Based on a review of our Florida State University Yearbooks from 1900 to 2008, Rosalina Gonzales is the first Latina graduate to appear in cap and gown in 1921. Based on this same document review, Rosalina was engaged and active both academically and socially on campus. She represents a tradition of scholarly excellence and social involvement. Through this award, we intend to link the Latinx students of yesterday who paved the brick path for our current Latinx students, who continue more than a century of academic achievement and social engagement.

Nomination Criteria:

  • A student must be in good standing academically and in conduct, as well as classified a full-time undergraduate or graduate student; 
  • Student must have the intent of enrolling during the spring 2021 term, the semester in which the award will be applied to their financial aid package; 
  • Undergraduate nominees must be a third- or fourth-year student by credit hours; graduate students must have reached their second year of study during the fall 2020 semester;
  • Exemplifies the legacy of Rosalina Gonzales, being involved both academically and socially throughout the community;
  • Demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion evidenced by social or academic efforts to promote and/or educate the community about Latinx culture;
  • Individuals of any race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or other identity groups are eligible for the award.

For more information about the process or to submit a nomination, visit thecenter.fsu.edu/RosalinaGonzales.

Article Date
September 29, 2020