Meet the USF Helios Pathway Scholars
Ayanna Adams
University of South Florida, Sociology
I graduated on May 25, 2019, as a dual-enrollment student, eager to continue my education at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, four hours from home. However, my mother was uncomfortable with my decision to leave, especially after the loss of my older brother to gun violence three years prior and the passing of my grandfather in a car accident just weeks before that. Understanding her concerns, I enrolled at Seminole State College in August 2019.
Initially, I performed well, but when I returned for the Spring 2020 semester, the transition to online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed me, leading to a decline in my academic performance. Despite my hardships, I remained determined. On December 13, 2023, I earned my Associate of Arts degree.
However, when I began applying to universities in Florida, I faced another setback—my GPA, which stood at 1.95 after factoring out developmental courses. This hindered my acceptance into schools.
After several visits to the transfer office at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, I developed a plan to improve my academic standing, retaking four classes with low grades—earning two A’s and two B’s. On December 20, 2024, I was accepted into USF for the Spring 2025 semester to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.
Myrielle V. Brutus
University of South Florida, Sociology
Earlier this year, my life was significantly impacted by a devastating hurricane that resulted in the loss of my car, which was my primary mode of transportation. Without reliable transportation, I have faced immense challenges meeting basic needs, such as commuting to work and attending classes. This setback has made it incredibly difficult to stay on track academically and financially.
Adding to this, my mother was recently involved in a serious car accident. She is currently hospitalized and unable to work, leaving our family in a precarious financial position. As she recovers, I have taken on the responsibility of managing our household expenses while also supporting myself through school. Despite working part-time, the rising cost of living and my limited income have made it increasingly difficult to afford necessities like transportation, food, and other essential expenses.
Balancing these financial burdens with my academic responsibilities has been overwhelming, but I remain determined to continue my education and work toward a better future. The challenges I’ve faced have only strengthened my commitment to pursuing my goals, but the road ahead remains uncertain. Any additional financial support would be invaluable in helping me overcome these obstacles. It would provide me with the stability I need to focus on my studies, continue attending classes, and ensure I can meet my daily needs without constant worry.
Chrisana James
University of South Florida, Social Work
I immigrated from Jamaica to the U.S. as an only child, beginning my education here in 12th grade. Adjusting to a new school system was challenging due to differences in curriculum, teaching styles, and cultural norms.
My transition was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant starting school online. Navigating virtual learning while adapting to an unfamiliar education system made the experience even more difficult. On top of that, I had to take the ACT—a test I had never encountered before. Unlike my peers, who had been preparing for it and had access to study resources, I faced it with little familiarity. My first attempt resulted in a score of 1000, and subsequent attempts were even lower, preventing me from gaining admission to a public university.
Following my school counselor’s advice, I enrolled in community college—a path often stigmatized in my culture. While preparing for this next step, I faced family conflicts that led me to temporarily return to Jamaica before coming back to the U.S. to begin my associate degree.
Balancing school with a part-time job for the first time made the journey especially demanding. However, despite the obstacles, I successfully completed my Associate of Arts degree and later relocated to Tampa to pursue my bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida (USF).
Janya Jenkins
University of South Florida, Social Work
As a senior in high school, I participated in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program and was a proud member of the National Honor Society throughout. These experiences instilled in me a strong commitment to academics and the pursuit of higher education. Despite this determination, my journey has been far from easy.
My mother, a single parent of four children, faced significant challenges. My oldest brother was in and out of prison, placing a heavy emotional and financial burden on her. My younger sister had a baby at just 15 years old, which added to my mom’s responsibilities of raising my younger brother and me. I knew my family couldn’t afford to send me to college, but I remained steadfast in my desire to pursue higher education.
I earned a scholarship and enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University, but it wasn’t enough to cover tuition and living expenses. After my first year, the financial burden forced me to pause my education and work full-time. Around this time, my brother’s wife passed away, leaving behind three very young children—a four-year-old, a three-year-old, and a three-month-old baby.
My mom, already stretched thin, stepped in to care for them—and I did too. Supporting our family has been both rewarding and difficult.
Through these struggles, my dream of attending the University of South Florida (USF) never wavered. Although I was initially not accepted, I worked hard to strengthen my application and was finally admitted three years later.
Rilshandra Merant
University of South Florida, Social Work
I was raised by a single mother who immigrated from a third-world country to the U.S. in hopes of establishing a better life for herself and her children. Knowing the efforts my mother made to ensure that I was given the best chance in life has pushed me to be the student I am today.
I wasn't always the best student growing up as I struggled a lot with test taking and overcoming the anxiety and shame that I felt when all of the other students were understanding key concepts. I continuously fell behind.
My first semester at community college was overwhelming to say the least. I had no idea what to expect in such a new setting. But when I received my final transcript that semester, I knew I was capable of doing better. From that moment on, I committed to applying myself in every course.
I began getting straight A's in all my courses, and I was able to achieve the Dean's list multiple times and even join an honor society because of my grades and GPA. I graduated from community college feeling accomplished. Of course, my story didn't end there. I transferred to USF in the fall of 2024 to continue my education and obtain my bachelor's degree. I've applied the same methods and maintained the same mindset, ensuring that I am the best version of myself and it's been going amazing for me.