By Codi Toney
Ariana White is a diligent and gifted former English-Editing, Writing, and Media student, who graduated from Florida State University at the end of the Spring 2024 semester with her Bachelor of Arts degree. She also earned a minor in museum studies and an undergraduate certificate in public administration.
FSU’s Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement honored the success White achieved throughout her college career on April 8 at the annual Unconquered Scholars Program Awareness Banquet, which celebrated those in the program and their supporters. Unconquered Scholars supports students who have experienced foster care, relative care, or homelessness during their upbringing. She was one of 37 students who earned the recognition.
FSU has been a significant influence on White's life. She grew up in Tallahassee, and she strongly bonds with the university.
“FSU has been a cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember,” she says, recalling her 10th birthday party that had an FSU theme. White was admitted to FSU in 2020 through CARE’s Summer Bridge Program, under the special conditions of COVID-19 pandemic, so her first college experiences at FSU were all virtual. The CARE Program was her entry point to vital university resources, which ultimately helped her succeed in her academic career.
Throughout her undergraduate studies, White explored a variety of subjects, such as media ethics, rhetoric, combating misinformation, print and digital media throughout human history, and the effect artificial intelligence has had on the media. These learning experiences strengthened her love for presenting stories that help support communities and influence public opinion.
White says her alignment with the mission of CARE has been profound. The program’s specialized support for first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds who have overcome personal obstacles resonates deeply with her.
White says CARE became her gateway to campus resources essential for her entire college career, and the program consistently demonstrated a genuine commitment to her success.
“From the outset, CARE introduced me to indispensable resources such as the Academic Center for Excellence, the Reading-Writing Center, the Career Center’s ProfessioNole Clothing Closet, and the libraries,” she says. “They also ensured I was aware of other crucial support services, such as the Food for Thought Pantry and housing advisors. CARE understands the unique perspectives of students in these situations and provides tailored support mechanisms, diverse resources, and regular check-ins to ensure accountability.”
White acknowledges that her struggles with math intensified in college, leading to low grades in those classes. Her CARE Life Coach, Jabari Grayson, recommended that White be tested for a potential learning disability in that area. CARE helped with the cost of the test and facilitated connections for her with FSU’s Office of Accessibility Services.
“They guided me through processes I wouldn’t have navigated independently,” White says. “This directly impacted my ability to graduate in a positive way.”
Beyond assisting White in her academic work, the Unconquered Scholars Program provided invaluable comprehensive support as well. She met regularly with Caitlin Cates, the program’s assistant director, who helped White plan her living arrangements for each semester, develop coping mechanisms for personal challenges, and access federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program when needed. (Read White´s May 20, 2024 blog post about SNAP.)
White points out that the guidance received from the entire CARE staff reinforces her belief in the transformative power of genuine support in achieving academic and personal milestones.
“I am grateful for Unconquered Scholars for ensuring I always had a safe place to stay and that I was thriving in my academic life,” White says. “For example, the program encouraged me to get involved with my college and the English department more. One of my Unconquered peers encouraged me to engage with organizations such as Her Campus FSU and the International English Honors Society. These experiences helped me to stay motivated in my academic field and I am grateful for that.”
In mid-April, the English department awarded to White the prestigious Gerald Ensley Emerging Journalist Award for the 2023-24 academic year. The award is named in honor of the late Tallahassee Democrat columnist who died in February of 2018.
Looking ahead, White is determined to inspire and educate the next generation. For the foreseeable future, she will be a science communicator at Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee, planning and interpreting STEM demonstrations for various audiences, ranging from kindergarten field trips to senior center interactions.
“I haven't decided the specifics of what I want my career to be in, but I know it will include the transferable skills I learned from my English degree,” she says.
Codi Toney will graduate from FSU at the end of the Summer 2024 semester with her Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor in history.
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