Our students from our St. Augustine, Tallahassee, and Public Administration Programs are talented, dedicated, and passionate about their future. They also exemplify our Core Values: Transformative Learning, Respectful and Inclusive Community, Thoughtful Stewardship and Citizenship with Integrity. We've highlighted a few examples below, but we have so many great stories to share about our Class of 2021, so be sure to check them all at by clicking the button below!
Kyra Liedtke
Major: Coastal Environmental Science
Activities: Sustain Club, Black Student Association.
A coastal environmental science major, Kyra Liedtke teamed up with Associate Professor of Natural Sciences Barbara Blonder and former graduate Sloane Stephens to complete a recently published study in the research journal, Science Direct. Focusing on Gopher Tortoise burrows following hurricanes that have hit Northeast Florida the past couple of years, the all-female team worked together to gather and interpret data that looked at how the threatened species was impacted by the storms. Earlier this semester, Liedtke was accepted as a Ph.D. candidate in biology at the University of Kentucky with a focus on urban ecology and as part of a full-ride scholarship.
Clark Levi
Major: Theatre Arts
Activities: Alpha Psi Omega, Honors Program, Sustain Club, Club Unity, Black Student Association, Film Club
Theatre Arts major Clark Levi wrote a documentary theatre piece for his final capstone project at Flagler. Over the course of four months, he interviewed students, educators and administrators about public education in the time of COVID-19. He took these interviews and crafted a 45-minute play that was shared as an invited workshop performance on campus. At the same time, Clark has been living in Orlando doing several different theatrical and film projects in ways that navigate the challenges of making art during COVID. “I'm passionate about community-based arts, lifting marginalized voices, getting artists connected to communities and other artists,” he said. “I'm inspired by great art of all kinds and any organization, person or work that goes into the community and works with what they need.”
Juming Delmas
Major: Strategic Communication- Tallahassee Campus
Activities: Capital City Bank, Help U Coordinator
Most memorable memory from your time at Flagler College - I think my most memorable time at Flagler was attending a field trip to the main campus in St Augustine. At the time I remember having to get up early in the morning to meet at Walmart with my advisor (Matt Thompson), my soon-to-be professor (Dr. Graham), and some of my fellow classmates. It was an all-day event, but I really enjoyed learning about the culture of Flagler and getting to know my classmates on the 2-3 hour drive.
Advice for incoming students. Stay ahead of your assignments. It is really important to do that. Build connections with your professors because they are here to help you succeed and they all have a tone of connections. Your classmates will become some of your best friends, in the beginning, you might not all start out talking but eventually, you will especially in group assignments. Learn as much as you can because the things they are teaching you will really apply to the real working world. Lastly, take advantage of your internship, I landed my career job because of my internship. My current job ended up creating a position for me, they had to run it by the board, the CEO, and CMO. I was hired 10 months before I graduated, that should tell you something. If they are looking for an internship, most likely it is because they need an extra hand with something. Take lead and throw out ideas to make yourself stand out and be recognized for your knowledge, and show you are willing to learn as you go.
Sara Sandberg
Major: Psychology
Activities: Psi Chi, Captain of the Women's Soccer Team
What is one lesson that you learned at Flagler that you will never forget? I would say that one lesson I have learned here at Flagler is to "trust the process." This is a statement that Coach Ashley Martin always uses to encourage us, women's soccer players, to be faithful and trusting of each other and of him as a coach regarding becoming better individual players and a better team.
What are your plans after your graduate? I am applying to a few different master's programs, as well as a few different jobs within the field of psychology. I am also planning on continuing to play soccer for my club team Orebro SK.
Lauren LaRue
Major: Mathematics
Activities: Undergraduate Research and Honors Program
This mathematics major has been called a pioneer in cutting-edge mathematics by her teachers. She worked with one professor for two years to solve a half-century old mathematical conjecture, which required her to learn code and read exceedingly difficult research papers. Dr. Pin Hung "Chris" Kao, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, said “as a fruit of her perseverance, our results outshine many before us,” and allowed her to present at this year's Florida Undergraduate Research Conference. In addition, LaRue was invited last year to be a participant to the prestigious summer school sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University. LaRue said: “One lesson that I learned at Flagler is that good grades follow from learning, not the other way around. It is easy to get caught up in grades, but if you prioritize learning, you will naturally master the material.“ After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Georgia, studying number theory and analysis.
Gavin Butler
Major: Public Administration Program
What Flagler College Core Value do you connect with the most? A core value I try to live by daily is citizenship with integrity. As an employee in the public sector, it has been an honor to serve the residents of St. Johns County. I am grateful for the leadership and examples of integrity provided by my classmates and professors at Flagler College.
Advice for incoming students: If you are on the fence about entering the Public Administration Program, you should take the leap of faith. The instructors at Flagler College in the PAD program are invested in the success of their students. This program will offer you a phenomenal return on your investment and will undoubtedly contribute to furthering your career.