Destined St. Surin, a pre-law major from Miami Gardens, Florida, has been chosen to receive a $3,000 scholarship through the Council of Independent Colleges in partnership with the UPS Foundation.
The Florida Independent College Fund distributes the scholarship with its national partner, the Council of Independent Colleges.
For a long time, St. Surin aspired to be a child advocate attorney, working to protect the rights of children in contested custody cases or cases that involve allegations of neglect or abuse.
But his experience working for First Serve has opened his eyes to other opportunities. The nonprofit engages, educates and empowers young students to be impactful leaders in their communities through a mentorship model. St. Surin writes grants to fund equipment, field trips and positions. He is the site manager for the Westgate, Palm Beach Gardens and Rosemary Avenue locations, he said.
He plans to earn his master’s degree in leadership from PBA to excel and advance in his work for First Serve, he said.
“The scholarship will help me to save up for graduate school. I’m excited about it,” St. Surin said. “I love working with inner-city kids. That’s my heart for sure.”
Through the Council of Independent Colleges/UPS Educational Endowment, the council has provided more than $1.6 million in student scholarships to support student success at private colleges and universities nationwide.
This year, the Florida Independent College Fund awarded $90,000 in CIC/UPS scholarships to 30 low-income, first-generation, minority and new American students at private institutions across Florida.
In addition to his role with First Serve, St. Surin works in the Registrar’s Office and has worked in Admissions. He has been a resident assistant and Student Life chair in the Student Government Association.
St. Surin, a popular music minor, sings on the worship team at Christ Fellowship in downtown West Palm Beach. He also plays the acoustic guitar and piano.
St. Surin credits his community at Christ Fellowship, specifically his small group leader and mentor Jesse Murphy and worship Pastor Kris Kidwell, for calling him out when he needed to change and leading him in spiritual and emotional growth.
With the work that he has put into his studies, he is on track to graduate in January.
About the Council of Independent Colleges
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and other higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility. It conducts the largest annual conferences of college and university presidents and of chief academic officers. Founded in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. www.cic.edu
About The UPS Foundation
Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, the UPS Foundation identifies areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In support of this strategic approach, the UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas for giving: volunteerism, diversity, community safety, and the environment. In 2017, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $118 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.Com/foundation.
Photo: Destined St. Surin, a pre-law major, has been chosen to receive a $3,000 scholarship through the Council of Independent Colleges in partnership with the UPS Foundation.
