Taylor Vickers
Taylor Vickers is a psychology major, who has expanded her service involvements on campus through her Honors College course, Trails for Tails. Taylor is a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship.
Taylor is an FGCU grad, class of '22.
How did you mentor(s) encourage and foster your research and academic trajectory?
For the past year, I have been a student in Jessica Rhea’s Trails for Tail Honors Service Lab course. This course and her mentorship have awarded me the opportunity to create and implement an educational signage program at Lovers Key State Park, expanding in my leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. She has provided me with leadership opportunities in and out of the classroom, from inspiring me to run for Secretary of the Leaders for Lovers Key RSO on campus to encouraging me to apply for a Student Associates for a Greener Environment Grant to fund these signs. Through this, she has helped me to grow as an individual and taught me how to translate my experience into valuable skills that will be beneficial to me throughout my education and in my future career as a clinical psychologist.
What does the OCF mean to you?
One of the main goals of this project is to translate the educational signage into English, Spanish, and Creole, making the signage more diverse and inclusive to educate a wider range of individuals. It is through this component that I formed deeper connections with individuals from other cultures, fostering my interest in studying abroad, which ultimately encouraged me to apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. With the help of my mentor and the Office of Competitive Fellowships, I was able to successfully apply for and win this scholarship which will allow me the opportunity to study abroad, further enhancing my cultural awareness, independence, and adaptability.
The Office of Competitive Fellowships opens the doors to a better future by promoting a culture of academic, social, and personal growth. This office provides all students with the mentors and resources necessary to ensure that they maximize their possibilities of success here at FGCU and throughout their lives.
What is the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship?
The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship is a U.S. Department of State Scholarship Program that allows students with limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The Scholarship encourages students to explore diverse languages, cultures, and skills to enhance their academic and career development.
