You’ve tossed your tasseled cap and left the stage with a bow. You are probably wondering yourself, “What do I do now?’” Allow the Young Alumni Network of Florida State University to help you transition from student to alumnus and provide opportunities to fellowship, develop, and thrive.
You are a part of the largest demographic in the Florida State Alumni family. The Young Alumni Seminoles are growing at a fantastic rate and account for 37% of all living alumni. You have graduated in the last ten years, and now is the time for you to expand your impact, engage in your new community, and increase your potential. The Young Alumni Network is here to help ensure this new journey is joy-filled.
The Young Alumni Network aims to implement programs and activities that will engage recent graduates of Florida State University. Through this servant leadership, the council guides the staff of the Alumni Association on matters of concern to young alumni. The council contains twenty At-Large Members who serve for three years terms. Individuals interested in joining apply annually in the spring for council members and are selected by the current council.
The council’s primary responsibilities are to create initiatives that create opportunities for young alumni to reconnect with the university and to advise staff on how to improve young alumni engagement. Examples of the great work the council does include determining the honorees for the Reubin O. D’ Askew Young Alumni Award and planning the yearly Young Alumni weekend.
Apply to Be a Member of the FSU Young Alumni Council
Young Alumni Council
Dr. Lauren Albaum
B.S. ‘11
Lakeland, FL
Vice President of Student Life, Florida Southern College
For over a decade, Dr. Lauren Albaum has served in leadership roles at various institutions of higher education across offices of student activities, athletics, advising, career services, and academic affairs. The current Executive Director of Career Services at Florida Southern College, Dr. Albaum creates and executes a strategic vision for the campus-wide career services department. Lauren’s passion for working with collegiate learners stems from the transformative experiences afforded to her at the Florida State University where she served in diverse leadership positions including the Homecoming Executive Council, Oglesby Union Board, Relay for Life, Honors Council, and College of Music Board of Advisors. It was through these opportunities and the support of amazing mentors that Lauren decided she would pursue a career, not in music, but in higher education helping others to “find their fit." Dr. Albaum holds a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Florida State University, a Masters of Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina, and both a post-graduate certificate in College Teaching and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Florida. Her research focuses on the relationship between student success, academic performance, and motivation, an engaging subject matter that informs her passion for leadership development in adults of all ages. Dr. Albaum is a frequent regional and national speaker and writer and serves in various leadership positions regionally, nationally, and within the local community including the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, Polk Noles, The Florida Children’s Museum, United Way of Central Florida, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, Polk Academies Advisory Board, Lakeland Economic Development Council, the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. For her efforts, Dr. Albaum has received the Spirit of the Cornerstone Award, Bridge to the Community Award, Outstanding Academic Advisor of the Year Award, Graduate Assistant of the Year Award, and was awarded a NASPA Excellence Award. Dr. Albaum is married to her Seminole sweetheart, a 2019 Notable Nole, and they now have a future Seminole of their own, Nina.
Andres Bascumbe
B.A. ‘12
Washington D.C.
Counsel to Congresswoman Maxine Waters
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Andres Bascumbe currently serves as Counsel to Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) and advises the Congresswoman on technology, defense, tax, national security, and intellectual property issues. Prior to his current role, Bascumbe has held several positions on Capitol Hill working in the offices of Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11) and Chairman Henry Waxman (CA-33). In addition to his work in the U.S. House of Representatives, Bascumbe serves as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve, stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland. An avid believer in equity, diversity, and adequate representation, Bascumbe is a Director on the LGBT Congressional Staff Association’s Board, a Fellow at the Internet Law & Policy Foundry, a Member of the Intellectual Property Committee within the District of Columbia Bar Association, and a volunteer intake counselor as the Central American Resource Center in Washington, D.C. A loyal Seminole, Bascumbe recently served on the Board of the DC Noles, the Washington Metro Area Florida State University Alumni Chapter. In 2009, Bascumbe gained acceptance to Florida State and was able to attend through his admittance to the First Year Abroad Program (FYA), having the privilege to study aboard at FSU’s Panama, Valencia, and London campuses. After the successful completion of the FYA Program, Bascumbe earned in-state tuition. During his time in Tallahassee, Bascumbe worked as Director of Public Relations for the Hispanic Latino Student Union (HLSU), was elected to represent the College of Communication and Information in the Student Government Association’s (SGA) Student Senate, and worked to foster student-alumni relations as a Member of the Student Alumni Association’s Leadership Council. Bascumbe was humbly appointed to FSU’s Emerging Leaders Program in 2010 and earned membership to Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, as well as the University’s Dean’s List throughout his tenure at Florida State.
Kenneth Cagnolatti
B.S. ‘21
Tallahassee, FL
Wealth and Investment Management Analyst, Wells Fargo
Kenneth Cagnolatti started his FSU journey in the Fall of 2017. As an out of state student from the city of Chicago, Kenneth spent his undergraduate experience involved in a variety of student organizations including the Student Alumni Association in which he served as its 2020 President, Invest - A - Nole, a financial literacy organization that he created in 2018, and the President of the Award Winning Theta Eta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity incorporated. He was also heavily involved in the Student Government Association as a student senator, Student Foundation as a trustee, and the Black Student Union as the 2019 Diversity and Outreach Chair. During his time at FSU, Kenneth received numerous honors including the 2019 Windy City Seminole Club Scholarship, The FSU Leadership Night’s Artes award, The FSU Leadership Night’s Bobby E Leach Award, the Renegade Leadership Honor Society Senior Hall of Fame, The Renegade Brandon Bowden award, and the Garnet and Gold Key Senior Hall of Fame. Kenneth graduated in Spring 2021 with his bachelors in Finance and Real Estate. He currently works at Wells Fargo as a Wealth and Investment Management Analyst. As a part of their High Net Worth Planning group, He is responsible for creating financial plans for clients with minimum net worth of 10 million dollars. Outside of work Kenneth loves reading, creative writing, and will be seen watching the newest Marvel movie whenever it comes out.
Shayna Cohen
B.S. '20, M.S. '21
Parkland, FL
Research Analyst, Office of the Commission Auditor, Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners
Shayna is a committed member of the FSU family, beginning her time at FSU as a Presidential Scholar and continuing her studies at FSU through her graduate work. She is an avid fan of the FSU circus, leaning to juggle from one it’s former performers. Living in Parkland, Florida, Shayna enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and the South Florida weather. During her time at Florida State University, Shayna was committed to both academic excellence and community engagement. She is a founding a member of the Jewish Student Union, where she worked to increase outreach and education while building a strong center for Jewish life on campus. She is committed to mentoring the next generation of students, working both within University Housing leadership development programs and as an instructor for the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. Shayna’s family has a long history of public service that she is working to continue. Through her research background, she works to improve and shape public policy. Previously, she has worked with FSU’s Institute of Politics as a graduate assistant and is a former Legislative Fellow at the Florida House of Representatives. Currently, she serves as a Research Analyst for the Miami-Dade Board of Commissioners in the Office of the Commission Auditor. Florida State provided Shayna with the personal and professional development to do the work she loves and hopes to continue to foster the community that means so much to her.
Jacob Jarczynski
B.S. '15
Brooklyn, NY
Manager - HR Mergers and Acquisitions, American Express
From the way Jake’s parents operated their small business, to the passion that FSU professors and administrators showed on campus, Jake knew that work didn’t have to be boring. After graduating from FSU with a Psychology degree in 2015, Jake moved to New York City to pursue a graduate degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, working in Human Resources departments with the goal of building and engaging diverse, passionate teams. Jake currently works at American Express on their Mergers and Acquisitions team, onboarding acquired teams into Amex’s culture and values. He has also worked/interned for organizations such as NBC, United Nations, and American Red Cross. While at Florida State, Jake was involved in a number of clubs and organizations, serving as a FIG leader and being recognized as a Garnet and Gold Scholar. Since moving to NYC, Jake has been heavily involved in the Seminole Club of New York City, serving as President of the club that’s known for their Times Square takeover, annual Networking Event, and world-famous Nole York City watch parties. Originally from Clearwater, Florida, Jake now resides in Brooklyn with his fiancée Jess, whom he met while volunteering for a Florida State watch party at Saloon on the Upper East Side.
Samantha Kunin
B.S. ‘19
Tallahassee, FL
Florida State University Law Student
Samantha "Sammie" Kunin is a third-year law student at the Florida State University College of Law, most recently having worked as a Summer Associate at Fox Rothschild LLP in the West Palm Beach office and as a Law Clerk at Williams & Coleman, P.A. In law school, Sammie serves as an Articles Editor for the Florida State University Law Review, Research Assistant, and member of the Moot Court team. This past year, she was engaged as a member of President Thrasher's Task Force on Anti-Racism, Equity, & Inclusion. A soon-to-be triple graduate of FSU, Sammie received a Dual Degree in Economics (B.S.) and International Affairs (B.S.) with a minor in Arabic Studies. As an undergraduate, she was a Presidential Scholar, Rhodes & Truman Finalist, Rower with the FSU Rowing Club, and co-founded the RSO and now non-profit, DARASA. The organization works to provide primarily English tutoring and mentoring refugee and underrepresented students in the Tallahassee area, an endeavor which brought Sammie a deeper connection to the Tallahassee community than she thought possible. Various FSU Alumni she met throughout her time as an undergraduate made her decision to go to law school and remain involved with FSU an easy one.
Melissa Mitton
B.S. ‘12
Denver, CO
Director, Government Relations for Western Governors University
Melissa Mitton leads the government relations strategy in the western U.S. for Western Governors University, the nation's largest nonprofit online university. In this capacity, Melissa is the primary liaison with state policymakers, Governors, and other government officials and works to advance policies that benefit adult students and other underserved learners. Before joining WGU, Melissa worked in public relations and federal affairs for the Association of American Universities in Washington, D.C., focusing primarily on student financial aid and campus climate issues. Previously, Melissa worked at Stateside Associates in Arlington, VA, where she consulted for a variety of K-12 education clients as well as post-secondary education organizations. The Florida native began her career in state government relations in Tallahassee, first working for a state Senator and later at the Associated Industries of Florida, the state's premier business advocacy association. A first-generation college graduate, Melissa earned her B.S. in political science in 2012 and later completed a master's degree at Nova Southeastern University. While at FSU, Melissa was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and served as Intramural Sports Chair. Since graduating, Melissa spent six years living in Washington, DC where she became active in the DC Noles. Melissa grew up in Sebring, Florida but now lives in Denver with her husband and her dog. In her spare time, you can find Melissa playing beach volleyball, skiing, camping, hiking, or cheering for the Seminoles!
Luc V. Poliard
B.S. ‘18
Jacksonville, FL
Administrative Fellow, Mayo Clinic Florida
Luc Poliard started his educational journey at FSU in the summer of 2014 by way of the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement’s Summer Bridge Program. However, his passion for the garnet and gold stems back earlier to his little league football days in his hometown of North Miami, FL., where he played on a team called the North Miami Seminoles. After four years of learning, fellowship, and involvement, Luc graduated with his B.S. degree in Exercise Physiology in the fall of 2018. Although the original goal was for Luc to pursue a career in medicine, his involvement and leadership in organizations such as Omega Psi Phi and Progressive Black Men, Inc., cultivated his appreciation for system-wide impact. This newfound appreciation coupled with his experience in leading student organizations propelled him to shift gears in how he planned to impact the world through healthcare. In 2019, Luc was granted admission to the University of Central Florida to pursue a master’s degree in healthcare administration. While in school, Luc sharpened his foundational knowledge in healthcare operations during his two years of service with AdventHealth in Orlando. While matriculating through graduate school, Luc leveraged his experiences and connections to land a post-graduate Administrative Fellowship opportunity with the Mayo Clinic in Florida. In August of 2021, Luc officially earned his master’s degree and moved to Jacksonville, FL to begin his career. Outside of school and work, Luc enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering in the community, mentoring younger college students and at-risk teens, and indoor roller skating.
Courtney Rolle
B.S. ‘13
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Associate Customer Success Manager, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Courtney Rolle has always had a passion and motivation for serving her community. During her time at Florida State University, Courtney had the pleasure of serving in a variety of capacities, most namely as President of the FSU Chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). Subsequent to graduating from FSU, Courtney began her career in education as an elementary school teacher, teaching both first and second grades for six years. During that time, she also obtained her Master's of Educational Leadership. Next, she transitioned into serving in the field of higher education, working with college-level pre-service K-12 teachers in pursuit of bachelor's degrees. She also simultaneously served as an adjunct professor for the education department. Currently, Courtney continues to serve and impact the educational community, working at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a K-12 education and learning company, as an Associate Customer Success Manager. In her spare time, Courtney has proven to be a leader in her South Florida community, volunteering with many organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, and in her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Andres Salas
B.S. ‘21
Austin, TX
Sales Representative, Dell Technologies
Andres Salas is a first-generation Spring 2021 graduate of Florida State University with a B.S in Political Science & a B.S in International Affairs. Andres was born in Bogota, Colombia and raised in Boynton Beach, Florida and currently calls Austin, Texas home. Andres has recently began his career as an inside sales representative at Dell Technologies; focusing on providing small to enterprise businesses hardware and software solutions to modernize their IT departments in an everchanging technology landscape. Despite never visiting or touring FSU before deciding on the university to pursue higher education, the university would leave an immense impact on him. While at FSU, he was involved in Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity as Chapter President, Seminole Student Boosters, and held various roles in Linedance: Showcase of the Arts. He is a proud inductee in the Garnet & Gold Key Leadership Honorary and Greek Hall of Fame. Andres’ greatest honor while at FSU was being crowned as the 2021 Homecoming Chief, which ignited his passion for giving back to the Florida State community & alumni association. As a younger member of the council, Andres strives to engage young alumni to become lifelong members of the alumni associate and remain active after graduation.
Derrick Scott II
B.S. ‘16
Atlanta, GA
Strategy & Operations Consultant, Deloitte
Thanks to the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, Derrick Scott II was blessed with the opportunity to attend Florida State University in the summer of 2012. Through his experiences, Derrick found that his passions in life revolved around access to education and youth development. As an undergraduate student, his thirst for knowledge drove him beyond the classroom to seek ways to better serve his community. Derrick has made it his duty to pour every ounce of wisdom that he has acquired over the years into those around him. Through education, he inspires individuals to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree in 2016, Derrick enrolled in the Financial Management Program of General Electric. This two-year development program consisted of four rotational assignments with technical trainings on the key areas of corporate finance. Shortly after completing the program, Derrick began his career in consulting with Deloitte. Here, Derrick has focused on providing financial optimization strategies for clients in the consumer products space. Life as a consultant usually causes Derrick to live life in airport terminals. When he is not solving his client’s most complex problems, you could find him on a hiking trail, or near the closest body of water. Derrick finds peace in his poetry and purpose in empowering the youth within the community. Whether it is through his pro bono consulting work for NGOs in the city of Atlanta, or the mentorship of young men and women in after school programs; Derrick will forever live a life of service. He finds true happiness in having the ability to affect the life of at least one, which may open the door for another. He is a young man dedicated to answering life’s most persistent and urgent question… 'What are you doing for others?”
Christa Tanner
B.A. ’12
Brooksville, FL
District Director, U.S. House of Representatives
Christa Tanner currently serves as the District Director to U.S. Congressman Daniel Webster (FL-11). For the past decade, Christa has worked for the U.S. House of Representatives serving in multiple roles, including as a Legislative Correspondent and Legislative Assistant on Capitol Hill. Christa graduated from Florida State University in 2012, earning her bachelor’s degree in International Affairs & Business Management. While at Florida State, Christa was a member of Lady Spirithunters and Theta Alpha Christian Sorority. In 2015, Christa earned her master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University in Washington, DC, where she served as a Board Member of the Student Association. A native of Brooksville, Florida, Christa is a fourth generation Floridian. Serving her community is her passion. In 2022, she ran for and was elected to the Brooksville City Council. She is also a member and Past President of the Junior Service League of Brooksville, a member of the Rotary Club of Brooksville, and a graduate of Leadership Hernando Class of 2017. Christa lives in Brooksville with her husband Jared and their dog Macy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cheering on the Noles!
Nick Thomas
B.S. ’18, M.S. ‘20
Daytona Beach, FL
Medical Student & Nonprofit Co-Founder
Nick is a two-time alumnus, who received his bachelor’s degree from the College of Human Sciences in 2018 and his master’s degree from the College of Medicine in 2020. During his first year at Florida State, he became a member of Theta Chi Fraternity in which he went on to serve as Vice President of External Affairs. Through Theta Chi, Nick was able to foster his passion for helping children with disabilities through his involvement in Dance Marathon at FSU, helping raise funds for children in need of specialized pediatric medical care. In 2016, Nick and his family founded QLH Kids, a non-profit medical daycare for children with disabilities. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Nick took a year off from school to continue building their non-profit; after which he returned to Tallahassee to complete his master’s degree before starting medical school. He is still connected to the university as a third-year medical student while he completes his clerkships in Daytona Beach, FL and is serving his third term as President for the Class of 2024. He is an advocate of health equity and mentorship. Outside of his formal curriculum he is also currently part of a research team that is investigating pediatric knee development and ACL reconstruction through the department of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Stanford University. As a future physician, Nick looks forward to diversifying the workforce while continuing to help children with disabilities and giving back to underserved communities.
Questions? Please contact Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Students and Young Alumni Landon Weeks, at lweeks@fsu.edu.