From the president
Gianna Gonzalez, a civically engaged student leader at Barry University, is committed to assisting with the empowerment of students in marginalized communities. She has demonstrated her commitment through her sustained participation in the work of Breakthrough Miami, a local organization that supports motivated, traditionally underrepresented 5th–12th-grade students toward achieving their academic goals. As a success coach at Breakthrough Miami, Gianna is continuing her volunteer work, which she started in October 2022, contributing to students' academic and personal success in their first year of high school. In a previous role as a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow during the summer of 2023, she guided select students in their preparation for a business plan and pitch competition sponsored by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, a global education nonprofit. Over the years, her work has positively impacted approximately 100 Breakthrough students, mostly in the ninth grade. At the same time, as a Barry Service Corps Fellow, Gianna has participated in a civic learning and leadership development program organized by the University’s Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI). Together with other CCSI-based student leaders, she has helped host civic engagement programs and events on campus and in the wider community.
Personal Statement
I have been profoundly privileged to engage with the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) at Barry University as a Barry Service Corps Fellow. Through this department, I have had the much-appreciated opportunity to collaborate closely with Breakthrough Miami, an institution dedicated to educational empowerment. Beginning as a service volunteer, becoming a Teaching Fellow, and recently assuming the role of a Success Coach, I have immersed myself in the uplifting journey of mentoring underserved students within the Miami-Dade community. I assisted with their growth and achievement by guiding a select group of students toward the NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) business competition. It was immensely gratifying to help broaden the horizons of 9th graders, exposing them to opportunities that transcend the confines of their immediate surroundings. Breakthrough Miami serves as a beacon of hope, removing barriers by providing resources and experiences typically beyond the reach of marginalized communities. I am deeply honored to contribute to this transformative impact within Breakthrough Miami and the larger local community. Helping to empower the youth motivates me and gives me an ongoing sense of fulfillment.