Congratulations to SIGS students Giovana Oliveria and Elizaveta Kuzmina for being awarded the Mark T. Orr International Studies Award!
The award, named for late SIGS faculty member Mark Orr, celebrates international studies majors with a commitment to community and global engagement.
Giovana Oliveria is a senior double majoring in International Studies and Economics. For her, receiving this honor was about more than tuition funds. 鈥淲inning the Mark Orr International Studies Award is an incredible achievement for me. It represents not only the recognition of my dedication to my studies but also the support and encouragement I鈥檝e received from the USF community. This award has given me a tremendous sense of validation and motivation to continue pursuing my passion for global studies鈥�. Receiving the Mark Orr International Studies Award has also provided Giovana with the freedom to dedicate herself to on-campus passion projects. For instance, she has been actively involved with BRASA (the Brazilian association on campus) and is honored to serve as the co-president for the third edition of BRASA Connect, a student-led conference for Brazilian students in the United States. This conference is expected to bring together around 300 students from across the country, showcasing the opportunities that the scholarship has allowed Giovana to make a meaningful impact within the community.
Elizaveta Kuzmina is a senior who has been involved in her community for some time. In high school she organized fundraisers and partiicpated in collective actions aimed at increasing awareness of climate change. She has experienced a variety of volunteer opportunities, from electoral campaigns to Feeding Tampa Bay. To her, winning the Mark Orr award represented the support of her community and her university as a whole. "Being chosen to receive the Mark T. Orr International Studies Award is a great honor. As a first generation American and the first person in my family to attend university in the United States, it means the world to know that my dreams and ambitions are supported by the University and the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies. Because of this award, I am able to continue to prioritize my education above all else and can thrive in my academics as well as my personal life."
Congratulations to both winners!