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New College of Florida student Lizabelt Avila has been named a Rangel Scholar for 2017, her third national award while attending the College.
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and consists of courses and programming at Howard University in Washington D.C.
Avila, a third-year student from Miami, is studying international and area studies and political science at New College. Her family immigrated to the United States from Cuba when she was a child, and she hopes to work in international affairs and human rights.
“I am really happy and grateful for this nomination,” she said. “I am interested in an international profession where I can be a useful public servant with tangible results, and this summer program offers the proper guidance to achieve that. The academic enrichment and the exposure to organizations and professionals, who work on global issues in the nation’s capital, will be an invaluable learning experience and networking opportunity.”
Last year, Avila was awarded a State Department Gilman Scholarship, for study at The Hague University for European Studies in the Netherlands. She also was named a Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow, a national award recognizing students demonstrating public service that improves their campus communities.
Avila thanked her academic advisor, New College political science professor Dr. Barbara Hicks, and fellowships coordinator Courtney Hughes, for their guidance.
The Rangel Scholarships, founded in 2002, are in honor of former New York Congressman Charles Rangel, a decorated Korean War combat veteran, for his global leadership and belief that diversity is the strength of America. The program honors 15 undergraduates nationwide each year.