Congratulations to Student Engagement Advisor Amy Derringer for her nomination in the Humans of Jacksonville essay contest.

As part of the Atlantic Institute’s contest, students were asked to write about a hero or heroine who has influenced them in a positive manner. Amy recently came to FSCJ in July of 2015. Before she began advising students at the College, she made a substantial impact on a student from her time at the University of North Florida. That student, Katherine Sanchez, wrote an essay crediting Amy’s inspiring leadership with helping her realize her own passion for helping others.

Amy worked with Katherine and other students as a trainer and supervisor on a community-based learning interfaith trip to Washington, D.C., where students learned about poverty and homelessness in America. After the trip, Amy mentored Katherine as she further developed her leadership skills and abilities in the program’s site leader team lead role.

Katherine also said she feels Amy’s non-religious identity as an atheist shows courage. “Amy has strong values that she has instilled in me throughout the two years she directly supervised me, and possesses a moral character that I seek to emulate,” she wrote.

Amy joins colleague Anna Marie Siegel, director of international student services, in being nominated in the Humans of Jacksonville essay contest. It is open to students enrolled at Florida State College at Jacksonville, the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University and Edward Waters College. Contest winners will be awarded a $600 cash prize.

To read the essay, click here.