The Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) at Broward College had a remarkable year, earning the 2024 Student Life Program of the Year award.
PEP Alumna, Rahjanni Iusi, delivered the spring commencement speech, and the program’s Nazarena Romero and Maria Paula Vasini are semi-finalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, showcasing PEP's excellence in nurturing student success.
Born and raised in South Florida, Rahjanni's early years were spent as the oldest of five, watching her parents continuously serve their community in ministry This foundation would later shape her path in profound ways.
Her introduction to the military came as a young adult when she enlisted in the United States Army, embarking on a journey that would define much of her life As a Military Intelligence Analyst and paratrooper in the Special Operations community, Rahjanni faced the rigors of military service, exposing her to the harsh realities of combat and its toll on mental well-being
hroughout her military career, Rahjanni witnessed firsthand the struggles of her comrades with post-traumatic stress, substance use disorder, and thoughts of suicide. In 2013, tragedy hit her front door when her first husband, an Active Duty Service Member, completed suicide, leaving her widowed at 26. His suicide was one of many taking place in her unit in a short amount of time These experiences ignited a passion within her to make a difference and provide support to those who served alongside her.
A month after leaving the military, Rahjanni enrolled at Broward College in pursuit of specialized training to tackle the pervasive mental health issues within the veteran community She immersed herself in the Social Behavioral Sciences and Human Services Professional Enhancement Program (PEP). Upon completion, Rahjanni pursued a master's in Social Work at Florida Atlantic University, diligently refining her expertise in counseling and therapy to better serve her fellow veterans.
Driven by her unwavering commitment to her fellow Veterans, Rahjanni joined Banyan Treatment Centers, a renowned institution dedicated to addiction recovery and mental health treatment Here, she serves as a Military and Veteran Liaison for the Military and Veterans in Recovery (MVR) Program, which allows her to engage in the community, develop programming, and advocate for change, directly impacting the lives of those who have served their country.
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Nazarena Romero, 19, is a hard-working and ambitious international student living in Santa Cruz, Bolivia who studied at the Broward College International Center there, and just graduated with an associate degree in biomedical engineering/pre-med.
The aspiring surgeon was also a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship semifinalist, which is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to students. With an impressive 4.0 GPA, Romero also made the President’s List, was part of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, an assistant lead intern in the Professional Enhancement Program (PEP), a program that pairs interns with successful alumni and mentors in their chosen career field, and vice president of Student Government for BC Bolivia
“By sharing my experience, I hope to be an example (especially for international students) of the opportunities that community college provides and how everything is possible with hard work, passion, and perseverance,” she said
While attending Broward College, some of her most meaningful experiences include the invaluable opportunities she had such as being involved with PEP, which allowed her to enhance her leadership skills as well as the friendships she made along the way.
After graduating from Broward College, Romero plans on earning a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and attending medical school She also hopes to one day be a volunteer doctor with Operation Smile, an organization that provides free surgeries to children with cleft lip and cleft palate, which she previously volunteered for in Bolivia
Additionally, she also wants to set up a scholarship fund for international students like herself to have a chance of a high-quality education, like the one she was fortunate enough to have. “Coming from Bolivia, I see the American education from a different perspective. It is full of opportunities to succeed and thrive,” she said
One of the most prestigious scholarships available to students.
Maria Paula Vasini works full-time and takes a full load of classes all while maintaining a 4 0 GPA If that weren’t enough, as a Broward College student she actively participated in extracurricular activities and volunteering. This remarkable student was also named as a semi-finalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships available to students
Vasini, 21, from Venezuela who is an international relations major, is the public relations officer of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society MuMu Chapter on Central Campus, a member of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Club and the Political Science Club
Her achievements were recognized when she was named to the Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 President’s list for carrying 12 or more credit semester hours and obtaining a 4.0 grade point average. She credits her involvement with the Honors College as one of the most meaningful experiences she’s had while attending Broward College
“Overall, thanks to the Honors College, I have been able to enhance my research and writing skills, while also building relationships with my professors who have supported me professionally and academically,” she said Through the Honors College, Vasini participated in three research projects including an in-depth analysis of the immigration policies in the U.S. from 1965 to present day; the effectiveness of international organizations in conflict resolution and peacekeeping; and climate change’s consequences on the economy
Vasini also successfully completed the Certified Student Leader Program offered by Broward College, which consists of attending three leadership seminars, completing journal entries and passing the soft skill exam. Additionally, she was an intern in the Professional Enhancement Program (PEP), which pairs interns with successful alumni and mentors in their chosen career field. Through the program, she engaged in various networking opportunities with guest speakers.
