Rollins Admission Magazine Volume 7

Welcome to Rollins

Purpose. That’s what you’ll find at Rollins—your own unique purpose. And you’ll do it by exploring many different subjects and by having lots of interesting opportunities to put what you’re learning into action. My four years here have been more than I could’ve ever imagined. I majored in English, pursued drawing, joined the debate team, and made friends for life. What you discover at Rollins is how all these amazing experiences connect and lead you to discovering what you were meant to do. In this issue, my fellow classmates and I give you a firsthand look into our Rollins journeys so that you can start to imagine what your path could look like. You’ll want to check out everything in the following pages, but to get you started, I’m giving you my personal take on a few of my favorites.

Gabby Shepherd ’23

4 Inside a Rollins Classroom

“You’ll build real relationships with faculty. I’m so grateful to my mentor, English professor Jana Mathews, for showing me unwavering support not only with my academics but in every facet of my life.”

6 What Global Issue Do You Want to Tackle?

8 #RollinsLife: A Place to Call Home

10 A Guided Tour of Rollins Gateway

18 What It’s Like … to Find Your Purpose

20 An Odyssey of Eats

“There’s so much variety when it comes to food at Rollins. My favorite: tequenos with salsa verde sauce from the Fox Lodge Grill. Insanely delicious.”

22 Set

Up for Success

“My first-year Rollins College Conference class, Food, Immigration, and Social Justice, was the best introduction to college I could’ve dreamed of. We got to meet immigrant families not far from campus, and I got to learn what true advocacy was really about.”

24 Scoring Big

26 Rollins at a Glance

27 My Rollins Life: Paving Her Path

You Belong Here

On America’s most beautiful campus, getting involved and building community are as easy as knowing where to go. On our close-knit campus, where living and learning are powered by human relationships, you’re never far from having an experience that will help shape your path and inspire you to keep trying new things. Get a sneak peek at a few of the many ways to find your fit and start picturing what your life at Rollins will look like.

GIVE BACK

KEEP EXPLORING

Take a deeper dive into life at Rollins through everything from in-person campus visits and virtual tours to one-on-one chats with our students and admission counselors.

Take your love of service to the next level while also earning course credit through our Immersion program and Community Engagement classes, which are great ways to build experience while serving others and exploring new fields. You’ll get out into the larger community and put what you’re learning into practice—from helping fourthgraders ace their math exams to helping those with autism and other developmental disabilities express themselves through theater.

GO GREEN

By spearheading efforts like the on-campus urban farm and the bike-share program, the studentrun Sustainability Program has revolutionized environmentally focused practices on campus and has inspired countless students to carry on the legacy of the program as they move into the global workforce.

BE A JOINER

“I see things pertaining to sustainability and the environment differently than I did before college, and that’s because Rollins focuses on finding solutions to these types of issues rather than just identifying problems.”

Major: Environmental studies

The Center for Campus Involvement in the Cornell Campus Center facilitates more than 150 student organizations. Whether you’re looking to go Greek, meet students who share a similar cultural identity, or find other Star Wars fans who want to debate the merits of the latest spinoff series, there’s truly something for everyone.

“Having the opportunity to be the Democracy Project student coordinator allowed me to have a hands-on leadership role in increasing the civic engagement of the Rollins community and to engage in active dialogue about the issues that define our lives.”

Sophia

Political science

Mia Brady ’22

Sustainability Specialist, City of Winter Park

Allred ’22 Assistant to the Chief of Staff, U.S. Senate Major:

SHARE YOUR VOICE

In the basement of Kathleen W. Rollins Hall, the College’s headquarters of applied learning, you can take to the airwaves on WPRK, our very own radio station, or get involved with other campus media outlets like The Sandspur, our student-run newspaper, or The Independent, a student magazine that showcases intersectional art, poetry, and essays from the Rollins community.

“Students explore many broad ideas and philosophies through Student Media , so we get the chance to really learn from each other’s diverse perspectives. Every day I’m developing important skills in leadership, communication, and introspection.”

Musenya Ngoma ’23

Station Manager, WPRK

Major: Computer science

SHINE ON STAGE

The College’s historic Annie Russell Theatre sets the stage for many student performers to hone their star power. And soon, both theatre and nontheatre majors alike will have the opportunity to cut their teeth in the brand-new Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Center, which will feature a custom-built black box theater, a state-of-the-art dance studio, and a costume design and technology lab.

Open discussion of the material allowed me to learn from diverse perspectives and engage with the course content on a much deeper level. I felt comfortable hearing and sharing personal details because the small class sizes created a space where I came to know and trust my peers and professors.

Wyatt Deihl ’21 | MPH Candidate, Yale School of Public Health

Inside a Rollins Classroom

In small classes, big things happen. Through open discussion,

“Open discussion of the material allowed me to learn from diverse perspectives, which challenged my own perspectives and allowed me to engage in the course content on a much deeper level. I felt comfortable sharing and hearing very personal details because the small class size created a space where I came to know and trust my peers and professors.”

— Wyatt Deihl ’21 | MPH Candidate, Yale School of Public Health

When you walk into a classroom at Rollins, you don’t have to worry about finding a seat near the front—your professor is going to engage with everyone in the room. And you don’t have to worry about being put on the spot and not having the correct answer—you’re here for a discussion, a sharing of ideas. You’ll show up ready to participate—whether it’s a round-table discussion on German literature or a breakdown of a complex mathematical equation or a presentation

about Taylor Swift’s latest promotional campaign— because you know your perspective is valued. You’re here to learn, to deepen your understanding of the world, to take one more step toward your postgraduate goals. In small classes designed around discussion, personal attention, and the development of 21st-century skills like critical thinking and collaboration, you’ll learn how to think, not what to think. So have a seat … anywhere.

hands-on learning, and close-knit mentorship from faculty who know your goals and dreams, you emerge as a confident critical thinker ready to make your mark.

Rollins professors tailor their approach to the individual. They hold you more accountable, which means you get more out of your education. You can’t just show up to class and be a fly on the wall.

Skylar Knight ’19 | Program Analyst, U.S. Department of the Treasury

60+ paths to a transformative education

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS

American Studies*

Anthropology*

Art (Studio)*

Art History*

Asian Studies*

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

Biology*

Business (International)*

Business (Management)*

Business (Social Entrepreneurship)*

Chemistry*

Classical Studies*

Communication Studies*

Computer Science*

Critical Media and Cultural Studies*

Economics*

Elementary Education*

English*

Environmental Studies*

History*

International Relations*

The opportunity for engagement and collaboration is bountiful. Even in my math classes, we shared how we solved problems on the white board and learned from each other about how we approached difficult questions. Now that I’m a data scientist, I’m talking through problems and brainstorming solutions every day. Rollins was filled with opportunities to do just that, so it comes naturally in my professional work.

Carla Daza ’20 | Data Scientist, Target

Latin American and Caribbean Studies*

Marine Biology*

Mathematics*

Music*

Philosophy*

Physics*

Political Science*

Pre-Engineering Psychology*

Public Policy and Political Economy

Religious Studies*

Social Innovation

Sociology*

Spanish*

Theatre Arts*

* Also offered as a minor

UNDERGRADUATE MINORS ONLY

African & African American Studies

Archaeology

Australian Studies

Cultural Anthropology

Dance

Data Analytics

Ethics

Film Studies

Global Health

Jewish Studies

Middle Eastern and North African Studies

Neuroscience

Secondary Education

Sexuality, Women’s, and Gender Studies

Sustainable Development and the Environment

Writing

ACCELERATED PATHWAYS

Accelerated Management Program (3/2 BA/MBA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (BA/MA)

Education (BA/MA)

Engineering (BA/BS)

Human Resources (BA/MA)

Liberal Studies (BA/MA)

Public Health (BA/MA)

Strategic Communication (BA/MA)

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

Allied Health

Dentistry

Law

Medicine

Optometry

Podiatry Veterinary Medicine

Learn more about our majors, including popular courses, potential career paths, and the expert faculty who will guide you on your journey.

rollins.college/majors

Do You Want to Tackle? What Global Issue

We don’t just talk about making the world a better place—we provide you with the tools and skills to actually do it. At Rollins, there are myriad opportunities to explore the many defining issues of our time, but here are a few to get you started as you consider what role you’ll play in combating them. So how do you want to make a difference?

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO FIND OUT.

What’s more important—water or food?

What best describes an issue you’d like to explore?

Increasing access to people’s basic needs

H20 is the source of life.

No one should ever go hungry.

I’m all about preserving our green spaces.

Clean Water

You’ll engage this issue right at the source as part of our Immersion program, which gives you firsthand experience with cultural, environmental, social, and political issues. For over 25 years, chemistry professor Pedro Bernal has been leading Tars on Immersions to the Dominican Republic, where they’ve installed more than 20,000 life-changing water filters throughout rural communities across the island.

Zero Hunger

You can put your passion into practice like Andrew Boyd ’21 through internship opportunities at organizations such as Feeding Children Everywhere (now U.S. Hunger). The business management major got a behind-the-scenes look at the world of nonprofits, honing skills in supply chain operations, problem solving, and system analysis while tackling the hunger crisis on a global scale.

Sustainable Communities

Spy capuchin monkeys high in the rainforest while learning about how a focus on conservation can define an economy and culture. Through two different field-study options in Costa Rica, a world leader in environmental protection and sustainable development, you’ll engage with community leaders and gain the kind of real-world experience necessary to confront these complex challenges.

I

Creating a sustainable future

By focusing on natural habitats or improving cities?

Resilient Infrastructure

Through Rollins’ Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program, you’ll have the opportunity to conduct original research alongside our expert faculty. After examining musical acoustics with physics professor Thom Moore, Lauren Neldner ’20 earned a spot in a National Science Foundation program to study seismology, which sparked her desire to engineer safer buildings and devise early warning systems for earthquakes.

We must abolish scarcity.

Improving quality of life for others

Through their lot in life or health?

No Poverty

Service learning programs like the Bonner Leaders can prove both life-changing and career-defining. Just ask Madhavi Mooljee ’21, who worked with IDignity, a local nonprofit that secures identification so impoverished people can find jobs and attend school. Mooljee went on to earn a fellowship from Venture for America and aspires to create her own social enterprise that combats poverty and supports immigrant communities.

Without our health, we have nothing.

Health and Wellness

Many of Rollins’ interdisciplinary, discussion-based classes include research components that put you on the front lines of real-world problems. For example, math professor Zeynep Teymuroglu recently earned a grant to engage her students in research focused on mathematical models of opioid use and disease spread that can help inform policy decisions around the country.

want to focus on building structures in harmony with the environment.

A Place to Call Home

Disney days. Beach trips. Afternoon paddles. Rollins is primely positioned in Winter Park, a hip community on the edge of Orlando, which makes for the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city bustle. In fact, WalletHub just ranked Orlando the No. 1 midsize college city in the U.S. and the No. 3 best college city overall, and this crop of current students certainly agrees. Explore a few of their favorite places to be when they’re not in class.

Check out rollinslife.com for more #unfiltered sights from the Rollins experience.

“On the weekends, I get to embrace my inner child at Walt Disney World, which is just 30 minutes from campus.”

“I love checking out a canoe or paddleboard from the boathouse to explore all the lakes and canals near campus.”

“It only takes an hour to get to the beach from Rollins. New Smyrna Beach on the east coast is my favorite.”

Brendan Manning ’23 English major

Jordan Febish ’23 ’24MBA Business management major

Julia Derkowski ’23 Business management major

Lexie Cole ’24 Theatre major

“With its trendy shops and restaurants, Park Avenue is basically an extension of campus. Drinking boba tea at Bonsai Tea is one of my favorite happy places between classes.”

“Working on some homework and sipping coffee before catching an indie show at nearby Stardust Cafe is the perfect afternoon.”

“One of my go-to’s on the weekend is to walk over to Park Avenue for coffee and croissants at Financier Patisserie, which overlooks the park.”

“Rollins is so close to venues like Exploria Stadium, where the Orlando City and Orlando Pride soccer teams play. There are so many different opportunities in the area to explore and try something new.”

“I love having new experiences with my friends, like being transported into a whole different world at the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.”

Wait, there’s more!

Explore 50 reasons why Tars love living in the City Beautiful.

Grace Hurt ’23 Business management major

Madison Bailey ’24 Communication major

Claire Angel ’23 Studio art major

Nick Juergens ’26 Theatre major

A Guided Tour of Rollins Gateway

Our students and graduates give you a behind-the-scenes look at how your Rollins experience prepares you to pursue your purpose.

You’ll never walk alone. That’s just one of the commitments we make to you when you start your Rollins journey, but it’s probably the most important promise any college can deliver. After all, Gallup research reveals that having at least one mentor in college is the single most important factor to personal and professional success. At Rollins you’ll be surrounded by an entire community of mentors—from expert faculty and staff to successful alumni and your fellow students. To give you a sneak peek at how big a difference mentors make, we invited one of our current students and several of our graduates to walk you through Rollins Gateway, our signature approach to preparing students to pursue their purpose.

Emma’s Guide to Rollins Gateway

As a Gateway Guide, I help new Tars chart their path through Rollins by drawing on all of the knowledge and skills I’ve developed during my four years on America’s most beautiful campus. Basically, my job is to help make sure your Rollins Gateway is as life-changing and career-defining as mine has been. So follow me on this tour of my Rollins Gateway and start picturing what your life’s greatest adventure will look like.

Emma Gibson ’23

Gateway Guide

Major: Psychology

Future-Proof Foundation

Coming out of high school, I was the student who was like, “I want to get right into my major,” but I’m so glad Rollins’ unique approach to the liberal arts encouraged me to take the time to explore. In addition to my psych courses, I took classes in communication, political science, philosophy, business—all of these different disciplines that I never would’ve considered on my own. That’s what a Rollins education is all about. It doesn’t just prepare you for one job—it helps you discover fields you didn’t even know existed and gets you ready to thrive in whatever path you fall in love with.

Liberal Arts in Action

At Rollins, you get so many opportunities to take what you’re learning in class and build on that through experiences like internships, studying abroad, community service, and student clubs. I came in as a first-year focused just on academics, but I quickly realized there is this whole other side to my education that is just as important. I got to explore the roots of psychotherapy during a field study in Vienna and London; I learned to lead through my role as vice president in Fraternity and Sorority Life; and I’ve honed my analytical and writing skills through a collaborative research project in behavioral neuroscience. Now I’m applying everything I’ve learned in my paid internship with a local counseling practice. These experiences helped me understand what I want to do and gave me the confidence that I’ll find success in what I choose to do next.

Meaningful Mentorship

The most impactful thing for me at Rollins are the people who have acted as mentors. At Rollins, you’ll really find mentors everywhere you look. I have a dedicated faculty advisor as well as a thesis advisor who have been important mentors for me, but because Rollins classes are so small, you really get to develop meaningful relationships with all of your professors. Staff helped me land my internship, and my work-study supervisors helped guide me and make meaning of my journey. Some of my most important mentors have actually been my friends and classmates. It’s so valuable to get advice from someone who was in your shoes just a few years ago. That’s one of the reasons I love being a Gateway Guide—I get to pass on everything I’ve learned and help guide new Tars on their own journeys.

Keep Exploring

It’s impossible to capture the richness of the Rollins experience through any one Tar’s story. That’s why we’ve enlisted a handful of Rollins grads to do a deeper dive into each piece of Rollins Gateway and show you how it made the difference in their meaningful lives and purpose-driven careers.

A Future-Proof Foundation

Your pathway to purpose is rooted in Rollins’ innovative interdisciplinary approach to education. Think about it as a future-proof foundation because you’ll build knowledge and tools that are designed to stand the test of time. You’ll develop 21st-century skills like complex problem-solving, analytical thinking, and collaborative teamwork that will prepare you to thrive no matter what the future throws at you.

Just ask Jacob Battad ’18, a physics major at Rollins who is helping craft next-generation customer experiences as a strategy, planning, and integration manager at Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. While majoring in physics may not seem like the most likely path to a marketing career at one of the world’s largest entertainment companies, Battad credits his liberal arts education for arming him with the analytical tools and big-picture thinking to see solutions others don’t.

“My professors were instrumental in teaching me to see the bigger picture that all the data we collected was presenting and how to interpret scientific concepts for a layperson,” says Battad. “I apply those same concepts to seeing the bigger picture and creating a narrative around engagement rates, analytics, and revenue for anyone to understand.”

Jacob Battad ’18 Strategy, Planning, & Integration Manager, The Walt Disney Co. Major: Physics

Rollins Results

See how a few more recent Rollins grads are using their future-proof foundations not only to succeed today but also help create a brighter tomorrow.

“My Rollins education provided the space and means to take up multiple interests and therefore multiple skill sets. Developing a specialization is valuable and important, but having multiple expertises and perspectives will not only aid in long-term career growth and adaptability, but it makes all of it that much more fun and interesting.”

Parker Magness ’18

Membership and Network Manager, Newlab Major: International business

“One of the things I love most about my liberal arts education is that I feel prepared for wherever my life or career may take me. Rollins gave me a level of preparedness with my writing skills, my interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, and my ability to pursue experimental design that has given me an advantage over my peers in graduate school.”

Isaac Gorres ’21

MSc Candidate, Radboud University

Majors: Art history and biochemistry/ molecular biology

“Going to Rollins and having a liberal arts education made me a well-rounded student, and taking classes across a range of disciplines taught me to fall in love with learning. My double majors exposed me to scientific methods and social-science thinking, which prepared me to read and understand the law—a very time-consuming endeavor—a lot quicker.

Mariam Tabrez ’18

Product Security Strategy Lead, Meta

Majors: Political science and psychology

Liberal Arts in Action

Throughout your journey at Rollins, you’ll have ample opportunity to put your education into action. From internships and study abroad to collaborative research and community service, you’ll expand your interests, deepen your knowledge, and hone your skills through an array of real-world endeavors. Along the way, you’ll develop the kind of experience that hiring managers and graduate schools demand.

For proof, look no further than Nicole Hall-Elser ’18. As a business design strategist for Duke Energy’s innovation technology group, Hall-Elser is using the design-thinking skills and business acumen that she acquired at Rollins to drive digital transformation at Duke with the goal of delivering cleaner energy systems.

As a student, the social entrepreneurship major took advantage of numerous opportunities to sharpen her skills outside the classroom. She was an ambassador in the Social Impact Hub, a creative space on campus that gives student entrepreneurs tools to address local and global issues. She was president of Net Impact, a student-run club focused on social and environmental change. And she co-founded BatterEASE, a startup that upcycled batteries to bring sustainable power to developing areas. Hall-Elser and her BatterEASE co-founders advanced to the finals of the Hult Prize, a global competition that challenges students to tackle the planet’s most pressing problems.

“More than anything, that experience taught me that I could change the world,” says Hall-Elser. “I had it within me to do the thing that I thought was impossible, and it was my responsibility as a young person to change the pace of things. It instilled a lot of creative and professional confidence in me—and led to a recruiter from Duke reaching out to me on LinkedIn encouraging me to apply for my current position.”

Major: Social entrepreneurship

Rollins Results

Find out how other Tars parlayed real-world experiences during college into real-world success after graduation.

“Through a series of internships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and Kennedy Space Center, I learned to work independently and was able to delve deeper into computer vision work, data visualization, and authentication services—areas that laid the foundation for grad school and my career.”

Michael Gutensohn ’18

AR/VR Software Engineer, Apple

Major: Computer science

“Doing undergraduate research with [English Professor] Paul Reich helped me develop the editorial experience and project management skills needed to thrive in my role as an editorial specialist. I loved what I did at Rollins, and it prepared me to find a job that lets me love what I do now.”

Emory O’Malley ’21

Editorial Specialist, Purple Carrot

Major: English

“Serving with local nonprofits through the Bonner Leaders Program, spearheading the nonpartisan Democracy Project, and researching the impact of electoral rules on voters’ behaviors all helped me demonstrate leadership, foster teamwork, and set goals that enabled me to secure a Presidential Management Fellowship, which is allowing me to positively change our government.”

Skylar Knight ’19

Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Department of the Treasury Majors: Political science and philosophy

Nicole Hall-Elser ’18

Business Design Strategist, Duke Energy

Mentorship, Mastered

Along your journey at Rollins, you’ll encounter a community of mentors— ranging from faculty and staff to fellow students and alumni—who will help guide you along your path and present new avenues to realize your purpose. That is by design. According to Gallup research, graduates who had a professor who cared about them as a person, made them more excited about learning, and encouraged their dreams were twice as likely to thrive in their lives and careers.

Take Francisco Wang ’22, for example. The international business major first met marketing professor Raghabendra KC ’13 during a class his senior year. KC was sharing his research, and Wang wanted to do his senior thesis on a similar topic, so he reached out to ask if he’d work with him. That one encounter radically changed Wang’s trajectory.

“At the start of my senior year, I planned on applying to jobs, not grad school,” says Wang. “I certainly didn’t think I’d be here at Cambridge University, but KC made me passionate about research and said I should consider Cambridge, where he completed his master’s and PhD. I’m actually working with his former PhD supervisor on pricing and topics that KC worked on during grad school, and we still talk regularly about our lives and our research.”

Francisco Wang ’22

MPhil Candidate, Cambridge University

Major: International business

Rollins Results

Explore how mentorship served as the catalyst for these Rollins grads’ success on the world stage.

“If I did not take [music professor] John Sinclair’s class, Basic Conducting, during my first semester at Rollins, I would not be who I am today. When facing challenges in my career, I always go back to one of the times he encouraged me, which helps me to keep trying with the talent he pulled out of me.”

Ryo Hasegawa ’19

Assistant Conductor, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, Peabody Symphony/Concert Orchestra, and Peabody Youth Orchestra

Major: Music

“[Business professor] Richard Lewin was instrumental in leading me to my current position. Not only did he teach me so much during an independent study about technical analysis—which is what I do now—but he spent weeks preparing me for my interview with Citi to make sure I was prepared for any question they might ask.”

Abdiel Martinez ’22

FXTechnicals Analyst, Citi

Major: International business

“I met Luke Brown ’05MBA through Rollins’ Women in Finance program, and after we talked about my career goals for a while, he suggested I apply to his company. He even put in a good word with my current supervisor, which encouraged her to interview me and helped me land the job.”

Izadora Correa Bongiolo ’22

Market Data Specialist, Intercontinental Exchange

Major: Economics

Find Your Gateway Scan or head to rollins.college/gateway to start envisioning what your pathway to purpose will look like.

Wh at It’s Like ...

to Find Your P urp ose

At Rollins, learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. It just begins there. Through our small, discussion-based classes and interdisciplinary curriculum, students learn to think critically about ideas and information. They learn to explore topics through a variety of lenses—whether it’s the fundamentals of chemistry or the inner workings of politics—and then apply this newfound know-how in a variety of real-world settings with the guidance of expert mentors. Hear from a handful of Tars whose hands-on experiences at Rollins helped them define their interests and goals and put them on their path to purpose. Then visit rollins.college/what-its-like to explore more student accounts of the Rollins experience.

What It’s Like ... to Start a Business in College

As a child, social entrepreneurship major Sara Cohen ’23 used to set up elaborate make-believe storefronts using items from around her house. Now, she’s married her passion for art with her passion for ethical business practices by running a thriving handmade design studio offering bespoke jewelry and quirky stationery, all before she’s even graduated. Cohen uses 100 percent recyclable and compostable shipping materials and sells some of her most popular items at local boutiques, cafes, and on campus.

From running for political office to providing access to clean water, Rollins students learn how to apply their knowledge and skills in the real world as they discover what drives them.

Running a business while going to school full-time isn’t easy, but I’ve had a ton of support from my professors, including advice on how to make my business more sustainable. Finding the balance between education and entrepreneurship feels like who I’m meant to be.

What It’s Like ... to Preserve a Hidden History

For decades, thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts sat tucked away in the Rollins archaeology lab. That is, until anthropology majors Zoe Milburn ’22 and Ellie Minette ’22 set out on an ambitious quest to catalog each and every one. Working under the guidance of anthropology professor Zack Gilmore through Rollins’ Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program, the project took three years, and now, thanks to their hard work and the latest technology, scientists all over the world are benefiting from their discoveries.

We collaborated with the Florida Public Archaeology Network and the Orange County Regional History Center to create digital models of the artifacts, which you can print out using a 3-D printer to study them up close.

What It’s Like ... to Run for Political Office

During his first two years at Rollins, political science major Omar Sadek ’22 served in the Student Government Association, interned in the City of Winter Park’s Sustainability Department, and served on U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy’s Youth Advisory Board—essential experiences that helped him tap into the shifting needs of his nearby hometown and inspired him to run for a city commissioner position. He didn’t win, but his competitive campaign allowed him to make important connections with what he was learning in class and to forge relationships with community leaders throughout the city.

What It’s Like ... to Meet Your Forever Friends Before Your First Class

Rollins offers a ton of programs geared toward helping you find your fit from day one. Take EMBARK, for example. The cohort-based development program focuses on helping students from underrepresented backgrounds acclimate to college life. The program is a collaboration between the Center for Inclusion & Belonging and student mentors like psychology major Dani Golob ’24, who has dedicated much of her time at Rollins to helping guide fellow Tars through that critical first year and beyond.

We host an EMBARK retreat before students even begin classes. Then, we meet up during the year for different events like skate night and study sessions. This helps students create a safe space and a supportive community of like-minded peers.

make decisions, so we were able to take what we learned and put it into action.

What It’s Like ... to Tackle a Real-World Problem

For more than two decades, chemistry professor Pedro Bernal has been leading Tars on summer field studies to the Dominican Republic to install water filtration systems in rural villages across the island. Like Bernal, chemistry major Mariela Mera ’20 hails from the Dominican Republic’s capital city of Santo Domingo and says that the field study allowed her to engage with a problem she didn’t even know existed until she was able to study it at the source.

I knew access to clean water was a problem in my country, but I didn’t know it was that bad. You see people getting water from the rain and using a dirty cloth to filter it. Then you see how the filter works with that same water, and now, thanks to the filters we installed, they’re drinking clean water.

I was taking Political Psychology while I was campaigning, which had a major impact on the work I was doing. The class focuses on how voters think and

At Rollins, we’re dishing up some of the best campus dining in the country. A pair of culinary enthusiasts team up to show you what’s on the menu.

Sure, Rollins has a reputation for its top-notch academics and beautiful campus, but did you know we’re also racking up accolades for our dining? It’s true. Everyone from The Daily Meal to Peta 2 has designated Rollins a bona fide destination for foodies. From fresh sushi to enticing entrees that wouldn’t be out of place in your favorite restaurant, our food isn’t merely delicious, it’s also inclusive. With options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with allergies, there’s truly something for everyone.

But don’t take our word for it—just look at what’s on the menu during a typical day at Rollins. Join Brendan Manning ’23 and Hollie Tweedie ’25 to get the inside scoop on what makes Rollins a foodie favorite.

Meet the Foodies

“When I have an early class, I like to start my day with an acai bowl from Bush Cafe. You can customize your bowl, and I get mine with Nutella, granola, and banana. I also grab an iced caramel macchiato with oat milk to help me power through class.

Hollie Tweedie ’25

Major: Marine Biology

Favorite Rollins dish: Vegan burger from Dave’s Boathouse

Brendan Manning ’23

Major: English

Favorite Rollins dish: Grilled cheese and tomato soup from Fox Lodge Grill

“Before heading to my on-campus job in the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement, I stop by Dave’s Boathouse to pick up some sushi. My favorite is the California roll with extra spicy sauce, and they make it fresh every day.

Lunch is at the Cornell Cafe, which we call Tarpotle for its awesome Tex Mex-style food. I tear into a hearty veggie burrito and a side of Mexican street corn before hosting my weekly show on WPRK, our campus radio station.

Around Town

My busy morning of classes is over, so I meet friends for lunch in the main dining hall, which has so many options. Some of my friends grab wood-fired pizza while others hit up the international station for jerk chicken. I opt for a heaping plate of rice and sauteed veggies from the vegan and vegetarian station.

Our hometown of Winter Park plays host to some of the area’s hottest restaurants, many of which accept Rollins dining dollars. Get ready to swipe at these local favorites.

Fresh & Co.

Park Avenue’s newest fast-casual eatery lives up to its name by offering sandwiches, smoothies, bowls, and madeto-order salads featuring the freshest local produce around.

Burger-Fi

Burger-Fi elevates the burger concept with chef-crafted creations, hand-cut fries, and decadent shakes. They even have veggie and vegan options.

After an afternoon of editing social media videos for my internship with Rollins’ Office of Marketing, I stop by the C-Store, our oncampus market that has everything from groceries and sundries to a trail-mix bar and graband-go dinner options.

Antonella’s Pizzeria

Consistently topping the city’s best-pizza lists, Antonella’s offers classic New York slices, calzones, and pastas in a cozy setting just steps from campus.

Hungry for more?

Before heading back to my apartment in Lakeside Neighborhood, I pop into the Fox Lodge Grill for a classic dinner of chicken tenders and fries, which I enjoy poolside while rocking T Swift in my earbuds and catching the sunset over Lake Virginia.

Join your future classmates on a culinary tour of campus dining and local eateries.

Set Up for Success

Hear from peer mentor Michelle Rodriguez ’24 in her own words about how the Rollins College Conference course—RCC for short—acts as a roadmap for your Rollins journey and helps you get off to a great start from day one.

Iwas so nervous—and excited—before my first day at Rollins. I didn’t know anyone, and I was a little worried about making new friends. I’m the first person in my family to attend college, so I couldn’t really ask my parents what to expect. And then I walked into my RCC class—it’s the first class you’ll have on your first day at Rollins—and met the people who changed my life. From helping me find my way to encouraging me to explore my passions, they supported me when I needed it. And they’re the reason I became a peer mentor, so I could help ease the transition for the next generation of Tars. Here’s a closer look at how the RCC experience at Rollins is designed to jump-start the best four years of your life.

Michelle Rodriguez ’24

RCC: Dream in Spanish

Majors: International business, Latin American and Caribbean studies, and Spanish

Campus involvement: Peer mentor, Latin American Student Association president, Alpha Omicron Pi member

Goal: Pursue grad school in immigration law and start a nonprofit that prepares children in developing nations for higher education

Solid Foundation

“My RCC course was focused on improving our Spanish by watching and critiquing films in the language. After each class, we’d break down the topics the films covered and how they applied to life. That really helped develop my critical thinking skills by analyzing things in a very different way than I had ever done before.”

In addition to peer advisors for international students, all first-year students are paired with peer mentors who provide guidance on what classes to take, what social activities to consider, and what to expect, in general, as a student at Rollins.

Faculty Guides

“Spanish professor Patricia Tome is my campus mom. I love her. During our weekly one-on-ones, she helped me realize what my true passion is by noticing what classes made me come alive when I talked about them. She’s the reason I’m triple-majoring in international relations, Latin American and Caribbean studies, and Spanish.”

RCC professors are not just teachers for one course. They serve as students’ faculty advisors throughout their first year, meeting regularly one-onone with each student to talk about everything from their coursework and professional goals to their personal life. The sessions are intended to help students uncover their passions, find pathways to success, and form bonds that extend well beyond four years.

Peer Mentors

“Early on, I was having a hard time transitioning to college life. I was homesick and struggling to make friends on campus because it was during the pandemic. My peer mentor, Erika Wesch ’23, sat with me for hours and reassured me that all those feelings were completely normal—that it would take a little time, but everything would work out. Of course, she was right.”

Each RCC course has two peer mentors—second-, third-, and fourth-year Tars who can’t wait to pass along their Rollins knowhow. They’re not simply a guide—they’ve recently walked in your shoes and understand the pressures you’re facing. Think of them as a cool older pal who will help you with everything from prepping for your first class presentation to deciding which meal plan to choose.

Living and Learning Together

“It was nice living near my classmates. A couple of us would go jogging together or grab a meal at Dave’s Boathouse. They helped introduce me to a wide range of people on campus, who are now my closest friends.”

Most first-year students are placed in the same residential hall as their RCC classmates, so they have a support system built in right where they live. Whether it’s needing help understanding an assignment or making it easier to find friends in a new environment, this arrangement enables students to be surrounded by a community of people who not only share their interests but who are also going through the same transition.

Start Strong

Learn more about how our RCC model will set you up for success.

Rollins student-athletes have a long history of successful careers on the business side of sports. Alice Dye ’48 shaped modern golf course design. Soccer player Dave Pitt ’04 ’06MBA won three rings with the Golden State Warriors as senior director of partnerships. Lacrosse player Annie Koeblitz ’13 is a multimedia producer at NBC Sports.

The list goes on, with more Tars following their lead every year. Take water-skier Jenny Goldsher ’21, for example. With a double major in computer science and psychology and a minor in data analytics, she

landed an analyst job with the Seattle Mariners after developing a web application that uses advanced baseball statistics to simulate play-by-play output. She credits valuable skills in leadership, communication, and collaboration that she learned both in the classroom and through the cauldron of competition for preparing her to take the next steps after graduation. Meet three Tars whose experiences as studentathletes helped them go pro in thriving careers, where every day they combine their passion for sports with the future-proof foundation they received at Rollins.

Molly von Eschenbach ’21 Performance Marketing Coordinator, Atlanta United

Major: Communication studies

Sport: Women’s soccer

Notable: Interned at the Golf Channel while anchoring Rollins’ defense on the pitch

“I’m able to apply what I learned at Rollins in my corporate role at Atlanta United where I write and edit copy, lead campaigns, and spearhead large marketing initiatives. My time as a soccer player taught me how to handle pressure and stay calm among the chaos, which is especially true in the sports industry, where everything can change in seconds.”

Explore how Rollins’ winning combination of athletic and academic excellence gives our student-athletes a competitive advantage.

Majors: Computer science and psychology, with a minor in data analytics

Sport: Water skiing

Notable: Competed at NCWSA All-Stars; named outstanding senior scholar in science and math

“Rollins allowed me to pursue my passions with a growth mindset. In the classroom, I had the opportunity to contextualize my studies in real-world settings through research opportunities. As a water-skier, I re-engaged my passion for competitive athletics and learned new skills. The combination of these experiences prepared me to work in a dynamic environment geared toward competition.”

How do you stay active on campus?

You don’t need to be a varsity athlete to stay fit or satisfy your competitive streak through intramurals, waters sports, group fitness classes, and more. Explore a few of the ways you can get moving without ever leaving America’s most beautiful campus.

Esports

Plug into the world of LAN-style gaming at Rollins, where two dedicated spaces— an official gaming room and a 24-hour practice lab—feature a combined 23 stations with top-of-the-line processors and graphics cards optimized for competitive esports.

Justin Driscoll ’20 ’21MBA Associate, Investments & Portfolio, leAD Sports & Health

Major: Economics

Sport: Baseball

Notable: 4-year academic all-conference pitcher; member of 2022 College World Series team

“Leveraging my platform as a student-athlete helped me secure my current role at leAD Sports. Rollins allowed me to discover my passion off the field while simultaneously pursuing my academic and athletic ambitions, including getting my MBA. This is crucial for a school to offer because so many athletes are too late to position themselves for success once their athletic and academic career is over.”

Club Sports & Intramurals

Join one of dozens of club and intramural teams—from basketball to ping-pong. And our near-perpetual sunny weather gives you year-round access to outdoor activities like golf and water polo.

Water Sports

Our lakeside location on Lake Virginia means that getting out on the water— even in between classes—is as easy as launching a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from the Rollins Boathouse.

Group Fitness Classes

Get your groove on with Zumba or feel the burn in a boot-camp-style session or sign up for yoga on the lawn. No matter your mood, we’ve got a class to match it.

Game On

See how our studentathletes are setting the pace—in competition and in the classroom.

Jenny Goldsher ’21 Data Strategist, Seattle Mariners

Rollins at a Glance

209 International students from 67 countries (fall 2022)

60+ Areas of study

21 NCAA Division II Athletic Teams

2,239 College of Liberal Arts enrollment (fall 2022)

90+ International programs

17 Average class size

70+ Percent of students study abroad

150+ Student clubs and organizations

Select Awards & Rankings

No. 1 Regional University in the South

U.S. News & World Report, 2019-2023

Top Ranked for 25+ Years

U.S. News & World Report, 1996–2023

Top 5 for Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching

U.S. News & World Report, 2021-2023

Top 10 Best Value School

U.S. News & World Report, 2023

Top Producer of Fulbright Students

U.S. Department of State, 2013–2017, 2019-2022

No. 1 Liberal Arts College in Florida Niche, 2021

11:1 Student-faculty ratio

Top 10 Nationally for Academic and Athletic Excellence

NCAA, 2011-2023

No. 1 MBA in Florida

Forbes, 2017–2019

No. 1 Most Beautiful College Campus

Condé Nast Traveler, 2020

Top 10 for Percentage of Students Who Study Abroad

Institute for International Education, 2013–2021

Finish in Four

Learn more about Rollins’ four-year graduation guarantee: rollins.college/finish-in-four

97% of Rollins graduates engaged in the workforce, grad school, or volunteer service 12 months after graduation.

Sydney’s Favorite …

Study spot: A comfy nook in Kathleen W. Rollins Hall

Park Avenue hangout: Boca Winter Park

Campus dining venue: Cornell Cafe for the fresh guacamole

Rollins tradition: Fox Day, when classes are cancelled and we all go to the beach

Paving Her Path

When Sydney Knight ’23 found her community of support at Rollins, she was off and running toward her dream career.

Sydney Knight’s first year at Rollins wasn’t quite what she’d expected. The pandemic made the already challenging pre-med path she’d chosen feel even more daunting, and although she wasn’t far from home, the transition to college life wasn’t coming naturally. But that all changed when she joined the dance team.

“It was such a great way to make friends, especially with older students who I could ask about professors or classes. This really helped me find my place at Rollins.”

Knight went on to pledge a sorority, get an IT job on campus, and with the support of her mentors decided to change her major to business management, a field that better suited her interest in analytics. Now she’s headed to New York City to start a position as a solutions analyst with JP Morgan.

An Easy Decision “I thought I wanted to go far away for school, but after touring Rollins, I just loved it—the atmosphere, the small classes. And I got the Dean’s Scholarship, which helped make my decision even easier.”

Going Greek “Greek life at Rollins is unique. I had so many opportunities to take on leadership roles right away. I was the chair of diversity and inclusion, vice president of finance, and then president of the organization. At a bigger school, it would be harder to get those positions.”

Living and Learning “I’ve lived on campus all four years. I can walk to the library or the lab or my professors’ offices. Being connected to campus really helped me excel in school and set me up to succeed.”

Ready to Launch “Through Rollins, I did an internship with JP Morgan that ended in a full-time job offer. The staff in the Center for Career & Life Planning helped review my LinkedIn profile and resume, and even helped me prepare for the interview.”

Prepared to Thrive “At Rollins, you learn a lot in your classes, but I never felt so bogged down that I couldn’t work my campus job or take on opportunities with my sorority. These well-rounded experiences helped me stand out in the job market. Nowhere else would I’ve had the opportunity to be such a multifaceted student.”

Rollins College Admission

1000 Holt Ave. — 2720

Winter Park, FL 32789

See Yourself Here?

We think you’ll fit in perfectly here on America’s most beautiful campus. That’s why we picked you from the thousands of students who applied to Rollins this year. Now it’s your turn. Choose Rollins today and take the next step on your life’s greatest adventure.

Secure Your Spot

Submit your deposit and guarantee your place on America’s most beautiful campus.

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Experience Your Rollins

Get a head-start on your Rollins life at Experience Rollins, an immersive event reserved just for admitted students like you.

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