People

Tevin Ali, a Palm Beach State College biotechnology graduate, represented students across the nation at the STEM Higher Education Council National Leaders Summit recently held in Washington, D.C.

The event was hosted Sept. 27-28 by STEMconnector®, a resource and a service designed to link “all things STEM,” at the Gallup World Education Headquarters.

Ali, who is now pursuing an online master’s degree in biotechnology enterprise and entrepreneurship from Johns Hopkins University, was the conference’s only student speaker alongside corporate CEO’s, executive directors and college presidents.

Ali, who  completed his A.S. degree in biotechnology from PBSC in 2015 and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Florida Atlantic University in May, said he spoke about how “his experiences in project-based learning, experiential learning and mentorship helped him have a fruitful experience in education, especially as a first-generation student.”

“In education, our strength doesn’t just come from the power of one, but from the force of many,’’ he said. “I want other students from the College to see they, too, are capable of achieving their dreams if they take advantage of the opportunities and resources they have through the College.”

Ali was tapped for the speaking engagement by leaders at STEMconnector, where he interned in summer 2016. They were aware of his STEM background and his honor this year as the 2017 Student of the Year by the Florida Association of Colleges and Employers.

“I was very happy to do so, and I felt very honored to do so. It was humbling. Out of everybody in the nation, it was me,’’ Ali said.

Ali credits his accomplishments with the higher education start that he received at PBSC. “I am grateful to PBSC and credit the College as my first step toward this milestone along a series of milestones.”