People

Palm Beach State College alumnus Jean Louis Fadino has accepted an invitation of lifetime membership in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), the nation’s leading certified honor society for high-achieving first- and second-year college students with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

NSCS is an honors organization that invites less than 10% of all eligible students nationwide to join the ranks of its diverse membership each year, a tremendous honor for Fadino. A leading interdisciplinary academic honor society, NSCS is made up of scholars from two-year, four-year and online institutions.

“NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement; it is a distinction of honor,” said NSCS Founder Steve Loflin. “Our scholars are dynamic individuals who embody the NSCS pillars of scholarship, leadership and service, and many go on to become active contributors within their respective fields.”

Founded in 1994, NSCS continues to remain true to its promise of recognizing, elevating and connecting high achievers. With a portfolio of exclusive benefits that include access to over $500,000 in scholarships, professional development resources, and leadership and service experiences, NSCS is poised to support member growth and development throughout their academic and collegiate journey.

Fadino’s accomplishment is extraordinary as his own journey was once marked by struggles with students who sometimes mocked him and teachers who gave up on him.

“In elementary school, every teacher thought I would never be smart. Everybody kept saying I was too slow and that I should just give up,” recalled Fadino. “I almost did give up. My mom kept saying ‘don’t listen to those people. You got this.’ Ever since then, I kept trying to succeed.” And succeed he has.

After his rocky start in a public elementary school, Fadino’s mother enrolled him in a private middle school where he received more comprehensive support from teachers. “My sixth-grade teacher was helping me through everything,” he said. “My seventh-grade teacher told me I was the hardest working person she ever met.”

After graduating from high school in 2018, he enrolled at PBSC’s Boca Raton campus and later registered with the Center for Student Accessibility, which provides accommodations and support for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to a quality education.

Fadino, who was diagnosed with a speech disability in elementary school, was among Palm Beach State College’s more than 2,600 spring 2021 graduates. Earning his associate in arts degree with a 3.7 grade point average represents the power of hard work, perseverance and a strong support system.

At PBSC, Fadino took advantage of tutoring and other services and continued to work hard. He has continued his education at PBSC, earning a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. He hopes to create his own business to help people in need.

He said he is thankful for his mom, a single mother who raised him as her only child, and the teachers who provided the extra support he needed. “My mom always gave me the support I needed. Even if I’m down she says ‘you can do this. Focus on you. I believe in you.’’’

In recognition of Palm Beach State College’s 90th anniversary, the weekly Alumni Spotlight Series showcases the College’s role in preparing generations of graduates to achieve success in myriad careers and give back to their local communities.