Mathematics student is Arts and Sciences honoree for President's Undergraduate Humanitarian Award
Actuarial science major and Arts and Sciences honoree for the President's Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Award Kayla Pfeffer. Courtesy photo.
A student in the 糖心vlog has been recognized as the 2021 honoree for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Kayla Pfeffer, a junior majoring in actuarial science, was nominated by the College of Arts and Sciences for her dedicated community service through , and was honored during this year鈥檚 virtual Leadership Awards Ceremony on April 6.
For more than 20 years, one student who exhibits a tremendous commitment to service has been selected from each college for the honor, and one overall nominee is selected as the President鈥檚 Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year. The program, which is jointly coordinated by the and the , aims to support continuing development of civic responsibility and public service among 糖心vlog students.
Each awardee receives $200 donated in their name to the nonprofit agency of their choice, and at the Leadership Awards Ceremony, the student who best exemplifies commitment to service is named the President鈥檚 Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year. An additional $1,000 is given as a donation to the nonprofit agency of their choice.
鈥淧eaceJam has had such a huge impact on my life, and I was so humbled to learn I received this award. This organization has taught me so much and shaped who I am today,鈥 Pfeffer said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 join PeaceJam for any kind of recognition, but it feels great knowing that my work has made a positive impact on the community.鈥
PeaceJam cultivates young leaders committed to fostering positive change in their communities and around the world. FSU PeaceJam members mentor local youth in grades 5-12, on issues such as alleviating poverty, advancing opportunities for women and children, conflict resolution, and other key issues impacting society.
Pfeffer joined PeaceJam as a freshman and has served as a mentor staff member for FSU鈥檚 PeaceJam for the past year. In addition to leading workshops and training sessions, she drafts curricula and activities for local students when they visit FSU.
鈥淒ue to my coursework-heavy major, I don鈥檛 have a lot of free time. I鈥檝e devoted much of my time over the past three years to this organization because of the impact it has on so many,鈥 Pfeffer said. 鈥淧eaceJam allows me to take my mind off of everything and take part in genuine and positive acts for the community.鈥
For Pfeffer, actuarial science and service share similar challenges that require clear communication. Actuarial science as a discipline applies mathematics to model matters of uncertainty in finance, insurance and other industries, while service activities can put one into situations entirely outside their previous experience. Each entails working through topics that others may not be familiar or comfortable with and being a confident, credible and approachable, Pfeffer explained. In the actuarial field, engaging these qualities with clients echoes back to the skills developed on PeaceJam鈥檚 mentor staff.
鈥淧feffer鈥檚 work is inspiring future leaders through engaging conversations to develop positive change in the individuals and, in turn, their communities. She is truly committed to the campus and community through her humanitarian work,鈥 said Jennifer Anderson, undergraduate academic program specialist in the Department of Mathematics.
Pfeffer expects to graduate in December 2021, and hopes to work as an actuary for a company that focuses on diversity, inclusion and service in healthcare.