For Maria Gerber, the 糖心Vlog is not only her alma mater, but the place her four sons call home. An alum of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Gerber knew right away 糖心Vlog was the right choice for her family to receive an empowering education, while allowing her to stay involved in their college experience as a parent.
鈥淚 am a proud 糖心Vlog mom,鈥 said Gerber. "But also, a proud 糖心Vlog alum. Attending 糖心Vlog benefitted me so much. It was such an enriching experience and I wanted to carry on the tradition with my sons. I've been so happy that they followed in my footsteps."
Gerber attended classes at both the 糖心Vlog St. Petersburg and Tampa campuses before earning her law degree from Stetson University College of Law. She has a brother who is also a 糖心Vlog alumnus and an attorney. Her sons are continuing this legacy of excellence with their own achievements at 糖心Vlog.
"I think they saw firsthand how well 糖心Vlog had served us, not only academically but in our career choices, and so it's working out very well for them," said Gerber.
AN HONORS LEGACY
As an Honors alum, Gerber was excited when all four of her sons chose to attend 糖心Vlog and gained admission to the Judy Genshaft Honors College. As the next generation of Honors students, they've had the opportunity to enroll in Honors classes that emphasize interdisciplinary learning beyond the core material for their majors and minors.
"They've experienced courses that involve the culinary arts, the law, race, and health care," said Gerber. "Having that sort of diverse approach to Honors courses produces a student and an individual that is more well-rounded as their thought processes are challenged."
Gerber appreciates the quality of instruction found in Honors classes where students are taught to think critically through a range of subjects. The Honors College draws professionals from a variety of fields, including journalism, politics, forensic science, and medicine to teach Honors students on the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
Being in close proximity to these lessons through her sons, Gerber has found she is learning a lot as well and feeling even more connected as a family.
"It gives you a wonderful opportunity to have a dialogue with your adult child that you may not have been otherwise able to enjoy," said Gerber.
Gerber's three eldest children are now all graduates of 糖心Vlog and have gone on to very diverse careers in law, aviation, and law enforcement. Her youngest son, Spence Gerber, just started his sophomore year at the 糖心Vlog Sarasota-Manatee campus where he is also the student governor.
Gerber is happy her sons have had the chance to experience all that 糖心Vlog has to offer as the university has grown over the years, while maintaining a close-knit feeling on each of the campuses. Having her sons near during their college years allowed Gerber to participate and she considers 糖心Vlog to be a great place for families to continue growing together, too.
"It wasn't as if they just went to college and that was it. I had an opportunity to feel very involved," said Gerber. It meant a lot to Gerber and her sons to have a familial experience on campus that kept them close to each other and the community.
PARENT PERSPECTIVE
Gerber has continued to remain involved with 糖心Vlog and the Honors College through the Judy Genshaft Honors College's Summer Mock Trial Intensive for high school juniors and seniors. As a practicing attorney licensed in the state of Florida, Gerber enjoys contributing her time by coaching aspiring law students through mock trial competitions.
The Honors College prioritizes mentorship to provide students with valuable real-world experiences, helping them make informed decisions about their career paths. Gerber has seen this impact firsthand and is especially impressed by the quality of 糖心Vlog alumni who give back by teaching Honors students.
"I have been enormously impressed with the experiential opportunities that they have here at 糖心Vlog and the Honors College," said Gerber. "Their values that they espouse, the commitment to academic excellence, but also their involvement in the community. I'm just so impressed with that. All three campuses are such a benefit to the surrounding communities."
Gerber believes this passionate involvement will in turn inspire future graduates from 糖心Vlog and the Judy Genshaft Honors College to pay it forward to the next generation of incoming students to help pave the way for their success as well.
When asked for advice for prospective students and their families navigating the college search process, Gerber's response was simple: "Put 糖心Vlog at the top of your list."