Students Travel to Paris, Learn About International Conflict

“The trip was one that I will never forget,” said Kaylee Irsjad ’25, a liberal studies major at USF’s Undergraduate Teacher Education Center. “Not only was the conference informative, but we were able to explore and learn about some of the most historical sites of Paris.”

It was the first international immersion for the Mellon Scholars, a program that enables community college students who study the humanities to transfer to — and succeed at — USF.

Any Avila Perez ’26, a media studies major, said she was surprised, at first, at the lack of diversity at the conference at the American University of Paris.

“I found myself being the only woman of color in the room in some instances, which made me initially start questioning how I made it into the room,” Perez said.

But then, Perez said, she realized that her singularity was actually her strength. “I was forgetting that I did make it into the same room. I was a part of these conversations. I was the representation I was seeking.” 

In addition to attending the conference, Perez and her peers spent half of the week exploring Paris and its environs, including the Palace of Versailles, Luxembourg Gardens, the Catacombs, and the Louvre.

That opportunity and sense of community is what makes the Mellon Scholars program so special, said Perez.

“The Mellon Scholars program has impacted my life in the most positive ways,” Perez said. “I always have resources to obtain class textbooks, internships, or even just opportunities at school. It’s really helped me feel supported during my time at USF.”

Jocelyn Lambert ’21, co-coordinator of USF’s Mellon Scholars program, said organizing and leading the immersion in Paris was a dream come true — because she was once a Mellon Scholar herself.

“Being a Mellon Scholar at USF completely transformed my experience as a transfer student — it gave me a sense of belonging and purpose that allowed me to succeed in ways I didn't dream were possible,” Lambert said. “To now have the opportunity to lead the program that shaped me is incredibly meaningful. Watching our Mellon Scholars thrive, from their first community gathering to attending an academic conference in Paris, is a powerful reminder of what happens when transfer students are truly seen, supported, and celebrated.”