This month’s student spotlight focuses on Jenevieve Arellano.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Florida, but my parents are from Cuba and Ecuador.

What’s your major?
My major is Psychology.

What advice would you give to incoming students?
My advice to upcoming students is to get as involved as you can and make the most of your experience. Take the time to meet new people and participate in campus activities. Our school offers so many opportunities to connect with people with events and clubs. You should also take advantage of all the free resources available to students, like our pantry, counseling, and tutoring! Getting involved can make your college experience much more enjoyable, rewarding, and memorable.

What is the best part about being a BC student?
The best part about being a Broward College student for me is the strong sense of community. Getting involved on campus has given me the opportunity to meet incredible people, take advantage of amazing opportunities, and create memories that I will always cherish. As a member of our Student Life, my favorite experience has been helping host events for students. There is nothing more rewarding than connecting with others, sharing laughs, and seeing students enjoy the activities we work so hard to create. Broward College has such a welcoming and supportive environment, and the community here truly makes it feel like home.

What’s one important thing you learned outside the classroom while at BC?
One of the most important things I learned outside the classroom at Broward College is how important it is to take initiative and step outside of your comfort zone. It’s so important to put yourself out there, get involved, and take advantage of opportunities. By taking initiative, I was able to build meaningful connections, gain valuable experiences, and gain so much confidence in myself.

If you would like to nominate a student to be featured, please email us at mediarelations@broward.edu

This month’s faculty/staff spotlight focuses on Victoria Brower, an Associate Professor in Social Behavioral Sciences and Human Services. She has been with the College for 16 years and was recognized with an Unsung Hero Award at the 2025 Osprey Awards.

What is the best part of working at Broward College?
There are two parts to my answer to this great question. First, the best part of working at BC is coming to a beautiful campus each day and collaborating with colleagues who genuinely care about our students' success. There is a strong spirit of teamwork across departments, and I have had the opportunity to work with wonderful people who share the same mission: inspiring and supporting our students as they pursue their goals.

The second part is our students themselves. BC's diverse student population brings a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and ideas into every classroom. As a result, each lecture and class discussion is enriched by thoughtful viewpoints and unique insights, creating a dynamic and rewarding learning environment for everyone involved.

What is one thing you’ve accomplished working at Broward College that you’re most proud of?
One initiative I have been proud to support is the implementation of the FCLE (Florida Civics Literacy Exam). Since the legislation was passed, I have been involved in developing FCLE workshops and training faculty and staff to deliver those workshops effectively. I have also helped create resources and support systems that assist students in preparing for and passing the exam, helping them meet graduation requirements and stay on track to graduate on time.

Are you a morning person or a night owl – and why?
I am most definitely a morning person. A new day brings excitement and a fresh start.

What is your favorite food?
Food is wonderful! Some of my favorite foods I enjoy are all beautiful fruits, and salmon with steamed vegetables.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery, I would open a Lifestyle Center dedicated to helping people who have been recently diagnosed with serious illnesses find hope, support, and a path toward healthier living.

The center would offer week-long or multi-week residential programs where guests could learn about nutrition, physical wellness, stress management, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset.

During their stay, participants would attend workshops, receive guidance on healthy lifestyle choices, and develop sustainable habits that could complement their medical treatments. My goal would be to empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take an active role in their health, improve their quality of life, and move forward with optimism for the future.

If you would like to nominate a faculty or staff member to be featured, please email us at mediarelations@broward.edu

This month’s alumni spotlight focuses on Wilgienson Auguste, of the Class of 2014.

Where did you grow up and what motivated you to attend Broward College?
I was born and raised in the heart of the City of Fort Lauderdale. What motivated me to attend Broward College was the fact that, while attending the Institute of Public Safety Police Academy at Broward College, many of the instructors were also associate professors and strongly encouraged me to continue my education by earning my associate degree. Moreover, by completing the police academy, much of my coursework was transferable toward my degree. This made Broward College an ideal and logical choice for continuing my education.

Can you tell us about one or two moments that stand out about your time at the College?
I remember struggling with at the time a very difficult math course. Between working full-time as a police officer on the night shift and attending college during the day, I had a really hard time mastering the material and performing well on exams. That is when I decided to seek tutoring and take advantage of my professor’s office hours for additional help.

Everyone, from my math professor to the countless tutors, literally poured into me for what seemed like countless hours until I mastered the subject and successfully completed the course. The Broward College staff and faculty really gave me the close and personal attention I genuinely needed to succeed in college.

Overcoming my struggles and fears with math gave me the confidence I needed to excel in the rest of my academic coursework and beyond. This moment has never been lost on me and still serves as a pivotal point in my life where everything clicked! It took a village and Broward College was my second family.

Did you have any favorite professors or people at the College who were important to you as a student?
Yes, Associate Professor Andrew Smallings. At the time, he was the Chief of Police for the Lauderhill Police Department. He was the first police executive leader I had ever met who looked like me and shared a similar Caribbean background. He taught me the importance of education and taking my studies very seriously no matter the challenges or obstacles I may face in life. His famous words of, “Knowledge is power and there’s knowledge in those books, so study like your life depends on it because it does.”

He is one of the main reasons I have excelled at a rapid pace in my law enforcement career, all while achieving countless moments of great professional success. He also inspired me to strive for academic excellence, which also led to numerous college honors and achievements that I would’ve never thought I could achieve. The mentorship and impact he had on my life during those formative years continue to influence me today.

Where did you go after Broward College? How did what you learn at the College prepare you for your path?
After attending Broward College, I enrolled in a military distance learning program at Vincennes University, the oldest public university in Indiana and one of only three colleges in the United States founded by a U.S. President.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security and Public Safety, cum laude, and immediately attended graduate school at Florida International University, where I earned an Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA), magna cum laude.

At both institutions, the foundation of academic excellence instilled in me by Broward College directly contributed to my success in the classroom and beyond. As I completed each degree with high honors, I took those same foundational lessons learned at Broward College and joined several notable and distinguished fraternities that helped guide my personal and professional development:

• Pi Alpha Alpha- honor society for Public Affairs and Administration, recognizing outstanding academic achievement and public service.
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc champions of the civil rights movement and its ongoing commitment to scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity.

What do you do currently and what are your future plans?
Currently, I am a Police Captain with the City of Fort Lauderdale. I serve as a Patrol District Commander in the very same neighborhood and community where I grew up. As the District 2 Patrol Commander, I am responsible for serving approximately 40,000 to 50,000 residents and visitors in the city’s northwest sector, which encompasses the historic Sistrunk Corridor and surrounding neighborhoods.

My future plans are to continue serving my community with the highest levels of honor, courage, and commitment. I hope to continue making a meaningful impact on the residents I serve in the community I proudly call home. As for what comes next, I leave that in God's hands. However, whatever that next step may be, I hope it continues to provide me with an opportunity to serve my community at a high level while making a lasting impact on others and future generations of public servants to follow.

If you would like to nominate an alumnus to be considered for a Spotlight, please send an email to alumni@broward.edu