Boopy Sylvestre’s path to becoming a civil engineer is a testament to perseve
rance, resilience and commitment. As a student in FIU’s Civil and Environmental Engineering program, Boopy has overcome countless challenges, earning recognition as one of the university’s outstanding graduates for Fall 2024.
From Haiti to FIU: A Dream of Building Resilience
Born and raised in Haiti, Boopy’s journey was shaped by the devastation of the 2010 earthquake, which profoundly impacted his desire to contribute to the future of his country through safer, more resilient infrastructure. Despite facing numerous obstacles—financial difficulties, political instability and cultural challenges—Boopy remained unwavering in his determination to pursue his dream of becoming a civil engineer.
At 22, Boopy moved alone to the United States, where he worked multiple jobs to support himself while pursuing his academic goals. After graduating with honors from Miami Dade College, he transferred to FIU, where he continued to excel academically, maintaining an impressive 3.89 GPA. Boopy’s academic success is complemented by his passion for leadership and mentorship. He formed study groups, became a tutor for challenging courses and found fulfillment in helping his peers succeed.
Academic Excellence and Leadership in Action
Throughout his journey, Boopy gained hands-on experience through engineering internships in water resources, structural engineering, and construction estimation. He also earned certifications in architectural drafting and successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Each achievement has reaffirmed his goal of contributing to rebuilding Haiti’s infrastructure and inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
Boopy’s story is one of resilience, dedication and belief. As he prepares to graduate this fall, his success not only reflects his academic accomplishments but also his unwavering commitment to making a lasting impact on his community and the world.
Congratulations, Boopy, on your remarkable achievements, and thank you for being an inspiration to us all!
📸 Celebrating Excellence! View photos of Boopy Sylvestre receiving his award at a special dinner hosted by FIU’s President and Provost in our Flickr photo album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBVpaT