This Valentine’s Day, the College of Engineering and Computing celebrates the connections that make campus life special. For Computer Science majors, Scarlett Herrera and Fernando Azanza, that connection began in a freshman year math class at FIU. What started as studying together and attending office hours turned into a close friendship and eventually a meaningful relationship.
Now, as they prepare to graduate this spring, both students have secured full time positions at leading companies: Scarlett at American Express and Fernando at Microsoft. Their internships at these companies helped turn classroom learning into real world experience and laid the foundation for their careers.
“We met in our very first semester, and FIU has been at the heart of our journey ever since,” said Scarlett. “Studying together, supporting each other through classes, and learning from each other and our professors created an experience we’ll always value.”
Beyond academics, their story is a reminder of the friendships, mentorships, and shared experiences that make FIU a vibrant community. This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate the connections students build here, connections that inspire, motivate and create lasting memories.