Carly Stern

Carly's History Making Moments

What are your central passion(s), and how do you plan to pursue them after graduation? How have your experiences at Flagler shaped these passions?

My central passions include advancing the fields of psychology, criminology, and law. I have long been interested in the intersection of criminal behavior and the legal system. Through my experiences at Flagler, I have discovered a desire to integrate these three disciplines through a career in law. To pursue these goals, I plan to attend law school after graduation.

Who or what inspired your passion in this area?

After gaining exposure to the realities of wrongful convictions within the justice system, I felt inspired to become involved in some capacity. Learning about initiatives such as the Innocence Project, where attorneys work to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals, confirmed my desire to pursue a career in law. I am motivated to advocate for others and to help ensure that every individual has the opportunity to have their voice heard.

Can you share a memorable story from your time at Flagler that always makes you smile? What made this moment special for you?

Picking just one memorable moment from my time at Flagler is one of the most difficult questions to answer, as I have had so many meaningful experiences over the past four years. These include meeting some of my closest friends during my freshman year, joining student organizations such as Phi Alpha Omega, achieving major academic milestones, and celebrating small successes in the classroom. 

Other highlights include spending time people-watching and talking for hours outside Kenan Hall, giving tours to prospective students and sharing my favorite stories, and being elected to leadership positions in various clubs and organizations. Each of these moments has been both special and rewarding. I value the opportunity to share these experiences and contribute to creating lasting memories for future generations at Flagler through my campus leadership.

Which academic resources, experiences, or mentors at Flagler were most valuable to you, and how did they contribute to your success?

I always tell people that my professors are one of my favorite parts of Flagler College. Because of the one-on-one student-faculty ratio, I have been able to build strong relationships with my professors and gain valuable experiences through their mentorship. Some of my mentors in the legal and criminological fields include Dr. Behl, Dr. Bos, Dr. Farmer, Professor Growick, and Professor Cordova. Each of these faculty members has had a significant impact on my academic experience and inspired me to continue advancing these fields.

Dr. Behl has pushed me both academically and professionally more than I thought possible, encouraging me to never pass up on an opportunity simply because it feels challenging or intimidating. Dr. Bos and Dr. Farmer have also been highly influential, consistently supporting my ideas and fostering a learning environment centered on growth and curiosity. Professors Growick and Cordova have been instrumental in my decision to pursue a career in law, helping me prepare professionally, providing meaningful experiential opportunities, and offering consistent support that has made new or challenging experiences more manageable. 

These are just a few of the many mentors at Flagler who have contributed to my success by consistently going above and beyond to provide encouragement and guidance. Throughout my college experience, it has been reassuring to know I have mentors like them in my corner.

What advice or lesson would you give to your freshman year self about the college experience?

My biggest piece of advice that I would give to my freshman year self would be to say yes for everything and not be scared of new experiences. I would also say to soak up every moment, even the not so glamourous ones, because it all goes by so fast! Every mistake, success, and failure will become a major part of your story in the best way and you will not know what you are capable of until you try!

In the Flagler spirit, how do you hope to make history after graduation?

To continue making history, after graduation I plan to further my education by attending law school. I hope to apply the valuable lessons and leadership skills I have developed at Flagler to the field of law by advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves.