Student addresses

Jayla Hall graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in multimedia journalism.

While a student, Hall distinguished herself with a strong academic record; attendance at hundreds of social, sports and service-oriented events; and an interest in journalism. She wrote for iPulse and served as senior editor for Her Campus, a media site for college women.

Hall also worked as a resident assistant, peer mentor and student assistant in Campus Recreation. And she supported service initiatives with the Lynn University Leadership Institute, Military & Veteran's Club and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.

In 2019, Hall was accepted into Lynn’s Ambassador Corps to help improve the quality of life for children in Cordoba, Colombia. That experience set her on a path toward greater public service.

"It was truly an eye-opener. Everyone thought, we are going to a developing country to help people," Hall said. "While you are making a difference in their lives, your life is also being impacted because you’re seeing things from a different perspective, getting that one-on-one, hands-on experience, and realizing that little things are the most valuable."

Hall was next recognized as a Millennium Fellow, part of an international young leadership project of the United Nations Academic Impact and Millennium Campus Network. Her work focused on gender equality, women’s and girls’ empowerment, and human rights, including freedom of inquiry, opinion and speech.

Hall rounded out her education as a student representative at the 2020 IMPACT National Conference focused on service, action and advocacy, where she collaborated to empower women in Africa.

Although she is a commencement speaker, Hall prefers to let her accomplishments do the talking. She explained, "In today's society, a lot of people think, I need to be this famous person, or my face needs to be on this. Working in the background, getting it done … success can be its own noisemaker."

Hall continues her journey in pursuit of a Master's of Business Administration in marketing.

Phillip Treiber graduated with a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling.

Treiber began his education with a Bachelor of Science in finance from Quinnipiac University, where he minored in psychology. Years later, Treiber decided to change course and apply his natural support skills to a professional counseling career. He applied to one school: Lynn University.

Treiber's studies combined scholarship and practical experience. In 2018, he attended specialized seminars in substance abuse at the International Committee of Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes in Germany. In 2019, with a Lynn team, he presented a research paper at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision conference in Seattle, Washington. The team plans to prepare the paper, which documents graduate-level interest in research, for potential journal publication.

To complement his studies, Treiber advanced through various clinical positions at local facilities. As an overnight technician, first-shift lead, case manager and group facilitator, he was recognized for exceptional work—helping patients address a wide range of traumas and addictions. He also trained in multiple treatment modalities.

Treiber finds inspiration in sponsoring those in crisis and seeing them through their difficulties. "That's the kind of stuff that keeps me going," he said. "Just knowing you can help effect change for people, just being there to listen and guide … that's a beautiful, beautiful thing."

Especially in difficult times, Treiber emphasizes the vital importance of self-care. He finds balance in reading, spirituality, outdoor activities and yoga.

"Within the counseling field, we have something called post-traumatic growth," he said. "After we've gone through traumas, major life shifts and changes, we can adapt … and continue forward and not only just get through it. We can become better individuals." Resilience is essential, and Treiber is committed to helping others build their own.

Treiber currently serves as a registered mental health counseling intern with the State of Florida; a National Certified Counselor and primary therapist in a substance abuse and mental health treatment facility; and sees clients in a private practice setting. He is pursing a master's-level certified addictions professional certification.

Jada Diogostine is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice with a minor in education.

Diogostine has a passion for helping others and a belief that people can beat any odds with the right support. She began her path toward leadership while still a senior in high school and dual-enrolled at Palm Beach State College. As a Women of Tomorrow mentorship program participant, Diogostine began to recognize her strengths and those of her peers.

She put those strengths to good use. Diogostine earned recognition as a Scholastic Achievement Foundation of Palm Beach County scholarship recipient, earning a full ride to Lynn University in 2018. At Lynn, she repeatedly earned Dean's List honors. She is a member of the Lynn Leadership Institute, Golden Key International Honour Society, a peer leader, and a Knights of the Roundtable senator representing the Donald E. and Helen L. Ross College of Education.

Off campus, Diogostine has served the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program since 2008, where she currently is the president of the Florida Sheriff's Explorers Association. There, she trains, networks with and meets other agencies' explorers. She currently also serves as an AmeriCorps Support Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County, where she helps high school students learn how to support the community and become more engaged in defining their futures.

As a first-generation college graduate, she believes she provides a unique perspective for underprivileged families. "There's a saying that 'a minor setback is for a major comeback,'" she said. "The opportunity to make a difference for others motivates me to stay focused on my dreams. I believe that every failure becomes a part of a success story. I am inspired, and I want to inspire, so I’m going to keep taking chances."

Diogostine will continue her journey at Lynn in pursuit of a master’s degree in criminal justice.

Natalia Narvaez is graduating with an MBA in marketing.

Narvaez is a kind, compassionate and inquisitive individual. Her introspective nature helped her find "home" in five South American countries while her family traveled during her pre-college years. The Maryland native feels most at home, however, in Florida at Lynn University.

Narvaez discovered Lynn through friends and entered as a first-year student with second-year status, thanks to her International Baccalaureate credits. She selected Lynn for its diversity, intimate campus setting and—of course, the tropical weather. In 2019 she completed her Bachelor of Science in fashion and retail with honors and a marketing minor. That year the Knights of the Roundtable also recognized her for outstanding services in external relations.

Today Narvaez serves as the campus visit specialist in the Office of Admission on campus. In this role, she plans, organizes and hosts on-campus, off-campus and virtual recruiting events. She oversees nearly 100 student admission ambassadors, a role she held as an undergraduate and that she attributes to building her self-confidence and strong relationships across campus. Together, the team helps countless potential students choose Lynn, too.

During her time at Lynn, Narvaez also served as a social media ambassador and a Knights Court Assistant, where she helped students get involved in activities with the Center for Student Involvement, Women’s Center, and Housing and Residence Life. Off campus, she completed an internship in product development at Valley Forge Fabrics. This experience helped her appreciate the intersection of hospitality and fashion and the significant role marketing plays in the industry. She also participated in study abroad programs across Spain and France.

A natural-born storyteller, Narvaez is thrilled to represent the class of 2021. "This has been a hard year, and reaching graduation is a big achievement. Despite the hardships and uncertainty we all faced, it's quite nice to show others what's feasible," she said. "Education is an investment in yourself. Every second is worth working through. It's worth it, so earn that degree and work towards your dreams."