From Ambition to Achievement: How the Innovation Academy Impacted My First Year at the University of Florida

I was born in Arad, Romania, and in 2016 my family’s life changed when we were selected for the U.S. Visa Lottery. As a first-generation college student, I carry not only a deep sense of gratitude for their sacrifice, knowing it made my path to the University of Florida possible, but also a responsibility to make it count. That experience has shaped me into someone ambitious, motivated, and always striving toward bigger goals. It’s what led me to the Innovation Academy, where I’ve been able to expand my passions in technology and business in new ways.

My first time on the UF campus was at Preview, and that was also my first experience being grateful for IA because I was placed in the same Innovation Academy group as my now girlfriend, Gabriella. From that moment, our paths kept crossing. Living in the IA dorms during that first semester brought me closer not only to her but also to many other students in the program. The friendships I built during that time have carried into my everyday life and shaped the college experience I share alongside them. The Innovation Academy gave me the people who make UF feel like home.

What I discovered in IA was how much I could enjoy my classes. In my first Innovation class, I was introduced to new tools like Adobe Illustrator for laser cutting, Fusion 360 for design, 3D printing, and Arduino for coding. Every week we worked on projects that challenged us to come up with new ideas, present them, and then move on to the next. I’ve always been quick on my feet with public speaking and pitching, so I enjoyed the fast pace, and even under tight deadlines I found that I could produce some of my best work.

However, not every part of IA was brand new to me. In high school, I served as Vice President of Marketing for both FBLA and DECA, President of Film Club, and Co-founder and Creative Director of Necessity Media and Marketing. Those experiences supported me in pitching, leading, and creating, which made the classes feel more rewarding because, instead of starting from scratch, I could keep pushing forward. Working on projects in IA felt more enjoyable because the work felt familiar and natural to me. The Innovation Academy spring/summer schedule has also been an advantage, giving me more flexibility in the fall to dedicate time to my own media company, Florida Focus, and work as a videographer for the University of Florida Student Life, where I proudly film everything from move-in videos to major events like freshman Convocation.

The first time we went to Catalyst during the summer, I told Gabriella, “We are going to win this.” At the start of class, when it was time to pick groups, I told others, “Be on my team if you want to win,” because I believed that with the right people and the right mindset, it was possible. With Dr. Pollard’s guidance, our team ultimately took first place in the Catalyst Competition, winning not only $1,250 from the Judges’ Choice Award but also earning the Bright Idea Award. What made Catalyst so special to me was achieving it alongside Gabriella, accomplishing exactly what we set out to do together.

Looking back on everything I’ve experienced so far, IA has given me more than just fun projects or competitions. It has strengthened me into the kind of person I want to keep becoming and has given me friendships that make UF feel like another home. If you’re thinking about joining IA or navigating your own college journey, I’d say this: chase your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. Don’t listen to those who say you can’t, because with the right mindset and the willingness to put in the work, those dreams can become reality.