The College of Criminology & Criminal Justice at FSU is proud to announce that senior Michael Mitrani has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Humanitarian Award for the College of Criminology & Criminal Justice. Michael’s commitment to service and giving back to the community is evident in everything he does. When he’s on campus, you can find Michael volunteering at events like the Big Event and Relay for Life or working with various organizations he’s involved in, such as Lambda Alpha Epsilon or Hillel.

Around town, Michael served as a student volunteer for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) at their Resident Office in Tallahassee; an opportunity that allowed him to further his career aspirations of working in law enforcement while also helping make society a safer and better place.

Today, though, Michael isn’t on campus or at the DEA. Today Michael is expanding his sphere of influence in Netanya, Israel, where he accepted a fellowship position to volunteer with the Israel Teaching Fellows program for 10 months. Michael spends most of his time teaching English in a local elementary school comprised of chidlren who come from difficult family situations in low socioeconomic neighborhoods. When he’s not in the classroom, he’s on the court, assisting with basketball clinics in local after-school rograms for at-risk children with Hoops For Kids.

What’s even more impressive is Michael postponed graduating this spring to pursue this fellowship program. For nearly an entire year, Michael has sacrificed memory-making with his friends at school and his family to give back to people in need. It is quite clear there is no one more deserving for the Humanitarian Award than Michael Mitrani. We are so proud of you!