Meet the CEO
Guissella E. Cruz Rodriguez
Hi! My name is Guissella Elizabeth Cruz Rodriguez. I am 21 years old and I am currently a fourth year Service Scholar at Florida State University majoring in Sociology with a minor in Political Science. I am Puerto Rican and Nicaraguan American and was born and raised in Miami, FL. During my time at Florida State University, I had the opportunity to conduct research and get involved in the legislative process at the Florida capitol. I am passionate about serving survivors of sexual violence. I am dedicating my career to centering the experiences of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities subject to sexual violence.
I created this initiative is to bring awareness to different forms of sexual violence that are not commonly recognized as rape and sexual abuse. My goal is to shed light on the consequences of sexual violence, specifically image-based sexual abuse and revictimization trends among young people. We dedicate our candles to BIPOC survivors to empower them to take back their narratives and share their stories. My goal is not to re-traumatize or trigger any survivors. Rather, I want to make space for our stories that are often silenced. If you've ever been subject to sexual violence: I believe you, I see you, and I support you. Regardless of the circumstances, you didn't deserve what was done to you. This one's for my inner child, for myself, and for us.
Education
Research
Presentations
2018-2022
Florida State University
2015-2018
John A. Ferguson Sr. High School
2020
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative Program
2020-Present
FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Tallahassee, FL
2019-2021
FSU College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Tallahassee, FL
2020
FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights
Tallahassee, FL
2019 - 2021
FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights
Tallahassee, FL
2021
Florida Undergraduate Research Conference
Orlando, FL
2021
FSU Global Scholars Showcase
Tallahassee, FL
2021
FSU President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence
Tallahassee, FL
2021
Florida Undergraduate Research Conference
Tallahassee, FL
2020
FSU Undergraduate Research Symposium
Tallahassee, FL
Bachelor of Science in Sociology
Minor in Political Science
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2022
High School Diploma of Distinction
International Baccalaureate Diploma
CITI Certified
Certification to conduct research on human subjects
Sociologist
Conduct research investigating the consequences of image-based sexual abuse victimization among BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth
Hate Crime Research Assistant
Conduct intensive statistical analysis investigating the relationship between hate crimes & confederate monuments in the US.
Human Rights Research Assistant
Conduct research 30 hours/week with Dr. Terry Coonan & Vania Aguilar investigating Human Trafficking resources in FL.
Legal Research Assistant
Manage heavy information and conduct research supporting pro-bono immigration and human trafficking cases.
Render translation services for undocumented people. File and mail US Citizenship and Immigration Service forms.
Presenter
Cruz Rodriguez, G. (Presented 2021, December). A Study of the Consequences of Image-Based Sexual Abuse Victimization among BIPOC Youth Survivors. Poster presented at FSU’s 2021 Global Scholars Showcase.
Presenter
Cruz Rodriguez, G. (Presented 2021, December). A Study of the Consequences of Image-Based Sexual Abuse Victimization among BIPOC Youth Survivors. Poster presented at FSU’s 2021 Global Scholars Showcase.
Presenter
Cruz Rodriguez, G. (Presented 2021, October). A Study of the Consequences of Image-Based Sexual Abuse Victimization among BIPOC Youth Survivors. Poster presented at FSU’s President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence.
Presenter
Lantz, B. and Wegner, M. (Presented 2021, February). Symbols of White Supremacy: The Relationship between Monuments to the Confederacy and Hate Crimes. Poster presented at Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, Florida State University.
Presenter
Lantz, B. and Wegner, M. (Presented 2020, April). Symbols of White Supremacy: The Relationship between Monuments to the Confederacy and Hate Crimes. Poster presented at FSU’s Undergraduate Research Symposium.