Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and Stetson University College of Law Welcome Two New Community Fellows

TAMPA, FL – The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and Stetson University College of Law welcome two new Community Fellows as part of the Alliance for Advocacy and Philanthropy partnership.

As part of this collaboration, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay offers two paid fellowships each semester for students attending Stetson University College of Law. The fellows will have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of community philanthropy and have hands-on experience in working with nonprofit organizations. 

Carly Pannella and Jasmine L. Smith were selected as our Fall 2020 Community Fellows and begin the program on August 31, 2020.  

Carly Pannella is a candidate for Juris Doctor, 2021 and a third-year law student with the hopes of pursuing a career in Public Policy after graduation. Carly also serves as President of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers at Stetson. Her interest in public policy sparked after she started volunteering at the local non-profit, CASA, advocating for survivors of domestic violence and assisting with injunctions for protection at the 6th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. She hopes that after law school she can use this Fellowship experience to positively impact lives and conditions for health and equity in the community.   

Jasmine L Smith is a candidate for Juris Doctor, 2021 and a third-year law student with a Social Justice Advocacy concentration. She was an intern for the Fines and Fees Justice Center, a Research Assistant for the Social Justice & Advocacy Department, and the Student Coordinator for Stetson’s mentoring project at Boca Ciega High School. As a first-generation college graduate and law student, she is passionate about social justice, relationship building, and community empowerment. She aspires to be a leader that motivates others to be involved in making a positive change in the lives of others.

“This partnership is an incredible opportunity for our students and our community,” said Michèle Alexandre, dean of Stetson University College of Law. “Working together, we can empower the next generation of nonprofit and Tampa Bay leaders to become effective community advocates, which will have a positive impact on our region.”

“We look forward to working with Florida’s first law school to create opportunities for our region, to discuss community wide challenges and possible solutions, and to promote the economic health and vitality of Tampa Bay through this innovative program” said Marlene Spalten, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

About the Organizations:

The Alliance for Advocacy and Philanthropy formalizes the organizations’ shared belief in aligning resources and investing in advocacy, thought leadership, and programs to solve community challenges. The partnership includes pro bono program opportunities for students to support Tampa Bay area not-for-profits.

Stetson University College of Law is Florida’s first law school and has consistently been recognized as No. 1 in Advocacy by U.S. News & World Report. Faculty and students at Stetson Law provide more than 30,000 hours of pro bono legal and advocacy services through various institutes, programs and centers, including the Veterans Law Institute, the Social Justice Advocacy Program, and the Center for Excellence in Elder Law.

The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay connects donors, nonprofits, community and business leaders, professional advisors, volunteers, and residents to make the maximum positive impact in the Tampa Bay region. For 30 years, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay has been dedicated to making giving easy and meaningful for donors as a way to strengthen nonprofit organizations and build a better, more vibrant community.