PORT ST. LUCIE PEOPLE
The STUDENT LEADER
When she moved to Port St. Lucie after graduation
from high school in 2000, Rochelle Popp-Finch
had no idea how much her life’s goals and
educational plans were going to change.
Leaving her home in Millville, New Jersey, was a big step.
She lived with her grandmother, Marie Russell, who encouraged
her to enroll at Indian River Community College (now
Indian River State College). She knew she would have to get
involved in clubs and organizations on campus as well as being
involved in the community to get a sense of belonging. Her
first step was Moining the I5&& cheerleading sTuad and becoming
its representative in the Campus Coalition Government.
7hat first step led to many more as she was appointed
assistant secretary of the &&* in her first year at I5&&. 7he
next year, she served as CCG vice president and also took on
a position at the state level with the Florida College System
Student Government Association (FCSSGA), serving as the
District 2 Jurisprudence, representing IRCC and eight other
community colleges. In her third year at IRCC, she served as
CCG president and as FCSSGA District 2 coordinator. All her
efforts garnered a big award, as she was named the )lorida
College Student of the Year in 2002. While at IRCC, Popp-
Finch earned an associate in science degree in legal assisting
and an associate of arts degree in criminal Mustice. She was
preparing herself for law school.
Completing her last two years of schooling at Florida Atlantic
University and earning her bachelor of arts in criminal
Mustice, she continued to work in student government as the
Senate Speaker, taking a position with FAU after graduation.
“I was the advisor of the student government and the as-
48 Port St. Lucie Magazine
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BY PATTIE DURHAM
ANTHONY INSWASTY PHOTOS
Rochelle Popp-Finch stands by her honorary brick along the main walkway of the Indian River State College campus in Fort Pierce. She was honored by
the state community college system for her achievements as a leader of student government at the college and at other campuses around the state while a
student at then-Indian River Community College. She now works at IRSC as the director of student development and the college ombudsman.