FIU College of Law recently welcomed back one of its most distinguished graduates, Trustee Chanel T. Rowe , to celebrate a milestone moment in student support and alumni giving. During a special ceremony, Ms. Rowe awarded the inaugural recipients of the Trustee Chanel T. Rowe Judicial Externship Scholarship and Book Award—two initiatives she established in 2024 to support future legal professionals at FIU Law.
“We are deeply grateful to Trustee Rowe for her exceptional generosity,” said Interim Dean Michelle D. Mason. “Her gift reflects a strong commitment to public service and will provide our students meaningful opportunities to extern in the court system—experiences that will enrich their legal education and advance their careers.”
The scholarship and book award were inspired by Ms. Rowe’s own journey through law school. As a first-generation American and college graduate from a single-parent home, she understands the weight of financial strain and the pressure to succeed without a safety net.
“These awards are deeply personal,” Rowe shared. “They were born from my experience—walking through doors I once had to push open. I’ve defied odds by grace, faith and relentless determination. And I know firsthand how much support it takes to keep going when you come from humble beginnings.”
She continued, “I also believe in the power of sowing into the next generation. We all have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it—and to lift as we rise. I encourage my fellow alumni to give back. You never know how far your support can carry someone else.”
The Judicial Externship Scholarship provides a stipend to eliminate financial barriers for law students seeking internships with federal or state court judges. These prestigious, hands-on experiences offer transformative mentorship and often lead to higher paying, competitive job opportunities post-graduation—yet they are typically unpaid and inaccessible to students who cannot afford to work without compensation.
The Book Award helps offset the cost of academic materials, easing the financial burden of law school.
Both awards are available to FIU Law students who demonstrate financial need and are the first in their families to graduate from college. Preference is given to students from single-parent homes and those ranked in the top ten percent of their class.
This year’s inaugural recipients, Hannah Jackson and Samier Farmer, exemplify the academic excellence and determination these awards honor.
Hannah, an upcoming 3L, has earned Dean’s List honors three times and completed externships in both federal and state courts. Her background includes internships focused on conservation education, fueling her passion to address environmental issues through the law.
Samier brings a global perspective with advanced certifications in Japanese and Korean. Before law school, he earned an MBA and an MA in English and taught Japanese while assisting immigrant families. His unique experiences reflect the scholarship’s spirit of supporting students who strive to create positive change both locally and globally.
Chanel T. Rowe is an award-winning attorney, author, and leadership strategist who has steered Fortune 50 pharmaceutical companies and global Fintech companies through some of the most complex legal and regulatory challenges of our time. Her distinguished career includes litigation, policy, and risk mitigation work as Senior Counsel at Johnson & Johnson, high-impact enforcement work at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and influential roles in both BigLaw and C-Suite. Ms. Rowe also clerked for a Senior Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and served as a judicial intern to the Chief Judge of the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal.
Ms. Rowe graduated as Valedictorian of her FIU Law class, where she also served as Executive Business Editor of the FIU Law Review, won the Moot Court Competition, was recognized with the Justice Fred R. Lewis Scholarship for professionalism. She was a Student Ambassador and a visible leader on campus, committed to both academic excellence and service. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply involved in mentorship and leadership, including serving as Vice President of the FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors, chairing bar committees, and working with the SEED School of Miami as a board member.
In 2021, she became the first Black woman appointed to the FIU Board of Trustees and the youngest trustee confirmed by the Florida Senate in the history of the State University System. She has chaired the Board’s Audit and Compliance Committee and the External Relations Committee.
Rowe has received widespread recognition for her achievements, including honors from Florida Trend’s Rising Executives, The American Lawyer Trailblazers, Miami-Dade Bar’s Top 40 Under 40, Miami Foundation’s Donor Next Door Award, the National Bar Association, Super Lawyers, and BLACK ENTERPRISE, among others. She is also a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar—an esteemed distinction held by only 6% of practicing attorneys.
Through her professional success and philanthropic leadership, Chanel T. Rowe continues to make a lasting impact at FIU Law—championing opportunity, rewarding excellence, and helping students turn ambition into achievement.