Sarasota, FL. | July 21, 2026 – Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is excited to announce Melody Hardin of Parrish, Florida, as the recipient of the 2026 Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship. Ms. Hardin is a junior at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She is also a student at Judy Genshaft Honors College.
The Virginia B. Toulmin Scholarship is awarded in honor of and in partnership with a local leader in the Sarasota community – and that distinction has been bestowed upon Selby Gardens’ President and CEO, Jennifer O. Rominiecki, who served as the scholarship’s inaugural mentor during the 2024 award cycle and again in 2025 and 2026.
The scholarship includes a $15,000 award provided by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. Through this program, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens seek to contribute to the development of future leaders and professionals who will make meaningful contributions to the non-profit sector and our community. The scholarship will provide a pathway to successful leadership in the business and non-profit worlds by offering mentorship, opportunities to observe leadership in action, and financial support to high-achieving juniors or seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
“The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation envisions a world where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential and thrive,” said William S. Villafranco, Trustee of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. “Through Virginia’s enduring legacy, we are proud to support the aspirations of today’s young scholars by helping provide the resources, opportunities, and mentorship they need to succeed. The Toulmin Leadership Scholarship reflects our steadfast commitment to expanding access to education and investing in exceptional students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and determination. We congratulate Ms. Hardin on this well-deserved honor and look forward to seeing all she will accomplish in the years ahead.”
Ms. Hardin was identified by a scholarship selection committee comprised of Selby Gardens’ Board of Trustees and Advisory Committee members, as well as 2025 Toulmin Leadership Scholarship recipient, Amelia Swiecki. She emerged as the leading choice of three finalists selected from a pool of 20 highly qualified applicants. The criteria were based on outstanding academic records, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to positive community impact. The candidates represented Eckerd College, the University of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, the University of South Florida, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida State University, State College of Florida, Northeastern University, Florida Atlantic University, and Florida A&M University.
Holding a 3.89 GPA, Melody also works part-time as a social media and outreach head for Enneagram and Marriage (E+M), where she has led book launches, coordinated podcast guests and speaking engagements, collaborated with public figures, and managed the company’s social media presence, contributing to a podcast with millions of downloads. In addition to her communications work, Melody is a certified Pure Barre instructor, where she trains women multiple times a week in a 50-minute choreographed Pilates/Barre routine. Through teaching, she has learned to perform for an audience, learn choreography quickly, and connect with clients. With a background in dance, music, and theater, Melody brings the technique and artistry she honed over years of experience into her professional life. Melody is also an active volunteer with Bridge a Life, serving foster and adoptive youth. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in communication and build a career that combines marketing, communications, and non-profit donor relations. She is excited to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the Selby team.
Ms. Hardin remarked, “This scholarship represents far more than financial support—it is a source of encouragement to keep moving forward and pursuing my goals. I am deeply honored to receive this recognition and to follow in the footsteps of Virginia B. Toulmin and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki, two inspiring leaders whose purpose-driven leadership continues to create meaningful impact. I look forward to expanding my knowledge of nonprofit leadership and building a career where communications and marketing are powerful tools for advancing mission-driven organizations and creating positive change.”
“Melody is an exceptional young scholar whose curiosity, determination, and leadership potential embody the spirit of the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship,” said Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens. “This scholarship was created to empower the next generation of leaders by providing meaningful mentorship and immersive professional experiences that help them grow with confidence and purpose. At Selby Gardens, we believe mentorship has the power to transform lives, opening doors to new perspectives, opportunities, and lasting connections. We are delighted to welcome Melody to Selby Gardens and look forward to supporting her journey while learning alongside her. We are confident her experience here will be both meaningful and inspiring—for Melody and for our organization as we continue to cultivate leadership, innovation, and excellence through mentorship.”
In addition to participating in mentoring sessions with Rominiecki and other members of Selby Gardens’ leadership team, Ms. Hardin will be appointed to Selby Gardens’ Advisory Committee, where she will observe Rominiecki’s leadership firsthand while engaging with community, scientific, and business leaders. She will also receive a one-year membership to Selby Gardens.
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About Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history. Established by forward-thinking women of their time, Selby Gardens is composed of the 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus and the 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus in the Osprey area of Sarasota County, Florida. The Downtown Sarasota campus on Sarasota Bay is the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads and ferns, and other tropical plants. There is a significant focus on botany, horticulture, education, historical preservation, and the environment. Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus features the world’s first net positive energy botanical garden complex, generating more energy than it consumes. The Historic Spanish Point campus is located less than 10 miles south along Little Sarasota Bay. One of the largest preserves showcasing native Florida plants and active archaeology that is interpreted for and open to the public, it celebrates an archaeological record that encompasses approximately 5,000 years of Florida history. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a Smithsonian Affiliate and is also accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Selby Gardens was named one of Time magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places 2024.”
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