Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders
April 7, 2025 |Sarasota, FL. – Selby Gardens is honored to partner with the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation to announce the continuation of the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship, available for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation envisions a world in which all people have opportunity to fulfill their potential and succeed in life. The Foundation reflects the legacy of its namesake, the late Sarasota-area philanthropist who made a lasting impact on numerous entities and charitable endeavors.
The scholarship will provide a pathway for successful leadership in the business and nonprofit world by providing mentorship, opportunities to observe leadership in action, and financial support to high-achieving juniors or seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees in the greater Sarasota region and holding a minimum GPA of 3.5.
In addition, the scholarship will be awarded in honor and partnership with a local leader in the Sarasota community – and that distinction has been bestowed to Selby Gardens’ President and CEO Jennifer O. Rominiecki, who served as the scholarship’s inaugural mentor during the 2024 award cycle.
The recipient of the 2024 Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship was Zuleima Martinez of Sarasota, who is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in communications at the University of South Florida.
“Supporting the growth of future leaders through mentorship is essential. I am thrilled to be a mentor for the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship, and I look forward to helping guide, empower, and inspire college students as they pursue careers in both the business and non-profit fields,” shared Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens.
The scholarship will be managed by Selby Gardens with an award amount of $15,000. The application, developed by Selby Gardens, includes an opportunity for applicants to share their connection with the mission of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
“Through Virginia’s enduring legacy, we invest in causes that she – and we – believe in and most importantly trust in,” said lead Toulmin Trustee William S. Villafranco. “Selby Gardens is one of those causes.” Villafranco describes Ms. Toulmin’s character: “Virginia was a strong woman of few words but what she did speak of was honesty and integrity,” he said. “During one of our initial meetings, I will never forget something she shared with me – four elements of trust that are important both individually and collectively: competency, consistency, integrity, and compassion. We see those four elements exemplified by Jennifer and her work and could not imagine a better role model.”
The recipient of the 2025-26 scholarship will have the opportunity to engage in four mentoring sessions with Selby Gardens President & CEO, Jennifer Rominiecki, and other members of her leadership team. They will also be appointed to Selby Gardens’ Advisory Committee to observe Rominiecki in action, participate with local community, scientific, and business leaders, and receive a one-year membership to Selby Gardens.
Scholarship Criteria
• The Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship is intended for undergraduates who have a demonstrated interest in non-profit and/or business administration.
• Must be an incoming junior or senior enrolled full-time in a college or university in the greater Sarasota area. The 2025-26 scholarship recipient will have the opportunity to receive four mentoring sessions with Selby Gardens President & CEO Jennifer Rominiecki and members of the leadership team, be appointed to Selby Gardens’ Advisory Committee to observe Rominiecki in action, participate with local community, scientific, and business leaders, and receive a one-year membership to Selby Gardens.
• Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.5
• Scholarship support is to be directed to qualified student expenses, including tuition, fees, and course-related expenses such as books, supplies, and equipment.
Scholarship and Mentoring Structure
• Recipient will receive four (4) mentoring sessions with Selby Gardens President & CEO Jennifer Rominiecki.
• Sessions will include a private one-on-one with Rominiecki and a full day of learning sessions with other members of Selby Gardens’ leadership team.
• Recipient will be appointed to Selby Gardens’ Advisory Committee for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Invitations to Selby Gardens events
• One-year membership to Selby Gardens
2025 Key Info and Timeline
• Application Deadline: May 31, 2025
• Award Amount: $15,000 (available for 2025-2026 academic year)
• Finalist interviews: June 2025
• Award Notification: July 1, 2025
• 2024-2025 recipient, Zuleima Martinez, to serve on selection committee
To apply to the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship visit SELBY.ORG