Cybersecurity student looks to give back, empower youth through STEM programs

Life has sent some glitches Francois Gelin’s way, but the St. Cloud State University student doesn’t let that slow him down.

Originally from Haiti, Gelin is in his second year of SCSU’s cybersecurity program. He grew up wanting to pursue a technology related major, and had put three years toward an administrative science program while in his home country. But something was missing. After talking with his sister-in-law, who was pursuing her master’s degree with St. Cloud State at the time, Gelin decided to move to Minnesota and refocus his education.

The move has been a “perfect fit” for Gelin so far. He’s active in SCSU’s Cybersecurity Competition Club, and particularly enjoys working with Python, a coding language, in his cybersecurity courses. He appreciates the faculty and staff he has gotten to work with, such as Isaac Olson, the experiential learning and outreach director for SCSU’s College of Science & Engineering. Olson routinely emails students about job fairs and internship opportunities, which is how Gelin ended up at a tech fair in the Twin Cities in spring 2025. He was able to network at the event and met the executive director of CreateMPLS, an organization with the mission to “prepare youth from underserved areas for tomorrow's technology-driven job market by removing barriers and delivering free STEM learning right where students already are — schools and community programs.” As Gelin had previously worked with youth in Haiti, he was interested in the opportunity to do so again. Through a partnership between CreateMPLS and Genesys Works, he spent the summer as a volunteer mentoring youth on programs such as Microsoft Excel in order to prepare them for future internships and jobs.

“That was the most amazing thing. I didn't know I could make such an impact,” Gelin said. “Those kids I worked with, I was able to help prepare them for the workforce.”

Gelin was initially planning to work over summer 2025, but inconsistent immigration policies presented a challenge. He is in the Unites States legally, but due to Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status changing and affecting what programs Gelin is eligible for, he had to redo some administrative applications. In the process he lost his work permit, and has to wait for his new application to go through before he can legally work in the U.S. Gelin has stayed positive throughout the ordeal, and said some of the stress has been mitigated thanks to philanthropic support he has received at SCSU.

“Losing my work eligibility this past summer, as an immigrant, that was very difficult — not just financially, but also because it closed doors to opportunities I was excited about. But I chose to see it as a test of resilience. I often tell the youth I work with that every problem can be debugged, and I had to take my own advice,” he said. “Receiving a scholarship was a lifesaver. It didn’t just ease the financial pressure; it also reminded me that support exists, even in moments of uncertainty. That scholarship was one major bug I was able to fix — and it kept me moving forward.”

While Gelin isn’t certain what his next steps will be after his expected graduation date of May 2028, he knows he wants to work in cybersecurity and find a way to pay forward the opportunities he has earned.

“I want to grow in my cybersecurity career, helping industries protect themselves from cyberattacks and build safer digital spaces. And later on, I want to use my skills and experiences to give back — especially in STEM education,” he said. “Programs like CreateMPLS inspired me by showing how tech can open doors for youth from underserved communities. I hope to bring that same impact to Minnesota and to Haiti, empowering young people with technology and opportunities. I know it will take time, but I am committed to making it happen.”

While the journey hasn’t always been easy, Gelin feels this is where he’s meant to be. He’s excited to see what’s next.

“I want people to know that resilience defines me. As an immigrant, a student and someone who temporarily lost work eligibility, I’ve faced moments that could have stopped me. But I chose to keep going, to debug the problem, not give up,” he said. “Receiving a scholarship during that tough time was more than financial help; it was a reminder that I’m not alone, and that my journey matters. I want people to know that I’m committed to using every opportunity I’ve been given to uplift others, especially youth who, like me, are navigating tough circumstances but have big dreams. I’m here to serve, to grow and to give back, because that’s what community is all about."