A Florida State University student created a buzz by impressing a panel of judges at the Shark-Tank-style ACC InVenture Prize competition held at the University of Notre Dame.

Hugo Davies, majoring in STEM entrepreneurship with a concentration in computer science, earned the coveted People’s Choice Award at the competition. He received the most votes of any ACC competitor after delivering a dynamic pitch about his artificial intelligence startup called KeyRise. 

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State University College of Law students didn’t just study Supreme Court cases this semester — they helped write a legal filing that was cited during oral arguments in a major election law case before the nation’s highest court.

Students in the Supreme Court Litigation course, taught by Michael T. Morley, Sheila M. McDevitt Professor of Law and FSU Election Law Center Faculty Director, and Maureen Wagner Vinson, FSU Election Law Center Executive Director, are gaining hands-on experience preparing briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. Through the course, students engage directly in amicus advocacy, learn Supreme Court procedure and develop high-level legal writing skills.

As part of the FSU College of Law’s 2026 Supreme Court Litigation course, students worked alongside Professor Morley to file an amicus brief in Watson v. RNC, a case that asks the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the meaning and scope of federal Election Day statutes — specifically, whether ballots received after Election Day in federal elections remain valid under federal law.

During oral arguments March 23, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh referenced Morley’s brief and the position advanced by the FSU Election Law Center. The exchange underscored FSU Law’s growing reputation as a national leader in experiential legal education and election law scholarship.

For second-year law student Lauren Bina, hearing the brief cited in court was both unexpected and unforgettable.

“The feeling of going to that YouTube link and hearing Professor Morley’s name being cited by Justice Kavanaugh was surreal,” Bina said.

Third-year law student Spencer Moreno said the moment validated months of intensive legal research and drafting — work that mirrors what attorneys do in appellate practice.

“We are so busy working on other briefs and other things. That wasn’t necessarily something we were checking for,” Moreno said. “But once Professor Vinson alerted us, we were definitely very excited to see that. Just hearing Professor Morley’s name cited by a current Supreme Court Justice was almost like a jump scare.”

“Providing students with the opportunity to contribute to a case before the U.S. Supreme Court reflects the kind of hands-on, high-impact learning that defines the Florida State University College of Law,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, Dean of the FSU College of Law. “Through experiences like the Supreme Court Litigation course and the work of our Election Law Center, our students are not only studying the law — they are helping shape it while developing the practical skills needed to lead in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.”

“Providing students with the opportunity to contribute to a case before the U.S. Supreme Court reflects the kind of hands-on, high-impact learning that defines the Florida State University College of Law.”

– Erin O’Hara O’Connor, Dean of the FSU College of Law

Watson v. RNC centers on a Mississippi law that allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to five days later. The Republican National Committee (RNC) argues that the policy is preempted in presidential and congressional elections by federal law, which establishes “Election Day” as a single day for federal elections.

To address that question, Professor Morley and his students examined congressional records dating back to the 19th century to uncover the original intent behind federal Election Day statutes.

“We were reviewing congressional record transcripts from the 1840s and the 1880s and piecing together the different floor statements that were made, the debates, the speeches, in order to tease out what the congressional purpose and the congressional intent was,” Professor Morley said of the team’s research.

The brief argued that the Supreme Court should interpret the statutes consistently with their original purpose: preventing voter fraud while preserving public confidence in election outcomes.

For Moreno, the fact that the Justices engaged directly with the argument captured the very purpose of filing an amicus brief.

“I think it was very, very surreal,” Moreno said. “I think it’s one of those things where you always hope they’re going to pay attention to what you say, that’s kind of the point of an amicus brief – you’re a friend of the court. You’re trying to bring up something that they’re not necessarily going to consider. The fact that they actually did read it and listened to our argument, we’re very pleased for sure.”

The brief’s citation elevates the national profile of the FSU Election Law Center and highlights the College of Law’s commitment to preparing practice-ready graduates capable of contributing to consequential legal debates.

From a Tallahassee classroom to the nation’s highest court, the experience is a reminder that student work at FSU can help shape the future of American election law.

The Center’s impact extends beyond the classroom. The FSU Election Law Center’s Spring Conference will be held in Washington, D.C., this year, bringing together the nation’s most preeminent election law scholars, leading policymakers, top litigators, election regulators and administrators, and other experts to tackle the most pressing issues affecting elections across the United States.

For more information about the Election Law Center, visit its website.

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The Florida State University Herbert Wertheim College of Business honored two former faculty members with lasting recognition for their decades of dedication to their students, disciplines and colleagues.

The college’s inductions on Tuesday evening of Richard Corbett and William Jordan into its Charles A. Rovetta Faculty Hall of Fame coincided with its annual faculty and staff awards presentations. Sixteen faculty and staff members received recognition for their work helping the college to fulfill its mission of producing the next generation of world-class business leaders.

The ceremony took place in the Brian and Renee Murphy Forum of the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence, marking the first large-scale event led by the college at the spectacular new building since its Jan. 6 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Michael D. Hartline, dean of the Wertheim College, said the annual event gives the college the opportunity “to celebrate the outstanding work and achievements of each other and the groundbreaking accomplishments of those who came before us.”

Corbett and Jordan joined 23 previous inductees in the Rovetta Faculty Hall of Fame, named in honor of the college’s second dean.

“They set themselves apart through their enduring dedication to the college, their fields and, most of all, their students,” Hartline said. “They helped give us our global distinction, and tonight we give them forever fame.”

Richard Corbett

Corbett, who retired in 2012 after more than two decades at FSU, distinguished himself as a leading researcher and professor in risk management and insurance at the university and received wide recognition for his contributions to the field and his impact on statewide and national insurance education and policy.

His service to the industry included 10 years on the Associate in Risk Management Advisory Committee for the Insurance Institute of America, and he’s a past president of the Southern Risk and Insurance Association. In 1994, he was named Insurance Educator of the Year by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents.

Former students remember him as a mentor, role model and friend who made a difference in their lives and academic and professional careers. They recall him repeatedly saying: “Do good. It will come back to you in unexpected ways. There is no such thing as an unimportant act of kindness.”

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An emerging entrepreneur in Tallahassee was recognized with a national award given to someone who has overcome adversity while demonstrating exceptional leadership, service and commitment to community. 

Lewis Thurston II received the Michael Boyce Award at the inaugural Leon Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program (LEAP) Entrepreneur Spotlight Speaker Series on March 24, hosted by FSU’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. The award honors individuals who overcome adversity while demonstrating exceptional leadership, service, and community commitment. Thurston, a LEAP graduate, also served as the featured speaker. 

The LEAP program in Tallahassee is part of the national Urban Poverty and Business Initiative network, housed at the University of Notre Dame, which spans more than 60 cities across the country. Each year, one entrepreneur from each city is selected for the Michael Boyce Award, which honors a founder who exemplifies Col. Michael H. Boyce’s lifelong commitment to service, leadership and mentorship. 

Thurston’s Tallahassee-based company VEZ Productions provides music and entertainment services for a range of events, contributing to both the local business community and major initiatives such as FSU’s Dance Marathon.  

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Florida is missing an estimated 55,000 single-family homes and more than 66,000 rental units, according to a first-of-its-kind housing supply model from the DeVoe L. Moore Institute at Florida State University. Produced and distributed in partnership with fellow think tanks Reason Foundation and the Florida Policy Project, the model sheds light on Florida’s growing housing crisis and provides specific recommendations for reform in each of Florida’s 67 counties.

The model tracks surplus and shortage trends across the state, offering policymakers, residents and stakeholders a data-driven tool to better understand and address housing affordability challenges.

The model finds that some of the most acute shortages occur in Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa — markets that now rank among the least affordable in the nation.

Persistent barriers driving the crisis

The analysis highlights multiple systemic barriers that prevent Florida’s housing supply from keeping pace with demand.  Those include:

• Permitting delays: Development projects often stall for months or even years, pushing up costs for builders and buyers alike.
• Restrictive zoning: Rules that favor low-density, single-family development limit options for townhomes, smaller homes and apartments.
• Limited use of flexible housing options: Solutions like accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and residential duplex units (RDUs) remain underutilized, even though they could be thoughtfully integrated into neighborhoods while maintaining local character.
• Political gridlock: Local debates frequently turn housing projects into flashpoints, adding layers of complexity, uncertainty and expense.

A tool for action

Alongside the research, the organizations have released an interactive housing shortage map, now available on each of the organization’s websites. The map allows users to:

• Explore local housing trends across single-family and rental markets.
• Track whether their community has been in surplus, deficit or balance over time.
• Identify opportunities for smarter planning and policy solutions.

“Currently, housing shortage and surplus trends is the key draw for users of the website,” said Crystal Taylor, director of research for the DeVoe L. Moore Institute at Florida State University. “When home or rental prices are high, one of the first actionable steps local governments can do is to make sure there is enough housing inventory available. If there is a shortage, they can look at their local policies toward construction because fierce competition for limited home options drives up prices.”

Adrian Moore, Vice President of the Reason Foundation, believes the housing supply model gives users a better sense of the issues they might face.

“This model equips Floridians with a clear, data-backed understanding of their local housing challenges,” said Moore.

The housing data provides a substantial policymaking impact that benefits both legislative members and Florida residents.

“Our goal is to empower residents and elected officials to work toward solutions that expand supply, reduce costs and preserve community character,” Florida Policy Project Founder and former state senator Jeff Brandes added. “We believe this tool will provide decision makers and Florida citizens real, live data so they will make the tough decisions to propel Florida as the leader in housing affordability.”

About the partners

• The DeVoe L. Moore Institute at Florida State University conducts interdisciplinary research on state and local regulatory issues, with a focus on policies that shape communities and economies.
• Reason Foundation is a nonprofit think tank advancing free minds and free markets through research and policy solutions.
• Florida Policy Project develops practical policy recommendations to address Florida’s most pressing challenges, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and innovation.

For more information and to explore the interactive map, visit the Florida Housing Data Project website.

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The Election Law Center at Florida State University College of Law will host its two-day Spring 2026 Conference in Washington, D.C., on April 16–17, 2026, convening the nation’s leading election law scholars, policymakers, litigators and election officials to examine the most pressing issues shaping elections in the United States.

“Hosting this conference in Washington, D.C., places our students and faculty at the center of the national conversation on election law,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the College of Law. “It provides a unique opportunity for our students to engage directly with the policymakers, regulators and thought leaders who are actively shaping election law and policy. Experiences like this are central to our mission of preparing graduates with a well-rounded, practical understanding of the legal systems that underpin our democracy.”

Established to advance research, education and public dialogue on election law, the Election Law Center at Florida State University College of Law serves as a hub for rigorous, nonpartisan analysis of the legal frameworks that govern elections. Through conferences, scholarship and student engagement, the Center plays a leading role in shaping conversations around election administration, voting rights and democratic governance.

The Center is led by Michael T. Morley, faculty director of the Election Law Center and Sheila M. McDevitt Professor of Law. Professor Morley is a nationally recognized scholar in election law with research focused on election emergencies, the constitutional right to vote, the Electoral Count Act, and the equitable powers of the federal courts. His scholarship has been widely cited by courts and commentators. Under his leadership, the Center continues to expand its role as a leading forum for rigorous, nonpartisan engagement with the most pressing issues in election law.

Confirmed speakers include a member of Congress currently serving on the House Committee on Administration’s Election Subcommittee; two commissioners (former and current) of the Federal Election Commission; a sitting commissioner of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission; and senior leadership from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). The conference will also feature more than twenty of the nation’s leading scholars in law and political science.

Panel discussions will address key topics, including voting rights, election administration, election litigation, campaign finance and institutional structures in a post-Callais landscape, among other critical issues.

Visit the Spring 2026 conference website for more information and registration details.

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The DeVoe L. Moore Institute at Florida State University has launched a redesigned digital transparency platform, FloridaOpenGov.com, that gives the public clearer access to Florida state and local government data. The updated site allows users to explore information on Florida’s K–12 education system, state and local payroll, and other public spending categories through interactive visuals and searchable datasets.

Florida Open Gov was developed by the Institute’s Data Analytics Group (DAG), a faculty-mentored and student-led team within FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. The redesign modernizes the layout and functionality of the platform to make complex data easier to interpret for policymakers, journalists, educators and citizens. All datasets are sourced directly from the Florida Department of Education and other state agencies to ensure accuracy and reliability.

“One of our goals moving forward with the revamp of the website is to build capacity for Florida teachers, parents and students to be able to tell compelling stories with the data in order to inform policy decisions within and across districts and schools,” said Crystal Taylor, director of research for the DeVoe L. Moore Institute at Florida State University.

The update reflects years of work by faculty mentors and successive student analytics teams to expand the scope of the platform, refine usability and improve visual clarity.

“New visualizations include District Grades Over Time, Free Lunch Rates vs. Grades, District Grades vs. Salary, District Enrollment Map, Graduation Rate By Special Category Map, and more,” said Alexis Staveski, Data Analytics Group Manager.

Key features include:

• Searchable datasets on education, payroll and spending.
• Interactive tableau charts and maps for easy comparison.
• Featured blogs depicting how data can inform policy.

“As part of our research internship, we believe that data and storytelling go hand in hand,” Taylor said. “Our data analytics interns not only pick up data cleaning and visualization skills, we also set expectations from the start that they have to be able to explain ‘What does this data mean for Floridians?’”

Visitors can explore the redesigned platform at floridaopengov.com.

About the DeVoe L. Moore Institute

The DeVoe L. Moore Institute is a public policy institute in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy at Florida State University. The Institute studies how government policies, regulations and programs affect the economy and individuals, and its faculty-mentored and student-led Data Analytics Group works to improve government transparency by acquiring, cleaning and visualizing public data.

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James M. Seneff, a celebrated alumnus and major supporter of Florida State University, on Friday encouraged a cohort of elite students in the Herbert Wertheim College of Business to emphasize means, ends and time in their life and career pursuits.

“Your biography will one day be a summary of how you thought about these three words,” he said.

Seneff, a 2006 inductee into the Wertheim College’s Alumni Hall of Fame and the founder and executive chairman of the Orlando-based CNL Financial Group, spoke as the guest of honor in a medaling ceremony for the latest cohort of the James M. Seneff Honors Program. The program launched in fall 2019 as part of a $5 million gift to the college by the CNL Charitable Foundation.

Seneff elaborated on his three key words, saying “ends” refers to your goals and “means” to resources that help you reach them. “Time” allows a process.

“How you think about these three words will define your life, your career and your investing success,” he said.

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Florida State University’s Susana Santos, the Jim Moran Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, has been inducted as a Justin G. Longenecker Fellow of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) — one of the highest honors in the field of entrepreneurship.

Induction into the Longenecker Fellows recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in entrepreneurship education, research and service, and whose careers have made a lasting impact on the discipline. Admission is highly competitive and by nomination only, with each fellow having made sustained contributions that advance both entrepreneurship scholarship and practice.

Santos was nominated by Michael Morris of the University of Notre Dame, who highlighted her record of leadership and service to USASBE, including roles as a board member, conference chair, editor and doctoral program leader. He also underscored her scholarly contributions, particularly her research examining how entrepreneurship can help uplift communities and combat poverty through sustainable economic development.

“Dr. Santos exemplifies the spirit of the Longenecker Fellows,” said Jeff Hornsby, chair of the Fellows and professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City. “Her scholarship advances a global dialogue on the role of entrepreneurship in addressing poverty, while her leadership within USASBE has strengthened our community and helped shape the next generation of entrepreneurship scholars. She has made a lasting and meaningful impact on our field.”

Santos’ research focuses on poverty alleviation, community-level entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation, contributing to a deeper understanding of how entrepreneurial activity can serve as a mechanism for social and economic mobility. Her work has been published in leading academic journals and informs both policy and practice across diverse global contexts.

“We are incredibly proud to see Dr. Santos recognized as a Longenecker Fellow, one of the highest honors in entrepreneurship education,” said Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. “Her dedication to research, teaching and service exemplifies the excellence of our faculty and reflects the Jim Moran College’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship that creates real and lasting impact.”

“We are incredibly proud to see Dr. Santos recognized as a Longenecker Fellow, one of the highest honors in entrepreneurship education. Her dedication to research, teaching and service exemplifies the excellence of our faculty and reflects the Jim Moran College’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship that creates real and lasting impact.”

– Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship

Morris reflected on Santos’ leadership within the USASBE and the impactful research she provides.

“Susana’s career has been defined by intellectual rigor and purposeful impact,” Morris added. “She is a thought leader whose work pushes us to rethink how entrepreneurship functions in contexts of poverty and disadvantage, and her leadership within USASBE has strengthened the infrastructure that supports entrepreneurship education worldwide. She is profoundly deserving of this honor.”

Santos becomes the third FSU faculty member inducted as a Longenecker Fellow. Eric Liguori, Jim Moran Professor and Associate Dean, was inducted in 2021, and Wendy Plant, retired executive director of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, was inducted in 2024.

The honor further underscores FSU’s leadership in entrepreneurship education and scholarship, and the Jim Moran College’s growing influence in shaping the global conversation around entrepreneurship as a force for economic development and impact.

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Speaking in front of a packed crowd at the Florida State University College of Law Rotunda, former U.S. ambassador Mark Brzezinski offered effusive praise for FSU’s legacy in international politics while promoting the importance of global diplomacy.

Brzezinski served as the featured speaker at the fourth annual D’Alemberte & Palmer Lecture in International Human Rights. The well-attended lecture included FSU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Clark giving the welcome address to a crowd that included members of the local community as well as FSU faculty, staff and students. He was followed by FSU Law Associate Professor Tahirih V. Lee, who welcomed Brzezinski and felt a connection to his work in Poland after her own grandfather emigrated from the Central European country to the United States.

Brzezinski’s presentation, “U.S. Embassies as ‘Force Multipliers’ for Democracy and Human Rights: The Case of Poland 2021-25,” described U.S. embassies as the most effective operational tools for advancing human rights. Stemming from his time as U.S. Ambassador to Poland (2021-24) and Sweden (2011-15), Brzezinski argued that embassies are positioned to advance democracy through daily, tactical engagement.

“The broad lesson is clear,” Brzezinski said. “Embassies aren’t ancillary, they’re the operational core. For half a century, they’ve done this work in context ranging from post conflict reconstruction to stable democracies.”

Brzezinski lauded former FSU President Sandy D’Alemberte (1994-2003) and the work he did with The Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI). D’Alemberte played an essential role in creating an organization that oversaw the American Bar Association’s (ABA) programs that promoted the development of fair and open election laws in 21 countries.

“I am fortunate to have known Sandy D’Alemberte,” Brzezinski added. “He was a force of nature. Sandy was president of the American Bar Association in 1991 when the Berlin Wall was crumbling. Under Sandy’s leadership, the ABA initiated one of the most creative overseas assistance initiatives ever.”

“I am fortunate to have known Sandy D’Alemberte. He was a force of nature. Sandy was president of the American Bar Association in 1991 when the Berlin Wall was crumbling. Under Sandy’s leadership, the ABA initiated one of the most creative overseas assistance initiatives ever.”

– Mark Brzezinski, former U.S. Ambassador

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Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (JMC) is celebrating a milestone as the first cohort of graduates completes its Master of Science in entrepreneurship with a major in creative arts entrepreneurship.

The innovative program represents a significant step forward in interdisciplinary arts education at FSU, bringing together resources from the College of Music, the College of Fine Arts and the College of Motion Picture Arts to support creators who want to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.

The program is designed for experienced creatives who want to enhance their professional practice by adding entrepreneurial strategy and business insight. Students will complete online courses, providing flexibility for those already working in their field. Cohorts typically include individuals who specialize in fields such as music, film, visual and performing arts or creative writing.

“As someone who is working full time but wanted to continue their education, the Creative Arts master’s program allows me the flexibility to learn valuable skills in my current career and beyond,” says Evan Eisenstark, who works full time as a social media specialist at FSU. “Being a part of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship has also given me the opportunity to meet and learn from other entrepreneurs and take the steps to one day start my own venture.”

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Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship celebrated five rising young entrepreneurs at its reimagined 5 Under 30 event held Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Jim Moran Building in downtown Tallahassee.

Formerly known as 7 Under 30, this signature event returned with a refreshed format but the same mission: to spotlight driven innovators who launched their own ventures before the age of 30. Open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the Tallahassee community, the program invited attendees to hear firsthand from founders turning ideas into impact.

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