Florida State University’s Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) will host the 2026 Florida Statewide Finals of the National Civics Bee®  at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center. The event will bring together middle school students from across Florida who advanced through regional competitions to compete in a live, quiz-style civics championship.  

 Presented in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and chambers of commerce across Florida, with Kinder Morgan serving as the presenting sponsor, the nonpartisan competition encourages students in grades 6-8 to deepen their understanding of American government, civic responsibility and community engagement. 

The Florida winner will earn a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Civics Bee® championship this fall, where students will compete for national honors and a first-place 529 education award of $100,000.  

 This year’s statewide finals will feature an interactive audience experience, remarks on the importance of civic education, and a distinguished lineup of event leaders and judges, including: 

• Emcee: Mark Harrison, 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year and economics and government teacher at Union County High School / Lake Butler  

• Keynote Speaker: Ryan Owens, Director of the IGC, on the vital role of civic education in shaping future leaders  

• Judges:  

• • Allen Fore, VP for Public Affairs at Kinder Morgan, Inc. (Returning)  

• • The Honorable Nina Ashenafi-Richardson, Leon County Judge, 2nd Judicial Court  

• • Barney Bishop, President & CEO of Barney Bishop Consulting, LLC  

• • Sherry Lawrance, Deerlake Middle School Civics Teacher and FSU Alumna (Returning)  

• • DeVoe Moore, Entrepreneur

“The National Civics Bee gives students a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their understanding of government, think clearly about their communities and see themselves as active participants in civic life,” said Ryan Owens, director of the IGC. “We’re proud to welcome these outstanding students to Tallahassee and celebrate the curiosity, leadership and civic responsibility they represent.”  

“The National Civics Bee gives students a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their understanding of government, think clearly about their communities and see themselves as active participants in civic life.”

– Ryan Owens, director of the IGC

 The event is free and open to the public, and community members are invited to attend as spectators, participate in the live audience experience and cheer on students as they demonstrate their knowledge of civics and their commitment to public life.  

 The statewide finals reflect the IGC’s broader mission to strengthen civic knowledge and prepare the next generation of engaged citizens and responsible leaders. At a time when civic understanding matters as much as ever, the National Civics Bee® offers students a meaningful opportunity to learn, lead and contribute to their communities.  

 For more information about the Florida Statewide Civics Bee, visit igc.fsu.edu.  

About the Institute for Governance and Civics: The Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) at Florida State University is dedicated to creating the next generation of effective citizens and responsible leaders. Established in 2023, the IGC supports a variety of initiatives that promote constitutional liberty, economic liberty, conscience liberty, and educational liberty through data-driven research, excellence in teaching, and intellectually diverse exchange. To learn more about the IGC, visit igc.fsu.edu or follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.  

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Routine high-tide flooding in coastal communities could lead to thousands of deaths among older adults by the end of the century, according to a new study co-authored by Florida State University researcher Mathew Hauer.

Published in The Lancet Planetary Health, the study projects that without significant adaptation, premature deaths among adults aged 65 and older linked to high-tide flooding could increase 43-fold by 2100.

Unlike storm surges from major hurricanes, high-tide flooding happens regularly and is often viewed as a nuisance rather than a danger. But researchers found even shallow flooding on roads can delay emergency medical care for older adults during time-sensitive emergencies such as cardiac arrest.

“When we think about climate change threatening people’s lives, we picture hurricanes and heat waves,” Hauer said. “What we found is that the routine, ankle-deep flooding people have learned to live with is on track to kill more older adults than storm surge does in these same coastal areas. It’s a quiet, cumulative form of climate mortality, and until now nobody had put a national number on it.”

The research team, which included Hauer from the FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Department of Sociology and Center for Demography and Population Health, found that flooding creates significant traffic disruptions that obstruct emergency medical access. This is particularly dangerous for time-sensitive conditions where every minute of delay significantly reduces survival rates.

Researchers identified three major findings:

• A growing crisis: By 2100, the model projects nearly 10,000 additional deaths annually among older adults in coastal U.S. regions.
• Economic impact: The monetized damages associated with these premature deaths could reach $1.1 trillion by the end of the century.
• The 8-minute threshold: Seniors living in areas with more than an 8.85-minute drive to the nearest hospital are especially vulnerable to these flood-induced delays.

The findings are a wake-up call for the Sunshine State, which stands at the epicenter of the issue.

The study identified Florida as the nation’s most vulnerable state because of its large older population and extensive low-lying coastline.

“Simple things like raising roadways, better sited-hospitals, and other changes could make a significant impact on reducing this anticipated mortality. An ounce of prevention today is worth a pound of cure tomorrow.”

– Mathew Hauer, FSU associate professor and study co-author

By 2060, Florida could account for 24% to 38% of all high-tide flooding deaths in the coastal contiguous U.S., with an estimated 360 to 1,590 annual fatalities.

“Florida has twin threats of an older population and a large, low-lying coastal zone,” Hauer said. “So, the demography, the geography and climate change all combine to account for a large percentage of these anticipated deaths.”

Researchers said the projected death toll could be significantly reduced through infrastructure improvements and planning. Implementing protective measures, such as elevating roads or building new healthcare facilities in accessible locations, could reduce premature deaths by 57%.

The researchers recommend three critical steps for coastal communities:

• Protect road networks that are essential for emergency medical access.
• Increase accessibility by building more critical care facilities in at-risk coastal areas.
• Manage the retreat of vulnerable populations to areas with better infrastructure and healthcare access.

The study concluded that the economic costs associated with these deaths exceed many other climate-related impacts, making healthcare infrastructure a priority for policymakers.

“The deaths show up when an ambulance can’t get through and the adaptive infrastructure to prevent these are things we already know how to do,” Hauer said. “Simple things like raising roadways, better sited-hospitals, and other changes could make a significant impact on reducing this anticipated mortality. An ounce of prevention today is worth a pound of cure tomorrow.”

The study was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and included collaborators from Arizona State University, Industrial Economics and the International Food Policy Research Institute.

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Students from the Florida State University College of Law have been selected for some of Florida’s most competitive public service fellowships, earning placements across the executive, judicial and legislative branches of Florida state government.

This year, five FSU Law students were selected for Class XXI of the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows; five of the nine students chosen statewide for the Florida Supreme Court Fellows Program come from the college; and all eight participants in the Florida House of Representatives Legislative Fellows Program are FSU Law students.

“Together, these placements highlight the college’s longstanding role in preparing students for leadership in public service,” Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor said. “Being located in the heart of the state capital gives our students unparalleled access to the institutions and leaders shaping the law. These fellowships allow our students to move beyond the classroom and engage directly in the work of government across all three branches, gaining experience that prepares them to lead from day one.”

For decades, FSU College of Law has served as a pipeline for leaders in Florida, the third largest state in the nation, and beyond, equipping graduates with the skills, insight and professional connections needed to navigate complex legal and policy challenges.

Gubernatorial Fellows

Five FSU Law students were selected for the highly competitive Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Class XXI, one of the state’s most prestigious public service leadership programs. The yearlong fellowship places emerging leaders within top state agencies for immersive, hands-on experience in policymaking, public administration and government operations.

This year’s FSU Law Gubernatorial Fellows include:

• 2L Cole McLellan — Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• 3L Alexa Kays — Florida Department of State
• 2L Lucas Piroli — Executive Office of the Governor, Office of General Counsel
• 2L Andrew Otanes — Florida Department of Commerce
• 2L Kate Rumisek — Florida Department of Corrections

The program allows students to work alongside senior leaders in various state agencies. The fellows will conclude the program with a formal presentation of their policy research findings and recommendations directly to the state’s senior leadership.

McLellan says his experience at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has been a great learning opportunity. He split his semesters, first working in the Cyber Division and then in the Office of the General Counsel, giving him interdisciplinary experience throughout his fellowship.

McLellan discussed the advantages of participating in the program alongside seven other FSU students, noting they support one another and maintain a sense of accountability.

“It is reassuring because we are bouncing what we’re feeling off each other, and it keeps our motivation going,” McLellan said. “It’s definitely nice to have people to talk to that are right there with you.”

Piroli said working at the General Counsel’s office provides valuable experience with a wide range of legal issues.

“This is a prestigious program, and getting to work in the government for the third-largest state in the country is just really special,” Piroli said. “It’s a great administration, and I’m really proud to be able to serve Florida and contribute and to learn from some impressive leaders.”

Florida Supreme Court Fellows

FSU Law students also earned a significant share of placements with the Supreme Court of Florida, with five of the nine fellows selected statewide coming from the College of Law.

The program provides students with hands-on experience supporting the court’s work while also offering mentorship from justices and their clerks.

This year’s placements include:

• 2L Haven Branca with Justice Renatha Francis
• 3L Mason Bennett with Justice Meredith L. Sasso
• 3L Sheldon Burnell with Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz
• 2L Zenani Johnson with Justice Jorge Labarga
• 3L Steven Wiktorski with Justice Adam S. Tanenbaum

Located just steps from the court, FSU Law provides students with unique access to Florida’s highest judicial body, creating opportunities for direct engagement that extend beyond the classroom.

Burnell says being a part of the Florida Supreme Court Fellows Program was truly the highlight of his time in law school.

“Serving as Chief Justice Muñiz’s Fellow gave me the opportunity to work closely with the Chief Justice and his outstanding staff, connect with the Associate Justices of the Court, and contribute to work involving cases before Florida’s highest court,” he said.

Burnell gained additional opportunities while in the program, such as observing oral arguments, which gave him a firsthand look at the appellate judicial decision-making process.

Branca shared her experience with Justice Renatha Francis, noting that her time serving as a Florida Supreme Court Fellow was among the most meaningful and rewarding of her time at FSU Law.

“I am incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to learn from Florida’s leading legal minds, observe oral arguments, and gain insight into the judicial decision-making process,” Branca said. “I am especially grateful for the mentorship and support of Justice Francis and the outstanding team in her chambers, as well as for the opportunity to work alongside such exceptional fellow students.”

Branca recognized that the unique opportunity to work alongside Justice Francis was made possible by FSU Law’s strong reputation and its proximity to our state’s highest court.

Florida House of Representatives Legislative Fellows

Through the Florida House of Representative Legislative Fellows Program, all eight fellows selected for the 2025–26 academic year are FSU Law students, an uncommon distinction that reflects the college’s strength in preparing students for leadership in public service.

This year’s Fellows include:

• 2Ls Kennedi Ray, and Zack “Gambill” Dallas — Commerce Committee
• 3L Sarah Augustine — Health & Human Services Committee
• 2L Teddy Fronczak — Judiciary Committee
• 2L Juan Castro Jordan — Majority Office
• 2L Andrew Louis — Minority Office
• 2L Patricia Waltz — Rules & Ethics Committee
• 2L Amy Kurtz — Ways & Means Committee

Established in 1967 through legislation sponsored by Lawton Chiles, the program provides graduate students with a unique opportunity to engage directly in the legislative process and gain insight into the inner workings of state government.

Augustine was placed in the Health & Human Services Committee and expressed that the Florida House of Representatives Legislative Fellows program placed her at the center of real legislative work at the Capitol.

“I had the privilege of analyzing bills with direct consequences for Floridians, including legislation establishing a statewide Parkinson’s disease registry that will improve data collection, expand research and ultimately better the lives of patients and families across Florida,” she said. “For any law student interested in public service, this program is where policy becomes real, and the legislative process comes to life.”

Waltz shared her experience in the Legislative Fellowship Program as a pivotal point in strengthening her research, communication and professional writing skills while allowing her to see how policy decisions are developed, debated and refined within a complex environment.

“My experience in the Florida House Fellowship Program with the Rules and Ethics Committee gave me firsthand insight into the legislative process, committee procedures and the standards that guide the state legislature,” Waltz said.

To learn more about the FSU College of Law and its offerings, visit law.fsu.edu.

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The Panama City Small Business Executive Program, operated by Florida State University’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, celebrated its first-ever graduating cohort on April 30. The achievement marks a significant milestone for small business leadership development in the Northwest Florida region.

The executive-level program equips small business owners with the tools, strategies and mindset needed to lead with confidence, strengthen business operations and turn challenges into opportunities for long-term growth. Participants of the program engaged in advanced leadership and business development training focused on helping entrepreneurs think differently, adapt strategically and build stronger, more resilient businesses.

“We are incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by this inaugural class,” said Marina Lickson, director of the Northwest Florida program. “Their commitment to growth and leadership reflects the strength and potential of the small business community in Panama City and beyond.”

The program’s partnership with the Florida State University Panama City campus created a collaborative environment where local business leaders could learn, connect and grow together. The achievements of the initial graduating class highlight the potential influence these business owners will have on the Panama City community and the surrounding area.

Applications for the Tallahassee Small Business Executive Program fall cohort are open until August 14, 2026. More information can be found on the program’s website.

About the Small Business Executive Program (SBEP)

The Small Business Executive Program is an executive-level leadership and business development initiative created to support small business owners through strategic learning, leadership training and peer collaboration, designed to foster sustainable business growth.

About the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, housed in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, cultivates, trains and inspires entrepreneurial leaders through world-class executive education, applied training, public recognition and leading-edge research. The Jim Moran Institute comprises a dedicated team of entrepreneurship professionals, academic scholars and staff who foster the entrepreneurial spirit by helping to organize, expand and promote the knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship to facilitate new business and further the goals of established businesses.

For more information, visit jmi.fsu.edu.

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A Florida State University professor at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is among the select few to win a prestigious international award for outstanding sustainability leadership.

Eundeok Kim, a professor specializing in sustainability, social entrepreneurship and product management, is one of 10 faculty members globally to be chosen as a Sustainability Fellow by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The association serves a full range of higher education faculty, administrators, staff, and students who are change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation.

“I am very honored and humbled to be recognized as a 2026 AASHE Fellow,” Kim said. “This recognition encourages me to further incorporate sustainability and sustainable development into my teaching, research and service and strengthens my commitment to the urgent call for action. I am deeply thankful to the numerous colleagues, community partners and students who have collaborated with me for various teaching and research projects and services to the community, which allowed me to grow as a sustainability agent.”

“This recognition encourages me to further incorporate sustainability and sustainable development into my teaching, research and service and strengthens my commitment to the urgent call for action.”

– Eundeok Kim, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship Professor

Kim has contributed to her field in several ways: producing impactful refereed journal articles and books that highlight her important research into sustainability and social entrepreneurship. She teaches Sustainability and Human Rights in the Business World, developed with FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights Director Terry Coonan, to all majors at FSU. She was recognized with numerous awards, including the 2024-25 University Teaching Award for Community Engaged Teaching and the 2023 Social Entrepreneurship SIG Award for Social Entrepreneurship Teaching from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). Her research was also acknowledged with the 2024 Minority and Women Entrepreneurship SIG Scholar Award by USASBE.

“The 2026 AASHE Sustainability Award recipients reflect the momentum and innovation driving change across higher education,” added AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “Among their community, these individuals are true change makers — turning bold ideas into action and setting a powerful example of leadership and impact for the field.”

Kim is one of several FSU Faculty Senators who founded the Faculty Senate Sustainability Committee in 2020. She served as Chair of Education in 2024-25 and serves as deputy editor for the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education by Emerald.

Among her core research areas, Kim has investigated on sustainable business models and strategies, the role of social entrepreneurship in advancing sustainable development, and cross-and trans-disciplinary sustainability education. Her case study on Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit fair-trade organization, explored business models that empower marginalized groups.

Her most recent publication, “Using Artificial Intelligence in Sustainability Teaching and Learning,” examines how AI tools can be integrated into curricula to enhance sustainability education.

To learn more about AASHE, visit the association’s website at aashe.org.

More information about the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship can be found at jmc.fsu.edu.

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A Florida State University master’s student and Presidential Scholar was accepted into a highly competitive national fellowship program for emerging civic leaders.

Ella Garcia, who is working toward her master’s degree in public administration, was accepted into the Coro Fellows Program housed at University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The Coro Fellows Program was founded in 1947 in San Francisco to train young World War II veterans in civic leadership skills. It now operates four centers in St. Louis, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, where it serves to advance civic engagement and accelerate the careers of those in public affairs.

As a Coro Fellow, Garcia will live in St. Louis and participate in a full-time, graduate-level leadership training program that includes seminars, interviews with local leaders, opportunities to learn about regionally specific topics, and placement in organizations across nonprofit, business and government sectors.

“I’m excited because it’s going to be very fulfilling to focus on the aspect of public administration that’s about giving back, not just pursuing my own professional goals, but learning how I can better the communities around me,” Garcia said. “It’s one thing to study administration and government in a theoretical way, but it’s another to apply what I’ve learned hands-on. It’s what I feel like I’m called to do.”

From Mount Dora, Florida, Garcia is a member of FSU’s Presidential Scholars Program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and will graduate with her master’s degree this summer with support from FSU’s More in Four program, which helps high achieving students complete a bachelor’s degree in three years and continue immediately into a master’s degree.

Professors and mentors say Garcia’s involvement at FSU has prepared her well for the Coro Fellows Program. That includes her participation in FSU’s Applied Politics & Policy Learning Experience (APPLE) program, in the Department of Political Science, where she was able to intern for a state representative and a member of U.S. Congress.

“Ella has used her time at FSU to gain extensive hands-on government experience and advanced analytical skills, with the aim of driving informed, community-oriented public service,” said FSU professor Amanda Driscoll, cofounder of APPLE and one of Garcia’s mentors. “The Coro Fellowship will provide her with additional public service experience and practical leadership training to deepen her impact and professional growth. I am confident that she will translate her established civic commitments into effective, real-world solutions, and we can’t wait to see what she will accomplish next.”

Garcia’s interest in policy work extended beyond U.S. government last summer, when she traveled with a group of FSU Honors Program students to the Oxford Consortium of Human Rights workshop at the University of Oxford in England.

“Ella is among the finest students I’ve worked with at Florida State,” said Ross Moret, who led the trip to Oxford and serves as an associate teaching professor in the FSU Honors Program. “She is dedicated, responsible, insightful and caring. She will make an outstanding Coro Fellow.”

As a Presidential Scholar, Garcia said she enjoyed mentorship and a peer community that helped motivate her to reach her goals.

“FSU and the Presidential Scholars Program specifically have been instrumental for me,” she said. “It’s really shaped who I am, as a leader and as a person.”

To learn more about student support for pursuing national fellowships, visit the Office of National Fellowships and the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards.

Visit the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy website to learn more about the college, department and programs.

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The Student Investment Fund (SIF) at Florida State University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Business ranks among the Top 10 student-managed investment funds at public schools nationwide, according to recently released rankings published by The Center for Investment Research.

The Wertheim College’s SIF secured the No. 10 spot for its 2025 performance among the nation’s public schools and ranked No. 23 among all schools in North America. It is the only Florida business school listed in the Top 25.

Completely student driven, the FSU SIF is now valued at $11.5 million, said Steve Perfect, vice chair of the SIF oversight board and associate professor of finance. That marks significant growth from the combined $1.3 million in private donations and Florida State University Foundation funds that kickstarted the SIF in 2008, he said.

“The SIF offers our students an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience as portfolio managers and analysts under the guidance of faculty experts,” said Don Autore, Dean L. Cash Professor of Finance and chair of the Department of Finance. Select master’s students carry out the role of portfolio managers, while top students in the college’s Undergraduate Investment Group (UIG) serve as the fund’s analysts.

“The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program as a whole really values experiential learning, and managing the student investment fund is one of our most impactful opportunities,” said Andrew Schrowang, MSF program coordinator and associate lecturer. He said students learn to pitch investments, build financial models and defend their investment strategies – skills that finance professionals rely on every day across the investment industry.

“The experience also helps our students stand out in interviews, as they can speak to real investment decisions they’ve made with actual capital at stake, focusing on what worked, what didn’t and what they learned,” Schrowang said. “Many master’s graduates have leveraged this experience to land roles in institutional asset management, investment banking, equity research and wealth management.”

The center surveyed over 500 schools with student-managed funds and ranked them based on each fund’s verified AUM (assets under management) as of Dec. 31, 2025. Funds in the Top 25 range from a high of $85.5 million at the University of Dayton, a private university in Ohio that has operated a fund for more than 25 years, to the $9.27 million fund at Oklahoma’s private University of Tulsa.

The Wertheim College’s SIF closed last calendar year with $11.23 million in managed assets. That total also includes the college’s Real Estate Investment Fund (REIF), which the college added to the SIF portfolio in 2022. Now valued at $2.7 million, the REIF is managed separately by top real estate students under the direction of faculty advisor Mariya Letdin, Kyle Riva Associate Professor of Real Estate, and an investment committee of industry representatives. SIF and REIF share an oversight board chaired by the dean and comprised of both faculty and industry professionals. In addition to good investment decisions, the SIF portfolio’s base fund, including the REIF, benefited over the years from $3 million more from the Foundation and an additional $320,000 in philanthropic investments.

Finance continues to be the No. 1 major chosen by undergraduate business students at the Wertheim College and the No. 1 major selected by all undergraduate students at Florida State. The Wertheim College ranks No. 1 among all public schools, No. 5 overall, on Niche.com’s 2026 Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America. Also, the finance master’s program at FSU consistently places in the Top 25 at public schools nationwide in annual rankings by the TFE Times.

Learn more about FSU’s SIF and finance department by visiting its website.

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Florida State University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Business set aside Thursday, April 16 to tip a red hat – or hundreds of red hats – to the college’s biggest benefactor.

The college’s inaugural Red Hat Day featured students, faculty, staff, alumni and university officials who gathered, topped in red, in honor and celebration of Dr. Herbert Wertheim, whose record philanthropic investment launched a new era of preeminence in the college and whose ever-present red fedora has emerged as a collegewide symbol of distinction and optimism.

“Wear your red hat with joy,” Dr. Wertheim said during an afternoon ceremony inside the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence.

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The next wave of savvy student entrepreneurs was on display last Friday as five finalists competed in the final round of the 14th annual InNOLEvation Challenge hosted by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. 

Software startup Padly, founded by senior Jacob Tarantelli, was named the winner of the $10,000 first-place prize as well as the People’s Choice Award. Padly facilitates sublets in college towns by connecting students with available housing and leasing offices. 

Tarantelli, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in STEM entrepreneurship with a minor in computer science, appreciates how the event provides a platform for taking a passionate idea into a successful startup. 

“The feedback I got from judges and fellow students was immensely valuable,” Tarantelli said. “The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship has given me the environment and mentorship to turn a personal frustration with student subleasing into a real business, and I’m excited to show everyone what Padly will become because of it. Next up, we are onboarding and getting feedback to expand to more campuses across the Southeast.” 

The InNOLEvation Challenge provides students from all majors and grade levels the opportunity to gain valuable insight into innovation and entrepreneurship. This year’s judging panel heard pitches from five finalists during the new venture competition, which focused on identifying problems and potential solutions, building effective teams, defining the assumptions of a new venture and testing those assumptions in the field. 

Leading into Friday’s final round, the event took place over two semesters with students submitting parts of their business model during the academic year. The finals were held in front of a live audience, giving attendees a glimpse into some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds at FSU. 

Other prize winners in the competition included:  

• Second place: Gear Share by Fernando De Abreu Pires, Bruno del Nero and Gabriel Romanini de Barro. 

• Third place: Kloset Klick by Emma Leav and Katrina Etan. 

• Fourth place: Lithaos by Jephte Moise and Azure Smallwood. 

• Fifth place: OrthoLink by Evan Boudreau. 

To learn more about the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship InNOLEvation Challenge, visit their website. 

To learn more about Padly, visit rentpadly.com.  

Photos from the 14th annual InNOLEvation Challenge can be found here. 

To learn more about entrepreneurial resources at the Jim Moran College, visit their StartupTree page.

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A Florida State University student in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is turning a lifelong health challenge into a purpose-driven business that serves families with food allergies while shaping her future as an entrepreneur.

Brooke Abbott, a junior majoring in commercial entrepreneurship, grew up in Texas with severe food allergies that often left her searching for answers. Years of discomfort and illness eventually led to a diagnosis that changed everything.

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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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