Armed with artificial intelligence tools, Florida State University law and business students investigated a simulated cryptocurrency fraud case, built legal arguments and presented their findings to industry experts during the university’s inaugural FinTech, AI, and Crypto Hackathon Competition. 

The competition, held Oct. 30 at the College of Law’s D’Alemberte Rotunda, brought together students from FSU’s College of Law and Herbert Wertheim College of Business to test their legal, financial and technological skills. 

Law students Joaquin Garcia Retterath and Nazar Savitski, both second-year students, and finance students Christine Renjit and Alvaro Diaz won first place and a $2,000 grand prize. 

“By combining legal analysis, financial expertise and hands-on experience with emerging technologies, this initiative reflects FSU Law’s commitment to preparing students for rapidly evolving fields,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “Collaborating with the Herbert Wertheim College of Business gave our students a unique opportunity to tackle complex, real-world problems while building their analytical strengths.” 

The competition was hosted by the College of Law’s Institute of Law, Technology & Innovation, part of the Stoops Center for Law and Business, in partnership with the Herbert Wertheim College of Business. It marked the culmination of a new interdisciplinary course co-taught by Yuliya Guseva, the Kevin Wood and Mary Jo Peed Professor of Law, and Chungsang “Tom” Lam, assistant lecturer at the Herbert Wertheim College of Business. The course introduces students to financial technology, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and the regulations governing those fields. 

During the competition, students used AI tools to analyze financial filings from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR database as part of a simulated investigation involving a fictional company called Tombase. They evaluated potential violations of federal securities law, drafted legal complaints and presented their arguments over three rounds to judges acting as senior law firm partners. Teams refined their cases based on feedback from the judges. 

“To shape the future of tech regulation, legal professionals must first understand how the technology works,” Guseva said. “Having law students lead this investigation challenges them to explore not only what AI can do, but also the legal, ethical and regulatory boundaries that must govern its use.” 

Lam said the competition gave students practical experience applying emerging technology to complex financial and legal questions. 

“This experience pushed students beyond classroom theory and required them to demonstrate how advanced tech tools are applied in corporate practice,” he said. “It is no longer enough to know what AI is. Future industry leaders must know how to leverage AI to solve complex financial cases.” 

The judging panel included Deborah McCrimmon, vice president and deputy general counsel at Ripple; Brian Spahn (’14), senior director of regulatory compliance at Ripple; Lee Schneider, general counsel at Ava Labs; Justin Gunnell, partner at Sher Tremonte LLP; and Lilya Tessler, partner at Sidley Austin LLP. In addition to evaluating the teams, judges offered feedback based on their experience in law, technology and corporate regulation. 

“Having national leaders travel to Tallahassee to mentor our students is an extraordinary opportunity,” Guseva said. “It offers our students direct insight into where technology is taking the legal and financial sectors.” 

The course and competition received support from Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative, which promotes academic research and education related to blockchain technology. 

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Four Florida State University College of Law students will continue the tradition of getting to argue before the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, Nov. 4, as the college celebrates the 40th anniversary of its Moot Court Final Four Competition. 

Beginning at 3:30 p.m., second-year law students Nathaniel Birdsong, Warren Robison, Serena Saul and Madison Smith will present oral arguments before the Justices of Florida’s highest court. A reception will follow in the College of Law’s D’Alemberte Rotunda. The competition will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.  

Established in 1986 through the vision of Professor William VanDercreek, Final Four has given generations of FSU Law students an opportunity to test their advocacy skills before the state Supreme Court while still in law school. The annual event is a distinctive FSU Law tradition and reflects the opportunities available to students attending law school in Florida’s capital, directly across the street from the Florida Supreme Court. 

“For 40 years, Final Four has given our students an extraordinary opportunity to put their preparation into practice,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “We are grateful to the Justices for investing their time in our students and to the faculty, alumni and coaches who help them reach this moment.”

“For 40 years, Final Four has given our students an extraordinary opportunity to put their preparation into practice. We are grateful to the Justices for investing their time in our students and to the faculty, alumni and coaches who help them reach this moment.”  

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

The finalists qualified through the college’s spring intramural moot court competition, which also serves as the selection process for new Moot Court Team members. Participants submit written briefs and complete three rounds of oral arguments. The four highest-scoring oral advocates in the final round advance to the Final Four the following fall, where they compete for the Best Oralist Award. 

That preparation requires students to develop a thorough understanding of the legal issues, anticipate opposing arguments and respond directly to questions from the bench. 

“A strong oral advocate must do more than know a prepared argument,” said Nat Stern, professor emeritus and former faculty advisor and coach to the Moot Court Team. “Students must listen carefully, recognize the concern behind a judge’s question and respond with clarity and candor. Final Four challenges them to bring those skills together in a setting they will remember throughout their careers.” 

Stern began serving as the team’s faculty advisor in 1993 and guided student advocates for more than three decades. Legal Writing Professor Courtney Brewer, who became faculty advisor in May 2025, now leads the team’s preparation for competitions and coordinates coaching and other support for its members. Assistant Dean for Academic Success Laura Dennis serves as associate faculty advisor. 

“We are grateful to Courtney and Laura for their leadership and dedication to our students,” O’Connor said. “We also celebrate Nat’s extraordinary legacy of mentorship. His work over more than three decades helped generations of students develop as advocates and contributed enormously to the Moot Court Team’s success.” 

Final Four’s 40th anniversary marks a milestone within a broader advocacy tradition. Founded in 1968, the FSU Law Moot Court Team competes against other law schools in regional, national and international appellate advocacy competitions. Final Four is the college’s annual showcase featuring the top four oral advocates from its spring intramural competition. 

The broader Moot Court experience combines legal research, appellate brief writing and oral advocacy across subjects ranging from constitutional and criminal law to intellectual property and environmental law. Faculty members, former Final Four competitors and attorneys from the legal community serve as coaches, helping students refine their arguments through practice and feedback. 

The Nov. 4 event offers the FSU Law community an opportunity to support this year’s finalists and recognize the Court, Justices, faculty and coaches who have made this tradition possible. Oral arguments will take place at the Florida Supreme Court, 500 S. Duval St.  

Visit the FSU Law moot court website to learn more or watch the livestream. 

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Florida State University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Business on Thursday inducted two new members into its Alumni Hall of Fame.

Enshrined during a black-tie gala were William C. Lloyd, a proven and prolific real estate developer whose projects feature some of the most recognizable food, pharmacy and retail chains in North America; and Brian K. Williams, a distinguished leader and entrepreneur who has spent more than two decades driving transformative growth and change in the receivables management industry.

The event marked the first Alumni Hall of Fame gala to take place in the world-class Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence, which opened in January.

In their acceptance speeches, Lloyd and Williams thanked their friends, families, colleagues and communities, among others, all of whom Lloyd referred to as families.

“All of my families, I can’t thank you enough,” Lloyd said. “I can’t imagine what today would look like without all you in my life. I’m so blessed and so honored in all the ways from the impact that you have and to be in the (Alumni) Hall of Fame.”

Williams told attendees: “What a tremendous honor and privilege it is to stand before you this evening. To be included among an extraordinarily accomplished group of (Alumni) Hall of Fame members, several of whom have become close friends over the years, it’s still difficult for me to comprehend.”

The two spoke to a crowd that included Dr. Herbert Wertheim, the college’s namesake and largest benefactor. Dr. Wertheim spoke briefly and pledged, to a standing ovation, additional future support for the college.

Also present were FSU President Richard McCullough, FSU Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins, Wertheim College Dean Michael Hartline and other university officials and alumni. Collins (BS Finance ’92; MBA ’97) was inducted into the of the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2021.

The college bestows Alumni Hall of Fame recognition on graduates who have excelled in their careers and made a significant impact on FSU and the Wertheim College. The new inductees increased the Alumni Hall of Fame membership to 74 since its creation in 2003.

Hartline, the ceremony emcee, hailed Lloyd and Williams for embodying “vision, innovation, integrity, excellence and the FSU grit we seek to inspire in our students and in one another.”

Hartline also noted that the gala took place as FSU observes its 175^th anniversary and boasts an eighth straight year as a Top 25 public university.

He added: “Our college is entering an unprecedented era of preeminence, propelled by the world’s most loyal alumni and the visionary generosity of Dr. Herbert Wertheim.”

“Our college is entering an unprecedented era of preeminence, propelled by the world’s most loyal alumni and the visionary generosity of Dr. Herbert Wertheim.”

– Michael Hartline, dean of the FSU Herbert Wertheim College of Business

Also Thursday, the college recognized Cody Lewis as the recipient of its 2026 Recent Alumni Achievement Award. Lewis, who earned FSU bachelor’s degrees in real estate and management in 2008 and an MBA in 2011, is CEO of T&C Holding Group and TopCat Markets, which owns and operates niche convenience stores in western North Carolina.

Here is a look at the two new Wertheim College inductees:

William C. Lloyd (B.S. Real Estate ’86)

William C. Lloyd remains a proven and prolific real estate developer whose projects feature some of the most recognizable food, pharmacy and retail chains in North America.

Lloyd is the owner and president of RKM Development, a full-service retail real estate development company specializing in single-tenant projects and development of neighborhood-based and regional shopping centers. Based in St. Petersburg, Fla., RKM operates throughout the Southeast.

Under Lloyd’s leadership, RKM Development has completed more than 100 Walgreens locations, nearly three dozen 7-Eleven stores and multiple Publix-anchored shopping centers. He has also overseen projects involving nationally recognized brands such as CVS, Circle K, Aldi, Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, Petco, Dollar General, Family Dollar and Goodwill. In all, he has led the development of more than 3 million square feet of retail space, representing an estimated total project value of more than $2 billion.

“I’ve had a fun and fulfilling career,” Lloyd said. “There’s always satisfaction in the jobs you create and the difficulty in getting these projects done.” Construction of a retail chain or shopping center requires enormous steps, including, just for starters, feasibility studies, land acquisition, entitlement and permit applications, municipality approvals and public hearings.

“So, delivering everything at the right moment for your tenants is a challenge,” Lloyd said. “And then to see it open and to see it generating sales is very satisfying.”

Lloyd earned a bachelor’s degree in real estate from FSU in 1986. After graduating, he landed jobs in appraisal, leasing/property management and real estate investments.

In 1989, he joined fellow Wertheim College alumnus Richard Maloof (BS Real Estate ’85) at RKM Development and became president and a partner in 1999.

Lloyd and Maloof later made an investment that helped establish the college’s student-run Real Estate Investment Fund. Also, with his wife, Stephanie, Lloyd established the William and Stephanie Lloyd Endowment for Excellence in Real Estate.

In 2021, he received the FSU Real Estate Center’s Network Award in recognition of contributions to the real estate program. And in 2026, he and Stephanie became inaugural members of the Wertheim College’s IMPACT Society, which celebrates its top donors.

Lloyd serves on the executive board of the FSU Real Estate Center, on the executive committee of the college’s Board of Governors and on the board of directors of Seminole Boosters. He previously served as a trustee of the FSU Foundation and as a board member of the FSU Real Estate Foundation.

Lloyd also contributes extensively to his community in Manatee County, Florida.

Brian K. Williams (B.S. Finance ’97)

Brian K. Williams has distinguished himself as a specialty-finance entrepreneur and executive who launched his own company at age 28.

Williams is the founder and CEO of Crown Asset Management, which purchases distressed consumer receivables mostly from large national creditors and outsources the purchased accounts to CAM’s proprietary network of collection agencies and law firms for recovery. These agencies and firms are selected after they complete a rigorous audit and compliance onboarding process, followed by consistent oversight.

Since 2002, Williams has been involved in the purchase and sale of more than $15 billion in receivables.

“I joke that nobody grows up and says, ‘I want to go into the debt-buying business,’” Williams said. “But the business has allowed me to utilize what I learned at Florida State and gave me the ability to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit that I always had.”

That includes his penchant for grit. Williams worked his way through college at Bill’s Bookstore and as a valet at the Governor’s Club. He also completed an unpaid internship with Merrill Lynch throughout his junior and senior years.

He attained a bachelor’s degree in finance from FSU in 1997. After graduating, Williams worked briefly for Merrill Lynch, now Merrill, then became a banking and investment advisor with First Union National Bank, now part of Wells Fargo. That led to a role as a consultant for a small debt-buying business, where he spent about four years. He then founded Crown Asset Management, which celebrated its 22nd anniversary in 2026.

Also in 2026, Williams and his wife, Cortney, a 1998 FSU graduate who also majored in finance, became inaugural members of the college’s IMPACT Society, which celebrates its predominant donors. The recognition follows a steady stream of philanthropic support from Brian and Cortney, including a major investment in 2024 to strengthen their Williams Family Endowed Student Success Fund.

The couple’s previous investments include a bequest in 2018 to establish the Brian and Cortney Williams Family Endowment and an investment in 2020 to create the Williams Family Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship Fund, the Williams Family Endowed Graduate Fellowship Fund and the Williams Family Endowed Student Success Fund. The latter gift established the Williams Family Classroom in the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence.

Williams serves on the Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors Executive Committee and the FSU Foundation Board of Trustees. He previously served on the Seminole Boosters Board of Directors.

Through his company, Williams supports causes in his Atlanta-area community and beyond.

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The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (JMC) at Florida State University welcomed approximately 500 entrepreneurship leaders, educators and innovators from around the world to Tallahassee for the 2026 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Conference, held Oct. 15-17.

The conference brought representatives from 14 countries and nearly 250 distinct institutions to Florida’s capital city, including universities, organizations, programs and centers. The event centered on the theme of “momentum,” exploring how universities transform ideas into action, turning challenges into opportunities and strengthening ecosystems driving innovation and economic growth.

The landmark gathering concluded with international honors for the host institution, as the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship was awarded the GCEC Center of Entrepreneurial Leadership Award, recognizing JMC’s leadership, excellence and dedication in hosting the global summit.

The 2026 conference celebrated a convergence of historic anniversaries for Florida State University, its entrepreneurship entities and the GCEC organization:

• Florida State University (175th Anniversary): In 2026, FSU celebrates 175 years of educating leaders, advancing discovery and serving communities across Florida and beyond.
• Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (30th Anniversary): Founded as the premier international organization supporting university-based entrepreneurship programs, the GCEC celebrated three decades of global impact at its 30th annual conference this year.
• Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship (30th Anniversary): The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship (JMI) recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of serving small businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profits throughout Florida and across the nation.
• Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (10th Anniversary): The gathering precedes a major milestone for JMC, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027. As the nation’s first stand-alone college of entrepreneurship at a public institution, JMC has spent nearly a decade building an innovative educational ecosystem that empowers students to act boldly and turn ideas into impact.

“Hosting the GCEC Conference at Florida State University during such a momentous year represents an extraordinary opportunity to bring together the leaders shaping the future of entrepreneurship education,” said Mike Brady, interim dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. “The theme of ‘momentum’ reflects what we strive to cultivate every day at JMC, moving ideas forward, building meaningful partnerships and translating entrepreneurial thinking into lasting impact. Receiving the GCEC Center of Entrepreneurial Leadership Award is a proud recognition of our faculty, staff and partners who continue to advance entrepreneurship on a global scale as we approach our college’s 10th anniversary.”

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Florida State University College of Law will bring international scholars, legal experts and advocates to campus Nov. 13 for a symposium examining the death penalty through the lenses of constitutional law, international human rights and public policy. 

The college will host its inaugural International Human Rights and the Death Penalty Symposium featuring former Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Sister Helen Prejean, whose memoir inspired the Academy Award-nominated film “Dead Man Walking.” The daylong event follows an Oct. 8 discussion at FSU Law on capital punishment under the U.S. Constitution. 

“Capital punishment continues to raise difficult questions about how state policies align with constitutional protections and international human rights standards,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “These events give our students and the broader community a chance to examine competing arguments and learn directly from leaders, scholars and attorneys whose work has shaped death penalty law and policy.” 

“Capital punishment continues to raise difficult questions about how state policies align with constitutional protections and international human rights standards.”

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

The November symposium will feature keynote presentations by Elbegdorj, who led Mongolia’s efforts to abolish the death penalty, and Prejean, the internationally recognized advocate against capital punishment. The program will feature panel discussions on the legal landscape of capital punishment, methods of execution, international perspectives and the experiences of victims’ families. 

The day will also include a screening and panel discussion of “The Window on Death Row,” a documentary following Joaquín José Martínez, the first Spanish citizen exonerated from a U.S. death row. Martínez and filmmaker Linda Freund will both serve as panelists and moderators at the symposium. Featured speakers include Corinna Barrett Lain of the University of Richmond School of Law, Robin Maher of the Death Penalty Information Center, Mario Marazziti, a former member of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies and William Schabas of Middlesex University London. 

The symposium follows an Oct. 8 event hosted by the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies at FSU Law, “Debating Death: Is the Death Penalty Cruel and Unusual Punishment?” The discussion featured Jacob Eisler, FSU Law’s James Edmund and Margaret Elizabeth Hennessey Corry Professor, and Zack Smith, a University of West Florida professor and senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation.  

The November symposium runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person. For the full schedule, speaker biographies and registration details, visit law.fsu.edu/IHRDPS. 

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New research by a Florida State University professor in the Herbert Wertheim College of Business finds that America’s increasingly polarized political system reaches far beyond the ballot box, creating greater uncertainty and higher costs for companies. 

As the Nov. 3 midterm elections approach, this research published in Strategic Management Review examines the challenges companies face when they engage in America’s polarized political system and whether that involvement further deepens the divide. 

“Understanding polarization, its sources and its consequences can help us keep things in perspective as we approach Tuesday’s elections,” said Michael Holmes, the Herbert Wertheim Distinguished Professor of Business Administration who co-authored the study along with Saint Louis University Dean of the Chaifetz School of Business Leadership Jackson Nickerson. 

Central to the research are “political adjustment costs,” the challenges that keep government from shifting from one stable set of policies to another. Deep partisan divisions can make legislation harder to pass, while greater reliance on actions such as executive orders raises the prospect of abrupt policy reversals between administrations. 

The theory traces that instability to a deeper problem: weakening faith in the American Dream. For many people, the traditional promise that hard work, education and employment will lead to financial security and upward mobility no longer feels attainable. Competing political parties offer sharply different explanations for that decline, they argue, making common solutions even harder to reach. 

“Each political party places the blame in different places and, thus, champions different solutions,” Holmes said. “The source of the blame and the policy positions are irreconcilable. The solutions nearly always involve increasing the deficit through lower taxes and higher spending.” 

Structural incentives can then reinforce the polarization. Holmes said the fundraising advantages of national political organizations give parties tremendous influence over their candidates, while campaigns built around emotionally charged issues reward partisan conflict rather than compromise. 

“Fundraising research suggests that arousing emotions and identifying common enemies increase fundraising,” Holmes said. “Both parties paint the other as the villain and refuse to cooperate with the other. They also tend to emphasize political issues which tug on emotions such as abortion, the environment, gun control and immigration.” 

That dynamic puts businesses and executives, often powerful political donors, in a difficult position. They may feel pressure to participate in fundraising campaigns, but doing so can expose them to risk when political control changes hands. 

“Businesses are in a Catch-22,” Holmes said. “For example, they may feel the pressure to donate to obtain or maintain a government contract, but they are not guaranteed to get what they want and they risk alienating the other party, who could be in power within two to four years.” 

“Businesses are in a Catch-22. They may feel the pressure to donate to obtain or maintain a government contract, but they are not guaranteed to get what they want and they risk alienating the other party, who could be in power within two to four years.” 

– Michael Holmes, FSU Herbert Wertheim Distinguished Professor of Business Administration

For companies, that dilemma can contribute to long-term institutional and economic instability. Holmes said the consequences extend beyond election cycles because deep political divisions make it increasingly difficult for government to address major problems. 

The effects ultimately filter down to companies and their workers. 

“Because government cannot solve problems like it once did, the American system is increasingly ineffective and unstable, which is problematic for everyone” Holmes said. “For example, our healthcare system is inefficient, and Congress has been unable to fix it. As a result, healthcare costs continue to outstrip inflation by a wide margin.” 

For business leaders, Holmes said, political polarization is more than a public policy issue; it is a source of operational risk. Understanding how partisan conflict drives policy uncertainty can help companies prepare for shifting regulations, rising costs and instability affecting their employees and long-term strategic plans. 

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Florida State University’s Leon Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program (LEAP) welcomed 35 local entrepreneurs to its third Tallahassee cohort Sept. 26, helping participants build businesses while navigating economic and other challenges. The kickoff event also recognized three graduates of the 2025 cohort with microgrants to support the continued growth of their businesses.

LEAP was launched in 2024 by FSU’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship as part of the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative, a global network housed at the University of Notre Dame that uses entrepreneurship as a pathway out of poverty and returned for a second cohort in 2025. The 10-month program supports aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs in Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla counties through a community bootcamp where they are mentored by local business owners and consulted by FSU students.

The 2026 cohort is participating in a six-week community bootcamp that runs through Oct. 31 and features 12 guest speakers, including local entrepreneurs and community leaders.

“I am amazed by the powerful stories our participants bring with them and by the businesses they are building, many of them born from real needs they see in their own neighborhoods,” said Susana Santos, Jim Moran Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship. “They bring so much passion and commitment to every session. Many of them are building ventures not only to support their families, but to serve their community and help build up Tallahassee. That spirit is what LEAP is all about.”

“I am amazed by the powerful stories our participants bring with them and by the businesses they are building, many of them born from real needs they see in their own neighborhoods.”

– Susana Santos, Jim Moran Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship

Three LEAP 2025 alumni returned to share their experiences and entrepreneurial journeys on a panel: Shishandra Devlin of Bougie With A Board, Sarah Babchuck of Love Story Book Co. and Latasha Davis of Wisdom Adult Day Care Services. At the close of the panel, the three were surprised with the award of microgrants for their businesses.

The grants are awarded based on each entrepreneur’s progress through the program’s 80 steps toward a sustainable venture over the 10 months of LEAP. Two of this year’s grants were supported by the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative network and one by Bank of America, which recently awarded a grant to the Jim Moran Institute to support LEAP and other small business programs.

“These microgrants recognize the work our graduates keep putting in long after the bootcamp ends,” said Marina Lickson, Northwest Florida director at the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship. “Each of these entrepreneurs made real progress toward a sustainable business, and we are grateful to the UPBI network and Bank of America for helping us invest in that progress. A small grant at the right moment can make a big difference.”

For Devlin, the microgrant will help her take the next steps in growing her business.

“LEAP has been an important part of my journey as an entrepreneur. It has provided community, resources and the confidence to continue building with intention,” added Devlin. “Receiving this microgrant is an investment in Bougie With A Board’s continued growth and it will allow me to invest in tools and resources that will help my business and serve my clients. I’m incredibly grateful to the Jim Moran Institute, their staff and the LEAP program for continuing to believe in entrepreneurs like me and the businesses we’re building.”

For Babchuck, the support has continued well past graduation.

“LEAP has been instrumental in helping me get my small business up and running. The instruction and guidance don’t stop at the conclusion of the program, and you can really feel how much the instructors want you to grow and succeed,” she said. “The importance of the micro grant for our business cannot be understated as it will help us afford a new sign, which will literally light the way to our store and bring in new customers.”

Davis said the program helped her step back and plan for the long term.

“LEAP has helped me step back from the daily demands of running Wisdom Adult Day Care Services and focus on building a stronger, more sustainable business,” she added. “The guidance, mentorship and encouragement have strengthened my confidence as an entrepreneur. This microgrant will help us purchase engaging activity supplies and equipment that bring joy, connection and meaningful experiences to seniors living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. For me, this support is also a reminder that our work matters and that I have a community invested in helping us grow.”

Mike Brady, Interim Dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, attended the opening day and the microgrant ceremony.

“LEAP shows what is possible when a university invests in the people around it,” said Brady. “These entrepreneurs bring the drive, and our faculty, students and community partners help them turn it into lasting businesses. Seeing last year’s graduates return to celebrate their progress and encourage a new cohort is exactly the kind of impact we want to keep growing across Florida.”

LEAP is one of several Entrepreneurship and Adversity Programs through which the Jim Moran Institute supports entrepreneurs facing adversity across Florida. In August 2026, the Institute launched the West Palm Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program at FSU’s West Palm Beach Collaboration Space, where 53 delegates completed the first Community Bootcamp. Together, these programs reflect the Institute’s commitment to helping disadvantaged entrepreneurs throughout the state build sustainable businesses.

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The Institute for Governance & Civics at Florida State University will welcome Kimberley A. Strassel, a member of The Wall Street Journal editorial board, for a discussion on the future of American politics and economic policy Wednesday, Oct. 28. 

The event, titled “Beyond the Midterms: The Future of American Politics and Economic Policy,” will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 2004 of FSU’s William Johnston Building, 143 Honors Way. The event is free and open to the public. 

Strassel writes editorials and the weekly “Potomac Watch” political column for The Wall Street Journal. She produces the “All Things with Kim Strassel” newsletter and hosts its accompanying podcast, offering commentary on politics and public policy. 

Strassel joined Dow Jones & Co. in 1994, working for The Wall Street Journal Europe in Brussels and London. She moved to New York in 1999 and soon joined the newspaper’s editorial page and became a member of its editorial board in 2005. 

A recipient of the 2014 Bradley Prize, Strassel is a regular contributor to CBS’s “Face the Nation,” “Fox News Sunday” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” She is the author of three books: “The Biden Malaise,” “The Intimidation Game” and “Resistance (At All Costs).” She earned her bachelor’s degree from Princeton University. 

Established in 2023, FSU’s Institute for Governance & Civics advances the principles of liberty through education, research and discourse on constitutional government, economic liberty and related issues. The institute hosts speakers and events designed to encourage discussion of public policy and civic life. 

Doors open at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m. Registration is encouraged, but it does not guarantee a seat. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and walk-ins are welcome as space allows. 

For more information or to register, visit the event registration page. 

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As artificial intelligence changes how government agencies conduct surveillance, make decisions and communicate with the public, Florida State University College of Law will co-host a symposium examining what those changes mean for the First Amendment and the public’s right to know.

FSU College of Law is partnering with the First Amendment Foundation to host “Free Speech in the Age of AI” on Thursday, Oct. 22, bringing legal scholars, practitioners and technology experts to Tallahassee for an afternoon of discussion about free speech and government accountability. The event is part of FSU Discovery Days, a weeklong celebration of research, creativity and discovery taking place through Oct. 17-24.

“People need to understand how the government uses artificial intelligence and what legal protections apply when those uses affect their rights,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “We are pleased to partner with the First Amendment Foundation to bring scholars and practitioners together to examine these questions and what they mean for the public.”

“People need to understand how the government uses artificial intelligence and what legal protections apply when those uses affect their rights.”

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

Faculty from FSU and universities across the country will be joined by representatives from the Freedom of the Press Foundation and the Florida Center for Government Accountability for three panel discussions. Topics will include the use of facial recognition technology to monitor protests and public demonstrations, public access to records related to government AI systems and legal remedies available when automated decisions infringe on constitutional rights.

The First Amendment Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for free speech, a free press and open government in Florida. Through education, training and advocacy, it helps Floridians understand and exercise their rights to access public records and government meetings.

“The public should be able to understand how government decisions are made, including when artificial intelligence is involved,” said Bob Shaw, board chair of the First Amendment Foundation. “This symposium will examine what access to government records looks like when those records involve AI and how people can seek answers about decisions that affect them.”

The symposium is open to the public and will take place in the College of Law’s Main Classroom Building, Room 101. Registration opens at 1 p.m., and the program begins at 1:30 p.m. In-person attendance is free, with advance registration requested due to limited seating. Online attendance is available for $99 through separate registration.

For additional information and to register, visit the event registration page.

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As artificial intelligence develops, it has become an omnipresent force in our daily lives. According to Pew Research, 42% of adults in the U.S. use Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to search for information.

This growing reliance on AI for information is now shaping the 2026 midterm elections, with voters using it to research candidates and understand ballot initiatives.

Florida State University’s Lonna Atkeson is the director of the LeRoy Collins Institute and centers her work around election science, political psychology and voting rights. She explained that this shift feels logical and may actually have a positive impact on voter turnout.

“One of the hardest things for voters is figuring out what candidates in local races actually believe. People often end up relying on party labels, endorsements or other shortcuts,” said Atkeson. “Anything that helps voters better understand candidate positions could be beneficial.”

Well-informed voting often requires hours of heavy research on candidates, especially for local elections — a concept that tends to be far too time-consuming for the average citizen. Atkeson noted that using LLMs as a voting tool provides significant information in exchange for minimal effort, making it an attractive resource.

“If AI can collect information from various sources and summarize it, that significantly lowers the cost of becoming informed,” said Atkeson. “That’s why people find it useful.”

Due to the efficiency of these models, it can be easy for users to forget that they are still developing and can make mistakes. A major flaw in LLM designs is their tendency to “hallucinate” information; this occurs when the model generates plausible-sounding information that is factually incorrect or completely fabricated.

A broader concern lies in the sycophantic nature of LLM’s. According to a series of interviews conducted by NPR, several LLM users describe them as “people pleasers” and note their tendency to “push you to what you are leaning to.” While regular users may be aware of this, it presents a dangerous bias for voters. Atkeson explained that while users should remain cautious of the technology, it can still be an effective tool if used responsibly.

“I would focus on using AI as an information tool rather than asking it who you should vote for,” said Atkeson. “Instead of asking, ‘Who should I vote for?’ ask questions like, ‘How do these candidates differ on this issue?’ or ‘What are each candidate’s positions on this policy?’ Those are the kinds of questions that are most useful.”

“I would focus on using AI as an information tool rather than asking it who you should vote for.”

– Lonna Atkeson, director of the LeRoy Collins Institute

While LLMs as a voting tool can come with defects, they may not be a major cause for concern. Atkeson noted that while voters gain information from these models, it may not affect their top-of-ticket choices, as voters tend to be firm with those.

“If we’re talking about voting for president, there’s so much information now,” explained Atkeson. “But on these down-ballot offices where you actually end up going to some gated local newspaper or don’t want to watch the hour-and-a-half debate, it’s a great option for getting information.”

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Less than halfway through her summer internship at Sneex, Florida State University junior Kensington Wheeler was handed a challenge by the company founded by childhood inspiration Sara Blakely: Plan and execute a brand activation at Atlanta’s famous Ponce City Market in less than two weeks.

For Wheeler, a commercial entrepreneurship major with a minor in computer science at FSU’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, it was exactly the kind of real-world experience she wanted. The Sneex intern team divided responsibilities, with Wheeler taking charge of event planning, location scouting and on-site logistics.

Given creative freedom by the Sneex team, the interns had to determine how to approach the project and bring their vision to life.

“The process felt a little untraditional in the beginning because none of us came in knowing exactly how to do it or what to do,” Wheeler said. “There were too many different opinions, so we had to create areas of leadership. My mom’s business involves creating culinary events, and I grew up assisting her with them. I’ve always loved everything from the planning process to the last-minute touches that bring the magic.”

Wheeler’s passion for entrepreneurship began long before she arrived at FSU, inspired by growing up around her mother’s business and her admiration for successful female entrepreneurs. At FSU, she continues exploring that passion through hands-on experiences in business, creative marketing and entrepreneurship.

That interest helped lead Wheeler to a highly competitive summer internship with Sneex, the innovative footwear brand founded by FSU alumna and Spanx creator Blakely. Wheeler was selected as one of eight interns out of thousands of applicants nationwide for the six-week program over the summer.

“I grew up listening to Sara Blakely’s story and the road she paved for so many female entrepreneurs,” Wheeler said. “She was always someone I deeply admired, so having the opportunity to work for her company felt like such a full-circle moment.”

“I grew up listening to Sara Blakely’s story and the road she paved for so many female entrepreneurs. She was always someone I deeply admired, so having the opportunity to work for her company felt like such a full-circle moment.”

– Kensington Wheeler, FSU junior commercial entrepreneurship major

The internship offered Wheeler a close-up look at brand strategy, marketing and storytelling. She worked alongside Sneex Head of Storytelling Jamie Spielmaker and Head of Brand Strategy Bassima Mroue, gaining valuable insight into the creative and strategic processes behind building a brand.

The internship was fast-paced and hands-on, often requiring late nights and extra hours of preparation.

“Kensington stood out because of her passion for entrepreneurship, but we ultimately chose her because of her infectious enthusiasm for the brand and her demonstrated work ethic,” Spielmaker said.

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Two professors from Florida State University’s Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration & Policy have been elected as fellows of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). Election as a NAPA Fellow is one of the highest honors in the field of public administration.

Arnold L. & Priscilla Moss Greenfield Endowed Professor Keon-Hyung Lee and Professor & Reubin O’D. Askew Eminent Scholar Chair Hongtao Yi joinmore than 1,000 fellows in the academy. Established in 1967 and chartered by Congress, NAPA provides nonpartisan expert advice to federal, stateand local governments, as well as international government entities.

“The election of these two esteemed professors as Fellows of the National Academy of Public Administration is an extraordinary and well-deserved honor,” said College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Dean Tim Chapin. “Their dedication to excellence, meaningful scholarship, and public service reflects the very best of our college. We are incredibly proud to see their contributions recognized at the national level and congratulate them on this outstanding achievement.”

The academy’s fellows include former Cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors and state legislators, as well as prominent scholars, business executives, nonprofit leaders and public administrators. According to NAPA, fellows are selected through a rigorous evaluation of theircontributions to public administration and public policy. The nominating committee reviews hundreds of candidates and submits its recommendations to the full fellowship, which then votes on each nominee.

Lee’s research spans health services administration, health finance, health policy analysis and performance management. He earned his doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California in 2002.

“I am truly honored to join the National Academy of Public Administration as a Fellow and deeply appreciative of this recognition,” Lee said. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my mentors, colleagues, students and friends at the Askew School, COSSPP and FSU who have supported and encouraged me throughout my academic and professional journey. I have been fortunate to work in an environment that values scholarship, service, leadership and commitment to public service. I am truly grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and who has helped make this recognition possible.”

Yi earned his doctorate in public administration from Florida State University in 2012. His research focuses on public administration, public policy, energy and environmental policy and network governance.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration,” Yi said. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects not only my own scholarly and professional journey, but also the extraordinary support and intellectual community I have found at Florida State University and the Askew School. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Academy’s mission and to work alongside fellow public administration leaders to advance effective, ethical and innovative governance.”

As fellows, Lee and Yi will have opportunities to serve on standing panels and expert working groups, participate in public meetings and attend the academy’s annual conference. They will be inducted into the academy at its 2026 National Conference, Nov. 8-10, in Washington, D.C.

For more information about FSU’s Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration & Policy, visit the school’s website.

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