Florida State University graduate programs continue to shine in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report’s edition of Best Graduate Schools, highlighting the university’s excellence across multiple disciplines.  

In the disciplines included in this year’s publication, 16 FSU graduate programs and specialties ranked in the Top 25 among public universities, with six graduate programs placing No. 1 in Florida. 

University leaders said the rankings reflect strength across a range of academic fields. 

“These rankings show the strength of Florida State across the board,” said President Richard McCullough. “From healthcare to law to the arts and public policy, our programs are delivering real results for students and communities. That kind of depth comes from sustained investment in faculty, research and student success.” 

The results also point to the range of opportunities available to graduate students across FSU, leaders said. 

“These results speak to both the quality and range of our graduate education,” said Provost Jim Clark. “Students can pursue top programs in areas as different as engineering, education, nursing and the arts, and they’re gaining the skills and experience to move directly into impactful careers. Achieving a graduate degree opens up advanced leadership and high-paying positions across Florida, the nation and the globe.” 

Programs in law, education, business, nursing and engineering are ranked annually by U.S. News, using data on enrollment, job attainment, faculty and other quality indicators. Other programs are ranked based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions.   

FSU graduate programs ranked best in Florida by U.S. News & World Report 

• FSU’s College of Law is tied for No. 1 in Florida. 

• The College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice is ranked No. 1 in Florida. 

• The College of Medicine’s primary care program holds the highest designation among public medical schools in Florida. 

• The College of Communication and Information’s speech-language pathology program is the best in Florida. 

• The clinical psychology graduate program in the College of Arts and Sciences is tied for No. 1 in Florida. 

• The College of Fine Arts’ graduate programs in visual arts are recognized as the best in Florida.

College of Law 

The College of Law climbed four spots to No. 34 overall and is No. 14 among public universities and No. 1 in Florida, tied with University of Florida. FSU also ranks in the Top 25 among public universities in five law specialties: environmental law (No. 13); contracts/commercial law (No. 16); tax law (No. 20); constitutional law (No. 18); and international law (No. 23).  

Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences 

The Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences graduate program in education ranks No. 8 among public universities and No. 16 overall. FSU programs ranked among the Top 20 public universities in specialties ranked by the publication: special education (No. 11) and secondary teacher education (No. 13). 

College of Nursing 

The College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice climbed seven spots to No. 21 overall and No. 12 among public colleges. The DNP program ranks No. 1 among public and private institutions in Florida.  

College of Medicine 

The College of Medicine’s primary care program once again earned the highest designation in Florida among public medical schools. FSU earned a Tier 2 ranking in the publication’s four-tier ranking system for medical schools.  

Herbert Wertheim College of Business 

The Herbert Wertheim College of Business’ MBA specialty in real estate secured the No. 8 ranking among public universities nationwide, No. 14 overall. 

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering 

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering maintained its No. 56 ranking among public engineering graduate programs with doctoral degrees. The college’s graduate engineering specialty program rankings in mechanical engineering soared 16 places to No. 50 among public universities. The college’s biomedical, civil, and materials engineering programs also moved up.   

College of Communication and Information 

This year, U.S. News ranked the discipline of speech-language pathology, based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. The speech-language pathology graduate program in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, housed within the College of Communication and Information, ranked No. 13 among publics and No. 17 overall. The program is also the best in Florida.  

College of Social Sciences and Public Policy 

Graduate programs within the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy also received recognition, based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. The college’s specialty in leadership ranked No. 16 overall and No. 10 among public universities, while the specialty in local government management ranked No. 21 overall and No. 18 among public universities.  

College of Arts and Sciences 

Clinical psychology and statistics, both housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, earned Top 25 rankings among public universities, based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. 

The graduate program in clinical psychology, in the Department of Psychology, ranked No. 21 among public universities and No. 32 overall. The program, a five- to seven-year doctoral program accredited by the American Psychological Association and based on a clinical science model, is tied with the University of Florida for No. 1 in Florida. 

The college’s graduate programs in statistics, in the Department of Statistics, ranked No. 24 among publics. FSU offers master’s and doctoral degrees in biostatistics and statistics and a master’s degree in statistics with a major in statistical data science. 

College of Fine Arts  

The Department of Art’s MFA Studio Art program placed No. 33 among public universities and No. 1 in Florida based solely on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. This three-year residential program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design.  

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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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As a universal language, music often has the power to connect people across borders. Recent Florida State University graduate Amelia Rivers is advancing that idea in Rionegro, Colombia, where she’s using education and the arts to build intercultural community as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. 

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s premier international exchange initiative designed to foster mutual understanding between U.S. citizens and people around the world. Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant recipients are selected each year for their academic or professional excellence and demonstrated leadership potential in their fields, with the program operating in over 160 countries. The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Award places recipients directly in classrooms abroad to assist local English teachers and facilitate intercultural exchange. 

“Fulbright is an opportunity giver,” she said. “Now that Fulbright has happened, the doors have opened.” 

Rivers, who earned a master’s degree in musicology from the College of Music in 2025, has been teaching English at the Universidad Católica de Oriente (UCO) since the summer through the ETA. For her, Fulbright offers more than the chance to teach abroad —it’s also an extension of lifelong commitments to global learning and citizenship through music. 

“I love meeting new people, knowing their stories and sharing my story,” she said. “The ETA is all about that exchange.” 

As the daughter of a pilot, Rivers grew up traveling to places like China, Egypt, New Zealand and Peru with her family — an experience she refers to affectionately as “cultural whiplash.” She taught her brother how to count on the Great Wall of China and learned how to play guitar from local kids in the Andes Mountains, experiences she said primed her for a future full of global endeavors. 

“I was able to have those conversations about cultural exchange at a very young age,” she said. “It really encouraged me to become a cultural ambassador for the United States.” 

Back in the U.S., Rivers joined a traveling choir, the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir, in middle and high school, blending her love of seeing the world with her passion for music. She once performed in a choir for Pope Francis in Vatican City, an experience that she says was her “window to the world.” 

“Choir has always been a source of community building for me,” she said. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in music arts and English from Mercer University, Rivers decided to blend these interests further and pursue a master’s degree in musicology from FSU’s College of Music. 

At FSU, Rivers engaged with other cultures through one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive World Music Ensemble programs, where she learned and performed Andean, Brazilian and Balinese Gamelan music traditions. Her master’s thesis focused on the political significance of “joropo,” a folkloric dance genre native to the llaneros of Colombia and Venezuela. 

“I wanted to learn more about the music in the world,” she said.  

This research brought her to Bogotá, Colombia, for the first time in 2023, where she visited music libraries, interviewed joropo artists and attended the “Joropo en el Parque” (Joropo in the Park) music festival.

“I fell in love with the culture of hospitality in the community,” she said. 

Rivers had heard of Fulbright through her grandfather. He studied French medieval literature in Germany in 1962 through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, an experience that she said changed his career. 

“I’ve always felt that my grandfather and I had a kindred mind,” she said. 

As a Fulbright ETA, Rivers is responsible for hosting presentations and activities, facilitating interactions between students and helping hone their grammar skills. Tailoring her methods toward music, Rivers also plays the piano and sings in a rock band with her students, helping them learn English through songs by bands like Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

“We’re playing mostly American rock music because they want to practice their English, and I’m their English teacher,” she said. “There’s a big rock scene in Colombia.”  

At the other end of the exchange, Rivers is learning more about local music from the Colombian community and her peers. She’s joined two choirs during her experience — “Coro Polifónico” (polyphonic choir) at the Universidad Católica de Oriente and a professional women’s choir called “Polimnia.” Through Coro Polifónico, she’s performed at UCO’s cultural festivals and Christmas concert series and has toured across Medellín and Bogotá with Polimnia.  

“I’m trying to soak up as much as I can,” she said. “It’s been easy to plug into the local music culture because of the knowledge FSU gave me.” 

To bridge the arts with impact, Rivers has additionally been collaborating with the “Huracán de Sueños” foundation, an after-school center that brings classes and activities to vulnerable children in the area. There, she is helping to run a music program and assisting the kids with their English homework.  

“Music is the way that I interact with others in Colombia, because everybody loves music here,” she said. “It’s such an easy and fulfilling starting point for cultural exchange.” 

Rounding out her role as a cultural ambassador, Rivers is also interning with the U.S. Embassy and Education USA, which helps students in Colombia earn a college education in the U.S.  

While Rivers is not yet sure where her passions will take her following the Fulbright award, she hopes to continue riding the international wave. 

“I’ve been bitten by the Fulbright bug,” she said. 

For now, she believes that Rionegro is where she is “meant to be.” 

“I feel like I have my dream job in my dream location,” she said. “I’m still trying to convince myself that this is real.” 

Interested in applying for a Fulbright? 

Graduate students: Contact Keith McCall, assistant director of the FSU Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards, at kmccall2@fsu.edu.  

Undergraduates and recent graduates: Contact Bonnie Garcia-Gloeckner, assistant director of the FSU Office of National Fellowships, at bjgarcia@fsu.edu. 

Faculty: Contact Peggy Wright-Cleveland, director of FSU Faculty Development, at mwrightc@fsu.edu. 

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The life’s work of one of America’s most decorated composers and a cornerstone of the Florida State University College of Music has found a permanent home in the nation’s capital. 

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Music in 1983, Marie Krafft Distinguished Professor of Composition and two-time FSU Alumnus, has donated her comprehensive personal archive to the Library of Congress. 

The collection was recently named one of the top five music acquisitions of 2025 by the Library’s Music Division, placing Zwilich’s legacy alongside titans of American music such as Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Stephen Sondheim. 

“The inclusion of Professor Zwilich’s archives in the Library of Congress is a magnificent tribute to a lifetime of musical innovation and excellence,” said Todd Queen, dean of the College of Music. “As both a legendary alumna and a devoted faculty member, her legacy continues to be a guiding light for the next generation of composers here at Florida State.” 

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Florida State University welcomed the former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs for a lecture last week, where he spoke to students, staff and faculty about the shifting global order and opportunities to shape future paradigms.  

Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. delivered the lecture “Strategic Leadership in the 21st Century: How You Can Shape the Emerging Global Order” March 26 in the Globe Auditorium as part of the Center for Global Engagement’s Engage Your World Speaker Series and the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series. 

“I wanted to speak to all of you, especially as students, about the kind of world that you’re going to be sailing into and the kind of impact you can have in that world,” Shannon said. 

Shannon’s diplomatic career spans nearly 35 years, from 1984 until his retirement in February 2018. Before his term as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, he held positions including U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.  

The Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third-ranking position at the State Department, reports to the Secretary of State and is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations at the Department of State, including managing international crises and U.S. foreign policy. Shannon served in this role from 2016 until his retirement in 2018. While in this role, Shannon helped manage the 2017 presidential transition and led bilateral and multilateral foreign policymaking and implementation. 

Having served in multiple presidential administrations and embassies, Shannon offered insight into what he calls a “transformative” global era and challenged audience members to consider their place within it.  

“The nature of this moment means that we are capable of changing the world around us,” he said. “We’re capable of rethinking our national political purpose, but also how we project ourselves into the world.” 

Shannon argued that while states are central to the global order, societies and cultures will play an increasing role in defining the future.  

“A country like the United States, which is really one of the few global countries in the world, not just cosmopolitan, but global, is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this kind of environment and uniquely positioned to be able to communicate beyond our frontiers,” he said. “Not just government to government, but society to society and people to people.”  

Shannon also cited technology as the medium for driving global engagements, maintaining that the ability to evolve with these changes will determine state success. 

“With the kinds of dramatic technological advances we’re going to see today, lack of access or inequality is going to become a defining feature of almost all political dialogue and engagement,” he said. “The successful politicians and the successful countries are going to be those that empower societies, empower individuals, and that open access to the kinds of changes that we’re going to see in the world.” 

He emphasized that future generations have a responsibility to both answer and shape the world’s shifting demands.  

“It doesn’t matter where you are. You could be a hermit living in a cave with a goat, and the world is going to come and find you, and it’s going to ask you to participate in this larger effort,” he said. “You are going to be called upon. People are going to want to know what you think. People are going to want to know how things should be resolved. And this is an opportunity that is rarely given.” 

After the lecture, Shannon sat down with Mark Schlakman, the senior program director for the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, to answer questions about current affairs and the United States’ interests. 

“I want you to understand that there is a significant shift taking place in how the president and his party are thinking about the U.S. position in the world, and what it is we need to be focused on, and how we need to be protecting it,” Shannon said. 

Shannon’s lecture served as both a lesson and a roadmap to students as they prepare to navigate an interconnected world.  

“This is not a time to be fearful,” he said. “This is not a time to be doubtful. This is a time to understand that we are in a moment of change and that this change is going to be profound. It’s not only going to be profound for our nation. It’s going to be profound for how we relate to the world and therefore, how the world progresses.” 

For more information about the Center for Global Engagement, visit their website at cge.fsu.edu. To learn more about the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, visit their website at cahr.fsu.edu. For more information about the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, visit their website at cosspp.fsu.edu.  

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Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy is set to launch the M.S. in Data and Society, a new one-year graduate program through the Department of Sociology, beginning Fall 2026. 

Applications are now open, with a deadline of July 1. 

The program prepares students to collect, analyze and interpret data in ways that account for the social, ethical and policy dimensions of an increasingly data-driven world. 

“The M.S. in Data and Society is a vital addition to our college, reflecting our commitment to evidence-based decision-making and applied excellence,” said Tim Chapin, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. “By blending sophisticated computational tools with a deep understanding of social and ethical contexts, we are empowering our students to not only navigate a data-driven world but to lead it with integrity and insight. This program ensures our graduates are uniquely prepared to solve complex challenges across the public and private sectors.” 

The 34-credit-hour curriculum blends quantitative and qualitative research methods with hands-on training in computational tools and geographic information systems, drawing on expertise across sociology, economics, urban and regional planning, political science and geography. 

Students complete independent research and a capstone experience, and the program is designed to finish in three terms: fall, spring and summer. 

The program is housed in FSU’s Department of Sociology, which ranks 32nd among public universities nationally and third among programs in the Southeastern region, according to U.S. News and World Report. 

Graduates will be prepared for careers in research, government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. 

No GRE is required. Applicants must submit official transcripts, a resume and three letters of recommendation. Out-of-state students from states participating in the Southern Regional Education Board Academic Common Market may be eligible for in-state tuition. 

For more information or to apply, visit bit.ly/MS-data-society or contact kmcclellan@fsu.edu with questions. 

Learn more about graduate programs in FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy at cosspp.fsu.edu. 

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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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Florida State University will celebrate the contributions and achievements of its graduate and professional students during the annual national Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week, held April 6-10. 

The weeklong celebration highlights the essential role graduate and professional students play in advancing teaching, research, creative activity and service at FSU. Students from across disciplines are invited to take part in a series of events focused on recognition, professional development, wellness and community connection. 

“Graduate and professional students are central to the mission and success of Florida State University,” said Steve McDowell, interim dean of The Graduate School. “This week is an opportunity to honor their accomplishments, support their goals and express our appreciation for the many ways they strengthen our campus.” 

EVENT OVERVIEW: 

MONDAY, APRIL 6 

Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence 

10 a.m.-noon
FSU Alumni Center 

This event honors outstanding graduate students from across the university. It will feature remarks by keynote speaker Carrie Cooper, dean of University Libraries, and recognize the winners of the Graduate Student Leadership and Graduate Student Research and Creativity awards. 

TUESDAY, APRIL 7 

Financial Wellness Workshop: Retirement Planning – Determining Your Future (food provided) 

5-6 p.m.
Gus A. Stavros Center 

This workshop focuses on long-term financial planning and retirement preparedness and is open to all FSU students. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 

Digital Symposium: “Illuminations” 

10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Johnston Digital Studio (WJB G‑062) 

Hosted by the Reading‑Writing Center, this symposium showcases digital poster presentations featuring students from all the programs within the Department of English. 

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition  

3-5:30 p.m.
College of Medicine, Peaden Auditorium 

This is an international research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland, Australia, that challenges graduate students to present their research and its significance in just three minutes for a non‑specialist audience.  

The competition is open to enrolled FSU master’s and doctoral students who have completed at least 18 credit hours and are presenting research conducted as part of their graduate program at FSU. 

Career Opportunities for Ph.D.s in a Government Research Setting 

4-5:30 p.m.
DeVoe L. Moore Conference Room (BEL 150E) 

Hosted by the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy in partnership with The Graduate School, this session features representatives from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, a research arm of the Florida Legislature. 

Financial Wellness Workshop: Financial Planning Essentials – Key Aspects and Tools (food provided) 

5-6 p.m.
Gus A. Stavros Center 

This workshop focuses on core financial planning concepts and key tools to help students build a strong financial foundation and make informed financial decisions.  

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 

Dissertation Roadmap 

2:30-3:30 p.m.
Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall (4th floor, HSF) 

Hosted by FSU Libraries and the Graduate Student Resource Center, this session supports doctoral students in dissertation planning and progress. 

How to Navigate Campus Academic Job Interviews 

4-5:30 p.m.
Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall (4th floor, HSF) 

A faculty panel will share insights and strategies for successfully navigating academic job interviews. Featured panelists include Eric Chassignet, Oceanography; Paul Renfro, History; Svetla Slaveva-Griffin, Classics; and Nora Underwood, Biological Science. 

Financial Wellness Workshop: Bring Questions, Get Answers (food provided) 

5-6 p.m.
Gus A. Stavros Center 

This interactive workshop gives students the opportunity to ask questions and receive practical guidance on a range of financial planning topics.  

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 

HSF Student Excellence in the Visual Arts Reception (with light refreshments) 

3-5 p.m.
Honors, Scholars, and Fellows House 

The reception celebrates student achievement in the visual arts. The university community is welcome to enjoy the art and light refreshments in the beautiful HSF House, as well as vote on student artwork for a “People’s Choice Award.” 

Opening Reception, MFA Graduating Class Exhibition: “Decentered Reframed” 

5:30-7:30 p.m.
Museum of Fine Arts 

The exhibition, on view April 10-May 2, highlights work by graduating MFA students and art award finalists. 

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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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Long characterized as a disorder known for its physical symptoms, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is becoming more understood by the psychosocial traits that can also affect it.

April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, spotlighting the progressive brain disorder that affects 10 million people worldwide according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Recognition of loneliness as a potential root cause for PD was highlighted in an October 2023 groundbreaking study conducted by the Florida State University College of Medicine, which found that individuals experiencing subjective feelings of loneliness have a 37 percent increased risk of developing the disease.

Antonio Terracciano is a geriatrics professor in the FSU College of Medicine who led the study that first identified loneliness as an early warning predictor of PD. His overall research examines the interplay of psychological, cultural and genetic factors in shaping physical and mental health across the lifespan. Terracciano’s work as a researcher focuses on how personality evolves with age, varies across cultures, and contributes to longevity and resilience against neurodegenerative diseases.

While his study has gained substantial media attention since being released, Terracciano feels continuous publicity connecting loneliness and PD is necessary.

“Promoting this connection is vital, as it shifts the focus toward proactive mental and social health interventions that could potentially reduce the long-term risk of neurodegeneration,” Terracciano said of the effect of loneliness on PD.

Media interested in interviewing geriatrics professor Antonio Terracciano on the link between loneliness and PD as part of its annual awareness month may reach out to him via email at antonio.terracciano@med.fsu.edu.

Antonio Terracciano, professor, Florida State University College of Medicine Department of Geriatrics

In terms of raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease, do you believe it’s becoming common knowledge that loneliness is associated with PD?

 While awareness is growing, the link between loneliness and Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a relatively recent scientific discovery. Our 2023 study was the first to provide longitudinal evidence showing that individuals who feel lonely have a significantly higher risk of developing PD. Since its publication, the research has gained substantial media attention and is frequently cited, suggesting that the public and medical communities are increasingly recognizing loneliness as a critical psychosocial determinant of health. However, there is still work to be done to ensure this becomes common knowledge.

Since your research was published in 2023, have there been any other key findings you’ve made linking loneliness to PD?

Our 2023 study established a foundational link, showing that loneliness is associated with a 37% increased risk of incident PD, independent of genetic and clinical factors. Beyond loneliness, our broader research program explores how other psychological constructs influence neurodegenerative risk. For instance, we have investigated the roles of purpose and meaning in life, which can serve as protective factors, as well as the personality trait of neuroticism, which is associated with higher vulnerability to PD and other health conditions. These findings collectively suggest that our emotional well-being is critical for our long-term neurological health and resilience against diseases like Parkinson’s.

How can enhancing your social connection aid in preventing neurodegenerative diseases like PD?

It is important to distinguish between social isolation (the objective lack of interpersonal contact) and loneliness (the subjective distressing feeling of being disconnected from others); our research found that the subjective experience of loneliness was a predictor of PD risk. This is in part because loneliness is linked to systemic inflammation, metabolic stress, and neuroendocrine changes that can harm brain health. Furthermore, loneliness creates a state of heightened vulnerability, or a cognitive debt, where the brain is less equipped to withstand biological insults or the natural aging process, potentially accelerating the progression of neurodegeneration. These findings suggest that reducing loneliness by fostering meaningful connections (not just increasing the number of social contacts) can increase resilience against neurodegenerative diseases and promote overall brain health.

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