The Florida State University Department of Art Education has a new name: the Department of Arts Leadership, Education & Therapy. The new name better reflects the full range of disciplines already housed within the department, including art education, art therapy, arts administration and museum education and visitor-centered curation. 

 “This change reflects the comprehensive scope of our graduate program areas,” said Department Chair and Professor of Art Education Rachel Fendler. “While our commitment to academic excellence and student success remains unchanged, our new name better reflects the full breadth of the department’s mission.” 

The Department of Arts Leadership, Education & Therapy focuses exclusively on graduate education, preparing the next generation of leaders in the arts. The department offers a range of graduate programs, including several fully online options designed for working professionals, and its programs have earned regional and national recognition. 

To learn more about the department and its programs, visit ArtsLeadership.fsu.edu. Follow the department on Instagram at @fsuartsleadership for the latest news and updates.  

The post FSU Department of Art Education becomes Department of Arts Leadership, Education & Therapy appeared first on Florida State University News.

As North Florida faces a growing shortage of healthcare providers, Florida State University is helping address the challenge through FSU Health, the university’s academic health system. By bringing together education, clinical care and research, FSU Health is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals while expanding access to care across the region.

The need is expected to grow in the coming years. Florida’s population is expanding and aging, increasing demand for healthcare just as many physicians and nurses approach retirement.

According to the Florida Department of Health, more than one-third of Florida’s practicing physicians are age 60 or older. At the same time, Florida’s population age 65 and older is projected to reach 6.7 million by 2036, or more than a quarter of the state’s population. A workforce analysis commissioned by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida projects the state could face a shortage of about 18,000 physicians and nearly 60,000 nurses by 2035.

Those challenges are especially pronounced in rural North Florida, where many communities have limited access to primary and specialty care. The Florida Department of Health’s annual Physician Workforce Report shows many Panhandle counties have among the state’s lowest physician-to-population ratios, underscoring the need to recruit and retain more healthcare professionals.

Unlike a traditional health system centered on a single hospital, FSU Health brings together the university’s colleges, research enterprise and clinical partners to educate healthcare professionals, advance research and improve patient care. Supported by investments from the Florida Legislature, the universitywide initiative spans disciplines across FSU and works with healthcare providers throughout North Florida.

“The healthcare workforce shortage isn’t something any one hospital, university or health system can solve alone,” said Jeremy Slaga, vice president and chief clinical operations officer of FSU Health. “FSU Health was created to align education, research and patient care with the strengths of our clinical partners so we can prepare more healthcare professionals, expand access to care and create lasting health benefits for communities across North Florida.”

Responding to the need

Preparing the healthcare workforce Florida will need for decades to come is central to FSU Health’s mission.

Since its founding in 2000, the FSU College of Medicine has focused on preparing physicians, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals to serve rural, medically underserved and aging populations.

“As someone who grew up in rural Gadsden County, I understand how important it is for families to have access to quality healthcare close to home,”said Alma Littles, M.D., dean of the FSU College of Medicine and president of the Florida Medical Association. “That mission has guided our college from the beginning. We’re preparing physicians and other healthcare professionals who understand the needs of these communities and are committed to serving them.”

That approach is producing results.

This year, all 120 FSU College of Medicine graduates who participated in the National Resident Matching Program matched into residency programs.Nearly half matched in Florida, while another 31% matched in neighboring Southeastern states, meaning nearly four out of five remained in the region.

Many entered specialties facing some of Florida’s greatest workforce needs, including the primary care specialties of family medicine, internal medicineand pediatrics.

Graduate medical education is another critical part of addressing Florida’s physician shortage. Because physicians are more likely to establish their practices near where they complete residency training, expanding residency opportunities can help Florida retain more doctors.

FSU’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs graduated a record 116 physicians this year, with 66% completing residencies or fellowships in primary care specialties. In 2026, the College of Medicine assumed sponsorship of nine additional GME programs in Tallahassee, Sarasota, Cape Coral, Pensacola and Jacksonville. The college now sponsors 32 programs training 516 physicians statewide, with more growth planned.

The university is applying the same long-term approach to nursing.

The College of Nursing recently expanded enrollment, admitting students three times each year and creating a year-round pipeline of graduates entering the workforce. More than 800 students are enrolled annually across the college’s undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college also is expanding its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to FSU Panama City, supported by a $10 million gift from Bruce and Tracey Berkowitz and the Fairholme Foundation. The historic gift will strengthen Northwest Florida’s nursing workforce by providing scholarship support to students from Bay, Walton and Gulf counties who plan to practice in the region.

“Florida’s nursing shortage demands innovative solutions,” said Jing Wang, dean of the FSU College of Nursing. “By expanding enrollment, creating new educational pathways and strengthening partnerships across the state, we’re preparing more nurses to provide high-quality, patient-centered care where they’re needed most. Our undergraduate expansion is just one element of our investment in the region; through pioneering efforts like our Smart Home Health Initiative, we are deepening our commitment to advance the health, well-being and future of these communities.”

Preparing the healthcare workforce requires more than educating physicians and nurses. It also depends on professionals working across disciplines to meet patients’ physical, mental and behavioral health needs.

Across the university, FSU is preparing future physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, exercise scientists, rehabilitation specialists, public health professionals, health informatics specialists and healthcare administrators. These disciplines help meet growing needs in primary care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, chronic disease prevention and community health.

“Today’s healthcare challenges require teams of professionals with different expertise working together to improve the health of Florida’s communities,” said Damon Andrew, dean of the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. “Across FSU, we’re preparing graduates who understand how nutrition, exercise, behavioral health, human development, education and other factors intersect to shape lifelong health and well-being. Whether in schools, clinics, or community settings, our graduates play essential roles in improving health and quality of life for individuals and families.”

Together, these programs reflect FSU Health’s team-based approach to healthcare, recognizing that improving health outcomes depends on professionals across disciplines working together to care for patients and communities.

FSU also is expanding its work directly in rural communities. The College of Medicine recently was awarded more than $19 million through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program to launch six projects addressing rural health challenges including workforce development, behavioral health, preventive care, food insecurity, telehealth and at-home care. Two projects will focus on Northwest Florida, a central hub for FSU Health, while four will serve Southwest Florida.

Building the future of FSU Health

Preparing the healthcare workforce of the future is supported by major investments in clinical partnerships, research and patient care.

The FSU Health Research and Collaboration Building under construction on the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare campus will provide space for clinical research, laboratories and a family medicine residency clinic, creating new opportunities for education, patient care and scientific discovery.

FSU also is expanding its partnership with Tallahassee Memorial while continuing development of FSU Health Panama City Beach, where an outpatient medical office building is already serving patients and construction is underway on a new hospital.

“At the end of the day, success is about people,” Slaga said. “If more Floridians can receive the care they need closer to home because we educated the physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who chose to build their careers here, then we’ve accomplished what FSU Health was created to do.”

The post As North Florida’s need for healthcare providers grows, FSU Health is responding appeared first on Florida State University News.

New FSU Quantum Initiative certificate will prepare students and professionals for careers in the rapidly expanding quantum workforce

Florida State University is launching Florida’s first formal graduate-level credential in quantum information science and engineering, opening a new pathway for students and professionals to enter one of the world’s fastest-growing technology fields. The Graduate Certificate in Quantum Science & Technology is now accepting applications for Spring 2027 enrollment.

Administered by the FSU Quantum Initiative, the interdisciplinary certificate will give graduate students and working professionals rigorous training across quantum physics, materials science, chemistry, computer science and engineering. Drawing on courses from multiple departments and two colleges — the FSU College of Arts and Sciences and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering — the program positions FSU to help build the emerging quantum workforce vital to the nation’s technological leadership and security.

“Quantum science is reshaping the future of computing, communication, materials and national security, and Florida State University is positioning itself at the forefront of that transformation,” said FSU Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “This new graduate certificate reflects the strength of our research enterprise and our commitment to preparing students for the high-demand careers that will drive the next generation of discovery and innovation.”

Students will complete required coursework in quantum information and computing, choose from a broad selection of electives and gain access to world-class research facilities, including the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and the new Interdisciplinary Research & Commercialization Building. The building houses cleanroom and nanofabrication facilities as well as dilution refrigerators for low-temperature quantum experiments. The FSU Quantum Initiative also is developing partnerships with leading quantum technology companies and national centers to connect students directly with career opportunities in the rapidly growing quantum industry.

“Florida State University is an ideal place for students to pursue training in quantum science and technology because of the extraordinary breadth of expertise across our campus,” said Sam Huckaba, dean of the FSU College of Arts and Sciences. “Students in this program will learn from faculty working at the cutting edge of physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, computer science and related fields, while also benefiting from access to world-class research facilities. That combination of talent, infrastructure and opportunity will prepare them to make meaningful contributions in a rapidly evolving field.”

FSU has made bold investments in quantum science and engineering, including hiring ten new faculty. Many of these faculty will teach new courses that will serve both their departments and interdisciplinary programs.

“The most important challenges in emerging technologies cannot be solved within the boundaries of a single discipline,” said Suvranu De, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “This certificate reflects the strength of the partnership between the College of Arts and Sciences and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, bringing together complementary expertise to prepare students for a future where quantum information science and engineering is transforming computing, sensing, communications, and enabling new approaches to materials discovery. It is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration needed to tackle fundamental scientific challenges and develop the quantum technologies of tomorrow.”

FSU is extending its commitment to quantum education beyond the graduate level. The university already offers introductory quantum computing courses for undergraduate and high school students, and plans are underway to develop formal programs for both groups. Together, these efforts will create a comprehensive quantum education pipeline that introduces students to the field early and supports them through advanced training.

“Quantum information science is not just a frontier for research; it is becoming a foundation for the economy of the 21st century,” said Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Michael Shatruk, director of the FSU Quantum Initiative. “With this certificate program, we are giving students in Florida the tools to be part of that future. And by reaching students at the undergraduate and high school levels, we will be planting those seeds early.” 

The FSU QIST Graduate Certificate Program is accepting applications for the Spring 2027 cohort through Oct. 1, 2026. The program is open to current FSU graduate students in relevant STEM disciplines as well as external post-baccalaureate applicants, including industry professionals seeking foundational knowledge in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum materials and related technologies. More information and the online application are available on the program website.

About the FSU Quantum Initiative

The FSU Quantum Initiative is a cross-departmental research and education hub spanning the departments of Physics, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Florida State University. FSU Quantum coordinates quantum science and engineering research, education, and industry partnerships across the university, with access to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and the Interdisciplinary Research & Commercialization Building.

The post Florida State University launches Florida’s first graduate credential in quantum information science and engineering appeared first on Florida State University News.

The FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic is now accepting registrations for a 12-week program beginning Aug. 26 designed to help individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes improve their health through sustainable lifestyle changes.

Developed by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), the Lifestyle Empowerment Approach for Diabetes Remission (LEADR) is a structured, group-based program that gives participants the knowledge, skills and support to improve blood sugar control and, for some individuals, achieve diabetes remission.

The curriculum focuses on addressing the root causes of type 2 diabetes through the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: a healthy eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connections and avoidance of risky substances. Rather than managing symptoms, the program empowers participants to make sustainable lifestyle changes that can improve blood sugar control and, for some individuals, support diabetes remission.

The program is offered at the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, a clinical practice of the Florida State University College of Nursing, and the nation’s first college-based, nurse practitioner-led, lifestyle medicine clinic.

“One of the things I love most about the LEADR program is that it truly puts the patient in the driver’s seat of their own health,” said Kathleen P. Wilson, assistant dean of graduate programs for the FSU College of Nursing and provider at the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic. “Lifestyle medicine is built on shared decision making. We work alongside each participant to understand their goals and develop strategies using the six pillars of lifestyle medicine. Our role is to educate, encourage and guide, while empowering individuals to make choices that create meaningful, lasting improvements in their health.”

The principles of lifestyle medicine can benefit everyone, regardless of where they are in their health journey, Wilson said.

“While anyone can benefit from learning the foundations of healthy living, we’ve seen individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes experience remarkable long-term improvements through this program,” she said. “LEADR gives people the education, accountability and community support they need to make changes that can positively impact their health for years to come.”

As one of the few providers in the region offering the ACLM-developed LEADR curriculum, the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic is helping expand access to evidence-based lifestyle medicine for residents of Tallahassee, Leon County and surrounding communities. The program reflects the clinic’s ongoing commitment to empowering individuals to prevent, manage and even reverse chronic disease through education, wellness and sustainable behavior change.

To help community members learn more before enrolling in the program, the clinic will host a free LEADR program preview on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. The informational session will provide an overview of the program, what participants can expect and how lifestyle medicine can help improve long-term health. There is no cost to attend the preview, but registration is required as space is limited.

The new LEADR cohort begins Wednesday, Aug. 26, and will meet Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. for 12 consecutive weeks at the FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, 1630 Riggins Rd., Tallahassee.

Individuals interested in attending the free preview event or registering for the August cohort are encouraged to complete the program interest form available on the clinic’s website.

###

FSU Health is Florida State University’s integrated academic health system, bringing together hospitals, physicians, clinics, research, education, and innovation under a unified vision to improve the health of the communities we serve.

The post FSU Health Lifestyle Medicine Clinic opens registration for LEADR diabetes remission program appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University has been awarded more than $19 million in grants through the Rural Health Transformation Program to launch six new projects and provide resources to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities throughout the state. 

The five-year, $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, administered through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025. The program is designed to help states transform and update healthcare delivery by improving access, quality and outcomes, thereby strengthening rural communities.  

Florida received nearly $210 million this year and, through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), awarded more than $180 million to fund proposals across the state.  

“FSU received the largest award among Florida’s higher education institutions and was the state’s second-largest recipient overall,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This remarkable investment reflects the strength of our partnerships, the expertise of our faculty, and the important work being done through FSU Health and the College of Medicine to address healthcare challenges in communities across our state. These projects will expand access to care, strengthen local healthcare resources, and help deliver better outcomes for rural Floridians.” 

The FSU College of Medicine was uniquely positioned to apply for these grants, as its community-based, collaborative structure is focused on developing partnerships with a special emphasis on providing care to underserved patients throughout Florida.  Additionally, the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation, part of the FSU College of Nursing and led by Professor Lisa Hightow-Weidman, had a long track record of working with patients in a variety of locations by pioneering digital health tools and systems that could help improve individual health outcomes. 

AHCA made collaboration a key requirement for the grant proposals, noting that partnerships should help expand reach, close gaps and make the most of shared resources. 

“Community partnerships are essential to building a healthier Florida,” said Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the FSU College of Medicine and president of the Florida Medical Association. “We know how important it is to bring healthcare directly into the communities that need it most. I saw that firsthand as a family physician in rural Gadsden County in Florida’s Panhandle, and in my work across the state, I continue to see gaps in care that we can help close. Rural Floridians deserve access to high-quality, compassionate care. Meaningful progress will take collaboration, innovation and a sustained commitment to the people we serve.”  

“FSU received the largest award among Florida’s higher education institutions and was the state’s second-largest recipient overall,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This remarkable investment reflects the strength of our partnerships, the expertise of our faculty, and the important work being done through FSU Health and the College of Medicine to address healthcare challenges in communities across our state.” 

FSU’s grant proposals focus on key rural health challenges, including food insecurity, behavioral health, preventive care, workforce development and telehealth. To guide planning and funding, AHCA identified Florida’s rural counties, as defined by state law, and grouped them into four regions: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast. The FSU College of Medicine, in collaboration with the FSU College of Nursing and IDHI, developed proposals for the Northwest and Southwest regions, where it already has established programs and partnerships.  

The Northwest Region is a central hub for FSU Health, with a new FSU Health Hospital under construction in Panama City Beach and the FSU Health Research and Collaboration Building scheduled to open this fall on the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare campus. In Southwest Florida, the college operates its Immokalee Health Education Site and sponsors residency and fellowship programs at several hospitals. 

The two projects in Northwest Florida receiving funds will tackle food insecurity, preventive care and at-home care. Four new projects to launch in Southwest Florida will focus on workforce development, behavioral health, telehealth, food insecurity, preventive care and at-home care.  

“These projects reflect exactly why FSU Health was created: to bring together research, clinical expertise and community partnerships to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing Floridians,” said FSU Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “By focusing on rural communities, we can help turn discovery and innovation into practical solutions that expand access, improve outcomes and strengthen the health of people across the state.” 

Heather Flynn, professor and chair of the FSU College of Medicine’s Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, played a key role in shepherding the grant process along and assembling teams of researchers, healthcare providers and community organizations to develop solid plans that will have a direct impact on the health and lives of Floridians. No stranger to collaborative work, Flynn is also director of the FSU Center for Behavioral Health Integration.  

“One of the main things I learned through this process is that there are a lot of extremely dedicated, high-quality clinicians, staff and administrators in the rural areas that are doing everything they can to help the patients and families in their communities with a system that is not connected and one that needs a lot of improvement and innovation,” Flynn said. “You’ve got all of these different healthcare centers, sites, organizations — all doing the best they can with the resources they have — to provide access and quality care to patients and families — and they know they don’t have what they need to do that adequately. So, it’s very frustrating.  

“I learned people are very eager to partner,” Flynn added. “Of course, there are always business considerations that may pose some barriers to those partnerships, but what I learned is people are willing to look past that and work together to fill those gaps in rural areas.” 

Flynn said the work must move quickly: Sept. 30 is the federal deadline for demonstrating significant progress in launching the projects. 

“We could not make this happen without the support of the university as well as the faculty and staff who are working diligently to ensure we meet this deadline and begin to make a positive impact on the health of people across the state,” she said.  

The post FSU College of Medicine awarded $19 million in federal grants to strengthen healthcare in rural Florida appeared first on Florida State University News.

Hurricane warnings are only effective if people understand them.

A new study by Florida State University faculty in the School of Communication in the College of Communication and Information and the Department of Geography in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy examined an experimental forecast graphic developed by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) that adds inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings to the traditional track-forecast cone, which historically emphasized coastal impacts.

The FSU study found that the new graphic helps nonexperts identify which inland areas are under a hurricane or tropical storm watch. But the updated format, developed by NHC in 2024, didn’t change respondents’ perceptions of risk or their intentions to take protective action. It also didn’t improve their ability to identify regions under warnings. The research was published in the American Meteorological Society journal Weather, Climate, and Society.

“The National Hurricane Center has made a number of thoughtful changes to improve how hurricane information is communicated,” said Assistant Professor Elizabeth Ray, the study’s lead author. “We had a simple question. Do those changes actually help people understand what the graphic is telling them about the risk they face?”

Analyzing public understanding

The researchers surveyed participants in Florida and Georgia using both a traditional hurricane cone graphic and the updated experimental version. Respondents who viewed the inland-enhanced graphic were better able to identify areas under tropical storm or hurricane watches, but that improvement did not translate into higher perceptions of risk or plans to avoid storm danger. One challenge is that people often misunderstand what the familiar “cone of uncertainty” actually represents.

“For years, research has shown that people often mistake a wider cone for a bigger storm,” Ray said. “Our findings suggest that even with an updated graphic, that misconception can be hard to shake.”

Turning data into action

The NHC introduced the updated graphic in 2024 to better communicate inland hazards such as flooding, tornadoes and damaging winds. The revised version adds inland hurricane and tropical storm information to the familiar forecast cone to show that serious hurricane impacts often extend well beyond the coastline.

The researchers emphasized that the findings are not a criticism of NHC’s forecasting, which they describe as highly accurate. Instead, the study focuses on the communication challenge of translating complex scientific information into messages the public can quickly understand and use.

“Our question wasn’t whether the science is good,” said co-author Patrick Merle, professor and director of the School of Communication. “The science is excellent. The question is how we communicate that science so people who aren’t meteorologists understand the risk they’re facing.

If people find information credible but still don’t understand it well enough to take protective action, then communication has fallen short. The goal is to empower people with information they can use to stay safe.”

The researchers said people should not rely on the graphic alone but also seek out local forecasts and information about expected impacts.

“Our findings are a reminder that one graphic can only tell you part of the story,” Ray said. “Don’t rely on the cone alone. Pair it with clear, local information about what impacts to expect and what actions to take. That gives you a fuller picture of what the storm could mean where you live and what to do next.”

The research was supported by an internal Florida State University SEED grant and informed by conversations with NHC, which provided the experimental forecast graphics used in the study. Department of Geography Assistant Professor Bradford Johnson was a co-author of the research. The project is part of a broader line of research on crisis and risk communication being conducted through the College of Communication and Information’s Crisis and Communication Collaborative (C3), co-directed by Ray and Merle.

Visit the School of Communication website for more information about research conducted at the College of Communication and Information.

The post FSU study finds new hurricane graphic helps people identify watch areas, doesn’t change risk perception appeared first on Florida State University News.

A Florida State University religious studies scholar has earned a competitive grant from one of the country’s leading humanities research organizations to support the translation of two pivotal texts into English and shed light on ancient Buddhist practices and traditions.

Jimmy Yu, the Sheng Yen Professor of Chinese Buddhism in FSU’s Department of Religion, has earned the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Public Impact Grant in Buddhist Studies from the American Council of Learned Societies, a non-profit organization supporting humanities and social science scholars.

The $50,000 grant will support two directions of Yu’s project, “Interdependence: Bridging Chinese Huayan Buddhism and Western Buddhist Practice.” First, the grant includes the translation of two pivotal Huayan Buddhist texts, “Contemplation on the Extinction of Delusion and the Cultivation of the Source of Profound Implications in the Flower Garland” and “Commentary on the Contemplations on the Flower Garland Dharmadhātu.” Second, the grant subsidizes Yu to take a one-year sabbatical to lead retreats and workshops around the country based on the translations.

“Winning this grant came with great excitement and pride,” Yu said. “Now that these texts are translated, people can engage with their teachings, connect them to their own fields of study and apply them to everyday life. I hope it sparks interest in secular, religious and academic fields.”

ACLS was founded in 1919 following the end of World War I to rebuild international scholarly collaboration. Today, its mission is to advance knowledge that improves human experience by supporting those researching human endeavors of the past, present and future. This includes the grants in Buddhist studies, which support projects that make the knowledge of Buddhism more accessible and improve the public’s understanding of Buddhist art, texts and traditions.

“Religious studies scholars like Jimmy remind us that the arena of our research is the world outside of our offices and libraries.”

— Martin Kavka, chair of FSU’s Department of Religion

Yu studies Chinese Buddhism from historical, textual and anthropological perspectives, with a particular interest in how it was practiced in everyday life. Analyzing ancient texts written in classical Chinese, he examines both lived religious traditions and philosophical beliefs from Huayan Buddhist texts. Some of his specific research areas include Chinese Buddhist history from the years 1100 to 1800, bodily rituals and Chan and Zen studies — a major part of which is meditation.

“The grant has given me time to bridge the academic study and the practice of Buddhism together by using my text translations and annotations to design hybrid meditation retreats,” Yu said. “The retreats, scheduled for this year and next, are aimed at English-speaking Buddhists who wouldn’t normally be able to read classical Chinese texts and are seeking greater access to ancient Huayan teachings.”

Huayan Buddhism is a school within Chinese Buddhism that developed during the Tang dynasty from 618 to 907 C.E. It centers around the interconnectedness of all things, borrowing from its core phrase, “One is all, all is one.” For this project, Yu is translating Huayan texts from classical Chinese into English and using them as the foundation for avenues like public lectures known as Dharma talks, mainstream Buddhist journal articles and digital media productions.

The hybrid meditation retreats resulting from these translations will be held at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies in Barre, Massachusetts, later this year; the San Francisco Zen Center in San Francisco in 2027; Great Vow Monastery, Oregon, in 2027; and the Tallahassee Chan Center in Tallahassee in 2027.

“Religious studies scholars like Jimmy remind us that the arena of our research is the world outside of our offices and libraries,” said Martin Kavka, chair of FSU’s Department of Religion. “The retreats he is planning and the various publications that will stem from his work will give Buddhist practitioners in the U.S. a greater self-knowledge about the stakes of their own practices and address a deep lack in Westerners’ understanding of Buddhism.”

Yu earned his doctorate in Buddhist studies from Princeton University in New Jersey in 2008 and joined FSU’s faculty that same year. At FSU, he teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in Chinese and Japanese religious traditions.

Outside the classroom, Yu is an editor for the Journal of Chinese Buddhist Studies and the Sheng Yen Series in Chinese Buddhism through Columbia University Press. He’s also the founder of the Tallahassee Chan Center, a nonprofit meditation sanctuary that hosts meditation sessions and retreats and has authored six books centered on Chinese and Chan Buddhism.

To learn more about research conducted in FSU’s Department of Religion, visit the department’s website.

The post FSU researcher awarded humanities grant to make Buddhist knowledge more accessible appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University’s College of Fine Arts is launching the School of Design at the start of the 2026-27 academic year, a move that reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of the design profession.  

Formerly the Department of Interior Architecture & Design, the newly designated school better reflects the breadth of design education now offered at FSU while advancing its nationally recognized interior design program. 

The School of Design builds on more than 50 years of excellence in design education. FSU’s interior design program is ranked No. 3 in the nation for both undergraduate and graduate education by Niche, reinforcing the university’s longstanding reputation as one of the country’s top destinations for design education. 

The transition coincides with the launch of a new bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary design and the addition of a graduate certificate in graphic design last year. Together, the programs expand opportunities for students while positioning the School of Design to meet the evolving needs of the profession.  

“For more than half a century, Florida State University has been training leading designers who shape how we live, work and interact with the world,” said James Frazier, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “The launch of the School of Design reflects our dedication to design thinking, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. We are preparing students not only for today’s creative industries, but also for the evolving challenges and opportunities shaping the future of design.” 

The post FSU College of Fine Arts launches School of Design appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University awarded honors medallions to 45 high-achieving graduates during the July 30 Medallion Celebration at the Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall.

The FSU Honors Program supports the efforts and talents of some of the university’s most intellectually curious students who have the potential, dedication and drive for creating change.

The ceremony included remarks by Associate Dean of Honors, Scholars, and Fellows D. Craig Filar and Dean of Undergraduate Studies DeOnte Brown.

The post FSU awards honors medallions to summer 2026 graduates appeared first on Florida State University News.

Returning to work before breastfeeding is fully established presents an enormous challenge for mothers, according to Florida State University researcher and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Mirine Richey. As National Breastfeeding Month highlights the benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers, Richey says workplace policies can play a critical role in whether mothers are able to meet their breastfeeding goals.

Richey, a faculty member at the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy, has presented at state and national conferences and served as an international delegate to the World Health Organization, where she discussed infant formula market regulations and breastfeeding protection. She says many U.S. workplace and parental leave policies can make it harder for mothers to continue breastfeeding by disrupting pumping schedules, reducing milk supply and increasing stress.

“We spend a lot of time telling women that breastfeeding is important,” Richey said. “What we don’t do is provide enough support to help them reach their goals.”

While public health campaigns consistently promote the benefits of breastfeeding, many mothers return to work within weeks of giving birth. The early postpartum period is critical for establishing and maintaining milk supply, which depends on frequent breastfeeding or pumping. When mothers face demanding schedules, inadequate break time, limited privacy or insufficient workplace accommodations, maintaining that supply can become increasingly difficult.

“Milk-supply hormones can take six to eight weeks to reach their optimal levels, and this is done by feeding the baby every two to three hours,” Richey said. “Women who return to work during this time may not be able to pump this often due to workplace policy or just career concerns.”

The challenges are not only physical. Richey says workplace policies can affect maternal mental health. Many women feel pressure to provide breast milk because of its well-documented benefits. When work responsibilities interfere with breastfeeding goals, mothers often experience guilt, stress and feelings of failure. Mothers who work in extremely demanding fields, such as emergency workers and first responders, are often faced with an even greater burden.

Richey says healthcare providers need more training to help mothers navigate workplace challenges related to breastfeeding.

“Healthcare providers need more training to help care plan for women with unique workplace challenges, especially when returning to work in the first six months when baby is recommended to have only breast milk,” she added.

Richey can discuss how early return-to-work policies affect breastfeeding outcomes, the relationship between stress and milk supply, maternal mental health challenges during the postpartum period, and the workplace policies that can better support mothers and babies. She can be reached via email at m.richey@fsu.edu.

The post FSU lactation consultant discusses how workplace policies shape breastfeeding success appeared first on Florida State University News.

A Florida State University computer scientist has earned one of the most prestigious awards available to early career faculty for exploring how wireless networks can help devices collaborate to run advanced artificial intelligence applications more efficiently and reliably without relying on cloud computing, supporting the next generation of AI technologies.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Xiaonan Zhang is a recipient of a 2026 Faculty Early Career Development Award, or CAREER Award, from the National Science Foundation for her work developing frameworks that allow devices connected through wireless networks to collaborate and execute complex AI applications closer to where data is generated.

The CAREER Awards Program offers the NSF’s most significant awards in support of early career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic leaders in research and education. The award provides five years of funding to support research, student training and educational outreach activities while helping faculty pursue long-term scientific goals.

“Receiving this was a reminder that persistence matters and good ideas often take time to develop,” said Zhang, who earned her doctorate from Clemson University in 2020 and joined FSU’s faculty that same year. “Earning a CAREER Award after years of proposal writing, revision and resubmission made the recognition especially meaningful, both personally and professionally.”

The use of AI is increasing in areas of society like healthcare, transportation, environmental modeling and emergency response, requiring more reliable, efficient wireless networks to move massive amounts of data and coordinate real-time decisions. A wearable health monitor or tablet used by a paramedic could use AI to quickly analyze a patient’s condition, for example, but many advanced AI models require more computing power and memory than a single device can provide. While cloud computing data centers help process these tasks, relying entirely on distant infrastructure can introduce delays, consume network resources and create challenges when internet connectivity is limited.

Zhang’s research explores how wireless networks can allow nearby devices to collaborate and jointly run AI applications such as analyzing medical data, helping autonomous vehicles make real-time driving decisions and improving emergency response during disasters. Rather than serving solely as a pathway for transmitting data, these networks can help coordinate where AI computations occur, how resources are shared among devices and how systems adapt when conditions change.

“My goal is to rethink the role of wireless networks in the age of AI,” Zhang said. “I believe future AI-integrated wireless networks will not only connect devices but also help them work together more effectively.”

By exploring how devices work together while remaining reliable in changing network environments, the research could make these advanced technologies more accessible in areas with unreliable cloud connectivity while also expanding the range of devices capable of running them.

“Dr. Zhang’s work addresses increasingly important challenges as AI becomes more integrated into everyday life,” said Weikuan Yu, Department of Computer Science chair. “Rather than viewing wireless networks solely as a way to transmit data between devices, her research explores how devices can work together and share resources to make AI systems more efficient, reliable and resilient. This award recognizes both the significance of this research and Dr. Zhang’s innovative vision for bringing together wireless networking, distributed computing and AI.”

Zhang’s award will also support educational initiatives like establishment of new courses and research opportunities designed to help students deepen their understanding of AI and recognize that the field involves more than just creating intelligent algorithms; the algorithms need to run efficiently across multiple devices and networks for practical use in real-world systems. Zhang will also continue mentoring undergraduate students through the FSU Career Center’s InternFSU Program and engaging K-12 students through FSU’s Young Scholars Program.

“As AI becomes increasingly incorporated into the physical world, scientists need to design communication, computing, and intelligence together so AI can operate more efficiently, reliably, and securely across connected devices instead of relying on distant cloud data centers,” Zhang said.

To learn more about research conducted in the Department of Computer Science, visit the department’s website.

The post FSU computer scientist earns NSF CAREER Award to advance collaborative artificial intelligence systems appeared first on Florida State University News.

From modest beginnings to national championships and some of college sports’ most recognizable traditions, Florida State Athletics has played a defining role in shaping the identity and spirit of Florida State University.

As FSU celebrates its 175th anniversary, Seminole Athletics stands as one of the university’s most visible symbols of pride, connection and achievement, built by student-athletes, coaches, traditions and fans.

The story dates to 1902, when Florida State College fielded football and baseball teams as a co-educational institution. More than a century later, FSU Athletics has grown into a nationally recognized program with a broad championship legacy and a deep connection to the university community.

Since 1947, Florida State has carried the Seminoles name. The university’s relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida has grown into a longstanding partnership rooted in respect, consultation and a shared commitment to representing Seminole heritage with dignity.

That connection is most visible on football Saturdays, when Osceola rides Renegade to midfield and plants a flaming spear moments before kickoff. Introduced in 1978 with the approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the tradition has become one of the most iconic pregame moments in college football.

Other traditions — including the war chant, the Marching Chiefs and the Sod Cemetery, which honors major football road victories — have helped make FSU games shared experiences for students, alumni and fans across generations.

The university’s athletic success has matched the strength of those traditions. FSU has won 20 national championships across nine sports, including seven in the past 15 seasons, and has claimed 205 conference titles that include 114 Atlantic Coast Conference championships.

FSU’s national championships include:

• Women’s soccer: 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2025
• Football: 1993, 1999, 2013
• Softball: 1981, 1982, 2018
• Men’s outdoor track and field: 2006, 2008
• Men’s volleyball: 1955, 1957
• Men’s gymnastics: 1951, 1952
• Women’s indoor track and field: 1985
• Women’s outdoor track and field: 1984
• Women’s golf: 1981

The post FSU 175: Seminole Athletics reflects on years of tradition, excellence and pride appeared first on Florida State University News.