Florida State University continues to prove itself as a leader in promoting transfer student success, breaking records and winning national awards.

FSU’s three-year graduation rate for students who enroll with an associate in arts degree from another institution reached a record of 85%, the highest among Florida’s state universities.

“This record reflects who we are as a university: a community committed to ensuring every student has the support and opportunities to thrive,” said DeOnte Brown, dean of Undergraduate Studies. “It demonstrates that when FSU invests in transfer students and creates pathways for their success, they achieve at the highest level.”

The new transfer rate builds on last year’s 80% transfer student graduation rate and reflects FSU’s growing emphasis on helping transfer students make a smooth transition to the university and stay on track toward graduation.

About 25% of FSU’s undergraduate students have transferred to the university from other institutions.

Transfer Student Success leaders win national recognition

Two leaders in FSU’s Transfer Student Success (TSS) department earned national awards celebrating their dedication to bolstering transfer student success.

The National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition honored Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies Heather R. Bishop with the Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Impact Award, for those who significantly shape how institution systems support transfer students, and TSS Director Robin Haggins with an Outstanding Transfer Champion Award, for those who make a difference in transfer students’ lives.

Bishop has worked at FSU to implement university-level policy that improves the transfer student transition experience and progression throughout their studies. Bishop is a liaison between Florida College System institutions and FSU, where she helps monitor student transitions between universities.

“I have learned that what many transfer students yearn for is a sense of community,” Bishop said. “We have been successful in creating such a community through our innovative peer-led initiatives, and I believe it is a major factor in our transfer student success.”

Haggins interacts with transfer students across the university by leading events and providing academic support, coaching and mentoring.

“For me, the greatest measure of our success is not just a student’s graduation—it is seeing students gain confidence, find their voice, build community and recognize that they belong here,” Haggins said.

TSS provides students with specialized advising, events to meet other transfer students and networking opportunities with campus partners to promote post-graduate professional success.

In 2024, FSU launched a chapter of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society, an organization specifically for transfer students.

In October 2025, FSU recognized the accomplishments of transfer students at its inaugural Transfer Student Leadership Summit. The summit began FSU’s celebration of National Transfer Student Week, which increases the sense of community among transfer students.

Bishop and Haggins will receive their respective awards at the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition’s Transfer Student Experience conference June 29–July 1, 2027, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The center is an internationally recognized leader in supporting postsecondary student transitions.

“Heather and Robin represent two essential dimensions of exceptional transfer student support: strengthening the institutional systems that serve students and making a direct difference in students’ lives,” Dean Brown said. “FSU’s transfer students bring tremendous experiences, perspectives and aspirations to our university, and we’re proud to provide resources designed with their success in mind.”

To learn more about how FSU develops the success of its transfer students, visit the TSS website.

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Although music has been used as a form of healing for centuries, music therapy is still considered an emerging healthcare practice. At the Florida State University College of Music, a professor is helping to grow this clinical intervention that addresses everything from anxiety to physical rehabilitation. 

Professor of Music Therapy Lori Gooding is accelerating the industry through research and translational courses. She believes there is a misconception surrounding music therapy that needs to be cleared up.  

“A lot of people don’t recognize that music therapy is a profession you train for, that you have academic and clinical training, that there’s a board certification exam you have to pass and there’s licensure in many states,” Gooding said.  

She also addressed the core difference between the informal therapeutic benefits of listening to a favorite playlist and clinical, evidence-based music therapy, as they are often thought of as one.  

“The difference between that and what we do in music therapy is that we are going in and assessing an individualized need, and we are using music within the context of a therapeutic relationship to help someone restore, maintain or improve their functioning,” Gooding said.  

FSU is nationally recognized for having one of the earliest established leading programs in music therapy with a 100% placement rate among graduates. The program often places its graduates in fields such as medicine, mental health, special education, hospice and older adult services. 

Gooding attributes the program’s success to equipping students with the latest research so they enter the workforce fully prepared. 

“I think one of the things that makes us unique is we are really grounded in research; we’re really integrating what the current evidence is,” Gooding noted. “They’re also learning how to generate new evidence. It’s going to not just keep practice current but actually push practice forward. It’s that combination, I think, that sets us apart.” 

In addition, in partnership with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, FSU offers a NICU-MT certificate program through the College of Music. Gooding explains how this program highlights the physical relief music therapy can offer its patients.  

“We’re watching the monitors for their heart rate, their respiration rate, the oxygen saturation rate, and so on,” Gooding said. “And based on what’s happening, knowing where those levels need to be, and watching what’s happening while we’re doing the music intervention, we actually adjust what we’re doing.”  

Gooding’s practice aligns with FSU Health, the university’s integrated health system that brings together hospitals, physicians, clinics, research, education and innovation to improve the health of the communities FSU serves. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, music therapy’s countless benefits include lowering blood pressure, improving memory, enhancing social skills, reducing muscle tension and more.  

Music therapy can also be particularly effective for mental health treatments. Gooding noted that for anxious patients, integrating music into preexisting methods of relaxation can minimize their stress levels.  

“A lot of people do relaxation exercises like deep breathing, that kind of thing,” Gooding said. “We take those similar concepts and pair it with music, so that if someone is feeling anxious, or if they’re noticing that their heart rate is elevating, they can use the steady pulse of a piece of music or a music exercise or experience to help their body kind of get in line with that steady pulse, which is going to help literally physiologically slow them down.”  

Music therapy can be particularly effective in treating adolescents struggling with their mental health. In these cases, there are a variety of methods specialists may use, including analyzing lyrics.  

“Where it might be a challenge for someone to engage in just one-on-one talking directly about themselves, we can find a song that has lyrics that are relevant to what that person is going through, and that creates a space that allows people to say, ‘Well, I noticed this in the song, you know what? I do that sometimes too,’” Gooding said.  

The evidence-based practice remains a versatile profession, offering a range of clinical approaches designed to meet patient needs. An essential component of the field lies in its individualized nature, ensuring that every treatment is tailored to support each patient’s specific needs.  

“One person could love heavy metal music and find that relaxing because it’s their favorite kind of music, whereas for another person, that’s going to increase their anxiety,” Gooding said. “We really lean into that patient-preferred piece to try to connect with them.” 

As she trains the next generation of music therapists, Gooding is bolstering an emerging healthcare practice ready to put its patients at ease. One of music therapy’s early pioneers, the FSU College of Music is proving once again that great music has strong healing power. 

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Three Florida State University student filmmakers are earning national recognition for their work, with each named a finalist for a 2026 Student Heritage Award from the American Society of Cinematographers.

Juan Martinez, Saron Bahre and Leandro Rutigliano, students in FSU’s College of Motion Picture Arts, are among a select group of emerging cinematographers nominated for the annual awards. Of the 10 nominees in the U.S. undergraduate narrative and documentary categories, three are from FSU.

“To have three of our undergraduate cinematographers nominated for ASC Student Heritage Awards in the same year is really remarkable,” said Keith Slade, FSU filmmaker in residence in cinematography. “The American Society of Cinematographers represents the highest level of our profession, and its membership includes many of the cinematographers whose work has defined the art and craft of filmmaking. For our students to have their work recognized by that community, at this stage in their careers, is incredibly meaningful.”

The nominations also highlight the resources and opportunities FSU provides student filmmakers. The College of Motion Picture Arts is the only motion picture college in the country that pays the production costs of every student’s film, providing students equal access to industry-standard equipment and facilities. FSU also covers entry fees and expenses for finished student work shown at film festivals.

Slade said he has seen firsthand how the students have developed through their time at FSU.

“I’ve watched these students grow as cinematographers and push themselves and their craft, and I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished,” he said.

“The constant endorsement from our school and professors mean the world to us. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and support this program has given to me and my peers’ brave ideas.”

– FSU Leandro Rutigliano, student filmmaker

Martinez is one of six finalists for the George Spiro Dibie, ASC Undergraduate Award for his cinematography on “Tesoro.” The film follows an immigrant boy who spends the Fourth of July at a beach motel while his mother works. When his restlessness leads him to cause trouble, mother and son are forced to confront fears about their future.

“Being nominated for the ASC Heritage Awards is a tremendous honor,” Martinez said. “This recognition is a reflection of the hard work of every crew member who helped bring this project to life from start to finish.”

For Martinez, who is Colombian, the recognition also carries personal significance.

“As a Colombian cinematographer being recognized by the ASC for a Hispanic film, this nomination means the world to me,” he said. “I hope it not only highlights the visual storytelling of the film but also draws attention to the very real social issues it explores. I am incredibly grateful to be part of a project that has the opportunity to spark conversation and represent our community on this stage.”

Bahre and Rutigliano are both finalists for the Haskell Wexler, ASC Documentary Award. Together, the FSU filmmakers account for half of the four finalists in the documentary category.

Bahre was recognized for “Lake of Fire,” which retells through the eyes of the perpetrator the vandalism of an art exhibition celebrating diversity, kindness and inclusion.

For Bahre, an Ethiopian, first-generation filmmaker, the subject had a personal resonance.

“Through my cinematography, I hope audiences are able to reflect on the importance of not silencing art, artists and diverse voices,” Bahre said.“I am incredibly grateful to be part of a project that has the opportunity to honor the artist and encourage meaningful conversations about the importance of allowing different voices and perspectives to exist freely.”

Bahre also credited the College of Motion Picture Arts with providing the resources and collaborative environment that helped make the film possible.

“Having access to the equipment and resources we needed, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with incredible filmmakers I am lucky to call my friends, made this experience incredibly meaningful,” she said. “I am deeply grateful for the community, support and opportunities this program has given me to grow as a filmmaker.”

Rutigliano was nominated for “House of Light,” which explores a Greek Orthodox monastery in the hills of Texas that provides a place of peace for the monks who live there and those who seek it.

Rutigliano said the monks and their stories helped shape his visual approach to the film.

“Hearing the perspectives of these monks inspired many elements of the cinematography, hoping to encapsulate the pure feeling of home, peace, and light they provided us with,” he said. “Through the many dark times that the outside world can undergo, it is places like this that prove to us there’s always some sort of lighthouse calling us in to land ashore.”

Rutigliano also pointed to the resources, faculty support and collaboration he found at FSU.

“Thanks to the support of FSU’s College of Motion Picture Arts, our crew was granted access to the knowledge and equipment that made it possible to bring this idea to life,” he said. “The constant endorsement from our school and professors mean the world to us. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and support this program has given to me and my peers’ brave ideas.”

The three nominations continue a history of FSU filmmakers earning recognition from the American Society of Cinematographers. In 2019, FSU student Jazleana Jones won the Haskell Wexler Student Documentary Award for “King, Charles.” In 2025, FSU graduate Max Losson was a finalist for the George Spiro Dibie, ASC Undergraduate Award for his cinematography on the FSU capstone film “Photo Play XX.”

The American Society of Cinematographers created the Student Heritage Awards to recognize emerging cinematographers and support them as they begin their careers. Colleges and universities may submit up to three qualified students per category, and winners are selected by a jury of ASC members.

Now in their 27th year, the awards honor ASC members whose contributions helped shape the art of cinematography. This year’s nominees represent film programs including FSU, the University of Southern California, UCLA, the American Film Institute, Chapman University, Pratt Institute and the School of Visual Arts.

Winners of the 2026 ASC Student Heritage Awards will be announced Oct. 4.

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Four Florida State University faculty members from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry have received more than $2 million from the National Science Foundation to advance the development of new materials for applications in areas including energy, data storage and technological advances like quantum computing and medical devices.

The three-year grants were awarded this summer to Distinguished Research Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Igor Alabugin, Professors of Chemistry and Biochemistry Eugene DePrince and Susan Latturner, and Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Joseph Schlenoff. The funds will also support students’ professional and academic growth through graduate research assistantships and hands-on laboratory experiences.

“Materials chemistry has been one of the sustained strengths of FSU Chemistry and Biochemistry,” said Wei Yang, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry chair. “As part of our department’s strategic vision, we will continue pushing forward our research of molecules and materials that enable next-generation technologies and chemical discoveries.”

Controlling chemistry for new quantum technologies

Alabugin, whose research focuses on developing new chemical reactions and using molecular structure to control chemical and physical properties, received $578,000 for his project, “Design of Functional Graphenic Substructures.” His team will develop new synthetic strategies for building small, precisely defined fragments of graphene and systematically investigate how their size, shape and connectivity control the movement of electrons and energy, their interaction with light and their magnetic properties.

By establishing these structure-property relationships, Alabugin and his team aim to develop molecular-level design principles for creating graphene materials with predictable functions. Such materials have potential applications in molecular electronics, energy conversion, sensing, high-density data storage and quantum technologies.

“This research is like using molecular Lego bricks,” Alabugin said. “We can connect different pieces of graphene and ask how the way we connect them changes what the resulting molecule can do. Ultimately, we want to understand these rules well enough to say, ‘I want a molecule that does this,’ and know how to build it.”

Expanding the computational chemistry toolkit

DePrince, who develops theories and algorithms for high-accuracy quantum chemical simulations, was awarded $544,501 for the project, “Molecular Response Properties from Ab Initio Quantum Electrodynamics.” He will analyze how interactions between light and matter change the molecular properties of a system, which is important in technologies like solar power. DePrince will create new theoretical models and computational tools to understand how molecules behave in optical cavities, or environments with strong interactions between light and matter that alter the properties and underlying chemistry of a molecule.

“We’re aiming to expand computational chemists’ toolkit and introduce new ways of controlling molecular properties through strong interactions with light,” DePrince said. “In the longer term, tools like these could help guide the design of efficient materials for new quantum technologies.”

More efficient data storage and energy applications

Latturner investigates novel compounds that can be used in clean energy and received $500,000 for her project, “Directing the Synthesis of Complex Materials from Metal Fluxes,” which will grow new intermetallic compounds — substances made from two or more metallic elements like nickel and aluminum — from molten metal to investigate their magnetic, thermoelectric and superconducting properties. These compounds have the potential to facilitate advances in data storage, medicine and energy conversion technology.

“Some compounds we’re creating are semiconducting, and they could be used as thermoelectric modules that harness waste heat,” Latturner said. “When driving a car, for example, the engine gets hot and most of that heat energy is lost. If we put a thermoelectric module in the car and convert heat back to electricity, the whole system becomes more efficient.”

New polymer blends for water purification and more

Schlenoff secured $560,862 for his project, “Extremes of Macromolecular Charge Pairing Motif in Polyelectrolyte Complex Coacervates.” His research focuses on understanding and creating new materials from water-soluble polymers, or large spaghetti-like molecules that dissolve, disperse or swell in water. This grant will allow him to create new adhesives, membranes and coatings from charged polymers, which could advance technologies for water purification, fuel cells and batteries.

“We’re working to better understand and create new biocompatible polymer blends, including adhesives that can join surfaces underwater for biomedical applications such as wound closure and tissue repair,” Schlenoff said. “Almost all scientific breakthroughs are underpinned by this kind of systematic fundamental research, and NSF’s support in our pursuit of these discoveries cannot be overstated.”

To learn more about research conducted in FSU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, visit chem.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University learning technologies expert Vanessa Dennen says sweeping new restrictions on how teens use Instagram and Facebook may change their online habits, but they won’t necessarily address the larger challenge of helping young people develop healthier relationships with their phones and social media.  

Dennen, the Tyner Distinguished Professor of Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies at FSU’s Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, studies how people learn and interact in digital environments. Her perspective comes as Meta prepares to implement new restrictions on young users following a landmark multistate settlement over allegations that its platforms were intentionally designed to foster addictive behavior among children and teens.  

Under the settlement, Meta will pay $17 billion over 10 years and implement new safety measures on Instagram and Facebook. Those changes include daily time limits, nighttime restrictions, stronger age-verification measures and additional parental controls. 

But Dennen cautions that changes to individual platforms may miss the broader reality of how young people interact with digital media. 

“Social media platforms play a pretty important role in teen life, but I would actually dial it back a bit from talking about social media and talk about their phones and the importance that their phones hold in their lives as the primary communication device,” Dennen said.  

Dennen said social media apps are modern channels for timeless communication between teenagers. As a result, restrictions on individual platforms such Instagram may shift teens’ behavior rather than change it.  

“Will these interventions actually improve teens’ social media experiences, or are they just going to reduce or control their use of Meta products specifically? Because Meta is not the only game in town,” Dennen said.  

“Will these interventions actually improve teens’ social media experiences, or are they just going to reduce or control their use of Meta products specifically? Because Meta is not the only game in town.”

– Vanessa Dennen, Tyner Distinguished Professor of Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies

Instead of logging off completely, teens restricted on Instagram or Facebook are more likely to shift their attention to other platforms, such as TikTok or YouTube. Dennen feels strict restrictions often lead to workarounds rather than behavior changes.   

“If there’s a workaround, the teens will find it,” Dennen said. “It will keep some people off, but it will not keep other people off.”  

Dennan said reducing excessive social media use ultimately requires young people to develop self-regulation, a skill that doesn’t automatically come with age.  

“It’s not like people turn 18 and magically understand how to self-regulate these tools or how to use them productively in their lives,” Dennen said. “Regulations alone don’t solve the problem.” 

For Dennen, platform restrictions are only part of the answer. She said digital literacy and open communication at home can help young people learn to manage their technology use. Adults should also avoid making assumptions about screen time, she said, because teens may be using their devices for productive pastimes such as reading or creative projects.  

“We make these assumptions about what teens are doing on their phones because we see them on their phones, and we make judgments that they must be doing things that are a waste of time,” Dennen said. “I actually think the best thing we can do is talk to our teens about what they’re doing and talk about what we’re doing as adults.” 

Parents can also model the habits they want their children to develop, Dennen said. One approach she recommends is creating a central place where family members charge their phones overnight rather than keeping the devices in their bedrooms. 

“I don’t think that coming down hard on the companies alone is the answer. It’s a super nuanced topic,” Dennen said. “There’s always going to be a learning curve when you’re new to a platform.”  

For Dennen, technology may change, but the underlying desire for communication does not. Social media, she said, gives those interactions a reach and performance that earlier forms of communication did not have.  

“People are people. People are going to communicate with each other,” Dennen said. “It’s just that now on social media, we’ve got it archived and amplified. The technology didn’t make us that way; we were already that way.”  

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Florida State University will host a virtual conference exploring how recent developments in artificial intelligence are shaping the future of mathematical research and education.

“Mathematics at a Turning Point: AI, Research, and the Next Generation” kicks off Friday, Sept. 25 at 1:20 p.m. with experts in the field of mathematics and AI offering a range of perspectives on the future of mathematical research and career training amid AI’s recent high-profile impacts on the field. The online event is presented by Marion Bradley Brennan Professor of Mathematics Martin Bauer and is open to the public with required registration.

“AI has the potential to reshape every part of the mathematical research process, raising profound questions and uncertainties for mathematics and, more broadly, for science in general,” Bauer said. “This panel aims to examine what these changes may mean for the future of research, with a particular emphasis on the challenges faced by early-career mathematicians. I strongly believe that there are, unfortunately, no easy answers: responding to this transition will require our community to come together and work hard to address the most pressing questions and develop solutions that will allow the next generation of researchers to thrive in this new environment.”

The rapidly evolving capabilities of AI are now used for a variety of mathematical exercises ranging from basic problem solving to proof assistance and complex computations. This has drastically changed the way mathematical research is conducted, from brainstorming ideas to drafting to applying calculations.

Some experts are concerned that erasing the need for manual calculations at the foundational level trivializes the learning process for math students and forces them to become more dependent on AI for their research. Together, the panelists will discuss challenges faced by mathematicians and solutions brought about by the relationship between AI and mathematics to help visualize a future for what researchers can do with a resource that has the ability to test hypotheses and compute calculations in minutes. The organizers also intend for this panel to highlight responsible AI use in math research.

“Mathematicians making targeted use of AI have demonstrated stunning effectiveness at tackling research-level mathematics problems,” said FSU College of Arts and Sciences Dean Sam Huckaba, who earned his doctorate in mathematics from Purdue University in 1986 and served as both FSU math faculty and in administrative roles before becoming dean. “It’s an understatement to say that the recent advancements of this technology, which are multiplying ever more swiftly and have opened possibilities not previously thought to be easily reachable, have captured the attention of the entire discipline.”

Featured panelists: Mathematics experts with unique perspectives on AI

All of the six featured speakers are mathematics researchers, and most are actively studying AI and its capability to make meaningful contributions to mathematics. Panelists will provide unique perspectives to graduate students and early-career mathematicians on how to use the technology in positive ways and prepare for the future of the field. Bauer will moderate the panel, raising questions motivated by his own experiences as well as those of FSU graduate students and early-career mathematicians.

Panelists include:

• Ettore Aldrovandi, professor and chair of FSU’s Department of Mathematics
• Alex Kontorovich, distinguished professor and Department of Mathematics chair at Rutgers University
• Javier Gómez-Serrano, professor of mathematics at Brown University
• Tony Feng, associate professor of mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley
• Jeremy Avigad, professor of philosophy and mathematical sciences at Carnegie Mellon University
• Rachel Ward, distinguished professor in computational engineering and sciences at the University of Texas, Austin

“The panel event provides a fantastic opportunity for mathematics experts who have been using and thinking about AI to share their knowledge and experiences,” Huckaba said. “My hope is that it will serve as a catalyst and help the participants better understand both challenges and opportunities facing the field.”

This is the second AI-related panel Bauer will host this semester, with over 700 confirmed registrations across both events. “The crisis of AI-generated mathematics,” was held online Friday, Sept. 11, with discussions focused on a critical examination of AI and its broader implications for science and education. Participants included researchers from 205 distinct higher-education institutions or campuses across 31 countries, further demonstrating the demand for these discussions across the globe.

“One challenge for current undergraduate students is learning how to use AI without letting it become a shortcut that prevents them from developing their own understanding,” Bauer said. “I always encourage my students not to dismiss AI, as it is an essential tool that they will need to learn how to use effectively. At the same time, working through problems and calculations themselves remains necessary for understanding the deeper meaning of the material.”

Visit the “Mathematics at a Turning Point” event website for more information and to register.

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Florida State University is reaffirming its position as one of the nation’s premier public universities, earning strong rankings from U.S. News & World Report, TIME and Niche.  

FSU placed highly in each of the three publications’ latest rankings, released over the past month.   

“Rankings may change from year to year or vary by publication, but Florida State’s commitment to excellence is constant,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “Our university continues to break records year after year and reach new heights in student success, academic quality, and research funding and expenditures. That momentum reflects the extraordinary dedication of our faculty, staff and students, and it gives us tremendous confidence in Florida State’s future. We are clearly one of America’s top public universities.”  

On Tuesday, U.S. News & World Report released its “Best Colleges 2027” guidebook, ranking Florida State among the nation’s top 25 public universities for the eighth consecutive year. FSU placed No. 24 among public universities. 

In the latest report by U.S. News, Florida State climbed to No. 5 among all public universities nationally for First-Year Experiences, a reflection of its 97% first-year retention rate. FSU also excelled among all public institutions in several new categories, ranking No. 7 for Best Value for In-State Students, No. 7 for Study Abroad and No. 13 for Most Innovative Schools.  

Earlier this fall, Niche ranked Florida State No. 12 among national public universities, using verifiable data from the U.S. Department of Education along with reviews and ratings from current students, alumni and parents. Niche also ranked FSU No. 46 on its list of 2027 Best Research Universities in America, improving four spots from last year. 

Last month, FSU ranked No. 17 among public universities in TIME’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges list, which emphasizes student outcomes and the value of a college education. 

Student success is FSU’s No. 1 goal

The strong rankings reflect the momentum Florida State has built in key measures of student success. Most recently, the university achieved a record four-year graduation rate of 82%, the highest in State University System history and four percentage points above last year’s record. FSU’s Office of Institutional Research projects the new rate would place the university in a tie with the University of Michigan at No. 7 among public universities nationally. 

Along with its record four-year graduation rate, FSU maintained its record six-year graduation rate and achieved a new milestone for transfer-student success, setting a record graduation rate for students from the Florida College System. 

Demand for a Florida State education continues to reach new heights. Nearly 97,000 students applied for admission for fall 2026, representing a 233% increase over the past decade. The university welcomed approximately 6,000 freshmen from one of the most competitive applicant pools in its history. The admitted class boasts an average high school GPA of 4.5, average SAT and ACT scores of 1430 and 32, respectively, and 92% graduated in the top 10% of their high school classes. Twenty-five percent are first-generation college students.  

“Students choose Florida State because of the quality of our academic programs and the opportunities available to them here,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark. “They stay and graduate because of the experience they have once they arrive. We have built a culture that combines academic excellence with strong student support, helping more students achieve their goals and earn their degrees on time.” 

What changed in U.S. News?

This year, U.S. News revised its methodology and removed student debt from its formula. Student affordability remains a top priority for FSU, which ranks among the nation’s best public research universities for graduating students with little or no debt.  

Under the new calculation, FSU’s ranking among national public universities dropped three spots despite gains across all previously measured metrics, including first-year retention rate, six-year graduation rate and the six-year Pell recipient graduation rate.  

“Our responsibility is not to chase rankings but to create one of the nation’s best educational experiences,” McCullough said. “That means continuing to invest in outstanding faculty, innovative academic programs and the resources that help students succeed from enrollment through graduation. If we remain focused on those goals, the results will follow.” 

FSU shines in undergraduate program rankings

FSU ranked No. 36 among all undergraduate business programs at public schools in U.S. News’ 2027 Best Colleges rankings. The Herbert Wertheim College of Business’ Dr. William T. Hold/The Alliance’s Program in Risk Management and Insurance ranked No. 3 among the nation’s top public and private RMI programs. 

The Wertheim College’s Real Estate Program moved up three spots to No. 3 among public universities and No. 6 overall, with the Dr. Persis E. Rockwood School of Marketing maintaining its No. 18 spot among public universities. 

 “These high marks reflect the transformative education our students receive from an exceptional faculty who, supported by our dedicated staff, alumni and industry partners, inspire students daily to reach their full potential,” said Michael D. Hartline, dean of the Wertheim College of Business. “Our hope is that all Wertheim College students will graduate with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead in their chosen fields and to make a meaningful impact in the global marketplace.” 

New this year, U.S. News ranked entrepreneurship programs. The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship’s undergraduate program ranked No. 13 among public universities and No. 39 overall on the publication’s inaugural list.  

“The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is honored to be counted among the nation’s very best undergraduate programs,” said Michael Brady, interim dean of the Moran College. “This achievement reflects the extraordinary talent and drive of the faculty, staff and students who continue to strengthen our entrepreneurial community, and it wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of The Jim Moran Foundation and our devoted alumni.” 

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Students at every stage of their college careers can explore job and internship opportunities and connect with employers during Florida State University’s Seminole Futures Recruitment Series. The weeklong series Sept. 21-27 includes career fairs, networking events and on-campus interviews designed to help students take the next step in their professional journeys.

Seminole Futures offers seven days of guided career exploration led by the FSU Career Center within the Division of Student Affairs. This week’s fairs and employer events are designed for students seeking internships or full-time positions after graduation or early career programs geared toward first- and second-year students.

FSU ranks No. 13 among public universities on The Princeton Review’s list of the Top 20 Best Schools for Internships.

“Seminole Futures is an opportunity for students of all levels to engage in firsthand networking experiences with employers ready to help kickstart their careers,” said Rob Liddell, assistant vice president for Career Services. “We aim to support student success through interactive engagements and forge connections with our employer partners as they welcome the next generation of professionals.”

The flagship Seminole Futures Job and Internship Fair will take place Thursday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. More than 100 employers from a range of industries will meet with students to discuss career opportunities. Participating employers include Enterprise Mobility, Insight Global, NewDay USA and ReliaQuest. The Engineering Job and Internship Fair will take place Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Letícia Falcão, a third-year marketing major, is looking forward to connecting with local employers and gaining professional experience before graduation.

“I’d like to see what options are available to me locally while I continue thinking about my future in business,” Falcão said.

To view the full list of employers attending this semester’s fairs and events, visit NoleNetwork.

“Welcoming more than 225 hiring organizations to the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the Civic Center is a clear testament to the value of FSU talent,” said FSU Director of Employer Relations Christy Mantzanas. “This level of employer interest will bring more career possibilities for our students as they prepare to launch their professional journeys.”

For more information, please visit career.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University will mark its 175th anniversary with an expanded Homecoming celebration Friday Nov. 20, featuring an extended parade route, a free concert and carnival for the FSU and Tallahassee communities.

Florida State University First Lady Jai Vartikar said FSU’s milestone anniversary offers a special opportunity to bring people together through the traditions and spirit of Homecoming.

“Homecoming has always been about connection, and FSU’s 175th anniversary gives us an extraordinary opportunity to widen that circle of celebration,” Vartikar said. “We look forward to welcoming students, alumni, families and friends in the community to experience the traditions, energy and sense of belonging that make Florida State University so special.”

Students, parents, alumni, friends and community members are invited to be part of the parade and Seminole LIVE! 175. This year’s theme, “Tradition Takes the Spotlight,” will celebrate FSU’s legacy and Seminole spirit through a full lineup of events.

“Homecoming is a powerful reminder of what makes Florida State so special — our students, our traditions and the sense of belonging that connects generations of Seminoles,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “Student life is at the heart of that experience, and we wanted to create more opportunities during Homecoming to build community and celebrate the pride that comes with being a Seminole.”

One of the most anticipated events of the week, the Homecoming Parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. The proposed parade route will head north on Macomb Street, west on College Avenue, south on Copeland Street and west on Jefferson Street before turning south onto Varsity Drive and west onto St. Augustine, ending at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The parade will feature the world-renowned FSU Marching Chiefs, who will make history as the first collegiate marching band from Florida to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2027. In keeping with tradition, the FSU cheerleaders, student organizations, colleges and departments across the university will decorate floats and golf carts.

The FSU and Tallahassee communities are invited to line the parade route and be part of the Homecoming tradition. Community organizations are welcome to participate in the parade and register their entry. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.

Seminole LIVE! 175, a pep rally, carnival and concert, will be held at the Main Campus Fields, 1001 St. Augustine St. In celebration of FSU’s 175th anniversary, members of the Tallahassee community are invited to join students, faculty, staff and alumni for the festivities.

FSU’s weeklong events from Nov. 13-21 culminate with the Homecoming football game against NC State.

To learn more about FSU Homecoming, visit homecoming.fsu.edu.

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The Lindsay Clancy trial was the latest high-profile case that affected defendants, families, jurors, judges and the professionals charged with administering justice.

At Florida State University, Mimi Graham, director of the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy (CPEIP), is leading an effort to bring trauma science directly into judicial practice. Through CPEIP, FSU has developed training to help judges and court professionals better understand how trauma can shape behavior, decision making and courtroom experiences.

“Everybody coming to court has trauma,” Graham said. “If you don’t have trauma before you come into the court, what brings you into court is trauma, whether it’s the criminal court, or civil court, or dependency. All of them have the capacity to be therapeutic.”

The course, “Trauma & Resilience Education for the Judiciary: Aligning What We Know With What We Do,” integrates brain science, attachment science, trauma research and resilience science into judicial practice. The recently launched program is free for Florida professionals and offers continuing education credits, with the goal of translating research into practical tools for courtroom decision making.

The initiative is part of FSU Health, the university’s integrated health system that brings together hospitals, physicians, clinics, research, education and innovation to improve the health of the communities FSU serves.

“We felt, as a university, it is appropriate to bring the science to the field and say, ‘Here it is, you can make better decisions when you know the science,’ Graham added.

“We felt, as a university, it is appropriate to bring the science to the field and say, ‘Here it is, you can make better decisions when you know the science.’”

– Mimi Graham, director of the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy

The work is grounded in research showing that early trauma can affect brain development, behavior and later involvement in the court system. Graham said the first 1,000 days, from prenatal development to age 3, are especially critical because much of the brain develops during that period. Even when children are too young to remember adverse experiences, she said, their bodies can carry the effects.

Graham’s work also extends beyond the courtroom. She is part of the FSU Young Parents Project, which provides intensive home visiting, parent-child support, trauma-informed care and resource coordination for court-involved expectant and parenting youth across Florida. The project is aimed at interrupting what Graham describes as the trauma-to-prison pipeline, in which children and youth who experience severe early-life trauma are punished or criminalized instead of receiving care and support.

In the courtroom, Graham said trauma-informed practices can change both communication and outcomes. She has seen practices, such as abrupt child removals, repeated questioning of trafficking survivors, intimidating language and courtroom logistics that keep children waiting for hours further compound the harm people have already experienced.

“There are ways that you can have trauma-informed courtrooms,” Graham said. “In every phase of the process, we have these things called ‘what harms’ and ‘what helps.’ What harms is kids in a waiting room with a hundred other people at the courthouse waiting all day for their turn. What helps is to have a specified time that is on the docket and a child-friendly waiting room where they can be called in and seen.”

Graham points to Florida’s Early Childhood Court, also known as baby court, as an example of a trauma-informed approach in action. The non-adversarial, problem-solving court serves infants and toddlers involved in the child welfare system because of abuse or neglect. Specialized judges work with multidisciplinary teams that include community coordinators and infant mental health clinicians.

Graham said the latest data available to her show that children in Early Childhood Court are nearly 53% more likely to be reunited with families compared to children in other courts.

Trauma-informed training also recognizes the toll that difficult cases, like the Lindsay Clancy trial, can take on those inside the courtroom. Graphic testimony and evidence can affect jurors, judges and frontline workers, Graham said, making self-care and organizational support a necessary part of administering justice.

One chapter in the CPEIP training focuses on judicial self-care, a response to research showing rising mental health concerns and suicides within the profession.

“Our organizations are not properly helping people that spend their days working and are exposed to traumatic events,” Graham said.

As trauma continues to shape what happens in courtrooms, FSU is positioning itself as a national leader in trauma-informed justice by translating decades of research into practical tools that can change how judges, attorneys and court professionals understand the people who come before them. Through CPEIP’s work, FSU is helping move the justice system beyond reaction and punishment toward a model grounded in science, resilience and healing.

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Florida State University College of Law graduates earned the highest first-time bar passage rate among Florida law schools on the July 2026 Florida Bar Exam, with 91.8% of first-time test takers passing, according to results released Friday by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

Of FSU Law’s 110 first-time test-takers, 101 passed the exam. This placement ranks FSU Law No. 1 among all accredited Florida law schools and positions the law school 11.4 percentage points above the Florida law school average of 80.4%.

“We are tremendously proud of our graduates for achieving the highest first-time bar passage rate in Florida,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “This extraordinary result reflects the talent, discipline and determination of our students, as well as the commitment of our faculty and staff to their success. Our graduates worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and we are excited to see all that they will accomplish as they begin their legal careers.”

“We are tremendously proud of our graduates for achieving the highest first-time bar passage rate in Florida. This extraordinary result reflects the talent, discipline and determination of our students, as well as the commitment of our faculty and staff to their success. Our graduates worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and we are excited to see all that they will accomplish as they begin their legal careers.” 

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

FSU Law supports graduates throughout the bar preparation process through its Bar Success Program, led by Jami Ferrell, director of Bar Success; Nancy Benavides, associate dean for academic programs and student advancement; Laura Dennis, assistant dean for academic success; and Cecelia Smith, writing specialist and professor of advanced legal writing.

“This achievement is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our grads and the exceptional faculty who prepared them throughout their legal education,” said Ferrell. “Bar success doesn’t begin when graduates open their bar review materials. It starts in our classrooms, where our faculty challenge students to think critically, develop the skills necessary to practice law and build the foundation for success on the bar exam. I’m incredibly proud of our graduates and grateful to every faculty and staff member who made this accomplishment possible.”

Through the College of Law’s Spear the Bar initiative, graduates receive structured support during the summer leading up to the exam, including supplemental lectures, individualized tutoring, progress tracking and dedicated study resources. The program also helps address practical challenges graduates may face during the intensive weeks of bar preparation.

The 91.8% figure represents FSU Law graduates who sat for the Florida Bar Exam for the first time in July 2026. FSU Law also celebrates graduates who sat for bar examinations in other jurisdictions this summer.

For more information, visit law.fsu.edu.

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For the eighth consecutive year, FSU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) hosted its annual suicide prevention event, held this year on World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10. Noles C.A.R.E. Day focuses on training students, faculty and staff on identifying warning signs of distressed students, how to express concern and which resources to refer to when students are in a crisis or expressing concerns related to suicide.  

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among individuals ages 15-34 and remains a leading public health challenge in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 48,824 deaths by suicide in 2024. 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and organizations across the nation use this month to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help before a crisis becomes fatal.  

“Florida State is fighting to help break down the walls of silence surrounding mental health crises,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “Providing education and prevention methods and sharing resources are an integral part of the services we provide to support our students.”

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