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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interested in applying for a Fulbright? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EVENT OVERVIEW: 

MONDAY, APRIL 6 

Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence 

10 a.m.-noon
FSU Alumni Center 

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 7 

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

5-6 p.m.
Gus A. Stavros Center 

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 

Digital Symposium: “Illuminations” 

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

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

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5-6 p.m.
Gus A. Stavros Center 

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 

Dissertation Roadmap 

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

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

How to Navigate Campus Academic Job Interviews 

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

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

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

5-6 p.m.
Gus A. Stavros Center 

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 

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

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

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

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

5:30-7:30 p.m.
Museum of Fine Arts 

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

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Florida State University celebrated some of its most resilient students at an annual banquet for students who come to FSU after experiencing homelessness, foster care, relative care or ward of the state status. 

The Unconquered Scholars Program Awareness Banquet honored graduating seniors and other students from the Unconquered Scholars Program, a part of FSU’s Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement (CARE), on March 30 at the FSU Student Union Ballrooms.  

“Our mission is to provide students with guidance, mentorship, advocacy, security and a voice to ensure they can achieve academic success and long-term independence,” said Shannon Shannon, assistant director of student development in CARE. “Tonight we celebrate not only our graduating class, but every Unconquered Scholar who is one step closer to their degree.”  

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At Florida State University, student curiosity is driving innovation and research through FSU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, or UROP. In labs and classrooms across campus, undergraduate students are gaining hands-on research skills to advance their academic careers.

On March 6-7, UROP students moved their research into the spotlight by presenting their findings at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, or FURC, one of the largest multi-disciplinary research conferences in the country and an opportunity for FSU students to showcase their own research and connect with students at other Florida institutions.

“FSU students produce outstanding research across a wide range of disciplines, and we’re grateful they had the opportunity to share their work at this prestigious statewide conference,” said DeOnte Brown, dean of Undergraduate Studies. “At FSU, one in four undergraduates participates in research, made possible by faculty and other research mentors who help prepare the next generation of scholars.”

Their UROP Journey

UROP offers opportunities for first-year and second-year FSU students to participate in projects as undergraduate researchers. The program is organized by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, or CRE, a hub for promoting student research and creativity at Florida State.

The program features three parts to prepare students: a colloquium, a research assistantship and presentation at a symposium. The colloquium class answers questions about the goals and methods of academic research, helps students build fundamental skills and guides them as they navigate finding a project. The research assistantship pairs students with faculty for mentorship and training. Finally, students present their work to the public, giving them practice translating technical research into easily understood presentations that highlight the impact of their research.

Brandon Bonamarte, a first-year mathematics and music student, completed a research project about autism spectrum diagnostic tests as a high school senior.

“After I finished that research project around autism, I wanted to see if I could keep doing research at FSU,” Bonamarte said. “That is when I started looking at different programs and got an email about UROP. I looked it up online, and I decided, what better place to start than a program specifically for undergraduate researchers?”

Bonamarte used machine learning models in his research into autism spectrum tests to examine whether evaluations that aren’t traditionally used to test for autism could still provide accurate diagnoses. He used similar machine learning models in his UROP project to study relationship formation in a tropical bird species called lance-tailed manakins under the mentorship of Professor Emily H. Duvall. His research focused on the birds’ courting displays, analyzing what components of these performances relate to success in mating pairs.

For her research, second-year nursing and public health student Sofia Martinez wanted to explore postpartum health care. UROP gave her a chance to jump into a project with the help of a mentor who could guide her work.

“For a lot of research opportunities, you need experience. UROP helped me get into research,” Martinez said. “I thought the program was a great opportunity to get experience, because no matter what lab I was in, it would still be a research opportunity.”

She worked with Associate Professor Jessica Bahorski to study how maternal support and mental health influence breastfeeding for her UROP project. The project identified factors that influence recovery and support for new mothers, research that will help Martinez as she pursues her career goal of becoming a pediatrician.

“I got an incredible research opportunity through UROP, and it opened the door for so many more opportunities,” Martinez said. “I love the project that I’m working on. It aligns with my values and everything that I want to do in the future.”

Moira Shoffstall, a second-year art history student, turned to research as a passion project. UROP gave her the opportunity to explore research in a field outside of her major.

“I applied to UROP because I enjoy research. I like the process of investigating a topic and trying to answer the question that I am asking,” she said. “Humanities, art history especially, study the aftereffects of our culture, human interaction and history. Researching that is incredibly important to understanding ourselves and preventing history from repeating itself.”

Under the mentorship of Professor Ben Dodds, Shoffstall’s UROP project analyzed Spanish bandit Don Juan de Serrallonga through the lens of a biographical poem. The project compared this poem to historical records and earlier Spanish literary works to examine how historical figures are reconstructed through storytelling.

“By presenting at conferences like FURC, students gain the skills and confidence to communicate their ideas, connect with peers and imagine what’s possible in their future academic and professional paths,” said Latika Young, the director of CRE. “Those early research experiences shape how students think, communicate and engage with the world around them.”

The Florida Undergraduate Research Conference

After completing their research, Bonamarte, Martinez and Shoffstall prepared to present their work to a wider audience. With support from the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, they joined fellow FSU undergraduates and students from around Florida at the University of North Florida for FURC. The conference marked their first major milestone in showcasing their research, and it offered valuable experience practicing public speaking for an audience that didn’t have the specialized knowledge they had developed. The event also gave students the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and engage with a wider community of researchers.

“My favorite part about FURC was not just presenting my research, but hearing others present theirs,” Bonamarte said. “I hunted down those in my field and had some really good discussions that I cannot really get elsewhere.”

Besides presenting their research, FURC attendees experience the chance to network with other undergraduate researchers and field experts, providing opportunities for academic growth and connection.

“I am not the most social person, and when I am social, I do not have a lot of practice at interacting with students my own age,” Shoffstall said. “By being given a very easy conversation topic — FURC and my own research — I had a much easier time connecting with and meeting people who are as curious as I am.”

More opportunities

The UROP students who attended FURC will also be presenting at the upcoming Undergraduate Research Symposium, or URS. The event is the largest symposium of undergraduate researchers at FSU, and it brings together student research from a variety of programs across campus, including UROP, the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society, the Honors in the Major program and more. Students with creative projects such as original films, dance and music projects present their work at Nourishing Creativity, a showcase of creative work at the symposium.

For many students, the symposium is their first time presenting their research. Bonamarte, Martinez and Shoffstall will bring their experience at FURC to the event.

“Presenting at FURC helped prepare me for URS by giving me practice explaining my research clearly and confidently to people who may not be familiar with my topic. It also reminded me that we all start somewhere,” Martinez said. “I met so many incredible high-achieving students who were also presenting for the first time, which made the experience feel very encouraging and collaborative.”

The Undergraduate Research Symposium will take place April 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Ballrooms.

Students interested in applying to UROP can learn more and apply on the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement website. Applications for incoming first-years and current first-year students are open until May 1 and Applications for transfer students with an AA starting in the fall close July 3.

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Relay For Life at FSU is supporting the fight against cancer and getting ready for their annual fundraising event. The student organization raised more than $34,000 in one day for cancer research and patient support in partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) at recent events ahead of the fundraiser on April 11.  

“Relay For Life shows the power of students coming together for something bigger than themselves and creating a community of hope and support for those affected by cancer,” said Kelsey Strigler, executive director of Relay For Life at FSU. “As executive director, it’s inspiring to see our community unite to fundraise, spread awareness and support the mission of the American Cancer Society until there is a cure.” 

The organization held several events during Giving Tuesday 2025, when more than 35 registered student organizations and 145 individuals fundraised to achieve this milestone. The day started with a giving event on Landis Green which included a power hour of fundraising, pieing and student performances. RFL at FSU’s goal was to raise $20,000, a mark that they exceeded by $14,000, a 290% increase from the 2024 Giving Tuesday event. 

“Relay For Life shows the power of students coming together for something bigger than themselves and creating a community of hope and support for those affected by cancer.”

— Kelsey Strigler, executive director of Relay For Life at FSU

After placing third nationally during Fall Fundraising Week, Relay For Life at FSU qualified as a top college to participate in the Fall Fumble, an exclusive bracket challenge featuring the country’s top 32 fundraising universities. By securing first place in this final competition, the organization was officially named “College Champion” by the ACS. 

“The Relay For Life student leaders have come into this year with a passion and drive that exceeds all expectations,” said Stormy McGivern, director of the FSU Office of Student Organizations and Involvement. “Their dedication to raising awareness about and fundraising for the American Cancer Society directly supports countless members of our FSU community who have been directly impacted by cancer. We’re thrilled to see RFL continue to expand their campus and community partnerships. Their success in the Fall Fumble is a testament to the work they’ve put in so far. We look forward to seeing the culmination of their year at Relay on April 11!”

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Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon Jr., former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, will speak at Florida State University at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, on “Strategic Leadership in the 21st Century: How You Can Shape the Emerging Global Order.” 

During his lecture, Shannon will explore the forces driving global transformation, the fluid nature of today’s world, the enduring influence of the U.S. in shaping global order and how emerging generations will define the future. This event is co-sponsored by the FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series and the Center for Global Engagement’s Engage Your World Speaker Series.  

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in The Globe Auditorium, 110 S. Woodward Ave. A reception will take place beforehand at 4 p.m. in the lobby of The Globe. 

The Under Secretary for Political Affairs reports to the Secretary of State and is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations at the Department of State, including managing international crises and U.S. foreign policy.  

Shannon received his master’s and doctorate in politics from Oxford University after graduating with honors from the College of William and Mary in 1980, where he studied government and philosophy.  

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

Attendees can park in either the Traditions Parking Garage or the Pensacola Parking Garage without an FSU permit after 4:30 p.m.  

For more information, visit calendar.fsu.edu. 

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From promoting the impact of cutting-edge research to celebrating student success, podcasts at Florida State University have become a staple for sharing information for the FSU community. They offer an accessible medium for digital storytelling, amplifying the voices of students, staff and faculty. 

FSU colleges and departments host a variety of podcasts pulling stories and experts from across the university. The diverse range of podcasts means that there is something for every listener to tune into, whether they are a student, staff member or alumni. Here are a few examples of the FSU podcasts available:

Nole Edge  

The College of Arts and Sciences produces “Nole Edge,” connecting listeners with the stories of students, faculty, alumni and researchers whose work is changing the way we view the world. 

Host Amy Walden, the college’s assistant director of visual and social media, has explored topics such as what happens in the human brain during sleep and how that protects against Alzheimer’s disease, the ethics of moral injury, FSU’s immersive language houses and more. Now in its fourth season, episodes are available on the college’s YouTube channel. 

“Nole Edge” has created a unique space to share the stories and perspectives of the outstanding researchers, faculty, students and world-renowned lecturers that make Florida State such a special place,” Walden said. “Because the FSU College of Arts and Sciences is home to the natural sciences and humanities, every topic and conversation on the podcast is a new adventure. We strive for our listeners, no matter their area of interest or level of expertise, to walk away from each episode with fresh knowledge.” 

InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast  

“The InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast” with host Mark McNees from the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship highlights student and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators from FSU. 

Guests include the next generation of young business leaders sharing what they’re learning as they build companies from the ground up, FSU faculty with key insights into entrepreneurship, and alumni making their mark. “InNOLEvation Mindset” can be found on the website for FSU’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and is also available on YouTube. 

 “InNOLEvation® Mindset started as a way to give FSU’s entrepreneurs a platform, but it has evolved into something bigger,” McNees said. “We’re now having conversations with energy finance leaders, sustainability innovators and business founders whose work is reshaping entire industries. The podcast gives the Jim Moran College a front-row seat to those conversations, and our listeners, whether they’re students, executives, or policymakers, walk away with insights they can actually use.” 

Coach Talk  

“Coach Talk” was created by Timothy Baghurst, director of the FSU Center for Athletic Coaching. Each episode connects the classroom with the field, featuring guests from the sports industry, including coaches, athletic directors, team owners and more. Episodes of “Coach Talk” can be found streaming online on platforms such as Spotify.   

 “Listeners gain a deeper understanding of coaching practices, decision-making and the realities of working in sports, drawing practical, evidence-based lessons from the show,” Baghurst said. “‘Coach Talk’ offers an inside perspective on the knowledge and experiences that shape sports today.” 

More FSU podcasts 

There is a podcast for every listener, each one exploring another facet of the FSU community. 

The College of Medicine produces “Faculty Forward” to provide insight, strategies and professional advice to medical school and health sciences faculty. Each episode features experts and educators from FSU, focusing on topics for faculty success in the classroom and the clinic. Episodes of “Faculty Forward” can be found on the website for FSU’s College of Medicine.   

“FSU COMMversation” is a student-run podcast highlighting students, professors and alumni from FSU’s School of Communication in the College of Communication and Information. Each episode highlights the accomplishments of its guests, which allows other students, professors, and alumni to stay informed and connected with the communications world. “FSU COMMversation” can be found on all streaming platforms online.   

“Seminole Sports” is hosted by Jeff Culhane, the director of broadcasting for the Seminole Sports Network. Culhane is joined by Seminole coaches and players as he breaks down current news and events in FSU sports. Listeners can tune into “Seminole Sports” from the Seminole Boosters website.  

“Connect with VP Amy Hecht” dives into new topics about programs and opportunities at FSU. Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht highlights a new guest in each episode and discusses frequently asked questions from students, parents and future Seminoles. Listeners can find episodes of “Connect with VP Amy Hecht” on FSU’s website for the Division of Student Affairs.

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Lillie M. Bradshaw, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Biological Science, is being recognized by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) for her insightful research and commitment to policy change.

Bradshaw’s work is focused on coastal and marine conservation research in the Florida Keys. She strives to increase knowledge surrounding coastal and marine ecosystems while also increasing abilities to properly manage them. The Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) will help further her mission to provide actionable insights for resource management in a changing world.

“I was super thrilled and surprised. It’s a competitive award, so I was excited to get the opportunity to go do some science policy work in Washington,” said Bradshaw. “It means a lot to me to be recognized by such a huge society in the ecology world, especially for something like science policy. It’s a more niche field where not a lot of ecologists get to make those connections and networking was something that will help my future career.”

ESA is the world’s largest community of professional ecologists and a trusted source of ecological knowledge committed to advancing the understanding of life on Earth. The Katherine S. McCarter GSPA honors students engaged in advocacy with an interest in science policy. This year’s 20 awardees recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for policy, communication and career training, followed by meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

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Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts presented “Finding Your Family” at the Askew Student Life Center where the stories on screen reflected a decade of creative fire.

Part of the 2026 Festival of the Creative Arts (FCA), the event showcased eight student-produced short films. The curated selection bridged the gap between the filmmakers’ formative years in Tallahassee and their current professional careers at industry titans like DreamWorks.

The genres ranged from the puppetry of Kyra Gardner’s “Phoebe” to Farsi-English drama “Hasti Joon” by Emmy nominee Sara Karimipour. A singular theme ran throughout the evening: the search for belonging. David Barrow Wiley, filmmaker-in-residence at the College of Motion Picture Arts, noted the creative impact and formative influence that students experience through their time in the college.

“In any arts collective, you go through a process of finding out who you are and seeing how that resonates against the space you occupy,” Wiley said. “When students come here, they start to see who they are. That changes their relationship with the world and how they respond back to the family they were assigned at birth.”

The program highlighted the technical and emotional risks that define the FSU film experience. In one notable example, the entire crew of Summer Schantz’s “Pink is the Color of the Ocean” dyed their hair pink and ran into the ocean to mark the end of filming, both manifestations of the “chosen family” found on set.

For Wiley, who previously served as the college’s head of set operations, the screening was a deeply personal return to FSU. He recalled a phrase he used to tell his students while teaching them the rigors of production safety: “I need you to sow this into your soul.”

“Usually, I was talking about being safe on set and wrapping cables correctly but seeing them come back and share how those years shaped their voices — that’s the real family connection,” Wiley said. “Their trajectory in the industry is emotional for me because it’s clear that they have kept themselves safe while garnering substantive work and accolades.”

The screening was followed by a Q&A session where Wiley and lecturer Laura Lee shared reflections sent in by the alumni, many of whom are now working as staff writers, directors and cinematographers.

Iain Quinn, director of FCA, noted that the event serves as a centerpiece for the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary engagement. By opening the screening to the public, the university strengthens its ties with a community that provides the actors, locations and support necessary for student success.

“We are a film school reliant on the community,” Wiley said. “These collaborations have sewn the film school into the fabric of Tallahassee.”

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Florida State University’s Flying High Circus is preparing to soar with an all-new Spring Performance Series, “Tall Tales,” in April.

“Tall Tales” is the first new production to use FSU’s new big top tent, installed in 2025.

“After two years of preparation, we will unveil our fully completed circus tent and venue, as well as a brand-new show full of new vibrant costumes and music,” said Chad Mathews, director of the FSU Flying High Circus. “We are very excited to finally showcase the full cast in our new circus tent and cannot wait to share it with everyone.”

Rivaling a professional circus, the FSU Circus was founded in 1947 and is an extracurricular activity under the Division of Student Affairs. Student performers rig their own equipment, sew their own costumes, produce lights and sound for performances, and set up the tent on campus.

Spun through the tale of a high-flying circus story, “Tall Tales” weaves in elements of fact and fiction to entertain audiences of all ages. The new costumes blend the glamour and sparkle of classic circus with the flora and fauna Florida is known for.

Hayden Bevis, a second-year nursing major, will showcase swinging trapeze, flying trapeze and Lyra acts. This is her second year performing in the circus.

“I have been working on some of my acts for two years now, and I’m really excited to perform in home shows and show them off,” Bevis said. “I am also looking forward to performing with all my friends because we have worked so hard. The circus is an organization that I hold close to my heart, and I love performing because we get to show everyone what we’ve been working on.”

Carina Novarro, a sophomore majoring in chemistry, will perform routines on triple trapeze, low casting and Lyra.

“I am so excited to see our hard work come to life under the big top and to perform for the FSU community,” she said.

Limited tickets are available for all shows. Admission is free for students with an FSU ID. Faculty and staff receive an FSU employee discount. Gates open one hour prior to showtime.

For tickets and more information about the FSU Flying High Circus, visit circus.fsu.edu.

To learn more about the program, view the podcast episode “Connect with VP Amy Hecht: Flying High with FSU Circus.”

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Three FSU leaders who were the first in their families to attend college — Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, President Richard McCullough and Head Football Coach Mike Norvell — shared their inspiring journeys of resilience and achievement, encouraging current first-generation students to pursue their dreams during Florida State University’s third annual Horizons Unlimited Conference on Tuesday, March 3.

Led by FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar, the conference brought together first-generation students, alumni and university leaders for a day of personal stories and practical guidance aimed at helping students succeed in college and beyond.

Participants attended sessions on topics such as overcoming adversity, building a professional brand and reflecting on personal journeys, while also connecting with fellow first-generation students, faculty and mentors.

“I believe in you, Florida State University believes in you,” Vartikar said. “But most importantly, you have to believe in yourself. So, believe that you belong here and in every room that you want to be in. Your voice matters. Your horizons are unlimited and we can’t wait to see what you become.”

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