Florida State University has become the first college campus in the nation to install a Hope Booth, an innovative resource designed to expand access to mental health support.

Located on the first floor of the Student Union, the booth offers an interactive video experience designed to deliver immediate encouragement and support.

“Florida State is actively fighting to help break down the barriers and stigma of mental health concerns,” Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht said. “We are grateful to offer the Hope Booth on campus, expanding our wellness support with this innovative resource.”

FSU Counseling & Psychological Services recently celebrated the opening of the Hope Booth. Based out of Atlanta, Hope Booth is a mental health and suicide prevention nonprofit whose mission is to deliver hope and connect individuals to free support and resources.

Students, faculty, staff and visitors can visit Hope Booth any time to begin a three-minute immersive experience. There is an adjustable height button to help with viewing the screen and closed captioning accessibility. After the user answers a few questions, the narrator will provide encouraging words of hope and action steps such as deep breathing or repeating positive words of affirmation.

Gloria Umanah, founder and CEO of Hope Booth, spoke to students and staff who gathered at the Student Union for the unveiling. She asked students to think of their mental health as performing maintenance on a vehicle with certain steps car owners can take to help keep the car running before the check engine light comes on.

“We think mental health care should be the same,” Umanah said. “You don’t have to be on the verge of crises. What does it look like to take care of our mental health, to rejuvenate our own hope and then spread that hope everywhere we go so eventually we pioneer a movement where no one goes unseen?”

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As Florida State University celebrates its 175th anniversary with an expanded Homecoming weekend Nov. 19-22, the university will recognize 21 outstanding alumni and supporters during the weekend’s signature award ceremonies. 

“This year’s honorees represent the reach and impact of the Florida State University community,” said Sarishni Patel, Assistant VP for Annual Giving and Regional Advancement Programs. “Through their leadership, service and commitment to excellence, they remind us what it means to carry the Seminole spirit into communities and professions around the world.” 

The FSU Alumni Awards ceremony will take place Thursday, Nov. 19, at Goodwood Museum & Gardens. The event will honor recipients of the Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni Award, Grads Made Good, Inspire Award, Circle of Gold and Bernard F. Sliger Award. 

On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Emeriti Alumni Society will honor recipients of the Dean Eyman Distinctive Service Award and Commitment to Excellence Award during its annual Induction Brunch and Awards Ceremony at the FSU Alumni Center. 

For more information and to register for the FSU Alumni Awards, visit the FSU Alumni Awards registration page. To learn more and register for the Emeriti Alumni Society Induction Brunch and Awards Ceremony, visit the event’s registration page.  

FSU Alumni Awards: Thursday, Nov. 19 

The Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni Award honors alumni age 35 or younger whose achievements exemplify outstanding professional success and a commitment to service. The 2026 Askew Award honorees are: 

• Christian Caban (B.S. ’17) serves as chairman of the Leon County Commission and chairman of the Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees. An entrepreneur and public servant, he has employed more than 1,000 FSU students through his hospitality businesses and has championed initiatives supporting infrastructure, economic development, community safety, rural services, school bus stop lighting and tornado relief for residents and small businesses. 

• Stefano Cavallaro, Esq. (B.S. ’15) is a trial attorney at Carlton Fields in Tampa, where his practice focuses on business litigation, construction and real estate. A former student body president and member of the university’s Board of Trustees, he later served as a Marine Corps judge advocate and special assistant U.S. attorney, building a career marked by leadership, public service and extensive courtroom experience. 

• Ebo Entsuah (B.S. ’16, J.M. ’20, Ed.D. ’26) is director of philanthropy for Special Olympics Florida Foundation, where he leads fundraising and partnership efforts to advance the organization’s mission statewide. A former Clermont city councilman and public affairs executive, he has managed municipal, legislative, education policy and government relations initiatives, and his leadership has been recognized through honors including Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow, Volunteer Florida gubernatorial appointee and Florida Politics 30 Under 30 Rising Star. 

The Grads Made Good Award, presented in partnership with the FSU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions in their fields. The 2026 Grads Made Good Award recipients are: 

• Monica Cepero (B.S. ’90, MPA ’92) serves as county administrator of Broward County, the nation’s 17th-largest county, overseeing nearly 7,000 employees, a population of more than 2 million residents and an $8.8 billion budget. With more than 35 years of public-sector leadership experience, she has held key roles in local and state government, including serving as an adviser to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and leading major government operations, policy and strategic initiatives throughout Florida. 

• Carol Marbin Miller (B.S. ’81) is deputy investigations editor at the Miami Herald, where her reporting has driven major reforms in child welfare, juvenile justice, healthcareand protections for vulnerable Floridians. A nationally honored investigative journalist, she has received the Goldsmith Prize, George Polk Award, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award and other top honors, with two Pulitzer Prize finalist projects to her credit. 

• John Medina Sr. (B.S. ’87) is president and CEO of First Federal Bank, a $4.5 billion-plus community banking institution serving customers across the United States. A former Army Reserve and Florida Army National Guard officer, he has led statewide banking operations, served major civic and business organizations and remained deeply connected to FSU through alumni leadership, student engagement, veterans support and university philanthropy. 

• Dallas Raines (B.S. ’76) is chief meteorologist for ABC-TV in Los Angeles and has spent five decades in broadcast meteorology. A certified broadcast meteorologist and American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval recipient, he began building his career through FSU’s meteorology, radio and television opportunities and has earned multiple honors, including Golden Mike Awards, Associated Press recognition and international recognition for weather presenting. 

• Altrichia Wilcox (BSW ’09) is an entrepreneur, public relations manager and founder and executive director of Mentoring Agency for Maternal Adolescents Inc. A former teen mother turned mentor and advocate, she has built a career empowering young mothers, launching a swimwear brand featured through a national Cosmopolitan collaboration and speaking at major events including Essence Festival, FSU’s Women’s Student Union Leadership Conference and Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit. 

The Inspire Award recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their professions while serving as role models for current and future students. The 2026 Inspire Award honoree is: 

• Shamarial Roberson (B.S. ’08, MPH ’09) is founder and CEO of DSR Consulting and Management LLC and founder and president of the DSR Public Foundation. A former deputy secretary for health at the Florida Department of Health, she brings deep expertise in public health strategy, epidemiology, maternal and child health, emergency preparedness and program evaluation, leading cross-sector work that strengthens health systems and improves outcomes for families and communities. 

The Circle of Gold honors alumni and friends of the university who, through their service and achievements, personify the university’s tradition of excellence. The 2026 Circle of Gold inductees are: 

• Melanie Griffin, Esq.  (B.S. ’03, MBA ’06, J.D. ’06) serves as secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, where she leads Florida’s regulation of more than 1.7 million licensees across more than 30 industry fields. A triple FSU graduate, former corporate attorney and longtime university volunteer, she has served on the College of Law Board of Visitors, J.D. Advisors Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors and Student Affairs Development Council, and has been recognized as an FSU commencement speaker, Notable Nole, Inspire Award recipient and Herbert Wertheim College of Business Recent Alumni Achievement Award honoree. 

• Francis Nardozza (B.S. ’77) is chairman and CEO of REH Capital Partners LLC, a national real estate and hospitality investment and advisory services firm. With more than 48 years of experience and more than $15 billion in advised transactions, he is recognized nationally and internationally for expertise in real estate and hospitality investment, mergers and acquisitions, strategic advisory services and long-standing service to FSU through the Real Estate Center, Dedman College of Hospitality and FSU Foundation. 

• Jay Steele (B.S. ’90), J.D., CPA is founder and former CEO of Steele Consulting LLC, a tax consulting firm serving Fortune 1000 companies. Before founding the firm, he advised Fortune 500 companies nationwide through Big Four accounting firms, helping improve operations and increase profitability. He continues to serve FSU as an FSU Foundation trustee and a member of the Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors. He is a former chair of College AIM, an Atlanta-based organization that expands college access for high school students. He also serves on the board of SolomonEdwards, a consulting firm specializing in banking and financial services, and is a partner in New River Gorge Development Company, which develops commercial properties in southern West Virginia. 

• Donn Szaro Sr. (B.S. ’72), honored posthumously, and Jo Ann Szaro built a life rooted in curiosity, service, adventure and a shared love for Florida State University. Raised in rural southeast Kentucky before moving to Florida, Jo Ann carried an early connection to the outdoors into a lifelong love of travel and exploration. Donn spent 34 years at EY, where he built the firm’s national health care practice into a billion-dollar business, later helping lead the turnaround of Jackson Health System as chief strategy officer, while remaining deeply involved with FSU through the President’s Club, Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors, Alumni Association and Seminole Boosters leadership. 

The Bernard F. Sliger Award, the Alumni Association’s highest honor, is named for FSU’s 11th president and recognizes a lifetime of service to the university. The 2026 honorees are: 

• Mark Hillis (B.S. ’64) and Nan Casper Hillis (B.S. ’76) are dedicated alumni, banking leaders and longtime university supporters whose service and philanthropy have advanced programs across business, academic affairs, nursing, athletics, alumni engagement and student success. Mark, a retired U.S. Marine Corps major and former SunTrust Bank executive, has served on numerous FSU boards including the Board of Trustees, and councils and received honors including the Circle of Gold, Emeriti Alumni Society Commitment to Excellence Award, Greek Life Hall of Fame, Faculty Senate Mores Torch Award, Real Estate Network Award, College of Nursing Dean’s Award and induction into the Herbert Wertheim College of Business Hall of Fame.  Nan, a retired senior vice president and chief strategy officer of Prime Meridian Bank, has helped shape FSU’s future through decades of board service, campaign leadership and university engagement. Her FSU honors include the Circle of Gold, Faculty Senate Mores Torch Award, Inspire Award, Real Estate Network Award, Greek Hall of Fame and induction into the Herbert Wertheim College of Business Hall of Fame.   

Emeriti Alumni Society Induction Brunch and Awards Ceremony — Sunday, Nov. 22 

The Commitment to Excellence Award honors individuals who have shown a long-standing devotion to FSU and personal achievements that reflect honor for the university. The 2026 Commitment to Excellence Award honorees are: 

• Barbara Palmer (B.S. ’70, M.S. ’74) became FSU’s director of women’s intercollegiate athletics in 1977, leading the development and management of the university’s women’s athletics program. Her advocacy helped expand FSU’s women’s athletics budget from $163,000 to $1.6 million and supported scholarship growth statewide. She later served as associate vice president for governmental relations and held senior state leadership roles, earning honors including induction into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame, FSU Athletic Hall of Fame and FSU Circle of Gold. 

• Davis Gaines (B.A. ’76) is an acclaimed stage and screen performer best known for playing the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera more than 2,000 times on Broadway, in Los Angeles and in San Francisco. A Phi Beta Kappa FSU graduate, he has performed across Broadway, national tours, regional theater, film and television, sung for six U.S. presidents and major symphony orchestras and established the Davis Gaines Endowed Scholarship in Music Theatre at FSU. 

• Wayne Wallace III (B.S. ’74) is a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, longtime FSU supporter and former Tallahassee Seminole Club leader. A political science graduate who credits FSU faculty and the GI Bill with shaping his education, Wallace has served the university through alumni club leadership, scholarship fundraising and ongoing work with the Veterans Alumni Network and the Student Veterans Center. 

The Dean Eyman Distinctive Service Award honors faculty or staff for providing exemplary service to students and contributing to the greater development of the university. The 2026 Dean Eyman Distinctive Service Award honorees are: 

• Yvonne Brown is a longtime FSU supporter, honorary alumna and retired executive whose career included leadership with the Internal Revenue Service, private tax consulting and commercial real estate finance. She has served on numerous FSU boards and councils, including the FSU Foundation Board, National Campaign Committee, Planned Giving Council, Undergraduate Studies Development Council, Seminole Boosters Board of Directors and FSU Libraries Advancement Board, and she remains active in Tallahassee civic organizations. 

• Ryals Lee Jr. has spent decades documenting and serving Florida State University, including 14 years as the football program’s memorabilia coordinator. A Tallahassee native, Leon High School graduate and former kicker for Bobby Bowden’s first two FSU teams, he began covering Seminole athletics as a freelance photographer in 1982 and later served in multiple roles in the FSU Photo Lab, including director, photographing generations of student-athletes, coaches, staff and university moments. 

About the FSU Alumni Association
The FSU Alumni Association works to create meaningful connections between alumni and Florida State University, strengthening the alumni network and supporting students on campus every day. All graduates of FSU are members of the FSU Alumni Association; no dues are required. Alumni are encouraged to stay connected through the Alumni Association’s career resources, networking opportunities, mentorship programs, travel benefits and more. Learn more at alumni.fsu.edu. 

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Throughout October, Florida State University Division of Student Affairs (DSA) is celebrating Careers in Student Affairs Month, a national initiative dedicated to highlighting the profession. 

The campaign spotlights the essential role student affairs professionals play in shaping the university experience through housing and campus life, health and wellness, student engagement and recreation, conduct, personal growth, leadership and more. 

“At Florida State, our student affairs professionals are the backbone of the campus experience, working tirelessly to support student success in and beyond the classroom,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “Careers in Student Affairs Month is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the lasting impact they make on our students every single day.” 

Students, faculty and staff can learn more about student affairs and explore the profession through several planned events and networking opportunities in the month-long celebration. Undergraduate and graduate students can take advantage of one-on-one networking opportunities with campus leaders, job-shadowing experiences and access to free online professional resources. 

In addition, DSA will host “Pathways to Leadership in Higher Education,” on Wednesday, Oct. 28, a leadership panel discussion featuring three regional student affairs vice presidents.  

Panelists will share insights on building higher education careers, overcoming institutional challenges, and identifying future trends in student support services. Attendees can ask questions directly during the interactive session. 

“Student affairs offers many career pathways, and the profession continues to evolve as students’ needs change,” said Zduy Chu, associate vice president for Student Affairs. “By connecting students who have an interest in the field, we are happy to help them discover new career possibilities as they navigate their higher education journey.” 

For more information and online resources, visit Careers in Student Affairs.  

Shadow an FSU Pro: Garnet & Gold in Action 
Applications open until Friday, Oct. 16 
Job Shadowing in November | Limited spots available 
Ever wonder what it’s like to work in Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Engagement, New Student Family Programs, Campus Rec, Career Center, the Basic Needs Hub or another department within DSA? This is your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at how campus departments operate and support students. Choose a department that interests you and complete the Shadow Program Interest Form by Oct. 16. 

DSA AT Market Wednesday
Wednesday, Oct. 14
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Legacy Walk
Stop by the Student Affairs table to connect with graduate school representatives, meet FSU Student Affairs professionals and discover how they support your experience at FSU. 

Tallahassee Student Affairs Leadership Panel 
Wednesday, Oct. 28
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Globe Auditorium | Free Lunch Provided | Limited spots available 
Hear from three Tallahassee vice presidents of Student Affairs: Amy Hecht (Florida State University), William E. Hudson, Jr. (Florida A&M University) and Sheri Rowland (Tallahassee State College). Learn how they built their careers, the challenges they faced and the opportunities ahead in higher education. Free lunch is provided, but seating is limited. Reserve your spot by Oct. 23 and sign up to attend the panel presentation.  

Students: Free Professional Development Resources
FSU students have free access to NASPA, one of the biggest professional networks in the field. Join free webinars, search job boards, network with peers from colleges across the country and keep up with the latest trends in higher education. 

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From building quantum computers with molecular magnets to using artificial intelligence to better predict storm surges, Florida State University’s early-career scholars took center stage as the university hosted its 14th annual Postdoctoral Symposium.

Hosted by the FSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPDA), the event highlighted the research, mentorship and real-world discoveries driven by FSU’s postdoctoral scholars across fields spanning physics, chemistry, medicine, environmental sciences and public policy.

“Postdoctoral scholars play a vital role in advancing the research mission at FSU,” said Gregory Bell, dean of the Graduate School. “Through their expertise, creativity and mentorship, postdocs contribute to high scholarship, enhance productivity and help train the next generation of researchers.”

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The University Honors Program has launched a new Graduate Teaching Fellowship, which allows advanced graduate students to design and teach unique honors courses. 

The fellowship, the first of its kind, allows doctoral students chosen through a competitive process to design and teach original interdisciplinary Honors Discovery Courses and receive structured faculty mentorship that helps their professional development.

“There are so many incredible graduate students at FSU who are passionate about developing as both researchers and educators as they prepare to enter the increasingly competitive academic job market,” said Michael Furman, associate director of the FSU Honors Program. “We are proud to give them the opportunity to fulfill their potential in the classroom while continuing to provide our honors students with unique courses that enrich their academic experience.” 

“There are so many incredible graduate students at FSU who are passionate about developing as both researchers and educators as they prepare to enter the increasingly competitive academic job market. We are proud to give them the opportunity to fulfill their potential in the classroom while continuing to provide our honors students with unique courses that enrich their academic experience.”

– Michael Furman, associate director of the FSU Honors Program

After a competitive application process that started last fall, the inaugural cohort of selected doctoral students worked under Furman’s guidance to develop specialized courses from scratch, introducing niche fields to the honors curriculum and expanding offerings for students.

Now, those students, Laura Anthony, Sarah Bliss, Harrison Miller and Cole Patoine, are in honors classrooms, teaching those self-designed courses, which explore science communication, books as material goods, identity performance in the modern digital age and trending nutritional topics.

“I didn’t expect to develop my own course until much later in my career, so the opportunity to do so as a Ph.D. candidate is invaluable,” said Anthony, who is teaching Telling Stories with Science: Communicating Science to Any Audience. “Creating an interdisciplinary course that spans several undergraduate majors was an exciting prospect.”

Graduate teaching fellow Patoine said the courses inspire students to explore new academic areas that anyone can jump in and learn, no subject-based knowledge required.

“[The courses] let students get the opportunity to expose themselves to a new area they may not be familiar with while taking on little risk since the courses are taught in a way that allows anyone from any knowledge background to jump right in,” Patoine said.

He designed the course called “Nutrition in the Age of Misinformation: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Modern Health Trends,” which helps students objectively evaluate the widespread and often biased nutrition advice that is common to encounter in everyday life.

“What I want students to leave with isn’t a list of correct answers, because those change,” Patoine said. “It’s the ability to look at research through an objective lens and know what it can and cannot prove and then notice when a headline has claimed more than the research earned. That skill doesn’t stay in nutrition. It follows them into medicine, into policy, into whatever they read tomorrow.”

With each new cohort of fellows, honors students will have new course subjects to choose from. Credit earned from enrolling in an Honors Discovery Course can be applied toward the 13 credit-hour minimum of honors coursework required to complete FSU’s Honors Program.

The FSU Honors Program was ranked No. 1 in Florida by the college ranking publication College Transitions. The program fosters a tight-knit community of highly motivated and intellectually curious students who are committed to learning and growth. The program offers a tailored experience with specially designed coursework, dedicating advising, priority registration and specific Honors residence halls.

“For graduate students, the fellowship offers a competitive advantage in the academic job market,” Furman said. “It grants doctoral candidates the intellectual space to reflect and further refine their teaching philosophy while building a concrete example of that philosophy in practice.”

Applications for the next cohort of the Graduate Teaching Fellowship are open until Oct. 1. Students interested in the program, both undergraduate and graduate, can learn more about the program and the courses available via the University Honors Program website. 

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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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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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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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Florida State University’s International Programs offers study abroad opportunities in locations across the world, including study centers in London, England; Florence, Italy; Valencia, Spain, a branch campus in Panama City, Republic of Panama as well as faculty-led programs in over 10 other locations. 

FSU is ranked No. 1 among public universities and No. 4 overall for long-term study abroad enrollments in the Institute for International Education’s Open Doors 2025 Report. FSU also ranked No. 10 among public universities and No. 12 overall for number of students studying abroad, with 2,702 students participating in programs in the 2023-2024 academic year. 

Through their First Year Abroad (FYA) and First Semester Abroad (FSA) programs, incoming first-year students at FSU have the opportunity to spend either their first semester or first year of college abroad at FSU’s study centers in Florence, London, Valencia or its branch campus in Panama City, Republic of Panama. The FYA and FSA programs celebrated nearly 3,000 program alumni during their 20th anniversary in the fall of 2025.  

“FSU has a long history of looking beyond its borders and creating opportunities for students to experience the world firsthand,” said Louisa Blenman, executive director of International Programs. “We look forward to continuing to provide traditional study abroad programs while also creating new opportunities for students and faculty to showcase the strengths of the university around the globe.” 

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Donald Eslinger is an undergraduate student in the Florida State University College of Social Sciences and Public Policy whose path to higher education is defined by resilience, service and academic purpose.  

A U.S. Army veteran who served as an infantryman deployed to Afghanistan, Eslinger turned severe combat injuries into motivation to overcome obstacles and pursue academic excellence. As he works toward a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Intelligence, he brings real-world perspective to his studies. 

Facing 28 surgeries and an intensive rehabilitation process, Eslinger met physical challenges head-on with persistence and determination. With support from FSU’s Student Veterans Center, he completes his upper-division coursework with that same drive as he prepares to graduate.

What inspired you to join the military?

Growing up during the global war on terrorism shaped my path to the military. I was in elementary school watching the news on Sept. 11, 2001, and saw my uncles and community members go off to fight. Watching those events unfold left an impression on me, and I knew right then I would step up and serve. 

That motivation was reinforced by my father, who raised me on history and taught me what character looks like. He used films like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers” to show what it means to serve a purpose larger than yourself. Though I had offers to play college baseball, I knew I wanted to go do something bigger. Just two weeks after graduating high school, I headed to basic training and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, as an infantryman. 

What lessons did you take away from your time in the military?

When I deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, I was only 19 years old. Like a lot of young guys, I went in eager and excited to do my job alongside my buddies. But when we lost a friend, everything changed. You grow up fast, and you quickly realize the gravity of the real world. 

That September, I was severely injured. I suffered a major brain injury, lost my spleen, had compound fractures and ended up needing 28 surgeries and titanium to replace half of my skull. At first, I couldn’t walk, read without stuttering or write my own name properly. Rebuilding my speech, motor skills and physical strength through therapy was a long process, but being stubborn worked to my advantage. I got mad at what I couldn’t do, which pushed me to power through it instead of giving up. That whole experience taught me to value life, care for others and keep moving forward. 

What guided your path to Florida State University after your recovery?

After recovering, I went back into the service for almost two years before returning to civilian life. I helped coach baseball at my old high school and re-entered the workforce. Like a lot of veterans, I didn’t initially realize what benefits were available to me or how to navigate them. Once I realized I had educational resources earned from my service, I wasn’t about to let them pass me by. 

I started taking classes at Tallahassee State College, which was a great place to earn credits and get comfortable back in the classroom. While studying there, I kept hearing about FSU’s Student Veterans Center and the incredible support network they built on campus. As a combat vet, I honestly didn’t expect a university environment to feel welcoming or that I’d find people who understood where I was coming from. But learning about FSU’s commitment to veterans showed me that Florida State was where I wanted to complete my degree and get involved with that community.

How has the FSU Student Veterans Center supported your academic journey?

The FSU Student Veterans Center has been incredible. From the second you walk through those doors, you’re welcomed with open arms and treated like family. 

The center staff goes out of their way to support you with whatever you need. Director Billy Francis and the team are there to help you navigate financial aid, work out course schedules and get connected with campus resources. Beyond handling all the administrative side of things, it gives you a community of fellow veterans who understand what you’ve been through. Having that kind of built-in brotherhood and support system makes all the difference when you’re transitioning into higher education, and it shows why FSU is a top destination for military veterans.

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