The Florida State University College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP) will honor three graduates with Distinguished Alumni Awards for their professional achievements, contributions to society and support of the college and university.

Jeralynn (Lynne) S. Cossman, Larry Hogan and Gene Moran will be honored at the college’s Distinguished Alumni Gala in spring 2027.

The honorees join 58 other COSSPP Distinguished Alumni who have been honored since the college began recognizing graduates with this award in 1992.

“This year’s honorees show the remarkable range of what COSSPP alumni accomplish,” said COSSPP Dean Tim Chapin. “Through leadership in higher education, public service and government affairs, they have strengthened institutions, served their communities and put their Florida State education to work. We are proud to recognize their achievements and welcome them as COSSPP Distinguished Alumni.”

Jeralynn (Lynne) S. Cossman, Ph.D.

B.S. Sociology and Women’s Studies ’90, M.S. Sociology ’92, Ph.D. Sociology and Demography ’96

Jeralynn (Lynne) S. Cossman is provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a role she has held since August 2026.

Cossman previously served in several roles at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) from 2020 to 2026, including professor of sociology and demography, the Mark G. Yudof Dean’s Endowed Professor and inaugural dean of the College for Health, Community and Policy.  At UT San Antonio, she led the transformation of a collection of legacy departments into an R1-aligned college with shared governance, a coherent academic strategy and a growing national research footprint. Before joining UT San Antonio, Cossman served as professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at West Virginia University from 2014 to 2020. From 2001 to 2014, she served as professor and department head of sociology and as a research fellow at the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University.

While at UT San Antonio, Cossman served on several civic and nonprofit boards, including as chair of the City of San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council, an executive board member for the Center for Health Empowerment in South Texas and a board member for the San Antonio Council for International Visitors. In 2025, she received the Janet P. Realini Trailblazer Award from Healthy Futures of Texas.

Cossman’s research and teaching interests center on medical sociology, demography and health services, with her current work examining spatial disparities in mortality and morbidity. She has led research funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Mississippi’s Division of Medicaid. Her work has been published in journals including the American Journal of Public Health, Social Problems, Health & Place and Population Research and Policy Review.

“Receiving this award is especially meaningful because Florida State was more than the place where I earned three academic degrees; it was where I became the person and leader I am today,” Cossman said. “I arrived at 17 and left 11 years later with a profound appreciation for the transformative power of education and the mentors who invested in me. Their example continues to inspire my commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation.”

The Honorable Larry Hogan

B.S. Political Science ’78

Larry Hogan is a two-term former governor of Maryland and a proud graduate of FSU.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from FSU in 1978, where his interest in government, public service and problem solving helped shape a career defined by leadership in both the private sector and public life.

Hogan was elected governor of Maryland in 2014 and was reelected in 2018. During his two terms, he focused on economic development, fiscal management, infrastructure and crisis response. In 2019, he was elected as chairman of the National Governors Association, where he launched an initiative on infrastructure and represented governors from across the country.

Hogan left office in 2023 after serving two terms. His career in public service reflects a longstanding focus on bipartisan collaboration, strategic communication and solving complex challenges.

“This is a tremendous honor. Florida State helped set me on the path to a life of public service, and I will always be grateful for the education, the encouragement and the Seminole spirit that shaped me,” Hogan said. “In public life, I have always believed that the best results come when we put people ahead of politics and common sense ahead of division. That is a lesson I carried with me from Tallahassee to Annapolis, and it is one I am proud to celebrate with the Florida State family. Go Noles!”

Gene Moran, Ph.D.

B.S. Political Science ’84

Gene Moran is president and founder of Capitol Integration, a strategic advisory firm he launched in 2013 to help technology and defense companies align business strategy with the realities of how Congress, the executive branch and the national security community make funding and policy decisions. His clients range from early-stage technology firms entering the federal market to established defense primes managing multi-year procurement and appropriations cycles. Bloomberg Government has named him a top-performing defense lobbyist six times, and he has also been recognized as a Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics.

Before founding Capitol Integration, Moran served as senior vice president at Leonardo DRS. That role followed a 25-year career in the United States Navy, from which he retired as a captain. His Navy service included multiple commands at sea, senior legislative affairs leadership with the U.S. Congress and national security assignments. That experience continues to shape how he advises clients on how government decisions actually get made, long before a deal ever reaches a vote.

Moran earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State in 1984, a master’s degree in financial management from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1987 and both a Master of Philosophy (2021) and Ph.D. (2022) in Public Policy from Walden University. He now serves as an adjunct professor at FSU, teaching federal budgeting and lobbying, and is the author of seven books, including “Government Deals are Funded,” “Not Sold” and “Pitching the Big Top.” His most recent book is called “The Fourth Ring: Navigating the New Circus of Federal Power.”

“This recognition means a great deal to me,” Moran said. “My years at Florida State gave me a foundation and sparked an interest in government that I still rely on when advising clients in Washington. I hope my coming back to teach public policy and share practical experience inspires that same interest in future graduates of FSU.”

For a list of all COSSPP’s Distinguished Alumni, visit the college’s website.

The post FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy announces 2026-2027 Distinguished Alumni appeared first on Florida State University News.

Bestselling author and commentator David Brooks told a full house at Florida State University on Thursday that universities are the “chief engines of our national culture,” and that it’s the job of higher education to help students discover new ideas and energize their passions. 

“My view of higher education is that our job is not only to provide information and expand knowledge — that’s of course part of the job — but it’s also to help students find new things to love,” Brooks said. “That’s what my college did for me.”  

Brooks delivered the remarks at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall during an event hosted by FSU’s Institute for Governance and Civics. His talk, which kicked off IGC’s Fall 2026 Speaker Series, was followed by a conversation with President Richard McCullough about the challenges and rapid changes facing higher education today.  

The author of books including “The Road to Character” and “How to Know a Person,” Brooks spent 22 years as an opinion columnist for The New York Times before joining The Atlantic as a staff writer earlier this year. He also became Yale’s first presidential senior fellow, a five-year appointment that includes lectures and conversations examining questions about meaning, community and institutions. 

McCullough said the idea to invite Brooks to FSU came after he heard him speak at a gathering of university presidents and was impressed by his perspectives on higher education. 

Brooks weaved anecdotes from history, modern culture and his personal experiences to describe his views on American culture, society and education. He spoke about seeing the gleam in people’s eyes, especially his students, when they are interested, excited or engaged.  

“The gleam is my vision of America,” he said. “We are a country that energizes. We’re not the most civilized culture, we’re not the most cultured culture, but we’re about energy and movement. That is the spirit of our democracy.”  

Brooks said that an emphasis on this gleam, or inner fire, is important in a time when people are pessimistic, divided and often lonely. 

“It’s especially important in the age of AI,” he said. “Before the age of AI, the real scarcity in the world was knowledge and information. In the age of AI, knowledge and information are plentiful.” 

Brooks said that some people will rely on AI to not have to think hard, while others will use AI to think more and become smarter. 

“In my view, what a school’s purpose is in the age of AI is to teach people to want to think hard, to care about subjects so much that they’re going to be willing to think hard and keep their mental skills sharp,” he said. 

Brooks closed on a note of hope for America and for higher education. He said meaningful change will not come from politicians focused on fundraising or elections, but from people within institutions like FSU — students, faculty and others who are connected to a deeper sense of purpose. 

“That’s why I say (that institutions of) higher education are the cathedrals of our national culture and have the responsibility and the opportunity to make some big changes,” he said. 

Ryan Owens, director of the Institute for Governance and Civics, opened the event with remarks about the institute’s mission and recent work, and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark introduced Brooks.  

For more information about IGC’s Fall 2026 Speaker Series, visit igc.fsu.edu. 

The post Author David Brooks urges FSU audience to find purpose, passion in higher education appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University will welcome bestselling author and commentator David Brooks to campus Sept. 10 for a conversation with President Richard McCullough exploring character, leadership and how people can engage thoughtfully across differences. 

Hosted by FSU’s Institute for Governance and Civics, the event will begin at 6 p.m. at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. 

Brooks has spent decades writing about American life, institutions, relationships and the qualities that shape individuals and communities. The author of books including “The Road to Character” and “How to Know a Person,” Brooks joined The Atlantic as a staff writer earlier this year and serves as Yale University’s inaugural presidential senior fellow. 

For McCullough, bringing Brooks to FSU grew out of hearing him speak at a gathering of university presidents. McCullough said he was struck by Brooks’ perspective on higher education, including its challenges, opportunities and role in society. 

“I was just completely blown away and fascinated by his take on higher education,” McCullough said. “I thought it was a very fair perspective. It was not political. It wasn’t right or left. It was just, as a public intellectual, his assessment of what we had done.” 

McCullough said Brooks’ focus on character and values also resonated with his own ideas about leadership. 

“I’m just fascinated by that sort of intellectual life of leadership,” McCullough said. “I feel like David has such a brilliant perspective on leadership and what it takes to lead with character.” 

After hearing Brooks speak, McCullough returned to FSU and approached Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark about bringing him to campus. Clark, who was already familiar with Brooks’ work, helped lead the effort to make the visit happen. 

“I’m just fascinated by that sort of intellectual life of leadership. I feel like David has such a brilliant perspective on leadership and what it takes to lead with character.”

– FSU President Richard McCullough

Ryan Owens, director of the Institute for Governance and Civics, said the event also gives students a chance to see what thoughtful conversation about difficult subjects can look like. 

“I think it’s important for students to see leadership behind efforts like this,” Owens said. “I think to have two very important, prominent individuals up there talking about that problem and talking about things that we can do to improve on it is an incredibly useful model for students to see, to observe and to follow.” 

That kind of open exchange is an important part of IGC’s work. Owens said the institute’s research shows students overwhelmingly want opportunities to have free-flowing discussions about a range of issues, even as many worry that their peers may not welcome differing views. 

Events such as the Brooks conversation can help demonstrate that students can encounter ideas that challenge them while still engaging with one another respectfully, Owens said. 

“We talk about changing the culture of things so that people believe in a free market of conversation, a free market of ideas, openness, and are willing to discuss and engage with ideas that may or may not be comfortable to you,” Owens said. “That’s all part of the endeavor that we’re trying to do at the IGC and at FSU.” 

Brooks began his journalism career as a police reporter in Chicago and later spent nearly a decade at The Wall Street Journal, including as a foreign correspondent and editor. He went on to help launch The Weekly Standard and became a familiar presence on “PBS NewsHour.” 

In early 2026, Brooks left The New York Times after 22 years as an opinion columnist and joined The Atlantic as a staff writer. He also became Yale’s first presidential senior fellow, a five-year appointment that includes lectures and conversations examining questions about meaning, community and institutions. 

McCullough said he hopes students take advantage of the opportunity to hear Brooks in person, describing him as a “master storyteller.” 

“I hope the students will not miss the opportunity to be in Ruby Diamond to hear this,” McCullough said. “I hope that it will be standing room only, because this is a kind of once-in-a-lifetime thing to hear somebody like this speak.” 

DAVID BROOKS AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY 

THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2026 

6 p.m.  | DOORS OPEN AT 5 p.m. 

RUBY DIAMOND CONCERT HALL

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 

ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS ENCOURAGED 

Media planning to attend are encouraged to confirm attendance. To arrange an interview, contact annmaries@themooreagency.com.

The post Author David Brooks to join FSU President Richard McCullough for conversation on character, civil discourse appeared first on Florida State University News.

More than 700 families are expected to visit Florida State University Sept. 25-27 for Family Weekend 2026, a three-day celebration featuring campus traditions, tailgating, a football game and the return of the FSU Flying High Circus.

A Florida State tradition dating to 1958, Family Weekend gives students the opportunity to share campus life with their families and loved ones through activities, performances and other events throughout the weekend.

“As Florida State proudly celebrates its 175th anniversary, Family Weekend offers families a special opportunity to experience FSU’s vibrant spirit with their students,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “The weekend welcomes families of students at every stage — not just first-year students. We encourage them to enjoy time together on campus and create lasting memories.”

This year’s lineup features five signature events, including sold-out performances by the FSU Flying High Circus, which returns to Family Weekend for the first time since the 2024 tornadoes. Last year, the circus hosted three sold-out sessions during Family Weekend featuring tent tours, juggling and concessions, but this year they will hold two performances. The Flying High Circus was the first activity for men and women after the institution returned to co-educational status and has been a favorite Family Weekend event ever since.

In recognition of FSU’s 175th anniversary, Family Weekend also will feature something new, a student banner competition. More than 20 Registered Student Organizations have signed up to compete in the inaugural competition. The banners will be displayed in the Student Union throughout the weekend, and guest judges representing various aspects of student life across campus will vote on Friday.

Abby Cloud Langdon, program manager for New Student & Family Programs, said Family Weekend has continued to evolve since its beginnings in 1958 to reflect what students and their families want from the weekend.

“We’re in such a celebratory milestone here at FSU, and our goal is to showcase what FSU offers institution-wide with what our students and families want to experience,” Langdon said. “The goal of the banner competition being debuted in FSU’s 175th year is to allow our families to get a glimpse of why FSU means so much to our students, while offering a friendly competitive element among the submissions.”

A family member who attended Family Weekend in 2025 completed the feedback survey and said: “We really enjoyed the chance to connect as a family while also seeing what campus life is like for our student. The variety of events made the weekend fun and memorable.”

Tickets for Family Weekend signature events are on sale until Sunday, Sept. 20. Events include:

• Friday Night @ FSU
• Flying High Circus performances (sold out)
• Get Up, It’s Game Day! Fun Run & Walk
• Tailgate Brunch
• Garnet & Gold Tailgate before the FSU vs. Central Arkansas football game

For more information and to purchase tickets for Family Weekend, visit familyweekend.fsu.edu. Faculty and staff interested in volunteering during the weekend can sign up to volunteer here.

The post FSU Family Weekend 2026 to celebrate 175 years of Seminole spirit appeared first on Florida State University News.

Two Florida State University teams have received 2026 Florida TaxWatch Government Productivity Awards for projects that strengthened child welfare training and reduced custodial costs at the university’s off-campus facilities.

The awards recognize public employees and organizations whose work saves money, improves efficiency and directly benefits Florida taxpayers.

This year, awards were presented to the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) for creating Florida’s first immersive child welfare learning laboratory and to a collaborative team led by FSU Facilities for restructuring custodial operations at the university’s off-campus facilities.

Both teams were honored during a ceremony at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, joining state leaders and policymakers in celebrating projects that increased operational efficiency, modernized training and saved millions in public funds.

Strengthening Florida’s Child Welfare Workforce

The Florida Institute for Child Welfare earned recognition for its project, “Florida’s First Immersive Child Welfare Learning Lab.”

Child welfare professionals routinely make critical decisions that affect the safety and well-being of children and families. But because standalone simulation labs are costly, training programs across Florida have historically relied on traditional classroom instruction.

To address this challenge, FICW established Florida’s first centralized experiential learning lab. The facility offers professionally equipped simulation environments where child welfare professionals, students and community partners can practice key assessment, communication and decision-making skills before entering the field.

“We are incredibly honored to receive our first TaxWatch Government Productivity Award,” said Lisa Magruder, director of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. “This recognition validates our commitment to developing innovative, evidence-informed solutions that strengthen Florida’s child welfare workforce.”

The post Two Florida State University teams receive 2026 Florida TaxWatch Productivity Awards appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University’s Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC) will welcome nationally recognized choreographers to campus this fall as the center resumes its artist residency program after a one-year hiatus. 

The fall lineup includes Fana Fraser, Kimberly Bartosik, and Joseph “MN Joe” Tran and Lisa “MonaLisa” Berman of BRKFST Dance Company. 

“We are excited to have artists back in the studio,” said MANCC Director Ansje Burdick. “Joining us from across the country, our fall artists are all in early developmental stages of creation as they explore human emotion and interior experiences, collaborate with dramaturgs, refine movement vocabularies and construct soundscapes.” 

MANCC is one of only two national choreographic centers housed at a university. Its location at FSU allows visiting artists to collaborate with scholars and researchers across disciplines and draw on the university’s specialized facilities as they develop new works in contemporary dance. 

MANCC tailors each residency to an artist’s creative process and stage of the work. Artists may experiment with movement alongside FSU School of Dance students, explore lighting design, construct set pieces or consult with academic experts across disciplines. 

The residencies give FSU School of Dance students access to nationally recognized choreographers and a look at how new works are developed.  

This fall, students can attend work-in-progress showings and open studio sessions, participate in movement experiments and engage directly with the artists. Read more about the visiting artists below:

Fana Fraser 

Artist, director and producer Fana Fraser returns to MANCC this month to begin developing a new project, “After the Fallow.” Fraser participated in MANCC’s Forward Dialogues laboratory program in 2017, and their dance films and live performances have since been featured at events and festivals around the world. During the residency, Fraser plans to work with dancers and dramaturgs to bring elements of their outdoor movement practice into the studio and share work in progress during an open studio.     

Kimberly Bartosik   

Guggenheim Fellowship-winning choreographer, performer and educator Kimberly Bartosik comes to MANCC for the first time in October to developher new work, “blood anchor,” which explores the complex power of blood relations and the epidemic of modern loneliness. During this early-stage residency, Bartosik will collaborate with three performers, a dramaturg and a lighting designer to explore the work’s emotional landscape and shape its visual design. 

BRKFST Dance Company  

Joseph “MN Joe” Tran and Lisa “MonaLisa” Berman, co-founders of the Minnesota-based BRKFST Dance Company, come to MANCC for the first time to develop an evening-length duet blending breaking, improvisation and partnering. The work explores how connections to oneself, the body andrelationships evolve during trauma. It draws from Berman’s experience as a two-time cancer survivor and Tran’s experience supporting her through her treatment. Tran and Berman are recipients of the 2026 McKnight Choreography Fellowship, and their MANCC residency was supported by funds from the McKnight Choreography Fellowship program, administered by Springboard for the Arts and funded by the McKnight Foundation. 

The post FSU Choreography Center welcomes national artists for fall residencies appeared first on Florida State University News.

Throughout his career, John Barnhill has felt called to do one thing: help people.

Barnhill joined Florida State’s academic admissions team in December 1978 and has supported thousands of students as they made one of the most important decisions of their lives. After 48 years at FSU, a funny thing has started to happen: Some of the students he’s meeting look very familiar.

“I’m serving the children of students that I admitted,” Barnhill said. “That’s special.”

Barnhill’s path toward enrollment management began at Florida Southern College. There, he worked as a resident assistant and gave admissions tours while pursuing a degree in psychology. He then enrolled at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology with plans to become a minister but later changed course.

After two years working in admissions at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia, Barnhill came to FSU, where he earned a Master of Science in history and philosophy of education while working full time in the admissions office and spreading what he calls the “gospel of education.”

As he settled into Florida State, Barnhill came to appreciate the nurturing environment the university creates for students. “It fit with exactly what I wanted to do,” he said, “which is to help people.”

The post FSU admissions chief John Barnhill retires after 48 years appeared first on Florida State University News.

Six early-career faculty members at Florida State University have earned the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award, one of the federal agency’s most competitive honors.

“These prestigious awards underscore the National Science Foundation’s confidence in the extraordinary promise of our faculty and their capacity to advance discovery on a national scale,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “Across a range of fields, their work reflects the depth of talent, ambition and innovation that define Florida State University’s research enterprise.”

The Faculty Early Career Development Program, known as CAREER, supports early-career faculty who serve as academic role models in research and education and lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. The award recognizes researchers who are building a strong foundation for lifelong leadership in integrating education and research.

Each CAREER award provides five years of grant funding to support faculty members’ research while expanding educational opportunities and research mentoring for graduate and undergraduate students.

The six faculty members are from the departments of Computer Science, Biological Science and Physics, all part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Sam Huckaba, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the college continues to cultivate a robust research culture by attracting top talent across disciplines.

“The College of Arts and Sciences has intentionally recruited outstanding early-career faculty, and seeing six of our scholars recognized with CAREER awards affirms the strength of that approach,” Huckuba said. “We are immensely proud of these faculty members and congratulate them on this accomplishment.”

Recognized Faculty Members

The Florida State University assistant professors recognized with NSF CAREER Awards are:

• Michael Gubanov — Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
• Cyprian Lewandowski — Assistant Professor, Department of Physics
• Douglas Storace — Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Science
• Amy Webster — Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Science
• Xiaonan Zhang — Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
• Kai Zhao — Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

The post Six Florida State University faculty earn prestigious NSF CAREER Awards appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University has reached a new milestone in student success, with a record 82% of its students graduating in four years, the highest four-year graduation rate ever achieved in the State University System of Florida. 

The new four-year graduation rate represents a four-percentage-point jump from last year’s record of 78%. Using the most recent publicly available data, FSU’s Office of Institutional Research projects the new rate would tie the University of Michigan at No. 7 among public universities nationally. 

FSU also maintained its record six-year graduation rate and set a new record for the graduation rate of students who transfer to the university from the Florida College System. 

“An 82% four-year graduation rate is an extraordinary achievement and a new record for FSU and the State University System of Florida,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “We have been very intentional about investing in student success, from advising and academic support to scholarships and other resources that help students stay on track. I could not be prouder of our students or the faculty and staff whose commitment to them has made FSU one of the very best public universities in the country.” 

“An 82% four-year graduation rate is an extraordinary achievement and a new record for FSU and the State University System of Florida. We have been very intentional about investing in student success, from advising and academic support to scholarships and other resources that help students stay on track. I could not be prouder of our students or the faculty and staff whose commitment to them has made FSU one of the very best public universities in the country.” 

– FSU President Richard McCullough

FSU’s four-year graduation rate has climbed nine percentage points in five years, from 73% in 2021 to a record 82% today. 

Graduating students on time has become a hallmark of FSU’s focus on student success. Finishing a degree in four years allows students to enter the workforce or pursue graduate education sooner while avoiding the additional costs associated with extra semesters in college. 

FSU maintained its six-year graduation rate of 86%, which continues to be a university record. 

Transfer students are setting records as well. FSU’s three-year graduation rate for students who transfer with an associate in arts degree from a Florida College System institution reached a record of nearly 85%, the highest in the State University System of Florida. 

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

“I’m deeply grateful to all the faculty and staff across FSU who work to provide a world-class education to our students,” said Joe O’Shea, vice president for Student Academic Success. “This remarkable new record reflects our university-wide commitment to academic excellence and holistic student support, shown through our investments in advising, teaching, scholarships and programming that help students reach their full potential.”

FSU’s student success strategy relies on a culture of data engagement, where faculty and staff leverage advanced analytics to track student progress continuously across campus and identify early signs that a student may be at risk of falling behind. That information helps university leaders target investments that can help students stay on track to graduate in four years. 

Nearly a decade ago, FSU established the Graduation Planning and Strategies Office, which has improved graduation efficiency and helps students overcome barriers to graduation through its completion campaign. In 2022, this effort earned the Outstanding Advising Program Award from the National Academic Advising Association. 

McCullough created the Office of the Vice President for Student Academic Success in 2025 to bring together and strengthen efforts to recruit, retain and graduate an accomplished student body. 

The latest graduation numbers add to a series of record-setting student success measures at Florida State. The university has achieved a 97% first-year retention rate, placing it among the top four public universities nationally. 

The results also come as demand for an FSU education reaches an all-time high. Florida State received nearly 97,000 applications for its fall 2026 freshman class, the largest applicant pool in university history. 

FSU’s record graduation rates, high student retention and record demand reflect the university’s continued gains in student success and its growing standing among the nation’s leading public universities. 

“Our goal is not simply to bring outstanding students to Florida State,” McCullough said. “It is to give them an outstanding education and help them graduate ready to lead, serve and succeed. Our graduation rate says something powerful about the experience we are providing, and we’re not done yet.” 

The post FSU four-year graduation rate jumps to record 82%, ranking among nation’s best appeared first on Florida State University News.

The Florida State University Police Department (FSUPD) and Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) are working together to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for the thousands of fans who will visit Tallahassee during the 2026 college football season. 

With both FSU and Florida A&M hosting home games throughout the fall, motorists should expect increased traffic, temporary road closures and modified traffic patterns around both campuses. 

This season, FSU and FAMU will host home games on the same day three times: Saturday, Aug. 29; Saturday, Sept. 26; and Saturday, Oct. 31. On these days, motorists should anticipate heavier traffic around both campuses and the downtown area, particularly along Tennessee Street, Pensacola Street, South Monroe Street, Gaines Street, Lake Bradford Road and Orange Avenue. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and allow additional travel time. 

FSU Gameday Traffic 

Before FSU home games, fans are encouraged to use the following roadways to access parking on and around campus: 

• From the north: Stadium Drive for parking west of Doak Campbell Stadium or Macomb and Bronough streets to Pensacola Street for parking east of the stadium. 

• From the east: Pensacola Street for parking east of the stadium and Gaines Street for parking west of the stadium. 

• From the west: Pensacola or Tennessee streets to Stadium Drive for parking west of the stadium, or Tennessee Street to Macomb Street for parking east of the stadium. 

• From the south: Lake Bradford Road. 

Traffic signals along Pensacola Street between Duval Street and Chieftan Way will be set to flash before the game to give priority to westbound traffic traveling toward Doak Campbell Stadium. TPD officers will be on post along this route three hours before kickoff, and traffic signals at intersections near Doak Campbell Stadium may be controlled by TPD as many as six hours before the game. 

Motorists traveling through the area who are not headed to the game should expect delays, particularly along Macomb and Copeland streets. When possible, motorists are encouraged to use Ocala Road and Monroe Street for north-south travel to avoid pre-game traffic. 

After the game, Pensacola Street east of the stadium will be modified to flow one-way for eastbound traffic only, away from the stadium. St. Augustine Street/W. Madison Street between Varsity Drive and South Monroe Street will also flow one-way eastbound toward Apalachee Parkway. 

To give fans priority in leaving the area after the game, northbound traffic will not be allowed on Springhill Road/Lake Bradford Road from Levy Avenue to Gaines Street, nor will southbound traffic be allowed on Stadium Drive from Tennessee Street.  

Motorists traveling through the area should expect delays due to the traffic control pattern from some time in the fourth quarter until about one hour after the end of the game (weather delays not included), especially along Macomb, Copeland, Duval, Bronough and Monroe streets. Motorists hoping to avoid post-game traffic, especially for north-south travel, are advised to use Ocala Road and Monroe Street. 

Plan Ahead 

Fans attending games are encouraged to arrive early, allow additional time for travel and follow the directions of law enforcement officers managing traffic. 

Motorists not attending a game should also plan ahead and consider alternate routes, particularly on Aug. 29, Sept. 26 and Oct. 31, when both universities will host home games. 

SeminoleSafe App 

The SeminoleSafe App is the official mobile safety tool of Florida State University. Fans can refer to the SeminoleSafe App under tab GAME DAY GUIDE for real-time updates and additional information for home football games from direct turn-by-turn directions to their designated Booster or general parking lot, clear bag policy and instructions, prohibited items inside the stadium and real-time weather data on campus. 

For more Football Game Day information, visit Seminoles.com. 

The post Game day traffic tips for an enjoyable 2026 football season appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University is one of the nation’s top 20 public universities in TIME’s inaugural ranking of America’s Best Colleges.

FSU ranked No. 17 among public universities and No. 53 overall in the 2026-2027 ranking, which places a strong emphasis on student outcomes and the value of a college education.

“Florida State is one of the most sought-after universities in America, and this new ranking confirms that we deliver exceptional value and outstanding results,” President Richard McCullough said. “We are competing with the best public universities in the nation, and we intend to keep climbing.”

TIME partnered with the research firm Statista to evaluate colleges based on student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness to prospective students. The ranking includes the 500 institutions with the highest overall scores.

Student outcomes account for 75% of each university’s score. That category considers graduation rates, graduates’ earnings and return on education. TIME measures return on education by estimating how long it takes a graduate’s earnings advantage to offset the cost of attendance.

Florida State earned an overall score of 82.93. FSU received a score of 88.06 for student outcomes and 92.92 for attractiveness, a measure based on admission rates and enrollment yield that reflects how strongly students seek to attend an institution.

That demand is reflected in FSU’s record pool of nearly 97,000 applicants for fall 2026, a 233% increase over the past decade. The university welcomed about 6,000 new freshmen this fall, selected from one of the most competitive applicant pools in its history. The admitted class has an average high school GPA of 4.5, an average SAT score of 1430 and an average ACT score of 32. Ninety-two percent graduated in the top 10% of their high school classes, and 25% are the first in their families to attend college.

The ranking also adds to FSU’s record of strong student outcomes. FSU has a 97% first-year retention rate, placing it among the top four universities in the nation; a 78% four-year graduation rate; and an 86% six-year graduation rate.

“Demand for an FSU education has never been stronger, and our students succeed at rates that place us among the nation’s very best universities,” McCullough said. “Students want to be here because FSU offers an exceptional education, an unforgettable college experience and a clear path to a successful future.”

TIME and Statista used data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard, along with state earnings data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The analysis relied on the most recent data available as of April 2026 and generally averaged four years of data to reduce annual fluctuations.

The complete ranking and methodology are available on TIME’s website.

The post Florida State University ranks among nation’s top 20 public universities in new TIME ranking appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University brought its approach to artificial intelligence in teaching and learning to national higher education conversations this summer, including back-to-back gatherings at Google’s North American headquarters in New York City.

Paul Marty, professor in the School of Information within the College of Communication and Information and associate vice provost for Academic Innovation, represented FSU at Google’s gatherings as well as leadership workshops with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

“When other public universities look at what FSU is accomplishing — from our data-driven campus culture to our deeply engaged faculty, staff and students — they see a path forward,” Marty said. “We are proving that a top public research university can lead the nation in adopting disruptive innovations while keeping student learning and the public good at the center of everything we do.”

FSU is part of Google’s AI for Education Accelerator program and a Gemini for Education partner. The accelerator provides students and educators with AI tools designed to support productivity, personalized learning and prepare students for a technology-driven workforce.

Students can use Gemini for Education to support inquiry-based learning, brainstorm projects and explore complex concepts in a university-managed environment.

Marty spent a week at Google’s facility at St. John’s Terminal headquarters, participating in two AI gatherings focused on Gemini and the future of higher education: the Google GSV Higher Ed Leader Fellowship and the Google Higher Ed Leader Series Conference.

Marty is a member of the 2026 cohort of Google GSV Higher Ed Leader Fellows, a group of 30 academic leaders selected from across North America. The fellows meet monthly to examine how AI is reshaping postsecondary education and met recently in New York for a two-day summit.

“We may be there ostensibly to talk about AI in higher education, but what we’re really talking about is the future of higher education,” said Marty. “Generative AI is prompting us to really buckle down and answer core questions about the value proposition of higher ed — for example, how can we move away from transactional relationships and reposition higher education as a public good where students engage in meaningful, transformative learning experiences.”

Following the fellowship, Marty attended Google’s annual Higher Ed Leader Series Conference, which brings together university presidents, provosts and chancellors to discuss AI integration and higher education strategy.

During the Higher Ed Leader Series, Google showcased a feature video about how Florida State University faculty and students are integrating Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) into coursework. Filmed on FSU’s Tallahassee campus, it features Chief Information Officer Jonathan Fozard and examples of AI use across disciplines.

During the conference, Marty demonstrated an FSU classroom notebook for higher education leaders, featuring a custom thermodynamics notebook created by Ralm Ricarte, an assistant professor of chemical engineering in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. Ricarte built the notebook with lecture notes, course materials and problem sets from his Introduction to Thermodynamics course, giving students an AI study tool grounded in materials from the class.

“When it comes to AI in education, it’s important to remember that the person who does the work does the learning,” Marty noted. “If all a student does is copy and paste, they aren’t learning. But when used properly, these tools can act like an extremely well-read digital assistant available 24/7. As educators, we can show students how to harness that capability ethically to become better learners.”

Gemini Notebook restricts its answers strictly to user-uploaded sources, providing precise citations for every response. Students can use course materials to create study guides, practice quizzes, video overviews and audio overviews. FSU faculty and academic support staff have found that these kinds of interactive learning tools help boost classroom participation.

FSU’s Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Learning Studio also hosts regular workshops that teach students how to use AI tools responsibly and effectively as part of their learning.

“FSU’s Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) helps students integrate innovative AI tools into their weekly study and test preparation routines while maintaining responsible and ethical learning strategies,” said ACE Director Holly Hunt. “Through our ‘Using AI Tools to Help You Study’ workshops and Gemini Notebook drop-in hours, Study Skills Tutors and STEM Student Specialists aid students in synthesizing course content, building personalized study guides and organizing class materials. Our goal is to teach students how to incorporate foundational learning strategies with FSU-supported AI tools to reach academic success.”

For more information about AI at FSU, visit ai.fsu.edu. To learn more about the services available for FSU faculty, staff and students, visit its.fsu.edu.

The post FSU helps shape national AI conversations at Google headquarters appeared first on Florida State University News.