Florida State University will celebrate the achievements of its newest alumni Friday as the fall 2025 semester draws to a close. FSU will award 2,982 degrees, and more than 2,000 graduates are expected to participate in commencement ceremonies.
The ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. President Richard McCullough will preside over all three events: a doctoral hooding ceremony at 9 a.m., followed by ceremonies for bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degree recipients at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Featured speakers include Florida State Rep. Lawrence McClure and retired FSU head men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamilton.
FSU’s fall graduates are putting their education to work in fields from health care to the arts. The students featured here have strengthened the university through their research, service and leadership and are ready to do the same beyond FSU.
Lagos, Nigeria native Bolade Olateju is on the verge of reaching another personal milestone as he earns his doctorate in exercise physiology with the FSU Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Science.
Following graduation, he plans to continue his work in biomedical research with a focus on preclinical and translation studies aimed at cardiovascular and metabolic health. Olateju values the significant work he has accomplished while mentoring his students at FSU.
“During my time at FSU, I have been fortunate to build a diverse and impactful record of academic research and leadership accomplishments,” Olateju said. “I have trained and mentored numerous students, supported multiple federally funded research projects, and contributed to several publications focused on sarcospan, cardiac remodeling and cardiometabolic disease.”
Olateju chose FSU’s Exercise Physiology Ph.D. program “because of its strong reputation in integrative human physiology and translational research.” Searching for a program that would accelerate his research — particularly in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases — Olateju is thankful for the challenge FSU provided.
“I wanted a program that would challenge me, support my growth as a scientist and allow me to conduct meaningful research,” Olateju added. “FSU provided exactly that.”
Jocelyn Muñiz, a graduating Master of Public Health (MPH) student, was recently promoted to program administrator of the Public Health Dental Program at the Florida Department of Health.
The Public Health Dental Program guides the Florida Department of Health’s initiatives to strengthen and protect oral health across the state. The program has an incredible impact across Florida, managing statewide dental health data, setting policy priorities, supporting education and prevention programs and providing direct dental services.
As the program administrator, Muñiz oversees dental health plans to increase access to oral health services, promote preventive care and improve outcomes across diverse communities.
“Working at the Florida Department of Health, I already feel like I apply my education to my job,” Muñiz said. “Being a public health major really helped me understand the inner workings of policy and the reasons that health and health-related issues are in the state that they are. Knowing the system and its influencing factors impacted my desire to make a change from within.”
Muñiz is a Tallahassee native and earned her bachelor’s degree in public health from FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP) in 2023. Muñiz credits her time at COSSPP with helping her build the strong professional network that opened doors and propelled her toward her dream career.
When asked what aspect of FSU has left a lasting impact on her, Muñiz said, “Dr. (Deanna) Barath has had the biggest influence on me as a student and as an individual in the field of public health. Not only does she give me feedback on my classwork, but she also provides guidance on my professional career, helping me build my résumé, serving as a reference, and offering insight into the public health system and how it functions.”
Joanna Chowdhury, a graduating Master of Public Health (MPH) student and two-time COSSPP alumna, was named Northwest Regional Health Manager for Special Olympics Florida.
In this position, Chowdhury works closely with clinicians and students, training them to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This role is hands-on and collaborative, supporting work with volunteers for health education classes at partnered community facilities and coordinating noninvasive health screenings at sporting events and partner sites.
“What makes this role so special is that I get to do something I absolutely love, bridging the clinical side of health care with public health in a way that genuinely makes a difference,” Chowdhury said.
Chowdhury chose to attend FSU because of the Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement (CARE), which provides first-generation students with academic preparation and support through programming and advising to face challenges due to educational or economic circumstances.
“It was the deciding factor for me, and looking back, it completely shaped the trajectory of my education and career,” Chowdhury said. “CARE gave me access to resources I didn’t even realize I needed to be successful in college: life coaching, case management, university housing and a support system that showed up for me consistently.”
Through CARE, Chowdhury learned about COSSPP’s Combined Pathways program, which allowed her to blend two of her interests — public health and social sciences — while saving time and money. The pathway helped her transition from her dual bachelor’s degrees (B.S. Public Health and Interdisciplinary Social Science) into the MPH program, giving her a clear direction toward the field she now works in.
Chowdhury’s dual degree shapes her understanding of both fields. Taking courses such as urban and regional planning and public administration influenced her perspective on policies that impact health care. “It taught me to view public health as a connected system where history, policy and environment all shape outcomes,” Chowdhury said.
The support from FSU aided her academic and personal development. One professor, specifically, Ladanya Ramirez Surmeier, made a lasting impact during Chowdhury’s most difficult moments. After the death of her father, Ramirez Surmeier encouraged her to seek mental health support.
“She reminded me that I could not advocate for others if I was not willing to advocate for myself,” Chowdhury said. “Her advice became the missing piece in my healing.”
Chowdhury is and has been involved in several organizations and programs, including Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., CARE, FSU University Housing and the Master of Public Health Student Association. These organizations provided her with community, mentorship, friendships and opportunities for professional development.
After graduation Chowdhury hopes to continue advancing health equity and mentoring future public health professionals.
Jada Llerena, of Stuart, Florida, is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She credits the FSU community and curriculum with strengthening her commitment to service and equipping her with the confidence to succeed.
During her time at the College of Nursing, Llerena researched GABA migration in the developing brain after nicotine exposure. However, one of her most meaningful experiences was serving as an ACE Learning Tutor.
“FSU taught me that knowledge is most powerful when it is shared, a lesson that continues to guide me as both a student and a future nurse,” she said.
Llerena also notes that the faculty played an instrumental role in her development by challenging and supporting her growth. After graduation, she will begin her career at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. She will work in the Neuro and Vascular Intensive Care Unit at the Level 1 trauma center, where she hopes to mentor other nurses and continue the cycle of guidance she found at FSU.
Max Allen, of Cocoa Beach, Florida, is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from the School of Theatre, with a dual track in performance and directing. Drawn to FSU for its renowned arts programs and the ability to utilize the Bright Futures Scholarship, Allen said the campus environment was a major draw.
“I’d known FSU for a long time. It has very strong arts programs with a lot of supportive faculty, and I’m really glad I made the decision,” Allen said.
Allen’s undergraduate career was defined by high-level research. Through the IDEA Grant and the Honors in the Major program, he developed projects and attended graduate-level seminars, opportunities rarely afforded to undergraduates. He credits mentors such as Kris Salata, chair of the School of Theatre, and Assistant Professor Sarah Fahmy for guiding his journey.
Allen plans to pursue a doctorate in theater to continue his work as a director, performer and scholar.
Mckenzie Simon, of Broward County, Florida, has made a lasting impact on campus through extensive service and leadership. A member of the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) program, Simon served as a Summer Bridge Ambassador, supporting first-generation college students during their transition to campus life.
Simon also served as an ambassador for the College of Nursing and a “Take Stock in College” student ambassador, mentoring students across Florida.
“Obstacles aren’t stop signs, they’re invitations to push harder,” Simon said.
Beyond his ambassador roles, Simon gained clinical experience as a nurse extern at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. He was also a featured speaker at the Horizons Unlimited Conference, where he offered advice to incoming nursing students.
After graduation, Simon will join the Cardiac Surgery ICU at HCA Florida Capital Hospital. He plans to gain critical care experience before pursuing certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
At just 19 years old, Nicolas Monteagudo is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Monteagudo’s time at FSU was marked by academic distinction and advocacy. He was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi — becoming one of only two nursing students in his cohort selected for the nation’s oldest collegiate honor society, and Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honor Society.
Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), Monteagudo worked with James Whyte, director of the Ph.D. in Nursing Science program, to investigate HIV-related stigma. As a Hispanic student, he found particular meaning in his work with the Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and contributed to initiatives that increase underrepresented minority students in STEM.
He also conducted policy analysis for the Florida Department of Management Services regarding health care costs and advocated for cancer research funding.
“Graduating at 19 has taught me that there is no ‘perfect’ timeline for success,” Monteagudo said. “If there is one piece of advice I can impart, it is this: dreams without action become anxiety. When you think of your dreams, I hope you sing with rapture and dance like a dervish, fearlessly, freely and without hesitation.”
Monteagudo plans to become a nurse practitioner and pursue a doctorate in nursing, following in his mother’s footsteps.
When Olivia DeForest started at FSU in 2022, she wasn’t certain which direction to take. Fortunately, her strong math abilities and interest in practical applications led her to choose finance as her major.
“I knew that I had a passion for making money, and that was about it,” DeForest said. “I honestly picked finance because I knew that I was much more of a math person. When I initially started taking my classes, I found myself really interested in the material.”
This month, she receives her Bachelor of Science in Finance after thriving as a student at FSU’s College of Business. DeForest took a demanding courseload, worked multiple jobs, paid her way through school and was involved in Kappa Delta Sorority, Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and Dance Marathon.
Her biggest obstacle at FSU also became the turning point for her career ambitions. After her sophomore year, she applied for an internship at financial services company Raymond James but was rejected. She used the rejection as motivation and landed a finance and accounting internship with the company the next year and later secured a full-time position
“I was heartbroken,” DeForest said about the initial rejection. “I kind of took that as ‘Okay, I can either completely redirect or use this as my motivation and go get it next summer.”
In January 2026, her new position awaits her as one of Raymond James’ corporate banking credit associates. “From my first day of freshman year, my reason for attending FSU has been to get an education, secure a job and eventually excel in my career,” DeForest said. “It’s really cool to say in four years here, I did exactly what I wanted to do.”