Florida State University President Richard McCullough announced key staff and search committee appointments Thursday.
McCullough appointed FSU administrator Marissa Langston as his new Chief of Staff, effective immediately. Langston succeeds Elizabeth Hirst, who assumes full-time responsibilities as Associate Vice President for University Relations.
As Chief of Staff, Langston will serve as a key member of the president’s leadership team and work closely with the provost and vice presidents on a number of topics related to strategic development and implementation, administration, shared governance, and other faculty, staff and student issues. Langston will also serve as liaison to the FSU Board of Trustees.
Langston previously served as Assistant Dean for Strategic Engagement at the College of Business. In that position, she focused on developing engagement opportunities for all major constituent groups – alumni, students, donors and employers.
Hirst continues to oversee the Office of University Relations, the Office of University Communications, and the university’s Opening Nights performing arts series. She had been serving in a dual role as Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for University Relations for the past 10 months during the presidential transition.
Chief Legislative Affairs Officer Clay Ingram continues to lead the university’s Office of Governmental Relations, now reporting directly to the president. Ingram, a Pensacola native, served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. Ingram graduated from FSU in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and was a member of FSU’s 1999 National Championship football team.
McCullough also promoted Dennis Schnittker to Assistant Vice President for University Communications. Schnittker has served as Interim Assistant Vice President since December and oversees the university’s central Creative Services, News and Research Communications, Digital Content Production and Social Media units. He previously served as Director of University News and Digital Communications.
McCullough also announced Dean of the College of Social Work Jim Clark will chair the national search committee for the university’s next Vice President for Research. Longtime FSU administrator and faculty member Laurel Fulkerson is currently serving as Interim Vice President for Research since Gary K. Ostrander returned to the faculty in December 2020.
Fulkerson recently announced her plans to retire next year after a distinguished career as a professor of classics and administrator.
