A Florida State University master’s student and Presidential Scholar was accepted into a highly competitive national fellowship program for emerging civic leaders.

Ella Garcia, who is working toward her master’s degree in public administration, was accepted into the Coro Fellows Program housed at University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The Coro Fellows Program was founded in 1947 in San Francisco to train young World War II veterans in civic leadership skills. It now operates four centers in St. Louis, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, where it serves to advance civic engagement and accelerate the careers of those in public affairs.

As a Coro Fellow, Garcia will live in St. Louis and participate in a full-time, graduate-level leadership training program that includes seminars, interviews with local leaders, opportunities to learn about regionally specific topics, and placement in organizations across nonprofit, business and government sectors.

“I’m excited because it’s going to be very fulfilling to focus on the aspect of public administration that’s about giving back, not just pursuing my own professional goals, but learning how I can better the communities around me,” Garcia said. “It’s one thing to study administration and government in a theoretical way, but it’s another to apply what I’ve learned hands-on. It’s what I feel like I’m called to do.”

From Mount Dora, Florida, Garcia is a member of FSU’s Presidential Scholars Program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and will graduate with her master’s degree this summer with support from FSU’s More in Four program, which helps high achieving students complete a bachelor’s degree in three years and continue immediately into a master’s degree.

Professors and mentors say Garcia’s involvement at FSU has prepared her well for the Coro Fellows Program. That includes her participation in FSU’s Applied Politics & Policy Learning Experience (APPLE) program, in the Department of Political Science, where she was able to intern for a state representative and a member of U.S. Congress.

“Ella has used her time at FSU to gain extensive hands-on government experience and advanced analytical skills, with the aim of driving informed, community-oriented public service,” said FSU professor Amanda Driscoll, cofounder of APPLE and one of Garcia’s mentors. “The Coro Fellowship will provide her with additional public service experience and practical leadership training to deepen her impact and professional growth. I am confident that she will translate her established civic commitments into effective, real-world solutions, and we can’t wait to see what she will accomplish next.”

Garcia’s interest in policy work extended beyond U.S. government last summer, when she traveled with a group of FSU Honors Program students to the Oxford Consortium of Human Rights workshop at the University of Oxford in England.

“Ella is among the finest students I’ve worked with at Florida State,” said Ross Moret, who led the trip to Oxford and serves as an associate teaching professor in the FSU Honors Program. “She is dedicated, responsible, insightful and caring. She will make an outstanding Coro Fellow.”

As a Presidential Scholar, Garcia said she enjoyed mentorship and a peer community that helped motivate her to reach her goals.

“FSU and the Presidential Scholars Program specifically have been instrumental for me,” she said. “It’s really shaped who I am, as a leader and as a person.”

To learn more about student support for pursuing national fellowships, visit the Office of National Fellowships and the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards.

Visit the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy website to learn more about the college, department and programs.

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Florida State University’s innovative Applied Politics and Policy Learning Experience (APPLE) program recently marked its third anniversary with another impactful visit to Capitol Hill. The year-long experiential learning initiative offers students unparalleled insights into career opportunities in politics and policy.

APPLE is a one-of-a-kind program that provides a select group of FSU Political Science undergraduate students with training in active citizenship and civic governance, combining three semesters of experiential learning opportunities at the local, state and national levels.

“There is no other program like it in the country,” said Founding Co-Director and Political Science Professor Amanda Driscoll. “It is a truly transformative experience; our students emerge with unparalleled early career experiences that prepare them to enter their chosen professions with confidence.”

Students spend the fall semester working on projects relating to local policymaking and governance, meeting with representatives from Leon County, the City of Tallahassee and local stakeholder interest groups. In the spring, students participate in the Governmental Relations Legislative Internship Program, where they serve as interns for the fast-paced Florida legislative session.

The summer semester culminates with Washington D.C., where participants gain experience in internships of their choosing, living and taking classes at The Washington Center in the heart of the nation’s capital.

Following a White House visit coordinated by the office of U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), the 12 APPLE students were joined by another 13 FSU undergraduates at the U.S. Capitol to meet with U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D–FL), who shared firsthand insights into federal policymaking and his experience as the youngest member of Congress.

The students also met with noted FSU alumni currently serving as congressional staffers, who shared valuable experiences and advice for navigating career paths on Capitol Hill.

Alumni speakers included:

• Trinity Tresner (’22) and Adriana Diaz (’24), Scheduler and Staff Assistant for Rep. Maxwell Frost;
• Khamare Garner (’22), Special Advisor for Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA);
• Jack Hitchcock (’24), Legislative Correspondent for Senator Rick Scott (R-FL);
• Daniel Muniz (‘23/’24), Legislative Aide for Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC);
• Dominique Yelinski (’16), Deputy Policy Director for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA);
• Edgar Barrios (’19), Communications Assistant for U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).

This capstone event marks the culmination of many students’ internships in Washington, D.C., where they served as interns on Capitol Hill in lobbying firms, advocacy organizations and the White House.

“The APPLE program was the single most beneficial experience I have had in my undergraduate years,” said Elias Barcena, who interned at the Florida House and in the Office of Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL). “The insight I received from experiences in all three levels of government was extremely valuable, and I feel ready to enter the professional workforce.”

With three successful years of the program, and thanks to the generous financial backing of FSU’s Institute for Governance and Civics, APPLE is gearing up for the fourth cohort of students who will begin the program this fall. Members of the third APPLE cohort will serve as mentors to their successors while finishing their undergraduate degrees on campus.

The APPLE program offers a seamless blend of academic coursework, policy training and experiential learning designed to shape future leaders. This growing alumni network—with seasoned political professionals—ensures APPLE students benefit from strong mentorship alongside rigorous academic training.

For more on APPLE, visit cosspp.fsu.edu/polisci/apple/.

To learn more about the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy which houses the program and the Department of Political Science, visit cosspp.fsu.edu.

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An international group that supports work-integrated education has announced multiple awards honoring Florida State University’s success in preparing students for the workforce, including an inaugural award that recognizes a member of the faculty.

The Cooperative Education & Internship Association (CEIA) will honor FSU with three awards:

• Best Practices Award – Experience Recognition Program
• Engagement Fellowship – Career Center Senior Assistant Director and InternFSU Program Manager Li Pon
• Charles Kettering Award, which recognizes an outstanding internship employer – E. & J. Gallo Winery recognizing the contributions of Amanda Bussey, an FSU alumna, former sales recruiting manager for her leadership in supporting experiential learning opportunities within the company

  

The CEIA is a leader in work-integrated learning that provides opportunities for professional development while advocating for best practices in co-ops, internships and other forms of experiential education. The awards will be presented at CEIA’s annual conference April 6-8 in Tucson, Arizona.

“It’s a privilege to acknowledge Florida State University’s enduring legacy and profound impact on the field of cooperative education and internships,” CEIA President Andrew Harper said. “I’ve witnessed firsthand FSU’s unwavering dedication to fostering high-quality work-integrated learning. Their longstanding commitment to CEIA, through board service, expert guidance and innovative presentations, has elevated work-integrated learning standards nationwide.”

CEIA’s first-ever Faculty Champion Award will recognize Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Joe O’Shea for his contributions to the promotion and advocacy of work-integrated learning by a member of the faculty.

“We’re honored that CEIA recognizes FSU’s commitment to enriching the student academic journey through experiential learning,” O’Shea said. “Our work at FSU wouldn’t have been possible without outstanding students, faculty and staff at the university who believe in the power of experiential education and in making engagement a possibility for every student, from every background.”

Work-integrated learning complements academic studies with practical, real-world experiences outside of the classroom such as internships, undergraduate research, community service engagement and global studies.

FSU’s commitment to work-integrated learning includes the “formative experience” graduation requirement, implemented in Summer 2019 and continuing today, which ensures that all students get a chance to learn and engage outside the classroom.

Students find opportunities to complete the requirement throughout the university, within their colleges and beyond through programs such as the Applied Politics & Policy Learning Experience, the Legislative Internship Program, classroom field experience, the sport management practicum, internships through various academic units and programs such as InternFSU and InternFSU: TLH, and production work for ESPN through Seminole Productions.

As a legislative intern, international affairs and political science double major, Sofia Casas has gotten to work directly under a Florida state senator and her legislative aide in tracking pending legislation, coordinating schedules and handling constituent services.

“This position has given me the opportunity to engage firsthand with the legislative process and apply what I have learned in my political science coursework at FSU,” said Casas, who is from Miami. “Through my experience in this internship, I have discovered I have a genuine passion for local policy and am looking forward to pursuing a career in Miami-Dade politics after graduating.”

FSU Career Center program director now president-elect of CEIA 

In addition to recognizing FSU at the upcoming awards ceremony, CEIA has named Tracey Dowling, FSU’s program director of experiential learning within the Career Center, the next president of the association.

Dowling has been instrumental in building programs such as InternFSU, which provides on-campus internships; InternFSU: TLH, which partners with companies in Tallahassee to hire student interns; FSUshadow, which connects students with one-day job shadowing opportunities; and the Part-Time Job & Internship Fair, a semesterly event that connects students with on- and off-campus jobs.

“It has been a dream come true to collaborate across campus for the last decade to reduce FSU student barriers to engagement in experiential learning,” Dowling said. “Seeing programs come to fruition — with support from academic affairs and partnerships across student affairs — and hearing students talking about them excitedly fuels motivation and innovation.”

An experienced career services professional and FSU alumna, Dowling has previously implemented services and programs at Emory University, the University of Georgia and the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea program. She has served on the board of directors for CEIA since 2016.

“FSU’s success inspires us all to continue pushing boundaries and creating meaningful opportunities for students across the country,” CEIA President Andrew Harper said.

To learn more about FSU’s Career Center and some of the university’s work-integrated learning opportunities, visit career.fsu.edu. For more information about FSU’s Division of Undergraduate Studies, visit undergrad.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE) hosted a record-breaking spring symposium for undergraduate researchers Tuesday, April 1, in the Student Union Ballrooms.

More than 700 undergraduate students showcased their research projects at the largest Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) in the event’s 25-year history. Student projects at the interdisciplinary showcase included more than 500 posters and creative presentations, attracting nearly 2,000 attendees.

“We are overwhelmingly grateful for the hard work of all the students, mentors, administrators and staff who made this year’s symposium the largest event yet,” said Latika Young, CRE director. “This growth is a testament to the ways in which FSU supports undergraduate research and helps students explore their creative and academic interests as soon as they arrive at the university and throughout their undergraduate careers.”

One of the largest university-based symposia in the country and FSU’s only all-campus undergraduate research showcase, the URS includes undergraduate students from all majors, representing various initiatives such as Honors in the Major theses and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP).

Students presented on varied topics including parents’ roles in child reading achievement, risk factors in vascular dementia, the development of polymer-based materials that can withstand space exploration and a historical look at how Florida represented itself at two World’s Fairs.

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Florida State University’s Office of Governmental Relations’ Legislative Internship Program, now in its third year, serves as a cornerstone of student engagement with the Florida political process.

Established in 2022 with the support of FSU President Richard McCullough, this program offers both undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to gain first hand experience in the state’s legislative environment by immersing students in the legislative process during the committee weeks starting in January and continuing through the 60-day Legislative Session.

“We are deeply grateful to President McCullough, Provost Clark, our Board of Trustees and the entire university community for their unwavering commitment of time, resources and support in making this internship program a reality,” said Clay Ingram, FSU’s chief legislative affairs officer. “Thanks to their dedication, we’ve been able to not only launch the program but also grow and adapt it to meet the growing demand and interest from our students. We are thrilled for Class III to experience the legislative process firsthand and are confident that the sky is the limit for these bright, driven students.”

Class III consists of 39 FSU students, including 13 who are part of the Applied Politics & Policy Learning Experience (APPLE) program in the Department of Political Science which includes federal and local internships, providing a broader range of experiences.

“The FSU Legislative Internship Program has been a great experience for me, allowing me to meet peers with a shared passion for public service and dive right into the state-level legislative process,” said Christopher Lynch, a student in the 2025 Legislative Internship Class. “I would emphasize for applicants considering the program the great opportunities and network of connections available to them if they have what it takes to excel in the program.”

Before students can begin their internship, they are required to participate in mandatory training sessions designed to prepare them for their roles as legislative interns. These additional learning opportunities enhance participants’ understanding of the legislative process and foster personal and professional growth.

“Through the three-day pre-internship training, we are committed to setting our students up for success,” said Lina Rojas, legislative manager for FSU Governmental Relations. “Our hope is that the knowledge they gain will empower students with the strong foundation they need to excel as legislative interns. This preparation not only enhances their professional readiness but also inspires personal growth, ensuring they are fully equipped to make impactful contributions during their service.”

Throughout their internships, students work in various offices throughout Tallahassee including the State Senate, State House of Representatives, state agencies and the Executive Office of the Governor. Additionally, some interns are placed in lobbying firms and private government relations offices, offering them a comprehensive and multifaceted view of the legislative process.

Interns engage in a wide range of activities such as conducting research, writing bill summaries, attending committee hearings and communicating with legislators, state agency liaisons, lobbyists, constituents and the general public. While administrative duties and constituent services are part of the experience, the primary focus is on understanding how the State’s legislative policy and budget are interconnected.

“Our hope is that these students will earn the trust of their offices, enabling them to engage in budget and policy matters. This will spark their interest, provide valuable experience and make them more competitive in the workforce if they choose careers in public service and politics.”

— Lina Rojas, legislative manager for FSU Governmental Relations

“Our hope is that these students will earn the trust of their offices, enabling them to engage in budget and policy matters,” Rojas said. “This will spark their interest, provide valuable experience and make them more competitive in the workforce if they choose careers in public service and politics.”

The FSU Legislative Internship Program continues to equip students with valuable skills and knowledge that will enhance their future career prospects.

“Being an FSU legislative intern was the single best decision I made in my college career,” said Mackenzie Dolan, a student in the Inaugural Class in 2023. “Through the connections and experiences gained in the program, I was able to not only decide that I wanted to pursue a legislative career but also led me to getting hired after the program.”

Interested students are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the world of public policy and politics.

To view Class III of the FSU Legislative Internship Program, visit 2025 Legislative Internship Class. To learn more about the Legislative Internship Program and how to apply, visit govrel.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University undergraduate students in the Department of Political Science’s Applied Politics and Policy Learning Experience (APPLE) program concluded the program’s inaugural year by meeting with members of Florida’s congressional delegation and staffers on Capitol Hill.  

“The Department of Political Science’s APPLE program provides undergraduates with unprecedented insight into policymaking processes, as well as exposure to career paths at local, state and federal levels,” said Tim Chapin, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. “We’re grateful to the congressional members and FSU alumni who generously shared their time and experiences with our students in D.C.” 

The capstone event marked the end of the program’s inaugural year and gave students an opportunity to meet face-to-face with Florida Reps. Neal Dunn (R-Panama City), John Rutherford (R-Jacksonville), and Darren Soto (D-Kissimmee), who shared their insights and experiences before answering questions.  

Students also met with FSU alumni working as staffers on Capitol Hill including Marcus Garza (Class of 2010), McKinley Lewis (2013) and Chaston Pfingston (2021).

Founding Co-Director of the APPLE program and Associate Professor Amanda Driscoll said the meetings on Capitol Hill provided students with an invaluable opportunity to hear from members of the Florida congressional delegation and FSU alumni working as congressional staffers.  

“We created APPLE to provide select FSU political science majors an opportunity to experience local, state and national policymaking firsthand,” Driscoll said. “The program seamlessly integrates into the undergraduate curriculum requirements while helping students to build their professional skills and resumés.”

APPLE includes a three-semester slate of coursework and engagement activities that provide students with experiential learning opportunities at the local, state and federal level. Students also complete an internship while spending a semester in Washington, D.C. They live and take classes at The Washington Center in the heart of the nation’s capital. 

Student internships include placements on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Department of Energy, the D.C. Bar Association and the National Labor Relations Board, among others.   

“APPLE has given me opportunities that would be otherwise unattainable,” said Sarah Brophy, who is interning at the National Legal Aid and Defender Association. “Not only has it provided me with an invaluable network of people, both students and professionals but with real world skills that will serve me for the rest of my career.” 

The students will return to campus for the fall semester to complete their undergraduate degrees and serve as mentors for the next cohort of APPLE students. 

“We are excited for the second year of the program; we have 13 new APPLE students ready to hit the ground running,” said Brad Kile, founding co-director of the APPLE program and director of the Master’s in Applied American Politics and Policy Program. “The APPLE program is the first of its kind. There is no other program like it in the country, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things our students will achieve next.”     

The Department of Political Science is housed in the College of Social Science and Public Policy. For more information, visit coss.fsu.edu/apple. 

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