Florida State University has once again received the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a prestigious designation awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that recognizes institutional commitment to community engagement.

This is the third time FSU has earned the honor. FSU first received the Carnegie Community Engagement designation in 2010 and then again in 2020.

“We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors — fostering civic engagement, building useable knowledge and catalyzing real world learning experiences for students,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation.

FSU is among 237 U.S. colleges and universities that have earned the 2026 classification. The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categorizing and describing colleges and universities in the United States. Utilized frequently by policymakers, funders and researchers, the classifications are a critical benchmarking tool for postsecondary institutions.

“As a public Research I institution, Florida State University exists to serve the people of Florida and beyond, from our Tallahassee neighborhoods to communities across the nation and around the world,” said Jarrett Terry, assistant vice president and assistant provost for Academic Affairs. “Whether supporting local schools and economic development, contributing to state and national policy solutions, or collaborating on global health and sustainability initiatives, FSU’s community engagement reflects the scope and scale expected of a top-rated public university.”

The 2026 designation follows an intensive process of self-study and reflects the university’s community engagement efforts to ensure the work of faculty, staff and students is meaningful and furthers the work of community partners.

“The fact that we have been consistently successful with reclassification is an honor and testimony to FSU’s commitment to community engagement,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “It validates FSU’s efforts to fulfill our mission to unleash the potential of every student, enrich their experience through service, discovery and innovation, and be a supportive partner to the many communities we serve.”

“Whether supporting local schools and economic development, contributing to state and national policy solutions, or collaborating on global health and sustainability initiatives, FSU’s community engagement reflects the scope and scale expected of a top-rated public university.” 

– Jarrett Terry, assistant vice president and assistant provost for Academic Affairs

FSU defines community engagement as the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources between the university and local, regional, national and global communities. The application highlighted the importance FSU places on ensuring that university-community partnerships foster dynamic relationships based on mutually beneficial and reciprocal goals and that initiatives center around community voices.

Joi Phillips, director of the Center for Leadership & Service (CLS), led the nine-month long, university-wide team effort to earn recertification. She noted that over the last several years, FSU has refined and deepened their commitment to the community.

The team highlighted several of FSU’s many partnerships, such as the Experience Recognition Program hosted by the Experiential Learning team within the Career Center, formative experience opportunities offered by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, service and community-based learning options housed out of CLS, and participatory research that is connected to every academic unit and  initiative across the institution.

“For me, the focus is on appreciation and gratitude to the community for allowing us to share space with them,” Phillips said. “I don’t think we can express enough appreciation for their willingness to allow us to learn from them.”

FSU also provided data extracted from the ServScript Program, which has been the primary means to track student community engagement across the university since the system was implemented in the late 1990s. During the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 4,452 students documented 226,777 hours of service.

Here are some other noteworthy data shared:

• FSU students make a significant impact through community engagement and service in supporting the Tallahassee economy, contributing $7.5 million in volunteer hours.
• 427 faculty across 26 departments teach community-engaged designated courses accounting for 20.2% of FSU faculty teaching such courses.

• 14,697 undergraduate students (46% of the undergraduate student body) are enrolled in community engaged designated courses, an increase of 4,737 students since the last application cycle.

For more information about the Center for Leadership & Service and community engagement at FSU, visit community.fsu.edu.

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Natalie Lusk is a standout Florida State University studio art undergraduate, whose sculptures confront consumer culture, question the definition of aesthetic beauty and spark conversations about critical issues.

She recently received an IDEA Grant for her project “On Iteration: Fabrication Arts and Plant Growth,” which combines hand-woven textiles with live plant materials.

Natalie’s work aims to educate others about the significant role of art in society and emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in art creation. She explores a variety of mediums and collaborates with experts from different disciplines to achieve this goal.

In addition to her academic achievements, Natalie is dedicated to supporting her peers in the Department of Art. She serves as a Digital Art Fab Lab technician, where she assists students with advanced technologies such as 3D printing, laser cutting and other digital fabrication tools. Through this role, she helps foster a collaborative and innovative environment for aspiring artists.

Why did you choose to attend FSU?

I chose to attend FSU to become a part of its prestigious art program. I was excited about the opportunity to engage with faculty who create innovative research-based artwork. The Department of Art offers an amazing breadth of resources to students, including facilities for fabrication, gallery spaces to show work in and the opportunity to hold a personal studio as an undergraduate.

FSU’s strong Department of Art and academic reputation was what led me to apply, but when my mother and I visited for a tour of the university, I was impacted by the beauty of campus and the noticeable happiness of students. I got a feeling that this was where I was supposed to be. As soon as I received my acceptance, my decision was made.

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

The most significant part of my academic experience at FSU has been my combination of studying art with other disciplines. Courses in areas like astronomy, art history and English showed me how much I enjoyed studying. I realized that cultural and scientific knowledge can be the basis for deep inspiration in my art practice. I am especially proud of my commitment to each one of my classes, which has allowed me to maintain a 4.0 GPA.

I was awarded an IDEA Grant to create a project during the summer of 2024. Supervised by Professor Rob Duarte, my research focused on how the manipulation of materials can come to represent metaphysical questions about the nature of perception, the individual spirit, light and structure. The project culminated in two installations at the Carnaghi Arts Building and a research poster, which I presented at the President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence.

How have you used your art education to serve others?

Working as a graphic designer for the Center for Leadership & Service and Sustainable Campus at FSU allowed me to use the aesthetic knowledge I have gained from my art study to communicate important initiatives to the community. Being a part of these teams also allowed me to do more than just design. Participating in team ideation sessions, tabling and generating ideas for how to increase campus reach were the most fulfilling aspects of these roles.

How has your research impacted the FSU community?

I have contributed to interdisciplinary collaboration at FSU by exhibiting my artwork and engaging in conversations about art’s potential to serve a purpose deeper than beauty. I hope that my engagement with undergraduate research at FSU has inspired other young researchers to explore creative methods of research and collaboration.

I strive to create artwork that becomes a site of knowledge production. My practice focuses on architectural materials, single-use materials, accumulation, waste, aesthetic beauty and how these aspects of our reality impact our actions. By showing my work, I hope to inspire others to engage with their surroundings and question the necessity of pervasive aspects of material culture more critically.

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A College of Social Sciences and Public Policy student has been named Florida State University’s 2025 Humanitarian of the Year, one of 16 students nominated for the award.

Arantza Caudillo-Alvarez was recognized as FSU’s 38th Humanitarian of the Year for her commitment to human rights work.

Launched in 1988, the Humanitarian of the Year award underscores FSU’s commitment to making a significant contribution to the public good. Each academic college selects one student as its Humanitarian of the Year and a university-wide committee selects one student who exemplifies a dedication to service as the institution’s overall Humanitarian of the Year.

“Through partnerships with public and private sectors, Florida State University seeks to enrich scholarship, research and creative activity while enhancing curriculum, teaching and learning,” said Brandon Bowden, associate vice president for Student Affairs. “This engagement prepares students to become educated and engaged citizens, strengthens democratic values and promotes civic responsibility.”

Eager to understand human rights work beyond the classroom, Caudillo-Alvarez interned with the International Rescue Committee in the summer of 2023, shadowing caseworkers and translating for Spanish-speaking clients in the anti-trafficking program. She later joined FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights as a legal assistant, where she continued to work on pro-bono immigration cases, including adjustment of status for refugees, asylum applications and temporary protected status filings.

For her honors in the major thesis, Caudillo-Alvarez engaged in three months of research in the Eastern Mountain Range of Hidalgo, Mexico, through the nonprofit Psychology and Human Rights. While there, she facilitated sewing workshops for the women of the community, a nod to her grandmother, a seamstress who she spent many summers sewing with.

The 15 honorees and overall awardee will be honored for their contributions and efforts at the annual Leadership Awards Night hosted by the Division of Student Affairs.

The 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Honorees are:

• Rebecca Chuhak, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
• Amber Wilkinson, College of Applied Studies
• Maiya Johnson, College of Arts & Sciences
• Hannah Harring, College of Business
• Paige Elkin, College of Communication & Information
• Simran “Simmi” Purohit, College of Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Cate Calvert, College of Fine Arts
• Emelia LaCognata, College of Medicine
• Finley Stein, College of Motion Picture Arts
• Riley Murray, College of Music
• Nikki Fitzgerald, College of Nursing
• Claire Sciandra, College of Social Work
• Jaclyn Madson, Dedman College of Hospitality
• Saiabhinav Devulapalli, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
• Lauren Gaston, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship

Learn more at thecenter.fsu.edu/HOY.

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Sixteen Florida State University students volunteered with the City of Tallahassee for the annual MLK Community Celebration and Festival at Cascades Park on Monday, Jan. 20.

As part of FSU’s 37th Annual MLK Week, “United We Serve” encouraged FSU students to get involved with service projects offered by the FSU Center for Leadership & Service’s EngageTLH program. The event brought together members of the FSU student organization DREAM and Student Government Association, as well as students with EngageTLH, the Community Ambassador Program and Service Scholars from the Center for Leadership & Service.

“When students commit to service, they are doing more than helping out, they are learning alongside local leaders while building trust and collective empowerment in their community,” said Maria-Paula McIntyre, program coordinator for EngageTLH.

Student volunteers participated in place-based community service and engaged with Tallahassee history that is displayed throughout Cascades Park.

“The MLK Day events held by the City of Tallahassee are essential for fostering community and promoting service,” said Priyanka Perumalraja, an FSU sophomore studying computational biology. “Service is an act of bringing the community together to address a community need in an actionable way and is one of the most important facets of our society.”

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Florida State University hosted the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Student Leadership Symposium, a three-day symposium centered around the theme “Accelerating Community Change.” The annual symposium connects students across ACC universities to share leadership strategies and knowledge regarding a specific social issue.

Spearheaded by FSU’s Center for Leadership & Service, 110 students from 17 universities gathered Friday, Feb. 7, at Westcott Plaza with a welcome reception that included performances by FSU’s Golden Girls & Company Dance Team, the Marching Chiefs and Flying High Circus.

“The ACC values excellence on and off the field,” said Jim Clark, FSU provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Through initiatives like this symposium, we invest in the future by developing leaders who can inspire change and make a difference. The relationships you build and the knowledge you gain here will equip you to make an impact in your communities and beyond.”

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Florida State University’s Service Scholar Program, managed by FSU’s Center for Leadership & Service for the past 28 years, was named a NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) Florida Program of Distinction for its outstanding contributions to service-learning and student success.

NASPA-Florida is a state chapter of the national association of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The “Programs of Distinction” award celebrates innovative programs and services that benefit students across a wide range of categories, including service-learning, student activities and leadership.

“This award is a recognition of the importance of community-engaged work to student success,” said Joi Phillips, director of the Center for Leadership & Service and a member of the Service Scholar Advisory Board. “We are incredibly proud of the work this program has done in the Tallahassee community for almost three decades and are excited about continuing this tradition.”

Founded in 1997, the Service Scholars program is a comprehensive four-year, co-curricular program that promotes civic responsibility and leadership among undergraduate students. Each year, a select cohort of first-year students who have demonstrated excellence in service and leadership are admitted to the program.

Service Scholars complete 75 hours of service per semester, individual and group service projects, monthly colloquia and peer mentorship, all while maintaining a strong academic record. Scholars receive an annual scholarship of $4,500, totaling $18,000 over the course of the program. Across the approximately 40 scholars, the program awards $180,000 annually.

“I am forever grateful to the Service Scholar Program, for encouraging me to become a better individual focused on continuous learning who will continue to be engaged in community with responsibility,” said Hillary Harbauer, a third-year FSU student and the chair of the Service Scholar Student Board. “Had I not received an offer to become a Service Scholar, my undergraduate experience would have been missing a safety net and the ‘citizenship’ pillar that Florida State University promises.”

Erin Sylvester Philpot, a Service Scholar alumna, has come full circle in her relationship with the program. Now, as the program director for leadership at the Center for Leadership & Service, she serves as the director of the Service Scholar Program.

“We have a passion for helping others and naturally connect academic study and wisdom to the service of addressing wicked problems in our communities,” Philpot said. “On the whole, Service Scholars see humanity as something which simultaneously connects us and also obligates us to the service of the collective over ourselves.”

As part of this unique program, students are introduced to service-learning principles, nonprofit management and leadership theory, regardless of their major.

Jillian Volpe White, a member of the program’s fifth cohort, regarded the Service Scholars as one of the highlights of her undergraduate experience at FSU.

“Engaging in service with other scholars in a new city pushed me out of my comfort zone, and talking regularly with Bill Moeller, my Service Scholar mentor, provided opportunities for reflection,” White said. “Over the course of four years, I became more engaged on campus, facilitated service projects, learned about social issues locally and globally, and grew into a woman with confidence in her capacity.”

For more information, visit thecenter.fsu.edu.

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A group of Florida State University students traveled to the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in South Florida Nov. 1-2 to volunteer at the annual American Indigenous Arts Celebration (AIAC). The event, hosted by the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, celebrated Native American Heritage Month and featured Seminole and Indigenous art, music, food, dance and more.

The festival provided the group of 20 FSU student volunteers the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture and traditions of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STOF) while connecting and engaging with the community on a personal level.

READ THE FULL STORY

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A group of Florida State University students traveled to the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in South Florida Nov. 1-2 to volunteer at the annual American Indigenous Arts Celebration (AIAC). The event, hosted by the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, celebrated Native American Heritage Month and featured Seminole and Indigenous art, music, food, dance and more.

The festival provided the group of 20 FSU student volunteers the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture and traditions of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STOF) while connecting and engaging with the community on a personal level.

“Our students proudly call themselves Seminoles and this is a great way to get them to see beyond iconography and athletics,” said Andrew Frank, director of FSU’s Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Center. “I think they learned more about the modern and traditional Seminole world in a short few days than my students normally learn in a semester. They also taught tribal members a lot about FSU and are creating lasting partnerships and friendships.”

The trip, made possible by FSU’s NAIS Center and the Center for Leadership & Service, included a tour of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and volunteering with school groups attending the festival.

“The first day was amazing,” said Alexia Holliday, a second-year political science and English major. “One of the highlights was a spoken word story by a member of the Seminole Tribe, which has been passed down through generations. It was really cool to hear that.”

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More than 30 students began their Florida State University experience a week early to hone their leadership skills and engage with the Tallahassee community.  

 Now in its 22nd year, FSU’s Service Leadership Seminar (SLS), hosted by the Center for Leadership & Service, aims to inspire and enable participants to create positive, sustainable change in their local, national or global communities. The seminar equips participants to discover opportunities for community engagement, develop leadership skills and self-awareness, and create an atmosphere in which students, staff and community partners can effectively collaborate. 

Erin Sylvester Philpot, program director for leadership at the center, said SLS helps to orient and welcome new students to campus through the lens of engaging with the Tallahassee community.  

“They discover more about who they are, how they can make Florida State work best for their interest and goals, and how they can find fulfillment through becoming leaders in the Tallahassee community,” she said.  

In addition to behind-the-scenes access to student success initiatives and mentorship from peers and FSU faculty and staff, she said, participants also receive “a digestible introduction to the needs and assets of the Tallahassee community to which we hope they will feel a sense of belonging and choose to serve.” 

SLS caters specifically to incoming first-year students. Participants arrive a week early to campus, where peer facilitators guide their learning about community engagement and leadership through participation in team-building activities, service projects, workshops led by campus and community partners, and connections with current campus leaders.  

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Florida State University students play a pivotal role in supporting the Tallahassee economy. But beyond their economic contributions, students also make a significant impact through community engagement and service.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, more than 4,250 FSU students dedicated nearly 236,000 hours of service, worth an estimated $7.5 million, to nonprofit organizations.

“By volunteering and giving back, students can make a real difference in the lives of others and help build a stronger, more connected community,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “Acts of service not only benefit the organization and recipients, but also instill a sense of civic responsibility and social awareness in students. Students who volunteer are nurturing their own personal growth and development, as well as helping shape the future of our community.”

Local agencies served by FSU students in recent years include The Kearney Center, Project Annie and Second Harvest of the Big Bend Food Bank.

Positive impact

As the region’s primary source for charitable food, Second Harvest provides healthy food for those facing hunger and food insecurity throughout the 16-county Big Bend service area. They say they could not accomplish their vision without the help of FSU students.

“The value that Florida State students bring to Second Harvest is immeasurable,” said Ashleigh Wilson, communications coordinator at Second Harvest. “Students at FSU often help coordinate food drives, help with our daily operations and commit to consistently serving our community directly.”

Second Harvest’s facility serves as the storage and distribution depot for more than 149 smaller frontline agency partners in their efforts to feed the hungry and educate the community about the fight to end hunger.

Kate Ash, a recent graduate from the Dedman College of Hospitality, found out about Second Harvest through a Leadership in Groups and Communities (LDR 2162) class during her sophomore year. The course is offered through the Leadership Studies program in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

During her time with Second Harvest, Ash served as a volunteer and intern, even bringing in groups from her sorority to donate their time. She has helped coordinate volunteers and organized the volunteer appreciation week.

“While it can be hard for students to take the time to volunteer, it gets you outside of your bubble,” Ash said. “You’ll realize that you are not only making a positive impact on the community, but that it can make a positive impact on you.”

How students find opportunities

The Center for Leadership and Service, the campus hub for service, is charged with helping students develop skills and knowledge to become more effective leaders and engage responsibly with communities. Through various programs and resources, the center aims to foster and sustain collaborative relationships among students, the FSU campus and the broader community.

EngageTLH, one program the center offers, fosters meaningful connections between the FSU and Tallahassee communities with the goal of making service accessible for students. The program offers service trips to community partner agencies on various days and times.

Trips have addressed such needs as animal care, K-12 academic development, environmental sustainability, elder care, food insecurity and homelessness.

“Students only commit to one trip when they sign up but often return when they find a cause they are passionate about,” said Maria-Paula McIntyre, who coordinates the EngageTLH program. “Many go on to take leadership roles, guiding other students through service as trained facilitators and helping them understand the community needs their service helps alleviate.”

Last year, about 800 students went on 160 service trips to 19 local agencies through the EngageTLH program, providing an economic impact of $48,700, according to the Independent Sector’s Value of Volunteer Time Report.

Joi Phillips, director of the Center for Leadership & Service, emphasized the importance of the reciprocal relationship between FSU students and the broader community.

“We appreciate the community allowing our students the opportunity to learn from and with them,” Phillips said. “We know that experiential learning as a high-impact practice provides students with the skills to serve as leaders in their communities and to make sustainable change that lasts beyond them and their time in Tallahassee.”

The center also offers programs such as the Service Scholar program, Service Leadership Seminar and the Conversation Café that connect students with opportunities focusing on the areas of leadership, service and civic engagement.

Sophomore Hillary Harbauer has used the center’s resources to get involved. She is a part of the Service Scholar program, is a facilitator for weekly service trips through EngageTLH, serves as a community ambassador and mentors students in service leadership Engage 100 courses.

As a peer mentor through Engage 100, Harbauer facilitates classes that prepare new students to venture into service opportunities in the Tallahassee community.

“Whether we are learning about the Community Ambassadors program or EngageTLH, I support my students by sharing my experiences and sharing the insights I have learned and opportunities that I have found being a part of these programs,” Harbauer said.

She said that a large part of her undergraduate journey so far has been recognizing that there is much to be learned from those in communities different from your own: “My main driving factor is that I understand what it feels like to be overlooked based on your circumstances.”

Solving problems with research

Many FSU students choose to get involved with undergraduate research through the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE) or pursue master’s and doctoral degrees through The Graduate School with a research focus on a particular issue. Some of these research projects grapple with issues that face the greater Tallahassee community, initiate conversations and propose collaborative possible solutions.

“Conducting community-informed research has the potential to benefit the student and the collaborating community in powerful ways,” said Latika Young, director of the CRE. “Beyond the typical research skills of design and analysis, students conducting research with and within communities practice the additional skills of networking and partnership development, self-reflexivity and communication skills, among others. These research projects often have instrumental impacts on communities by encouraging stakeholder engagement, modifying behavior and interventions and even informing policy and legislation.”

Senior Alycia Drapcho worked on the research project “GIS Analysis of Heavy Precipitation Events & Contamination in Lake Munson.” Community wastewater spills have the potential to adversely affect community health and water supplies. Drapcho utilized geographic information systems, to examine the possible spread of contaminants beyond initial spill points and the effectiveness of cleanup efforts.

“I think it means focusing on how the bigger, general issues like pollution are affecting us on a smaller, local scale and presenting that in an effort to raise awareness,” Drapcho said. “I was drawn to this project because, like I said, hearing how big issues affect us and not really being able to see it on a small scale, made me more interested to better grasp those concepts. FSU’s research facilities and connections with local researchers allowed us access to up-to-date data, as well as firsthand experiences and insights from researchers familiar with our subject matter and how it has affected the Tallahassee area.”

Camila Aponte, a recent graduate, worked on the research project “Assessing Public Participation in Redevelopment Projects: A Case Study of Tallahassee, Florida.” Her research focused on the social impact of participatory tools in neighborhoods undergoing redevelopment projects and resulted in proposed policy recommendations for future projects.

She says that the CRE and DeVoe L. Moore Center have provided her invaluable guidance throughout her research journey.

“Engaging in research with the Tallahassee community gave me insight into communities that have been impacted by local decision-making for generations,” Aponte said. “Working on this project allowed me to look at a topic that had never been explored before and having the opportunity to work and learn alongside other students, a team leader and mentor.”

Benefits of experiential learning

FSU student-service opportunities provide immense value to the community while also allowing students to gain valuable insights and have formative experiences that go beyond their time at Florida State University.

Experiential learning allows students to apply and strengthen their knowledge and skills through hands-on experiences outside the classroom. Other community engagement opportunities exist through internships, international study, creative activities and coursework.

“We’re grateful to give FSU students these unique opportunities to get outside the classroom, engage with the broader community and deepen their understanding of the issues that affect our region,” said Joe O’Shea, associate provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies. “This is the kind of work that inspires students to become the leaders of their generation and use their talents to make a lasting impact in the world.”

For more information about experiential learning opportunities at FSU, visit studentsuccess.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University freshman Aashutosh Pokharel’s journey from the Himalayas to Tallahassee is a story of academic pursuit, resilience and cultural exploration.

As the only undergraduate student from Nepal on FSU’s campus, his discovery of the university was serendipitous. While studying fundamental particles in physics, Pokharel learned about Paul Dirac, the renowned physicist who earned a Nobel Prize in 1933 for his contributions to atomic theory.

Known as the “father of modern physics,” Dirac accepted an appointment at FSU in 1972 after retiring from his position at Cambridge University in England. Dirac continued active research, teaching and travel through his appointment at FSU up until his death in 1984.

FSU’s connection to Dirac stayed in Pokharel’s mind when he started applying to colleges in the U.S. After learning more about FSU’s rich scientific legacy and high caliber of academics, he was inspired to pursue his undergraduate studies at Florida State.

“Studying in a different country has been eye opening for me,” said Pokharel, who is pursuing a degree in chemical-materials engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “Along with the top-class academics, I have learned several new life lessons that I could not get back home.”

Pokharel cherishes his memories of community festivals back in Nepal and the mountainous scenery of his country, some of the things he misses while living in the United States. Despite this, Pokharel holds onto his Nepali identity through the Nepalese Student Association at FSU, which celebrates Nepali festivals like Dashain, Tihar and the Nepali New Year.

“Growing up in Patan, I was always a part of the several community festivals (jatras) that occurred,” Pokharel said. “Enjoying these festivals is something I miss here in the U.S. Additionally, living in Florida makes me miss the beautiful mountainous scenery of my country.”

Homesickness aside, Pokharel has embraced life at FSU, volunteering on EngageTLH trips with FSU’s Center for Leadership & Service and making use of available resources on campus. While it’s not hiking in the Kathmandu Valley, Pokharel has found similar fulfillment participating in recreational activities at FSU’s Lakefront Park and Retreat Center.

He’s also been a participant in the Center for Global Engagement’s Global Ambassadors Program (GAP), which gives international students and visiting scholars at FSU the opportunity to engage in speaking opportunities throughout Tallahassee and present to community organizations, K-12 students and FSU students, faculty and staff. This year, Pokharel gave presentations at Pineview Elementary School and at Maclay School’s World Language and Culture Festival.

“Most people don’t know anything about Nepal,” Pokharel said. “The best way for me to help others recognize my country is by using Mount Everest. I explain to the people that Nepal is a small yet beautiful country that is between India and China.”

Looking ahead, Pokharel believes his experience at FSU will greatly impact his career choices. After completing his studies at FSU, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.

“As a result of studying abroad, I’ve been able to identify the minute differences in teaching and learning techniques that vary from place to place,” he said. “I believe I have adjusted well to these differences, and I am now confident in my ability to excel in academics no matter where I go.”

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Nadia Rassech, a senior in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, has been named Florida State University’s 2024 Humanitarian of the Year for her commitment to serving refugee communities. She was among 13 students nominated for the award by their colleges and honored at a celebratory brunch March 22. 

Rassech has conducted extensive service and research endeavors over her three years at FSU, engaging with the Tallahassee Afghan population, working with the International Rescue Committee, studying international human rights at Oxford University and tackling refugee protection issues in Germany. She credits Darasa, the Middle East Center, and the Middle Eastern Studies department as having transformed her personal, professional and service journeys. 

“I’m so grateful for (Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs at COSSPP) Tanya Perry and all the work she has done to help me get here,” Rassech said. “I’m inspired to be here with all the other people who were nominated … We’re all out here doing this work and making this impact, and it means a lot to be recognized. It’s so great to see all the other awardees’ work, and I’m excited to see what they continue to do.” 

Rassech is the 37th FSU Humanitarian of the Year. Launched in 1988, the award emphasizes Florida State University’s mission to service on campus and beyond. Each academic college nominates one student each year in recognition of their service efforts. The Center for Leadership & Service selects an overall winner, who is then recognized at the university’s Leadership Awards Night in April. 

“These students are shining examples of the Florida State experience — excelling beyond the classroom and offering their strength, skill and character to engage with communities to make the world better,” Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Brandon Bowden said at the ceremony. 

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