Even during a hurricane season expected to be less active, Florida State University experts say Floridians should prepare early, stay alert and avoid focusing too narrowly on storm categories or forecast cones.

During a media briefing Wednesday ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, FSU researchers and emergency management specialists discussed the issues communities continue to face, from rapid coastal growth and rising insurance pressures to the expanding role of artificial intelligence in disaster response.

Here are five key takeaways from the discussion:

1. It only takes one storm

Several experts cautioned against letting seasonal forecasts create a false sense of security.

“It’s the landfalling hurricanes that matter, not the number of hurricanes per season, in terms of human impacts, for the most part,” said Mark Bourassa, a professor in FSU’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science and associate director of the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies. “If it hits you, it’s bad. It’s something that you do have to be aware of the whole time.”

David Merrick, director of FSU’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program and the Center for Disaster Risk Policy, said one quiet season does not eliminate the risk of a devastating storm, pointing to the destruction left by Hurricane Andrew when it made landfall in South Florida in 1992.

“Hurricane Andrew was the first storm of that season,” Merrick said. “It does not take 20 storms. It just takes the one.”

2. Being outside the forecast cone does not guarantee safety

Experts also warned residents not to focus too narrowly on a storm’s forecast track.

Merrick noted that dangerous impacts such as tornadoes, flooding and wind damage can occur far outside the center of a storm.

“Those impacts can go a long way inland,” he said. “They can go left and right of the cone.”

He emphasized that communities outside the projected path can still experience significant damage and disruptions. And as a hurricane develops, the forecast track can move, bringing the center of the storm to communities that only expected minor impacts. Bourassa also pointed to warming ocean temperatures as an area researchers are watching closely, particularly along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

“We’re a little bit more nervous about the temperatures rising and seeing intensity changes as the hurricanes come right onshore,” Bourassa said.

3. Florida’s rapid coastal growth is increasing risk

Dennis Smith, planner in residence in FSU’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, said Florida’s population growth continues to place more people and property in vulnerable coastal areas.

“The issue hasn’t gotten better in the last 30 years,” Smith said. “We have more people who are living in areas that are at the highest risk.”

Smith said communities are increasingly being forced to think beyond individual homes and consider broader infrastructure needs such as drainage systems, roads and public facilities.

“We have a lot more in our built environment than simply our residential structures,” he said.

The discussion also highlighted how insurance availability is intertwined with planning and development decisions.

“Insurance drives housing availability, and so it becomes a planning issue,” Smith said.

4. Resilient construction and mitigation efforts can make a difference

Patricia Born, the Payne H. and Charlotte Hodges Midyette Eminent Scholar in Risk Management and Insurance at FSU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Business, said Florida’s insurance market appears stronger than it did several years ago, partly because of a quieter storm season and improving reinsurance conditions.

But she said long-term stability will depend on reducing losses through mitigation and resilience efforts.

“One way to control insurance costs is to try to control the losses themselves,” Born said.

Newer buildings are often more resilient than older structures, but insurers still face challenges gathering accurate information about homes and upgrades.

“Some houses that are very old have had roofs replaced two or three times, and they may be much more resilient than an insurance company thinks,” Born said.

She said improving data about construction quality, inspections and mitigation measures could help insurers better understand risk and expand coverage options across the state.

5. Artificial intelligence is beginning to change disaster response

FSU researchers also discussed how artificial intelligence and remote sensing technology are beginning to reshape emergency management and disaster recovery efforts.

Merrick said researchers are exploring how AI tools can help emergency managers make faster decisions, improve damage assessments and allocate resources more efficiently after disasters.

“Emergency managers almost universally are like, yes, we want this tool,” Merrick said.

Still, he said the technology remains in an early stage and raises important questions about accuracy and ethics.

“There’s also an almost universal concern about what happens when the answer that the algorithm or the AI gives is wrong,” Merrick said.

Smith said researchers are also studying how drones, LiDAR imagery and AI analysis could help communities identify infrastructure weaknesses before storms strike.

“I think we’re going to see a trend to begin to integrate that into risk assessment and mitigation planning on the front end,” Smith said.

Visit the FSU News website for a full list of FSU hurricane experts who are available to speak with the media.

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The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through Nov. 30, bringing increased potential for destructive storms.

Florida State University faculty are leaders in the study of forecasting, evacuation, insurance and building resilience against hurricanes. They are available to speak with media through the 2026 hurricane season and beyond.

Four faculty members answered questions during a virtual media briefing.

Forecasting, Formation and Tracking

Mark Bourassa, professor, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, and associate director of the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies
mbourassa@fsu.edu , (850) 644-6923
Bourassa uses on-site and remote (aircraft and satellite-based) observations as well as meteorological models to research air-sea interactions and how satellites measure what is happening on Earth’s surface. He is an expert on the network of global meteorological and oceanographic observations that inform forecasts, and the identification of tropical disturbances, which are possible precursors to tropical cyclones. Bourassa is also a team leader for the NASA Ocean Vector Wind Science Team.

Chelsea Nam, assistant professor, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science
ccnam@fsu.edu, (850) 644-1787
Nam researches formations and intensification of tropical cyclones and the hazards brought by these storms. She uses radar data from airborne, shipborne and land-based sources to develop high-resolution models tracking cyclones. Nam is a member of the American Meteorological Society Scientific and Technological Activities Commission Committee on Radar Meteorology.

Emily Powell, assistant state climatologist, Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies
epowell@coaps.fsu.edu, (850) 644-0719
Powell provides information about the historical and current climate and weather of Florida for application across a range of sectors and industries. Her expertise includes understanding the drivers of seasonal hurricane forecasts, such as the EL Niño/La Niña cycle, providing historical context, and investigating community risks associated with tropical cyclones. Recent projects have focused on historical climate trends and variability, natural hazards and public health risks, and strategies for building community resilience. She also coordinates the Florida Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), a voluntary-based network of citizen scientists measuring and reporting precipitation from their own backyards.

Community Resilience

Pedro L. Fernández-Cabán, assistant professor, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response (RIDER) Center
plfernandez@eng.famu.fsu.edu , (850) 410-6251
Fernández-Cabán’s research couples laboratory and field experiments to assess the structural performance of civil infrastructure during windstorm events. His recent work focuses on developing state-of-the-art AI and machine learning models to predict hurricane wind fields and their interaction with coastal landscapes. Fernández-Cabán’s research leverages ground-level anemometric datasets collected during landfalling hurricanes and advanced wind tunnel techniques to better model the impact of coastal storms on civil infrastructure.

Katie Kehoe, assistant professor, College of Fine Arts
mkk22f@fsu.edu
Kehoe primarily works in performance and site-specific installations with a focus on natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. She led a 2024 project that honored the resilience of the rural Florida community of Steinhatchee in the aftermath of hurricanes Idalia and Debby. The project, “Learning from Local Experience to Strengthen Disaster Resilience,” was part of a pilot research initiative that examines how rural communities recover from extreme weather events such as hurricanes.

Paul Niell, associate professor, Department of Art History, College of Fine Arts
pniell@fsu.edu
Niell’s research focuses on the architectural history and cultural landscapes of the Caribbean. Through his scholarship, he has worked closely with indigenous communities to foster conversation about their traditional architecture and construction methods, designed to be resilient against the region’s intense storms. He has taught courses on Caribbean architecture and culture and is available to discuss how historic building practices helped ensure survival for the region’s Native peoples and how we might be able to apply their knowledge to make our communities more resilient to hurricanes today.

Emergency Management

David Merrick, director of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program; director of the Center for Disaster Risk Policy
dmerrick@fsu.edu , Office: (850) 644-9961, Cell: (850) 980-7098
Merrick has worked in state emergency management for more than 21 years in roles including planning, external affairs and air operations. He developed and oversees the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program’s Disaster Incident Research Team, which deploys to disaster impact areas to perform field research on disaster and emergency management. This team has deployed to disasters such as hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Michael, Ian, and Helene to support federal, state and local agencies. His research interests include emergency management planning and policy, remote sensing and unmanned aircraft systems, and information technology in emergency management.

Environmental Law

Shi-Ling Hsu, D’Alemberte Professor, College of Law
shsu@law.fsu.edu , (850) 644-0726
Hsu is an expert in the areas of environmental and natural resource law, economics and property. He has published in a variety of legal journals, co-authored the casebook Ocean and Coastal Resources Law and has appeared on the American Public Media radio show “Marketplace.” Before entering academia, he was a senior attorney and economist for the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C.

Evacuation

Eren Ozguven, associate professor, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, director of the Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response (RIDER) Center
eozguven@eng.famu.fsu.edu , (850) 410-6146
Ozguven directs the Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response Center, which improves the quality of life in Florida and the Southeast by identifying disaster vulnerability, improving infrastructure and investigating ways to minimize negative impacts of natural disasters. His research interests include transportation accessibility, modeling of emergency evacuation operations, artificial intelligence and the simulation of transportation networks. Recent scholarship focuses on the relationships among different infrastructure networks in Florida and how that contributes to disaster preparation.

Maxim A. Dulebenets, associate professor and graduate program director, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
mdulebenets@eng.famu.fsu.edu , (850) 410-6621
Dulebenets’ research mainly focuses on operations and optimization. His research group has developed efficient algorithms that can be used to schedule large-scale evacuations in preparation for major natural hazards. His models capture realistic features of emergency evacuation planning, including potential impacts of evacuation settings on evacuees themselves. His recent studies propose new types of optimization models and solution algorithms for emergency evacuation planning under pandemic settings, considering a higher risk of virus spread in overcrowded emergency shelters. 

Risk and Insurance

Patricia Born, Payne H. & Charlotte Hodges Midyette Eminent Scholar in Risk Management & Insurance, Herbert Wertheim College of Business
pborn@wertheim.fsu.edu, (850) 644-7884
Born studies the insurance market structure and performance, professional liability, health insurance and the management of catastrophic risks, such as hurricanes and other natural disasters. She is a past president of the American Risk and Insurance Association and the Risk Theory Society.

Charles Nyce, Dr. William T. Hold Professor of Risk Management and Insurance and chair of the Risk Management/Insurance, Real Estate & Legal Studies Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Business
cnyce@wertheim.fsu.edu , (850) 645-8392
Nyce’s research focuses on catastrophic risk financing. He has written numerous articles on risk management and insurance topics, including title insurance, enterprise risk management, predictive analytics and natural hazards.

Public Health

Chris Uejio, professor, Department of Geography, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
cuejio@fsu.edu
Uejio studies how the physical environment influences human health and well-being. His recent research includes investigations of tropical cyclones, extreme heat and health. Uejio has been quoted in the Orlando Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, Wall Street Journal, Science Friday and other news outlets about public health issues, including heat waves and hurricanes.

Urban Planning

Dennis Smith, planner in residence, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
djsmith3@fsu.edu
Smith is the director of the Mark & Marianne Barnebey Planning & Development Lab, which uses the academic and professional resources of Florida State University to connect with public and private partners to provide capacity and innovative planning for the sustainable growth and long-term viability of Florida communities. His work has focused on risks to the built environment, including projects for resiliency, transportation modeling, evacuation planning for high-risk areas and vulnerability assessment. He has extensive experience managing state and federal programs and a thorough knowledge of laws relating to land use, transportation and disaster recovery.

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Florida State University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Business set aside Thursday, April 16 to tip a red hat – or hundreds of red hats – to the college’s biggest benefactor.

The college’s inaugural Red Hat Day featured students, faculty, staff, alumni and university officials who gathered, topped in red, in honor and celebration of Dr. Herbert Wertheim, whose record philanthropic investment launched a new era of preeminence in the college and whose ever-present red fedora has emerged as a collegewide symbol of distinction and optimism.

“Wear your red hat with joy,” Dr. Wertheim said during an afternoon ceremony inside the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence.

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Florida State University accounting professor Nate Newton ranks No. 8 worldwide for the volume of archival audit research published over the past six years, placing him among the most prolific scholars in his field, according to Brigham Young University’s newly released 2025 accounting research rankings.

Newton, the Homer Black Associate Professor of Business Administration in FSU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Business, earned the global distinction for publishing extensively in premier and other top-tier journals while tackling real-world questions that shape auditing practice and capital markets.

For Newton, the best fact-finding and analysis – the kind that makes a lasting impact – always starts with a relevant question.

“Every question I research has to be something I think auditors would care about,” said Newton.

That is why when Newton finds himself considering a potential research topic, he harks back to his perspective as an early-career Certified Public Accountant and auditor working at global accounting firm KPMG. He ponders what new knowledge would have made a difference to his auditing tasks and what impact accounting practices have on capital markets.

Since pursuing his doctorate and pivoting to an academic career, Newton has co-authored an abundance of studies that tackle relevant, real-world auditing topics.

“His success rate with his publications is remarkable,” said Allen Blay, EY Professor of Accounting and chair of FSU’s Department of Accounting. “Everything he does goes to A-rated, premier, Tier 1 journals.”

He credits Newton’s instincts in addition to his analytical skills.

“Nate has a remarkable ability to know an interesting research question and how to execute it,” Blay said.

Researching Real-World Data

Newton focuses on archival audit research, meaning he uses real data from corporate financial filings and audit reports to research auditing practices. The FSU accounting faculty consistently earns high marks for its significant production of archival audit research, ranking No. 3 among the nation’s public universities — No. 5 worldwide — over the last 12 years in BYU’s 2025 assessment and securing the No. 6 spot among the nation’s public universities for archival audit research published in top-tier journals over the last 35 years.

“This kind of research is important because auditors are the protectors of investors,” Blay said. “It’s one of the key areas of academic research that has implications for financial markets.”

Identifying possible audit industry improvement, Newton’s co-authored studies answer a range of questions, such as:

• How beneficial is allocating relatively more audit effort before the end of a fiscal year? Findings indicate this kind of proactive effort increases efficiency and improves quality, particularly when more senior auditors get involved.
• How do employee workloads and staff continuity affect audits? Among the findings, audit quality starts to deteriorate once employees surpass 55 hours in a work week.
• Will plans by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to do more random inspections of public company audits – instead of only focusing on those identified as high risk – affect audit results? Among the findings, the potential for inspection shapes auditor behavior, so a change in inspection approach will likely influence auditor attention among their clients.
• Do company boards use nonpublic audit adjustments in their oversight of management? Findings suggest that boards hold CFOs accountable for privately communicated audit adjustments, especially if those adjustments reduce firm income.

Newton keeps a detailed record on each of his research projects. A recent study of whether audit firm data breaches affect IPOs, published in The Accounting Review in September, for example, took three years and three months from idea to publication. One of his more time-intensive studies to date took more than five years. That undertaking involved gaining access to eight years of records from an international public accounting firm, then investigating how the firm’s personnel policies affected audit outcomes. The key findings, published in separate articles in Contemporary Accounting Research and Accounting, Organizations and Society, provided new information on the effects of work done by auditors outside of peak times and the heavy workloads they carry during their busy season.

Blay said he is convinced the study on workloads “will continue to be cited in audit research for many years and has significantly influenced both research and audit practices.”

Newton emphasizes that not every good question results in published research. “Sometimes practice and regulation change before research can be published, or sometimes the findings are less interesting than the question,” he said. Alongside his long list of publications is another list of research projects that were never published in journals.

But as long as there are questions to ask, Newton intends to seek new knowledge.

“I like to take broad, auditing-related ideas and examine them in a measurable way that can help the profession,” he said.

Researching What’s Relevant

The following studies co-authored by Newton are the most recent and/or the most cited by employers and researchers:

Alhusaini, B., Lamoreaux, P. T., & Newton, N. J. (2025). IPOs and auditor reputation: Evidence from audit firm data breaches. The Accounting Review, 100(5), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.2308/TAR-2023-0417

Lamoreaux, P. T., Liu, S. Z., Newton, N. J., & Zhang, M. (2025). Auditor-provided nonpublic signals of misreporting and CFO dismissal. Review of Accounting Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11142-025-09915-2

Christensen, B. E., N. J. Newton, and M. S. Wilkins. (2024). Costs and benefits of a risk-based PCAOB inspection regime. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 112: 101552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2024.101552

Christensen, B. E., Newton, N. J., & Wilkins, M. S. (2021). How do team workloads and team staffing affect the audit? Archival evidence from U.S. audits. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 92, Article 101225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2021.101225

Christensen, B. E., Lundstrom, N. G., & Newton, N. J. (2021). Does the disclosure of PCAOB inspection findings increase audit firms’ litigation exposure? The Accounting Review, 96(3), 191–219. https://doi.org/10.2308/TAR-2018-0151

Christensen, B. E., Newton, N. J., & Wilkins, M. S. (2021). Archival evidence on the audit process: Determinants and consequences of interim effort. Contemporary Accounting Research, 38(2), 942–973. https://doi.org/10.1111/1911-3846.12633

Albrecht, A., Mauldin, E. G., & Newton, N. J. (2018). Do auditors recognize the potential dark side of executives’ accounting competence? The Accounting Review, 93(6), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.2308/accr-52028

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Shevaun Harris spoke for a moment not as a top state government official but as a patient and consumer.

“I just got fussed at by my doctor because I didn’t get my labs done, and I was like, ‘Honestly, I went in, and there was a three-hour wait. I can’t sit and wait for three hours,’” she said. “I think we really need to think about how we can have things more conveniently designed for consumers so that they put their healthcare first.”

Harris, secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, thereby summed up the focus of last week’s 2026 Business of Healthcare Summit at Florida State University: to discuss and propose solutions to the most pressing issues facing the healthcare industry and to improve healthcare for Florida’s residents.

The summit featured Harris among about 20 distinguished speakers, panelists and moderators from industry, government, academia and the nonprofit sector. Panels emphasized operational excellence, including leadership, strategy, workforce, finances and technology. Discussions on the latter included the imperative and implementation of artificial intelligence.

“AI is not going to completely take over, but over time, those who can leverage it will be empowered, and that will give them the opportunity to do more,” said panelist Matt Feeney, an executive director and healthcare industry specialist at J.P. Morgan.

The annual event, which drew a standing-room-only crowd for a third straight year, is a product of FSU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Business and an extension of FSU Health, the university’s bold initiative to bring together scholars, educators and clinical partners under one umbrella to transform healthcare in Florida. FSU Health served as the presenting sponsor of the 2026 event.

Michael D. Hartline, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Business and summit emcee, emphasized the university’s increased healthcare-focused programs and research and its growing FSU Health infrastructure, including construction of a modern research center on the main campus of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and plans for an acute-care hospital in Panama City Beach.

“We are proud at Florida State University to be a partner in this region’s future,” Hartline told attendees. “We look forward to opening doors of these new facilities and a new era of healthcare that will benefit families and communities for generations to come.”

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From refugee support in Central Europe to sustainability policy in Scandinavia, Florida State University students shared research shaped by firsthand global experiences at the annual Global Scholars Showcase. 

Thirty-three undergraduates presented independent research and community-based projects Dec. 5, 2025, in the Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall, marking the culmination of a yearlong program that blends international engagement with inquiry. 

Designing an independent research project or international experience is no simple undertaking. At Florida State, the Global Scholars Program helps students turn global interests into structured, ethical research through close mentorship and academic support. 

This year’s cohort presented projects ranging from sustainability culture in Sweden and the Netherlands to Ukrainian refugee support in the Czech Republic and efforts to strengthen information technology (IT) infrastructure at mental health clinics in Peru. 

As part of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE) at FSU, the Global Scholars Program supports students in designing and carrying out independent, community-based learning opportunities. The program offers undergraduate students the unique chance to engage in experiences tailored to their specific global interests. Through internships, research, and service-learning projects, students can explore questions related to social impact, social justice and social change.  

“Global Scholars is a sort of ‘choose-your-own-adventure program,’ where students are introduced to the idea that research is something that is inherently personal, yet still grounded to academic frameworks,” said Cary Wall, associate director for global programming at the CRE. “Students design their own research in global contexts, engage directly with communities and carry projects from early ideas through public presentation.” 

The program follows a three-phase structure that supports students before, during and after their experiences.  

In the spring semester prior to departure, students enroll in a preparatory course focused on the ethics of community-based work and qualitative research methods.  

The following summer, students participate in their chosen experiences. This can include an in-person or online internship with a social-impact organization domestically or internationally, or a self-directed research project addressing a social issue in a local context.  

The final phase takes place during the fall semester, when students reflect on their work, complete capstone projects and prepare to present their findings at the Global Scholars Showcase.  

“At the heart of Global Scholars is an ethos that urges students to ask questions rather than propose solutions, and to leverage research as a tool for engaging with issues of global and collective importance,” Wall said.  

This year’s cohort conducted research in 13 countries.  

Jordyn Bain, a junior studying International Affairs and Economics, presented her project “From Arrival to Integration: The Role of NGOs in Assisting Ukrainian Refugees in Prague” at the showcase. She studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, through International Programs’ Human Rights and Social Work program.  

While there, she interviewed representatives from different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the area and found that community isolation, limited career opportunities and insufficient mental health resources most hinder the long-term integration of Ukrainian refugees in Prague. 

“I’d never done a professional research project like this before, so this program really did help me learn how to go about it ethically, especially since I was dealing with people from a different culture,” she said.  

Sebastian Abril, a senior majoring in Psychology and Information Technology, presented his project “The Health, Technology, and the Passion of a Community: Modernizing Peruvian Healthcare” at the showcase. He traveled to Cusco, Peru over the summer to intern at a mental health clinic through Proyecto Peru, an organization dedicated to supporting sustainable development in the country.  

While there, he found that health care workers at the clinic were spending unnecessary amounts of time doing tasks that could be significantly expedited with digital services. He found that an increase in digital infrastructure, government policy and education could enhance the efficiency of the clinic.  

“I like research and I like traveling, and this felt like the perfect blend of the two,” Abril said. “You really can design your own research, but you always know that they (the Global Scholars Program) are right there to push you, keep you going and make sure that you’re on the right track.” 

Kaetlyn Patnaude, a junior studying Environmental Science and Urban Planning, presented her project “Allemansratten” at the showcase, which looked at environmental justice in Sweden and the Netherlands, focusing on how cultural values and citizen mindsets shape these nations’ approaches to sustainability.  

She started in Sweden, serving as a field technician at the Abisko Scientific Research Station. Located roughly 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the station hosts about 500 scientists annually who conduct research in ecology, biology and meteorology. Patnaude found this opportunity with the help of Jeff Chanton, Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. 

In Sweden, Patnaude conducted interviews to explore how cultural values shape relationships with nature and perspectives on paths toward sustainable cities. The phrase “Allemansratten” kept coming up, a Swedish saying meaning “every man’s right” to nature which refers to a cultural principle allowing free access to uncultivated nature. The phrase made Patnaude seek to further understand the shift from cultural concept to policy, so, she enrolled in an urban planning course at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.  

Next, Patnaude went to the Netherlands and enrolled in Delft University of Technology’s “Summer School Planning and Design for the Just City.” The program combines spatial planning, urban design and environmental technology to tackle issues of spatial justice, sustainability, climate adaptation and water management in urban transitions to sustainability.  

For Patnaude, the course helped her understand how urban planning projects in the Netherlands influence environmental governance and urban sustainability transitions.  

“I really learned a lot about communication and talking to people from different cultures,” Patnaude said. “I feel like I can talk to anyone now and approach interactions with curiosity.” 

Natalia Arroyo, who graduated with her degree in Social Work and Political Science last semester, presented her project “Bridging Communities in Tallahassee: Through Education, Refugee Support and Justice” at the showcase. Focusing on how education, refugee resettlement and legal advocacy work together to strengthen community systems, Arroyo drew from three different experiences to combine the lessons learned. 

From working with the International Rescue Committee to supporting refugees in Tallahassee to serving as an early childhood educator for underprivileged kids and helping victims of violent crimes through the State Attorney’s office, Arroyo found one common theme: that compassion in the structures of social services is key to creating lasting change.  

“Day-to-day things might be a little more difficult for other individuals,” she said. “Being empathetic and an advocate in the workforce, no matter what you decide to go into, can really make a difference.” 

For more information about the Global Scholars Program, visit cre.fsu.edu/global/globalscholars. To read the Global Scholars blogposts, visit hsfhouseblogs.fsu.edu/blog/global-scholars/.

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Florida State University began 2026 by celebrating a new era of world-class business education with a grand opening of the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence on Tuesday, commemorating its new home on West Gaines Street.

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Florida State University’s College of Business will take a monumental step in advancing its reputation as one of the top public business schools in the nation thanks to a $65 million philanthropic investment from Dr. Herbert Wertheim. 

Wertheim is a billionaire optometrist, inventor, businessman, philanthropist and the founder and president of Brain Power Incorporated (BPI), the world’s largest manufacturer of optical tints. He is renowned for his extensive philanthropic and leadership efforts, particularly in public education, health, and the arts, as chairman of his Family’s Foundation.  

Wertheim’s commitment includes financial support to endow and name the college the Herbert Wertheim College of Business and rename Legacy Hall, the college’s world-class new building, the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence. His investment is the largest philanthropic endowment gift in FSU’s history and the second-largest philanthropic gift FSU has ever received. 

“My belief in the transformative power of education and healthcare inspires me every day, and I am truly excited to partner with Florida State University to help lift the College of Business to new heights,” Wertheim said. “Together, we will empower students and future leaders to drive meaningful progress, advance innovation in healthcare and business, and create lasting opportunities that benefit our communities and the world.”

“My belief in the transformative power of education and healthcare inspires me every day, and I am truly excited to partner with Florida State University to help lift the College of Business to new heights. Together, we will empower students and future leaders to drive meaningful progress, advance innovation in healthcare and business, and create lasting opportunities that benefit our communities and the world.” — Dr. Herbert Wertheim

Significantly, Wertheim’s remarkable investment comes as the college moves into its new facility, located just south of the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, and celebrates its 75th anniversary as a separate academic unit. Also, college officials expect a record 10,000 students for the spring semester. 

“We are extremely grateful and humbled by the incredible generosity of Dr. Wertheim,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This transformational philanthropic investment will propel the college forward and empower generations of future leaders in the global marketplace.” 

In addition to naming the college, the philanthropic investment creates several endowed funds to support various initiatives within the college, including faculty development, Horatio Alger scholarships and other scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, student professional development opportunities, funding to support preeminence and emerging trends, and a new Wertheim Business of Healthcare Initiative. 

The Wertheim Business of Healthcare Initiative will train business students to fill critical gaps in the healthcare business workforce and work with leaders in the healthcare industry to solve its most vexing problems.  

Wertheim’s investment establishes two endowed chairs: the Herbert Wertheim Chair in Health Systems Operations and the Herbert Wertheim Chair in Healthcare Workforce Leadership. These chairs will support faculty members whose scholarship and teaching are dedicated to the continuous improvement of healthcare operations and systems, as well as workforce modernization in healthcare settings. These efforts align with the university’s bold new FSU Health initiative and its emphasis on healthcare in academic programs, research, and investment, including the Wertheim College’s new MBA major in healthcare administration and its annual Business of Healthcare Summit. 

“This initiative will train business students to fill critical gaps in the healthcare business workforce and work with leaders in the healthcare industry and government to tackle pressing healthcare issues now representing more than 17% and $4.5 trillion dollars of the U.S. economy,” Dr. Wertheim said. 

Part of the total philanthropic investment will name the college’s new facility, which stands as the largest academic building in FSU’s history. The Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence will host its first classes in January, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for January 6. 

“Generations from now, we will point to this monumental investment as profoundly pivotal in both the trajectory and impact of the college,” said Michael Hartline, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Business. “We will continue to generate innovative research and equip graduates to lead in the global marketplace, knowing this infusion of new financial support will allow us to strengthen our best work while also launching important new initiatives.” 

Dr. Wertheim’s $65 million catalytic philanthropic investment is part of $431 million in investments made by the state, private donors, corporations and foundations that will allow the Wertheim College, university and the FSU Health initiative to pursue excellence at the highest level and inspire future philanthropic investments from other donors. 

The Herbert Wertheim College of Business and the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence will serve as lasting tributes to the stature and business prominence of Dr. Wertheim. 

Wertheim’s transformative contributions have led to the establishment of seven additional named academic institutions in Florida and California: the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, the Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences and Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts at Florida International University; the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology at the University of Florida; the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at the University of California San Diego; and the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California Berkeley. 

A self-made Horatio Alger recipient and Forbes 400 billionaire, Dr. Wertheim holds the conviction that education serves as a means of dismantling societal obstacles, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of the community and humanity. His gifts and benefactions create formal and informal opportunities for the local and global community that help address some of the most pressing healthcare challenges facing society today. 

Born into a working-class family, Dr. Wertheim overcame early academic challenges and pursued an education in optometry and optical engineering, driven by a passion for science and an innate curiosity. 

In 1971, Dr. Wertheim founded Brain Power Incorporated (BPI), a pioneering company in optical color tints, chemicals and scientific instruments and materials, which has played a critical role in the advancement of eye health for more than 50 years. He is the first doctor to indicate and promote the danger of UV light to the eye and to prescribe his breakthrough invention of UV light absorbers for lenses that has prevented millions from potential diseases and blindness. 

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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.” 

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When Florida State University student Ava De Gaetano decided to embark on a global exchange to Salaya, Thailand, her ambitions extended beyond academics.  

De Gaetano, a junior studying management information systems in the College of Business, spent the spring 2025 semester studying at Mahidol University through FSU’s Global Exchanges. In addition to academic credit, the experience also provided her with new, independent experiences, professional development and opportunities for personal growth. 

“It was the best decision I’ve made in my life,” she said. 

FSU’s Global Exchanges provide FSU students the opportunity to attend a university abroad as an exchange student for one semester while earning credit and paying FSU tuition and fees.  FSU has partnerships with more than 40 universities in 20 countries around the globe. Global Exchanges also supports the inbound students from these partner universities, who enroll at FSU for one or two semesters and take classes with FSU students while becoming actively engaged in U.S. campus life. 

De Gaetano had always been interested in Thailand’s rich history and culture. While studying at Mahidol University, she immersed herself in her new environment, taking classes and exploring Salaya with friends she made in the program.  

“I was able to meet so many other international students with similar career goals as mine,” De Gaetano said.

Aspiring to become an international technology business consultant, the university’s immersive program especially helped De Gaetano prepare for a future in global communications through group projects and close collaborations with her peers. She even visited local restaurants to study different business processes for her courses and is already reaping the professional benefits of an international perspective. 

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Florida State University will usher in a new era of world-class business education on Tuesday, Jan. 6, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Legacy Hall, the new home of the College of Business.

The event begins at 2 p.m. and is open to the public. The building is located at 402 W. Gaines St.

The ceremony will take place on the ground floor of the building’s west entrance, near the corner of Gaines and S. Macomb streets. Attendees will include FSU Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins, FSU President Richard McCullough and College of Business Dean Michael D. Hartline.

After the event, tours of the building will be offered until 5 p.m. Parking will be available at the nearby Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and Turnbull Conference Center, plus metered spaces around the building.

The facility will open for classes the next day, Jan. 7 — the first day of the spring semester.

Legacy Hall, at 220,000 square feet, is the largest academic space in FSU’s history. The building features state-of-the-art classrooms, collaborative learning environments and dedicated spaces for faculty members, students and industry partners to engage, helping students launch fulfilling careers in business.

The university broke ground on the building in October 2022, capping a decades-long effort to fund a new facility. The College of Business, which expects to exceed a record 10,000 students during the spring semester, outgrew the Rovetta Business Building, built in 1958, and the Rovetta Business Annex, added in 1984.

College and university officials credit alumni and friends, administrators past and present, and the State of Florida for their support in making the new facility possible.

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In a move that could dramatically alter the entertainment industry, streaming giant Netflix announced plans Friday to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) studio and streaming assets for $82.7 billion.

The acquisition, which is still subject to approval from federal regulators, could shake up the media landscape. With more than 300 million subscribers, Netflix would add WBD’s assets – which include popular franchises like Harry Potter and the DC Universe – and further its dominance in the streaming industry. The move creates a consolidation of power that could hurt competitors such as Disney and Amazon.

While Netflix pledges to continue theatrical releases, it remains to be seen how the entire moviegoing experience could change if the acquisition is approved.

Florida State University’s David King is the Higdon Professor of Management in the College of Business. Among his many areas of expertise is merger and acquisition (M&A) integration and performance. His research also focuses on complementary resources, technology innovation and defense procurement.

King has produced several journal articles on M&A integration and performance and has appeared on many media outlets including NPR, ABC, Inside Higher Education and more.

Media inquiries on Professor David King’s analysis of the potential Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery can reach out to him via email at dking@business.fsu.edu.

David King, Higdon Professor of Management, FSU College of Business

What are some likely outcomes of Netflix’s planned purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery?

Three likely outcomes could occur:

1. The acquisition is consistent with consolidation (e.g., Disney acquiring Fox; Amazon acquiring MGM), and it would solidify Netflix’s position as the market leader in video streaming. The acquisition will also allow Netflix to reduce costs by eliminating duplicate production facilities and give it a broader library of intellectual property (e.g., Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC Universe, White Lotus) for streaming existing content and developing new content.

2. Regulatory review: The merger’s size and other firms interested in purchasing HBO Max assets will drive regulatory review due to concerns over price increases to consumers and impacts on competition. Netflix has already indicated that it plans to divest TV stations owned by HBO Max, and there will likely be protests from other firms, such as Paramount that may lead to additional conditions for merger approval. 

3. Movie releases: The long-term trend of video content being provided through streaming may accelerate with fewer movie releases being shown in movie theaters before streaming.

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