Hurricane warnings are only effective if people understand them.

A new study by Florida State University faculty in the School of Communication in the College of Communication and Information and the Department of Geography in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy examined an experimental forecast graphic developed by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) that adds inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings to the traditional track-forecast cone, which historically emphasized coastal impacts.

The FSU study found that the new graphic helps nonexperts identify which inland areas are under a hurricane or tropical storm watch. But the updated format, developed by NHC in 2024, didn’t change respondents’ perceptions of risk or their intentions to take protective action. It also didn’t improve their ability to identify regions under warnings. The research was published in the American Meteorological Society journal Weather, Climate, and Society.

“The National Hurricane Center has made a number of thoughtful changes to improve how hurricane information is communicated,” said Assistant Professor Elizabeth Ray, the study’s lead author. “We had a simple question. Do those changes actually help people understand what the graphic is telling them about the risk they face?”

Analyzing public understanding

The researchers surveyed participants in Florida and Georgia using both a traditional hurricane cone graphic and the updated experimental version. Respondents who viewed the inland-enhanced graphic were better able to identify areas under tropical storm or hurricane watches, but that improvement did not translate into higher perceptions of risk or plans to avoid storm danger. One challenge is that people often misunderstand what the familiar “cone of uncertainty” actually represents.

“For years, research has shown that people often mistake a wider cone for a bigger storm,” Ray said. “Our findings suggest that even with an updated graphic, that misconception can be hard to shake.”

Turning data into action

The NHC introduced the updated graphic in 2024 to better communicate inland hazards such as flooding, tornadoes and damaging winds. The revised version adds inland hurricane and tropical storm information to the familiar forecast cone to show that serious hurricane impacts often extend well beyond the coastline.

The researchers emphasized that the findings are not a criticism of NHC’s forecasting, which they describe as highly accurate. Instead, the study focuses on the communication challenge of translating complex scientific information into messages the public can quickly understand and use.

“Our question wasn’t whether the science is good,” said co-author Patrick Merle, professor and director of the School of Communication. “The science is excellent. The question is how we communicate that science so people who aren’t meteorologists understand the risk they’re facing.

If people find information credible but still don’t understand it well enough to take protective action, then communication has fallen short. The goal is to empower people with information they can use to stay safe.”

The researchers said people should not rely on the graphic alone but also seek out local forecasts and information about expected impacts.

“Our findings are a reminder that one graphic can only tell you part of the story,” Ray said. “Don’t rely on the cone alone. Pair it with clear, local information about what impacts to expect and what actions to take. That gives you a fuller picture of what the storm could mean where you live and what to do next.”

The research was supported by an internal Florida State University SEED grant and informed by conversations with NHC, which provided the experimental forecast graphics used in the study. Department of Geography Assistant Professor Bradford Johnson was a co-author of the research. The project is part of a broader line of research on crisis and risk communication being conducted through the College of Communication and Information’s Crisis and Communication Collaborative (C3), co-directed by Ray and Merle.

Visit the School of Communication website for more information about research conducted at the College of Communication and Information.

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Florida State University will celebrate its summer Class of 2026 on Friday, July 31, as graduates mark academic achievements, personal growth and the start of new careers.

FSU will award 2,891 degrees, including 1,582 bachelor’s, 952 master’s and specialist, 253 doctoral, 99 Juris Master’s, and 5 LL.M. degrees. More than 1,786 graduates are expected to participate in the day’s ceremonies.

Anne Bristol

As the daughter of Haitian immigrants and a first-generation college student, West Palm Beach native Anne Bristol will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in political science and a minor in innovation from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.

Bristol chose Florida State because of the support she found through the CARE TRIO SSS program and a campus culture that encourages students to lead with purpose. FSU gave her opportunities to turn her passion for advocacy into public service, mentor peers and facilitate meaningful dialogue.

“My time at FSU has instilled in me a commitment to creating positive change in my community, and I am incredibly grateful for the mentors, peers and experiences that have helped me grow into the leader I am today,” Bristol said. “The relationships I built and the opportunities I created for others are what I will carry long after graduation.”

Bristol built strong connections across the FSU community through leadership roles in the Student Senate, the Black Student Union, and the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE).

“Walking across the stage represents so much more than earning a degree,” Bristol said. “It symbolizes every challenge I have overcome, every mentor who believed in me and every sacrifice my family made so I could reach this moment. As the daughter of Haitian immigrants, I carry my family’s resilience with me every day. Crossing the commencement stage means becoming a first-generation college graduate, a milestone that reflects generations of perseverance and hope.”

After graduation, Bristol plans to attend law school to pursue a career in public interest law, advocating for historically underserved communities and helping create equitable policy.

Nicholas Baldini

As a legacy student who grew up wearing garnet and gold, Marietta, Georgia, native Nicholas Baldini will earn his second degree from Florida State University, a Master of Business Administration from the Herbert Wertheim College of Business.

Baldini previously earned his bachelor’s degree in finance at FSU and formed lasting connections through his fraternity, intramural leagues and church group. Following in the footsteps of his mother, a 1987 alumna, he returned to his dream school to blend campus traditions with graduate-level professional development.

“Walking across the commencement stage represents much more than earning another degree,” Baldini said. “This reflects years of hard work, perseverance and growth, along with the support of my family, friends, professors and mentors who helped me along the way. To me, this represents striving to go above and beyond and to stay curious by continuously learning throughout my whole professional career.”

Baldini returned to Florida State to build on his finance background and strengthen strategic leadership skills. Experiences such as attending an alternative investment summit and networking with estate planning professionals helped prepare him for a career in wealth management.

“The MBA program has challenged me to think strategically, collaborate with talented classmates from so many backgrounds, and approach business problems from a broader perspective,” Baldini said. “It is a moment to celebrate everything I’ve accomplished at FSU while looking forward with excitement to starting my career and applying what I’ve learned.”

After graduation, he plans to move to Atlanta to begin his career in wealth management at Charles Schwab. He plans to earn the Certified Financial Planner designation and provide pro bono financial planning to historically underserved communities.

William Perez

Miami native and first-generation graduate student William Perez will earn a doctorate in religion from the Department of Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Perez, the son of Cuban and Nicaraguan immigrants, moved to Tallahassee in 2021 with his wife and four daughters to pursue the American religious history track. Now a father of five, he values the intellectual community he found at FSU and the ability to pursue rigorous doctoral research while spending meaningful time with his family.

Perez chose to attend Florida State because of the national reputation of its religion program. At FSU, he presented at international academic conferences, published research on religion and emotion and received several awards, including the department’s Porterfield Research Prize.

“Not only does FSU boast one of the oldest religion departments at a public university in the United States, but its religion faculty also remains on the cutting-edge of research and publication in the field,” Perez said. “I wanted the opportunity to learn from and work with them, and it has paid off.”

After graduation, Perez plans to continue teaching and conducting research in Tallahassee. He will serve as an adjunct professor in FSU’s Department of Religion and as a religious educator with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ seminary and institute program.

He also hopes to turn his dissertation on religion and emotion into a book, elevate the Latino community in religious studies and bring the interdisciplinary approaches he learned at FSU into wider academic conversations.

“Walking in this ceremony is meaningful to me because it represents not only my accomplishment, but a huge win for the family and community that has cheered me on from the very beginning,” Perez said. “It is the culmination of years of hard work and also the beginning of a new and exciting chapter.”

Jack Wemm

A Tallahassee local and lifelong Seminole, Jack Wemm will graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. He chose FSU for its nationally recognized program and the opportunity to attend his childhood dream school.

During his three years at FSU, Wemm combined academic excellence with leadership and service across the university community.

“I believe in the saying, ‘The people make the place,’ and there is no place like FSU,” Wemm said. “The feeling of being a Seminole and a part of the Florida State community is special.”

Wemm’s time at FSU was defined by service. As vice president of membership for Seminole Student Boosters, he helped lead the student-run organization raising money for FSU Athletics and student-athletes.

He also interned with University Relations, assisting with commencement ceremonies and football game operations and served as a team manager for the FSU men’s and women’s golf teams.

“Graduating in this ceremony means a lot to me because of the hard work and perseverance of not only myself, but also those who have supported me,” Wemm said. “When I walk across the stage, I hope my parents, my professors and the friends I have made along the way know that I could not have gotten this far without them.”

Wemm also studied sport management in London and spent six weeks in Valencia, Spain, through FSU International Programs. The experience broadened his understanding of the global sports industry.

After completing his bachelor’s degree, Wemm will intern in athletics law with FSU’s Office of the General Counsel this summer. He will then remain at Florida State to finish his master’s degree in sport management through the combined pathway program before pursuing law school, where he aims to build a career as a sports lawyer helping shape the future of athletics.

Sydney Goldberg

Tampa native Sydney Goldberg will graduate with a Master of Applied American Politics and Policy (MAAPP) from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. A double Seminole, she completed her bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in psychology in three years before entering the graduate program.

Goldberg was drawn to FSU for its location in Florida’s capital and the access it provided to state government. The MAAPP program allowed her to complement her studies with work on political campaigns and experience in state agencies, the legislature and advocacy.

“Walking in commencement marks the end of my academic career at FSU,” Goldberg said. “I tend to move quickly from one goal to the next, so commencement gives me a chance to stop, recognize everything I have accomplished and celebrate with the family and mentors who supported me.”

During her time at FSU, Goldberg maintained a strong campus presence, serving as vice president of the MAAPP Executive Board and holding leadership roles within Garnet and Gold Key, the Women’s Leadership Network, the Student Conduct Board and the Jewish Student Union.

Her proudest accomplishments reflect a commitment to public service. She worked on two successful state and congressional campaigns and participated in two Florida legislative sessions, including work for Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez. She also was selected for the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program and spent a year with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Looking ahead, Goldberg plans to build a career in political strategy, government affairs and advocacy, using her broad perspective across state leadership to drive results.

“Florida is my home, and I want to continue making a positive impact on the state that has given me so many opportunities,” Goldberg said. “I have been fortunate to have mentors who guided and advocated for me, and I hope to provide that same support to future students and young professionals entering the field.”

Pranathi Brungi

Pranathi Brungi will earn a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. A native of South India, she was drawn to FSU by the college’s partnership with Florida A&M University and its nationally recognized research in power electronics.

Under the mentorship of Professor Petru Andrei, Brungi conducted interdisciplinary research in semiconductor devices, magnetics and machine learning. She developed advanced modeling techniques designed to improve electronic device performance and accelerate the design process.

Brungi’s graduate experience was defined by rapid achievement, leadership and service. She earned both her master’s degree and doctorate in three and a half years, received the Danfoss Research Scholarship and represented FSU during a weather balloon launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

She also presented at three Electrochemical Society conferences, served as a session chair and student ambassador, contributed to several research publications and chaired the Excellence in Teaching Award Committee for Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society.

“Walking at commencement represents far more than completing a degree,” Brungi said. “Earning a doctorate has been a personal dream and a journey filled with challenges, growth and perseverance. What makes this moment especially meaningful is seeing my parents and my brother proud of what I have accomplished.”

After graduation, Brungi will begin her career as a device engineer at onsemi, where she plans to advance AI-driven semiconductor design and streamline manufacturing. She also hopes to strengthen partnerships between universities and industry so that promising research can move into practical use.

“Semiconductors are at the core of nearly every technology we use today,” Brungi said. “I want to help ensure this field continues to grow, innovate and inspire future generations of engineers and researchers.”

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The Florida Certified Public Manager (CPM) program will honor 456 new graduates this summer, bringing the total number of CPM graduates in Florida to about 9,425 — more than in any other state.

The CPM program is a nationally recognized leadership development program, delivered in 38 states. The purpose is to develop more effective public managers, thereby improving services to all Florida taxpayers.

There will be four CPM graduation ceremonies this summer, each the culmination of a three-day leadership conference:

• North Florida area: July 16 (144 graduates)
• East Central Florida area: July 30 (112 graduates)
• West Central Florida area: Aug. 6 (128 graduates)
• Southeast Florida area: Aug. 20 (72 graduates)

Florida has one of the most successful CPM programs in the country. The Florida Center for Public Management of the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University administers the CPM program.

The 456 new graduates have completed a rigorous two-year program, including 31 days of classroom instruction, plus required projects and exams. Over 100 government agencies — including cities, counties, state and constitutional offices — have participated in the Florida CPM program.

To learn more about the CPM program, visit its website.

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Seven faculty members from Florida State University have received Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards for the 2026-27 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

FSU’s seven scholars will travel to Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Belgium, Vietnam and India to teach, conduct research and engage with colleagues in their fields.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational and cultural exchange program. Led by the U.S. government in partnership with 160 countries worldwide, Fulbright offers programs for passionate and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach and conduct research. Participants enrich their education, advance their careers and make meaningful contributions to communities abroad and at home.

In addition, FSU’s Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht received a Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Award, which supports two-week seminars for U.S. higher education administrators to learn about participating countries’ higher education systems, exchange information on best practices and explore the potential for partnerships with institutions of higher education in the host country.

Hecht will use the award in France, where she will participate in briefings, campus visits, appointments with government officials, networking and cultural activities and meetings with French international education professionals to familiarize herself with France’s higher education and research system.

The 2026-2027 Fulbright Scholars from FSU are: 

Jim Lile, a professor at the School of Theatre in the College of Fine Arts, will use the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to teach courses about Western production practices and conduct research on Asian production methods at National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan, during the spring 2027 semester. 

Lile brings 25 years of experience in live theater. He was first invited to Taipei in October 2023 to conduct a series of master classes based on his experience with the Western theatrical technical production methods used for opera, musicals, plays and dance. The short visit provided such a valuable opportunity that Lile wanted to return to Taipei to continue teaching and learning more about live performance practices in Asia.  

By focusing on the various organizational structures, training techniques and uses of text, movement and music to tell stories, Lile will explore how cultural values and traditions are reflected in technical production methods. 

“I hope to build an international network with theater designers and technicians and create long-term collaboration opportunities in Taiwan and other regional countries,” Lile said. “Taiwan’s multicultural history offers rich opportunities to study the diverse traditions and histories of Asian live performance.” 

Judith Pascoe, the George Mills Harper Professor in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, will expand on her research and teaching interests in Nara, Japan, through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program starting in March.  

This is Pascoe’s second Fulbright award to Japan. She previously received the Fulbright Japan Lecturing Award for the 2009-2010 academic year while teaching at the University of Iowa. This experience led to her writing “On the Bullet Train with Emily Brontë: ‘Wuthering Heights’ in Japan,” an account of her quest to discover the reasons for the continuous Japanese embrace of the novel “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë. 

Pascoe will teach classes and continue her research on Japanese adaptations of world literature at Nara Women’s University from March to August 2027. Her classes will draw from her experience as a specialist in nineteenth-century literature, while her research will focus on why certain works have gained popularity among youth demographics.  

“I look forward to fine-tuning the teaching strategies I cultivated for use in Japanese classrooms, to forging relationships with new Japanese colleagues and to learning about present-day Japanese challenges,” Pascoe said. “The Fulbright support for the humanities is a tremendously strong force for kindness, empathy and cross-cultural solidarity.” 

Hui Wang, an associate professor in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, will conduct collaborative research at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore from January to July 2027 through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.  

While at NTU, Wang will collaborate with colleagues on a research project focused on improving manufacturing quality control and process design in advanced production systems, particularly 3D printing.  

The project combines process simulations, sensor measurements and engineering knowledge to better understand how manufacturing conditions affect product quality. 

“Singapore provides a unique environment where advanced manufacturing and data-driven engineering innovation are closely integrated,” Wang said. “Beyond the technical research, I value the cultural exchange aspect of Fulbright very highly. I believe there is much to learn from Singapore’s emphasis on discipline, efficiency and engineering rigor, while also sharing perspectives from the U.S. research environment that encourage open discussion, interdisciplinary exploration and student-centered mentoring. 

Aleksandra Zimmerman, the Ed McIntyre Associate Professor of Business Administration in the Department of Accounting at the Herbert Wertheim College of Business, will carry out research in Antwerp, Belgium, during the fall and spring semesters.

Zimmerman will work with researchers at the University of Antwerp and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where she will collaborate with faculty on research and engage with students and scholars on topics related to accounting and auditing, human capital and labor markets, and regulatory policy. Her research project will focus on accounting and business with a particular emphasis on issues related to emerging trends and to the accounting and auditing profession and regulation policies in a global context.

The project seeks to address how different institutional structures, cultural norms and regulatory environments influence accounting, auditing and business practices and decision making. Through collaborative research and scholarly exchange, Zimmerman aims to better understand how institutional and cultural settings shape business practices, regulation and standard setting.

“Belgium is an ideal location for this work given its central role in European regulatory and economic systems,” Zimmerman said. “I am most looking forward to the collaborative aspect of the Fulbright experience, working closely with international colleagues, engaging with students, and immersing myself in the academic and cultural life of Belgium and visiting other schools in Europe. Fulbright support is particularly important for accounting and business because these fields are deeply shaped by global economic forces and international regulation.” 

Biwu Ma, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, will also travel to Belgium to conduct research at the University of Antwerp during the upcoming fall and spring semesters through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. He will spend the academic year merging material science and medical physics to improve how ultra-high dose rate radiotherapies monitor radiation in real-time. 

With recent advancements in FLASH radiotherapy, an emerging cancer treatment shown to reduce damage to healthy tissue while delivering high rates of radiation at extreme speeds, comes a need to create radiation dosimeters that reliably detect dosages. Ma’s work focuses on developing organic-inorganic hybrid scintillation materials to provide accurate, real-time dose monitoring and enhance treatment precision. 

“The (University of Antwerp) provides a unique environment where materials science can be directly connected to clinically relevant validation and translational research,” Ma said. “The award emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in driving scientific innovation and translating fundamental discoveries into real-world societal impact.” 

Frankie Wong, the McKenzie Endowed Professor in the College of Nursing and founding director of the Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment, will travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, next spring to further his research at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities at National Vietnam University (VNU-USSH).

Wong, who has visited Vietnam nearly 10 times in the past decade and has previously worked in countries like China, Russia, South Africa and Tajikistan, will further his work examining HIV-related stigma intervention among high-risk men in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam with the highest rate of HIV in the country. His work seeks to encourage more people to engage in HIV research, which can lead to more cutting-edge strategies to mitigate and/or prevent this global burden. 

“The Fulbright Fellowship will allow me to have an immersive experience. I believe I have the temperament, humility and appreciation of American culture to serve as an effective cultural ambassador for the U.S.,” he said. 

Paromita Sanyal, an associate professor of Sociology in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy and research associate at FSU’s Center for Demography and Population Health, will travel to India using the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award.

Sanyal specializes in international development, gender, economic and political sociology. Her research examines large-scale programs aimed at inducing development, women’s empowerment and financial inclusion.

As a member of the World Bank’s Social Observatory team, which is based in India and tracks projects aiming to eradicate poverty and improve livelihoods around the world, she uses her insights to understand the impact of socioeconomic interventions on women in India. She will expand upon this work during her Fulbright experience.   

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build connections, and work to address complex global challenges. Notable Fulbrighters include 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, 41 heads of state or government, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and non-profit sectors.  

More than 800 individuals teach or conduct research abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program annually. In addition, over 2,000 Fulbright U.S. Student Program participants — recent college graduates, graduate students and early career professionals — participate in study/research exchanges or as English teaching assistants in local schools abroad each year. 

FSU faculty interested in learning more about applying for Fulbright Program funding can contact Peggy Wright-Cleveland, Director of Faculty Development in the Office of Faculty Development and Advancement, at mwrightcleveland@admin.fsu.edu or (850) 645-8202. 

To learn more about FSU’s global footprint, visit global.fsu.edu. 

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Nicholas Montano is a master’s economics student at FSU who works at the DeVoe L. Moore Center (DMC) as a housing policy researcher.

He is one of the contributors of the Florida Housing Data Project (FHDP), a collaborative initiative with the DMC, the Reason Foundation and the Florida Policy Project that uses data analysis to address Florida’s affordable housing challenges.

As a policy analyst, Montano has published many articles with the Reason Foundation discussing his opinions, recommendations and insights on the state’s housing industry.

Through the FSU Center for Global Engagement, Montano also volunteered as an English conversation facilitator, teaching new English speakers business jargon to expand their professional vocabulary.

Why did you choose FSU?

I first visited FSU during my senior year of high school while visiting a friend, and I immediately fell in love with the campus culture and the strength of its social science programs. After learning more about Florida State’s economics curriculum and the abundance of research opportunities, I knew it was the perfect place for me to grow both academically and personally.

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

My most significant research project at FSU was the Annual Highway Report. While at the Reason Foundation, I drafted reports evaluating surface transportation systems across all fifty states, analyzing data on performance, efficiency and funding.

It was an incredible experience contributing to a large-scale project with real policy implications. It aimed at improving transportation infrastructure and informing state and federal decision making.

How do you serve the FSU community?

My time at the English Conversation Club was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. I watched my students gradually find their voices and grow more confident in speaking English. It was deeply fulfilling to see that transformation, and it reminded me how building community starts with helping individuals.

At the DMC, I’m contributing to the development of a statewide housing market dataset for Florida. I develop reports to identify alarming housing market trends. By strengthening access to this data, policymakers can make informed, data-driven decisions that address the Florida housing crisis.

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Presidential scholar Melanie Mitchell has served numerous organizations, fraternities and councils during her four years at FSU, where she completed both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.

As senior class council president and director of many FSU Homecoming affairs, Mitchell works towards inspiring her classmates to dream big and achieve more with the available student organizations.

Her service inspired her niche for people skills and helping people succeed. While Mitchell studied neuroscience in her undergrad, she gained interest in the human side of medicine. That turned her attention toward exploring a master’s in public health.

Her interdisciplinary higher education shone in her research assistant internship with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she worked on community engagement.

Why did you choose FSU?

When I visited for the first time during the presidential scholars’ recruitment weekend, the decision to come here was easy. I felt supported, safe and excited about what my life could look like here.  

Florida State offered everything I was hoping for, such as strong academics at a top research institution, opportunities to stay connected to dance and the arts, spaces to grow as a leader, communities that supported students and campus resources that provided guidance.  

FSU felt like a place where I would not have to shrink any part of who I was, but instead I could become more of myself. 

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

As I progressed through my coursework related to premedical sciences, I found myself becoming just as interested in the stories behind medicine as I was in science itself.  

I became deeply interested in public health, especially the ways in which health disparities, systems and lived experiences shape outcomes long before a patient enters a clinic.  

That interest pushed me to take the initiative to build my own bachelor’s to master’s pathway. By my junior year, I had completed a full year of graduate-level public health coursework. Completing both a bachelor’s in behavioral neuroscience and a master’s in public health in four years reinforced my curiosity, challenged my assumptions and made me more thoughtful about the kind of physician I hope to become. 

Another accomplishment is my research experience in the Nee Lab for Cognitive Neuroscience. I contributed to research focused on working memory and cognitive control. I completed MRI safety training and gained exposure to human subject research and neuroscience methods. 

How do you serve the FSU community?

I served as class president for three years for the FSU Class Councils. We introduced service chairs and initiatives that allowed us to partner with other programs and unions to create support around breast cancer awareness, mental health and food insecurity. 

The council also helped bring back the senior class gift for the first time in nearly a decade, raising nearly $10,000 over the past year to furnish the second-floor patio of the FSU Student Union with outdoor seating. 

I was involved with FSU Homecoming across my undergraduate years as director of several coordinating efforts and teams such as programming, parade, Chief and Princess. I also had the honor of serving on Homecoming Court during my graduate year, which recognized my leadership and helped me promote FSU as a place where everyone belongs and is celebrated. 

How have you practiced leadership during your time at FSU?

Mentorship has been the clearest thread through everything I have done here. I encourage my sorority life sisters, younger students and mentees to go for leadership roles, internships, research positions or jobs. More than anything, I want people to leave interactions with me feeling more confident in themselves than they did before. 

I feel the power of mentorship is to ensure your legacy extends beyond a classroom, a title and even a physical space. It lives in people by rippling into the next generation of leaders, scholars and students who will continue that excellence. Many of the doors that opened were because someone looked out for me, and because of that, I have always felt a responsibility to do the same for others.

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Florida State University to launch national search for successor

Ted Ellis, the inaugural director of Florida State University’s Civil Rights Institute, will step down June 30 after helping expand the institute’s programming, partnerships and community engagement.

Housed in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, the Civil Rights Institute (CRI) commemorates, celebrates and studies the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. The institute brings together students, faculty and staff from across academic disciplines, including sociology, public health, urban and regional planning, criminology, social work, medicine, nursing and education.

The CRI was conceived in 2018 by FSU alumni and siblings Doby and Fred Flowers, with support from a volunteer board of faculty, staff and community leaders. In 2023, the CRI expanded its operations with the backing of President Richard McCullough and Provost James Clark and hired Ellis, a nationally recognized artist and scientist, as its first full-time director.

“I am very grateful to Ted Ellis for so ably leading CRI,” said Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “He has made a lasting and positive impact. FSU is deeply committed to searching for and hiring a new director to build on Ted’s legacy.”

During his more than two-and-a-half years as director, Ellis advanced the institute’s mission by engaging students, faculty, staff and the community through programming, research and partnerships that foster civil rights education and dialogue.

“Director Ellis has made a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Institute and on Florida State University,” said Tim Chapin, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. “His passion, vision and commitment to expand the work of the CRI have helped the institute grow in meaningful ways, both on campus and in the broader Tallahassee community. I’m deeply grateful for all he has contributed during his time as director, and I wish him the very best in his future work to celebrate and promote civil rights for all.”

Under Ellis’s leadership, the CRI expanded its programming and community engagement efforts, including the launch of the C.K. Steele Speaker Series, named for Tallahassee civil rights leader Rev. Charles Kenzie Steele. The speaker series honors Steele’s legacy through lectures, workshops and discussions that explore civil rights issues, historical perspectives and contemporary challenges.

“While this chapter of my service concludes, my commitment to preserving, promoting, and advancing African American history remains unwavering,” Ellis said. “I will continue my work with the 400 Years of African American History Commission under the U.S. Department of the Interior and proudly support the ongoing growth and impact of the Florida State University Civil Rights Institute. The work of educating, inspiring, and empowering future generations through history, culture, and justice must continue — and I remain dedicated to that mission.”

A nationally acclaimed visual artist, Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Dillard University and a master’s in museum studies from Southern University in New Orleans. His work includes portraits of civil rights icons such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks and has been displayed in the halls of Congress.

Florida State University will launch a national search for the next director for the Civil Rights Institute. More information will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Viral social media content from international visitors attending the FIFA World Cup is showing how everyday interactions across the United States can become a form of citizen diplomacy that may help reshape global perceptions of the country.

Whether it’s fans from Japan marveling at Texas barbecue, Scotland’s Tartan Army spreading goodwill in Boston or German content creators becoming enamored with Buc-ee’s, international visitors have consistently shared positive reactions to American hospitality, food and local culture.

The social media content offers a contrast to some perceptions of the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, some of Europe’s hottest soccer hubs stated that they believed the U.S. was plagued by “very strong partisan conflicts.”

Florida State University Professor of Sociology Deana Rohlinger studies mass media, social movements, digital participation and democratic processes. She said the FIFA World Cup offers one of the largest examples of citizen diplomacy, when ordinary people act as informal ambassadors and generate goodwill that governments cannot easily create.

“Social scientists have known for decades that when people from different groups interact under positive conditions, stereotypes often break down. The World Cup is one of the largest examples imaginable,” Rohlinger said.

While diplomacy is often viewed as a top-down process led by governments and political leaders, citizen diplomacy works from the bottom up. International visitors’ own perceptions change by experiencing what U.S. culture is about.

“Part of why this resonates is that it pushes back against a story we’ve been telling ourselves for years,” Rohlinger added. “So much of what we encounter emphasizes polarization, conflict and dysfunction that those images start to define how we see ourselves. Then outsiders, people with no reason to flatter us, arrive expecting one thing and encounter another. Their reactions interrupt the narrative. They provide a more generous, and probably more accurate, reflection of who we are.”

Media interested in learning more about citizen diplomacy and how the FIFA World Cup is influencing perceptions of the U.S. may contact Professor of Sociology Deana Rohlinger via email at drohling@fsu.edu.

Deana Rohlinger, professor of sociology, Florida State University College of Social Sciences and Public Policy

How does citizen diplomacy become so effective in the case of FIFA World Cup visitors experiencing the United States?

 Part of what makes these moments powerful is that visitors arrive with expectations shaped by headlines and social media. Then they encounter something more mundane and more human: strangers striking up conversations, neighbors helping with directions, someone insisting they have to experience Buc-ee’s, or introducing them to the marvel of a Big Gulp. These small interactions sound trivial, but they leave impressions. And because so many of us are watching these encounters unfold online, the goodwill extends far beyond the people who were actually there. Visitors show up expecting a divided, unwelcoming country, discover something different, and then tell the world. That’s how the script gets flipped. 

How can this type of positive social media content boost morale to U.S. citizens and their own thoughts/opinions of their country?

There’s something powerful about hearing these positive reactions from strangers. Praise from people who don’t owe us anything feels more credible than self-congratulation. The effect is probably temporary, but moments like this remind people that the angry, divided portrait we carry around is only part of the picture. Everyday interactions, ordinary kindness and even shared excitement over things as mundane as Buc-ee’s or a Big Gulp point to another side of American life that often gets lost in the headlines.

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A collaborative, interdisciplinary team with researchers from Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy has received an $840,000 grant from NASA’s Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team.

The project will advance urban heat island mapping and work with local governments to accelerate the development of extreme heat action plans.

The project is led by FSU Professor of Geography and Public Health Chris Uejio in collaboration with Leiqiu Hu at the University of Alabama at Huntsville and Xiaojiang Li at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Extreme heat contributes to the deaths of more Americans than any other weather hazard,” Uejio said. “Partnering with the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network, we will generate cutting edge heat and health information for eight local governments.”

NASA’s Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team (HAQAST) uses satellite data to address the challenges related to public health and air quality. The team also helps NASA and other federal partners respond to emerging issues such as wildland fires.

Uejio’s project, “Scaling Earth Observations to Co-Produce Heat Knowledge and Adaptations,” will deepen scientific understanding of how cities trap and intensify heat, while helping local governments develop stronger plans for responding to extreme heat events.

The team will study how extreme heat varies across communities and identify factors that drive those patterns. Researchers will create hyperlocal maps of heat exposure at 1-meter scaling using satellite data and environmental measurements. They will also examine whether local heat-mitigation strategies align with community vulnerabilities and health outcomes.

In practice, this means identifying where extreme heat is most severe, understanding what causes those hot spots, mapping conditions at the street and neighborhood level using satellite data and evaluating whether local efforts are reducing heat-related risks for vulnerable residents.

“It is a joy to work with brilliant scientists across the nation on timely topics to make Americans healthier,” Uejio said.

To learn more about the Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team, visit the HAQAST website. To learn more about FSU’s Department of Geography, visit the department’s website.

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Florida State University, through FSU Health, has awarded $250,000 to the five inaugural recipients of its Clinical Catalyst Grant Program, an initiative that brings together FSU researchers and local clinical providers to address healthcare challenges through collaborative projects. 

“Clinical Catalyst creates an exciting opportunity for our research teams to join forces with local clinical providers and accelerate progress on some of the most urgent issues affecting patient care in our community,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson.  

FSU launched Clinical Catalyst to give clinicians an opportunity to share ideas for addressing healthcare needs identified through their daily work. The program also supports the broader goals of FSU Health by bringing additional resources and opportunities to healthcare in the region. 

The 2025-2026 Clinical Catalyst awardees are: 

• Accessible and Engaging Non-Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Pain Combining Music Therapy and Brain Stimulation: Kevin Johnson from the FSU College of Medicine and his team are partnering with Dr. Gilbert Chandler from Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic to explore a promising, non-drug approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain by combining music therapy with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. 

• Building a New Care Pathway: ICAN-Guided Nutrition Support for Aging Adults in Clinical Settings: Julia Sheffler at the FSU College of Medicine and a multidisciplinary team of nutrition and exercise experts are collaborating with Dr. Cielo Rose from Capital Health Plan’s Nancy Van Vessem Center for Healthy Aging to build a structured nutrition and lifestyle program designed to better support older adults in clinical settings. 

• Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Stroke Aphasia: Sladjana Lukic from the FSU School of Communication Science and Disorders, in partnership with Dr. Narlin Beaty at Tallahassee Neurological Clinic, is exploring an innovative approach that could help stroke survivors regain language abilities by reactivating critical neural networks. 

• Redesigning Post-Mastectomy Bras: Investigating Design Innovations to Reduce Seroma and Hematoma Formation and Enhance Patient Satisfaction: Jessica Ridgway Clayton from the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is working with Dr. Shlermine Everidge from TMH Physician Partners, to develop improved bras for mastectomy patients to support recovery, improve comfort and enhance patient satisfaction. 

• Increasing the Uptake of Advanced Care Directives in Hospital and Clinical Settings: Miles Taylor from the FSU Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy, in collaboration with Dr. R. Kelley Myers from the Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program, aims to make end-of-life planning easier and more accessible for patients and families while helping reduce unnecessary medical treatments and costs. 

“These projects reflect the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration at FSU and our shared commitment to delivering innovative ideas that can make a meaningful difference in clinical practice and patient outcomes,” Patterson said.  

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FSU Health brings together researchers, clinicians and local clinical partners under one umbrella to transform health and healthcare in Florida. To learn more about FSU Health, visit  fsuhealth.fsu.edu. 

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Zachary Asarnow is an economics student who was inspired by his work in the FSU International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team to co-found a biotech startup.

Asarnow worked as an entrepreneur on the team, sparking his love for innovation. The team’s gold medal placement at the iGEM Jamboree solidified his interest in the innovation field as it relates to medicine. He became the CEO and co-founder of Esperance Healthcare, where he advances work to treat the rare diseases he studied during his time in iGEM.

His interdisciplinary work between entrepreneurship and the medical field motivated him to start the FSU Business and STEM Association, where he connects students to learn about innovation through pitch competitions, networking, projects and startup workshops.

On top of his commitment to innovation, Asarnow has worked for FSU Housing for three years as a desk assistant and resident assistant.

Why did you choose FSU?

I chose to attend FSU because it is a place full of opportunity, growth and community. The fact that FSU has over 700 student organizations immediately stood out to me. I knew I wanted to be part of a campus where I could get involved, try new things and discover what I truly enjoy.

From studying abroad, joining sports clubs, participating in academic organizations and connecting with Student Affairs, I’ve explored so many different sides of campus life. FSU has given me the chance not only to get involved, but also to find passions I didn’t even know I had and to be surrounded by a community that feels like home.

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

My most significant research project and accomplishment at FSU has been my work with the 2024 FSU iGEM team. I joined as the entrepreneurship lead, and I spent over a year collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of students to develop solutions for the rare genetic disease trimethylaminuria (TMAU) that causes individuals to emit a strong odor. Our goal was to combine science, innovation and entrepreneurship to address this urgent unmet medical need.

I gained experience in conducting market research, building a business model and commercialization strategy, and tailoring presentations for audiences. One of the highlights was traveling with my team to Paris for the iGEM Grand Jamboree, where we presented our work to an international audience and a panel of judges. Our team earned a gold medal, including recognition for the entrepreneurship report that I led.

I served as a public policy intern at the DeVoe Moore Center Think Tank, where I conducted research into the economic impact of space debris. I worked with a team to write and publish articles on the subject and co-authored a policy briefing with recommendations on how to approach space debris from both regulatory and economic perspectives.

How do you serve the FSU community?

I co-founded Esperance Healthcare, a biotech startup dedicated to developing and commercializing solutions for TMAU and other rare conditions. As CEO, I have led our team in product development, securing funding and creating strategic partnerships.

Esperance has received support from FSU’s Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases, which has been instrumental in advancing our work. Most recently, we were honored to be selected as one of only 15 startups worldwide to pitch at the iGEM Grand Jamboree Startup Showcase.

This work has inspired and engaged the community by demonstrating how research, entrepreneurship and collaboration can translate into real-world solutions. Through that, I co-founded the Business and STEM Association to help share the knowledge I learned from Esperance with students who want to build something they’re passionate about.

Our efforts have strengthened connections across interdisciplinary areas and highlighted FSU as a hub for innovation.

In Tallahassee, our presence as a student-led biotech startup contributes to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by fostering partnerships, providing mentorship and promoting a culture of problem solving.

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As Memorial Day approaches, recent research shows many younger Americans are disconnected from the holiday’s meaning. To help bridge that divide, the Florida State University Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) is incorporating immersive teaching methods to better engage this audience. 

According to 2,000 Americans surveyed by Talker Research, only 48% of respondents knew that Memorial Day is a holiday honoring military personnel who died in service to their country. Just 27% of Generation Z respondents and 38% of millennials selected the correct response.  

Leaders at FSU’s IGC say that gap also presents an opportunity to rethink how civics is taught. Aimed at becoming the nation’s premier policy institute, the IGC advances conscience, economic, constitutional and educational liberty through bold research and transformative teaching.  

Ryan Owens is the director of the IGC, a professor of political science at the FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy and affiliate faculty at the FSU College of Law. One of his institute’s signature initiatives is the Founding Voices program, an immersive and interactive learning experience that brings America’s founding era to life through engaging, in-school seminars designed specifically for middle school students. 

Owens said immersive learning can help students connect more deeply with history and America’s founding principles. 

“A student who studies the Battle of Little Round Top through maps and lectures may learn what happened,” Owens said. “But a student who must assume the role of Joshua Chamberlain, confronts impossible choices and understands what was at stake begins to grasp why courage, duty and sacrifice mattered. The lesson becomes not simply historical, but civic and moral.”   

Owens is available for interviews on how civics institutions like the IGC can help younger audiences reconnect with the meaning of Memorial Day. He can be reached via email at Ryan.Owens@fsu.edu.  

Ryan Owens, director, Florida State University Institute for Governance and Civics 

In what ways does modern civics education help connect and deepen students’ understanding of Memorial Day?  

Benjamin Franklin famously said we have “A Republic, if [we] can keep it.” Memorial Day reminds us that many Americans gave their lives to keep that republic. Modern civics education should ensure the next generation understands both the cost of that inheritance and their responsibility to carry it forward. 

In that vein, civics education should transfer information and cultivate gratitude, responsibility and citizenship. Students should understand not only how American government works, but why generations of Americans believed it was worth defending with their lives. 

At the IGC, we want students to understand that freedom is not self-sustaining. Every generation inherits it, but every generation must also preserve it. Memorial Day becomes deeper and more meaningful when students understand the ideals behind the sacrifice so many have made: constitutional liberty, freedom of conscience, self-government and the responsibilities that come with citizenship. 

How can presenting civics history in both an immersive and interactive form allow students to better understand the cost of liberty and military sacrifice? 

We believe students better understand the cost of liberty and military sacrifice when they are not merely passive recipients of information, but active participants in historical inquiry and civic reflection. For example, when students debate the Constitutional Convention, reenact the arguments between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, analyze battlefield decisions at Gettysburg, simulate Supreme Court arguments or wrestle with the moral and political dilemmas faced by prior generations, history becomes more tangible. Students learn liberty was not — and is not — inevitable. It is contested, defended and often purchased at extraordinary human cost. 

Through interactive civics education, students will come to appreciate what Lincoln once told us at Gettysburg, that “From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion.” 

While tough to predict, could this type of enhanced civics education (such as the Founding Voices program) create a new wave of patriotism in the younger generation? 

We hope it builds a reflective patriotism — a form of love of country grounded in thoughtfulness, honesty and civic responsibility rather than blind loyalty or reflexive nationalism. Reflective patriotism asks citizens to appreciate their nation’s principles and achievements while also recognizing its imperfections and working to improve them. 

A reflective patriot does not believe the country is flawless. Nor does he or she believe the country is irredeemable. Instead, a reflective patriot understands the American experiment as an ongoing project — one built on enduring ideals like liberty, equality before the law, constitutional government and self-rule, but one that has always required correction, debate, sacrifice and renewal. 

The Founding Voices program will deliver 100 in-school seminars over three years, reach approximately 40,000 students and teachers, use live and AI-generated historical interpreters and integrate primary-source instruction. Our goal is to determine whether students who are exposed to the civics-in-real-life approach become more excited to learn. And if we can create more reflective patriots, all the better. 

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