Johnnie Allen Jr. is a first-generation doctoral candidate in higher education who has continuously served FSU in numerous leadership roles. His research focuses on the leadership experiences and development of students of color in higher education.

Amongst Allen’s publications are an article with Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life Freddy Juarez “(Re)designing leadership engagement to center learners,” published in the New Directions for Student Leadership journal and a co-edited special issue in the Journal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies.

Allen instructs students at FSU as a graduate teaching and research assistant, adviser and instructor at the Leadership Learning Research Center (LLRC) and teaches the undergraduate certificate and leadership studies program.

Outside of FSU, Allen is a presidential intern for ACPA–College Student Educators International, where he plans leadership summits and prepares his own panels for ACPA symposiums.

Why did you choose Florida State University?

I chose to attend FSU because of the faculty, staff and students in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies’ Higher Education program. I learned about the Higher Education program from Higher Education Associate Professor Cameron C. Beatty. Together, we would discuss professional development opportunities, doctoral programs and advice on navigating higher education as a Black man.

For me, these early conversations and meetings highlighted his sincere care and interest in supporting my personal goals through an early mentoring relationship. Currently, Professor Beatty is my dissertation chair, adviser, mentor and research collaborator. He solidified my decision to choose FSU, as he assured me that I would continue to be supported professionally, personally and academically.

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in higher education?

I chose higher education because of my undergraduate experiences. I was heavily involved in fraternity and sorority life, housing and new student orientation while working at the Black Cultural Center at Indiana University Bloomington. Those experiences sparked a passion for student affairs, and I realized I could pursue it as a career.

I earned a master’s in higher education student affairs and am currently a doctoral candidate. I also co-edited journals with colleagues, which was an excellent way to practice editorial skills and prepare for my professional career in higher education.

How do you serve the FSU community?

When considering how I positively contribute to the FSU community, I reflect on my work at the LLRC. I am an instructor and adviser within the undergraduate certificate and leadership studies program. During my tenure, I teach approximately 100 undergraduate students in person, primarily through courses such as Black Male Leadership, Leadership and Ethics, and Leadership and Change. Additionally, I serve as a teaching assistant for two of the core online leadership courses in the certificate program which supports 60 students a semester.

I have enjoyed each experience, as the undergraduate students at FSU are constant reminders of why I chose a career path in higher education. I hear from past students about how our leadership readings and discussions have impacted their leadership positions on and off campus. I enjoy hearing about their jobs and internship opportunities, continued personal growth and development as leaders and people.

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Nepalese doctoral candidate Bhushan Dahal is pursuing his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS), Dahal’s mission is to apply the knowledge gained during his time at FSU toward strengthening the public-school systems of Nepal. He aims to use research to dig deeper into core questions regarding school-community partnerships.

As both a national and international educator, Dahal has seen firsthand how changes in policy and leadership can directly influence education at the administrative level. He has made a tremendous impact on educational reform through his service as both executive director and strategic director for the nonprofit Kids of Kathmandu, an organization that has built eleven public schools and two are under construction across Nepal, serving 7,500 students.

Dahal has been featured in the Tallahassee Democrat and led a TED talk at FSU where his work was highlighted with the message “it all begins with education.” He holds leadership roles in both the Leadership, Education and Research Network (LEARN) and the Nepalese Student Association (NSA).

Looking towards the future, Dahal hopes to return to Nepal and use his studies here at Florida State to strengthen public schools and address a core question: “Why are students not learning even when they attend school, and what can communities do to solve this?”

Why did you choose to attend FSU?

I chose to pursue my doctorate in ELPS at Florida State University because of its global outlook and strong emphasis on advancing educational equity through leadership and research. As an educator and administrator who has worked with both national and international organizations, I have seen how policy, leadership and teacher capacity directly influence the quality of education. My experiences have also shown that while improving infrastructure is important, lasting educational reform depends on empowering teachers and strengthening school leadership. The ELPS program’s focus on global and comparative education, and its faculty’s engagement in international research, aligns closely with my goals. I am especially inspired by the work of Associate Professor of International and Multicultural Education in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Ayesha Khurshid, whose research on education, gender and transnational contexts resonates deeply with my interest in understanding how leadership and policy affect public schooling in Nepal. Learning under her mentorship helps me critically examine how local realities connect to broader global forces shaping education.

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

One of my most significant accomplishments at FSU was being featured on the front page of the Tallahassee Democrat for my work in Nepal, which highlights the schools I have helped rebuild and the educational initiatives I continue to lead there. I was also invited to give a TED Talk at FSU, where I shared my journey and research on school-community partnerships and educational reform in Nepal. In addition, I am currently leading a conference jointly organized by the World Bank and the Learning Systems Institute at FSU, which focuses on global education systems and policy innovation. These experiences have allowed me to connect my academic research with real-world impact while representing FSU on both local and international platforms.

How have you impacted the FSU community?

At FSU, I’ve tried to build bridges — between local and global communities, and between stories and impact. Sharing my journey of rebuilding public schools in Nepal has allowed me to bring real-world perspectives into classrooms and conversations here. Being featured in the Tallahassee Democrat and giving a TED Talk at FSU reminded me how deeply connected our global efforts are to this campus. Closer to home, leading the LEARN network and the Nepalese Student Association has given me a chance to mentor students, celebrate culture and create a sense of belonging. In small ways, I hope my work reflects FSU’s spirit of community and purpose. 

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Christopher Lee Small, a professor in the Florida State University Educational Leadership and Administration program in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, has received FSU’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award.

Small, a proud alumnus of FSU who completed his Ph.D. in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (ELPS) in 2012, earned a $1,000 stipend for the annual award that honors a faculty member, administrator or staff member for outstanding service in keeping with the principles and ideals of King.

“Dr. Small lives Dr. King’s principles and ideals of freedom, equality, justice, liberty, individuality and respect, in both his professional and personal lives,” said Stephanie Simmons Zuilkowski, associate director for research at FSU’s Learning Systems Institute. “He has a deep commitment to increasing justice in the education system and his leadership of the FSU Educational Leadership and Administration program has been transformational.”

Zuilkowski noted that in the three years since Small joined the department, they have more than doubled the percentage of school principal candidates of color enrolled in ELPS’ licensure programs.

As a former elementary and middle school leader, Small led successful school turnarounds at several schools in Leon and Jefferson Counties, improving student learning outcomes and climate while reducing student discipline referrals. His doctoral dissertation study consisted of a mixed-methods analysis of academic achievement and student engagement of Black males participating in single-gender and co-educational language arts classes using culturally relevant pedagogy.

From the month he arrived at FSU as a faculty member in 2020, he sought out opportunities for faculty and staff in the ELPS department to engage with local schools and families in need. One colleague shared that the department has adopted families for the holiday season, supplied coats for school children, filled backpacks with school supplies, hosted a middle school art display and raised funds for middle-school children to go on their school trips.

“Under his leadership, we have become more engaged members of our community and my colleagues and I deeply appreciate how he leads us to be better versions of ourselves,” Zuilkowski said.

Small’s commitment to King’s ideals extends beyond campus and throughout the community. He has served as an active member on the Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students Committee for the past four years and is an active volunteer for Leon County Schools, serving in various roles from judging student speech competitions to supervising lunch periods. Small also volunteers at a local food pantry and provides academic support to youth attending summer camps run by a local nonprofit.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award was established in 1986. All faculty and staff are eligible for the award, which is presented by the Division of Student Affairs Office of Student Agencies & Institutes and the Human Resources Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Engagement.

For more information about this award, visit mlk.fsu.edu/awards.

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Danielle Boone is the 2023 winner of the Florida State University Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award.  

FSU President Richard D. McCullough selected Boone, who has served in her position for five years, for the honor. She is the administrative associate for purchasing and travel in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies department.  

“Danielle’s nominations display a variety of interaction among campus partners,” said Renisha Gibbs, associate vice president for Human Resources and Finance and Administration chief of staff. “Her praise from students, faculty, employees and visitors shows just how impactful one person can be in a department.” 

Since 2008, the Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award has acknowledged outstanding employees whose contributions and excellent service extend across campus. As an award recipient, Boone will receive two football tickets, a stipend and a reserved parking space for one year. 

Professor and department chair Toby Park-Gaghan wrote, “Danielle Boone truly embodies what it means to be customer-focused, courteous and empathetic. She has consistently gone above and beyond what is required of her in order to meet students where they are and assist them.” 

Boone has a broad scope of responsibilities within her college.  

Christopher Small, director of online leadership and administration, said: “She has been instrumental in the revision, implementation and leadership of several programs within our department and has done an excellent job of articulating the changes in systems to both faculty and students. She is an expert at working with faculty and students to ensure aspects of financial accounting and purchasing are handled with practicality and according to university policy.” 

Small also praised Boone for seeing beyond the tasks of her role and understanding the larger organizational impact.  

“She understands that the cornerstone of successful student and faculty retention at Florida State University is also connected to organizational structures, allocation of resources and sustainable means of project management and planning,” he said. 

As an example of her reach with managing and planning projects, Boone’s nominators praised her for her involvement with the annual Summer Institute. 

“In the Ed.D. program, Danielle has provided ongoing support with budgeting and purchasing, especially in the planning and execution of our annual Summer Institute, an event during which we host 100 program students on campus for a two-day learning intensive learning seminar,” wrote Eric Ludwig, director of the online Ed.D. program and teaching faculty. “Danielle’s support, knowledge, and guidance has been critical to the success of the Summer Institute.” 

Her colleagues noted that Danielle does more than purchasing, accounting and event planning. She works with students and faculty on their travel needs and professional development, and she serves a critical role in faculty searches and hiring.  

Boone’s nominators repeatedly emphasized her amazing attitude and commitment to going above and beyond in her many roles within the department. 

Boone was described by Cameron Beatty, associate professor in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies department, as someone who “establishes and maintains connections with faculty, staff, graduate students and visitors with ease. She actively participates in meetings and activities, which helps her to recognize the underlying needs of the department and to propose solutions to aid our efforts.” 

Boone expressed gratitude for what she described as a high honor. 

“I am deeply honored and humbled to accept the Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award from Florida State University,” she said. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication not only of myself but also of my incredible support system from my family and the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. I am truly grateful for this prestigious accolade.” 

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Over the next year, six Florida State University faculty members from across campus will travel internationally to teach and conduct research as part of the Fulbright Program.

Their expertise will take them to Japan, Kosovo, Austria, Brazil, the Philippines and Azerbaijan.

The Fulbright Program competitively selects Americans — students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists — to receive scholarships or grants to study, conduct research, teach or exercise their talents abroad. Citizens of other countries may qualify to do the same in the United States.  

Perry Howell, senior lecturer in the Department of English, will teach two classes in spring 2024 at Tokai University and J.F. Oberlin University near Tokyo. One of his courses will examine U.S. ideals and values as expressed in famous public speeches from American history. His other course will explore the function of public apologies in the U.S. and Japan.

“Teaching in foreign countries heightens your awareness of what is happening around you, so you notice with new energy many of the things in your everyday life that, in your home country, you screen out as too familiar,” Howell said. “That is one of my goals in teaching abroad: to bring that sense of energy and wonder back to my teaching here at FSU and to inspire a similar perspective in students here.”

This is Howell’s second Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award. During the 2019-2020 academic year, he taught at Yokohama National University in Japan as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar.  As Howell was finishing his doctoral studies remotely, he joined his wife Judith Pascoe, the FSU George Mills Harper Professor of English, when she taught at two universities in Tokyo as a 2009-2010 Fulbright U.S. Scholar.

Tatjana Soldat-Jaffe, associate professor of German and linguistics in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, will travel to Austria this fall to conduct linguistics research and teach at the University of Graz through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

Her research at the Karl-Franzens-Universität’s Institute for Theoretical and Applied Translation will focus on language translation and its role in social media, with a focus on migrant populations. Many social media sites provide users with a button to instantly translate text, making the process of translation somewhat invisible and possibly skewing the way multilingual exchanges are perceived.

“With the ever-changing technology in mind and an increase in migration, social media has provided refugees — and, generally speaking, migrants — a way to maintain and expand their network of communication,” Soldat-Jaffe said. “This questions the traditional approach to translation studies: Who is the translator, and is the translated text still perceived as a translation?”

Ruby Lee, a professor in the Dr. Persis E. Rockwood School of Marketing in the College of Business, will travel to Kosovo where she will spend seven months teaching. She will also study how Kosovar consumers compare with those in the U.S. in how they view inclusivity of luxury brands. It marks her second Fulbright. In 2016-2017, Lee spent seven months as a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Finland. 

Slightly larger than Delaware, Kosovo is a Muslim-majority country of 1.8 million that declared independence from Serbia after the Kosovo War of 1998-1999. An estimated 23% of its population lives in poverty, according to UNICEF. Many women lost husbands and fathers in the war, and girls today are twice less likely than boys to attend vocational training programs, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Overall, children in Kosovo lag behind their European peers in student assessments, the organization said. 

“The country needs people to teach so that more people can benefit immediately,” Lee said. “I feel like I’ve been very fortunate. I grew up in a very poor neighborhood, but I got an education, and I’m excited that I’ll be able to bring my skills and knowledge, my happiness, my enthusiasm and my courage to Kosovo.” 

Besiki Stvilia, a professor in the School of Information, will travel to Azerbaijan and be hosted by ADA University in the fall through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Stvilia’s research focuses on developing models for information and data management, dynamics and intervention through collaborative work organization and data practices in communities. He is among the top 2 percent of scientists in his field based on citations.

Christine Mokher, associate professor of higher education in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the College of Education, will head to the Philippines for five months where she will continue her research while working with Urdaneta City University and nearby high schools.

She will conduct two studies related to student pathways from high school to post-secondary education and national education data system tracking through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

“Since I’ve been at Florida State most of my research has focused on state policy and the evaluation of those policies within the United States in Florida, Texas and several other states,” Mokher said. “I’m interested in expanding that scope more broadly to look at international policies in a comparative aspect and this Fulbright provides an opportunity to start that new line of research.”

Ming Cui, a professor of Human Development and Family Science in the College of Health and Human Sciences, will continue research at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil through the Fulbright Specialist Program.

She will work with faculty and graduate students in the social sciences graduate program, known as PPGCS, to encourage and promote cross-cultural collaboration and research through academic exchange.

“I hope my effort will bring international visibility and recognition to our Human Development and Family Science program at FSU while also helping PPGCS to build and expand their program,” Cui said.

This is Cui’s second Fulbright award. In 2017, she traveled to Finland as a Fulbright Scholar where she taught a graduate-level methodology course and conducted collaborative research at the University of Helsinki.

For more information about FSU’s Fulbright recipients dating back to 1951, visit global.fsu.edu/Fulbright.

Faculty interested in learning more about applying for Fulbright Program funding can contact Peggy Wright-Cleveland, campus liaison for faculty, or David King, Fulbright alumni ambassador.

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Florida State University doctoral student Bodunrin Akinrinmade’s passion for educational policy, led him from his home country of Nigeria to Tallahassee, where he is expanding his knowledge of how to improve basic education in developing countries, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“If you want to make a difference, you have to start from your home country, and that’s what I am doing,” Akinrinmade said.

Inspired by the United Nations Millenium Development Goals, which outline measurable objectives to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people, Akinrinmade’s mission is to strengthen communities in developing countries by advancing their education systems.

During his time at FSU, Akinrinmade’s professors in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies have prepared him academically and taught him how to be a respected leader in his field.

Akinrinmade credits FSU’s Learning Systems Institute (LSI) for providing him with hands-on experience conducting and analyzing research data. For example, his collaboration with LSI researchers at the Nigeria Centre for Reading Research and Development (NCRRD) in Kano State, Nigeria, culminated in a research project that helped primary school teachers improve teaching practices to increase early-grade reading outcomes.

Akinrinmade continued his research experience through the 2022 College of Education International Travel Scholarship, a scholarship that provides students with cultural experiences to enhance their degree in the College of Education. He traveled to Nigeria to collect interview data regarding the academic impact of private tutors on children, which he is now using to finalize his dissertation.

While at FSU, he has also met with international students from The Center for Global Engagement and the African Student Association (ASA), which has been instrumental in helping him find a supportive community on campus and transition from Nigeria to the United States.

As a doctoral candidate in education policy and evaluation, Akinrinmade hopes that through his research, policies and programs, he will improve educational access, learning outcomes and school completion rates for children regardless of demographic classification.

How has Florida State University prepared you to help improve education systems worldwide?

Florida State has prepared me to be an outstanding policy analyst, program evaluator and educational researcher to provide evidence-based solutions to educational issues in the K-12 education systems around the world. My professors at Florida State University and my experience as a graduate researcher taught me how to conduct and analyze data from research studies. I will utilize these research skills to design evidence-based policies and programs to improve children’s access to education and foundational learning skills worldwide. 

How has the Learning Systems Institute provided you with valuable experience as a graduate research assistant?

I worked with LSI researchers to train NCRRD faculty members for six months at Florida State on the science of reading research. When they returned to Nigeria, they were able to conduct independent reading research to improve the teaching of early-grade reading. I have been able to collaborate with LSI on such impactful projects, and I look forward to doing more to improve the foundational skills of children and the teaching of reading not only in Nigeria but around the whole world. 

How do you feel Florida State supports international students?

FSU values international students and provides a lot of scholarships and funding to help students transition to the United States. One major factor that affected my decision to attend FSU was that they gave me full funding. This shows how much Florida State supports international students and how they want them to progress and make a difference not only in their home country but in their immediate environment in the U.S. 

How have your professors assisted in your transition to FSU?

My professors have been very supportive during my time at FSU and always checked in on me to make sure I was adapting to the lifestyle of the U.S. To be honest, when I first started, I was very overwhelmed by my readings. When I talked to Stephanie Zuilkowski, a professor of international and multicultural education in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, she encouraged me to keep working hard and, through time, I was able to adapt. Professor Zuilkowski continues to inspire me to be a hardworking and committed educational researcher. Overall, my professors were very accommodating, ready to listen to my problems and sincerely wanted to support me. 

What programs at FSU have been beneficial to your transition from life in Nigeria to the United States?

Along with my professors, I found support at FSU through The Center for Global Engagement and the African Student Association. The Center for Global Engagement allowed me to interact with other international students, which made it easier for me to adapt to life in the United States. The ASA allowed me to get to know students whose backgrounds are similar to mine, which has created a sense of community for me on the FSU campus. Programs like these make sure we, as African students, come together to have fun — because everything is not just about education! 

What did you do to take advantage of your 2022 College of Education International Travel Scholarship?

I had the opportunity to interview parents from low, middle and high economic status on why they invested in private tutors for their children. Specifically, I gathered data on how parents perceive the academic impacts of private tutors assisting their children and why, despite the financial burden it creates, parents continue to hire private tutors to guide their children. I appreciate that the scholarship allowed me to conduct my own primary research and to hear opinions and views from the parents. I am working on finalizing my discussion of findings and conclusion to complete my dissertation. 

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