Alexis Dorman, a senior at Florida State University pursuing dual degrees in international affairs and political science, aims to inspire her peers to generate positive change and make a lasting impact on campus through community service initiatives.

Dorman chose FSU for its location and experiential opportunities, such as the Noles Engaged in Politics program, the Office of Governmental Affairs and the Office of National Fellowships. She was nominated for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, where she developed a policy proposal to expand resources for English language learners in Florida. As a member of the FSU Social Science Scholars program, within the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, she has further explored academic pursuits related to her career goals.

As the hunger campaign coordinator for the FSU Student Public Interest Research Group, or PIRG, Dorman led a statewide effort to lobby for the Hunger-Free Campus grant bill, which provides grants to colleges and universities to expand anti-hunger programs. She is passionate about community organization and political action, believing that FSU has provided her with ample resources to ensure her post-graduate success.

What factors influenced your decision to attend Florida State University?

There were several factors that influenced my decision to attend FSU. The campus location, extracurricular opportunities, Honors Program and community were the most appealing aspects. Being accepted into the Honors Program at FSU was a major factor in my decision to attend. The Honors Program offered a more intimate academic experience, allowing me to explore my interests and develop intellectual relationships with faculty.  

I’ve been interested in social sciences since elementary school and knew I wanted to pursue political science. FSU’s location in Florida’s capital city offers unparalleled experiential opportunities compared to other in-state universities. In addition, FSU offered unique extracurricular opportunities related to my major, such as the Noles Engaged in Politics program, which provided professional experience and increased my involvement with the Student Government Association. 

What are some of your most significant academic achievements at FSU?

Two of my most significant academic accomplishments at FSU were receiving a campus nomination for the Truman Scholarship and participating in the Social Science Scholars program. The Truman Scholarship nomination process helped me clarify my post-graduate and career plans and develop a policy proposal to expand resources for English language learners in Florida.  

My goals include pursuing a career in community organizing and governmental advocacy. FSU has provided me with ample resources to ensure my post-graduate success, such as the Noles Engaged in Politics Program, the Office of Governmental Affairs, and the Office of National Fellowships. These resources have allowed me to gain professional experience, engage with political leaders and participate in policy discussions.

How has your research experience affected your future goals? What resources at FSU did you find most useful?

In my first year at FSU, I participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) where I conducted research under Beth Ann Williams in the Department of Religion. My research focused on the role of women in a predominantly Lutheran community in Meru, Tanzania. I was responsible for data entry and analysis of interviews conducted in Meru where I presented my findings “The Changing Definition of ‘Womanhood’ in Meru, Tanzania” at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.  

The research I conducted at FSU allowed me to examine the intersection of culture, education and gender, providing me with valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by women and girls across the globe. Presenting my research allowed me to connect my understanding of Western feminism and social movements with the experiences of Tanzanian women in Meru. Reviewing firsthand the perspectives of Tanzanian women reinforced my belief in the importance of grassroots efforts as a foundation for meaningful change and underscored the fact that lasting impact requires a deep understanding of the needs of those we aim to support. This made it apparent to me that I needed to deepen my understanding of the political process. 

Opportunities at FSU like the Noles Engaged in Politics program, the Office of Governmental Affairs and the Office of National Fellowships have been instrumental in allowing me to explore my passions and gain the experience needed to pursue a career in community organizing and governmental affairs post-graduation. These resources have provided me with a platform to participate in fellowship programs, engage with political leaders and participate in policy discussions.

What motivated you to pursue the Honors Program at FSU? How has this program enhanced your academic journey?

I was looking for a program that would allow me to explore my academic interests and receive a personalized educational experience. I decided to pursue the Honors Program at Florida State for several reasons, including the class sizes, course offerings and the community created by being a part of the Honors Student Association. 

Since becoming an honors student at Florida State, I can definitively say that my academic experience has been enriched. As an honors student, I have discovered new interests and passions, had the opportunity to actively engage with my professors and peers, and connected with a like-minded community of driven students who challenge me to continue excelling. 

What impact do you believe your community service initiatives have had on FSU’s campus culture and the broader Tallahassee community?

I believe that it is our responsibility, as individuals, to both inspire and be inspired. It is my hope that my community service initiatives have served as a source of inspiration for other students and community members. In turn, I continue to be inspired by all the passionate individuals who eagerly volunteer their time and get involved with the initiatives I organize. 

This exchange of inspiration is what drives my involvement. My goal is to not only pave the way for the next class of leaders, empower others and inspire change, but also to learn from those around me, collaborate with campus and community leaders and be inspired. 

Ultimately, my belief in collaboration, lifelong learning and the power of collective action continues to guide my actions and fuels my belief that by embracing the different perspectives of others, we can create positive change and inspire others to do the same. 

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Over the summer, five students in Florida State University’s Honors Program participated in a workshop at the University of Oxford in England addressing the impact of technology on human rights.  

During the Human Rights and New Technology workshop, hosted by the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights July 4-8, students attended lectures and spoke with leading scholars from an array of fields including artificial intelligence, media, law, and philosophy.  

The FSU contingent included Ross Moret, a faculty member in FSU’s Honors Program, and honors students Caroline Owen, Zach Helms, Kayla McLoone, Nadia Rassech and Delaney Williams. This was the second cohort of FSU Honors students to attend a summer workshop hosted by the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights. 

The trip was sponsored by FSU’s Honors Program, with additional student support provided by FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights.  

The FSU Honors Program is invested in providing enriching experiences that empower student-scholars who want to develop as campus influencers, thought-leaders, and informed global citizens. In addition to offering a slate of interdisciplinary human rights courses at FSU, the Center provides pro bono legal services for immigrants and refugees, and it partners with non-governmental organizations to advance human rights around the world. 

“Oxford Consortium for Human Rights workshops are among the best educational experiences I have ever been a part of,” Moret said. “Traveling abroad, learning from and conversing with globally recognized scholars, forming a community with students from around the world, and developing and presenting a research project in that context is profoundly transformative. I’m deeply grateful that the Honors Program and the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights made this opportunity possible for our students.”  

Students studied technological revolutions and their effect on traditional human rights such as health, privacy, free speech, and free association. They also offered a research presentation focused on new technology and human rights in Florida.    

“I felt motivated to be part of the Oxford Workshop because it offered a learning experience that was almost completely different from what I had been taught in my classes,” said Helms, who’s double majoring in psychology and criminology. “Being able to learn about human rights from people currently working to improve them across the world is an opportunity you just can’t ignore.” 

While all student participants were enriched by the experience, they each took away something different. 

“I found the consortium to be personally rewarding,” said McLoone, a senior majoring in international affairs and Middle Eastern studies. “I was not only able to apply what I’ve learned at FSU, but also my lived experiences with all the layers of my identity — as a woman, being Filipino-American and so much more. I now feel more empowered by my identity and life experiences to inform how I make a difference.”

Students also enjoyed a tour of Oxford’s captivating campus and the surrounding areas.  

“My favorite part of the trip was the day that we spent at Ditchley Park, an old English estate in Oxfordshire that has been converted into an international think tank,” said Williams, a senior who is pursuing a degree in international affairs and political science. “During World War II, this is where Winston Churchill would meet American officials to discuss our involvement in the conflict and it remains a place for friends from other countries to get together and discuss issues.” 

The focus on the intersection of human rights and technology was a highlight for Rassech, an aspiring international refugee law professional currently double majoring in international affairs and Middle Eastern studies.    

“The technological revolutions’ impact on the human rights field makes this workshop a necessity for developing a new generation of human rights advocates,” she said.  

The 2023 cohort aims to continue the dialogue on FSU’s campus and will host a talk by Professor Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, chair of the Department of Justice and Law at Quinnipiac University and executive director of the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights.  

The talk will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, in the Great Hall (fourth floor) of the Honors, Scholars, and Fellow’s building. Professor Gadkar-Wilcox will discuss the life and work of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a pivotal figure in the drafting of the Indian Constitution and in enshrining its provisions for ensuring both civil/political and social/economic rights. The entire FSU campus community is welcome to attend. For more information, visit calendar.fsu.edu.

To learn more about the FSU Honors Program, visit honors.fsu.edu. For more information about the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, visit cahr.fsu.edu. 

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