Three FSU leaders who were the first in their families to attend college — Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, President Richard McCullough and Head Football Coach Mike Norvell — shared their inspiring journeys of resilience and achievement, encouraging current first-generation students to pursue their dreams during Florida State University’s third annual Horizons Unlimited Conference on Tuesday, March 3.

Led by FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar, the conference brought together first-generation students, alumni and university leaders for a day of personal stories and practical guidance aimed at helping students succeed in college and beyond.

Participants attended sessions on topics such as overcoming adversity, building a professional brand and reflecting on personal journeys, while also connecting with fellow first-generation students, faculty and mentors.

“I believe in you, Florida State University believes in you,” Vartikar said. “But most importantly, you have to believe in yourself. So, believe that you belong here and in every room that you want to be in. Your voice matters. Your horizons are unlimited and we can’t wait to see what you become.”

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Florida State University will celebrate and highlight first-generation student success with the third annual Horizons Unlimited Conference on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The full-day conference for Florida State University students, led by First Lady Jai Vartikar, will share insights, resources, and strategies for success in college and beyond. Conference participants will connect with fellow first-generation students, alumni, faculty, and university leaders. Conference sessions will take place 11 a.m – 5 p.m. in the Turnbull Conference Center and the Keynote Address 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.

“Come and be empowered,” Vartikar said. “Your journey matters, your dreams can be achieved, and your horizons are truly unlimited.”

Registration is required and space is limited. Please register for each session and the keynote with the individual links below by Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

Student Resource Expo

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Second Floor, Turnbull Conference Center

Explore the Student Resource Exposition, where various campus organizations and community members will be showcased. This is an excellent opportunity to discover the resources available to support academic success, personal growth, and career development. Engage with representatives, gather valuable information, and make connections that will enhance your university experience.

Networking Lunch – Table Talk

11:30 a.m. – noon
First Floor, Turnbull Conference Center, Room 108

Join fellow students and university professionals for an interactive networking lunch designed to spark meaningful conversation and connection. Through guided table discussions, participants will expand their campus and professional networks in a supportive setting focused on future success. Participants will enjoy a Chick-fil-A lunch and foster relationships and build a network for success. Register for the event here.

Success through Adversity: Strategies through Athletics

12:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Second Floor, Turnbull Conference Center, Room 208

Leadership and success often mean encountering adversity and finding opportunities to make the most out of any situation. Learn from student-athletes and coaches as they share their experiences and lessons learned through the lens of elite athletic competition. Register for the event here.

Building Your Professional Brand

1:45 – 3 p.m.
Second Floor, Turnbull Conference Center, Room 208

Join Dr. Jason Harle, communications expert and career coach, for an engaging session on developing a strong and authentic professional brand. Participants will explore career readiness strategies, strengthen critical thinking around the job search process, and identify the essential interpersonal skills that position them for success. He will be joined by Assistant Vice President for Career Services Rob Lidell and current FSU senior Ja’nasia Mangum for an interactive discussion. Register for the event here.

What’s Holding You Back? Rewrite your story, take ownership, and move forward

3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Second Floor, Turnbull Conference Center, Room 208

Join Dr. Laymon Hicks — FSU alumnus and former Student Body President — for a powerful and authentic session about turning setbacks into strength and purpose. Drawing on his own journey from adversity to academic and leadership success, this session will challenge students to rewrite their internal narratives, take ownership of their choices, and step confidently into their future. Participants will leave equipped with practical strategies for resilience, self-belief, and leadership in both academic and personal arenas. Register for the event here.

Horizons Unlimited Keynote Address

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Westcott Building

Media members planning to cover the keynote must RSVP to Jenny Ralph no later than 5 p.m. Monday, March 2, at jralph@fsu.edu.

The 2026 Horizons Unlimited Conference for First Generation Students Keynote Address features Florida State University Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins. He will share his inspiring journey as a first-generation college student and as a leader in his field and community.

Florida State University First Lady Jai Vartikar will open the event with current students Margeda Eugene, Justin Mohabir, and Duce Robinson. Coach Norvell will share his story and introduce Chairman Collins to deliver the keynote address. President McCullough will then lead a fireside chat with Chairman Collins before opening up a questions and answer session to the audience. Register for the event here.

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Florida State University concluded its second annual Horizons Unlimited Conference for first-generation students with a keynote conversation between President Richard McCullough and FSU Trustee Maximo Alvarez.

Speaking Monday in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, McCullough and Alvarez shared personal stories, emphasized the importance of education and reflected on the paths that shaped their lives.

“This conference holds special meaning for me because, like you, I was a first-generation college student,” McCullough said. “I know firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with blazing that trail. And trust me, the hard work you’re putting in now will open doors you can’t even imagine.”

The daylong event reinforced FSU’s commitment to first-generation student success. Nearly a quarter of FSU’s undergraduates are the first in their families to attend college, with many finding support through the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE).

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Florida State University is reaching new heights in research excellence, thanks to the leadership of its accomplished women.

From the Vice President of Research to the Dean of the College of Medicine and the Chief Scientist at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab), women are at the forefront of groundbreaking science at FSU.

During a recent roundtable forum, five of FSU’s leading women in science gathered to discuss their career journeys, leadership styles and the challenges they’ve overcome to excel in their fields. The discussion, held in the Student Union Ballrooms, was part of FSU’s Discovery Days, a weeklong celebration of research, scholarship and creativity.

The event featured FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory Chief Scientist Laura Greene, College of Nursing Associate Dean for Research Lisa Hightow-Weidman, Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. Alma Littles and Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson.

“I just love working with these women,” Patterson said. “They are truly an inspiration to me, and it’s so exciting to be able to share that with the whole FSU community.”

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The Florida State community will join President Richard McCullough from 12-2 p.m. Thursday, April 4, to celebrate the annual President’s Ice Cream Social on Landis Green. 

This year marks McCullough’s third time hosting this longstanding FSU tradition. Every year, thousands of students, faculty and staff gather to enjoy ice cream treats. 

The President and First Lady Dr. Jai Vartikar will join other university administrators in distributing the sweet treats to students alongside outdoor entertainment and games.  

Sponsors of the event are Asker Distributors, Damien’s Ice Cream, Nestlé Ice Cream, Coca-Cola and Legacy Catering by Aramark. 

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With a rich history of supporting learning and scholarship in programs around the world, Florida State University has earned top-five rankings in multiple categories in a new report from the Institute of International Education (IIE).

FSU is ranked fifth among institutions overall and third among public universities for study abroad enrollments in the IIE Open Doors 2023 Report, with 2,469 students studying abroad in the 2021-2022 academic year. FSU also ranked third overall in enrollment for short-term study abroad programs (1,731 students) and fourth overall in enrollment for long-term study abroad programs (216 students).

“We are pleased to once again be ranked so highly among our peers in the number of students we send abroad,” said Jim Pitts, director of International Programs at FSU. “These rankings demonstrate FSU’s continued institutional commitment to provide meaningful education abroad opportunities for our students. We know from independent research that education abroad provides transformative learning experiences, which have a positive impact on academic, education and professional outcomes.”

Open Doors also ranked the top three leading destinations for study abroad as Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain. FSU’s International Programs maintains a year-round presence in all three countries with study centers in Florence, London and Valencia. FSU also has a branch campus in the Republic of Panama in Panama City.

Other study abroad opportunities offered by FSU International Programs include programs in Grenada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, France and Switzerland. This summer FSU International Programs is launching a new two-week program in Kosovo titled “Human Rights in Europe’s Newest Democracy.” The program intensively focuses on human rights victim issues that emerged from the Balkan Wars in the 1990s.

“International Programs has both deep roots and an entrepreneurial spirit, positioning us well to continue to support the university’s mission and goals,” said Louisa Blenman, associate director of International Programs at FSU. “We have ‘tried and true’ broad curricular offerings, as well as innovative discipline-specific programs. Regardless of the program or discipline, we help prepare students to address current and future global challenges.”

Over the summer, FSU President Richard McCullough and First Lady Jai Vartikar visited FSU’s study centers in London, Florence and Valencia with FSU Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins and his wife, Jennifer Collins, an FSU alumnus and member on the Board of the FSU International Programs Association, Inc. They had the opportunity to personally see FSU’s incredible facilities abroad and speak to students about their life-changing experiences.

“The foresight of previous presidents to buy these buildings and create these programs is incredible,” McCullough said. “I think there are additional opportunities for us to create sabbaticals for faculty members to go overseas and expand FSU’s international presence and reputation.”

In addition, Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht taught a Leadership and Change course focused on global perspectives at the FSU London Study Centre this past summer.

“Study abroad at its core is experiential learning,” Hecht said. “Our students are living in a new country and navigating transportation, grocery shopping, nightlife, culture and schoolwork. My course used the city as a teaching tool, and it’s something the program encourages. Why would a student want to be lectured in a classroom when they go study abroad? They want to explore and have these unique experiences that London (or Florence or Valencia) can provide.”

Stories about experiences like these can be found on Noles Abroad, a blog and podcast aimed at celebrating the people, places, and moments that have contributed to the growth of FSU International Programs on FSU’s main campus and beyond.

For more information on study abroad opportunities, visit international.fsu.edu. For more details on the Open Doors 2023 Report, visit opendoorsdata.org.

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Florida State University President Richard McCullough and First Lady Jai Vartikar had the opportunity this summer to see firsthand how FSU students are living and learning in some of the most historical and beautiful European cities in the world.   

McCullough and Vartikar, accompanied by FSU Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins and his wife, Jennifer Collins, an FSU International Programs board member, visited the jewels in the crown of FSU’s International Programs — the European study centers in London; Florence, Italy; and Valencia, Spain. 

“It was incredible not only to see the study centers, but the students were just absolutely remarkable,” McCullough said. “I don’t think we’ve heard the phrase ‘life-changing’ from students as many times as we did when we were there.” 

FSU’s International Programs maintains a year-round presence at the study centers, which provide opportunities for FSU students to live and study in vibrant, diverse and culturally rich cities across the Atlantic Ocean during the fall, spring or summer semesters. 

“The quality of the facilities at our three European campuses would make any Seminole proud,” Chair Collins said. “The locations and significance of our study centers, and the surrounding housing, is unmatched in the study-abroad world. I came away thinking that I would love to be a student again and be at one of these locations for a semester.” 

FSU ranks third in overall study-abroad enrollments and long-term study-abroad enrollments and places fourth in short-term study-abroad enrollments, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report for 2020-2021. 

“The International Programs team certainly appreciates the visit of this esteemed group to our three European study centers,” said Jim Pitts, director of FSU International Programs. “It was a fabulous opportunity for our staff and faculty abroad to highlight our unique facilities, resources and programs. Many of our students and alumni shared insights into how life-changing studying abroad can be. In fact, the group participated in a couple of classes, providing them with firsthand knowledge of how our faculty incorporate the resources of the host cities into the curriculum.” 

First stop: London

The group met with students, faculty and staff during a tour of the FSU London Study Centre. Located in the historic Bloomsbury district, FSU London is a series of interconnected historic 17th-century Georgian buildings fitted with state-of-the-art technology. It’s among London’s oldest and largest locations of U.S.-based academic institutions. 

President McCullough, First Lady Vartikar, Chair Collins and Jennifer Collins had lunch with students and visited classes before attending a reception that evening to celebrate FSU London’s Golden Jubilee. The 50-year anniversary took place in 2021, but COVID-19 pandemic restrictions postponed the planned in-person celebrations.

In addition, faculty members from FSU London with expertise in British history and literature took the group on a tour of Buckingham Palace and the British Museum, which is located next to the study center.

“I always enjoy being a student,” McCullough said.   

In addition to British history and literature, FSU London also offers courses in chemistry, biology, archaeology, philosophy and theater. Students have opportunities to participate in internships across a broad range of majors, including marketing, business, logistics, the arts, media and government. 

Next stop: Florence, Italy 

The group traveled from London to Florence, Italy, to visit the FSU Florence Study Center. Housed in the Palazzo Bagnesi Falconeri, a restored 37,000-square-foot palace in the heart of Florence that dates to the time of Michelangelo, FSU Florence is the oldest of the university’s European centers. 

“When you go and touch and feel it, then you really get an idea of what’s going on over there and what crown jewels these study centers are to our university,” McCullough said.   

The Florence Study Center offers FSU prerequisite courses in math, natural sciences and English, plus classes in Italian language, fashion, design, entrepreneurship, business and hospitality. The center boasts a state-of-the-art media room, sewing lab and teaching kitchen to infuse Italian culture into academic disciplines. 

The traveling party toured the historic facility, had lunch with students, faculty and staff and attended a reception that evening. 

Last stop: Valencia, Spain

The group arrived at the FSU Valencia Study Center, its final destination. Housed in two historic buildings just behind the iconic Serranos Towers, FSU Valencia offers a glimpse into the past equipped with 21st-century modernity.  

While in Valencia, the group was interviewed for the upcoming issue of “Nomadic Noles,” a magazine produced by students in the English Department’s Editing, Writing and Media program studying abroad in Valencia.  

One highlight for McCullough during the Valencia visit was seeing the Holy Chalice of Valencia. Guarded behind glass in the city’s Gothic cathedral, the Holy Chalice of Valencia is one of the longstanding claimants to being the Holy Grail, the cup used by Jesus during the Last Supper.  

“That was really quite something to see,” McCullough said. 

While the group enjoyed exploring the rich history of London, Florence and Valencia, meeting with students was the most memorable part of the trip.  

“The highlights to me were whenever we spent time with the students directly,” Chair Collins said. “We did interviews, we had social gatherings, dinners and lunches with different groups, which gave a good window into the experience we are providing in the study abroad program.” 

It was a chance for FSU’s leadership to understand and experience the opportunities available to students and faculty abroad and to assess opportunities for growth.  

“The foresight of previous presidents to buy these buildings and create these programs is incredible,” McCullough said. “I think there are additional opportunities for us to create sabbaticals for faculty members to go overseas and expand FSU’s international presence and reputation.” 

For more information about FSU International Programs, visit international.fsu.edu. 

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