Last month, Florida State University’s Ukraine Task Force (UTF) welcomed the president of one of the oldest and most respected universities in Ukraine to discuss areas of collaboration and sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two institutions. 

Serhiy Kvit, president of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA), was on FSU’s Tallahassee campus Nov. 16-22 to deliver several lectures and meet with administrators to discuss possible areas of cooperation. Kvit also met with Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs James Clark to sign an MOU between FSU and NaUKMA to expand global connections and outreach.  

“It’s a really important part of Florida State University’s efforts to reach out to the world and be part of our global community in the education sector,” said Steve McDowell, FSU’s assistant provost for International Initiatives and interim dean of The Graduate School. “Florida State University is investing, and has invested for a long time, in being a global university.” 

Established in 1991 but with roots to 1615, NaUKMA is one of the few universities in Ukraine that offers bilingual instruction in English and Ukrainian and internationally recognized diplomas. Through collaboration with FSU, the two universities are merging global goals and furthering these international endeavors. 

Housed in FSU’s Learning Systems Institute (LSI), the UTF was established in 2022 as part of the university’s broader internationalization strategy and aims to forge partnerships between FSU and Ukrainian scholars and educate the FSU community about Ukraine. 

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Florida State University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark has appointed Louisa Blenman as executive director of International Programs. 

Blenman, who has served as interim director since May 2024, will officially start in the role on Dec. 5. 

“FSU’s International Programs open doors to the world for our students, and Lou Blenman’s appointment as executive director marks an exciting new chapter,” said FSU Provost James Clark. “Her vision and experience will help us deepen global partnerships and create transformative opportunities that prepare students to lead in a rapidly changing world.” 

Blenman will build upon 30 years of experience and expertise in international education. She has worked for FSU International Programs since 2004 and served as associate director since 2018. She also currently serves on the boards of charities and foundations associated with each FSU international study center and the FSU International Programs Association direct support organization. 

“Lou Blenman’s appointment as executive director reflects her years of leadership and expertise at FSU and in the field of study abroad,” said Steve McDowell, FSU’s assistant provost for International Initiatives. “Her vision will ensure FSU continues to offer world-class global opportunities for our students.” 

FSU is a national leader in international education, ranking 10th among public universities (No. 12 overall) for the total number of students studying abroad in 2023-2024, with 2,702 students participating in global programs. FSU also ranks first among public universities (and No. 4 overall) for the number of students participating in long-term study abroad programs, leading the field in extended international education experiences. 

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of FSU’s innovative First Year Abroad program, with a record 314 students enrolled this fall — a testament to the university’s commitment to expanding transformative global opportunities for its students. 

“I appreciate Provost Clark’s confidence in me to lead the International Programs team as we build on our successful history and pursue new opportunities abroad,” Blenman said. “It is an honor to have so many talented colleagues, both domestically and internationally, who work tirelessly to provide transformative experiences for our students. I look forward to continuing to support the university’s strategic efforts and aspirations.”  

 Before International Programs, Blenman spent a decade working in study abroad in London after completing a prestigious internship at the Fulbright Commission. 

Blenman is a two-time graduate of FSU. She earned a Master’s in Higher Education from the College of Education (now the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences) in 1994 and an MBA from the College of Business in 2012. 

She succeeds Jim Pitts, who retired in 2024 after a 56-year career at Florida State. 

To learn more about International Programs, visit international.fsu.edu. 

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Photo Gallery

Florida State University recognized international and domestic participants of the Fulbright Program during a reception Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Longmire Building. 

Founded in 1946, the Fulbright Program is one of the most widely recognized international academic exchange programs. It aims to increase mutual understanding and support friendly and peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The U.S. government currently partners with more than 160 countries worldwide. 

FSU has participated in the Fulbright Program since 1951 and has been among the nation’s top producers of both faculty and student awards in recent years. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized Florida State as a top-producing institution of U.S. Fulbright Scholars earlier this year.  

For the 2025-2026 cycle, three current and former FSU students earned scholarships through the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program to conduct research in the U.K., Colombia and Argentina. In addition, four FSU faculty members will travel to teach and conduct research abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in Ireland, Taiwan, Hungary and India.  

On campus, 13 foreign students and scholars from places like Indonesia, Armenia and Uruguay are currently studying or conducting research at FSU through the Foreign Fulbright Program. Twelve students are here through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, and one researcher is here through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. 

Steve McDowell, FSU’s assistant provost for International Initiatives, presided over the event. FSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs James Clark delivered welcoming remarks.  

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Earlier this month, the Learning Systems Institute (LSI) at Florida State University partnered with the World Bank and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to host Educators Shaping Futures: A Global Knowledge Exchange on Teacher Preparation and Development. 

The event, which took place Nov. 3-4 at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aimed to address the worldwide shortage of qualified teachers. More than 340 policymakers, teacher educators, researchers and practitioners from 41 countries convened to raise awareness and build coalitions for change to ensure that teachers everywhere are prepared and supported to succeed in their crucial roles.  

Steve McDowell, FSU’s assistant provost for International Initiatives, delivered opening remarks for the conference Monday, Nov. 3, alongside H.E. Kora Tushune, state minister for Higher Education in Ethiopia; Maryam Salim, division director of Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan at the World Bank; Ambassador Jiang Feng, head of China’s Mission to the African Union; and Quentin Wodon, director of UNESCO’s International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa.

“At Florida State University, we recognize that the challenges and opportunities facing education today are global in scope,” McDowell said. “We know that the future of education depends on strong partnerships — across borders, disciplines and sectors. Together, we can address the evolving needs of learners, support the professional growth of teachers and build educational systems that are inclusive, resilient and globally connected.”

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Florida State University will host Albie Sachs, renowned human rights activist, writer and former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the week of Oct. 27, for an event sharing his experience as an anti-apartheid freedom fighter and a pivotal figure in South African history.

The event will include a film screening, lecture, book signing and more.

Born and raised in South Africa under an apartheid government, which maintained a system of legalized segregation, Sachs’ notable career defending those charged under repressive security laws and statutes led to him being appointed to South Africa’s new Constitutional Court, where he helped rewrite the country’s bill of rights and was a key part of the post-apartheid transition.

“Albie has devoted his life to establishing and preserving democracy, equality and justice,” said Matthew Goff, distinguished research professor of religion, director of graduate studies in the Department of Religion, and the event’s co-organizer. “He showed his commitment to these ideas in a way that represents the importance of the values we respect and honor.”

Sachs earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Cape Town in 1956 and started practicing as an advocate at the Cape Bar at the age of 21. While defending others, Sachs was incarcerated without trial and placed in solitary confinement by the security branch of the South African Police.

“Albie Sachs is a living legend. Rather than seek a violent retribution, he has devoted his life to changing the fundamental conditions for democratic life in South Africa.”

— Joseph Hellweg, associate professor of religion, event co-organizer

In 1966, Sachs was forced to flee his home country and went into exile in England. A few years later, he received his doctorate focused on the South African legal system from the University of Sussex in 1971. He then moved to Maputo, Mozambique, in 1977 to become a law professor at Eduardo Mondlane University.

After surviving an explosion in 1988 from a bomb placed in his car by South African security agents — which caused him to lose an arm and the sight in one eye — he devoted himself full-time to building a new democratic constitution for South Africa.

“Albie Sachs is a living legend,” said associate professor of religion and event co-organizer Joseph Hellweg. “Rather than seek a violent retribution, he has devoted his life to changing the fundamental conditions for democratic life in South Africa.”

Sachs returned to South Africa in 1990 and continued his work with the Constitutional Committee and the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress. He was appointed to the new Constitutional Court by Nelson Mandela after the country’s first democratic election in 1994. “Soft Vengeance,” a term coined by Sachs and the title of his documentary film, represents his efforts to eschew violence and rebuild a peaceful and just South Africa post-apartheid.

“For Albie, revenge meant reconstructing a society founded on laws that represented everyone,” Goff said. “As a judge, he helped write the Bill of Rights and tackled very technical questions about how to institutionalize justice. ‘Soft Vengeance’ means acting in the interest of all.”

The Askew Student Life Cinema will screen “Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa,” chronicling Sachs’ fight to end apartheid, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 5-7 p.m. Refreshments will be available at 4:30 p.m. Afterward, executive director of the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human rights and Associate Professor of Criminology Terry Coonan and Professor of Philosophy Simon May will lead a discussion session with Sachs.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, Sachs will deliver “Presidents and Power: How South Africa’s Highest Court Held Nelson Mandela and Two Other Presidents Accountable to the Constitution,” as part of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series. The lecture will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. at the College of Medicine Auditorium. A reception will precede the talk at 4:30 p.m. and a book signing will follow. Both events are free and open to the public.

“Albie wasn’t just an observer — he was a participant in the events he’ll be speaking about, and he played a central role in the post-apartheid transition,” Hellweg said. “His visit underscores the importance of international studies at American universities. Students will be enriched by an introduction to another English-speaking part of the world that has a very different experience of democracy than the United States, one from which we can learn.”

Sachs’ visit is sponsored by FSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, the FSU Department of Religion, the FSU Department of Philosophy, the FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, the FSU College of Law, the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, and the Office of the Provost.

Please contact Matthew Goff, mgoff@fsu.edu, or Joseph Hellweg, jhellweg@fsu.edu, with questions.

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Florida State University has broken its own records in graduation and retention rates, securing its role as a formidable national leader in student academic success. 

FSU achieved a record 78% four-year graduation rate this year, up from last year’s 76%, landing it in the Top 9 in the nation among public schools. FSU’s 6-year graduation rate matched last year’s, at 86%.  

“Student success is at the heart of everything we do, and these record-setting graduation and retention rates reflect the impact of our investments,” FSU President Richard McCullough said. “With academically talented students, a dedicated faculty and staff, and a supportive environment, Florida State continues to set the standard for one of the best undergraduate experiences in the nation.” 

Retention rates, which measure how many first-year students stay enrolled from their first to second fall semesters, rose from last year’s 96% to a new record of 97% this year. FSU is in the Top 4 in the nation in retention among public universities. 

“These rates are a reflection of FSU’s unwavering commitment to student success,” said Joe O’Shea, vice president for Student Academic Success. “I’m so proud of our talented faculty, staff and students for their hard work and dedication to academic excellence. They help make FSU a special place where students grow, thrive and ultimately graduate ready for the next phase of their life and career.”  

The Vice President for Student Academic Success position was recently established to advance FSU’s student-centered mission and lead the university’s efforts to recruit, retain and graduate an accomplished student body at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  

We want all students to know that we are here to support their biggest dreams and goals, and to help connect them with the resources and mentors they need to reach their highest potential.

– Vice President for Student Academic Success Joe O’Shea

Student academic success initiatives at FSU include specialized academic advising, tutoring, workshops and coaching services; support and guidance for groups who face unique circumstances, such as those who are first-generation students and Pell Grant recipients; high-impact enrichment opportunities such as undergraduate research, internships and study abroad programs; robust programming for high-achieving students in the Honors and Presidential Scholars programs; and support for faculty members as they balance cutting-edge research with impactful teaching.  

“This is an exciting time for student success at FSU,” O’Shea said. “We want all students to know that we are here to support their biggest dreams and goals, and to help connect them with the resources and mentors they need to reach their highest potential. Our students benefit from FSU’s unique blend of academic excellence and deep sense of community and care for one another.”  

FSU sets state of Florida record for transfer student graduation rate

FSU also set a new record for itself and among all institutions in the State University System of Florida for transfer student graduation rates, with over 80% of students graduating in three years or less after transferring to FSU with an associate in arts (AA) degree from schools within the Florida College System. 

“Students who transfer to FSU from other institutions play an important role in our university community, lending unique perspectives to the student body,” said Heather Bishop, assistant dean of Undergraduate Studies. “We provide transfer students with success coaching, peer mentoring and specialized programming to expose them to university resources and create a transfer community in which they can thrive at FSU and graduate on time.”  

About 25% of undergraduate students at FSU have transferred from other institutions, and FSU supports them through the “Thrive25” initiative run by Transfer Student Services. In addition to the Transfer Connections and Success course for first semester students and the option to be matched with a peer mentor or transfer success coach, transfer students can join the nationally recognized Tau Sigma honor society, attend specialized engagement events, participate in the Transfer Student Union and serve as peer mentors in the Transfer Leadership Institute.   

FSU works closely with its two largest feeder schools, Tallahassee State College (TSC) and Miami Dade College, to ensure a smooth transition for students. In addition to providing academic program maps, FSU provides enhanced advising and support that helps students transfer to FSU after earning their AA degree.  

FSU has also made recent investments in helping students who transfer to FSU after earning 12-15 hours of credit at Tallahassee State College through the FSU Next Program admissions pathway. 

Students admitted into FSU Next Program spend their fall semester at TSC and transfer in the spring to FSU. During their fall semester, they are also enrolled in FSU’s “Gateway to Garnet and Gold” course, which takes place on the FSU campus and introduces them to university life. 

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Florida State University recently held the Graduate Student Resource Fair, where approximately 250 new and returning students received guidance to be proactive in their journeys toward success.

Hosted by the Office of the Provost’s Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) and the FSU Career Center, the fair connected graduate students with more than 20 campus and community service providers and facilitated networking among students from various colleges and departments.

“One important measure of graduate student success is persistence — staying in school and finishing a degree,” said Emily Leventhal, director of FSU’s Graduate Resource Center. “What we know is that persistence isn’t just about being strong-willed; it’s affected by the communities that graduate students are integrated within — their academic programs, professional networks within their disciplines and personal communities. The annual GSRC Resource Fair allows graduate students to build new ties to the FSU community and gives them tools to support themselves across their journey.”

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Florida State University launched its fall Faculty Innovators Series this week at the Innovation Hub, where faculty and staff gathered to explore new ways to advance teaching and technology through collaboration. 

Each Wednesday morning, the series brings together faculty and staff from across campus to explore emerging trends in education.

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Florida State University has announced the appointment of Steve McDowell as Interim Dean of The Graduate School. McDowell, a respected leader with extensive experience at both the college and university levels, is Assistant Provost for International Initiatives and the John H. Phipps Professor of Communication. 

McDowell also recently served as Interim Dean of the College of Communication and Information and co-chaired the Task Force on International Graduate Students, Postdoctoral Scholars, and Faculty Recruitment. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing graduate education and fostering international engagement at Florida State University. 

“We are confident that Dr. McDowell’s deep understanding of graduate education and collaborative approach will serve The Graduate School well during this transitional period,” said Joe O’Shea, vice president for Student Academic Success. “His dual role will strengthen our ability to navigate the evolving international graduate student landscape and aligns well with our current priorities.” 

As interim dean, McDowell will oversee The Graduate School’s daily operations and work to deepen its connections within the newly formed Division of Student Academic Success. 

“We have a strong tradition of student support and preparation, high performance in graduate education, research at FSU,” McDowell said. “I look forward to working with students, staff, and faculty in this important role and helping move the university forward.” 

O’Shea emphasized how graduate education is fundamental to FSU’s role as one of the nation’s leading research universities.  

“We are deeply committed to advancing The Graduate School’s capacity to support our graduate students and foster academic excellence,” he said. 

Florida State will launch a national search for the next leader of The Graduate School later in the academic year.  

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When Farrukh Alvi stepped into the world of engineering, he didn’t have a grand plan. His first direction as an undergraduate student was to pursue nuclear engineering, mostly because “it sounded so cool.” But his mechanical engineering classes, especially in fluid mechanics, proved intriguing. He followed that curiosity, which eventually led him to a supersonic wind tunnel in graduate school, where the visual beauty of high-speed flows sparked a lifelong passion for aerospace. 

Now a newly named fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, or RAeS, Alvi’s journey is a testament to his decades-long career in aerospace and the power of curiosity and commitment to impact. 

“It’s an honor to be named an RAeS Fellow, but I plan to continue doing what I’ve always done: working with curious and creative students, solving problems and building programs that matter,” said Alvi, the Don Fuqua Eminent Scholar and Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Senior Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. 

The fellowship recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the aerospace and aviation industries. For Alvi, the honor reflects more than three decades of pioneering research, student mentorship and institutional leadership at FSU. 

Since joining FSU in 1993, Alvi has trained dozens of doctoral students who have gone on to highly productive careers in academia, NASA, the U.S. Air Force, SpaceX, Boeing and other major aerospace organizations. He was also the founding director of the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion, a collaborative effort that brought together talent from FSU, the University of Florida, University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The facility was designed to strengthen Florida’s aerospace footprint and is a leading center for research in experimental aerodynamics, especially for supersonic and hypersonic flows, flow diagnostics, materials science and other fields. 

Most recently, Alvi played a key role in helping to launch InSPIRE — the Institute for Strategic Partnerships in Research and Education — an FSU initiative to establish a new aerospace and advanced manufacturing hub in Bay County, Florida. The institute is designed to support workforce development, national defense needs and economic growth in the Florida Panhandle. 

“We’re building state-of-the-art wind tunnels and advanced manufacturing facilities that will serve both defense and commercial aerospace sectors,” Alvi said. “It’s a one-of-a-kind effort that will train students, support industry and strengthen the region’s economy.” 

In addition to his academic and administrative work, Alvi holds more than a dozen patents, several of which he co-invented with industry partners. His collaborations with companies like Danfoss, Cummins and others have led to real-world innovations in compressor technology for automotives and other areas. 

“Working with industry is a natural extension of what we do in engineering research,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see our ideas make a tangible impact.” 

The most rewarding part of his career, however, has been the opportunity to mentor the next generation of scientists and engineers pushing aerospace technology forward. 

“It’s nice to be recognized, but the real reward is seeing students succeed and programs grow,” he said. “That’s what keeps me going.” 

Visit aerosociety.org for more information about the Royal Aeronautical Society and this recognition.

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Florida State University began a new collaboration among faculty and staff with its first-ever Data Day, a one-day conference hosted by the Office of Institutional Research and sponsored by the Office of the Provost.

The new event provided attendees with insightful talks, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, empowering participants with data literacy and strategies to harness its transformative power.

“FSU Data Day is more than just a conference; it’s a declaration of intent,” said Associate Vice Provost and Chief Data and Analytics Officer James Hunt. “We are here because we believe in a bold vision to make Florida State University the most data-engaged campus in the country — and that means more than just producing reports or tracking metrics. It means creating a culture where data is trusted, used and shared. Where it sparks insights, drives collaboration and ultimately helps us serve our students and our community better.”

FSU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark emphasized the power that data brings in fostering collaboration and innovation by bridging institutions and driving meaningful partnerships, as reflected in the attendance of key stakeholders at the conference, including representatives from the Florida Board of Governors, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee State College.

“The great part about data is that it allows us to have partnerships and relationships across universities because when you’re working at this level, it’s not politics, it’s not ideology, it’s about understanding what’s going on in the world and understanding what’s going on at institutions,” Clark said.

With 20 workshops, talks and discussions to choose from, participants spent the day exploring how data is reshaping strategic priorities and improving operational efficiency across the university.

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