The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering news for faculty and staff
Happening
Lunchtime Food Trucks will be at the Shaw Building's picnic area on the corner of East Paul Dirac Drive and Pottsdamer Street starting at 11:00 am. Lunch truck tentative schedule here.
COE Cafe: Fall 2025 Hours - Mon - Fri, 7:30am - 3:00pm | Menu
Launch Order of the Ring Ceremony, December 2, 2025, 6:00pm-7:30pm, A atrium (Roddenberry)
Faculty and Staff Meeting, December 5, 2025, 1:00pm-3:00pm, B221 (Brown)
Last Day of Classes, December 5, 2025
Final Exams, December 8-12, 2025
Faculty & Staff Holiday Party, December 9, 2025, 6:00pm-8:00pm, The Monroe, (Shearer)
MAE Celebration Day, December 10, 2025, 8:30am-4:00pm, AME (Kumar)
Ph.D. Brunch, December 11, 2025, TBD, TBD (Evans)
Quantum Bites Brown Bag Lunch, December 12, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm, at IRCB in 1030. (Guo)
Faculty Connecting with the Dean, December 19, 2025, 12:00pm- 1:00pm, B202 (Brown/Shearer)
Fall Semester Ends, December 12, 2025
Holiday Break - Dec. 22-31, 2025, (College closed)
Holiday Break - Jan. 1-2 (College closed)
Spring Classes Begin, Wednesday, January 7, 2026
MLK Day, January 19, 2026, (College closed)
Bookmark college events webpage.
Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar - December 4, 2025
Integration of Multimodal Transportation Systems with speaker Dr. Paul
Schonfeld, Civil Engineering, University of Maryland
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at COE Room B214
Bio:
Dr. Paul Schonfeld is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Maryland, where he served for 19 years as Director of its Transportation Engineering Program. He has B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He has experience in analyzing various transportation systems, including road networks and traffic management systems, public transportation systems, infrastructure design and management, freight logistics, inland waterways and airports. He has over 600 publications, including 265 accepted for peer-reviewed journals. 25 of his Ph.D. students have accepted faculty positions at research universities. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). He has served as Editor of the Journal of Advanced Transportation and of ASCE’s Journal of Transportation Engineering. He received ASCE’s 2018 James Laurie Prize for career achievements in transportation engineering.
Abstract:
Since various transportation modes have quite different advantages and disadvantages, opportunities often exist for improving overall system effectiveness through several forms of multi-modal integration. These include hierarchical network structures and service concepts, integrated marketing and pricing, resource sharing (e.g., of road space or vehicles), resource switching (e.g., of vehicles and personnel) among service types in response to demand fluctuations, and the use of some modes as back-ups for others. Various methods for analyzing and accomplishing multimodal integration will be discussed, with particular emphasis on reliable coordination of passenger and freight transfers in transportation terminals. Examples will be included from conventional public transportation paratransit services and freight logistics.
First Fridays Quantum Bites Brown Bag Lunch Series - Next Bite December 12
UPCOMING Quantum Bites
- December 12, 2025 - Journal club: A fluorescent-protein spin qubit, Jingjiao Guan
- January 16. 2026 - Review: Quantum Communication, Ivan Djordjevic
- February 13, 2026 - Quantum computing in intelligent transportation systems: A survey, Vivian Guo
QUESTIONS? Feel free to reach out to Wei Guo at wguo@eng.famu.fsu.edu
2025-26 Florida Space Grant Consortium Opportunities for students
Senior Design Projects and NASA Competitions
The NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium will be supporting senior design projects (up to $750 for each project), NASA Competition participation (up to $2000) and other student competitions for the 2025-26 Academic Year.
Examples of NASA competitions are
- NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
- 2026 Lunabotics Challenge
- University Student Launch Initiative
- NASA’S 2025 Human Lander Challenge (HuLC)
- 2025 RASC-AL Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage Competition
In addition, FSGC and the Florida Space Institute have a list of senior design projects developed and managed by FSI.
Project and process info here.
For application procedure and rules for submission of proposals please go here.
2025-26 Senior Design Projects at Kennedy Space Center (US citizens only)
Not offered this year
FSGC will provide support to student clubs like SEDS, AIAA etc. (through a faculty advisor) for STEM-related student projects.
For application procedure and rules for submission of proposals, please go to:
Travel Grant for Students (US citizens only)
FSGC will be supporting student travel requests (up to $750 for each project).
For application procedure and rules for submission of proposals, please go to:
Internship opportunity at Cislune, Inc
One opportunity for an internship, during Fall of 2025 or Spring 2026, at Cislune Inc., located at Los Angeles, CA. Cislune develops lunar mining, ISRU, and construction tech through NASA SBIR/STTR awards. Space Grant interns join in real R&D that advances the Lunar Ecosystem.
For inquiries regarding all projects, please email jaydeep.mukherjee@ucf.edu.
FSU CFA Performance Schedule
Office of Research | Information for Researchers Here
NSF Important Notice No. 149 Update
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is providing this correspondence to inform organizations, and Authorized Organizational Representatives, that starting December 2, 2025, the new requirements set forth in NSF Important Notice No. 149 will take effect.
What you need to know:
- Proposals submitted before December 2, 2025, including those submitted during the recent lapse in appropriations, are not subject to those requirements originally set to take effect on October 10, 2025.
- As of December 2, 2025, such new certifications are required at the time of proposal submission within the Cover Sheet, Biographical Sketch, and Current and Pending (Other) Support forms. These include new certifications related to:
- Completion of research security training by all senior/key personnel; and
- An institution of higher education’s status regarding contracts or agreements with any Confucius Institute.
- Organizations are required to provide supporting documentation, including copies of grants, contracts, and agreements, upon request by NSF.
- To assist research organizations and investigators, NSF has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page summarizing the new requirements, certification procedures, and relevant timelines. Access the FAQs here.
If you have questions regarding these requirements, please contact researchsecurity@nsf.gov for additional guidance.
Best Regards,
NSF Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy
Important information for all FSU researchers
Beginning October 1, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and October 10, 2025, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will require all “senior/key personnel” listed in grant applications to complete research security training within 12 months prior to proposal submission with annual refresher training thereafter. This training requirement is currently in place for the Department of Energy, and we expect all federal agencies to implement the requirement soon.
To ensure compliance, Sponsored Research Administration will be required to confirm that all PIs, coPIs, and any listed key personnel have successfully completed the research security training prior to proposal submission to NIH, NSF, and DOE. PLEASE NOTE: NO PROPOSAL CAN BE SUBMITTED TO APPLICABLE SPONSORS WITHOUT VERIFICATION OF TRAINING COMPLETION BY ALL THE REQUIRED INDIVIDUALS.
FSU has partnered with the CITI Program to offer online training options to fulfill this certification requirement:
- Initial Research Security Training (Combined Course)
- A one-hour course based on the NSF SECURE Center Consolidated Training Module (CTM) V.1
- Research Security Advanced Refresher
- Required annually after initial training (20 minutes)
Please plan to complete this training now to avoid any delays at proposal submission time!
To access the initial training:
- Visit citiprogram.org
- Register and select “Florida State University”
- Log in and choose “Research Security”
- Select the “Research Security Training (Combined Course)”
For additional questions related to the Research Security Training and CITI, please contact Mary Sechrist, Director of Research Integrity, Security, and Ethics (RISE), at m.sechrist@fsu.edu.
Find FSU Resources at response.fsu.edu
We hope you are having a fantastic summer and are finding ways to beat the heat. Whether new to FSU or returning to campus, we want you to know that your FSU community is always here for you. The resources listed below are available to help support your well-being, and we encourage you to reach out as you see fit. Thank you for showing kindness and support of one another.
To access important resources and updates, visit: RESPONSE.FSU.EDU
FSU Counseling & Psychological Services
FSU Employee Assistance Program
FSU University Health Services
Mandatory FAMU Research Security Training Memo -- NSF and NIH REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory FAMU Research Security Training Memo -- NSF and NIH REQUIREMENTS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL FAMU RESEARCHERS
Beginning October 1, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and October 10, 2025, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will require all “senior/key personnel” listed in grant applications to complete research security training within 12 months prior to proposal submission with annual refresher training thereafter. This training requirement is currently in place for the Department of Energy, and we expect all federal agencies to implement the requirement soon.
To ensure compliance, the Office of Sponsored Programs will be required to confirm that all PIs, Co-PIs, and any listed key personnel have successfully completed the research security training prior to proposal submission to NIH, NSF, and DOE.
PLEASE NOTE: NO PROPOSAL CAN BE SUBMITTED TO APPLICABLE SPONSORS WITHOUT VERIFICATION OF TRAINING COMPLETION BY ALL THE REQUIRED INDIVIDUALS.
FAMU has partnered with the CITI Program to offer online training options to fulfill this certification requirement:
• Initial Research Security Training (Combined Course)
o A one-hour course based on the NSF SECURE Center Consolidated Training Module (CTM) V.1
• Research Security Advanced Refresher
o Required annually after initial training (20 minutes)
Please plan to complete this training now to avoid any delays at proposal submission time! To access the initial training:
1. Visit citiprogram.org
2. Register and select “Florida A&M University”
3. Log in and choose “Research Security”
4. Select the “Research Security Training (Combined Course)”
For additional questions related to the Research Security Training and CITI, please contact Dr. Tanise Jackson, Director of Research of Research Compliance and Research Security at tanise.jackson@famu.edu.
Need to Know
Engineering Library Scholar Support
For Faculty & Staff
Library Hours
The last day of library’s staffed hours (Monday through Friday, 8 AM-5 PM) will be Friday, Dec. 12. The space will remain open during the intersession as building hours permit. Staffed hours will restart on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Course Reserves
Instructors should get a headstart on Spring 2026 Course Reserves requests. Begin by filling out this form. If you have a personal copy to provide, simply bring it to the COE Library Scholar Support Desk during staffed hours. Materials can also be requested from other FSU Libraries’ locations for course reserves at COE. Please allow 72 hours to fully process requests.
New Items
Sometimes scholars need a laptop for more than a few hours. COE Library now has 3-Day loaner PC laptops and chargers. Also new to the library this semester are measuring kits. These packs include one each of tape measure roll, soft measuring tape, protractor and compass.
For further information, reach out to Shaundra Lee, Engineering Library Scholar Support Supervisor.
Engineering Our Future
We identified five strategic priorities to focus on for the next five years. For each of these priorities, we set goals with identified metrics for our college:
Opportunities for Faculty and Staff
ORNL Internship and Job Opportunities: 
November 2025 Newsletter
Find the November 2025 issue of the Core University ORNL Opportunities newsletter here.
William Jenks | Core Universities Student Programs Lead, Office of Research Education, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
jenksws@ornl.gov | 515-451-4711
FAMU HR: Upcoming Trainings Calendar
Please contact famutraining@famu.edu for the most up-to-date training offerings.
Dissertation and Thesis Defenses
Dissertation Defenses - TBA
THESIS DEFENSES - TBA
For full defense announcement info click here.
Good to Know
Campus Safety Updates & Emergency Preparedness Information
At Florida State University, the safety and security of everyone on campus remains our top priority. The university uses a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to campus safety, integrating a top-notch campus police department, advanced technology, robust emergency management protocols, and dedicated security personnel. These coordinated efforts are designed to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike, ensuring a secure environment that supports learning and collaboration.
As we begin the fall semester, we'd like to take the opportunity to introduce you to some new technology tools and resources, reiterate the various means by which FSU supports the campus community during emergencies, and encourage you to review emergency preparedness materials.
CAMPUS SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
As is the case every summer, the university has been diligently working on campus enhancements. This fall, you will see new technology tools, such as panic buttons and lockdown buttons, installed in academic spaces throughout campus.
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Panic Buttons: These are blue in color and are silent alert buttons that send a direct alert to the FSU Police Department’s dispatch center. Use these in emergencies involving active assailant threats. When activated, they trigger immediate police dispatch. Remember to also physically lock the room where the panic button is being activated.
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Lockdown Buttons: These are yellow in color and marked “Lockdown.” When activated, doors are automatically locked, and FSU Police are immediately dispatched to the building. No one from outside the room can enter except FSU Police.
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Door Locks: Doors to academic spaces that are not equipped with centrally managed electronic locks have thumb-turn or push-button locking systems.
All of these new enhancements comply with university guidelines, ADA standards and building codes.
Our University Communications team collaborated closely with Public Safety to create an educational video that will teach you when and how to use these tools properly.
We encourage everyone to check classrooms, offices, and other university facilities at the start of each semester to know what technology is available in each location. DO NOT push panic or lockdown buttons to test them.
WATCH: How to Use Door Locks and Lockdown/Panic Buttons in Classrooms
In addition to these security enhancements, you will see an increased security presence at the Student Union. Throughout the semester, FSU Police officers also will hold office hours at the Union. Times and dates will be announced.
FSU ALERT
FSU ALERT is the official emergency notification and warning system of Florida State University. In the event of a situation or condition, occurring or imminent, that poses an immediate threat to the health, safety, or general welfare of students, faculty, staff or visitors to the university, an FSU ALERT will be issued. The FSU ALERT emergency notification system uses multiple methods for disseminating emergency information, including email, text messages, alerts.fsu.edu and social media.
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
Having a well-defined plan is essential for ensuring safety and achieving positive outcomes in the event of an emergency. We recommend that you review our Emergency Preparedness Guide and develop a personal emergency plan. In addition, FSU has Emergency Action Guides for many of the potential hazards we face in Florida and at FSU. Each guide provides protective action steps and best practices on how to respond to an emergency situation, including hurricanes, tornadoes and active threats.
ACTIVE THREAT TRAINING
The FSU Police Department will continue to offer Active Threat Training this fall, and participation is strongly encouraged. This training provides information and skills for responding during an active threat situation by understanding and applying the Run, Hide, Fight strategy.
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Upcoming dates for faculty/staff trainings are Aug. 26, Sept. 2, Sept. 9, Sept. 16 and Sept. 30. To register, visit hr.fsu.edu.
- You may also watch this short video to become familiar with the fundamental principles of the Run, Hide, Fight strategy or watch a recorded training session.
We appreciate your commitment to fostering a safe and resilient campus environment. By staying informed, participating in available trainings, and familiarizing yourself with the resources and protocols provided, you will help ensure that Florida State University remains a place where everyone can thrive. As a reminder, mental health and resiliency resources are available for all students, faculty and staff anytime, anywhere. Visit response.fsu.edu to check out support tools and resources.
Thank you for your ongoing support and vigilance. We wish you all a successful and secure semester ahead.
ORNL Internship and Job Opportunities: November 2025 Newsletter
November newsletter for our Core Universities, is coming soon...
William Jenks | Core Universities Student Programs Lead, Office of Research Education, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
jenksws@ornl.gov | 515-451-4711
New FSU ID Cards for COE Joint Faculty
FSU is issuing new ID cards for our FAMU faculty in the College of Engineering. These new cards are designated "COE Joint Faculty" rather than "Courtesy" at FSU. This change reflects our efforts to better recognize and integrate our faculty within the college community, as outlined in Article 4 of the Memorandum of Agreement between FAMU and FSU and the One College goal of the COE Strategic Plan.
To obtain your new ID card, drop by the FSU card office.
FAMU-FSU Engineering Career Services Liaisons
FAMU - Sean Collins - sean.collins@famu.edu - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Sr. Career Specialist, Career Services Liaison at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
Fall 2025 Student Advising Hours:
Tuesday - 8:30 AM - 12 Noon (Virtual)
Wednesday - 8:30 AM - 12 Noon COE A143 (Appointments only (Virtual or In-Person)) & 1 PM - 4:30 PM COE A143 Virtual & Walk-Ins
- Except for special events at FAMU Main Campus.
Thursday - 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (COE A143
––––––
FSU - TBD Career Liaison for the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
IN-PERSON DROP-IN ADVISING WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 16 FROM 1:00PM-4:00PM, A ATRIUM VENDING AREA
Fall 2025 Drop-in Career Advising at the Career Center (No Appointment Necessary):
Mondays: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/pCNJ0UhpT8StQCdVR2K8GQ
Tuesdays: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94196060872
Career Docs (Virtual Document Review):
- Students can submit their resumes, cover letters, and other career-related documents for online review and feedback via Career Docs - https://canvas.fsu.edu/enroll/3LWPX7
Job Fairs and Events | Jobs, Internships & Experience | Plan Your Career
Things to Do
Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee
Hollywood Movies at the IMAX | Call (850) 645-7796 to Buy Tickets
Faculty and Staff tickets are $11. Check out all the new movies now playing, here.
Resources
Engineering Career Services
Virtual and F2F advising hours here.
FAMU Academics
Undergraduate Links to academic info, student services, student life and more.
Grad Links to academic info, grad student services and more.
FSU Student Academic Resources
Undergraduate Links to academic info, official university announcements and public health information.
Grad Links to graduate student academic info, official university announcements and public health information.
Online Scholarship Search
FAMU Scholarships
FSU Scholarships
In Case of Emergencies
Call 9-1-1. If you have concerns about your safety while on the engineering campus, call FSU Police 850-644-1234.
The Engineering Library Circulation Desk
Hours are: Monday - Friday – 8am to 5pm | (850) 410-6328 | A225 & A248
College Lost and Found
Student Services in B111 is the college lost and found location. If you've found something, drop it off here and if you've lost something, check here first!
Need a Mental Health Break?
Welcome to the Breakroom, B226-H, which is available for one person at a time, from 9:00 am - 4:50 pm on normal business days. Reserve a 50-minute slot using this link.
FAMU Counseling Services and Support
Check online here for more information about individual or group counseling services.
To schedule an appointment, you can walk in or contact the office by phone at 850-599-3145.
If you are experiencing a crisis and need to speak with a counselor when our office is closed, call BetterMynd for FREE at (844) 287-6963.
FSU Employee Mental Health & Wellbeing Support
If you are struggling, please visit the Employee Mental Health & Wellbeing Support page for a list of on-campus and community resources.
If you are in crisis or need immediate intervention, contact FSU PD at (850) 644-1234. To reach the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988.
Questions? Contact the Employee Assistance Program at (850) 644-2288.
Want to add something to the next issue?
Email us! Deadline is Wednesday for Monday publication.