Grad News

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering news for graduate students

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Register Now! Launch Ring Ceremony Registration Deadline is April 3

Tuesday, April 21 from 6:00PM-8:00PM
Registration begins Now.
Come to Student Services in B111 to size and order your ring.
Deadline to register is April 3, 2026.

Graduating seniors, graduate students and faculty are invited to participate!\

 

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DOE SCGSR Program for Graduate Students

Are you a Ph.D. student looking to energize your dissertation with world-class scientific power at a DOE laboratory or facility? The DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for 2026 Solicitation 1, due May 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Login here. Attend the upcoming Application Assistance Workshops to learn more about the DOE SCGSR program, receive application guidance, and field questions to program area scientists!

 

Application Assistance Workshops 

Workshop 2: Q&A and Application Guidance/ Proposal Writing

April 9, 2026, 2:00PM-4:30PM ET

Register Here.

 

Additional Questions? Attend our weekly virtual office hours: Fridays 1:00-2:00 PM ET thru May 1^st

ZOOM Office Hours here.

 

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Library News: Understanding Academic Publishing Workshops

Understanding Academic Publishing is a workshop series designed to help students, faculty, and staff build practical skills in publishing and disseminating research. Workshops address research planning, the publication process, writing across different academic genres, copyright and permissions, open access, and research impact. Each session emphasizes practical tools and techniques to support publication. The series runs now through March 24 with workshops being held in the Strozier Library on the main FSU campus. More information and registration can be found here.

 

 

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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: Spring 2026 Hours - Mon - Fri, 7:30am - 3:00pm  | Menu 

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#2 Research Town Hall, VP Research Charles Weatherford, March 23, 2026, 3:00P-5:00P, MRB 114 (Liang)

ChE Undergraduate Townhall, March 24, 2026, 5:00P-7:00P, B210 (Gaughf)

CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, March 25, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)

BME Undergraduate Townhall, March 26, 2026, 5:00P-7:00P, B210 (Gaughf)

CBE Research Day + DDS Frank Bates, March 27, 2026, 2:30-3:30pm DDS, IRCB and Awards at 3:30pm, IRCB

DCQC Workshop: Modal Analysis, March 27, 2026, 2P-4P, AME 106 (Shoele)

FAMU Spring Preview at Engineering, March 28, 2026, 11:00A-1:00P, A Atrium (Roberts)

Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, March 28, 2026 9A-4P, B135 (Ernst)

NSBE JR. Meetings, March 28, 2026, 11:00A-1:00P, A125 (McGill)

CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, April 1, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)

Launch Ring Ceremony Registration Deadline, April 3, 2026 | Go to B111 Student Services to size/order your ring!

DCQC Workshop: Applied CFD (SU2), April 3, 2026, 2P-4P, AME 106 (Shoele)

Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, April 4, 2026 9A-4P, B235 (Ernst)

CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, April 8, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)

Florida Quantum Conference, April 9-11, 2026, TBD at FSU Kroto Auditorium

Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 10, 2026, Poster session: 10:00am-12:00pm; Lunch, speaker and awards, 12:00pm-1:30pm, TBD (AbdelRazig)

Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, April 11, 2026 9A-4P, B235 (Ernst)

NSBE JR. Meetings, April 11, 2026, 11:00A-1:00P, A125 (McGill)

CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, April 15, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)

2026 Tallahassee Regional, REBUILT, FIRSTAGE and FIRST Robotics Competition, April 15-18, 2026, Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center, (Keller) | Volunteers from among our faculty, staff and students needed! No experience required.

FAMU Day of Giving, April 16-17, 2026

Graduate Research Symposium, April 16, 2026, 4:30-6:00pm, TBD (Jacobs)

(R-SEAT) Center Annual UTC Conference, April 16-17, 2026, 8:00am-3:00pm, IRCB (Bryant) – Registration closes on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 5:30 PM.

College Advisory Boards, April 16-17, 2026, TBD, TBD

DCQC Workshop: JAX & Automatic Differentiation, April 17, 2026, 2P-4P, AME 106 (Shoele)

Senior Design Day, April 17, 2026, TBD, TBD. (Shearer)

Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, April 18, 2026 9A-4P, B135 (Ernst)

ASCE Bridge Florida, April 18, 2026, 8:00A-12:00P, COE (Spainhour)

Launch Ceremony, April 21, 2026, 6P-8P, COE B Lawn (Rambo-Roddenberry)

CBS Survivor Weekly Watch Party, April 22, 2026, 7:30P, Proof Brewery Co. (Shearer)

Last Day of Classes, April 24, 2026

Faculty & Staff Meeting, April 24, 2026, 1P-3:30P B221 (Brown)

Brilliant Resilience Saturday School, April 25, 2026 9A-4P, B135 (Ernst)

NSBE JR. Meetings, April 25, 2026, 11:00A-1:00P, A125 (McGill)

Final Exam Week, April 27-May 1

PhD Brunch, April 30, 2026, 10:00am-12:00pm, IRCB 1030 (Evans)

Spring FSU MS, BS Commencement, May 1, 2026, 2:00pm, Civic Center

Spring FSU PhD Hooding, 9:00am, Civic Center

Spring FAMU Commencement, May 2, 2026, 2:00P, Lawson Multipurpose Center

Leon County Schools STEAM Challenge, May 8, 2026,  8:00A-1:30P, A atrium

Memorial Day Holiday, May 25, 2026, College Closed

 

Bookmark college events webpage. 

 

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2026 First Fridays Quantum Bites Brown Bag Lunch Series

There will be no seminar on Friday, 04/10, since we will be hosting the Florida Quantum Conference (FQC) on April 9–11, 2026 at the FSU Chemical Sciences Laboratory (Kroto Auditorium). Event details and registration are available here.

QUESTIONS? Feel free to reach out to Wei Guo at wguo@eng.famu.fsu.edu

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Spring 2026 Department Graduate Seminars

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Seminar - March 26, 2026

Multifunctional materials and their applications in advanced devices and systems, with speaker Wei Xue, Ph.D., Professor and Department Head, Mechanical Engineering Rowan University, New Jersey
Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., CAPS 120

 

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Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar - April 10, 2026

Quantum Computing: An Emerging Approach to Sustainability and Decarbonization in Buildings and Cities, with  speaker Dr. Zhipeng Deng, Assistant Professor Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering University of Central Florida
Friday, April 10, 2026 at 12:30 p.m., COE B134

 

 

 

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Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar - April 17, 2026

Surveying Reality (SurReal): Immersive Technologies in Surveying Education, with ​speaker Dr. Dimitrios Bolkas, Associate Professor and Program Chair, Surveying Engineering Program Pennsylvania State University
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 12:30 p.m., ZOOM https://bit.ly/4a7fYCQ

 

 

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Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Graduate Seminar - April 24, 2026

Decoding Plant Cell Walls: Lignin Chemistry and 2D Gel-State NMR: Structural Analysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass, ​with  speaker Dr. Hoon Kim, Research Chemist, USDA Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., COE B135

 

 

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Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar - April 24, 2026

Leveraging emerging technologies to address the crisis of aging concrete infrastructure, with  speaker Dr. Xianming Shi, Chairman and Professor ​Civil & Architectural Engineering University of Miami
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 12:30 p.m., COE B134 

 

 

 

 

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First Robotics Tallahassee Regional Competition, Call for Judges

The 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition game, REBUILT, has been released and we would like to invite you to see it in person as a judge for the Tallahassee Regional Event on April 17th and 18th, 2026 at the Alfred Lawson Center. 

This is a high school robotics program that brings teams from around the world to the FAMU campus to compete in a three (3) day tournament and they are need of judges for a two (2) day inspiring experience!  No experience is needed.

Teams this year will gather balls designated as fuel and shoot them into hubs to score points for their alliances.  At the end of the game teams will climb towers at their players station for bonus points. Being a judge will give you a front row seat to the excitement that is about to come to Tallahassee. The full game video can be found here.

Elise and Kelli will once again be the Co-Judge Advisors for the competition, and we are looking forward to working with new and returning judges. If you know someone else who might enjoy being a judge, please invite them to register as well!

Apply to volunteer today:

1. Login or Create an account here.
2. Click the Volunteer Registration tab & click ‘Volunteer at an Event’
3. Filter events by program (FRC) and area to find an event near you
4. Select roles you are interested in (Judge)
5. Complete your required youth protection background screening (applicable every 3 years in US & Canada only) & ensure you have agreed to the Consent & Release Form.

As a reminder, judging is two full days of fun. As we get closer to the event, we’ll be assigning you to judge for Machine Attributes, Team Attribute awards, or as a Match Observer. If you have a preference, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

Get ready for an exciting two days - we guarantee you will continue to be amazed at the creativity and energy displayed by the students and their adult mentors. 

Finally, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.  We can’t wait to see you in Tallahassee!

Kelli Van Antwerp & Elise Cronin-Hurley

FIRST Robotics Competition Co-Judge Advisors

Tallahassee  Regional, FIRST Robotics Competition

www.tallahasseefrc.org | tallahasseeregional@gmail.com

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FSU CFA Performance Schedule

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Dissertation and Thesis Defenses

 

DISSERTATION DEFENSES

Samantha Lafrance, Monday, March 23, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Event Location: Virtual

Ahmad Alshami, Monday, March 23, 2026 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Event Location: RIDER C10

 

THESIS DEFENSES - TBA

 

For full defense announcement info click here.

 

 

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Opportunities for Graduates

DOE SCGSR Applications Now Open

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is accepting applications for the 2026 Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program. Deadline: May 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. 

Key Actions:

• Apply: Online here.
• Workshop 1 (Program overview): March 5, 2026, 2–3:30 p.m. ET (Zoom link in original email)
• Workshop 2 (Application guidance): April 9, 2026, 2–4:30 p.m. ET (Zoom link in original email)
• Weekly office hours: Fridays, 1–2 p.m. ET starting March 6 (Zoom link in original email)

The program provides supplemental support for graduate students conducting thesis research at DOE National Labs, with potential international research opportunities.

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CIWRO Research Scientist Open Position

Research Scientist – Improving Short-term Fire Weather Warning Guidance 

Overview
The Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO) seeks a highly motivated individual to improve high resolution fire weather warning guidance using high resolution forecast models such as the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS). Fire weather watch and warning guidance can use short-term 0-6 hour probabilistic forecasts of atmospheric smoke from satellite detected wildfires, and the conditions for which fire spread may be likely to occur. The primary task of this position is to further improve future fire weather warning guidance through coupling of WoFS or similar systems with fire spread models, development of innovative visualization products, and verification of these improvements against radar and satellite observations. This is a Research Scientist position to be located in Norman Oklahoma at the National Weather Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma.

More details about working at the University of Oklahoma, benefits packages, as well as living in Norman, Oklahoma are provided on our website. We are dedicated to promoting a healthy work-life balance by championing a flexible work culture, offering adaptable work hours and a hybrid work arrangement. This empowering framework enables team members to seamlessly navigate personal commitments while effectively contributing to their professional responsibilities. 

How to apply

Applications should be mailed to ciwro-careers@ou.edu Attn: Fire and include a cover letter, the names and contact information for 3 references, and your resume/cv. The cover letter must highlight your relevant qualifications and how they can contribute to high resolution fire weather forecasting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The starting date is negotiable.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

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FAMU Graduate Research Studies

GFSD Application is Open NOW

Apply Now - The Application is Open | click link here

A PERFECT MATCH doctoral degree a potential National Physical– with a great future ahead.
The GFSD is more than a way to help promising science students earn their advanced degree. It offers an opportunity for employers across the United States to play a major role in training tomorrow’s scientists while enhancing and diversifying their workforce. The GFSD provides an important service to businesses, industries and laboratories by identifying tomorrow’s most promising scientists and matching them with employer-sponsors who support their doctoral training. GFSD assists employers with mentoring and other ways of increasing the likelihood that GFSD fellows will work for their sponsor after the Ph.D. Employer sponsors include the nation’s top agencies, companies and laboratories, along with more than 100 public and private universities. With an outstanding record of success, the GFSD brings today’s industry leaders together with tomorrow’s most promising science scholars – a perfect match.

ABOUT GFSD

The Graduate Fellowship for STEM Diversity is a unique partnership of industry, government and higher education. GFSD helps its partners to recruit, identify, select, and support outstanding U.S. doctoral students. Since granting its first fellowship award to seven young scholars in 1989, the GFSD partnership has provided fellowships to more than 600 aspiring scientists and engineers. Of these, nearly half are minorities and three-quarters are women. More than 300 have received the doctorate degree. GFSD’s principal objective is to aid in increasing the number of Ph.D.’s in the physical sciences and related engineering fields, emphasizing recruitment of a diverse applicant pool of women
and historically underrepresented minorities. All U.S. citizens are eligible.

GFSD GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP

GFSD Offers A two-phase, six-year fellowship program 

1. Initial support is for two or three years. If progress is satisfactory and the conditions of the award are maintained, support may continue for a total of up to six years. Students typically apply while seniors in college. (Some employers may require a postdoctoral employment commitment in return for continuing support.)
2. Dissertation support is also available to students to apply for in the year prior to the one in which they intend to start their Ph.D. dissertation research. Funding begins in the year in which the research begins and, if the conditions of the award are maintained, may continue to the Ph.D.

BECOME AN GFSD FELLOW

To learn more and to apply online, go to www.stemfellowships.org. Students may apply starting in late August; the process closes in late December (see www.stemfellowships.org for exact dates). The information included on the online application is the same as that required for graduate school admission: degrees earned and expected, employment and internship history, grades (self-entered and later verified), GRE scores (optional), references, personal statement, etc. The Fellowship covers tuition and fees and provides a generous annual stipend. Students in the six-year program intern for two summers with their sponsor, who provides a salary and covers travel expenses. For students who receive six years of support, the total value of the Fellowship well exceeds $200,000.

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Graduate Student Association (GSA) Opportunities @FAMU

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FSU ACE Learning Studio

FSU's Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) is a university learning center, focused on helping students develop the study skills and success habits needed in a large research university. Check back here for the calendar of topics, dates and times.

 

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Need to Know

A Message from FAMU DPS: How to Respond to Bomb Threats

In light of recent swatting calls related to bomb threats, the FAMU Department of Public Safety is sharing the following checklist for your awareness. This quick reference checklist is designed to help employees and decision makers respond to a bomb threat in an orderly and controlled manner with the first responders and other stakeholders.

A bomb threat is defined as a communication made through mail, e-mail, telephone, telegram, or another instrument of commerce that willfully conveys a threat or maliciously provides false information known to be untrue. The communication may concern an attempt, actual or threatened, to kill, injure, or intimidate an individual, or to unlawfully damage or destroy any building, vehicle, or other real or personal property by means of an explosive.

Please review the tips below and download a copy of the checklist for your records. Thank you for your support to keep our campus community informed and safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Audrey Alexander. 

Download the Bomb Threat Procedures and Bomb Threat Checklist here.

–Chief Audrey Alexander, FAMU Department of Public Safety)

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Advancing Digital Accessibility at FSU: Federal Updates

Florida State University is one of the top public universities in the nation, and now we have an opportunity to lead the way in digital accessibility, setting an example for other institutions by prioritizing inclusive access for everyone.  

Digital accessibility means making sure websites, apps, and all online materials are easy for everyone to use, including people with disabilities. This involves designing and creating content so that it works for people who might use screen readers, need captions for videos, or rely on keyboard navigation. Making digital content accessible helps everyone participate fully — no one gets left out. 

Why Digital Accessibility Matters  

FSU is legally required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its updated regulations to ensure all public-facing digital content is accessible to everyone. Digital accessibility is a legal obligation and a reflection of our values as educators. By making our materials accessible, we support an inclusive environment where all students, staff, and visitors can engage fully with our content, regardless of their abilities.  

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new rule on digital accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This rule requires FSU's web content, including academic courses, videos, documents and social media, to be accessible beginning on April 24, 2026, and going forward. 

Shared Responsibility and Resources 

Compliance is a university-wide responsibility. Departments and units are responsible for reviewing and remediating legacy content. While a dedicated task force has been working diligently on this major undertaking, it will take all of us to meet the requirements of the rule. 

To help FSU meet these requirements, the task force has developed a dedicated website with guides, standards, and best practices at digitalaccessibility.fsu.edu. 

We know there will be questions, so we have created an email address (digitalaccessibility@fsu.edu) where you and your teams can reach out if you need additional support. 

What to Do Next 

1. Familiarize yourself with the digital accessibility standards, guidelines and resources on digitalaccessibility.fsu.edu. 
2. Review all digital content you create or manage to ensure it meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements. Get started here. 
3. Update or remediate existing materials for accessibility as needed, especially if they are publicly facing. 
4. Identify the appropriate contact within your department or unit for assistance with remediating content or creating accessible materials. 
5. If you need specific guidance, reach out to our accessibility task force support team at digitalaccessibility@fsu.edu.  

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REMINDER: COE Parking Regulations & Motorcycle/Scooter Parking

In order to provide the safest environment possible, Parking Services and FSUPD issue parking citations and/or tow vehicles which are not properly parked at the College of Engineering (vehicles must be legally parked in an appropriate space). This includes those vehicles which are parked in the grass, in no-parking areas, next to red or yellow painted curbs, those that have jumped a curb, or those that park in hashed-out spaces. Vehicles illegally parked in reserved spaces will be immediately ticketed/towed at the owner's expense.
 
REMEMBER: Parking is never allowed on the grass (vehicles must be legally parked in an appropriate space). See the parking map here.

Motorcycle and scooter parking: There is very limited space for motorcycles and scooters at the COE. In the A Bldg. lot, there is a small area reserved for motorcycles and scooters. There is no motorcycle/scooter parking in the B Bldg. lot. Motorcycles and scooters also cannot park on walkways, in handicap spaces, or in regular parking spaces at the COE. Those that park anywhere at the COE other than the designated location in the A Bldg. lot will be in violation of university parking regulations and may be ticketed. Motorcycles and scooters can park in the overflow lot (yay!).

Additional spaces are available in the overflow lot between the B parking lot and the AME building. This lot extends to the end of Innovation Park (it’s huge! See the map here). 

Don’t forget, students/faculty/staff can take the bus to and from the College, FAMU, and FSU for free with a valid University ID. Carpooling and Biking are also great! 

Pedestrians, please look up from your phones before stepping out into the street when leaving the building. We hope that everyone can come and go safely from the college.

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Engineering Library Scholar Support

For Students

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. 

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.

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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.  

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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.  

WATH: 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.

Learn more about FSU ALERT

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. 

• Emergency Preparedness Guide

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.   

• 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.
  • WATCH: Run, Hide, Fight video
  • WATCH: Active Threat Training video

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. 

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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: 

Keep up with the plan here.

 

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Good to Know

Welcome Our Newest Employees

Carter Parent is a junior biomedical engineering student at Florida State University, involved in cell and tissue engineering research. Carter also works as a service technician for College Computing Services (CCS). He plans to pursue a career at the intersection of engineering and medicine.

 

 

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Kyle Sweatt joined the College Computing Services (CCS) team as an assistant after spending several years in the
electrical field. Kyle is currently expanding his IT knowledge through certifications and hands‑on projects at home.

 

 

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Kris DeMarco is a Computer Technician at College Computing Services and a current MSIT student at FSU. Originally, from Naples, Florida, Kris is excited to begin his career here at the College of Engineering and he looks forward to continuing to learn, grow, and help support faculty, staff, and students.

 

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Hailey Christy is a Digital Content Creator at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, where she films, edits, and produces
social media videos that highlight student life, research, and campus activities. Her work focuses on creating engaging, student-centered content that connects with a wide audience. She is currently pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering at the college. 

 

 

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 Findley Tucker serves as a Graduate Enrollment Specialist, supporting prospective students as they navigate the application process. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through pickleball and running.

 

 

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Shalinee Chikara is an experimental physicist by training and professional experience. The current pivot (pun-intended)
in her career role as a data analyst in the dean's office at JCOE, is part of the data partners program at FSU's Office of Institutional Research. She works to address the distinct and specialized data needs of the FAMU‑FSU College of Engineering by transforming complex institutional datasets into actionable insights. 

 

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 Rojan Saghian is a postdoctoral researcher at Florida State University whose work bridges bioengineering, physics, and data science. Her research leverages computational modeling and imaging to study blood flow and coagulation, with a particular interest in understanding mechanisms underlying abnormal bleeding.

 

 

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Xiuming Sun is a Research Faculty in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the FAMU–FSU College of Engineering. Her research focuses on understanding and predicting water quality dynamics in regulated river–estuary systems, with particular emphasis on nutrient pollution, harmful algal blooms, and the combined effects of climate variability, hydrology, and human water management. Her work integrates long-term environmental monitoring data, hydrological analysis, and machine-learning approaches to identify spatiotemporal patterns and key drivers of water quality change. Dr. Sun’s research supports applied decision-making for water resources management and ecosystem resilience in Florida’s coastal and estuarine environments.

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 Mehrdad Kiani is an Assistant Professor in Materials Science and Engineering looking at understanding mechanical and 
electronic behaviors across varying length scales. His work integrates scalable and rapid nanomanufacturing with advanced in situ characterization techniques to probe materials with novel electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties for applications ranging from nanoelectronics to fusion materials. He received his PhD from Stanford University in 2021 and was a postdoc at Cornell University prior to joining FAMU-FSU.

 

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Audrey Fisher has joined the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering as our new  Assistant  Dean for Administration. Audrey brings a strong background in administration, finance, and leadership. She previously served as the Assistant Director of Budget & Finance at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts. Prior to joining FSU, Audrey worked as a Partner in a Florida-based law firm, where she handled all aspects of civil litigation.

In her role as Assistant Dean for Administration, Audrey will oversee the College’s administrative and operational functions, including financial management, budgeting, human resources, and other key administrative areas that support the College’s academic and research mission.

Audrey earned her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and her law degree from Florida State University. She and her husband, Brett, have two children, Kathryn (8) and Colin (4).

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Website Transition Update – Materials & Aerospace Engineering

You may have noticed changes on the college website regarding the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. Following the department's renaming, the website will be updated to reflect the new name. Most page titles and text references to the department have already been changed from "Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering" and "MAE" within those department web pages where appropriate. I am still working on updating language site-wide.

URLs have also been changed; however, if you type in or click on an old link within our site, it should redirect you to the proper page. For example, the Undergraduate Admissions page URL has been updated, but if you type in or use this link, it will still take you to MAE Undergraduate Admissions webpage.

File names will not change, meaning links to PDFs, images, and other media items housed on the website will stay the same.

While I've tried to make this transition as smooth as possible, I expect there will be some interruptions and broken pathways. If you encounter an issue, please notify me via the website update request form or by email. 

Ginny Fouts
(she/her/hers)
Web Content Marketing Strategist

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Final Reminder - LEED Training Workshops - May 2026 Deadline

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ORNL Internship and Job Opportunities: March 2026

ORNL Opportunities | A Newsletter of Internships and Jobs for New Graduates: March 2026

March marks the month where we are making the final matches for summer undergraduate mentorships, with all the traditional applications being closed. 

However, workarounds are available in special cases where a mentor and student are identified already.  Please contact me if you run into this.  March also marks the opening of the Fall internship recruiting season.  For obvious reasons, these are less popular than summer, but you should know that we do offer our normal undergraduate internships on time frame that correspond roughly to your Fall, Spring and Summer periods. 

Graduate internships under the GRO program do not have any deadline; they are handled on a rolling basis.  However, the process does take some time…so we do advise students to reach out to potential mentors very soon if they wish to come for a full summer.  

William Jenks | Core Universities Student Programs Lead, Office of Research Education, Oak Ridge National  Laboratory, jenksws@ornl.gov  |  515-451-4711

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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

CPDC Website | Handshake 

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FSU - Tiffany Lueng Career Liaison for the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

Spring 2026 Student Advising Hours

Career Advising by Appointment Only

• In-Person: Tuesday - Thursday, A141 
• Virtual: 9:00am-4:00pm

Please email tleung@fsu.edu to schedule an appointment.

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

 

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Things to Do

Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee

Hollywood Movies at the IMAX | Call (850) 645-7796 to Buy Tickets

Student tickets are $11. Check out all the new movies now playing, here.

 

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Resources

Engineering Career Services
Virtual and F2F advising hours here.

FAMU Academics
Links to academic info, student services, student life and more.

FSU Student Academic Resources
Links to 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.

Access important resources and updates at: RESPONSE.FSU.EDU

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 Office of Counseling Services located at 1735 Wahnish Way Suite 304 (CASS Building), provides a professional, safe atmosphere where students can discuss academic and personal issues. Schedule an appointment to talk to someone: (850) 599-3145 or counseling@famu.edu. For after-hours assistance, call BetterMynd for FREE at (844) 287-6963. In case of emergency, call FAMU Police Department at (850) 599-3256 or dial 911

FSU Counseling & Psychological Services is fully committed to the health and wellness of our students. We are offering Telemental Health Services (through zoom), in-person services, and Telephonic Crisis Support to students. Call us at 850-644-TALK (8255) to talk to a clinician today. Check online for more information.

 

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Want to add something to the next issue?

Email us! Deadline is Wednesday for Monday publication.