Florida State University has appointed Austin McDonald as assistant dean of Undergraduate Studies and the new director of the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), which serves first-generation undergraduate students and others who may face challenges in college such as economic or educational circumstances.

McDonald has served as program director in CARE since 2023, including as the faculty director for First-Generation Noles Living-Learning Community (FGEN-Noles LLC), a first-year residence hall community for first-generation students.

Dean of Undergraduate Studies DeOnte Brown, who previously served as director of CARE, said McDonald was appointed for his student-centered approach and innovative spirit.

“Dr. McDonald’s genuine and humble personality allows him to develop rapport with colleagues and students in a way that shows value for everyone,” Brown said. “I have appreciated his intentional engagement with students to support them in maximizing the opportunities in college and also in challenging them to exceed their own expectations. He has also shown a commitment to our staff and faculty in CARE by supporting and encouraging them to engage in research and assessment work or offering professional learning moments.”

The CARE director and assistant dean role works with both Undergraduate Studies and Student Affairs divisions. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Brandon Bowden said he is excited to work with McDonald.

“We have full confidence in and commitment to Dr. McDonald’s success,” Bowden said. “His previous work in other Student Affairs divisions and his current engagement in our programs will only help to amplify our student services and support not only for CARE students, but so many students beyond CARE.”

The post FSU’s Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement names Austin McDonald new director, assistant dean of Undergraduate Studies appeared first on Florida State University News.

The Florida State University Libraries is now home to the James and Betty Lou Joanos Collection, one of the most comprehensive personal records documenting the university’s evolution. 

Donated by Betty Lou in honor of her late husband, the Honorable James E. Joanos, the collection offers a window into FSU’s history. 

“The Joanos Collection is more than a set of memorabilia; it is a historical map of how Florida State evolved over seven decades,” said Carrie Cooper, dean of FSU Libraries. “By bringing these materials into our archives, we preserve our institutional history and the memory of a couple whose lives have touched generations of alumni at Florida State University.” 

Known across campus as “Mr. and Mrs. FSU,” James and Betty Lou Joanos defined their lives through their relationship with the university. Their story is one of a lifelong partnership rooted in Tallahassee, beginning with a first date during the Homecoming weekend as FSU students over 70 years ago.  

FSU Libraries figures prominently in their love story; it was in the original library in Dodd Hall — known today as the Werkmeister Reading Room — that James asked Betty Lou for that Homecoming date, which lasted the rest of their lives. 

The post FSU Libraries preserves university history through the James and Betty Lou Joanos Collection appeared first on Florida State University News.

A Florida State University student created a buzz by impressing a panel of judges at the Shark-Tank-style ACC InVenture Prize competition held at the University of Notre Dame.

Hugo Davies, majoring in STEM entrepreneurship with a concentration in computer science, earned the coveted People’s Choice Award at the competition. He received the most votes of any ACC competitor after delivering a dynamic pitch about his artificial intelligence startup called KeyRise. 

The post Pitch perfect: FSU student wins People’s Choice Award at ACC InVenture Prize competition appeared first on Florida State University News.

Two students in Florida State University’s Forensics Program were recently named worldwide champions after competing at the International Forensics Association tournament, which took place March 8-12 in Athens, Greece.

FSU students Harleigh Demchak, a junior studying economics, and Zoey Rotenberry, a senior studying political science, won first place at the 36th Annual International Forensics Association Speech and Debate Tournament and Conference under the guidance of Avery Henry, program director and teaching faculty II in the College of Communication and Information. 

“This win fills me with pride because it is evidence of the hard work and dedication the team has put in this season,” Henry said. “In addition, it affords FSU the ability to market ourselves as international debate champions. We are the best in the world at NPDA (National Parliamentary Debate Association) style debate.” 

Forensics, a term taken from Aristotle’s classification of the types of rhetoric, is a type of judicial rhetoric with the aim of persuading a judge. Modern competitive forensics builds on this Aristotelian art by usingevidence, logic and persuasive speech to win a judge’s ballot. 

The FSU Forensics Program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to develop their communication skills through participation in one of two nationally competitive traveling squads: the speech or debate team. Students travel several weekends each semester to intercollegiate speech or debate tournaments where they can compete against fellow students and receive feedback from members of the academic community.   

“Being part of the FSU Forensics Team has solidified my decision to pursue a career in law,” Demchak said. “Participating in critical debates and engaging with complex concepts has deepened my appreciation for argumentation and research. “Overall, the experience has strengthened both my passion for the activity and my long-term academic and professional goals.” 

Throughout this season, members of the Forensics Program traveled to cities such as Portland, Las Vegas, Dallas and Nashville, in addition to competing internationally in Greece. This year the program will compete in a total of 14 domestic and international competitions. These experiences allow students to engage with peers from across the world while gaining cultural exposure. 

“Competitive forensics gives students the opportunity to travel all over, compete against some of the brightest minds, and gain cultural experiences that are not available when you are just learning in the classroom,” Henry said. 

The International Forensics Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and expanding speech and debate on a global scale. It supports students and programs by creating opportunities for international competition, collaboration and cultural exchange. Every year the International Forensics Association hosts a tournament in alternating geographic locations. In addition to competing, students are given opportunities to engage in educational and cultural activities in the host country.  

While in Athens, the team explored iconic landmarks and immersed themselves in Greece’s rich educational and intellectual history. In addition to competing, they toured sites such as the Acropolis, the Agoraand Pnyx Hill, which are widely recognized as the origins of speech and debate in the Western world. 

“The actual debate tournament and topics revolved around Greek history or Greek policy, so being able to go and absorb the culture and learn more about the history of Greece was pivotal to our success for debate rounds,” Rotenberry said. “Being able to immerse myself in the modern and ancient world of Greece was a formative and surreal experience that I will be forever grateful for.” 

Between competitions, members engage in rigorous preparation, meeting twice a week to refine valuable skills in critical thinking, public speaking and persuasive communication. Students spend months researching and debating complex global issues including nuclear policy, artificial intelligence and environmental exploration, developing a deep understanding of a range of contemporary topics. 

“Being a part of the FSU debate team has forever changed my academic goals, depth of knowledge, and even changed me as a person,” Rotenberry said. “Before joining the FSU debate team, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do.  After joining the debate team and debating policy, I finally found direction in a career and academic sense.” 

In addition to the team’s recent success in Athens, the FSU Forensics Program earned top honors at the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Championship this year, bringing home both the first place Limited Entry Sweepstakes and first place Overall Debate Sweepstakes trophies.  

“Students in competitive forensics have to gain a fluency to understanding topic areas, collecting research to be used as evidence, and then publicly test their arguments against some of the smartest students from schools all across the nation or in some cases the world,” Henry said. 

The Forensics Program’s competitive season runs from September through mid-April. The program maintains an open-door policy, welcoming students of all degrees and experience levels to get involved. Those interested in joining can reach out to team director Avery Henry or attend a team meeting, held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in UCC 4415.  

To learn more about the College of Communication and Information, visit their website at cci.fsu.edu. For more information about FSU’s global footprint, visit the FSU Global website.  

The post FSU students named worldwide champions after earning first place at international forensics tournament in Greece appeared first on Florida State University News.

The Florida State University Department of Art will host an opening reception for its annual Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition on April 17, celebrating the work of graduating students in the BFA Studio Art Program.

The collaborative exhibition, entitled “A New Paradigm,” features artwork by eight graduating BFA students: Alex Davidoff, Addison Ellis, Audrey Femia, Audrey Lendvay, Antonia Pretelt, Joanna Godfrey, Leah Linkogle and Mari Mitchell.

Each student’s artistic practice uses a variety of media, including ceramics, digital fabrication, drawing, installation, painting, papermaking, photography, printmaking and sculpture. The exhibition considers the shifting societal frameworks the students see within the present day. The title describes the culmination of their journey at FSU as they embark on their careers.

The post FSU Department of Art presents exhibition highlighting work by graduating BFA students appeared first on Florida State University News.

Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have developed a rechargeable zinc-ion battery that uses low-cost materials and a simplified water-based assembly process to make safer reliable batteries. The approach could reshape how utility-level energy storage and home energy systems are designed and manufactured.

The work, led by Professor Petru Andrei of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and doctoral student Peng Wang, was published in ACS Omega.

Meeting the demand for improved battery technology

Demand for reliable, safe and eco-friendly batteries continues to grow across industries, from consumer electronics to electric vehicles to medical devices. Lithium-ion batteries remain the industry standard, but their safety concerns — overheating and flammability chief among them — along with their environmental footprint have pushed researchers to explore alternatives.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries, known as AZIBs, offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendlier option. Their widespread use has been held back by technical hurdles: short-circuiting caused by dendrite growth, complex manufacturing and limited long-term stability.

Dendrites are tiny metal structures that form inside batteries during charging. When they grow unchecked, they can pierce internal barriers and cause short circuits or outright failure.

How it works: solving the dendrite problem

To address those challenges, the FAMU-FSU team developed a new battery assembly approach. They integrated a specialized hydrogel electrolyte with electrodeposition of manganese dioxide, meaning a critical battery component grows directly inside the cell during assembly rather than being manufactured separately and inserted.

“We want to improve how aqueous zinc-ion batteries are made,” Andrei said. Everything is processed in water, with a nonflammable hydrogel that stabilizes and suppresses dendrites. These are tiny metal structures that can cause battery failure, making the assembly much simpler and significantly safer.”

The hydrogel is composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and aramid nanofibers derived from Kevlar, the same material used in body armor. Together they form a flexible, durable network that retains the battery’s electrolyte and physically blocks the formation of zinc dendrites. The battery charges and discharges rapidly over hundreds of cycles with minimal capacity loss, without the hazardous solvents or energy-intensive drying steps that conventional manufacturing requires.

A simpler manufacturing process

Traditional battery manufacturing relies on slurry mixing: Powdered electrode materials are combined with solvents to form a thick paste, coated onto metal foils and then dried. It is time-intensive and requires precise equipment and quality controls at every stage.

The FAMU-FSU approach eliminates that step entirely.

“This concept can be used in production in the future,” Andrei said. “Because our process is fully water-based and doesn’t require slurry mixing and drying steps, it can fit naturally into a manufacturing line.”

Removing that step reduces equipment needs and simplifies quality controls, offering a meaningful advantage for any manufacturer looking to scale production of next-generation energy storage.

Why it matters: grid-scale energy storage

The batteries maintained capacity after more than 900 rapid charge-and-discharge cycles and performed reliably under demanding conditions.

Those results have real-world implications. Grid-scale energy storage — the infrastructure that buffers power from solar and wind sources — demands batteries that are stable, long-lasting and inexpensive to produce at scale. Home energy backup systems face similar requirements.

“The future of this technology is safe, low-cost energy storage,” Andrei said. “I see it being used in applications where safety, cost and long cycle life matter more than high energy density, such as grid storage, home energy systems and large backup power. These are situations where batteries need to last a long time and be very reliable, even if they aren’t the most powerful. Our technology is designed for stability and safety, making it well-suited for these critical uses.”

The advances could also benefit flexible electronics and wearable medical devices, where battery flammability is a particular concern.

The research was supported by Florida State University.

The post FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers develop safer, water-based zinc-ion battery with 900-cycle durability appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University recognized graduate student achievement and leadership at the Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence, sponsored by The Graduate School and the Congress of Graduate Students, on April 6 at the FSU Alumni Center.

The celebration honored graduate students who have earned external fellowships and grants and those who have excelled in teaching, mentorship, leadership, participation in public discourse, and research and creative activity. Faculty mentors were also recognized for their work with graduate students.

“Florida State has attracted some of the top graduate students from Florida, from around the United States and from around the world,” said Steve McDowell, interim dean of The Graduate School. “Graduate students are central to undertaking FSU’s important missions of education, research and creative inquiry, and service.”

So far during the 2025-2026 academic year, FSU graduate students have won 135 national fellowships and grants, higher than last year’s near record of 131. That number is expected to grow and includes recognition and funding from the National Science Foundation, the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health, the Fulbright Program, the Florida Legislative and Gubernatorial Fellows programs and the McCain Global Leaders Program.

“Graduate funding opportunities are competitive by nature, and so it is a testament to the strength of FSU’s graduate programs and, most importantly, our graduate students, to have this number of externally funded students in a year,” said Keith McCall, assistant director of the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards.

The event kicked off Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week, a national observance FSU celebrates with a series of events focused on recognition, professional development, wellness and community connection.

The post FSU’s Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence touts impressive year of national fellowships and grants appeared first on Florida State University News.

The Florida State University School of Theatre presents “The Play That Goes Wrong,” a comedy by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, opening Friday at The Richard G. Fallon Theatre.

The show follows a troupe of actors who prove that even when their play unravels into a theatrical symphony of disasters, the show must go on.

“The School of Theatre ends the season with a bang … or in this case, perhaps a well-timed thud … as ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ leans wholeheartedly into its delightfully chaotic spirit,” says Brad Brock, director of the School of Theatre. “The show’s charm is undeniable. Everything just clicks — the writing is sharp, the set ‘mishaps’ are a puzzle the audience gets to enjoy and the cast brings such energy that you can’t help but get swept up in it. We want people to laugh so hard they leave with happy tears.”

The cast features FSU students Jacob Ost (Chris), Gabriel Martinez (Jonathan), Onyekachi Anyagaligbo (Roberta), Camryn Overstreet (Denise), Amanda Holton (Sandra), Adam Fuller (Max), Mckenna Brooke Noel (Annie) and Steffen Lawrence Robinson (Trevor).

The production is directed by Joz Vammer, with scenic design by Sophie Smrcka, lighting design by Naiomy Pérez Del Valle, sound design by Alroy Harry and costume design by Makenzie Vaughan.

Performances will run Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 19, at the Richard G. Fallon Theatre.

Tickets are available at tickets.theatre.fsu.edu. For more information on the FSU School of Theatre’s 2026-2027 season and academic programs, visit theatre.fsu.edu.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service under license from Mischief Worldwide Ltd.

The post FSU School of Theatre presents ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ appeared first on Florida State University News.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State University College of Law students didn’t just study Supreme Court cases this semester — they helped write a legal filing that was cited during oral arguments in a major election law case before the nation’s highest court.

Students in the Supreme Court Litigation course, taught by Michael T. Morley, Sheila M. McDevitt Professor of Law and FSU Election Law Center Faculty Director, and Maureen Wagner Vinson, FSU Election Law Center Executive Director, are gaining hands-on experience preparing briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. Through the course, students engage directly in amicus advocacy, learn Supreme Court procedure and develop high-level legal writing skills.

As part of the FSU College of Law’s 2026 Supreme Court Litigation course, students worked alongside Professor Morley to file an amicus brief in Watson v. RNC, a case that asks the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the meaning and scope of federal Election Day statutes — specifically, whether ballots received after Election Day in federal elections remain valid under federal law.

During oral arguments March 23, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh referenced Morley’s brief and the position advanced by the FSU Election Law Center. The exchange underscored FSU Law’s growing reputation as a national leader in experiential legal education and election law scholarship.

For second-year law student Lauren Bina, hearing the brief cited in court was both unexpected and unforgettable.

“The feeling of going to that YouTube link and hearing Professor Morley’s name being cited by Justice Kavanaugh was surreal,” Bina said.

Third-year law student Spencer Moreno said the moment validated months of intensive legal research and drafting — work that mirrors what attorneys do in appellate practice.

“We are so busy working on other briefs and other things. That wasn’t necessarily something we were checking for,” Moreno said. “But once Professor Vinson alerted us, we were definitely very excited to see that. Just hearing Professor Morley’s name cited by a current Supreme Court Justice was almost like a jump scare.”

“Providing students with the opportunity to contribute to a case before the U.S. Supreme Court reflects the kind of hands-on, high-impact learning that defines the Florida State University College of Law,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, Dean of the FSU College of Law. “Through experiences like the Supreme Court Litigation course and the work of our Election Law Center, our students are not only studying the law — they are helping shape it while developing the practical skills needed to lead in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.”

“Providing students with the opportunity to contribute to a case before the U.S. Supreme Court reflects the kind of hands-on, high-impact learning that defines the Florida State University College of Law.”

– Erin O’Hara O’Connor, Dean of the FSU College of Law

Watson v. RNC centers on a Mississippi law that allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to five days later. The Republican National Committee (RNC) argues that the policy is preempted in presidential and congressional elections by federal law, which establishes “Election Day” as a single day for federal elections.

To address that question, Professor Morley and his students examined congressional records dating back to the 19th century to uncover the original intent behind federal Election Day statutes.

“We were reviewing congressional record transcripts from the 1840s and the 1880s and piecing together the different floor statements that were made, the debates, the speeches, in order to tease out what the congressional purpose and the congressional intent was,” Professor Morley said of the team’s research.

The brief argued that the Supreme Court should interpret the statutes consistently with their original purpose: preventing voter fraud while preserving public confidence in election outcomes.

For Moreno, the fact that the Justices engaged directly with the argument captured the very purpose of filing an amicus brief.

“I think it was very, very surreal,” Moreno said. “I think it’s one of those things where you always hope they’re going to pay attention to what you say, that’s kind of the point of an amicus brief – you’re a friend of the court. You’re trying to bring up something that they’re not necessarily going to consider. The fact that they actually did read it and listened to our argument, we’re very pleased for sure.”

The brief’s citation elevates the national profile of the FSU Election Law Center and highlights the College of Law’s commitment to preparing practice-ready graduates capable of contributing to consequential legal debates.

From a Tallahassee classroom to the nation’s highest court, the experience is a reminder that student work at FSU can help shape the future of American election law.

The Center’s impact extends beyond the classroom. The FSU Election Law Center’s Spring Conference will be held in Washington, D.C., this year, bringing together the nation’s most preeminent election law scholars, leading policymakers, top litigators, election regulators and administrators, and other experts to tackle the most pressing issues affecting elections across the United States.

For more information about the Election Law Center, visit its website.

The post FSU students help shape Supreme Court debate in major election law case appeared first on Florida State University News.