Grad News

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering news for graduate students

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PepsiCo and FAMU-FSU COE Connect: Breakfast with Pep Reps

Enjoy breakfast and connect with PepsiCo representatives during a 20 minute chat. Get feedback on your resume, tips for strengthening your LinkedIn profile, interview advice or guidance on your career path. We're here to help.

• Date: Friday, September 11
• Time: 10:00am-12:00 pm
• Place: B202, COE

Sign up now as slots are limited. Scan the QR code here.

• Libraries: For information about office hours, upcoming library workshops, and other announcements, please check out the News & Events page of our FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Research Guide.
   
• 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: Hours: 7:30am-3:00pm, M-F  ​​| Menu

Labor Day, College closed, No Classes, September 7, 2026

CBE Grad Seminar with Lesley Chow, UF, September 11, 2026, 11:00am, B221 (Richbourg)

EDGE Involvement Fair, September 15, 2026, (Amwake), 4:00pm-6:00pm, A+B atriums

New Beginnings, New Connections, September 15, 2026, (Amwake), 6:30pm-7:30pm, B118

Engineering Resume Review Day, September 17, 2026, 9:00am-12:00pm, COE, A atrium | Virtually on Zoom, 1:00pm-3:00pm  (Leung)

FAMU Family Weekend, COE Tours, September 18, 2026, 9:00am-10am (Shearer)

Engineering Job & Internship Fair, September 22, 2026, 9:00am-2:00pm, COE, No Classes at COE (Leung)

Library Workshops: Web of Science and SciTech Premium for Graduate Students, September 24, 2026, 3:00pm-4:00pm, MRB 114 (Markum) Register here.

Seminole Futures Job & Internship Fair, September 24, 2026, 9:00am-3:00pm, FSU Campus

Dean’s Distinguished Seminar - Christina Thomas, Ph.D., September 25, 2026, 11:00am-12:15pm, IRCB 1030 (D. Lee)

FSU Family Weekend COE Open House, September 25, 2026, 3:00pm-5:00pm (Shearer)

FAMU Career & Internship Expo, September 30, 2026, 10:00am-3:00pm, Lawson Center, FAMU Campus

Library Workshops: ScienceDirect and Springer Nature Link for Graduate Students, November 10, 2026, 3:00pm-4:00pm, Virtual (Markum) Register here.

Bookmark college events webpage. 

Dissertation and Thesis Defenses

DISSERTATION DEFENSES - TBA

THESIS DEFENSES - TBA

For full defense announcement info click here.

Opportunities for Graduates

Five New HHMI Competitions Offering Generous Research Support for Students

Beginning this fall, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), the largest private biomedical research organization in the United States, is opening five competitions for biological and biomedical scientists across career stages – starting with the Gilliam Fellows competition for 2nd- and 3rd-year PhD students August 31.

We know that talented scientists are everywhere, and this year we want to do everything we can to ensure our programs reach as many potential applicants as possible, including at institutions where HHMI hasn’t historically had a strong presence.

Below are the competition open and close dates and details for each program that you can pass along to your faculty colleagues, postdocs, and PhD students. We also have a digital poster you can download here with information about all five programs.

• September 1 – October 27, 2026: Gilliam Fellows competition for 2nd- and 3rd-year PhD students
• November 3 – December 15, 2026: Combined competition for Freeman Hrabowski Scholars (early career faculty) and Hanna Gray Fellows (postdocs) open to postdocs and faculty at eligible institutions with up to seven years of experience since doctoral degree or transition to independence
• November 10 – December 17, 2026: Cech Fellows competition for rising undergraduate juniors and seniors to perform summer research in an HHMI lab
• September 28, 2027 – March 7, 2028: HHMI Investigator competition for any tenured or tenure-track faculty at an eligible institution with at least seven years' experience leading an independent lab and a current grant. No upper career stage limit.

HHMI Science Programs

Honors Program Graduate Teaching Fellowship Call for Applications

After a successful pilot last year, the University Honors Program is delighted to continue the Honors Graduate Teaching Fellowship with a call for applicants for the 2027 Fellows. Through this fellowship, the University Honors Program seeks to build on the university’s status as a preeminent research institution to provide novel academic experiences for our undergraduate students while also providing doctoral candidates with valuable professional development experience. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to design (Spring 2027) and teach (Fall 2027) an interdisciplinary Honors Discovery Course under the mentorship of Honors faculty. Honors Discovery Courses serve as a bridge between the interdisciplinary themes of the Honors Program and the more focused academic work of a major. These courses encourage students to think across disciplines, enrich student intellectual experiences, and create the next generation of innovative thinkers. By way of example, the inaugural cohort of Fellows designed the following courses which will be taught in the Fall 2026 semester: 

• Telling Stories with Science: Communicating Science to Any Audience
• Books as Objects or Literature
• Nutrition in the Age of Misinformation: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Modern Health Trends
• NPCs and Main Characters: The Psychology of the Self from Buddha to BeReal

More information can be found ​on this flyer​. 

Basic eligibility and benefit information is as follows:

• Eligibility
  • Applicants must be enrolled full-time and in good standing in a doctoral program at Florida State University
  • Applicants should be on track to complete all coursework requirements for their doctoral program prior to the Fall 2027 semester
• Benefits
  • Design and teach a unique, interdisciplinary course
  • Work with a small (24 max.) class of highly motivated and intellectually curious students
  • Funding for co-curricular programming
  • Mentorship from Honors faculty throughout the course design process in Spring 2027
  • $2500 per fellow in Spring 2027 as compensation for course design
  • The University Honors Program will transfer the equivalent of 0.5 FTE to the home department for Fall 2027 to buy out each fellow from all other teaching responsibilities

A QR code on the flyer leads to the applicant portal, which can also be accessed through this link. The deadline for applications to be received is midnight on October 1st, 2026. 

For questions about the Honors Graduate Teaching Fellowship, please contact Dr. Michael Furman (mfurman@fsu.edu) 

Knack: Student Helping Students Succeed

Students looking for additional assistance outside of the classroom can access free peer tutoring on Knack. Those who have performed well can get paid to tutor their pears. To get started, visit famu-fsu.joinknack.com and sign in with your student account. 

- Free for all FAMU-FSU CoEng Students
- Tutors who excelled o your course
- Meet online or in person
- Flexible scheduling
- Support when you need it

Click here to download the orientation flyer for the MOST information.

D-Wave Florida Position Open

D-Wave is currently hiring for a Senior Solutions Architect role to support the FAQT. The job description can be found here. If you are interested, please submit your resume by applying here. 

These are a few other technical roles that we have open in Florida:

• Research Technician III [581]
• Service Engineer II, USHQ [579]
• Team Lead, USHQ Lab Operations [580]
   

Allison Schwartz
SVP, Global Government 
Relations & Public Affairs 
E: aschwartz@dwavesys.com
P: 703.989.9991 
www.dwavesys.com

DOE’s Office of Science is now Accepting Applications for Graduate Student Research Awards

Students will perform graduate theses research at U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science announced today that the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for the 2026 solicitation 2. Applications are due on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. 

SCGSR application assistance workshops will be held on September 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. ET (register on zoom) and October 1, 2026, 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. ET (register here). The first workshop will provide a general overview of the program and application requirements. It will also include time for attendees to discuss their potential research topics and their alignment with the SCGSR priority areas with managers of each participating program office. The second workshop will guide attendees through the application process, answer general questions, provide guidance on proposal writing, and feature discussions with scientists and former awardees. Additionally, the program manager will host virtual office hours every Friday 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET starting on September 4, 2026 via this Zoom link.

The SCGSR program provides supplemental awards to outstanding U.S. graduate students for conducting part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE National Laboratory in collaboration with a DOE National Laboratory scientist. The goal of the program is to prepare graduate students for scientific and technical careers critically important to the mission of DOE’s Office of Science. The research opportunity will advance the graduate students’ overall graduate theses while providing access to the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at the host DOE National Laboratories. In addition, SCGSR awardees may have the opportunity for short international research visits to select prestigious centers to broaden their horizons.

Since its inception in 2014, the SCGSR program has provided support to over 1,400 graduate awardees from 175 U.S. universities to conduct thesis research at all 17 DOE National Laboratories across the nation. Areas of research include but are not limited to: physics, chemistry, materials science, planetary science, geosciences, biosciences (non-medical), fusion science and engineering, mathematics, computer and computational sciences, engineering, microelectronics, quantum information science, and artificial intelligence.

The SCGSR program is sponsored and managed by the Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, in collaboration with the Office of Science’s six research program offices and the DOE Isotope R&D and Production Office, as well as the DOE National Laboratories/facilities. Program administration support is provided by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. 

More information on the SCGSR program can be found by visiting the SCGSR program website or by emailing the SCGSR team.

Exciting Fellowship Opportunities @ Sandia: Hruby and Truman Postdoctoral Fellowships Now Open

Sandia National Laboratories is now accepting applications for distinguished postdoctoral fellowships: the Laboratory Director Jill Hruby Postdoctoral Fellowship and the President Harry S. Truman Postdoctoral Fellowship. These fellowships attract nationally recognized early-career Ph.D. scientists and engineers who are ready to make an impact.
 
Both fellowships offer fully supported, self-directed three-year appointments, including access to cutting-edge instruments, generous research budgets, expert mentoring, and competitive salaries - all while contributing to vital national security missions.
 

• The Hruby Fellowship aims to develop early-career researchers in engineering and science fields interested in technical leadership careers in national security, while enabling fellows to lead their own innovative research projects. If you are interested in learning more about the Hruby Fellowship, click here .
• The Truman Fellowship aims to foster creativity and stimulate exploration of science and technology and high-risk R&D by enabling the fellows to lead their own innovative research project. If you are interested in learning more about the Truman Fellowship, click here . 

 
Please help us share the exciting distinguished postdoctoral fellowships at Sandia National Laboratories with your university network. Please forward this information to your faculty, deans, and especially PhD students. Applications are due by Thursday, October 1, 2026.
 
Don’t miss our upcoming Information Sessions!
Hosted by the Sandia Postdoctoral Program Office, this session is a great opportunity to learn about fellowships, understand the application process, and have your questions answered during a live Q&A. Please see the attached flyer for the Information Session dates, times, and access link. 

Daniel B. Sinars, Ph.D.
Center Director and Deputy Chief Research Officer
Sandia National Laboratories

R&D Laboratory Intern — Battery Cell Engineering

On-site, hands-on lab role · Supervised by full-time technical staff · Tallahassee, FL · Paid, part-time · Variable duration

Piersica is a battery technology company developing next-generation lithium cells — from custom electrode and electrolyte chemistries through to working coin and pouch cells. Our interns work shoulder-to-shoulder with our scientists and technicians in the lab, building real cells, running characterization, and generating the data that drives our development. It is a fast-paced, detail-driven environment where careful hands and accurate records matter.

What you'll do

• Cell assembly — build lithium coin cells and multi-layer (full) pouch cells using our in-house separators and electrolytes, then iterate and re-build as designs evolve.
• Electrode preparation — laminate anodes and cathodes and assist with electrode tape casting and slurry preparation.
• Metrology & data tracking — measure electrode thickness with calipers and mass on a balance, calculate target compaction densities, and log all values into tracking spreadsheets.
• Materials characterization — run tests such as four-point-probe electronic-conductivity measurements on finished electrodes and report results.
• Glovebox & sensitive-materials handling — work inside an inert-atmosphere glovebox, transfer moisture-sensitive materials, monitor lithium-metal exposure, and keep the glovebox clean and organized.
• Equipment operation — operate and care for lab equipment including the calendering machine and mixers, following protocols that protect the tooling.
• Sample handling & documentation — seal and store moisture-sensitive samples, support sample purification, and document work through process photos/videos, daily plans, and weekly reports.

What we're looking for

• Pursuing or recently completed a degree in chemistry, chemical, materials, or mechanical engineering, or a related technical field. Strong candidates at the early stage are welcome.
• Comfortable with precise, repetitive, hands-on bench work and meticulous measurement.
• Excellent attention to detail and disciplined lab-safety and housekeeping habits.
• Able to record data accurately and work confidently in spreadsheets (e.g., Excel).
• Reliable and punctual, able to follow standard operating procedures exactly and work under direct supervision of a full-time team member.
• Clear written communication for daily task plans and weekly progress reports.

Nice to have

• Prior hands-on experience building coin or pouch cells or working in a glovebox.
• Familiarity with battery materials — cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and separators.
• Experience with characterization or metrology tools (four-point probe, calipers, balances).

Working environment & how to apply

• This is an on-site laboratory internship with structured daily planning and weekly reporting; instruction and training are provided directly by full-time staff.

To apply, send a resume and a short note about your lab experience to hi@piersica.com.

Graduate Funding

Search for both FAMU and FSU graduate funding opportunities here.

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.

ORNL Internship and Job Opportunities: 

ORNL Opportunities | A Newsletter of Internships​​​​​ and Jobs for New Graduates: TBA

ORNL offers internships at the undergraduate, recent​ graduate, and graduate levels. Most undergraduates participate in fixed term internships that take place over the summer, fall, or spring academic terms.

Current information and application links are always available here. Visit www.ornl.gov/content/events-information-sessions for a current schedule of webinars presented to give essential guidance on programs, applications, and how to successfully navigate the process. 

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

New LEED Training Workshops - Fall Webinars

Kick off the school year by becoming one of the first LEED v5 Green Associate professionals! While LEED is best known as the premier scorecard used to rate Green Buildings, individuals can also become LEED accredited to demonstrate their certified expertise in sustainability to employers.

Our workshops go beyond simply passing the test, they give you a strong, practical understanding of sustainable building to apply in the real world.

• Be LEED v5 Ready: Our training has been extensively updated for the newly released LEED v5 rating system, requirements, and exam format.
• Open to All: Students from any major can participate with no prior experience required.
• Comprehensive Support: Get a study guide, 400 updated v5 practice questions, class recordings, and on-demand assistance from our LEED AP+ staff.
• Trusted Provider: LeadingGreen has prepared over 18,000 candidates pass their exams on the first try
• Career-Boosting: This industry-recognized credential opens doors in architecture, engineering, construction, consulting, real estate, and more.

Training Options (Live Webinars or On-Demand):

• September 19 2026 – 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM EDT
• October 24 2026 – 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM EDT
• November 21 2026 – 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM EST
• December 19 2026 – 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM EST   - OR -
• On-demand recordings completed at your own pace

All five options cover identical content - pick whichever suits your schedule.

Register for a live webinar or start learning today here.

Cost: $200 with the coupon code GREEN for $100 off! (Non-students $300)

Please contact Lorne directly at info@leadinggreen.com with any questions.

Need to Know

Reminder: Stay Alert for Phishing Attempts

Florida State University is reminding faculty, staff and students to remain alert for phishing and social engineering attempts. Threat actors often send messages or texts that appear to come from trusted organizations or university IT, using urgent language about security updates, account issues, service interruptions or other routine matters to trick recipients into taking action.

These messages may attempt to trick users into:

• Clicking malicious links or visiting fake login pages
• Entering credentials or approving Duo/MFA requests
• Downloading harmful attachments

Please remain vigilant. Do not click links or provide credentials in response to unexpected messages, even if they appear related to this event. Always access services through official, trusted websites, such as fsu.edu.

For tips on how to protect yourself, visit https://its.fsu.edu/cybersecurity/protect-yourself/phishing. If you receive a suspicious email, report it immediately using the university’s phishing reporting process, abuse@fsu.edu.

Important Travel Advisory: China and Hong Kong Device and Data Risks 

On March 23, 2026, Hong Kong updated its National Security Law. It is now a criminal offense to refuse a request from law enforcement to provide passwords or decryption assistance for your electronic devices (phones, laptops, tablets, etc.). Authorities also have expanded powers to seize and keep any device they believe is linked to national security concerns. 

This applies to all devices in an individual’s possession, including personal devices and university‑issued equipment and applies to all individuals, including U.S. citizens who are visiting, arriving or transiting through Hong Kong.  

To protect your personal privacy and university data, we strongly advise the following: 

• Process Travel via Concur: All university-related travel must be processed through Concur. If a trip is at “no cost” to the university, please be sure to complete a no-cost travel request in the system. This ensures the university can provide support and maintain an accurate travel registry.
• Leave FSU devices at home: Do not take University-issued laptops, phones, or other electronic devices into mainland China or Hong Kong.
• Prepare for searches: Assume that personal devices may be searched or seized in these areas. If you are asked to provide a password, local law requires you to comply; refusal can result in criminal penalties, including fines and jail time.
• Evaluate your risk: If you have travel planned for these areas, please carefully weigh these risks against your personal and professional needs. 

We encourage you to review the latest U.S. State Department Travel Advisory and the U.S. Consulate Security Alert for more details. 

If your FSU device is searched, seized, or accessed by authorities during your travel, please notify the Information Security and Privacy Office (ISPO) at security@fsu.edu or (850) 644-4357 as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community and data safe. 

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

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 (https://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.  

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.

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. 

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.

Good to Know

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.

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Career Services Liaisons

Engineering Career Services Website here.

FAMU - Sean Collins - sean.collins@famu.edu, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Sr. Career Specialist, Career Services Liaison at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Office A143.

FSU - Tiffany Lueng Career Liaison for the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Office: College of Engineering A141, tleung@fsu.edu | (850) 645-0446

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.

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.

Want to add something to the next issue?

Email us! Deadline is Wednesday for Monday publication.