The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering news for graduate students
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: Summer A Closed 5/11 - 6/17 | Menu
Summer Classes Begin, May 11, 2026
Memorial Day Holiday, May 25, 2026 - College Closed No Classes
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Summer Session A Ends, June 18, 2026
Juneteenth Holiday, June 19, 2026 - College Closed No Classes
First Year Engineering Lab Class, June 22-July 31, 2026, 10:00am-12:00pm, B210 (Burrs)
Summer Session F Ends, July 2, 2026
Independence Day, July 3, 2026 - College Closed No classes.
First Year Engineering Lab Class Ends, July 31, 2026, 10:00am-12:00pm, B210 (Burrs)
Summer Sessions B-C Ends, July 30, 2026
Summer Commencements, July 31, 2026
Faculty Return for Fall 2026, August 10, 2026
Fall Classes Begin, August 24, 2026
Labor Day, September 7, 2026 - College Closed No Classes
Engineering Resume Review Day, September 17, 2026 (THU) - 10am - 2pm
Engineering Job & Internship Fair, September 22, 2026 (TUE) - 9am - 3pm
Seminole Futures Job & Internship Fair, September 24, 2026 - 9am - 3pm
FAMU Career & Internship Expo, September 30, 2026, TBD, TBD
FAMU Homecoming Game, Oct. 24, 2026, TBD
Daylight Savings Time Begins, October 25, 2026
Veteran's Day, November 11, 2026 - College Closed No classes.
FSU Homecoming, November 14, 2026
Thanksgiving Holiday, November 25-27, 2026 - College Closed No Classes
Classes End, December 4, 2026
Final Exam Week, December 7-11, 2026
FAMU Commencement, December 11, 2026, TBA, Lawson Teaching Gym
FSU Doctoral Commencement, December 11, 2026, 9A, Civic Center
FSU BS, MS Commencement, December 11, 2026, TBA, Civic Center
Bookmark college events webpage.
You’re Invited: W4FSU presents FSU & You
We invite you to join us for FSU & You: A Retreat for Impact and Connection, a two-day experience taking place June 4–5 at the FSU Alumni Center.
Designed for FSU alumnae and supporters, this immersive retreat offers meaningful opportunities to connect, engage in thoughtful conversations and experience behind-the-scenes access to Florida State.
Participants will hear from university leaders, explore campus in new ways and gain insight into the people and initiatives shaping FSU’s future — all while celebrating the powerful role women play in advancing Florida State.
Retreat Overview
Thursday, June 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Alumni Center
Cocktail reception and networking, followed by a moderated panel featuring past Inspire Award honorees and facilitated by Herneshia Dukes, W4FSU Chair.
Friday, June 5, 7:45-9:50 a.m.| Turnbull Conference Center
Check-in, breakfast and networking, followed by an opening plenary with Dr. Amy Hecht, vice president for student affairs.
10:30 a.m.-Noon.| Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and William Johnston Building
Featured experience at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, including welcome remarks from Dean Susan Fiorito and a tour of the Jim Moran Building and research labs.
12:15-1:25 p.m.| Beth Moor Lounge
W4FSU Legacy Luncheon — a relaxed, connection-focused lunch featuring a special archival display highlighting the history of women at Florida State.
1:50-5:45 p.m. | Various Campus Locations
Immersive campus experiences in small groups, including the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory with Dr. Kathleen Amm, MagLab director, or the Food Science Lab with Dr. Haiyan Maier, clinical professor in the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. The program concludes with a farewell cocktail reception and closing reflection session facilitated by Herneshia Dukes and alumna Jeanne Curtin.
FSU Alumni Center, 1030 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304
REGISTRATION
Thursday Only — $15
Friday Only — $35
Thursday and Friday Bundle — $50
Please RSVP to ensure we can accommodate your attendance comfortably. As you complete the registration form, you will have the opportunity to share any ADA or accessibility needs. Please note that Friday’s schedule will include a significant amount of walking, particularly during the research lab tours and campus experiences. We want to ensure we can plan accordingly to support all attendees.
Hotel Accommodations
A hotel block is available at the Aloft Tallahassee Downtown. Book by Thursday, May 7.
Questions? Please contact us at events@advance.fsu.edu or 850-644-2761.
Graduate Women In STEM (GWIS)Executive Board Elections – Call for Nominations
GWIS Executive Board elections are coming up, and we are now accepting nominations for next year’s board positions!
If you are interested in getting more involved, developing leadership experience, and helping shape future GWIS events and initiatives, we encourage you to apply.
Please submit your nomination using the link here.
The deadline to submit nominations is May 15 at 11:59 PM.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing your nominations.
Follow us for more updates:
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Best Regards,
Tehreem Toheed
GWIS Department Liaison
PhD Candidate, Hu Group
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Florida State University
Dissertation and Thesis Defenses
DISSERTATION DEFENSES - TBA
THESIS DEFENSES - TBA
For full defense announcement info click here.
Opportunities for Graduates
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
- 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.)
- 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.
Need to Know
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 (digitalaccessibility@fsu.edu) where you and your teams can reach out if you need additional support.
What to Do Next
- Familiarize yourself with the digital accessibility standards, guidelines and resources on digitalaccessibility.fsu.edu.
- Review all digital content you create or manage to ensure it meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements. Get started here.
- Update or remediate existing materials for accessibility as needed, especially if they are publicly facing.
- Identify the appropriate contact within your department or unit for assistance with remediating content or creating accessible materials.
- 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.
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Panic Buttons: These are blue in color and are silent alert buttons that send a direct alert to the FSU Police Department’s dispatch center. Use these in emergencies involving active assailant threats. When activated, they trigger immediate police dispatch. Remember to also physically lock the room where the panic button is being activated.
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Lockdown Buttons: These are yellow in color and marked “Lockdown.” When activated, doors are automatically locked, and FSU Police are immediately dispatched to the building. No one from outside the room can enter except FSU Police.
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Door Locks: Doors to academic spaces that are not equipped with centrally managed electronic locks have thumb-turn or push-button locking systems.
All of these new enhancements comply with university guidelines, ADA standards and building codes.
Our University Communications team collaborated closely with Public Safety to create an educational video that will teach you when and how to use these tools properly.
We encourage everyone to check classrooms, offices, and other university facilities at the start of each semester to know what technology is available in each location. DO NOT push panic or lockdown buttons to test them.
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.
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
Having a well-defined plan is essential for ensuring safety and achieving positive outcomes in the event of an emergency. We recommend that you review our Emergency Preparedness Guide and develop a personal emergency plan. In addition, FSU has Emergency Action Guides for many of the potential hazards we face in Florida and at FSU. Each guide provides protective action steps and best practices on how to respond to an emergency situation, including hurricanes, tornadoes and active threats.
ACTIVE THREAT TRAINING
The FSU Police Department will continue to offer Active Threat Training this fall, and participation is strongly encouraged. This training provides information and skills for responding during an active threat situation by understanding and applying the Run, Hide, Fight strategy.
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Upcoming dates for faculty/staff trainings are Aug. 26, Sept. 2, Sept. 9, Sept. 16 and Sept. 30. To register, visit hr.fsu.edu.
- You may also watch this short video to become familiar with the fundamental principles of the Run, Hide, Fight strategy or watch a recorded training session.
We appreciate your commitment to fostering a safe and resilient campus environment. By staying informed, participating in available trainings, and familiarizing yourself with the resources and protocols provided, you will help ensure that Florida State University remains a place where everyone can thrive. As a reminder, mental health and resiliency resources are available for all students, faculty and staff anytime, anywhere. Visit response.fsu.edu to check out support tools and resources.
Thank you for your ongoing support and vigilance. We wish you all a successful and secure semester ahead.
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:
Good to Know
ORNL Internship and Job Opportunities: May 2026
ORNL Opportunities | A Newsletter of Internships and Jobs for New Graduates: May 2026
Here's the May 2026 edition of the ORNL Opportunities newsletter. 
The number of postdocs and career openings are both pretty healthy. We are at kind of a dead spot for undergrad internships, while we are preparing for the 800 (!) students we will host — applications for Fall 2026 internships open soon. This newsletter is sent to relevant departments and centers at our Core Universities (FSU, Georgia Tech, NSCU, Duke, UVA, VA Tech, and Vanderbilt). Please feel free to share/circulate with anyone on campus.
William Jenks | Core Universities Student Programs Lead, Office of Research Education, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, jenksws@ornl.gov | 515-451-4711
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.