Shahin Alam (left), a civil and environmental engineering doctoral candidate, was one of two joint college students recognized at the annual FSU Leadership Awards Night 2025. (Courtesy FSU)
Two exceptional students from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering were honored for their outstanding contributions to campus life at Florida State University’s prestigious Leadership Awards Night, demonstrating how engineering education builds both technical expertise and leadership capabilities.
Doctoral Candidate Recognized for Global Impact
Shahin Alam, a civil and environmental engineering doctoral candidate set to graduate in December 2025, received the Outstanding Leadership and Service Award for his exceptional commitment to community service and advocacy.
“This award reflects my dedication to community service and advocacy, highlighting the collective efforts of my fellow students and faculty,” Alam expressed with genuine gratitude. Originally from Bangladesh, Alam actively supports students through the Congress of Graduate Students (COGS) while promoting cross-cultural understanding across campus.
His involvement spans multiple organizations focused on graduate student initiatives and innovative research addressing critical environmental challenges.
Beyond his research, Alam is an engineering lab instructor who mentors undergraduates through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. His post-graduation goals include tackling pressing environmental issues and educating future generations of engineers.
“With the rich resources at FAMU and FSU, I’m committed to raising awareness and securing funding for research and leadership initiatives in our college,” he stated fervently. “Together, we can become a global engineering education and innovation leader.”
Undergraduate Earns Dual Recognition for Community Leadership
Kailen Christian achieved dual honors, receiving the Outstanding Leadership and Service Award and the prestigious Dean of Students Award: The Dean’s Cup. The Dean’s Cup represents exceptional dedication to the university community, awarded to just three students who exemplify FSU’s mission through strength, skill, character and commitment to lifelong learning and personal responsibility.
“I want to ensure that students have access to Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), events and all the resources they need to enrich their lives on campus,” said Christian, whose campus involvement includes the Presidential Scholars program, Freshman Leadership Institute and Florida State Alternative Breaks. She also contributes significantly to the Student Engineering Leadership Board and the professional engineering fraternity, Theta Tau.
Pursuing dual degrees in chemical engineering and economics, Christian anticipates graduating in Spring 2027. She aims to build a career in the chemical processing industry, focusing on new material development and supply chain operations. This summer, she will gain valuable industry experience through an internship in Supply Network Operations at Procter & Gamble.
“All of these programs and activities allow me to bridge volunteerism with academic growth and give back to the communities that have shaped me,” Christian reflected on her comprehensive involvement.
Celebrating Excellence in Leadership
The annual Leadership Awards Night at FSU celebrates students, faculty, staff and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership through significant contributions to the university community. The recognition of Alam and Christian highlights not only their individual achievements and dedication but also inspires fellow students to pursue excellence through service and leadership while pursuing technical degrees.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude 3.7 Sonnet, an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. All information and viewpoints remain those of the author and publication. This disclosure is part of our commitment to transparency in our editorial process. Last edited: May 1, 2025.
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