The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is not only the most diverse engineering school but it is steadily moving up the ranks in the publication’s newest report

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, the nation’s only joint engineering college shared between two institutions—Florida A&M and Florida State universities—gained seven points in the annual graduate and professional programs rankings by U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 edition of “Best Graduate Schools.”

Each year, Florida State University’s Council on Research and Creativity bestows upon select faculty the distinction of a Developing Scholar Award—which comes complete with a $10,000 boost to the awardee’s program of research. The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering are proud to claim Kunihiko “Sam” Taira as one such recipient of the 2017-2018 awards.

A team of six student engineers, who brainstormed a hands-free umbrella for wheelchairs, won the grand prize of $10,000 in Florida State University’s annual InNOLEvation® Challenge sponsored by the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship.

The students, all seniors at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, created an umbrella called DriGo that automatically deploys when a person pushes a lever located behind the left elbow.

Claire Kelly, an industrial engineering student, said there’s nothing else like DriGo on the market.

One of the key elements in science is collaboration. In academia that often means leaving the nest to flock to partners in private industry.

Few exemplify that spirit better than Rajan Kumar, an associate professor at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. Kumar's research at the FSU-based Florida Center for Advanced Aero-propulsion recently resulted in an ultra-rare Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. It is the first time that such a grant in that phase has been received by anyone at the College of Engineering.

Raymond Klouda is a senior mechanical engineering student from Lakeland, Florida. As an adolescent, Klouda was always held fond interests in coding and robotics. After graduating high school, he extended his education at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton before deciding to transfer to Florida State University in 2014.

“When I saw you could do robotics and it ties in with mechanical engineering, I was interested in doing something like that,” said Klouda.

Recently, mechanical engineering professors Rajan Kumar, Farrukh Alvi and other researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering spearheaded a project that could shape our understanding of fluid dynamics as they are now known.

Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company, is consistently looking to increase diversity in its workforce. Northrop Grumman understands the importance of diversity and inclusion within its ranks. In 2018, DiversityInc ranked the company number 23 among its Top 50 Companies for Diversity. But as with all STEM employers, there’s more work to be done. 

As the 2019 Florida Legislative Session begins in March, Florida State will request funding in recognition of its preeminence and performance to support the university’s continued efforts to hire world-class faculty and scholars, advance its professional and graduate degree programs, support academic excellence and maintain its facilities.

Jelani James is a third-year mechanical engineering student from Chattanooga attending FAMU-FSU Engineering through Florida A&M University. He is most avid about building and designing. His vision statement involves using his creations to help others.

Story originally appeared in the FAMUan on 2/6/19

For the FSU-FAMU College of Engineering, research and diversity are the most significant factors in the school’s rising national ranking.

According to Murray Gibson, dean of the shared college, they have increased their rankings by about 19 points in the last two years. He says it’s all due to their messaging and their research funding.