Each year, the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP) presents its Distinguished Alumni Awards to accomplished individuals to recognize their professional achievements, contributions to society, and support of the college and university.
We are pleased to honor our newest Distinguished Alumni — Jennifer Green, Jeff Kottkamp, Bobby Pittman Jr., and Carissa Schively Slotterback — at the college’s Distinguished Alumni Gala in Spring 2026.
The 2025-2026 honorees join COSSPP’s 54 Distinguished Alumni who have received this honor in previous years. The college began recognizing Distinguished Alumni with this award in 1992, first honoring David Coburn (B.S. Political Science ’73, M.S. Urban and Regional Planning, & J.D. ’77).
“The college’s Distinguished Alumni Award captures the hard work, FSU spirit, and commitment to excellence of our alumni, and the Class of 2025-2026 exemplifies that wonderfully,” said COSSPP Dean Tim Chapin. “These honorees have excelled in politics, entrepreneurship, and higher education in ways that reflect the potential and power of a degree from Florida State University. I could not be more proud to see them honored as COSSPP’s Distinguished Alumni.”
Jennifer Green
B.S. Political Science ’94
Jennifer Green is the President, CEO, and sole owner of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee, LLC, which she founded in 2007 with former U.S. Senator Connie Mack (R-FL).
With nearly 30 years of experience in political, lobbying, and grassroots work in Florida, Green consults on state legislative and executive branch issues affecting corporations, trade associations, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. She has grown the firm’s local government consulting practice by providing services to secure state and federal appropriations, write and manage grants, support economic development strategies, and oversee project management and compliance. Over the past five years, Liberty Partners has helped secure more than $100 million in infrastructure funding for rural communities.
Before founding Liberty Partners, Green served as Deputy Executive Director and Lead Lobbyist for the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA). She oversaw legislative, regulatory, political, and membership operations for the 18,000-member organization and managed the fundraising and administration of five political action committees, raising more than $350,000 per election cycle. She also led a statewide grassroots network of over 400 CPAs.
Earlier in her career, she lobbied the Florida Legislature on behalf of the Florida Bankers Association and a private lobbying firm. She also contributed to major statewide political campaigns, including the 1992 Bush-Quayle presidential campaign and Governor Jeb Bush’s 1994 and 1998 campaigns.
Green has directed major business coalitions and helped defeat a proposed constitutional amendment that would have created a services tax in Florida. She also played a role in shaping Amendment 4 (2016), “Florida for Solar,” and Amendment 3 (2018), “Voters in Charge,” which gave voters the exclusive right to authorize casino gambling.
She earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives after completing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s four-year association management program at the University of Delaware. She also holds the Designated Professional Lobbyist (DPL) credential from the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists (FAPL), where she served as past chairman and now serves as a trustee of the FAPL Educational Foundation. She was instrumental in developing the association’s DPL credentialing program and was selected by her peers as the first recipient of the Ken Plante Founder’s Award for ethics in lobbying.
Green is also a member of the Florida Society of Association Executives and has served on the Florida Chamber Political Institute Advisory Council, the Florida Chamber CCE (Committee of Continuous Existence). She frequently speaks at state and national events, serves as an expert witness in ethics cases, and is a trusted media spokesperson. Florida Politics Influence Magazine has featured her, and Liberty Partners is recognized as one of Florida’s top boutique lobbying firms.
She received her bachelor’ degree in political science from Florida State University and her associate of arts degree from St. Petersburg Junior College. She and her husband reside in Tallahassee, Florida.
“I was a full-time student juggling internships and a part-time job along with membership obligations in my sorority. What I learned in class at FSU was the foundation for my interest in politics, but what I learned from hands-on experience — and great political mentors — provided me with an invaluable gift I have committed to passing on to FSU interns along the way. Politics is a contact sport, but strength, skill, and character are what every ‘Nole can bring with them to the field.’ ” – Jennifer Green
Jeff Kottkamp
B.S. Political Science ’84
Former Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp (2007–2011) is the incoming CEO and President of Florida TaxWatch (beginning January 2026) and an AV Preeminent-rated attorney. He earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Florida State University. While at FSU, he served on the Student Government Presidential Cabinet and was selected as an FSU Orientation Leader.
He was previously the Founder and President of Jeff Kottkamp, P.A., a firm specializing in constitutional law and governmental affairs. The firm was a four-time recipient of the Seminole 100 Award, recognizing it as one of the fastest-growing companies in America owned by a Florida State University graduate. He also served as an adjunct professor at FSU’s College of Law.
Kottkamp served as Florida’s 17th Lieutenant Governor from 2007 to 2011. In that role, he chaired the Board of Space Florida, Florida’s Children and Youth Cabinet, and the Florida Sports Foundation. He also oversaw the Governor’s Office of Drug Control, the Office of Adoption and Child Protection, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and the Governor’s Film and Entertainment Office.
On June 18, 2008, he became Acting Governor of the State of Florida, pursuant to Article IV, Section 3(b) of the Florida Constitution.
Before serving in the Governor’s Office, Kottkamp was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2006. During his tenure, he chaired the Judiciary Appropriations Committee, Government Operations Committee, and Judiciary Committee, and served as Vice Chair of the Rules and Calendar Council. He also held the role of Deputy Majority Whip.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Florida Historic Capitol Foundation and is a member of the Economic Club of Florida.
Kottkamp continues to give back to the FSU community through his service on the Florida State University Alumni Association National Board of Directors, where he provides strategic oversight and fosters meaningful global engagement across the FSU community.
In 2007, he was inducted into the FSU Alumni Association Circle of Gold, which honors individuals who exemplify the university’s tradition of excellence through service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to Florida State.
He and his wife, Cyndie, live in Tallahassee and have a son, Jackson, who is a junior at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts.
“This is an incredible honor. I LOVE Florida State University! I loved studying politics and government at FSU and will forever appreciate the encouragement my professors gave me to chase my dream of public service. FSU then, FSU now, FSU forever!” – Former Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp
Bobby Pittman Jr.
B.S. Economics ’97
Bobby Pittman Jr. is a Founding Partner of Kupanda Capital, a platform created to build and scale companies that drive lasting global impact. A believer that social entrepreneurship can help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, Pittman has dedicated his career to turning that belief into reality. Since its launch in 2012, Kupanda has founded four companies, including Fraym, Nithio, and Oath Africa, collectively impacting millions of lives, particularly across the African continent.
In 2018, Kupanda partnered with legendary producer Don Jazzy to launch Mavin Global, with a vision to bring Afrobeats to the global stage. Through a digital-first approach, Mavin became a powerhouse in African music, amassing nearly 100 billion global streams annually by 2023, including the hit song “Calm Down” by Rema and Selena Gomez. The platform’s success was recognized in 2024, when Universal Music Group acquired a majority stake — marking the largest transaction in African entertainment history.
Before founding Kupanda, Pittman spent more than a decade in public service, holding senior roles across multiple U.S. government agencies, including the CIA, the National Security Council, the Department of the Treasury, and the White House.
From 2006 to 2009, he served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the White House. There, he was part of the team that helped design and launch signature development initiatives, including the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Earlier, as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Pittman was a lead architect of the 100% debt relief proposal adopted at the 2005 Gleneagles Summit. That initiative has since resulted in over $40 billion in debt cancellation for the world’s poorest countries.
Pittman’s journey began at Florida State University, where he is a second-generation Seminole and earned his degree from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy in 1997. Growing up, he spent time on campus from an early age and developed a deep connection to FSU. As a student, he spent countless hours in the Bellamy Building, working closely with professors in the Economics Department — especially Dr. Tim Sass. Together, they explored large-scale social datasets using early data analytics tools. Back then, he submitted his SAS code to the university mainframe overnight and spent his mornings in Strozier Library troubleshooting the results.
The encouragement and generosity of the faculty shaped Pittman’s academic path, preparing him for graduate work in economics at the University of Chicago, his public service career, and ultimately his role as a social entrepreneur.
He has remained actively engaged with FSU throughout his career. Pittman and Kupanda Capital have been recognized on the Seminole 100 list — celebrating the fastest-growing businesses led by FSU alumni — every year the award has been given.
“It’s an honor to be recognized among the COSSPP Distinguished Alumni Class of 2025. I’m enduringly grateful for my time at the College and the broad set of experiences that shaped my path. It also has been a privilege to give back, working with the College to support students who want to use their time at FSU to become social entrepreneurs and build lasting impact in the world.” – Bobby Pittman Jr.
Carissa Schively Slotterback
Ph.D. Urban and Regional Planning ’04
Carissa Schively Slotterback, Ph.D., FAICP, is Dean of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public and International Affairs. Since arriving at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020, she has led efforts related to strategic planning; curriculum redesign; undergraduate education; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and enhancing student experience. From 2023 to 2025, she co-chaired Pitt’s Year of Discourse and Dialogue initiative and continues to lead efforts to integrate discourse skills into curricular and co-curricular programming with the goal of reaching all students.
Slotterback holds national leadership roles in public affairs and urban planning. She served as Chair of the Deans Summit for schools of public service and continues to co-chair its Future Leaders initiative, which supports historically underrepresented faculty in academic leadership. She serves as Treasurer for the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs and serves on the board of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. She previously held elected positions in the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including being named a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (2024) and the American Institute of Certified Planners (2018). She received the Margarita McCoy Award for the Advancement of Women in Planning (2022) and the Marcia M. Feld Leadership Award (2017), and was honored with the Chester A. Newland Presidential Citation of Merit by the American Society for Public Administration (2024) for her work advancing engaged research.
Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, Slotterback served in faculty and leadership roles at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, including as Associate Dean and Director of Urban and Regional Planning. She also served as Director of Research Engagement in the UMN Office of the Vice President for Research and co-founded the Resilient Communities Project, which connected more than 2,000 students with sustainability-focused community projects between 2012 and 2020.
A widely published scholar, Slotterback’s research focuses on stakeholder and public engagement, collaborative decision-making, and impact assessment in environmental and land use planning. Her work spans transportation, sustainability, climate, agriculture, and health. She has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, and Minnesota Department of Transportation. Her scholarship has been recognized by the Urban Affairs Association, Landscape and Urban Planning, the American Planning Association, and the Environmental Design Research Association. She also co-led ASPA’s Engaged Research Committee.
Slotterback earned her Ph.D. in urban and regional planning from Florida State University, a Master of City and Regional Planning from Clemson University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Winona State University.
She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Brendon, daughter, Liesl, and their Irish Doodle, Fozzie.
“As a first-generation student navigating my way through higher education, FSU and its urban planning doctoral program gave me an opportunity that I never would have imagined growing up in a small town in Minnesota. The scholarship funding, the research experiences, and the truly excellent education I received set me on a path to faculty and leadership roles in top public research universities. Just as importantly, my experience at FSU instilled in me the motivation for an academic career that is deeply committed to engaging with communities and serving others.” – Dean Carissa Schively Slotterback
Previous Honorees
2024: John E. Dailey (B.S. Political Science ’96 & Master of Public Administration ’99), serves as Tallahassee’s mayor and has dedicated his professional life to building strong and vibrant communities through public service. Throughout his career, he has served in the Florida League of Cities, the Leon County Commission, and is a proud graduate of both Leadership Tallahassee and Leadership Florida. He also founded JDA Strategies in 2005, a research and development consulting firm focused on local governance. John received his bachelor’s degree in political science from FSU and a Master of Public Administration from the London School of Economics; Renisha Gibbs (B.S. Sociology ’99), serves as both the associate vice president for human resources and the finance and administration chief of staff at Florida State University. She has worked at FSU for 21 years and held several positions before her current one, including assistant director of employee and labor relations and director of equal opportunity and diversity. Gibbs received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Florida State and is actively involved in her community through her work with Tallahassee Urban League, Pace Center for Girls-Leon and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Vincent S. Long (B.S. Criminology ’93 & Master of Public Administration ’96), serves as the county administrator of Leon County. In his 30-year career, he served as a past president of the Florida Association of County Managers and currently sits on the Board ofDirectors of the Florida Local Government Investment Trust and the Advisory Board for the Askew School. As an expert source on local government issues, Long has been featured on national news outlets. He received a Master of Public Administration from Florida State’s Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy ; Kathy J. Mears (B.S. Social Science ’03 & Master of Public Administration ’11), serves as the assistant commissioner of agriculture for the State of Florida and has over 25 years of experience in state government. As the highest-ranked staff member for the Commissioner of Agriculture, her department oversees 20 divisions and offices and has a budget of over $2 billion. She is heavily involved in her community, as she is a board member for the Capital Health Plan and a member of the FSU Health/TMH Transition Committee. Mears is a two-degree graduate of Florida State, with a bachelor’s degree in social science and then a Master of Public Administration.
2023: Mark P Barnebey, J.D. (B.S. Finance ’78; M.S. Urban and Regional Planning ’83; J.D. FSU College of Law ’83), a benefactor of Florida State University’s state-of-the-art Mark & Marianne Barnebey Planning & Development Lab, which with their support has become a nationally recognized resource connecting our students and faculty with public and private partners to provide capacity and innovative planning for the sustainable growth and long-term viability of Florida communities; Doby L. Flowers (B.S. Social Work ’71; M.S. Urban & Regional Planning ’73), Florida State’s first black Homecoming Queen and a co-founder of Florida State’s Civil Rights Institute; Fred H. Flowers, J.D. (B.A. Philosophy ’69; M.S. Urban & Regional Planning ’73), the first African American athlete to wear an FSU uniform and a founding member of the first African American Greek-letter organization on campus, the Chi Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity; Thomas M. Henderson (B.S. Political Science ’74), a previous journalist for several Florida newspapers and United Press International and for the Florida House of Representatives and Senate.
2022: Cecelia Bonifay, J.D. (B.A. ‘71 Political Science, M.S.P. ‘73 Urban and Regional Planning, J.D. ’84 FSU College of Law), chair of Akerman’s Land Use and Development Practice, helps developers navigate the governmental approval process for their real estate projects; Daniel M. Gropper, Ph.D. (M.S. ’85 & Ph.D. ’89, Economics) has served as Dean of the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University since July 2013; Jimmy Patronis (B.A. ‘96 Political Science) serves as the State of Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, State Fire Marshal, and a member of the Florida Cabinet; Nigel Parkinson, Sr. (M.S.P.A. ’75, Public Administration and Management) is President and CEO of Parkinson Construction Company, the oldest and largest African American owned, self-preforming construction company in the Washington metropolitan area.
2021: Dan Berger (B.S. ’89 Economics), president and CEO of the National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions; Rosemary Magee, Ph.D. (B.A. ’73 Sociology), an accomplished higher education professional who has served in a variety of capacities at Emory University, including as faculty, dean, director and vice-president; Mel Martinez (B.A. ’69 International Affairs), Chairman of the Southeast U.S. and Latin America for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Former Senator and United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Karen Rasler, Ph.D. (M.S. ’77, Ph.D. ’81 Political Science), a dedicated academician with decades of research and teaching at major universities throughout the U.S.
2020: Jeff Butler (B.S. ’95 Interdisciplinary Social Science), entrepreneur and senior executive in the healthcare and technology industries; Jorge Gonzalez (B.S. ’87 Political Science, M.S.P. ’89 Urban and Regional Planning), real estate professional and CEO of St. Joe Company; Robert Hummer (M.S. ’90, Ph.D. ’93 Sociology), distinguished professor of sociology at UNC and acclaimed scholar of population health and mortality patterns and trends; Angela Riley Santone (B.S. ’93 Sociology); Angela Riley Santone (B.S. ’93 Sociology), Senior Executive Vice President for Human Resources at AT&T
2019: William Desvousges (M.S. ’74, Ph.D. ’77 Economics), natural resource damage assessment specialist; Joyce Godwin (B.A. ’65 Political Science), philanthropist and corporate/nonprofit/education board member and consultant; Patrick D. Sargent (B.S. ’85 Political Science), commander of the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School Health Readiness Center of Excellence
2018: Eric Reading (B.S. ’92, M.S. 93 International Affairs): Executive Vice President of Chemonics International development firm
2017: Marshall Cohn (B.S. Economics, Social Sciences ’81): Founder of real estate firm The Dunhill Companies; teaching assistant for online MBA classes at FSU in real estate finance and valuation; sponsor of the university’s annual Real Estate Trends Conference; Florida State University Real Estate Network Award in 2014
2016: Susan MacManus (B.A. Political Science ’68, Ph.D. Political Science ’75): Distinguished Professor, Department of Government and International Affairs, University of South Florida; political expert for state and national media
2015: Ed Moore (M.P.A. Public Administration ’76, Ph.D. Public Administration ’07): President, Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida; former president and CEO, James Madison Institute; former executive director, Broward County Community Mental Health Board; Fulbright SpecialistFlorida Advisory Council for U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
2014: Gordon Gaster (B.S. Economics ’58): Financial consultant, Florida State University Foundation trustee and vice chair, FSU Alumni Association president, founder of the Gordon D. Gaster Endowment Fund supporting the Gus Stavros Center for Economic Education and its Economic Literacy Initiative, 2010 Circle of Gold honoree
2013: Mark Ellis (B.A. Economics ’79): Executive Director of International Bar Association, director of American Bar Association Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative, Fulbright Scholar, media commentator, author
2012: Stephen Lawry (B.S. Political Science ’73, M.S.P. Urban and Regional Planning ’75): Global Practice Lead for Land Tenure and Property Rights at consulting group Development Alternatives, Inc., president Antioch College, associate director for Africa programs at University of Wisconsin Land Tenure Center, director Ford Foundation Office of Management Services
2011: Lettie Bien (B.S. Political Science ’76): Retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel, Senior Adviser to Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals, South Florida Area Coordinator for Admissions at West Point, recipient of Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award
2010: Harry Lerner (B.S. Economics ’82, M.S.P. Urban and Regional Planning ’84): President of Maxcy Development Group, Inc., member of Association of Florida Community Developers and Urban Land Institute, City of Jacksonville planner, planning project manager for private firms
2009: Victor Holcomb (B.S. Economics ’76): Senior principal Holcomb & Mayts law firm, trustee Kaul Foundation; and John Holcomb (B.S. Political Science ’77): Partner with Hill, Ward, & Henderson law firm, National President of American Board of Trial Advocates, trustee Kaul Foundation
2008: Clyda S. Rent (B.A. Sociology ’64, M.S. Sociology ’66, Ph.D. Sociology ’68): President Emerita of Mississippi University for Women; and George Rent (Ph.D. Sociology ’68): Associate Provost at Mississippi State University; faculty at University of North Carolina at Charlotte; consultant to U.S. Office of Higher Education, National Science Foundation, and United Family Services
2007: Laird Anderson (B.S. International Affairs ’58): Professor Emeritus of Journalism, School of Communication, American University; retired Colonel, US Army Reserves; reporter for Wall Street Journal, Chicago and Washington bureaus; Tallahassee bureau chief, Miami News and Palm Beach Times; international lecturer U.S. State Department
2006: Thomas M. Culligan (B.S. Political Science ’73, M.P.A. Public Administration ’77), M.S. Public Administration): Executive Vice President of Business Development for Raytheon Company, CEO of Raytheon International, Inc.
2005: Janice Kaminis Platt (B.S. Political Science ’58): Hillsborough County Commissioner
2004: Mark Filteau (M.S.P. Urban and Regional Planning ’76): President, Facilities Division, Johnson Controls
2003: Manuel H. Johnson (M.S. Economics ’75, Ph.D. Economics ’77): Senior Partner Johnson Smick International; Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (1982-86); vice chair Board of Governors of Federal Reserve System (1986-90);
2002: Carl Blackwell (B.S. Education ’58, M.S. Political Science ’59): Interim Chancellor of Florida Board of Education, Associate Vice Chancellor of of Planning and Budgeting of Florida Board of Regents, Associate State Budget Director and Chief of Bureau of Budgeting in Department of Administration
2001: Barbara W. White (Ph.D. Political Science ’86): Dean of School of Social Work,University of Texas (Austin); Associate Dean School of Social Work, Florida State University
2000: Alan Sundberg (B.S. Political Science ’55): Florida Supreme Court Justice 1975-1982, Chief Justice 1980-82.
1999: Arnold Greenfield (B.S. Social Sciences ’58): Investment banker, managing director of Lehman Brothers, Chair of Florida Preservation Advisory Council
1998: Barby Barone (B.S. Political Science ’69, M.S. Political Science ’70): Founder of Biltmore Advisers Inc., strategic investment management and financial planning
1997: Melvin Magidson (B.S. Economics ’48, M.S. Economics ’49): President and CEO of MCM Financial Corp.; and Lynda Keever (B.S. Political Science ’69): Publisher of Florida Trend magazine; board member of Florida Chamber of Commerce, Leroy Collins Center, Florida Education Foundation, Florida Council on Economic Education; Board of Trustees Florida State University and Leadership Florida
1996: Peter F. Romero (M.A. International Affairs ’72): CEO Experior Advisory, U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador, Assistant Secretary of State of Western Hemisphere Affairs Bureau, Chief of Mission for U.S. Embassy in San Salvador
1995: James Ammons (M.S. Political Science ’75, Ph.D. Political Science ’77): President of Florida A&M University, Chancellor of North Carolina Central University
1994: Alan Bayer (M.S. Sociology ’63, Ph.D. Sociology ’65): Professor Emeritus Virgina Tech; and Reuben O’D. Askew (B.S. Public Administration ’51): 37th Governor of Florida (1971-79)
1993: Parris Glendening (B.A. Political Science ’64, M.A. Political Science ’65, Ph.D. Political Science ’67): 59th Governor of Maryland
1992: David Coburn (B.S. Political Science ’73, M.S.P. Urban and Regional Planning ’77): Chief of staff in Florida House and Senate; staff director of Senate Rules Committee, Senate Ways and Means Committee, House Appropriations Committee