College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
at Florida State University
Rotem Raz – FSU alumnus (B.S. International Affairs ’23) – hosted the first Israel Day at the Florida Capitol on February 29, 2024.
The initiative gathered Israeli business leaders, nonprofits, student movements, and industry leaders from across the state to celebrate Israel’s relationship with the state of Florida during two days of program
In a significant show of support for their alma mater, Florida State University alumni Scott and Suzi Brock recently announced a $3 million charitable bequest that underscores the couple’s enduring appreciation for FSU Athletics, gives back to the College of Business and honors Scott Brock’s late father, a northwest Florida native who dedicated his life to public service.
Florida State University’s Civil Rights Institute’s Director and Acting Chair of the 400 Years of African American History Commission (400YAAHC), Ted Ellis, attended Freedom Forward: Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska, from June 19 to June 24.
Alan Rowan, DrPh, has been named the new Director of the Public Health program for a three-year term. Dr. Rowan specializes in epidemiology and diseases of environmental origin and has taught courses in Public Health Program at FSU since 2003. Most recently he served as the internship director for the program.
Matthew Becker, Ph.D. – two-time FSU alumnus (B.S. Political Science ’07 & M.S. International Affairs ’09) – was nominated by the U.S. Department of State to serve as a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as an international election observer for the June 2 local election. He served with the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ Election Observation Mission to Serbia, for the country’s June elections.
Natalie Gonzalez – second-year student majoring in Political Science – was hired as a Legal Intern for Zumpano Patricios, P.A. Law Firm in Miami, Florida, for the duration of this summer.
The Interdisciplinary Social Science (ISS) program is one of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s (COSSPP) largest undergraduate majors, with over 600 students. ISS empowers students to study the world’s complex issues and problems holistically. The program was founded in 1974 within Florida State University’s College of Arts and Sciences, and the major was named social sciences. It was initially designed to provide training for public service and a practical background for citizenship within U.S. democracy with contributions from the Departments of Economics, Geography, History, Political Science and Sociology.
The Department of Political Science within the College of Social Science and Public Policy has a rich history dating back to Florida State University’s genesis. While courses exploring government, law, and politics can be found as far back as the very first university bulletin in 1851, the Department of Political Science was established in 1947, when the Florida State College for Women became Florida State University. Under the leadership of Marian D. Irish, Ph.D., the department began with only six faculty members. Dr. Irish would serve as the department chair until her retirement in 1966. The current Political Science Department Chair Brad Gomez, Ph.D., leads the department as it continues to ascend in prestige to this day.
Established in 2003, the Public Health Program at Florida State University is the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s newest interdisciplinary program. Under the leadership of Professor Emeritus of Political Science William Weissert, Ph.D., the program’s first director, the program had its first Master of Public Health (MPH) graduates matriculate in 2004.
Established in 1970, the African American Studies Program offers an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary approach to the study of ethnicity, identity, human relations, and cultural dynamics. Students gain the opportunity to understand American society and the international arena from the unique vantage point of the African diaspora, especially Americans of African descent. The program began as […]
