Communities First

Impacting Local Communities, Advancing the State, and Beyond

Students and alumni take the knowledge and values gained at COSSPP into roles across Florida, the nation, and the world, demonstrating how Florida-grown expertise helps solve complex problems everywhere.

DURP Planner in Residence and Prominent Alumnus Elected to College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners

FSU’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning’s Planner in Residence Dennis Smith, FAICP, and prominent alumnus Wyatt Bowers, FAICP, were elected into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP) Class of 2026. Joining Smith is fellow honoree and FSU alumnus Wiatt Bowers, who was also elected to the FAICP Class of 2026 on February 27th.

COSSPP Distinguished Alumnus Thomas M. Henderson Increases Impact, Doubling Endowed Professorship

Thomas M. Henderson, a distinguished alumnus of Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, strengthened his longstanding support for political science at FSU with an additional $250,000 gift to the Henderson Distinguished Professorship of Political Science, doubling the endowment’s original funding.

COSSPP Alumni Recognized on the 2026 Seminole 100 Business Leaders List

This year’s Seminole 100, selected by the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship in partnership with FSU’s Alumni Association, featured businesses owned or led by outstanding FSU alumni, honoring 39 alumni from FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.

Reubin O’D Askew School Hosts Economic Mobility & Opportunity Summit

On January 30, 2026, Florida State University’s Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration & Policy hosted its Economic Mobility & Opportunity Summit in the Student Union Ballroom, bringing together students, faculty, practitioners, and community partners to examine research-driven strategies to improve economic mobility.

Florida Center for Public Management Celebrates Opening of New CPM Training Room

The Florida Center for Public Management (FCPM) at Florida State University celebrated a major step in expanding its collaborative learning environments with the opening of its new Certified Public Manager (CPM) Training Room, honoring the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 26, 2026.

OLLI at Florida State University Offers Courses, Lecture Series for Lifelong Learners this Spring

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Florida State University is offering registration for its spring 2026 courses, with an enriching program tailored for adults who love to learn in a stress-free environment.