Florida State University College of Social Sciences & Public Policy

10/16/2026

FSU has appointed Keithen Mathis as the interim director of the Florida State University Civil Rights Institute (CRI)!

In his new role, Mathis will guide the institute's mission to advance civil rights research, interdisciplinary dialogue, and public engagement. As a teaching professor and Associate Dean for Culture and Community Engagement at FSU’s College of Social Work, Mathis brings extensive experience and dedicated leadership to the CRI.

“Keithen’s deep experience in community engagement and campus leadership makes him well-suited to guide the CRI’s interdisciplinary work and build on the institute’s existing opportunities for advancing dialogue, understanding and public engagement in the area of civil rights,” said COSSPP Dean Tim Chapin.

Join us in celebrating this exciting next chapter for the Civil Rights Institute! 👏

Read the full story on Florida State University News: https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2026/10/12/fsu-names-keithen-mathis-interim-director-of-civil-rights-institute/

10/14/2026

Once a Nole, always a Nole! ❤️💛

Join us for our Homecoming Students & Alumni Networking Social for free food, music, and great conversations!

🗓 Friday, November 20
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Bellamy Atrium
👕 Casual

Open to all COSSPP students, alumni, faculty, and staff!
Tag a friend you're bringing below 👇

FSU Career Center

10/13/2026

Don't forget to join us today at 3:30 PM for this great talk by Dr. James L. Gibson, who joined Florida State University this fall as Provost’s Research Professor of Political Science.

For more than four decades, his research has examined democratic legitimacy, political tolerance, and public support for political and legal institutions. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 scholarly articles and several books, including Democracy’s Destruction? (2024) and Black and Blue (2018). In 2026, he received the Warren E. Miller Award from the American Political Science Association (APSA) for his contributions to the study of elections, public opinion, and voting behavior.

Dr. James L. Gibson presents "Legitimacy: The Theory of the Century" on Tuesday, Oct 13, at 3:30 PM in the Beth Moor Lounge. Reception to follow at 4:30 PM!

Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Gibson will explain the theory of sociological legitimacy and its application across the social sciences. He will present evidence on how, institutions can lose legitimacy, particularly during periods of democratic backsliding.

James L. Gibson joined Florida State University this fall as Provost’s Research Professor of Political Science. For more than four decades, his research has examined democratic legitimacy, political tolerance, and public support for political and legal institutions. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 scholarly articles and several books, including Democracy’s Destruction? (2024) and Black and Blue (2018). In 2026, he received the Warren E. Miller Award from the American Political Science Association (APSA) for his contributions to the study of elections, public opinion, and voting behavior.

10/12/2026

President Richard McCullough selected COSSPP alum Emily McClellan Lopez (B.S. Sociology and Entrepreneurship ’18) as one of the recipients of Florida State University’s 2026 Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award.

The Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award honors employees who exemplify customer-focused values through outstanding contributions to the university. This year, a large number of nominations were submitted, reflecting the many employees making a difference across campus. Given the strength and volume of the nominations, President McCullough awarded two recipients: Emily McClellan Lopez and Jim Pfohl.

Lopez, a Student Engagement Coordinator for University Libraries, was recognized for her leadership in connecting students with resources and opportunities that enrich the student experience. Through innovative programming, collaboration with campus partners, and a strong commitment to student success, she has helped expand the University Libraries’ impact.

To read more, visit: https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2026/10/02/emily-mcclellan-lopez-and-james-pfohl-selected-as-florida-state-universitys-2026-max-carraway-employees-of-the-year/

10/12/2026

Join us for the next Mark and Marianne Barnebey Leadership Lecture Series featuring FSU alumnus and two-term former Governor of Maryland, The Honorable Larry Hogan!

Governor Hogan earned his B.S. in Political Science from FSU in 1978 before serving as Governor of Maryland (2015–2023) and Chairman of the National Governors Association.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear his insights on public service, leadership, and bipartisan collaboration.

🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 19
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM Lecture | 4:00 PM Reception
📍 Location: ASLC Theatre
🔗 Visit https://cosspp.fsu.edu/fireside-chat-with-former-governor-larry-hogan/ for more details.

10/09/2026

Dr. James L. Gibson presents "Legitimacy: The Theory of the Century" on Tuesday, Oct 13, at 3:30 PM in the Beth Moor Lounge. Reception to follow at 4:30 PM!

Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Gibson will explain the theory of sociological legitimacy and its application across the social sciences. He will present evidence on how, institutions can lose legitimacy, particularly during periods of democratic backsliding.

James L. Gibson joined Florida State University this fall as Provost’s Research Professor of Political Science. For more than four decades, his research has examined democratic legitimacy, political tolerance, and public support for political and legal institutions. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 scholarly articles and several books, including Democracy’s Destruction? (2024) and Black and Blue (2018). In 2026, he received the Warren E. Miller Award from the American Political Science Association (APSA) for his contributions to the study of elections, public opinion, and voting behavior.

10/07/2026

Florida State University is proud to partner with Second Harvest of the Big Bend on the Leon County Neighbor Engagement Survey! This collaborative initiative combined student experiential learning with vital community outreach to gather direct feedback from individuals accessing food assistance across Leon County.

Co-led by Dr. Deanna Barath (FSU Public Health) and Dr. Ursula Keller Weiss (FSU Health Community Engagement), this project empowered our students to make a real, local impact while helping shape better resources for our neighbors in need.

Thank you to everyone who made this collaboration possible!

Read more about this story: https://cosspp.fsu.edu/fsu-partners-with-second-harvest-of-the-big-bend-to-advance-community-voice-student-learning/

FSU Health Services FSU Public Health Program

10/07/2026

We had such a great time at our COSSPP Tailgate! FSU beat UVA 38-7!

Photos from the event are now live on our Flickr! https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6U8N

Go Noles! 🎉

10/05/2026

CGE’s Engage Your World Speaker Series, in partnership with FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series, invites you to attend “Erasing Ukrainian Identity: The Abduction of Ukrainian Children as a Tool of War,” presented by Dr. Thom Reilly.
 
Drawing on interviews, documentary evidence and research from his forthcoming book, “Child Abduction in the War in Ukraine: Erasing Ukrainian Identity as a Tool of War” (2027), Dr. Reilly will examine how the forced removal of Ukrainian children has been used as a strategy of war and its implications for identity, human rights and international law.
 
Following the lecture, Mariam Lambert, Co-Founder and CEO of the Emile Foundation, will join live via Zoom from The Hague and Kyiv. Lambert will connect the discussion to the foundation’s frontline work locating, tracing and protecting Ukraine’s missing children and individuals with disabilities, and will discuss the organization’s landmark report, Found. Not Home.
 
📍 Globe Auditorium (GME Building)
📅 Thursday, October 15
🕔 Reception at 5:00 p.m. | Lecture at 5:30 p.m.
🎟 Free and open to the public

10/02/2026

The best is yet to come! 📈💡

Last year set a high bar, but as we embark on the 2026–2027 school year, COSSPP leadership is ready to elevate our impact even more.

Hear directly from our Chairs and Directors on the new initiatives, research, and opportunities shaping the future of our college.

To read more: https://cosspp.fsu.edu/engage-2025-2026-updates-from-cosspps-chairs-and-directors/