Riley Galpin is a mathematics and computer science double major who was drawn to Florida State University for its renowned undergraduate research programs and work opportunities. 

While at FSU, Galpin participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), researching the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic writing. Galpin has presented research findings at the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics Open House, the Undergraduate Research Symposium and the 2025 Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Society (FLAIRS) Conference and intends to use his research to spread awareness about AI’s influence in academia and its ethical use.

Galpin also enjoys sharing his art with the FSU community, hoping to promote awareness about art’s ability to connect people from different backgrounds. His art has appeared on the cover of the Kudzu Review and in the Interlocking Art Gala. 

Why did you choose to attend Florida State University?

I chose Florida State University because of its focus on research and opportunities for undergraduate involvement. I was excited about the opportunities through programs like the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and InternFSU. These programs have allowed me to develop research and leadership skills in real-world settings. I wanted to pursue research during and after my undergraduate degree, so FSU was the perfect choice.  

What academic achievement are you most proud of?

Through UROP, I investigated the effects AI has on human language and how it affects writing styles in academia with Tom Juzek, an assistant professor of computational linguistics in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. We found that the mainstream use of large language models in scientific abstracts may change the structure of how abstracts are written. Our research discusses AI’s effect on human language and how it affects writing styles in academia. 

I presented my research at the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics Open House, the Undergraduate Research Symposium and the 2025 Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Society (FLAIRS) Conference. I co-reviewed a paper in computational linguistics for Nature, the world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal. These experiences at FSU have shaped my future in academia, shown me the importance of teamwork and grown my passion for research. 

How have you connected with the FSU community?

I’ve worked to foster communication and connection between students by bringing art into FSU’s campus. My art was featured on the cover of Issue 71 of the Kudzu Review, FSU’s undergraduate literary magazine, and showcased at the 2024 and 2025 Interlocking Art Gala, where I received a College of Fine Arts scholarship. I aim to create pieces that highlight the importance of identity and community. I believe art is a catalyst for change and can bring people together. 

How do your academic achievements serve the FSU community?

My research has sparked conversations and new ideas about the effects of AI on language and its ethical use. This research on AI’s impact on scientific language has brought attention to how emerging technologies shape how we communicate in academic spaces.

My art has helped connect different fields and communities and encourages students to think about identity, resilience and how we relate to each other. By bringing art into academic spaces, I hope to make FSU’s campus more inclusive. 

The post Riley Galpin appeared first on Florida State University News.

An international group that supports work-integrated education has announced multiple awards honoring Florida State University’s success in preparing students for the workforce, including an inaugural award that recognizes a member of the faculty.

The Cooperative Education & Internship Association (CEIA) will honor FSU with three awards:

• Best Practices Award – Experience Recognition Program
• Engagement Fellowship – Career Center Senior Assistant Director and InternFSU Program Manager Li Pon
• Charles Kettering Award, which recognizes an outstanding internship employer – E. & J. Gallo Winery recognizing the contributions of Amanda Bussey, an FSU alumna, former sales recruiting manager for her leadership in supporting experiential learning opportunities within the company

  

The CEIA is a leader in work-integrated learning that provides opportunities for professional development while advocating for best practices in co-ops, internships and other forms of experiential education. The awards will be presented at CEIA’s annual conference April 6-8 in Tucson, Arizona.

“It’s a privilege to acknowledge Florida State University’s enduring legacy and profound impact on the field of cooperative education and internships,” CEIA President Andrew Harper said. “I’ve witnessed firsthand FSU’s unwavering dedication to fostering high-quality work-integrated learning. Their longstanding commitment to CEIA, through board service, expert guidance and innovative presentations, has elevated work-integrated learning standards nationwide.”

CEIA’s first-ever Faculty Champion Award will recognize Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Joe O’Shea for his contributions to the promotion and advocacy of work-integrated learning by a member of the faculty.

“We’re honored that CEIA recognizes FSU’s commitment to enriching the student academic journey through experiential learning,” O’Shea said. “Our work at FSU wouldn’t have been possible without outstanding students, faculty and staff at the university who believe in the power of experiential education and in making engagement a possibility for every student, from every background.”

Work-integrated learning complements academic studies with practical, real-world experiences outside of the classroom such as internships, undergraduate research, community service engagement and global studies.

FSU’s commitment to work-integrated learning includes the “formative experience” graduation requirement, implemented in Summer 2019 and continuing today, which ensures that all students get a chance to learn and engage outside the classroom.

Students find opportunities to complete the requirement throughout the university, within their colleges and beyond through programs such as the Applied Politics & Policy Learning Experience, the Legislative Internship Program, classroom field experience, the sport management practicum, internships through various academic units and programs such as InternFSU and InternFSU: TLH, and production work for ESPN through Seminole Productions.

As a legislative intern, international affairs and political science double major, Sofia Casas has gotten to work directly under a Florida state senator and her legislative aide in tracking pending legislation, coordinating schedules and handling constituent services.

“This position has given me the opportunity to engage firsthand with the legislative process and apply what I have learned in my political science coursework at FSU,” said Casas, who is from Miami. “Through my experience in this internship, I have discovered I have a genuine passion for local policy and am looking forward to pursuing a career in Miami-Dade politics after graduating.”

FSU Career Center program director now president-elect of CEIA 

In addition to recognizing FSU at the upcoming awards ceremony, CEIA has named Tracey Dowling, FSU’s program director of experiential learning within the Career Center, the next president of the association.

Dowling has been instrumental in building programs such as InternFSU, which provides on-campus internships; InternFSU: TLH, which partners with companies in Tallahassee to hire student interns; FSUshadow, which connects students with one-day job shadowing opportunities; and the Part-Time Job & Internship Fair, a semesterly event that connects students with on- and off-campus jobs.

“It has been a dream come true to collaborate across campus for the last decade to reduce FSU student barriers to engagement in experiential learning,” Dowling said. “Seeing programs come to fruition — with support from academic affairs and partnerships across student affairs — and hearing students talking about them excitedly fuels motivation and innovation.”

An experienced career services professional and FSU alumna, Dowling has previously implemented services and programs at Emory University, the University of Georgia and the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea program. She has served on the board of directors for CEIA since 2016.

“FSU’s success inspires us all to continue pushing boundaries and creating meaningful opportunities for students across the country,” CEIA President Andrew Harper said.

To learn more about FSU’s Career Center and some of the university’s work-integrated learning opportunities, visit career.fsu.edu. For more information about FSU’s Division of Undergraduate Studies, visit undergrad.fsu.edu.

The post Florida State University to receive multiple awards for emphasizing job preparation appeared first on Florida State University News.

Honors student Kieran Stenson engages in the FSU community by serving as a mentor for incoming freshmen and conducting research. Stenson is an IDEA Grant recipient and an Engage 100 leader. He finds joy in supporting students and guiding them to research opportunities.

Why did you choose to attend FSU?

FSU was the first university I toured that felt right. The campus was beautiful, and I was impressed by the plethora of opportunities and programs offered to undergraduates. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, the University Honors Program, Engage 100 and InternFSU—all these programs piqued my interest and showed me that FSU was an institution that offered its students the chance to make something of their college experience. The campus culture was also welcoming and felt alive in a way that other universities did not. In many ways, FSU just seemed like the right place to be for me.

What is your most significant academic achievement?

The biggest research project I have undertaken during my time at FSU has been my thesis. Working with professor Jonathan Grant, I have spent the better part of a year writing my undergraduate thesis, which analyzes the rhetoric of the Polish Constitution of 1791. It has been a fantastic experience, as I received an IDEA Grant and spent five months in Poland conducting research.

Another remarkable experience I’ve had at FSU was teaching an Engage 100 course with professor Claudia Liebeskind for incoming freshmen interested in history. Being an Engage 100 leader was a fantastic way to learn from an experienced educator and work on my lesson planning and classroom management skills. These experiences, and many others, have been pivotal during my time at FSU.

How have you served your community outside of FSU?

Outside the classroom, one of my favorite contributions to my community has been serving on the editorial board for the Florida Undergraduate Research Journal. This volunteer experience taught me about the process of editing and publishing papers for a research journal. Furthermore, it was immensely rewarding to help fellow undergraduates publish their research. It was a highly rewarding and beneficial experience for everyone involved.

How have you made an impact on the FSU community?

I have contributed to FSU through my work as a peer mentor and an honors colloquium leader. Through these mentorship opportunities, I have educated incoming freshmen about the opportunities offered to FSU students and help guide them through their first semester of college. I believe incoming students benefit from having an experienced undergraduate to use as a resource, and I have tried to be that for my students.

The post Kieran Stenson appeared first on Florida State University News.

Florida State University’s Information Technology Services (ITS) recently celebrated a significant milestone: mentoring more than 100 interns in a semester.

These interns provide support in cybersecurity, communications, user research, app development and networking. They are assisting 56 supervisors across ITS.

“Reaching our goal of more than 100 technology internships this semester is more than just a number. It is a testament of our commitment to supporting student success inside and outside the classroom,” said Jonathan Fozard, associate vice president and chief information officer.

In the fall of 2021, ITS started with 12 interns and by spring 2023, the leadership set an ambitious goal to reach 100 interns in a single semester as part of its RISE 2030 campaign.

The goal of RISE is to advance technology projects in four key pillars: research and instruction, innovation and modernization, security and compliance, engagement and student success.

“The cohort represents the engagement and student success pillar because it provides students with the chance to broaden their professional skills and help them achieve future success,” Fozard said.

The post FSU ITS celebrates 100 intern milestone  appeared first on Florida State University News.