Florida State University is expanding its partnership with the Stamps Scholars Program to provide the most generous scholarship in university history to five first-year students per year.

The scholarship will cover up to four years of each student’s full cost of attendance, plus $20,000 in enrichment funding to support internships, study abroad, undergraduate research and other experiential learning opportunities. Prospective students can apply now through FSU’s first-year applications for the 2027-2028 academic year.

“Florida State University is honored to partner with the Stamps Scholars Program to create this extraordinary opportunity,” said Joe O’Shea, vice president for Student Academic Success. “As FSU continues to attract outstanding students from across Florida and around the country, this partnership will provide new support for some of our most talented undergraduates as they pursue bold goals, broaden their impact and develop as leaders in their fields and communities.”

The Stamps Scholars Program was founded in 2006 by businessman, private investor and philanthropist E. Roe Stamps IV and his late wife Penny to help exceptional students achieve their education and life goals.

Stamps Scholars and alumni have earned some of the world’s most distinguished honors, including Rhodes, Marshall, Schwarzman, Fulbright and Goldwater Scholarships, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Beyond these honors, alumni pursue advanced degrees at leading universities, build careers at influential organizations and emerge as leaders across academia, business, public service, science, technology and the arts. Their work is addressing complex challenges and advancing innovation in areas such as bias in facial-recognition technology, worker advocacy, medicine, scientific discovery and space exploration.

Other partner schools include the University of Chicago, Dartmouth College, Georgia Institute of Technology, New York University, University of Notre Dame, University of Oregon, University of Texas and Tulane University.

“As FSU continues to attract outstanding students from across Florida and around the country, this partnership will provide new support for some of our most talented undergraduates as they pursue bold goals, broaden their impact and develop as leaders in their fields and communities.”

– Joe O’Shea, vice president for Student Academic Success

In June, FSU launched the Stamps Veteran Scholars Program, the nation’s first Stamps Scholars Program for student veterans.

“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Florida State University and invite highly motivated students with ambitious goals to imagine what they could accomplish with the support of the Stamps Scholars Program,” Roe Stamps said. “FSU is already doing exceptional work to support talented students through its Presidential Scholars Program, and we look forward to building on that strong foundation and creating even more opportunities for students to learn, lead and use their talents with purpose.”

FSU and the Stamps Scholars Program seek students who are eager to pursue ambitious ideas, create opportunities and use their talents with purpose. Through the expanded partnership, FSU will select five Stamps Scholars to join the Presidential Scholars cohort, increasing the incoming 2027-2028 cohort from 60 to 65 students.

The Stamps Scholars will receive full cost-of-attendance support for up to four years, $20,000 in enrichment funding and opportunities to engage with the nationwide community of Stamps Scholars and alumni. Students who resonate with this mission are encouraged to apply to FSU and seek consideration through the Presidential Scholars selection process.

“We’re so excited for the opportunity to invite some of our Presidential Scholars to the Stamps Scholars Program,” said D. Craig Filar, associate dean of the Honors, Scholars, and Fellows House and director of the Presidential Scholars Program. “FSU Stamps Scholars will be students who demonstrate vision, initiative and a deep commitment to creating meaningful change. This partnership will give them the support to pursue ambitious ideas, connect knowledge across disciplines and lead with purpose as they help shape the future.”

Interested students should complete the Honors Program supplemental application essay by Dec. 1. Those admitted to the Honors Program will be considered for the Presidential Scholars Program and the Stamps Scholarship, with selected applicants advancing first as semifinalists and then to a final round of in-person interviews. FSU will select 65 incoming students for the Presidential Scholars cohort, and five of those students will be named Stamps Scholars.

To learn more about the Presidential Scholars Program, visit its website.

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Presidential scholar Melanie Mitchell has served numerous organizations, fraternities and councils during her four years at FSU, where she completed both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.

As senior class council president and director of many FSU Homecoming affairs, Mitchell works towards inspiring her classmates to dream big and achieve more with the available student organizations.

Her service inspired her niche for people skills and helping people succeed. While Mitchell studied neuroscience in her undergrad, she gained interest in the human side of medicine. That turned her attention toward exploring a master’s in public health.

Her interdisciplinary higher education shone in her research assistant internship with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she worked on community engagement.

Why did you choose FSU?

When I visited for the first time during the presidential scholars’ recruitment weekend, the decision to come here was easy. I felt supported, safe and excited about what my life could look like here.  

Florida State offered everything I was hoping for, such as strong academics at a top research institution, opportunities to stay connected to dance and the arts, spaces to grow as a leader, communities that supported students and campus resources that provided guidance.  

FSU felt like a place where I would not have to shrink any part of who I was, but instead I could become more of myself. 

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

As I progressed through my coursework related to premedical sciences, I found myself becoming just as interested in the stories behind medicine as I was in science itself.  

I became deeply interested in public health, especially the ways in which health disparities, systems and lived experiences shape outcomes long before a patient enters a clinic.  

That interest pushed me to take the initiative to build my own bachelor’s to master’s pathway. By my junior year, I had completed a full year of graduate-level public health coursework. Completing both a bachelor’s in behavioral neuroscience and a master’s in public health in four years reinforced my curiosity, challenged my assumptions and made me more thoughtful about the kind of physician I hope to become. 

Another accomplishment is my research experience in the Nee Lab for Cognitive Neuroscience. I contributed to research focused on working memory and cognitive control. I completed MRI safety training and gained exposure to human subject research and neuroscience methods. 

How do you serve the FSU community?

I served as class president for three years for the FSU Class Councils. We introduced service chairs and initiatives that allowed us to partner with other programs and unions to create support around breast cancer awareness, mental health and food insecurity. 

The council also helped bring back the senior class gift for the first time in nearly a decade, raising nearly $10,000 over the past year to furnish the second-floor patio of the FSU Student Union with outdoor seating. 

I was involved with FSU Homecoming across my undergraduate years as director of several coordinating efforts and teams such as programming, parade, Chief and Princess. I also had the honor of serving on Homecoming Court during my graduate year, which recognized my leadership and helped me promote FSU as a place where everyone belongs and is celebrated. 

How have you practiced leadership during your time at FSU?

Mentorship has been the clearest thread through everything I have done here. I encourage my sorority life sisters, younger students and mentees to go for leadership roles, internships, research positions or jobs. More than anything, I want people to leave interactions with me feeling more confident in themselves than they did before. 

I feel the power of mentorship is to ensure your legacy extends beyond a classroom, a title and even a physical space. It lives in people by rippling into the next generation of leaders, scholars and students who will continue that excellence. Many of the doors that opened were because someone looked out for me, and because of that, I have always felt a responsibility to do the same for others.

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Biological science student and Presidential Scholar William Dhana researches several cellular biological processes related to the mitigation and understanding of cancerous compounds.

His research on these compounds in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) inspired him to take his work and elevate it as a research fellow for the Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology and the National Cancer Institute.

Dhana wants to explore the interdisciplinary cross-section between medicine and cellular research to provide new insights on cancer prevention in the community.

At FSU, he combines his academics with service as a crew lead on the FSU Medical Response Unit (MRU). His unit provides a safety net on the FSU campus in case of medical emergencies, broadening his knowledge of medicine.

Why did you choose FSU?

When I interviewed for the Presidential Scholars Program, I immediately connected with the group of students I met, even before I knew whether I had received the scholarship. With hundreds of student organizations, FSU creates an environment where anyone can find a niche and continue growing. 

Even in my final semester, I have continued to explore new communities. Becoming a Presidential Scholar only deepened that sense of belonging, and I have been incredibly grateful to be part of so many meaningful groups during my time at FSU. 

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

During my time at FSU, I have had the opportunity to grow both as a researcher and as an advocate for undergraduate research. My journey began at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Tang Lab through the UROP. There, I worked on a project using specialized bacteria that mitigate cancerous chemical compounds in groundwater, which introduced me to experimental design and wet lab research. 

Building on that foundation, I was accepted into the U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at the Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology. This program led to a publication titled “PanIN or IPMN?,” which explored the use of artificial intelligence to classify early-stage pancreatic cancer. 

The following summer, I continued my research at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, where I studied a cell transporter that affects how well cancer drugs can reach the brain. 

None of these opportunities would have been possible without my introduction to research at FSU, and they have shaped my long-term goal of integrating scientific research with medicine. 

How do you serve the FSU community?

Outside of the classroom, I focused heavily on leadership and service through both emergency response and student advocacy. 

As a crew lead in the MRU, I ensure that team members are well prepared to respond to medical situations on campus while also mentoring newer trainees as they develop their clinical skills. 

As an Honors Colloquium Leader, I foster a supportive academic environment for those transitioning into the university. 

My involvement in Student Government, particularly through the Student Council for Undergraduate Research and Creativity (SCURC) and now the Student Department of Academic Affairs, has allowed me to advocate for students on a broader scale. I worked on initiatives aimed at expanding access to research funding, improving educational affordability and strengthening academic resources. 

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Florida State University’s Honors Program was ranked No. 1 in Florida by the college ranking publication College Transitions, a resource for high school students and college counselors and the primary source for honors college rankings.

On its 2026 list of “50 Best Honors Colleges,” College Transitions ranked FSU No. 17 nationally among all honors colleges and programs.

While some universities offer separate honors colleges, FSU offers a comprehensive program designed to meet student needs. The program placed No. 6 among honors programs on College Transitions’ list using methodology that considers selectivity, benefits and program rigor.

“Our Honors Program has seen so much exciting growth in the past few years, thanks to President McCullough’s visionary investments,” said DeOnte Brown, dean of Undergraduate Studies. “We’re proud to offer a vibrant community that nurtures highly inquisitive students, engages them in a dynamic academic experience with their peers and prepares them for a future where they can thrive out in the world.”

The Honors Program has grown during McCullough’s tenure from about 400 per class before 2023 to more than 800 in the Fall 2025 class. It is the only Honors program in Florida that has a dedicated faculty who design Honors Signature Courses — interactive, interdisciplinary classes available exclusively to Honors students.

Ten full-time Honors faculty members offer courses on a variety of topics such as superheroes and ethics, coffee and culture in the U.S. and gaming in the ancient world.

“I’m so grateful for the dedication of our faculty and staff across campus who mentor, teach and support our remarkable students every day,” said Joe O’Shea, vice president for Student Academic Success. “We are honored to serve the brightest scholars from across Florida and elsewhere so they can thrive as leaders in their fields and strengthen the future of our communities.”

“The Honors Program at FSU was such a meaningful part of my undergraduate experience. It gave me incredible professors and engaging courses, but most importantly, an amazing community and friendships that lasted throughout my time at Florida State.”

– Hayley Schermer, FSU Honors graduate

Former Honors student Hayley Schermer, who graduated in December with a cell and molecular neuroscience degree, is working as a patient care assistant in the Neuro and Cardiac Intermediate Care Unit at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare while she prepares to start medical school in the summer.

“The Honors Program at FSU was such a meaningful part of my undergraduate experience,” Schermer said. “It gave me incredible professors and engaging courses, but most importantly, an amazing community and friendships that lasted throughout my time at Florida State.”

Students can live in Honors housing in one of two centrally located residence halls and have dedicated program advising. They have access to classrooms, study spaces, gathering areas and resources such as advising, the Office of National Fellowships and the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement in the Honors, Scholars, and Fellows House.

More than 200 students are enrolled in Honors in the Major, an opportunity within the Honors Program that provides students from any major the chance to engage in graduate level research, either with an original thesis or creative project.

Last summer, the Honors Program debuted its new Honors Global Experiences program in London, where 15 students traveled with Honors Associate Director Michael Furman to explore the city and surrounding areas while taking the Honors Signature Course “In the Footsteps of the Ancients: Roman Britain.”

Hayden Thomas is a senior political science and economics Honors student from Tampa who is studying abroad at the FSU London Study Center and interning at a United Kingdom policy organization.

“The Honors Program gave me a community of intellectually curious student leaders who pushed me to grow academically, professionally and personally,” Thomas said. “That foundation made it possible for me to pursue transformative opportunities, including serving as president of the Honors Student Association, conducting research through Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and Honors in the Major, and engaging in immersive professional experiences.”

To provide more opportunities for students, FSU has also doubled the size of its Presidential Scholars Program in recent years. Presidential Scholars is FSU’s premier undergraduate merit scholarship program that invests in students who stand out for their potential to be transformational leaders.

There are now 60 students admitted to each class of the Presidential Scholars Program, where students engage in a four-year sequence of learning and community engagement that focuses on four foundational tenets: wisdom, leadership, service and character.

On top of the generous scholarship funding, students in the program receive financial support for enrichment opportunities such as international study or service, internships, research and creative projects, and more.

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When Jack Folwell considered majors at Florida State University, he knew his favorite classes were in physics and American politics.

As a double major in physics and political science, he combined his passions through campus service and research.

For his Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) project, Folwell pursued “Information Literacy Skills and Beliefs,” researching how people process information on the internet and how to parse through true and false information.

Folwell also served as the chair of the Student Government Association Sweepings Committee, where he led a committee responsible for allocating over $500,000 to over 50 organizations across campus.

Folwell’s research endeavors in scientific misinformation and service commitments have led to his pursuit of a master’s degree in public policy.

What does your experience at Florida State mean to you?

It is so apparent to me now the importance of proper support in collegiate life. The experience of going to college is not simply about gaining the academic knowledge that we work toward on a surface-level but becoming the people we have been working toward becoming. We are ever-growing, and we will continue to learn throughout our lives, but I will likely never again be in a place where I am so wholly surrounded by people with such diversity of thought, where differences of opinions are not only permitted but encouraged. Without the academic and personal support I received at Florida State, I would not have had the opportunity to develop much of my own personal philosophy. I am indebted to the university for fostering my ability to grow and develop. 

What motivated you to double major in physics and political science? Are there any overlaps between the disciplines?

When I came to college, I knew that my favorite high school courses were about physics or American politics. I didn’t want to decide which of these to major in, so I decided to try both. Since then, I’ve found that science policy is a significant area of modern politics. We need individuals who can bridge the gap between scientists and policymakers, a gap that often exacerbates political tensions and leads to policies being antithetical to supporting science. To bring the desires of policymakers and scientists in line with each other, we need to first address the erosion of public trust in scientists. Only then can we ensure that a consistent, well-supported policy is put in place in these critical scientific areas. This niche area of policy, where the two subjects overlap, is where I thrive. 

What resources at FSU helped you balance your schoolwork and responsibilities outside of the classroom?

The single most valuable resource at Florida State is the faculty and staff. In speaking to my friends at other universities, it seems rare for a collegiate administration to be as open to hearing from students as they are here. The number of opportunities I found simply by sending an email asking for a meeting or for personal advice is extremely impressive, and I would certainly not be where I am today if the administration was not so open to working with students. Resources like the Career Center, Counseling & Psychological Services and the Center for Leadership & Service also ensured I maintained a balance between academics and extracurriculars.  

How has being a Presidential Scholar shaped your experience at Florida State?

During my first week in Tallahassee, my Presidential Scholars cohort was introduced to FSU’s campus life and leadership through a leadership summit. Many of my closest friends are those I met early through Presidential Scholars, and it is surreal to see them so pervasive throughout campus leadership. The specific influence the program has had on my experience is twofold: it allows me to attend college without worrying about how to pay for it. That minimization of stress cannot be understated. The second is that it gave me a platform to meet those who had a substantive impact on my collegiate journey earlier than I otherwise would have.

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During her time at Florida State University, Sydney Cole has balanced being a Women’s Swimming and Diving student-athlete, Presidential Scholar and environmental researcher while honing her leadership skills through a continued commitment to community service and sustainability.

Cole engages with the FSU and Tallahassee communities through the Presidential Scholars Program, a premier undergraduate merit scholarship that invests in undergraduate students with potential to become transformational leaders.

“Getting to be a part of a community of incredibly talented and goal-oriented students has made me a better leader in terms of creating quality work and getting involved on and off campus,” Cole said.

When she’s not tending to the Seminole Organic Garden or working with the FSU Food for Thought Pantry, Cole conducts environmental research with the Population and Sustainability program for the Center for Biological Diversity.

While at the center, Cole observed a gap between the public and environmentalists in how they understand the link between public health and environmental problems. This made her realize there needs to be more focus on discussing these issues and inspired her to start her Honors in the Major project on how environmental topics are talked about and shared.

“I believe my contributions of service to the FSU community can extend to the Tallahassee community,” Cole said. “My work with the FSU Food for Thought Pantry, Seminole Organic Garden and the Center for Biological Diversity place emphasis on the importance of accessibility of resources for all.”

What personal experiences inspired you to pursue environmental issues and sustainability?

My personal experiences in population and sustainability began back in Nebraska when I started a journalism project on how comprehensive health and sex education was in my community. I looked at schools across Omaha and the metropolitan area, ultimately concluding that my own district was far behind. This write-up eventually got published and led to my work with the Center for Biological Diversity as we look at the intersection between climate justice and reproductive justice. At the end of the day, my work strives to highlight the allocation of resources and offer solutions on how we can work to bridge this gap.

What does being a Presidential Scholar mean to you?

Being a Presidential Scholar means so much to me, not in terms of title, but more in terms of community. I am thankful to have these opportunities. Every time I benefit from this program, I am reminded that not everyone has been as fortunate as I have been to receive this help, which is why I’m appreciative that we’re working to make the program more accessible.

As a student-athlete, what resources at FSU helped you balance your athletic responsibilities and education?

I’m thankful that I’ve not only had the advising help of the Presidential Scholars program, but also that I’ve had the help of the athletic department. The number of times I’ve missed school for swim meets and been helped by the wonderful staff who send out travel letters and help us coordinate make-up dates is invaluable. My old academic advisor used to go as far to communicate with the Presidential Scholars program head to see what we could do to make my schedule more feasible. I am incredibly thankful for all their help.

Why do you believe it’s important to volunteer for the FSU food pantry and community garden? 

If we’re being honest, I think a lot of the work that I do there is self-serving. I find it calming to be able to go outside each week and work in the garden beds before I sprint off to work meetings. I don’t think I’m doing anything revolutionary, but I do think we must continually support the garden and food pantry because there are students dependent upon those resources. Overall, I’m fortunate I have the time to be able to go there each week.

As a double major in sociology and English, how have your majors complemented each other to benefit your career goals?

I started as an English major purely out of enjoyment, mostly because I have always enjoyed the process of writing and editing. I added sociology when I discovered how much I was interested in doing qualitative research, particularly on environmental issues. I suppose it allowed me to talk to people without explicitly engaging in journalistic interviews. Instead of focusing on a singular story, I utilize a wide range of data sets to begin identifying a common narrative not just of people, but of communities. I believe this will transfer over into my career goals, but truthfully, I have yet to create a definitive career plan. I want to explore whatever makes me happiest.

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