Whether it’s in the halls of federal government in Washington, D.C. or within the branches of state government right here in Tallahassee, students in departments and programs throughout the college seek to enter public service in order to contribute to more effective, less divisive government.

While still in school, they meet with elected officials and policymakers to learn about and help shape the decisions that impact all of our lives.

Your generous gift of any size will help us support academic advancement and professional development for these students, including:

• In-person and virtual connections to pursue internships and networking
• Live and virtual programming featuring speakers and panelists who share their experience, insights and expertise
• Meeting with groups and individuals that influence public policy
• Attendance at conferences, competitions and annual meetings of professional organizations

These types of expenditures cannot be covered by public funding and must depend on private donations.

Even in our current virtual world, support is needed for the technology, programming and access that connects our students with real-world experiences beyond the classroom.

Let's support these future leaders and policymakers!
 

A CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

The college continues to develop as a vital center for the study and advancement of policy and governance, not just for our students but for many others on campus and for the wider community beyond.

Our new Institute of Politics (IOP@FSU) is a world-class, nonpartisan and nationally renowned institute that promotes engagement in politics by students and citizens. Through activities such as the Undergraduate Fellows Program and the Celebrate Civility speaker series, the IOP enriches civil and civic discourse and promotes the idea of public service to the next generation of leaders.

The master’s degree program in Applied American Politics and Policy offers practical experience and a diverse set of skills for those interested in careers in all aspects of politics, enhanced by significant political networks available here in the capital city of the third-largest state in the U.S. and in Washington, D.C.

Over the years, a number of our students have connected with state and national leaders and elected officials for important advancement opportunities, whether individually, through class projects, or with student organizations such as the World Affairs Program and the National Association for Business Economics.

Your generous gift helps assure we can continue to bring extracurricular programming to expand the horizons for our outstanding students.

A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

Thanks to the training and opportunities available to them at the college, our students go on to noteworthy and impactful careers in politics and policy. 

The most recent issue of Influence magazine profiles 19 of our alums considered rising stars in Florida politics.

FSU ties with Georgetown University for the #7 spot among those whose undergrads went to work in Washington, D.C., after earning their bachelor’s degrees. About half of the FSU graduates working on Capitol Hill came from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. Clearly, our students are focused on and well prepared for careers in government and public service.

It's not just political science majors that benefit from visits and connections in state and national capitals. Students in Public Health, Economics, Public Administration, Demography, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and other interdisciplinary programs reap the rewards when generous donors like you support this project.

Listen to this student talk about her experiences in Washington: