The Torch — FSU Anne's College Magazine, Spring 2025

Dr. Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh

Greetings from Anne’s College!

There have been plenty of changes recently at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, and this spring has felt unique in many ways. This was our first full semester as Anne’s College, and every day, I feel a renewed sense of purpose in our mission to maximize human potential.

Much of this issue revolves around change. As a college, we help drive innovation forward, whether that is in the preparation of future special education teachers or the way that we look at the impact of artificial intelligence on classrooms. At the same time, as so many things change both inside and outside the College, it is important to look at the change-makers who came before us and laid the foundations for our success. Such is the case with Dr. Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Anne’s College for her work in food science. Her legacy can still be felt in our Department of Health, Nutrition and Food Sciences.

Change can also come in the form of new faces within an organization. Dr. Christopher Small was named the new director of Florida State University Schools, and this new chapter of our research charter school will undoubtedly be marked by growth under his leadership. This issue also looks at some of our registered student organizations (RSOs), which see change constantly as students graduate but provide consistent community and opportunities to our students.

Of course, change can happen abruptly and tragically, and this semester, the peace of our campus was changed on April 17 when a shooting occurred. Though this issue does not directly cover those events, we would be remiss not to acknowledge them and extend our condolences to the victims and their loved ones. What did not change then and will never change is the spirit of FSU. I saw that when the campus community came together in mourning and in support of the victims. Together, we grieve and heal; together, we are FSU.

I hope you enjoy the stories contained within this issue of The Torch. Please keep us updated on changes in your life by sending us your latest news at annescollege@fsu.edu.

Unconqured Always,

Damon P.S. Andrew, Ph.D., FNAK, FNAKHE

Dean and Professor

Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Florida State University

Damon P.S. Andrew

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Joshua Duke

CONTRIBUTORS

Melissa Powell

PHOTOGRAPHY

Sarina Williams

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Colton Flynn

Yanni Spanolios

annescollege.fsu.edu

A LIFETIME OF INNOVATION

Dr. Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY

An Interview with FSUS Director Chris Small

INVESTIGATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

STRENGTHENING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION WORKFORCE

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS

Cole Patoine and Susana Garcia

RSO SPOTLIGHTS

Sport Management Student Association and Student Florida Education Association

SNAPSHOTS

ElevatED in Dublin, Scholarship Breakfast, On-Field Teacher Recognition, Cottingham Colloquium, Dedication Dinner, and Homecoming Tailgate

IN MEMORIAM

Professor and Pioneer: Remembering Emily Haymes

SCHOLARSHIPS

A LIFETIME OF INNOVATION

By

DR. YUN-HWA PEGGY HSIEH

Josh Duke

Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh is a name well-known in Florida State University’s Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, even though she retired almost a decade ago. Her impact on her field, her kindness and mentorship, and her passion for food science established her as a modern-day legend to many faculty and students. Recently, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Anne’s College Distinguished Alumni Awards, a recognition bestowed only a few times throughout the history of the College.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is only the latest accolade for Hsieh. Reflecting back on her career reveals the depth and breadth of her accomplishments. “Though Dr. Hsieh has had an amazing career as a food science scholar and is truly in the top 1% of her profession, what impresses me the most is not just what she did, but how she did it,” said Anne’s College Dean Damon Andrew. “She is the consummate servant leader, and her actions in research, teaching and service have always been focused on transforming the lives of others through enhancing quality of life.”

THE CAREER THAT ALMOST WASN’T

Despite her talents and research prowess, Hsieh always prioritized her family life. Her husband, Ping Hsieh, reflected on her dedication to her role as a wife and mother. “I asked her, ‘what is your expected role in our marriage in the future?’ She said that she wanted to be a good wife and, if we had children, to be a good mother. Then, I asked, ‘how about your career?’ She said family will be her priority.” When Ping was offered his job, Peggy declined an offer from the dean of Rutgers Medical School to focus on starting a family.

Twelve years later, when Ping and Peggy’s two daughters were in school, Hsieh felt the calling to continue her education. Picking up where she left off, she became a Ph.D. student at Florida State University. She excelled in her coursework, and upon graduation, she was offered an assistant professorship at Auburn University. Her age, however, made her question whether or not she should accept the offer.

Ultimately, she decided to start this new chapter in her life, and the world benefited from that decision. Hsieh pioneered monoclonal antibody usage in food safety problems, with one of her most important applications designed to curb the spread of Mad Cow Disease. In fact, this treatment is still the standard in Europe and Japan. With such accomplishments under her belt, Hsieh rose through the ranks of professor: within four years, she became an associate professor, and shortly thereafter, she became a full professor.

FLORIDA STATE LEGACY

Peggy returned to Florida State University at a very different stage of her career. After 10 years of being a full professor at Auburn, Hsieh joined FSU as the Betty M. Watts Endowed Professor in what was then known as the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences. Hsieh credits former faculty member Dr. Natholyn Harris for her return to FSU. “Dr. Harris shaped not only my academic pursuits, but also my approach to life,” said Hsieh. Soon, she was elected to be a fellow of the Inter national Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST) and the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). She also received numerous awards from FSU, including the Faculty Excellence Award, Graduate Mentor Award, and multiple Innovator Awards.

While she earned accolades, both domestic and international, her physical condition forced her to slow down. Despite being at the height of her career professionally, Hsieh retired in 2016 due to a health issue. “Peggy said to me that she still has a lot to do with her research,” Ping Hsieh recalled. “I comforted her by saying, ‘Let your students pick up and continue your work. You have already laid the foundation.’”

One of those students — in fact, her very first graduate student — was Qinchun Rao. Rao flourished under Hsieh’s guidance, and he credits Hsieh for instilling the virtues of humility and hard work. “Her mentorship was instrumental in my academic achievements, including obtaining both a master’s and a Ph.D. under her guidance,” said Rao.

“She significantly elevated FSU’s academic standing on a global scale through her innovative leadership and tireless support of education.”

Rao became an assistant professor at FSU 11 years after meeting his mentor, and just this semester, he earned the same endowed professorship she held during her career at FSU, becoming the newest Betty M. Watts Endowed Professor at Anne’s College. To this day, Rao credits Hsieh’s accomplishments for putting FSU on the map for food sciences. “She significantly elevated FSU’s academic standing on a global scale through her innovative leadership and tireless support of education,” he said. “I am deeply grateful for the invaluable guidance and support she provided throughout my career. Her spirit and teachings will continue to inspire future generations.”

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Ping and Peggy Hsieh retired to Westminster Oaks Retirement Center in Tallahassee. She remains active, volunteering her knowledge and offering food and nutrition advice to other residents. Ping said that she was shocked when she learned about her Lifetime Achievement Award from Anne’s College. “She asked me, ‘Do I deserve this honor? I think many others deserve this more than I do.’ I am not a professional in her field, and I don’t know what her professional peers think about her, but in my humble, non-professional opinion, I think she deserved this honor!” Ping said with a laugh.

Dean Andrew agrees. He recalled meeting her in 2003, when he was the full-time academic advisor in the department. “I remember her then much as I know her now. She was very clearly a talented scholar who cared deeply about mentoring her students. She was soft-spoken, but when she did speak, her words always had such meaning and impact.”

On top of her incredible professional achievements, which tally 87 peer-reviewed journal articles, 11 patents, 12 licensed technologies, and more than 80 speaker invitations to conferences around the world, Hsieh established the Pao-Sen Chi Memorial Scholarship Endowment and the Yun-Hwa P. Hsieh Innovation and Research Excellence Endowment, which have directly supported more than 100 students.

Her service to the College continues, as she serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council. She was also actively involved in the alumni board at the former College of Health and Human Sciences. “Serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council keeps me connected to the college I love,” said Hsieh. She is excited at the direction of the college under the leadership of Dean Andrew. “It is inspiring to see how [Andrew’s] efforts have propelled the college toward even greater heights.”

The Anne’s College Lifetime Achievement Award cannot be applied for; it is only bestowed on individuals who have made a significant contribution to their field. Looking at the extent of Peggy Hsieh’s career, it is clear that she deserves such an honor, despite her humble protestations. Beyond her personal achievements and ground-breaking research, her nurturing personality and mentorship to countless others ensure that her impact will be felt for years and years to come.

“I am truly blessed to witness the remarkable growth of my department, college, and the university as a whole,” said Hsieh. ∎

Learn more about the impact of Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh in our feature video at bit.ly/FSUPeggyTorch

EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY

AN INTERVIEW WITH FSUS DIRECTOR CHRIS SMALL

By Josh Duke

At the end of January, the Florida State University Schools’ (FSUS) Board of Directors unanimously chose Dr. Christopher Small as the next director. Small had previously served as interim director of the school and, before that, was a faculty member in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies and program director for the Educational Leadership & Administration program. Leading up to his time at Florida State University, Small had served in administrator roles at a number of schools, where he successfully improved performance and built strong relationships with students and teachers.

Small’s ability to lead is on full display at FSUS. In his first few months as director, he has established himself as an empathetic leader who makes himself available and visible to his school community. He understands that FSUS is more than just one of the best schools in the country; it is a research school that directly influences and improves the experiences of students around the state.

“My big mission and theme for this year has been ‘every student, every day,’” said Small. “And I’ve told the staff that means not just the students at FSUS, but we have a commitment to our Tallahassee community as a whole.”

A HISTORY OF RESEARCH

Leading a research school is a new experience for Small, particularly one with the history of FSUS. The school was established

in 1851 and opened its doors in 1857 as part of the Preparatory Department for teachers in training at the West Florida Seminary, which would later become Florida State University.

As the university evolved so too did FSUS. When the university became the Florida State College for Women, the Preparatory Department became the Demonstration School and moved into the basement of the college’s dormitory. Back then, the school had one full-time teacher, but it established the important tradition of allowing student teachers to observe and practice model teaching skills, which still occurs to this day at FSUS.

By the 1950s, the school had expanded its enrollment to 780 students, and by 1972, that population expanded to 916. That year also marked a key moment for the school, as it was renamed the Developmental Research School (DRS) by the Florida Legislature. This new name was more than just a superficial change; it reflected the expanded mission of the school to serve as a site of research and academic progress.

The name and location of the school would change once more: in 1990, the school officially became Florida State University Schools, and in 2001, the school moved to its current location in the Southwood development in Southeast Tallahassee. Over the years, it has earned a reputation for educational research, high-quality education, and innovation. That reputation extends far beyond Florida. FSUS currently ranks as the fifth-best charter school in America by Niche.com.

UNITED CLASSROOMS

The rich history certainly contributes to FSUS’ current prestige, but Small points to cohesion between grade levels and strong vertical integration between the elementary, middle, and high schools. Teachers talk to one another across grade levels, which Small says helps them build relationships with students before they even walk through their classroom doors.

“We’re truly able to track data and share that data with teachers who are receiving kids in the next grade level,” he said. Beyond that, teachers talking to one another can discuss students’ strengths and weaknesses. He says that it is common for high school teachers to loop back to elementary school teachers and share what students grasped and what they struggled with, so that teachers at all levels can adjust their lessons accordingly.

“The fact that we’re K-12 and able to do that is not something that every school has the ability to do,” he said. “That articulation from middle to high school is huge, and if you don’t bring that information from school to school, you’re starting from scratch with young adults, and that’s a disservice to them.”

To facilitate this continuous improvement, the high school, middle school, and elementary school leadership teams meet every month. These meetings help improve students’ success, and they also allow leadership to be aware of potential behavioral problems and concerns.

Small also believes that teachers are encouraged to use a wide range of instructional strategies. These strategies ensure that teachers are “not stifling creative ideas, the project-based learning, and those types of things that happen on our campus which may not be as common in your typical school district.”

A BETTER TOMORROW

With such prestige, the expectations are high for the director of FSUS, but Small seems ready to meet the challenge. Part of that confidence is due to the quality of teachers at FSUS. “I think what has been helpful for me in terms of the work that I’ve done is that, although we’re an A school, they [the teachers] still see the need for work and continuous improvement.”

Small views his relationship with the teachers at FSUS as foundational. One of the things that he has expressed to every teacher is a desire to see them grow professionally, and he has prioritized supporting them and encouraging them to take the next step in their work. “I honestly think the energy here has been very, very welcoming in terms of, ‘Hey, it’s a new day. He’s asking us to do a little bit more in terms of some of our research expectations.’”

Small also prioritizes listening and observing, which he sees as vital to relationship building. “The biggest piece of my way of working is building relationships, and when you go about building relationships, the other stuff happens in terms of people wanting to share with you their thoughts, their ideas — the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he said. The key to accomplishing this is “giving them that space to share those things. That allows me to then put action in what they’ve expressed.”

It’s not just with teachers that he hopes to build those relationships. He also prioritizes hearing from students and their parents. It is a rare day when Small is absent from greeting parents and students at the start of a school day, walking through the halls deep in conversation, or sitting down with a student at lunch.

“I shook their hands — almost every single student as they left — in agreement that, hey, this year is going to be the year that we put some things in action, and I need your support.”

“At the beginning of the year, I met with every single grade level of students, and we had a family chat, and I shared with them my heart for the school and what I wanted,” he said. “I shook their hands — almost every single student as they left — in agreement that, hey, this year is going to be the year that we put some things in action, and I need your support.”

NEW CHAPTER

Small has only just begun his time at FSUS, but already the school has welcomed him with enthusiasm.

“Overall, the tenor has been very welcoming and supportive of me and what we’re trying to do in terms of just continuing to push the envelope, and I feel like we are in a good place to really maximize a lot of that energy and recognize the hard work that the teachers do,” he said.

The expectations are high, but Small has consistently delivered exceptional leadership in every role that he has held previously. This latest chapter in his career will undoubtedly be no exception, and his leadership will help guide FSUS into a new era of achievement. ∎

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS AT FSUS

Since FSUS is a research charter school, there is always something happening within the classrooms. Importantly, many of these research projects connect to practical, real-world applications that influence classrooms even outside of FSUS. Currently, researchers are working on the following projects:

- Reach Every Reader Project: A longitudinal study to develop an innovative screener to identify risks for reading challenges at an early age and provide support strategies.

- Teams are looking at civic engagement and civics curriculum, analyzing best practices for teaching civics through art and project-based learning activities.

- The Department of Health is working with FSUS to look at emergency management research and the ways that students can access emergency management career pathways.

- FSUS Physical Education and Anne’s College teams are researching exercise science pathways and how teachers can better prepare students for health curriculum and physical fitness.

- The City of Tallahassee and FSUS Art Education are working together on teaching art through historical landmarks and looking at how art has progressed over time and its effects on culture.

- The FSUS Computer Science program is discussing ways to better teach computer science through math standards and recently published curricular modules that integrate computer science concepts with math standards as an avenue to increase pathways to STEM-based career paths.

- FSUS Math Teacher Amanda Dunkelberger is investigating math anxiety, and at the Anne’s College Research Showcase this year, she presented her exploration of student self-efficacy to address math anxiety in high school students.

- FSUS Fifth Grade Teacher Sam Nelson is conducting action research as a part of a longitudinal study on Elementary Math Acceleration and also presented at the Anne’s College Research Showcase this year.

INVESTIGATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

By Josh Duke

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept of the future; it’s a present-day reality that’s rapidly transforming various facets of our lives, including education. At Florida State University’s Anne’s College, faculty members are at the forefront of exploring AI’s potential to revolutionize learning, teaching, and research. This article delves into the innovative ways these educators are integrating AI into their work, from developing personalized learning tools to fostering critical perspectives on AI’s ethical implications.

Dr. Hailey Kuang is developing AI models for personalized assessment, learning, and teaching, while Dr. Secil Caskurlu is collaborating with AI to streamline research processes and promote ethical AI use in education. Dr. Songhee Han is creating AI tools, such as enhanced chatbots, to provide students with more dynamic and context-aware support in online learning environments. Their

work showcases the diverse applications of AI in education and the commitment of Anne’s College to staying at the cutting edge of this transformative technology.

The two preceding paragraphs were generated using Google’s Gemini after uploading transcripts of three interviews with faculty members within Anne’s College. The prompt was simple: “Using the information in these four interviews, write a two-paragraph introduction to a magazine article about AI research at Anne’s College.” A few seconds later these paragraphs popped up, no further input required. Having conducted the interviews myself, the output generated by the AI seemed accurate and well-written enough — although not necessarily in the same voice, style, and tone I typically write my articles. What better way to start an article about AI usage and research at Anne’s College than from the AI itself?

RISE OF THE MACHINES

AI has been a buzzword in tech for years, but it wasn’t until ChatGPT launched to the public in January 2023 that AI’s cultural moment really went mainstream. Now, every tool, service, and smart gadget seems to have AI baked into it.

Of course, AI has been around much longer than the launch of ChatGPT. The field itself stretches back to as early as the 1950s, when scientists like Alan Turing began wondering about machine intelligence, and Arthur Samuel created the first self-learning program, which taught itself how to play checkers. Much of the early work related to machine learning would be hindered by a lack of computing power, but as technological innovations solved that problem and widespread adoption of personal electronics became the norm, AI applications finally had their moment.

Songhee Han, assistant professor of Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies, was also doing research on AI before it had its big moment. Her research focused on massive open online courses, also known as MOOCs. In a MOOC, an instructor might have thousands of students at once, and Han looked at the way AI could personalize these students’ education to improve the overall experience.

Songhee Han, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies

Compared to what AI can do nowadays, AI has come a long way; however, that early interest in AI helped Han’s research grow alongside technological developments. Even back then, AI “showed promising impact on students’ learning by giving them what they need,” said Han. “It gave me so much data to analyze in terms of how different student groups respond to that interface.”

After joining the faculty at Anne’s College in 2024, Han used the startup funding she received to create a new and improved chatbot, utilizing Lama 3.2, Meta’s open-source AI. This chatbot can create original responses to students’ questions and draw from course material. “Detecting the user intent is almost the same as the intent-based chatbot; however, when [the new model] is generating a response, it goes back to the large language model, and then it reflects on what I fed it, so it’s filtering responses within the context of the question.”

This work earned Han seed funding from FSU’s Information & Technology Services in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of just five faculty across campus.

AI-POWERED LEARNING

It’s not just Han who is interested in helping augment students’ experiences in their classrooms. Hailey Kuang, assistant professor in Measurement & Statistics, is researching how AI can be used to keep students engaged and apply established theories in new ways. Specifically, Kuang is looking at how AI can implement adaptive testing theory, which is the idea that students receive different questions on a test based on their performance. If a student correctly answers a few questions in a row, the test might become harder, whereas a student struggling might receive easier questions.

“Five years ago, a natural language processing-based chatbot was a very innovative tool, but it could not create new answers to student questions,” Han said. “It utilized natural language processing to detect what kind of intent the question has; it signals to the predetermined question-answer set and provides that answer to the student.”

Hailey Kuang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Measurement & Statistics

“If we give students two easy questions in a row, they may kind of disengage and disconnect,” Kuang said. “We always find kind of the middle — that they’re still able to get it correct, but they need to put some effort into thinking through the problem.”

On top of having the AI adapt a student’s testing experience, Kuang is also using AI to investigate how students interact with testing material. Kuang looks at everything from how long it takes a student to click the first button on a test to how many actions they take on a page, and much more. Using all that information, she uses a deep learning model — a type of machine learning that analyzes data and complex patterns — to predict whether a student will answer a problem correctly.

THE ETHICS OF AI

AI clearly has tremendous potential, but that potential also comes with ethical questions. After all, many of these AI models were trained using massive amounts of data, including potentially copyrighted and personal material. Not only could the training process be seen as problematic, but its usage could also cause ethical concerns. Secil Caskurlu, assistant professor in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies, focuses on many of these critical issues, including data privacy, data surveillance, and algorithmic bias.

Secil Caskurlu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies

“AI systems are designed by people, and our motto in computational thinking research is technology is not natural, and technology is designed by humans with their implicit and explicit biases,” said Caskurlu. Her research on AI has influenced the way she inter-

acts with it: “When I use AI, I really try not to provide my personal information, or if I use it for teaching purposes, I try not to relate anything about the students, because with our use of AI we are also feeding the system.”

Caskurlu recognizes that AI isn’t going away, so her recommendation is that people should “just be mindful and be more responsible with using AI.” She suggests that people use the same kind of caution they should be using with all digital tools, such as evaluating traditional search results.

When it comes to using AI in the classroom, Caskurlu says she is fine with her students using AI — partly because she uses it herself.

“I am very open and transparent with my students on how I use AI in my teaching. I remind my students that AI is a collaborator; AI is not a content generator. It’s still artificial intelligence. It’s not human intelligence.”

“If you study hard, use your human intelligence, you can definitely provide better answers than ChatGPT gives you.”

Kuang echoes the sentiment. “Even the most recent version of ChatGPT is just the average student in my class,” she said. “If you study hard, use your human intelligence, you can definitely provide better answers than ChatGPT gives you.”

“I want students to use AI and see what’s available out there and see the possibilities they can utilize,” said Han. “In the end, it’s not about what the tool can do. The tool itself is nothing if you don’t utilize it in a wise way. What we really need to focus on is how to utilize it better. AI gives you so much, and you can do much more with AI-implemented tools, but that doesn’t guarantee you have the ability to use it wisely and really increase your productivity.” ∎

STRENGTHENING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION WORKFORCE

By Melissa Powell

Research and real-world practice come together to better prepare tomorrow’s special education teachers and teacher educators.

When Dr. Jenny Root first began conducting special education research, she never expected to find herself focused on math instruction. “I always saw myself as not a math person,” said Root, Anne and John Daves Endowed Professor at Anne’s College. “Looking back, I just had a really bad experience in math when I was young. And from that point on, I said, ‘I’m not good at math, and that’s okay because I’m good at these other things.’”

Jenny Root, Ph.D.

Anne and John Daves Endowed Professor

Root’s area of interest within special education research is general curriculum access. Specifically, she focuses on methods to teach meaningful academic skills to students with autism and intellectual disabilities. That includes math.

As she began developing math and problem-solving interventions, she uncovered a deeper issue: many teachers, like herself, felt uncomfortable with math instruction. What started as part of her doctoral research quickly became a personal motivator to improve how math is taught and to empower special education teachers with the skills and confidence they need.

“As a classroom teacher, of course I taught math, and I did the best I could with what I knew then,” said Root. But through her own reflections and research, Root has found that special education and elementary education teachers alike may feel uncomfortable with math instruction because of their own experiences in math as students, which then affects their approach to teaching. The realization has resonated with many educators Root has worked with over the years.

“Their own biases impact what they choose to teach and how they choose to teach it. When you teach students with autism, there’s a lot they need to learn but with the same amount of time in a school day as other students, so these biases do influence what you prioritize and what skills you teach,” she said.

She has published more than 20 studies demonstrating students with autism and intellectual disabilities can learn to solve word problems and transfer those math skills to real-world situations.

Addie McConomy, Ph.D. Assistant Clinical Professor

PHOENIX FUND

The innovative FEATHER mentoring approach is possible through support from the Phoenix Fund for Professional Development in Public Schools. Originally established in 2002 by FSU alumnae and lifelong educators Cynthia Schumacher (B.A. ’50, M.A. ’51) and Nina Shuman (B.S. ’50, M.S. ’56), the Phoenix Fund supports the critical relationship between FSU and its classroom partners. Because of the Phoenix Fund’s support, the FEATHER mentoring model has allowed the special education program at Anne’s College to develop lasting, deep relationships with classroom teachers. To show your support of the Phoenix Fund for Professional Development in Public Schools and help FSU provide resources to working teachers, please visit bit.ly/FSUPhoenixFund.

the FEATHER program, Root and McConomy are working to change that pattern and build a stronger, more resilient special education workforce.

By equipping preservice teachers with real-world strategies for using research-backed practices and a strong professional community, Root and McConomy aim to boost career longevity — helping teachers not only enter the field but thrive and feel successful.

“Special education can be very isolating,” McConomy said. “We wanted to create a space where teachers feel connected — to each other, to research, and to a broader mission.”

FSU’s special education program is helping students — and the teachers who support them — find success, growth, and lasting impact.

“We’re working to make sure our students feel prepared, effective, and connected — so they stay,” McConomy said. “Because when teachers stay, students succeed.”

Root’s research reflects that same vision, centering on helping students with autism and intellectual disabilities learn important academic skills — and giving teachers the tools and support they need to teach those skills successfully. ∎

This story highlights work featured in The Research Connection, a video series exploring how research at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is making a real-world impact.

Watch the full video, “Raising the Grade: Advancing Special Education Through Research,” to learn more about Jenny Root and Addie McConomy’s work, and hear directly from a teacher in the field. Watch the video: bit.ly/ARCSpecialEducation

COLE PATOINE

Pursuing his doctorate in Nutrition and Food Sciences, Cole Patoine is a registered dietitian nutritionist from Concord, New Hampshire, whose research largely focuses on gut microbiology and the gut microbiome. This spring semester, among numerous other accolades, he received a 2025 emerging researcher grant from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation.

What has your academic and professional journey looked like?

I started my academic journey as an undeclared major at the University of New Hampshire in 2014. I quickly switched to the dietetics program at UNH after a great experience studying abroad in Italy. I graduated in 2017 with a B.S. in Nutrition/Dietetics. After graduating, I worked as a nutrition assistant in a large hospital on the seacoast of New Hampshire, until I applied to a few combined M.S./Dietetic Internship programs in 2018. I was matched to the program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. This program was heavily clinically based and provided me with extensive experience via rotations in pediatrics, oncology, nephrology, gen med, neurology, NICU, and cardiovascular. As part of this program, I also researched diabetes and defended my thesis on the effect of diabetic tube feed formulas on glycemic response in throat cancer patients. In May 2021, I graduated from Rush University and passed the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) RD exam. As much as I loved Chicago, I missed my family and moved back to New Hampshire, where I worked as a Registered Dietitian at Concord Hospital in their Endocrinology Clinic from 2021-23. I enjoyed practicing as a dietitian; however, after having such a great research experience at Rush, I wanted to return to school, which led me to apply for multiple Ph.D. programs. In early 2023, I had a great interview with Dr. Ravinder Nagpal, which led me to ultimately join the Gut Biome Lab at FSU in August 2023!

What inspired your research interest in gut microbiology and the gut microbiome?

The gut microbiome has been a hot and trending topic in nutrition research. I gained initial interest in it when one of my colleagues at Rush explored this area as part of her master’s thesis. However, after obtaining my RD license, I quickly became known as the family member who could answer everyone’s nutrition questions. It was actually at a birthday party when my aunt asked me if the probiotic that she was taking was good for her or not. I couldn’t answer her question. I had gone to school for six years, obtained a master’s degree in nutrition, and passed the RD exam, but I didn’t have the knowledge required to talk to my aunt about the gut microbiome. I often look back to this moment when asked what inspired my interest in the gut microbiome. However, my overall passion for research stems from my innate mechanistic mindset. I do not take a lot for face value, and if someone tells me something, I like to ask and understand why before I accept new information as fact.

What specific projects or research are you currently working on?

It is well known that diet is one of the most potent modulators of our gut health. For this reason, most of my research explores how certain dietary components and patterns may influence our gut microbiome and overall health. A large project I have been working on since my arrival at FSU is a co-collaboration with Dr. Julia Sheffler at the FSU College of Medicine, where we are exploring the impact of the Mediterranean vs. a modified Mediterranean-ke-

togenic diet on gut health and cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. I am also conducting concurrent clinical trials on campus exploring the effect of components of foods such as watermelon, peanut butter, chickpeas and lentils on gut and cardiometabolic health. My latest project involves a partnership that I built with Better Living Solutions Eating Disorder Recovery in Tallahassee. Our lab is collaborating with the dietitians at this eating disorder clinic to collect fecal samples from participants with anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders. We hope to characterize the composition of the gut in this population to identify certain species of bacteria that may be contributing to mental disorders like eating disorders.

What has been the most rewarding part of your time at FSU so far?

I am very grateful for my mentor and advisor Dr. Ravinder Nagpal. He has shaped me into the researcher I am today, and I am so appreciative of the advice and knowledge he has shared with me. I have also met so many great colleagues and other faculty at FSU who I have learned from. The collaboration between faculty at FSU has been so great to see, everyone wants everyone to succeed. I have been lucky enough to play a role as a mentor myself, between functioning as a teaching assistant for multiple undergraduate classes or as a research mentor as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at FSU. Both of these experiences are two of my most rewarding experiences. A program like UROP didn’t exist at my undergraduate school. Between teaching and mentoring, I have been able to get younger students excited about research and expose them to what we do in our lab. That has definitely been the most rewarding part of my time at FSU so far.

What are your long-term goals after you obtain your Ph.D.?

I love Florida, and the weather is great, but I am a born and raised northerner, and I miss my skiing! I have plans to potentially head back home after finishing my studies at FSU, but if there is one thing I have learned along my academic journey, it is that anything can happen, and no doors are closed! I likely will attempt to land somewhere closer to home where I can do post-doctoral research. I would really like to continue research in the gut microbiome, specifically unveiling mechanisms of the gut-brain axis that hopefully lead to changes in public policy, dietary recommendations, and the overall way we look at the gut as a means to intervene and prevent disease. A newer goal of mine just recently resulted from my experience as a TA and a mentor at FSU. This experience has sparked my interest in the possibility of teaching after obtaining my Ph.D. I could 100% see myself as full-time teaching faculty in the future, and I hope to hone my skills as a teacher and mentor during the rest of my time at FSU so I can fully explore this possibility after I graduate. ∎

SUSANA GARCIA

Susana is pursuing her M.S./Ed.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Anne’s College. She has a background in music therapy and is from Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Can you briefly walk us through your academic and professional journey and what brought you to FSU?

I graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2022 with my Bachelor’s of Music Therapy degree and became a board-certified music therapist shortly after. I worked as a music therapist for a while, and I decided to apply to various mental health counseling programs and was lucky enough to be accepted into a few! I chose FSU, however, because I was really interested in the faculty’s research and the research opportunities both the program and FSU provided to its students.

What inspired your interest in clinical mental health counseling?

As part of my bachelor’s degree, I had a lot of clinical experiences ranging from working with preschool-aged children with developmental and intellectual disabilities to providing music therapy services at a community mental health agency, to interning with a hospice in Miami, Florida. Professionally, I had the opportunity to lead two substance use recovery groups, one for adults and one for teens. Combined, these experiences led me to be more curious about the verbal counseling aspect of therapy and how I could expand my scope of practice.

Are you working on any specific projects or research as part of your program?

I am currently part of Dr. Shengli Dong’s Promote Successful Transition to Higher Education and Work for Minority Individuals research lab, and we are finishing up a scoping review on the intersectionality of disability, mental health, AI, and career devel-

opment in college students with disabilities, which is very exciting. I am also working on gathering some literature and background related to schizophrenia for a possible research project with some of my classmates, so I’m excited to see where that takes us.

What has been the most rewarding part of your time at FSU so far?

I’ve loved the connections I have been able to make within my cohort, with my professors, and the professional and academic opportunities that have come from being at FSU.

What advice would you give to someone interested in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at FSU?

I would say don’t be afraid to reach out to current students or professors to discuss what your time there could look like, and don’t be afraid to come into the program unsure of which population you want to work with or if you want to do research. A lot of self-discoveries will happen via your courses, interactions with peers and professors, and with time. Have fun, ask for help when you need it, and enjoy it!

What are your long-term goals after you graduate from the program?

I will be applying to various programs this fall for a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and am hoping to focus on trauma resilience, especially within minority or underrepresented communities and accessible mental health services and cultural stigma. ∎

2025 Anne’s College Research Showcase

SPORT MANAGEMENT STUDENT ASSOCIATION

BEYOND THE GAME: SPORT MANAGEMENT STUDENTS BUILD CAREERS, CONNECTIONS, AND COMMUNITY THROUGH SMSA

By Melissa Powell

One week, it’s an FSU legend like Gene Deckerhoff or Heisman winner Charlie Ward behind the mic. The next, it’s an MLB executive or NFL marketing professional. For members of FSU’s Sport Management Student Association (SMSA), Tuesday nights aren’t just meetings — they’re a front-row seat to the sports industry and a launching pad for future careers.

SMSA is one of the most active registered student organizations in the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. With more than 60 active members on average, its mission is to help students break into the world of sports through professional networking, hands-on experience, and meaningful mentorship and community.

“Each week, we host guest speakers, which could be faculty or staff from FSU Athletics or professionals from across the country working in sport management,” said current SMSA President Austin Santilli. Santilli is completing his final semester in the College’s combined B.S./M.S. in Sport Management program. He has been involved in SMSA since he started at FSU and served as networking chair last year before taking over as president.

Guests share their backgrounds, how they started their careers, what their day-to-day looks like, and offer advice for students

entering the field. “It’s been a really interesting way to connect with people and learn from their experiences,” he added.

Santilli, originally from Orlando, manages the organization’s events, executive board, social initiatives, and overall operations with guidance from faculty advisor Dr. Jason Pappas.

Like many students in the major, Santilli found sport management through a lifelong connection to athletics. “I’ve been involved with sports all my life,” he said. “Florida State’s sport management program allowed me to not only chase my dream of working in sports, but also challenge myself academically since it is a top sport management program in the country.”

The social connections SMSA offered also made a difference for Santilli, who started college in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. “Everything was online, and it was tough to make meaningful connections,” he said. “As someone who is more reserved and quiet, the SMSA meetings allowed me to connect with my peers in the major and come out of my shell. I started talking with members of the executive board, and as our relationship grew, I wanted to hold a leadership position in this club and give back to the organization.”

Austin Santilli Sport Management Student Association President

TRIPS THAT CHANGE TRAJECTORIES

For Santilli, the networking trips have been a standout part of SMSA. A five-day trip to Houston in 2023 for the NCAA Men’s Final Four left a lasting impression. “That was my first real jump into it. I think it was a 22-hour bus ride round trip, and it was eye-opening to see how these major events are run and what all goes into it,” he said. “But also getting close with my classmates and friends on the trip — creating those social bonds to build up my professional network base. I think these are friendships I’ll see throughout my sports career, hopefully.”

SMSA typically organizes one trip per semester, taking about 30 students to volunteer and network with different organizations. During FSU’s Great Give in March 2025, nearly 25 supporters helped the Department of Sport Management raise more than $4,000 to fund student travel for SMSA’s trips, provide scholarships, and support events like the FSU Sport Management Conference.

In recent years, SMSA members have traveled to cities like Nashville, Charlotte, and Miami.

“In the fall, we traveled to Miami and met with the Dolphins, the Panthers, Inter Miami FC, and the Miami F1 team,” Santilli said. “It gave us the chance to see their workplaces in person rather than just hearing from them virtually.”

Most recently, SMSA volunteered at the 2025 Women’s Final Four in Tampa. “It’s more practical, boots-on-the-ground type of work — helping the NCAA put on the Final Four,” he said. These experiences, he added, give students “a great perspective on how the sports industry is different from a standard 9-to-5. These events take place on weekends — they’re long days and long nights — so you can see what it actually entails after college.”

The exposure also helps students explore career paths. “Sport management can be such a broad major, so going to these places and listening to a panel like we often do — you’ll get a salesperson, a marketing person, an event coordinator, and people in a lot of different areas to see what they do in their day-to-day,” Santilli said. “That’s helped me figure out what I do and don’t want to do.”

Santilli is currently interning with the Rising Spear Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Collective and hopes to continue in that space. “I’m very interested in how the NIL space has been progressing over the years. I’ve done a lot of research papers throughout my time in school, so hopefully I can progress with them or another NIL collective in the future.”

But SMSA isn’t limited to just sport management majors. “You can be a business major, nursing major, accounting, computer science — there’s something for all of that in sports. If you have a passion

Maci Hudson

Sport Management Student Association Vice President

for sports, we’re open to seeing how we can fit you in and help you pursue a career,” he said.

Vice President of SMSA Maci Hudson echoed Santilli’s sentiments. “We want to make sure that we are providing opportunities to all students that want to be involved in the sports industry in some way,” she said. “There are so many majors that have sports adjacent to them, so we hear lots of people who want to do marketing and major in that and focus on business, but they also want to have a sort of tie to sports.”

Hudson is a senior sport management major who transferred to FSU after competing as a collegiate cheerleader in Michigan. “SMSA was one of the first things that I found to get involved with on campus,” she said.

EXPLORING THE INDUSTRY, ONE CONNECTION AT A TIME

For Hudson, a Greensboro, North Carolina native, a trip to Charlotte with SMSA was especially memorable. “It was a really great experience because it opened up my eyes to networking with a lot of professional teams,” she said. “From the outside, working for these professional teams seems so unattainable, but the trips are great to meet people, connect with them, get their LinkedIn and contact information, and see how attainable it can be.”

After meeting executive board members and forming connections while still new to FSU, Hudson was inspired to get further involved in the organization that made such a big difference for her. “Experiences like that just made me realize how much I care about this organization,” she said. “I just want to do anything in my power to make it better, make it more accessible for people, and get word out about it.”

Hudson hopes to continue her journey at FSU by applying to graduate school. “I just love FSU and want to stay here, but I really like operations — that’s where I see myself working, either for a collegiate football team or in the NFL.” She currently interns with FSU football recruiting operations.

For both Hudson and Santilli, SMSA has been transformative. “Taking up this position has definitely helped me improve my communication skills and leadership skills, and it’s been fun to give back to an organization that’s given me so much,” said Santilli. Hudson agreed. “It’s opened my eyes to so many different things, and I’ve made so many great connections being on the executive board,” she said. “We’re just always looking for new people to bring suggestions and fresh ideas, because we constantly want to be changing — to make it better and more exciting and build our alumni network.” ∎

STUDENT FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

HELPING FUTURE TEACHERS THRIVE

By Melissa Powell

When Natalia Torres attended her first Student Florida Education Association (SFEA) meetings at FSU, she was simply looking to get involved. She did not expect to walk away with a vision for her future.

“After I went to the first couple meetings, I could imagine myself being president of the organization,” Torres said. “It’s such a good community, it’s so fun, and the past president, Julia Moffa, was great — it just kind of inspired me.”

Today, Torres, who is originally from Miami, is doing exactly that. As president of FSU’s SFEA chapter, she leads a community of aspiring educators united by a passion for teaching, a commitment to public education, and a shared desire to make a difference.

SFEA is a registered student organization within the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. It serves as the student branch of the Florida Education Association, one of the state’s largest professional organizations for teachers. The group offers professional development opportunities, guest speakers, community outreach, and social events that help members build skills, grow their network, and prepare for life in the classroom.

“SFEA is a safe space for educators or future educators to come together and discuss education reform or just talk to one another about advice for teaching and create that space for connection,” said Torres, who is in her final undergraduate year of the combined bachelor’s/master’s pathway in elementary education at Anne’s College.

LEARNING TOGETHER, LEADING TOGETHER

Torres first discovered SFEA at FSU’s Involvement Fair as a freshman and was immediately drawn in.

“I already declared my major and knew what I wanted to do,” she said. “But once you see people in that major actively pursuing it, you get a different view of it. Growing up and throughout high

school, I felt like I was the only one who wanted to be a teacher. To meet other like-minded people who were also interested in being educators was really nice and eye-opening.”

SFEA became a home base on campus — and a foundation for growth.

“Not only am I involved in SFEA, which is like my one true love, but I’m also in other organizations like the Hispanic Honor Society and Seminole Tap Troupe,” said Torres. “I get to explore different sides of myself through involvement, and I’ve found a good support system that way.”

Junior Anna Laughlin, who serves as SFEA’s vice president, also found the organization as a first-year student looking for networking opportunities and a sense of belonging while attending FSU’s Involvement Fair.

“I was trying to find an organization that had something to do with teaching,” said Laughlin, who is from Jacksonville. “I started going to the meetings, and then I found out a few girls in my sorority were in it too, so I was like, ‘Great! This is the place.’”

Laughlin is also in the combined bachelor’s/master’s pathway in elementary education and comes from a family of teachers. She describes teaching as something that’s in her blood and traces her inspiration back to volunteering at the local zoo.

“I really knew this is what I wanted to do when I was a Zoo Teen at Jacksonville Zoo,” she said. “I was with the kindergarteners, and it was just like a classroom setting, but they were learning about animals. Seeing how engaged they were and teaching them things they really enjoyed is where I got inspired – seeing that joy in learning was really fun.”

Now, as vice president of SFEA, she supports the executive board, coordinates meetings, and plays a central role in organizing the group’s signature initiative: the annual school supply drive for Astoria Park Elementary, a local Title I school.

Natalia Torres

Student Florida Education Association, Florida State University Chapter President

Anna Laughlin

Student Florida Education Association, Florida State University Chapter Vice President

COMMUNITY AT THE CORE

Now in its fourth year, the school supply drive has become a cornerstone of SFEA’s outreach efforts.

“I got really involved in the school supply drive committee when I was a general member,” said Laughlin. “We set up the supply boxes and Amazon wish lists, and we deliver all the school supplies ourselves. The principal and vice principal are just so grateful, and knowing the supplies are going to benefit the school is something I enjoy.”

Torres sees the effort as merging two of SFEA’s primary goals. “We try to do things to give back to our community, but also help each other as FSU students,” she said.

Beyond community outreach, SFEA’s general body meetings also serve as personal and professional growth opportunities. Each monthly meeting focuses on a timely or topical theme in education, such as preparing for practicums or field experiences and navigating the first year of teaching. Guest speakers include retired educators, current principals, and first-year teachers.

“You learn something at every meeting,” said Laughlin. “I feel like every time I go, I always walk away with information that’ll help me become a better teacher.”

BUILDING A CAREER IN THE CLASSROOM

Both Torres and Laughlin say SFEA has helped affirm their commitment to teaching and strengthen their confidence as future educators.

“When I found out about SFEA, that kind of solidified it for me,” said Torres. “It feels like you’re surrounded sometimes by people who want to be doctors, lawyers, in corporate roles, and there can be societal pressure where you might start to doubt it. But then when I met these people and saw them graduate, saw their updates that they’re doing great as first-year teachers, getting jobs in different counties and districts, I’m like, ‘wow, maybe I can do this.’”

While coursework also played a key role in her journey, Torres credits the community she found in SFEA for deepening her passion for the profession.

“It’s such a nice safe space, and I’ve met some close friends through SFEA,” she added.

Being in a leadership role has only made that realization more powerful.

“It’s been a good challenge,” Torres said. “I feel like I’ve always been somewhat of a leader, so it’s been nice to prove that to myself, and even just emailing people and coordinating things is networking in a sense, so you’re developing interpersonal skills, and it’s helped me a lot; it’s fun.”

SFEA also gives members access to the broader Florida Education Association and its professional resources. Through an optional $31 membership, students receive benefits such as fieldwork insurance, and invitations to attend statewide or national conferences, which open doors to future mentorship and networking.

“One of the benefits of being a member of SFEA is that through the FEA, you have access to people who are already teachers and are already on that career path that you can make a connection with,” said Laughlin.

After graduating with their master’s degrees, both Torres and Laughlin hope to begin their teaching careers. Torres hopes to gain experience outside of Florida, possibly in New York, while Laughlin hopes to return to her hometown of Jacksonville and teach in the elementary school she once attended.

As they prepare for the next academic year, they are optimistic about what is to come.

“I think the one big goal for next year is going to be growing SFEA and gaining more members,” said Laughlin. “There are so many benefits.” ∎

ELEVATED IN DUBLIN

Project ElevatED, our initiative to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of educational professionals, went overseas in 2024 during the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Top educators from Florida, Georgia, and Ireland, including Florida Teachers of the Year Sarah Painter , Melissa Matz , and Adrianna Swearingen , were recognized during the game in front of a crowd of thousands.

SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST

The Scholarship Breakfast at Anne’s College celebrated 50 years of recognizing the important connection between students and our generous supporters and donors. Thanks to the support of our donors, we are able to give out more than $1 million in scholarship support each year.

$1.2M in Scholarships Awarded

335

Scholarship Recipients

178 Scholarships

Students Natasha Bishop, Trinity Johnston and Saiful Singar shared their stories about how their scholarships helped their academic journeys.

“This scholarship allows me, as a first-generation student, to achieve more and dedicate myself to my passion of educating and serving others.”

— Natasha Bishop

ON-FIELD TEACHER RECOGNITION

As part of Project ElevatED, Dean Damon Andrew, President Richard McCullough and First Lady Jai Vartikar welcomed top Florida educators onto the field during the football game against the California Golden Bears on September 2, 2024. Guests of honor included:

Mr. Edward Lanza Florida School-Related Employee of the Year

Mr. Michael Chaires  Florida Assistant Principal of the Year

Dr. Michael George Florida Principal of the Year

Mr. Russell Hughes  Florida Superintendent of the Year

Ms. Jaime Suarez 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year

COTTINGHAM COLLOQUIUM

The 2024 Cottingham Colloquium, hosted by the Psychological and Counseling Services program, invited students, alumni, and supporters of the program to connect and learn about the latest research in the field. Guest speakers included Dr. Kendra Thorne (Ph.D. ‘19), Dr. Taryn Wade , and Lauren Sakowitz (B.S. ‘20, M.S./Ed.S. ‘22). The annual event honors the legacy and work of Harold F. Cottingham.

DEDICATION DINNER

The College formally began its new chapter during the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Dedication Dinner on November 22, 2024 in the Heritage Museum at Dodd Hall. The College became the first college at FSU named after an alumna and the first named education-related college in Florida’s State University System. Surrounded by university leadership and friends, Anne Spencer Daves shared her story and her unwavering support for Florida State University. The celebration continued the next day at the annual tailgate, where alumni, students, and supporters of FSU got to meet Anne face-to-face.

“The Seminole drumbeat and my heartbeat kind of came together, and it pulled me back here, and I knew then what I wanted to do for my father.”

— Anne Spencer Daves

HOMECOMING TAILGATE

The second-annual Anne’s College Homecoming Tailgate brought Seminole spirit to life on November 23, 2024. Outside Doak S. Campbell Stadium, alumni, faculty, and friends gathered for food, drinks, and festivities, including performances by the Marching Chiefs and FSU Cheer Team. Guests cheered on the team during the Legacy Walk and watched the game together under the tent.

SAVE THE DATE

November 1, 2025

The College hosts the Homecoming Tailgate annually, so be sure to save the date for the next one.

PROFESSOR AND PIONEER

REMEMBERING EMILY HAYMES

By Melissa Powell

Professor Emerita Dr. Emily Haymes didn’t worry about perfection. What mattered to her was performance: gathering strong data, learning from failures, effective mentorship that encouraged students to think for themselves, and pushing the boundaries in new areas of study.

She was, in the words of her former doctoral student Dr. Samuel N. Cheuvront, “old school.” She was also ahead of her time.

Her office was known for having towering stacks of papers and journals spilling over the sides of her desk. It might have looked like chaos. But for Haymes, it worked.

“She didn’t rely on PubMed,” said Dr. Lynn Panton, professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences. “Actually, I think she was better. She could remember everything about her research area and beyond. She could quote articles, and if you needed an article about a certain topic, she knew exactly what journal it was published in and could immediately go get it; and it was usually in her office.”

Cheuvront recalled a similar experience. “She would put a finger on her chin, and then she’d look at all those stacks, and she’d pull out the exact paper you were asking for, without fail each time.”

That was the Emily Haymes so many knew and admired. She was brilliant, resourceful, and always two steps ahead.

She came to Florida State University as a faculty member in 1979 and spent the next 30 years conducting groundbreaking research, mentoring dozens of graduate students, and helping shape the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences at Anne’s College. By the time she retired in 2009, Haymes was widely regarded as a pioneering researcher in thermoregulation, female athlete physiology, and sports nutrition, becoming an expert in those fields before they were common areas of study.

She also chaired 26 doctoral committees, 15 master’s thesis committees and was a member of an additional 26 dissertation committees. Originally from Springfield, Missouri, Haymes passed away in December 2024, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship, scholarship, and scientific advancement.

“She was a pioneer,” said Cheuvront. “So much of my career path happened because of her. I owe her everything.”

A PIONEER IN FEMALE ATHLETE PHYSIOLOGY

Haymes received her Ph.D. from Penn State University and served as a post-doctoral researcher in the Penn State Laboratory for Human Performance Research. She then became an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder. In Colorado, her laboratory hosted the United States Olympic Cross Country Ski Team, and Haymes became the first to study the effects of cold on

thermoregulation during skiing. She became a special consultant to both the U.S. and British Olympic teams.

Early in her career, she often conducted her research at high altitudes or in frigid climates and examined how athletes responded to cold, heat, and air pollution. At FSU, she expanded that work and became one of the nation’s leading researchers on female athletes, especially regarding iron metabolism and hydration under stress.

“She was a huge name in sports nutrition and was one of the originators of female nutrition and hydration studies,” said Dr. Michael Ormsbee, director of the FSU Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine, which has built on some of Haymes’ environmental physiology research. “I would put her on that list of the pioneers of female athlete physiology, because before her, you didn’t really hear about it specifically.”

Her work led to a deeper understanding of how environmental stress — heat, cold, altitude — affected female athletes differently.

“She probably wouldn’t have even considered herself a pioneer,” said Ormsbee, who was hired in the sports nutrition faculty line created as Haymes was retiring. “She was just doing cool work.”

Haymes also held numerous prominent positions in the national American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as well as in the regional chapter of the Southeast ACSM. She served as vice president of ACSM and became the first woman on its executive board. She later served as president of the Southeast ACSM chapter, all while mentoring the next generation of scientists.

FROM CURIOUS KID TO SOLDIER SCIENTIST

Cheuvront describes Haymes as a quiet, confident mentor. “She was always there for you, always had time, but she also wanted you to grow independently and not rely on her for everything.”

Long before earning a Ph.D. in exercise physiology under the guidance of Haymes, Cheuvront was just a kid flipping through sports magazines, curious about the role of nutrition in sports. That early

A PIONEER FOR THE SCIENCE OF WOMEN IN SPORT

Dr. Emily Haymes’ work in exercise physiology placed her among a small group of pioneering scientists who reshaped public and scientific understanding of women in sport. A 2022 article in the Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, co-authored by FSU’s Dr. Lynn Panton, identified Haymes as one of the field’s most influential voices. Her research on cold exposure, thermoregulation, and iron metabolism in female athletes helped provide the scientific foundation for the inclusion and advancement of women in competitive sports.

“She specifically advanced our knowledge of the unique mineral and fluid needs of female athletes under challenging environments,” the article notes. Her findings not only contributed to the fields of sports nutrition and environmental physiology, but also helped dismantle some long-held myths about the limitations of female athletes — an impact still felt today.

curiosity led him to study dietetics, become a registered dietitian, and serve as a sports nutrition expert, working primarily with collegiate football, gymnastics, and track and field teams.

At the time, Cheuvront was stumped by complex performance questions from athletes and coaches. A mentor suggested he try an exercise science class. Those classes led him to Haymes’ published research papers.

That’s when he discovered that FSU was one of the few institutions in the 1990s offering an integrated graduate program in both nutrition and exercise science. And at the center of it all at the time was Haymes, the person who would ultimately change the course of Cheuvront’s career.

In Memoriam

At the end of Cheuvront’s doctoral studies, Haymes handed him a job advertisement for a postdoctoral position at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), a premier laboratory that had even published the textbook they used in class.

Cheuvront became a commissioned officer — serving as a soldier scientist focused on thermal physiology, solving problems like heat and cold stress in extreme environments, just like his mentor. He devoted nearly 20 total years of his life to working as a research physiologist at USARIEM. He now serves as a lead physiologist at New Balance Research Labs. But without Haymes’ suggestion to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship with the Army, he says his entire trajectory would have looked different.

To this day, Cheuvront’s consulting firm’s name, Sports Science Synergy, reflects Haymes’ influence and research — a harmony of exercise science, nutrition, and environmental physiology.

‘DID LEARNING TAKE PLACE?’

Haymes held herself and others to high scientific standards. “The gold standard was the standard,” Cheuvront said.

However, she was resourceful in the lab and taught her students not to expect perfection but to prioritize strong scientific methods and meaningful data.

“When I first joined the lab, I was overwhelmed,” said Cheuvront. “There was all this old school equipment in the lab — and one of the exhalation tubes had duct tape on it. I remember asking, ‘Are you guys actually using these?’ And she laughed and said, ‘Sam, let me tell you something. You read these papers that are published, and you think that everything was immaculate and perfect because of the way they read. But all those papers were done with tubes that have duct tape around them. There’s nothing wrong with that. We tested them. They’re sealed. They work.’

“And I was more of a duct tape person too, so right away she made me comfortable in the lab, and I learned that perfection was never the goal,” Cheuvront said.

She was also known for asking, “Did learning take place?” in response to failures in the lab.

“One lesson that she always taught was that failure was just as important as success, as long as you learn from the failure, so you’re not repeating your failures,” said Cheuvront.

LASTING IMPACT

Even after her retirement in 2009, Haymes’ former students kept in contact. Her colleagues frequently referenced her work. The annual Southeast ACSM Conference named a mentoring event in her honor: the Emily M. Haymes Mentoring Breakfast.

“Emily, along with four other faculty members, started the breakfast over 40 years ago,” said Panton, who first met Haymes when she visited the University of Florida to give a lecture to a graduate environmental physiology class where Panton was a graduate student. “The mentoring breakfast was a time when women faculty could meet, network, and be mentored by other women faculty. Over the years, it has grown to include men, women, and students — but the focus remains on mentorship and connection.”

Haymes’ humility and willingness to sit down and talk with both students and faculty were some of her greatest strengths, according to Panton. “She has a special place in the hearts of many of her colleagues and the students she worked with,” said Panton.

“All of her students rave about her,” added Ormsbee. “When she passed, former students immediately started asking how to donate and how to set up a fund in her name. That’s the kind of impact she had.”

Cheuvront was one of the former students who reached out to establish a scholarship in Haymes’ name, only to find out one had already been established by Haymes herself. “It didn’t surprise me, because that’s exactly Emily,” he said. “She wanted the next generation and the next generation and the next generation of young scientists to continue to study sports nutrition and environmental physiology. As all graduate students know, having any amount of money for travel or to buy supplies to do research is critical. Having that in place for them speaks volumes of her dedication to the field while she was alive and now after.”

Her impact was far-reaching, and her quirks were endearing. Her piles of papers. Her encyclopedic memory. Her ability to recall authors from 1990 journal articles on command. “Sometimes my own office at home gets messy like that, and my wife will say ‘Hey, your office is starting to look like Dr. Haymes.’’” said Cheuvront. And to him, that’s the best compliment there is. ∎

The Haymes Scholarship Endowment supports graduate students pursuing careers in sports nutrition, with a focus on working with athletes of all ages. To contribute to this fund and help carry forward Dr. Haymes’ legacy of mentorship and innovation, please contact Kevin Derryberry, Assistant Dean for Development, at kderryberry@fsu.edu

SCHOLARSHIPS

The following scholarships were awarded by Anne’s College in the spring of the 2024-25 academic year. Over the decades, these scholarships have provided critical support, empowering students to pursue their dreams and make lasting contributions to their fields. Each scholarship is listed by the year it was established, highlighting the enduring legacy of generosity that continues to shape the future of our students.

1975

Walter H. Wray Endowed Memorial Scholarship Walter H. & Gwendolyn Wray

Yarui Chen

1977

Margaret Rector Sandels Scholarship Fund

Jessica Ritchie

Natasha Bishop

1980

Sierra Morandi

1988

Norejane J. Hendrickson Scholarship Fund Dorothy Hendrickson

Yunzhi Zheng

1989

Elizabeth Bell Smith Endowed Scholarship Elizabeth B. Smith

Julia Moffa

1991

Hallie Deaton Choate Scholarship

Jake DeAngelo

1982

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Fund

Amaia Ariail Tonya Givens

1983

Florence Smith McAllister Endowed Fellowship Fund Bert Roper

Katherine Spurling

Marisa Luciano

Bruce and Connie Long Endowment for the College of Education Office of Alumni Affairs Constance C. Long

Steven Conner

Wilson Sitton Endowed Scholarship

Jean D. Sitton & Margaret A. Sitton

Rhiannon Crawford

1992

Dr. Julia B. Schwartz Endowed Scholarship in Early Childhood Art

Education Stephen L. Gross

Morgan Wummer

Fay Kirtland Excellence in Education Endowed Fund

Ashley Murphy Elizabeth Paat

1994

Mabel Jean Morrison Endowed Scholarship Fund Debbie J. Lane

Hayleigh Fairbanks

Willie Le Hall Johnson Endowed Scholarship in Education

Willie Le Hall Johnson

Brianna Sosa Meagan Jefferson

1995

Fearless Five - Class of 1944

Scholarship Ilah J. Berry

Alyssa VanLinder

Elizabeth Kyhos

1996

Laura Swinyer

Patrick Alex Brahaney Endowed Scholarship Esther K. Brahaney

Voranica Joseph

1997

Curtis Edward Spencer Endowed Scholarship Fund Anne S. Daves

Ashlyn Dominey

Delia Cuevas Elizabeth Paat

Ellen H. LeDuc Endowed Scholarship Fund Ellen H. LeDuc

Ian Haas

Maggie Lassiter Natasha Bishop Tyla Adams

1998

Bruce Ernest Haddad and Dorothy Summers Haddad Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

Elaine M. Blanchard

Naya Cortelyou Tommy McCall III

Dennis and Kathy Newman Endowed Scholarship

Dennis K. & Katherine R. Newman

Alondra Miranda-Tirado

Gilbert R. Stone Endowed Scholarship Fund Ronald F. & Marcia B. Stone

Madeline Gomes

1999

Anderson-Darling Family Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

Carol A. Darling & Paul R. Anderson

Dylann Lowery

Eleanore and Frank Kaney Endowed Scholarship Eleanore I. & Frank N. Kaney

Anais Clark

Janet Wells and Billie Jones Endowed Award Fund in Pedagogy

Janet Wells & Billie J. Jones

Jenna Clifton

Michaela Decker

Susan Henson

2000

Dr. T. Grant Brown Endowed Fund

Dawn L. Brown

Hao Lin

Xiaoyue Cui

John and Clara McDonald Endowed Scholarship Fund

Rosalie M. Agee & John R. Keefe

Adjua McNeil

Dillon Riera

Erik Smith

FNU Rameez Raja

James White

Natalie Shakir

Qiong Li

Sarah Trupiano

Sean Burke

Xinyu Liu

Nancy Duran Thomas Scholarship in Early Childhood Special Education

Peter D. & Tod Thomas

Alexis Leftwich

2001

Cornelia Davis Hamlin Endowed Fund

Anne T. & Richard N. Hamlin

Jaleah Knox

Frances Newton Hall & Evelyn

Wichelns Jerger Scholarship Fund

Dean W. & Andrea H. Jerger

Gabriella Jacobs Naya Cortelyou

2002

Melvin & Helen Pope Elementary Education Scholarship

Robert W. Pope, Mary H. Daniel, Katherine J.

Pope & Melvin L. Pope, Jr.

Brianna Tucker

Elizabeth Sharp

Erin Swan

Hayleigh Fairbanks

Kali Kamiya

Morgan White

Phoenix Fund for Professional Development in Public Schools

Nina J. Shuman & Cynthia J. Schumacher

Lauren Amparo

Leah Rodgers

Maggie Lassiter

Maria Solares

Molly Buchanan

Thomas Wesley Byrun Endowed Scholarship

Alexander Knowlton Maliyah Henry

2003

Dr. Fanchon Felice Funk Endowed Scholarship Fanchon F. Funk

Emily Donner

Dr. Helen Cate Memorial Scholarship Fund Dianne S. Dempsey & Jere H. Schelberg

Nafisa Sadaf

Dr. John Scott Dailey Endowed Scholarship

Sarah Ann Dailey, John E. & Virginia E. Dailey

Margaret Fraser

2004

Endowment for Excellence Fellowships & Scholarships Fund

William G. Smith, Jr. & Paula P. Smith

Alayne Thompson

Aravind Kumar Bingi Raveen Rani Wayne Ayers-Creech

Jean A. Reutlinger & Lillian H. Munn Scholarship

Nafisa Sadaf

Craig A. & Paula M. Reutlinger

Nethraja Kandula Sadio Fenner

2005

Dr. Richard C. Kunkel & Dr. Dawn M. Ossont Scholarship Fund

Richard C. Kunkel & Dawn M. Ossont Kunkel

Sophia Perkins

Fund for Excellence in Family Education

Meghan Litchfield

Kathryn Graham Crayton Memorial Scholarship Gary L. Crayton

Tayler Barrett

Kelly Foundation Scholarship at FSU

Emil Asanov

Pao-Sen Chi Memorial Scholarship

Endowment Mangsun S. & Min-Hwa Chi, Yun-Hwa P. & Yuch P. Hsieh

Carly Thomason

Deakon Schuette Saurabh Kadyan Timothy Griest

2006

Mary Groover Huey and Anna Groover Carr Endowed Scholarship

Anna G. Carr

Ciara Woodall

2007

Florida Council for Social Studies Fund for Excellence in Social Studies Education

Florida Council for The Social Studies, Inc.

Jordan Jackson-Cates Travis Cain

Margaret Spearman Parkman Endowed Scholarship Fund Paula Mims

Chassidy Parker

Daniele Shick

Jillian Schiller

Kayla Lewis

Laura Brimer Michelle Collins

Nikki King

Sharon Rose Sloan Virginia Barrett

2008

Helios Education Foundation Fund for FSU-Teach Program

Helios Education Foundation

Abigail Koprowski

Alexandria Balog Kaylie Dominguez

Sarah Fitzpatrick

2009

Anne Spencer Daves Fellowships Fund in the College of Education

Anne S. Daves

Bamidele Ajayi

Cigdem Cokay

Jessica Smith

2010

Tornillo Family Scholarship Fund

Donna M. Tornillo

Bright Bakiweyem

Patrick Sonde

Peter Idowu

2011

Shallamar GoodwinRichards Zhen Zhang

Dr. Ava D. Rodgers Endowed Scholarship Ava D. Rodgers

Asia Dukes

Harold F. Cottingham Memorial Fund

Michael J. Lindsey

Mosimileoluwa Adegbesan

Susana Garcia

Mary Gwen Smith Endowment Fund

Jean Fliess

Delia Cuevas Gabriella Jacobs

Robert L. Patrick Scholarship

Endowment LaVerne J. Schultz

Cason Faris Jackson Riesen

2012

A. L. Dua Endowed Scholarship in Instructional Systems Sanjay K. Dua

Jaesung Hur

2013

NMSI UTeach Endowment Fund

National Math and Science Initiative

Abigail Bean

Adell Saponaro

Ana Eliza Lopez

Angelina Phipps

Angelina Szasz

Anna Hodge

Anna Stump

Annabelle Sharp

Ashlynn Gonzalez

Auva Farahani

Ava Dalessandro

Gabriel Rosa Gemma Buchanan

Grace Knauff

Isaac Suarez

Jariel Garriga

Jemalyn Nocon

Jeremy Thomas

Juan Landaeta

Julia Ufir

Julian Licata

Kacey Grimm

Kaleigh Paredes

Kara Lane-Lightfoot

Katherine McDermott

Layla Davis

Lorena Ramirez Passamani

Lovia Nguyen

Mahmoud Yusuf

Malik Gay

Mann Patel

Mark Soliman

Natalia Zablah

Natalie Batista

Raya Bhuiyan

Rohita Paul

Samuel Schuett

Saugat Gautam

Selenia Davila-Colon

Sharon Esteche

Skylar Russell

Sophie Slager

Sydney Taylor

Taylor Cline

Vanessa Torres

Veeraj Dalsania

Robert M. Gagné Outstanding Faculty Research Award

Marcy P. & Robert E. Driscoll

Saurabh Kadyan

2014

Beth Bates Bass and John Davis Bates Fund John E. Bates

Angela JosephVelasquez

Sarah Ware

Sorgalim Rivera

College of Health and Human Sciences Preeminence Endowment

Dean’s Advisory Council

Alisha Townsend

Dr. Helen Clark Brittin Endowed

Scholarship Helen C. & Anthony N. Brittin

Colleen Brennan

Avery Doerhoff

Axel Gonzalez

Brenna Means

Carter Nelson

Catherine Porricolo

Cathrine Lamprecht

Devin Sapp

Devyn Asencio

Elani Soto

Emma Albrecht

Evan Safi

2015

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Scholarship Fund

Aastha Bhattarai

Adriana Aizpurua

Aida Rahimi Kahmini

Alayne Thompson

Alexandra Patterson

Amber Noor Mustafa

Amogh Basavaraj

Ava Cockey

Avery Tangen

Bolade Olateju

Brett Cross

Cameron Bertelsen

Carson Outler

Catherine Metcalfe

Charlotte Parker

Chioma Opara

Christin Domeier

Cole Patoine

Crystal Marroquin

Dinara Ibrayeva

Dylan Gill

Emily Beavon

Frances MacVicar

Francesca Angeletti

Glenda Herrera

Gwoncheol Park

Hannah Eberhardt

Heidi Zhu

Hui Shi

Hyosoon Yim

Idam Kim

India Adams

Jacqueline Belle

Jai Bum Koo

James White

Jeckson De Andrade

Silva

Jessica Griffin

Jiabei Xu

Jiwon Baek

Jonathan Hoch

Jordan Smith

Joseph Vondrasek

Juhee Cavins

Justina Harsche

Kaihao Zhang

Kamari Gouin

Karson Hills

Katherine Spurling

Kayla Stange

Kendall Harris

Kenta Nagasawa

Kun Wang

Kyra Freeman

Lillian Adelfio

Lilliana Leitao

Lily Houser

Luke Krausse

Madelyn Johnson

Marisa Luciano

Marshall Mainer

Megan Phillips

Mikayla Heath

Miranda Bradley

Nazanin

Mohammadipour

Nicholas Triplett

Niveditha Karthikeyan

Nuodi Zhang

Quinn Roberts

Raveen Rani

Rebecca Foti

Rieke Gillar

Sachin Narayanan

Samantha Cohen

Sean Salek

Seungbae Kim

Seungjie Han

Seyoon Oh

Sihan Jian

Stephanie Horowitz

Stephen Weisman

Sydney Prochaska

Thomas Bissen

Timothy Griest

Tyler Greene

Tyler Hall

Valentina Fernandez

Victoria Langone

Wenting Song

William Mumby

Xavien Johns

Xinyun Zhang

Xuzihan Mao

Yeeun Jeong

Yinan Li

Young Ho Shin

Youngmin Oh

Yunzhi Zheng

Yuting Hu

Zahra Gholami

Dr. Linda J. Smith Endowed Scholarship for Lifelong Learning

Linda J. Smith

Asha Harp

Norma Ronan Chafin Endowed Scholarship

Robert W. Sheets, Jr. & Maragret M. Behr

Sarah Fitzpatrick

Tom and Evelyn Smith Vlasak Endowed Education Scholarship

Thomas S. & Evelyn S. Vlasak

Cali Dyal

2016

Hazel Royall Stephens O’Connor Dillmeier Endowed Fellowship in Sport Psychology

Angela Heinisch Tyler Greene

2018

Susan and Marie Hipps Endowed Scholarship Jack M. Hipps

Madeleine Marion

2019

Dr. Shridhar Sathe Graduate Scholarship and Research Fund

Sandhya S. Sathe

Nethraja Kandula

John E. and Mary L. Champion Human Sciences Endowed Undergraduate Honors Scholarship Award Fund

John E. Champion, Jr. & Sally C. Blackburn

Meredith Grimm

2020

Delores “Dee” Shepherd Endowed Scholarship Mary E. Seay

Olivia Mason

School Psychology and Counseling Programs Fund Karen A. Walker

Adrienne Edmunds Alyssa Ward

Anna Cunningham

Charlisse NavarroSanabria

Samera Ahmed

Travis Coleman

Zerrin Kurdak

Melissa Gelin

2021

Anthony S. Bray Memorial Endowed Scholarship Richard L. & Bonita B. Wheeler

Cristina Kopels

Charles Haworth Awards for Student Veterans in Education

Charles T. & Sylvia E. Haworth

Alexander Green

Douglas Warnock Jr

Dr. Robert Lee “Bob” Vogt Math Scholarship Daniel T. Vogt

Azar Kamaldar

Dr. Toni Jo Mason Endowment for Excellence

Toni Jo Mason Private Foundation, Inc.

Erik Lopez Perez

2022

Walter F. Hayes Family Endowment

Kevin M. & Ashley W. Hayes

Zachary Cooper

2023

Fletcher Family Endowed Scholarship

Ann B. McCracken

Rebecca Steidle

School Psychology Practicum Support Fund Foundation for Leon County Schools

Maria Aliberti

Miranda Bradley

Nicholas Reese

2024

Olivia Eto

Patricia Dunn

Theodore Meros

Anne Marie Erdman Endowed Scholarship Fund in Honor of Betty M. Watts Jacqueline L. Dupont

Rhiannon Crawford

SNOW DAY

A rare winter storm blanketed FSU’s campus in white this January, turning Landis Green into a winter wonderland.