After more than two decades of visionary leadership, Cindy Green, Ed.D., will step away from Florida State University this summer following 22 years as Director of the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). During her time at FSU, Green fundamentally reshaped how FSU supports international students, fosters intercultural learning and advances campus internationalization.
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Each year, the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) Awards bring together departments from across Florida State University to celebrate individuals and teams whose achievements strengthen campus life. At this year’s ceremony, two outstanding members of the CGE were recognized for their lasting impact and distinguished service. Leigh Ann Bauer, CGE Global Exchanges Program Director, received the Artes Skill Award, while CGE Director Cindy Green, Ed.D., was honored with the inaugural Legacy Achievement Award.
Emma Brown and Milina Tuladhar were honored as the 2026 Global Citizen Award recipients during Florida State University’s Leadership Awards Night on April 7 in the Student Union ballrooms. This year’s ceremony, themed “The Unmasked Leader,” drew inspiration from a masquerade ball, with each prestigious honor revealed throughout the evening.
This academic year, FSU welcomed four talented new international undergraduates from Pakistan, each choosing Florida State as their path forward for their academic and professional goals. Among them are Anum Akbar, an economics major, Malaika Hyder, who is studying information and communication technology, Mafaza Saddique, a computer science and mathematics major and Muhammad Hannan Arif, a pre-physics and astrophysics student.
Through part-time OPS positions, Federal Work Study roles, InternFSU internships and volunteer opportunities, CGE student staff power the daily operations of the CGE and extend its reach across campus. They set up, break down, and welcome visitors to events, capture photos and stories, conduct interviews, assist international students and help create the warm, welcoming atmosphere that CGE is known for.
The 2026 Florida International Leadership Conference (FILC) once again demonstrated why it is a cornerstone leadership experience for students across the state. Bringing together more than 150 domestic and international students from over 15 Florida colleges and universities, FILC provided a weekend focused on reflection, connection and personal growth.
The Chinese American Student Organization (CASO), in partnership with the CGE, invites the campus community to gather over food, culture and conversation at Global Café: Flavors of China on April 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Globe Dining Room. Guests will experience Chinese flavors while enjoying meaningful community connection through cuisine.
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) offers students global engagement opportunities directly from their FSU classrooms. Through virtual collaboration with international partners, COIL provides many of the benefits of study abroad without requiring travel. Within the Global Citizenship Certificate (GCC) program, COIL is integrated into the required Global Perspectives course, where students work with peers from FATECs, São Paulo State Technological Colleges in Brazil. The GCC has incorporated COIL since the 2019–2020 academic year.
Alexandra Falvella, Nina Capoccia and Lauren Cavanagh were the winning team in the CGE Global Trivia Night on March 12th. This was the third annual Global Trivia Night on with six teams participating in a friendly competition and answering international trivia questions spanning culture, history, sports, food and more. Participants played for the coveted International Coffee Hour Golden Ticket, which grants each winning member a spot at the front of the check in line at International Coffee Hour and first access to second servings for an entire calendar year.
Alessandro Balza, an international exchange student from the University of Pavia in Pavia, Italy, is making a name for himself in Florida’s vibrant chess community. Studying political science during his time abroad at FSU, Balza brings not only academic focus but also exceptional talent to the chessboard.
Balza first learned about a local competition from Global Nole, Ellie Usher. He entered the FAMU-FSU Chess Tournament on March 7 and emerged as the overall champion.