When new international students arrive at FSU, they are often excited to begin their academic journeys while navigating the challenges of settling into a new country. For first-year Ph.D. student Seth Alebia, that transition has been made easier thanks to a familiar face: his longtime friend and mentor, Desmond Adofo. Both students hail from Ghana's Ashanti Region and share a passion for English Education. This fall, Alebia attended FSU's international student orientation not only as a newly admitted doctoral student, but alongside the mentor who helped inspire his path to Tallahassee.

This fall, the Center for Global Engagement welcomed over 400 new international students from more than 60 countries. The countries with the highest number of new students for Fall were Bangladesh, China, India, South Korea and Panama.

As employers increasingly seek candidates with intercultural competencies and global perspectives, Florida State University’s Global Citizenship Certificate (GCC) is helping students develop the skills and experiences needed to thrive. This past spring, 44 students completed the GCC and were recognized during a ceremony held April 24 in The Globe Auditorium.

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.

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.