Student Staff at the Heart of Global Engagement

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. From International Coffee Hour and Engage Your World receptions to the Global Exchanges Fair and the International Bazaar, student staff are behind the scenes making each experience memorable. “The CGE prides itself on quality customer service regardless of position,” said CGE Assistant Director Chandler Gadea-Guidicelli. “Our student staff consistently create an environment where everyone feels welcome at The Globe.”

For many students, working at the CGE is more than just a campus job, it’s a meaningful extension of their academic and personal interests. Luisana Baez, a third-year international affairs and political science major and CGE International Student Services Assistant, sees the CGE as a cornerstone of global learning at Florida State. “I’d recommend students consider a position at the CGE because it stands as a pillar of empathy, understanding, and education on campus and exposes you to other perspectives that will change how you view the world and others for the better,” Baez shared.

Others find their place at CGE through unexpected paths, sometimes starting with food. Isabella Minderman, a third-year biochemistry major and CGE kitchen supervisor, joked about her initial motivation: “I wanted to join CGE because I wanted free food and to skip the coffee hour line.” But her involvement quickly grew into something more meaningful. “I really enjoyed cooking different dishes from different countries and was later referred to the CGE where I was encouraged to consider cooking for International Coffee Hour,” she said. Since then, Minderman has brought her own creativity into the kitchen, even debuting a milk bread recipe for an anpan coffee hour; one she had refined over several years that was a crowd favorite and a personal highlight.

For Fabianna Silva, a second-year international affairs, theatre, and French major and GCC Administrative and Outreach intern, the CGE offered a space where passions truly intersected. “I wanted to join the CGE team because I have a passion for language and learning about other cultures,” Silva said. “The CGE is the place on campus where I can fully express my interest in cultures and get more involved in my major as well and learn from other people I meet here.”

The impact of CGE student employment doesn’t end at graduation. Annie Wilson, now a Student Services Manager in Special Programs in the CGE, began her journey as a volunteer in the Global Nole Program. “I first started at the CGE because I wanted to get more involved with the international community on campus,” Wilson recalled. “Growing up in a host family, I knew how stressful it could be for students to be so far from home and I hoped having a friendly face during a scary time would go a long way.” She later was hired as a student staffer at the International Student & Scholar Services front desk and after graduating with her Masters, she was hired in her current full-time position. Looking back, Wilson credits CGE with offering transformative experiences that extend far beyond a typical student job. “Working at the CGE lets you get a lot of those cultural, social and worthwhile experiences without the cost of a study abroad experience,” she said. “Plus, I don't think there's another job on campus where you get nearly as much free food.”

For students interested in getting involved with the CGE team, it is recommended to become involved in one or more of its many programs like Global Exchanges, GCC, Global Noles, volunteering at events, etc. to get a better understanding of what the CGE does, how it’s run and to meet the full-time staff that may eventually be looking for student staff. Many of our current student staff started as volunteers. The CGE is often looking for globally minded and hard-working student professionals to become a part of CGE team.

At the end of the Spring semester, the CGE staff will hold a Student Staff Appreciation Lunch in honor of the 23 student staff who have been an important part of the team throughout the year. The CGE full-time staff, led by Chef Jesse O’Reilly, will make a variety of home-made pizzas, including the CGE favorite: tikka masala pizza.