Social Sciences Scholars Program
Over 3,200 undergraduate students are majoring in the departments and programs that make up the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. Among them are hundreds of students who have demonstrated extraordinary drive, creativity, and leadership qualities in their involvement in student organizations, internships, and service activities. In addition to these exceptional undergraduates, we have over 600 master’s students who stand poised to take on the responsibility of leadership roles in their careers and their communities.
The Social Science Scholars Program builds upon the college’s history of graduating men and women who have had distinguished careers in both the private and public sectors. Foremost among them is former Florida Governor Reuben Askew (Public Administration, 1951), who served as president of FSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) in 1950. Other distinguished Social Science graduates include: Lynda Keever (Political Science, 1969), former publisher of Florida Trend and Thomas Culligan (Political Science, 1973, and Public Administration, 1977), the current CEO and Executive Vice President of Raytheon International, Inc.
Recent Social Science graduates also have been recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and leadership. For example, Cara Castellana (Economics, 2006) was named a Truman Scholar. Garrett Johnson (Political Science and English, 2006) and Joe O’Shea (Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Philosophy, 2009) were each awarded Rhodes Scholarships for graduate study at Oxford University. Also, a majority of SGA officers have been Social Science majors, including Dustin Daniels (Economics and International Affairs, 2011), last year’s president.
Social Science Scholars
Social Science Scholars are chosen through a competitive process. Those selected participate in a unique, 3-unit leadership seminar during the spring semester of their junior year. The seminar prepares students for projects of their choosing, which are undertaken during the following summer and/or fall semesters. During their senior year, each Social Science Scholar engages in one or more of the following program activities:
- Seminars and symposia on domestic and international issues
- Mentoring by members of the faculty and others
- Internships and/or service projects: local, national and international
- Independent research
Each Social Science Scholar has access to an account of $ 5,000, which he or she can draw upon account for approved program-related activities (i.e., service learning projects, independent research and international study).
Participation in the Social Sciences Scholars Program does not prevent participants from competing for other awards or scholarships, either at FSU or elsewhere.
To become a Social Science Scholar, applicants must have completed all Liberal Studies requirements and earned a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher. They also must complete the on-line application form located on the program’s website (http://www.coss.fsu.edu/sss) and submit it electronically, along with an unofficial university transcript.
For more information contact
John Mayo jmayo@fsu.edu, 644-4321 or Tom Taylor ttaylor@fsu.edu, 878-9321