As the spring semester comes to a close, Anne's College is highlighting a few graduating students whose academic achievements and personal journeys reflect the range of experiences, excellence and impact found across FSU.
As the spring 2026 semester comes to a close, Anne's College is highlighting a few graduating students whose academic achievements and personal journeys reflect the range of experiences, excellence and impact found across Florida State.
This spring, Anne’s College anticipates celebrating 1,004 graduates. The college anticipates awarding 570 bachelor’s, 318 master’s, 62 specialist, and 54 doctoral degrees.
Originally from Miami, Florida, Xiomara Romero is graduating with her master’s and specialist degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a first-generation Hispanic student, her journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to supporting others.
“I’ve always been drawn to supporting others in a more meaningful and intentional way,” Romero said. “As a first-generation Hispanic student, I’ve experienced what it feels like to navigate spaces where you don’t always feel fully seen or understood.”
Through her work at Florida State University, especially with the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) and QUEST Scholars programs, Romero worked closely with students balancing academic pressure, personal challenges, and identity development.
“In those moments, I realized I wanted more than just the ability to guide students academically,” she said. “I wanted the skills to support their mental health, help them process their experiences, and create spaces where they feel safe, valued, and understood.”
A highlight of her experience in the program has been the people, she said.
“My favorite part of the program has been interacting with my cohort, who are all incredibly accomplished and supportive,” she said. “Being surrounded by people who are so passionate about this work has made the experience really meaningful.”
Romero has also appreciated building relationships with faculty and applying counseling theories in practicum and internship experiences, seeing what she learned in the classroom translate into real-world practice.
After graduation, she will continue her education at Anne's College in the Ph.D. program in Higher Education, with the goal of bridging mental health and academics.
“I hope to contribute to creating environments where students are supported both academically and emotionally, and where mental health is seen as an essential part of student success,” she said.
During her time at FSU, Romero also presented "Thriving Together: Dual-Impact Wellness for Student and Staff Success," at NASPA, and received the McDonald Fellowship for research for her Ph.D. She was also honored with the STAR Award from the Division of Student Affairs and maintained a 4.0 GPA while working full-time.
Carson Outler, originally from Columbus, Georgia, is graduating with a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy.
She chose FSU's program for its strong reputation and commitment to developing well-rounded professionals.
“I was excited to work with greats in my field to become a better therapist, teacher, and researcher,” Outler said. “From the moment I started the program, I felt supported and believed in by the faculty.”
Being involved in research has been a highlight of her experience in the program, she said.
“I worked as a research assistant on a project that worked with families recently involved in the child welfare system, and that experience, in part, inspired my own dissertation on sandwiched caregivers, which are adults who simultaneously care for their own children and their parents,” she said.
Through intramural and extramural funding, Outler traveled to several states and countries, including Norway, Scotland, and Japan, to present her research.
“I love meeting new people at conferences and learning more about the groundbreaking work scholars are doing,” she said.
In addition to her research, Outler gained professional experience through roles with the Victim Advocate Program and the FSU Multidisciplinary Center.
“Overall, I feel confident in saying that I am leaving this program as a stronger clinician, researcher, teacher, and supervisor. I am genuinely grateful to all of the FSU faculty and staff who poured into me and supported me on this journey,” she said.
After graduation, she plans to continue conducting research focused on caregivers in adversity and systemic approaches to supporting families, with the goal of informing policies that directly benefit caregivers.
Originally from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Madison Kellenberger is graduating with a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.
She chose the program for the opportunity to collaborate with faculty at the Florida Center for Reading Research and contribute to work she used daily as a classroom teacher.
“I also wanted to be a part of an interdisciplinary program that would push me to think deeply and develop skills needed to conduct innovative, rigorous reading research,” Kellenberger said.
Her favorite part of the program has been her apprenticeship in a research-practice partnership between Florida A&M University and FAMU Developmental Research School.
“Through this work, I’ve gained experience in how research-practice partnerships can serve as a model for conducting research with and alongside the local community to produce evidence and address pressing challenges in schools,” she said.
During her time at FSU, Kellenberger led research projects, mentored undergraduate students, and presented her work at national and international conferences. She also deepened her skills in advanced statistical methods and was nominated for FSU’s Undergraduate Research Graduate Mentor Award, in addition to receiving an Anne’s College Dissertation Award.
After graduation, she is heading to the College of William & Mary to serve as an assistant professor of literacy.
“I look forward to preparing future teachers, supporting local educators, and continuing research on how to accelerate reading development for students with word-level reading difficulties, including dyslexia,” she said.
