As the summer semester comes to a close, we’re highlighting a few of our graduating students whose academic achievements and personal journeys reflect the range of experiences, excellence and impact found across Anne’s College.
Florida State University will celebrate Summer 2025 Commencement on Friday, August 1, with ceremonies featuring remarks from FSU Trustee Jim Henderson and Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Pamela Keel. The day will begin with a doctoral hooding ceremony at 9 a.m., followed by two commencement ceremonies at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Graduates from the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences will be recognized during the 2 p.m. ceremony.
As the summer semester comes to a close, we’re highlighting a few of our graduating students whose academic achievements and personal journeys reflect the range of experiences, excellence and impact found across Anne’s College.
Ramirez is graduating with her master’s after balancing motherhood, full-time teaching, and graduate school. A passionate educator with 10 years of experience teaching grades 2 through 5, Lindsey believes in the power of education to transform lives, not only for students, but for families, too.
“My heart has always been with students in underprivileged schools — the kids who often need someone to believe in them the most,” said Ramirez. “Watching those students light up when they finally understand something they once thought was impossible is why I do this work.”
Her dedication to her students and her own daughters is what kept her moving forward through early mornings, late nights, and moments of doubt.
“Earning this degree has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding experiences of my life,” she said. “But every time I wanted to quit, I thought about my daughters. I wanted them to see that their mom — even when tired, even when unsure — kept going. I wanted them to know that dreams are worth fighting for, even if the road there isn’t easy. My husband’s support and their encouragement carried me through every hurdle.”
“When I walk across the stage at FSU,” Lindsey said, “I’ll be showing my daughters — and the students I teach — that perseverance matters, that where you start doesn’t define where you end up, and that they, too, can create a life they’re proud of.”
When I walk across the stage at FSU, I’ll be showing my daughters — and the students I teach — that perseverance matters, that where you start doesn’t define where you end up, and that they, too, can create a life they’re proud of.
Originally from Tampa, Tonelli is graduating from the combined B.S./M.S. pathway in Sport Management after earning both degrees in just four years.
“From an early age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the sports industry,” Tonelli said. “I was immediately drawn to the top-ranked program and the unique opportunity to earn both my undergraduate and master’s degrees in just four years. The path aligned with my passion and long-term career goals.”
Since beginning the program, Allie has built an impressive resume with experiences that include interning with the Seminole Boosters and interning with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission as they prepared to host the NCAA Women’s Final Four. She also served as a Student Membership Representative for the Seminole Boosters.
“Looking back on my time in the program, my favorite part without a doubt was the people,” she said. “The support I received from advisors, professors, and peers was truly meaningful and played a huge role in my positive experience. I had the opportunity to build friendships and learn from mentors who still have a significant impact on both my academic and personal growth.”
Tonelli also said that being a member of the Greek Life community and Phi Mu sorority was one of the highlights of her time at FSU. “I met my best friends through Phi Mu and continue to be inspired by them every day,” she added.
Tonelli maintained academic honors throughout her graduate coursework at FSU, all while preparing for the next big step: a full-time role with Vanderbilt Athletics as Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations with the National Commodore Club.
The support I received from advisors, professors, and peers was truly meaningful and played a huge role in my positive experience. I had the opportunity to build friendships and learn from mentors who still have a significant impact on both my academic and personal growth.
Tim Griest is graduating with a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology after years of collaborative research at FSU’s Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (ISSM). His work focused on bridging the gap between athletics and academics.
“My main role in the lab is to take a lead on the ISSM’s athlete research through collaborations with FSU Athletics,” Griest said ahead of graduating. “The strong relationship between athletics and academics is a unique aspect of the ISSM that is rare to see in high-level collegiate sports.”
Griest completed his dissertation on transmeridian travel in elite female athletes and led research projects in collaboration with multiple athletic teams. During his time at FSU, he worked closely with the football team and conducted his dissertation project with the softball team, collecting and analyzing training and performance data to help optimize outcomes and reduce injury risk.
“The most rewarding aspect of working at the ISSM is the people I get to work with,” he said in an earlier interview. “The team that makes up the ISSM and our affiliates works very cohesively and does a great job at creating a productive and enjoyable environment.”
Now, Griest is taking the next step in his career as the Applied Sports Science Coordinator for the Cincinnati Reds, where he’ll bring his passion for performance and innovation to Major League Baseball.
The most rewarding aspect of working at the ISSM is the people I get to work with. The team that makes up the ISSM and our affiliates works very cohesively and does a great job at creating a productive and enjoyable environment.
Jalapa, who is originally from Saginaw, Texas, chose FSU’s Human Development and Family Science Ph.D. program for its faculty expertise and applied research strengths. “Once I visited the department for the first time, I realized that everyone was welcoming and prepared to help me succeed,” she said.
During her time at FSU, she built strong mentorships and relationships with faculty and peers that helped her develop into a confident researcher and presenter, sharing her research at national conferences.
As a first-generation Latina scholar, Karina’s academic journey was shaped by overcoming self-doubt.
“One of the most meaningful highlights of my time at FSU has been overcoming the impostor syndrome that I felt for so long,” she said. “Since the early days of my undergraduate career, I knew I wanted to pursue research, but as a first-generation Latina scholar, I didn’t know how to navigate that path. Likewise, I rarely saw role models who looked like me or shared my background. Now, having completed my Ph.D., I can confidently say that I do belong in academia.”
Her future plans include shaping public policy efforts to support children and families, and being the kind of role model she once needed.
“I believe in the importance of bridging the gap between research and practice, and in using evidence-based insights to inform programs and policies that directly benefit communities that have historically been underserved.”
Since the early days of my undergraduate career, I knew I wanted to pursue research, but as a first-generation Latina scholar, I didn’t know how to navigate that path. Likewise, I rarely saw role models who looked like me or shared my background. Now, having completed my Ph.D., I can confidently say that I do belong in academia.
Originally from China, Yaqi Zhao is graduating with a Ph.D. in Nutrition and Food Science. She chose the program because of its strong research-intensive and competency-based training.
“The program’s focus on functional food, chronic disease and aging response, food safety and quality detection methods closely aligned with my academic interests and career goals,” Zhao said. “The opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects has been both intellectually rewarding and professionally impactful.”
With its interdisciplinary approach, state-of-the-art facilities, and supportive faculty, Zhao says the program provided the ideal environment for her to grow as a scientist and make meaningful contributions to the field. Her research experience stood out the most.
“I enjoyed developing and validating immunoassays for food safety, collaborating with industry partners, and presenting my work at national conferences,” she said. “I also enjoyed serving as a Teaching Assistant for the Food Science Laboratory course, where I supported undergraduate learning and helped students build hands-on skills in food science.”
During her time at FSU, Zhao earned more than $60,000 in funding and awards. “I had the opportunity to present my research at local, regional, and national conferences, which allowed me to share my work and engage with the broader scientific community,” she said. Her funding and awards came from both FSU and external organizations, including the Legacy Fellowship from FSU, first-place awards at the IFT Annual Meetings, and the AOAC/Eurofins Foundation Student Award. In addition, Zhao served as a Teaching Assistant and was honored with the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.
After graduation, Zhao plans to continue as a postdoctoral researcher. “I plan to focus on food safety, protein immunochemistry, and analytical method development,” she said. “In the long term, I hope to contribute to academic research by developing effective detection and diagnostic tools to improve food safety and quality.”
The program’s focus on functional food, chronic disease and aging response, food safety and quality detection methods closely aligned with my academic interests and career goals. The opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects has been both intellectually rewarding and professionally impactful.
Originally from Melbourne Beach, Florida, Litchfield is graduating with her master's in Human Development and Family Science. Throughout her time in the program, Litchfield co-authored a publication, presented at an international conference, and conducted original research in child development.
“I was very excited to be involved in research and learn from professors with vast experiences,” she said.
Her master’s thesis, titled “Depressive symptom trajectories from 3rd through 7th grade in young adulthood: Support-seeking as a protective factor and peer exclusion as a risk factor in the relation between anxious solitude and depressive symptoms,” explores the social and developmental factors that influence depression in adolescents.
She presented her work at the 2025 Anne’s College Research Showcase and was named a Robert M. Gagné Research Award finalist. Her success inspired her to continue into the Ph.D. program in Human Development and Family Science.
I was very excited to be involved in research and learn from professors with vast experiences. Being able to do research in child development and write a manuscript were my favorite parts of the program.
