Record 11 Florida State University students selected for Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program

During the nine-month program, fellows work alongside senior leaders in state agencies, complete an independent policy case study and present their findings and recommendations to top state officials. Fellows also attend policy trips across the state and spend a week in Washington, D.C.

The following FSU students were named to the Florida Gubernatorial Fellowship Class XXII:

• Annabella Dlugos, a graduate student in public administration, placed at the Florida Department of Education
• Allie Karlinsky, a 2L law student, placed at the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
• Christopher Lynch, an undergraduate student in the Combined Pathways Program working toward both a bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in political science, placed at the Florida Department of Commerce
• Ainsleigh Mahan, a graduate student in political science, placed at the Florida Department of Health
• Olivia McLean, a graduate student in political science, placed at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• George Minning, a 3L law student, placed at the Executive Office of the Governor, Office of General Counsel
• Talia Schwager, a 2L law student, placed at the Executive Office of the Governor, Office of General Counsel
• Jake Suggs, a graduate student in political science, placed at the Florida Department of Transportation
• Watson Thomas, a 2L law student, placed at the Office of the Attorney General
• Tony Vanderhoef, a 2L law student, placed at the Florida Department of Children and Families
• Natalie Willis, a 2L law student, placed at the Florida Division of Emergency Management

Two of this year’s FSU’s Gubernatorial Fellows discussed how their university experiences prepared them for the program and what they hope to gain from their placements.

Annabella Dlugos

Dlugos, a graduate student in public administration, is completing her fellowship at the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Dlugos, who earned her undergraduate degree in political science, credits Florida State’s combined pathways program and leadership opportunities with helping prepare her for the fellowship.

“FSU pushed me a lot academically,” Dlugos said. “I think the combined pathways program set me apart and prepared me for the fellowship. FSU pushed me to be involved, and I’ve taken all of my leadership journeys that I have had and applied that throughout the fellowship.”

At FDOE, Dlugos hopes to learn more about state government while building relationships with experienced leaders in education.

“I am very passionate about education, students and teachers,” Dlugos said. “I am excited to learn leadership skills and qualities from these senior level staff members who have been doing it. I’m excited to meet people, whether that’s at the Department of Education or whoever else I meet throughout the fellowship.”

Jake Suggs

Suggs, a political science graduate student in the MAAPP program, is completing his fellowship at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

After earning his undergraduate degree at UCF, he chose FSU in part because Tallahassee offered opportunities to pursue his interest in state government.

“I interned with Sen. Keith Truenow, and that experience just solidified what I wanted to do, and that was to be here in Tallahassee,” Suggs said. “I love FSU and I love the town of Tallahassee. If you want to do state politics, Tallahassee is the place to be.”

Suggs said his placement with FDOT gives him an opportunity to learn about the many areas of transportation policy that affect Florida and its economy.

“Learning all of the different roles and jobs that people are doing, from modal development to public transit, spaceports, seaports, there’s all sorts of stuff that transportation does,” Suggs said. “I’m excited to learn about those, because it’s such an important part of Florida and Florida’s economy.”

For more information, visit the Florida Gubernatorial Fellowship website.