Recognizing excellence: FSU’s class of 2025 graduate highlights

As the spring 2025 semester draws to a close, Florida State University is preparing to celebrate the achievements of its latest cohort of graduates. This year’s commencement is particularly significant as FSU will honor its largest graduating class in history, with 8,926 degrees expected to be awarded.

The ceremonies, scheduled for May 2-3 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, will be a testament to the resilience and determination of these students, especially in the wake of the tragic events of April 17.

Despite the challenges, graduates have demonstrated remarkable perseverance and dedication. From groundbreaking research projects to impactful community service initiatives, they have made significant contributions both on and off campus.
 
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Marilyn Barnwell’s journey to obtaining her doctorate in educational leadership at Florida State University is a testament to her resilience. 

More than 20 years ago, while working at Merrill Lynch, Barnwell was inspired by author Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” The book served as motivation for her to pursue a career in education at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College). 

“It was something that was always kind of nagging at me — that I hadn’t gone back and gotten that piece,” Barnwell said of getting her doctorate. “That’s always been a dream and a goal of mine. That’s what drove me to going back.” 

The road was anything but easy. Nearly 18 months after beginning her doctorate program, her husband suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke in December 2023 and remained in a coma for several months. He is currently in a minimally conscious state. 

“I remember having to make a decision about how I continue what I’ve already started, because one thing I know is he wouldn’t want me to stop,” Barnwell said. 

Barnwell remained committed to her goal. She balanced her studies with her responsibilities as a principal in the Duval County School System, while caring for her spouse. Her journey was supported by a strong network, including her daughter Kayla Barnwell, who is finishing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at Anne’s College and earned her bachelor’s degree last year while caring for her father.  

“She finished her bachelor’s on time because I told her that was a promise I made to her dad. No matter what happened, I would make sure she got it done,” Barnwell added. 

Barnwell’s dissertation focused on the Jacksonville Teacher Residency Program, highlighting the critical role of mentor-teacher relationships in preparing novice teachers. 

“I was really interested to know more about how the program really works,” Barnwell said. “I wanted to know more about how the program was structured, the expectations and how it helped teachers to be ready to lead a classroom.” 

She acknowledged the strong support from her faculty at FSU, noting their assistance in her and her daughter’s success despite their challenges.  

“Florida State really wrapped themselves around me and my family to make sure that my daughter and I could excel, and that we could complete the journey that we started,” she added. “I will be forever thankful for Florida State.”  

Sahari Walker of Lakeland, Florida will complete her master’s in science planning with a specialization in neighborhood planning and community development from FSU’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

“I decided to attend FSU because I did my undergrad here, and they really provided me with a lot of support and help,” she said.

As a first-generation college student, Walker’s achievements are particularly significant.

“It is important to me to be a leader and show people no matter where you come from, you can reach higher education,” she said.

During her time at FSU, Walker was involved in various projects and internships. She worked as a project manager for Hillsborough County and helped to update their comprehensive plan and address community needs. She also collaborated with the City of Tallahassee on safety and mobility issues in local neighborhoods.

Walker has accepted a position with the Florida Division of Emergency Management. There, she will be responsible for providing temporary housing and shelter during natural disasters.

“I want to help people, really alleviate any issues that they may be going through, just providing them with the resources to help them now,” she said.

Walker hopes to alleviate issues that people may face and provide them with the resources to help them through challenging periods. Her goal is to offer hope and stability.

“I want people to know that even in the toughest moments, they do not have to face it alone,” she said. “There’s strength in knowing someone is there to support you, to listen, and to help you move forward.”

 Rodrigo Santa Maria, a student from Rio de Janeiro, is graduating with dual degrees in International Affairs and Public Relations.  

Santa Maria decided to come to FSU for its academic rigor and social setting. He found a home that nurtured both his professional goals and personal growth. 

Although he was passionate about global issues from a young age, it was at FSU that Santa Maria sharpened his interest with classes in international affairs, history, economics and political science. He volunteered with the World Affairs Program, helping organize and run Model UN conferences that connected students from different schools for debates focused on international issues. 

Santa Maria chose public relations as his second major to develop his professional communication skills. For almost two years, he worked as a news writer for FSU’s Office of University Communications. He was also a member of the School of Communication’s news writing media team during his senior year. 

“I wanted to learn how to use the written word to my advantage,” he said. “It turned out I ended up learning way more than just that. My internship helped me develop a wide set of skills that will be useful in my professional life.”   

Santa Maria’s academic journey will continue at FSU, where he will pursue a master’s degree in international affairs. He will also serve as a teaching assistant in the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. 

Santa Maria described his time as an undergraduate as transformative. He is looking forward to graduate school and the opportunities that come with it. 

“FSU opened my eyes to a lot of things, both personally and professionally,” Santa Maria said. “I am graduating a much different person than I was when I first got to FSU. I learned a lot and developed skills I’ll be using for the rest of my life. I’m extremely proud to be graduating from a university that encouraged me to think critically, voice my opinions and allowed me to grow as an individual.”

Dylan Barton, a native of Sarasota, Florida, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. After applying to several competitive programs, he ultimately chose FSU for its welcoming campus culture and the financial benefits of staying in-state. 

Barton’s passion for chemistry, math and physics led to his decision to pursue chemical engineering. 

“I wanted to apply all those skills in a real-world, industrial setting,” he said. 

During his time at FSU, Barton has been involved in academic and extracurricular activities. He is an honors student and has undertaken an independent research project as part of his Honors in the Major. Barton is also a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), through which he presented his research at a national convention in San Diego.  

Barton‘s research on using plasma to degrade harmful organic contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, prevalent in various industrial applications and pose significant health risks, earned him third place in the AIChE catalysis and reaction engineering section. 

“These compounds are really harmful to human health and are used in various products, so our goal is to find ways to degrade them,” he said. 

Barton credits his principal investigator, Bruce Locke, chair and distinguished research professor in the Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, for guiding him through the research process. 

“The support and motivation from my professors have inspired me to pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering, with hopes of becoming a professor myself,” he said. “The recent events have allowed me to celebrate the supportive community at FSU, and I can only hope to experience that same sense of community as I pursue my Ph.D.” 

Steven Decesare, from Pensacola, Florida, is graduating with his undergraduate degree in biology. He chose to attend FSU because it offered a balanced mix of academic excellence and campus community where he could apply his curiosity to studying the mysteries of the natural world. 

“I’ve always been super interested in biology,” he said. “It’s incredible to understand how the human body works.”  

His passion for the subject has driven him to excel in his studies and pursue a career in medicine. 

Decesare transferred to FSU in the spring of his freshman year. He found FSU to be the perfect place to grow both academically and personally, benefiting from its supportive culture and proximity to home. 

During his time at FSU, Decesare served as the president of the pre-medical fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon, where he found mentorship and led community volunteer efforts. Under his leadership, the fraternity organized community volunteer efforts and raised funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. 

Decesare credits the supportive community and collaborative spirit at FSU for helping him achieve his goals and prepare for the next chapter in his medical career. 

“If nothing else, recent events have shown me that the FSU community has an inherent resilience and bond unlike any other, and I will be forever proud to be a part of the Seminole family,” he said. 

Decesare plans to attend the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine to start his medical journey this fall.

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