Florida A&M University Highlights Statewide Impact During FAMU Day at the Capitol

January 16, 2026
Community
By Ashley Flete
Florida A&M University Highlights Statewide Impact During FAMU Day at the Capitol
Florida A&M University Highlights Statewide Impact During FAMU Day at the Capitol

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Orange and green filled the halls of the Florida State Capitol as the sounds of Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 echoed throughout the building Thursday, Jan. 15. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, legislators and supporters gathered for FAMU Day at the Capitol, spotlighting the university’s statewide impact while engaging leaders on priorities shaping its future.

Held annually at the Florida State Capitol, the event provides an opportunity for the Florida A&M University community to connect with lawmakers while highlighting the university’s academic excellence, research initiatives, workforce development efforts and commitment to student success.

 

“Our students are the reason we are here today,” said President Marva Johnson, J.D. “Florida A&M University plays a unique and vital role as the state’s only public HBCU, and an investment in FAMU is an investment in Florida — one that delivers exceptional research, workforce readiness and real results for our communities.”

 

Surrounded by Rattler pride, President Marva Johnson delivers remarks during FAMU Day at the Capitol, as students, alumni and the Marching 100 help amplify the university’s voice at the state level.Surrounded by Rattler pride, President Marva Johnson delivers remarks during FAMU Day at the Capitol, as students, alumni and the Marching 100 help amplify the university’s voice at the state level. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)

 

Throughout the day, attendees participated in educational exhibits and engagement activities designed to elevate student voices and demonstrate how continued state support directly benefits both the university and the broader Florida community.

Kennedy Hughes, a first-year master’s student in occupational therapy from Lakeland, Florida, said participating in the event allowed students to highlight the importance of funding health-focused academic programs and the need for continued investment in higher education.

First-year occupational therapy master’s student Kennedy Hughes joined fellow Rattlers at FAMU Day at the Capitol to share student perspectives on the importance of funding health-related academic programs.First-year occupational therapy master’s student Kennedy Hughes joined fellow Rattlers at FAMU Day at the Capitol to share student perspectives on the importance of funding health-related academic programs. (Photo by Ashley Flete/FAMU Communications)

 

“Being here today to represent the School of Allied Health and Florida A&M University is incredibly important, especially as we seek funding to support our master’s and doctoral programs,” Hughes said. “Having the resources to continue producing graduates in health-related fields matters for our communities.”

University leaders emphasized that the event supports long-term growth, including FAMU’s continued efforts to achieve R1 research status — a designation reserved for institutions with the highest levels of research activity and a key driver of federal research funding and national competitiveness.

 

State education leaders also highlighted Florida’s continued progress in student achievement and workforce readiness, crediting institutions like Florida A&M University for driving measurable outcomes across the state.

“Florida is No. 1 in education, but we will not rest on our laurels,” said Anastasios Kamoutsas, the 29th commissioner of education for the state of Florida. “Our graduation rate reached 92.2% — the highest in state history — and that success reflects the work happening in classrooms across Florida to prepare students not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them. Education is the pathway to prosperity, and it is the great equalizer.”

Anastasios Kamoutsas, the 29th commissioner of education for the state of Florida, delivers remarks during FAMU Day at the Capitol alongside Florida A&M University students, alumni and supporters.

Anastasios Kamoutsas, the 29th commissioner of education for the state of Florida, delivers remarks during FAMU Day at the Capitol alongside Florida A&M University students, alumni and supporters. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)

 

Leaders from the State University System of Florida also pointed to sustained investment and stewardship as key drivers of FAMU’s success. Over the past several years, Florida A&M University has seen significant growth in operating support, capital investment and research recognition, positioning the university for continued advancement within the state system.

 

“Across the country, thousands of institutions would love to be in a position where their budget has increased by nearly 58% over seven years,” said Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of Florida’s State University System. “What matters most is not just the investment, but what is done with it, and under President Johnson and the Board of Trustees, FAMU has demonstrated strong stewardship and results that speak for themselves.”

 

Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of Florida’s State University System, speaks during FAMU Day at the Capitol, highlighting the importance of legislative support for higher education.Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of Florida’s State University System, speaks during FAMU Day at the Capitol, highlighting the importance of legislative support for higher education. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)

 

Rodrigues cited FAMU’s national recognitions, including its designation as a Carnegie-classified research university, its status as a top public HBCU and its continued leadership in social mobility and workforce preparation.

Academic units across the university also highlighted progress made possible through sustained investment. The Florida A&M University College of Law emphasized gains tied to individualized academic support and bar exam preparation, contributing to significant improvements in student outcomes.

“We think about the bar exam every day, and we are seeing the results when we give our students individual focus,” said Cecil Howard, J.D., dean of the Florida A&M University College of Law. “In just two years, our bar passage rate has increased from about 40% to nearly 80%.”

Howard added that long-term support remains critical to sustaining that momentum.

Cecil Howard, J.D., dean of the Florida A&M University College of LawCecil Howard, J.D., dean of the Florida A&M University College of Law, reacts after being recognized during FAMU Day at the Capitol. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)

 

“We’re doing well, but we’re not resting on our laurels,” he said. “With continued investment, we can keep moving onward and upward.”

Alumni leaders also emphasized the importance of the event as a moment to honor FAMU’s legacy while investing in its future. Vicki Muse Johnson, a Florida A&M University alumna, lifetime member and university booster, said the responsibility to support future generations remains essential.

“Florida A&M University has been an integral part of my life long before I became a Rattler,” Johnson said. “It’s our responsibility to prepare and leave opportunities for the next generation.”

Vicki Muse Johnson, a Florida A&M University alumna, lifetime member and university booster, speaks with university representatives while visiting an informational display during FAMU Day at the Capitol.Vicki Muse Johnson, a Florida A&M University alumna, lifetime member and university booster, speaks with university representatives while visiting an informational display during FAMU Day at the Capitol. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)

Together, the voices of students, faculty, alumni, university leaders and state partners underscored a shared commitment to Florida A&M University and ensuring its continued impact across Florida.

 

FAMU Day at the Capitol: By the Numbers

  • $48.3 million — Total recurring funding request to support faculty and staff, academic excellence, student success and K–12 laboratory school priorities
  • $21.1 million — Recurring request to strengthen academic excellence and accelerate progress toward R1 research status
  • $19.2 million — Recurring request to enhance student success, including workforce development, mental health services, veteran support and degree completion
  • $13.1 million — One-time request to complete state-of-the-art research laboratories
  • $10 million — Planning and development request for the proposed Center for Health and Human Performance
 

Media Contact:

Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist 
ashley1.flete@famu.edu 

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