The College of Social Work is excited to welcome our newest cohort of doctoral students. Each joins Florida State University's academic community with a broad range of experience in social work and an interest in contributing to social work research and scholarship to advance the profession and benefit the diverse populations it serves. 

Schyler Brumm

Originally from Central Florida, Schyler attended Florida State for her bachelor's degree in psychology and dual master's degrees in social work and criminology.

"My background working with children and families has fueled my interest in researching youth and family experiences in various complex systems," she explained about her interest in studying child welfare at a deeper level.

Throughout her career, she has engaged in social work through micro and macro work focused on her area of interest. She has served as a therapist for high-risk youths, providing wrap-around care and crisis intervention, and as a child advocate, she supported the best interests of those involved in the child welfare system. As a program manager with the Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families, and Children, she developed education and training for child welfare professionals and court representatives.

Schyler's research interests include contributing to translational research to impact social work practice and policy in child welfare and understanding how the court systems affect vulnerable populations. "I am excited by the opportunity to continue my educational journey in a place I am already connected to and that provides a strong sense of continuity and support," she shared. I hope to delve deeper into the multifaceted nature of this field, gaining expertise to drive positive change and foster sustainable improvements. 

Andrew Ingrassia

"I took the long way to discovering social work as a profession," Andrew explained. Originally from Louisiana, he has spent much of his life in the Southeastern United States while serving in the US Army. He would settle in Florida after an honorable discharge in 2014 as a licensed practical nurse, followed by additional work in health care regulation, nonprofit leadership and peer services. I soon realized that the glue that held all my interests together was the field of social work," he added.

Andrew realized that a doctoral degree in social work would further his interests in mental health and substance use recovery models along with the intersectionality of culture and identity expression with recovery.

"It is an exciting chapter of my life and I want to connect with and get to know the people that will be an integral part of my life and academic development," Andrew enthused. "I was drawn to FSU based on the wonderful reputation of the Doctoral Program, faculty and long-term success of those who have completed the program. Another factor was FSU's commitment to veterans."  

Ponsiano (Pons) Ngondwe

"I hope to influence change through social work education because having all social workers understand the implementation 'chain' enhances effective change at all levels," Pons expressed. "With evidence-based research, it is possible to influence change through education, policy implementation, and scholarship research on a larger scale."

Pons comes to Florida State with over 20 years of experience serving vulnerable populations in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. His work includes serving refugees, persons with disabilities and women through organizations like Jesuit Refugee Service in Ethiopia and St. Joseph the Worker Development Programs, a social development arm of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Kangemi in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (Kenya). With his extensive knowledge in forced migration, empowerment support and organization management, Pons's research interests include inclusive education, especially for vulnerable populations such as street families and refugee children with disabilities, and empowerment and its effect on marginalized communities.

 "I am interested in exploring the challenges vulnerable populations in emergencies face, especially how to contribute towards a safe, secure, and inclusive environment where vulnerable populations such as refugee children, children with special needs, women and street families feel supported," he added.

Rachel Tullius

Rachel returns to Florida State for her doctoral degree after earning her MSW in 2022 and a bachelor's degree in English in 2014. While completing her master's degree, she was awarded in 2021 the Herndon Scholarship from the Helios Education Foundation and an FSU Sustainability Fellowship.

Her social work experience includes her most recent role as a research assistant with the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and her MSW internship with Elder Care Services. She has also served in various positions with Eternal Fleur as a student researcher, FSU Office of Sustainability, Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, and The Village Square.

Her research interests focus on the intersectionality of the LGBTQ+ community, resilience, policy, trauma-informed care and community-based participatory research.