College of Social Work Gathers to Honor Spring 2026 Graduates and Awards
The FSU College of Social Work celebrated spring 2026 social work graduates at its semesterly graduation event in Opperman Music Hall in the College of Music’s Kursteiner Building. The event welcomed graduates and their guests, celebrating 47 BSW and 146 MSW graduates.
Dean David Springer presided over the event for his last formal with the college. “I know from experience that as an alum, there is a strong and steadfast bond that remains with Florida State University,” he expressed in his closing remarks.
He added. “Seek out the moments that harness your unique strengths, that pull you into deep engagement, that remind you why your work matters. Catch those moments. Hold them. Build a life around them. This is one of those moments. Today’s transition is not an ending. It is an opening, to shape not only what you do, but how you live and what you live for.”
Attendees also heard words of inspiration from Keynote Speaker Bolivar Aguirre, a two-time FSU graduate (BSW ’12, MSW ’13) who shares his experience in child welfare and private practice as a visiting faculty member at the College of Social Work. “You are united by something powerful, a shared purpose,” he underscored. “Remember this, impact in social work is not always loud. It is often quiet, steady and deeply human.”
Bailey Thomas (BSW ’26), a spring 2026 graduate and champion of persons with disabilities, also shared words of wisdom with her fellow graduates, accompanied by her service dog Sirius. She stressed that, “Our lives have been forever changed in knowing one another, and for me, it has been forever changed for the better. Take a breath, take that next step, and together, we can truly create the change we want to see and to be in the world.”
Watch the speeches, award presentations and graduates walk on the College of Social Work YouTube channel and download photos on Flickr.
The event also shone a spotlight on the 2026 College of Social Work award recipients, who were voted on and selected within the college, including:
Elizabeth J. Piccard BSW Student of the Year
Audrey Rose is entering her senior year in the BSW program. Her nominator shared that, “Audrey has demonstrated a genuine enthusiasm for the field of social work paired with a strong and growing command of course material. Having had her in two of my classes, I have consistently been impressed by her thoughtful participation, willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue, and ability to connect course concepts to real-world experiences.”
Her nominator added that, “Beyond the classroom, I have also seen Audrey actively involved in community events, reflecting her commitment to service and the profession. As a more mature student, she brings a unique perspective marked by life experience, determination and resilience as she works to rebuild the next chapter in her life.”
Patricia V. Vance MSW Student of the Year
Davonte Fason is a graduate student in the Clinical Traditional MSW Program. He is also the regional coordinator for the Home Study and Post Release Services Unaccompanied Children Program at the International Rescue Committee. His nominator noted that,” Davonte exemplifies the very best of our profession through his consistent academic dedication, authentic leadership, and deep commitment to service,” and that, “He brings life to the classroom in a way that elevates not only his own growth but the experience of those around him.
His nominator shared the impact he has had through his current work in child welfare, supporting unaccompanied immigrant children and youth, “in a time when many immigrant families are navigating heightened fear and uncertainty related to enforcement practices. Emphasizing that “Davonte shows up as a steady, trusted presence while helping families understand their options, connect to resources, and experience dignity and care within systems that can often feel overwhelming.” Concluding that his work reflects professional competence and a genuine investment in the well-being and success of others. He is a shining example of the type of leadership, service, and impact this award seeks to recognize, and I give him my highest recommendation.”
Doctoral Student of the Year
Lauren Herod is a social work doctoral student and a two-time FSU graduate (BSW ’15, MSW/MPA ’21). She holds an impressive record for scholarly productivity. Just in the past year, she has had a peer-reviewed publication, two manuscripts in the revise-and-resubmit phase and one non-peer-reviewed publication, along with five papers presented at national conferences. Lauren is pursuing a graduate certificate in measurement and statistics. She is also a guest reviewer for the Clinical Social Work Journal.
Her nominators described her as “a vital member and leader of our research team in the past year, and her contributions and dedication go well above what I would expect from a current doctoral student.”
Dianne F. Harrison Doctoral Scholarship
Beren Crim Sabuncu received the Dianne F. Harrison Doctoral Scholarship for the best dissertation prospectus, which was read and reviewed by the Doctoral Program Committee for her prospectus titled, “All illnesses are metaphors: Intimate partner violence, SAVA syndemic and ART adherence among men who have sex with men aged fifty and older.”
She is an adjunct instructor with the college and serves as a research assistant with the FSU Center for Population Sciences for Health Empowerment. Her research explores the interplay between social determinants and health outcomes, focusing on trauma etiology within vulnerable populations such as older adults and adults living with HIV/AIDs and sexual minorities.
Institute for Trauma and Resilience Studies Director’s Award
Gabrielle Lynn Brandon (BSW ’26) was honored with the director’s award, which recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership in the work that advances the institute’s mission. Gabby worked diligently on multiple projects promoting safety, resilience, and well-being for children and families, including playing key roles in the institute’s social media and marketing efforts, helping extend the reach of the institute's research to broader audiences.
She made important updates to the Student Resilience Project, worked on supervised visitation training, and fearlessly engaged in campus outreach, earning the title of the institute's “go-to extrovert.” She graduated in the spring semester, but will start the MSW Program in the fall of 2026.
Field Educator of the Year
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Jacobson with the United States Air Force Mental Health Clinic, who is a forensic neuropsychologist and a field educator for the college’s online MSW program. His student nominator wrote, “Through this internship placement, I have learned more than I ever anticipated and much of that is due to his dedication and intentional guidance.”
The nominator went on to say, “His experience working with service members, trauma, neuropsychology, and medical management has been incredibly insightful. At the same time, he has remained grounded in social work ethics…His mentorship had a lasting impact on my professional identity and I am grateful for the role he has played in my development.”
Instructor of the Year
Kimberly White is both a two-time graduate (BSW ’98, MSW ’03) and adjunct instructor with the College of Social Work who works with the Online MSW Program. Her nominator wrote, “I specifically sought her out for both my family counseling and clinical practice classes because I deeply value her teaching style.”
Her nominator added, “She has a remarkable ability to put students at ease and build rapport quickly, creating a safe and supportive environment where open discussion feels natural. It is clear she has a genuine passion for the subjects she teaches, which resonates strongly with her students.”
Professor of the Year
Jessica Greil-Burkhart is an assistant teaching professor with the College of Social Work, a three-time FSU graduate (BSW ’13, MSW ’15, MS ’23) ad a licensed clinical social worker and qualified supervisor in Florida and Georgia. She also received a University Teaching Award in 2025 for Innovation in Teaching.
Her nominator shared that, “What stood out most was her genuine support for her students –she actively listened to feedback. In her CBT course, she has taken so much time to create "learning labs," which function as an interactive module going over in depth content and connecting it to applicable real-world scenarios (most professors just assign textbook or article readings with a supporting discussion board each week).”
Her nominator added, “All of the work and discussions we complete in our class make me as a student feel more prepared to step into the field.”
Cathy Nipper Staff Member of the Year
Lauren Antista has been the media and communications manager for more than 14 years. She is also a two-time FSU graduate (BA ’05, MA ’09). She received multiple nominations for the award. One nominator shared that, “Her dedication, collaboration and generosity reflect the spirit of excellence this award represents.”
Another nominator wrote that, “Lauren wears many hats and is consistently working hard for the college, often doing things outside the scope of her position. She takes initiative to get things done for the college, ensuring we meet university and statewide policies. I believe she is one of the hardest working employees on staff and deserves this recognition after numerous years of dedicated work.”