With the approaching departure of Dean David Springer this summer, one of his remaining goals was to leave the College of Social Work with lasting tokens of inspiration from his mission as dean to cultivate connection, creativity, and well-being.
Growing up in Central Florida, Jalynn French enjoyed helping others, particularly children. This interest, along with the institutions' commitment to community and leadership development, led her to pursue social work when she came to Tallahassee, Florida, first to complete her BSW at Florida A&M University and then her MSW at Florida State University.
A new program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration at the FSU College of Social Work is training young people from rural North Florida to become Certified Behavioral Health Technicians and bringing much-needed care to the region.
Distinguished Research Professor Bruce Thyer was honored at the NASW 2026 National Conference among the ten social workers nationwide to be named a 2026 NASW Social Work Pioneer. Dean David Springer was among the 2025 NASW
Florida State University has named nationally recognized scholar and academic leader Kirk A. Foster as the next dean of the College of Social Work.
Foster currently serves as dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington and will begin his role at Florida State on Aug. 17.
Growing up as a student-athlete, MSW student Kara Guinan was often surrounded by disordered eating. This concern led her to pursue a bachelor's degree in nutrition and exercise science at Keene State College in New Hampshire. While finishing her undergraduate coursework during the height of the pandemic, Guinan took an epidemiology class where she was introduced to different social, environmental, and biological factors that shape health outcomes.
“I often say that I carry social work into every room I enter. It is not just what I do, it is a part of who I am,” expressed Jalaycia Lewis (BSW ’20). “When others see a startup or a technology venture, I see the person behind it, their story, their sacrifices and the people counting on them to win. That perspective grounds everything.”
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.
Dr. Annelise Mennicke (MSW ’11, PhD ’15) received the 2026 Social Policy Researcher Award from the Society for Social Work and Research for her significant contributions to violence prevention policy. She is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and is associate director of research for UNC Charlotte’s Violence Prevention Center.
This spring, Jeffrey (Jeff) Binkley was appointed as the director of Maura’s Voice Research Fund, housed within the FSU College of Social Work. The Maura’s Voice Research Fund was founded by Mr. Binkley and his late wife, Margaret Binkley, in March 2019 in the aftermath of the 2018 yoga studio shooting that took the life of their daughter Maura and FSU professor Dr.
