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International relations scholar Ella Windlan is maximizing her Florida State University journey by participating in community service and personal research initiatives. From studying abroad in Prague to enrolling in guitar courses at FSU, Windlan has embraced the extensive educational and extracurricular offerings provided at FSU.
As a committed supporter of social equity, Windlan was awarded an IDEA Grant to support her investigation into predictive policing in Pasco County, Florida. This research has enabled her to highlight an issue that significantly affects her hometown and has motivated her to advocate for her community.
In addition to her academic endeavors, Windlan has contributed to her community through her participation with FSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) and the Community Ambassador Program (CAP). Her involvement with SGA has centered on fostering campus sustainability, aiding undergraduate research, and addressing the concerns of the student populace. Through CAP, she has linked FSU students with local non-profit organizations, such as the Center on Better Health and Life for Underserved Populations, which aims to tackle health disparities in the local area via community-based participatory research to enhance the well-being of individuals in the North Florida region.
Why did you decide to enroll at Florida State University?
I chose FSU due to the profound sense of belonging I experienced the moment I arrived on campus for the Presidential Scholars interview weekend. Discovering the exceptional academic resources and undergraduate research opportunities provided at FSU only reinforced the overwhelmingly positive impression I had of this university. I appreciated the lively student life at FSU, and one of my favorite aspects remains the presence of a community for every kind of student. After that memorable weekend, I knew Florida State University was the right fit for me, and I still feel that way every single day I spend on this remarkable campus.
How have you contributed to the academic circle at FSU?
My research exploration commenced as a freshman when I participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Through UROP, I served as a research assistant for Associate Professor Tarez Samra Graban, assisting in tracing the intellectual impact of underrepresented women in the rhetorical studies domain. This experience helped me cultivate my passion for research and comprehend its power as a form of advocacy.
I subsequently undertook an independent research project under the guidance of Assistant Professor Trinyan Mariano, whose Literature of Human Rights class profoundly inspired me. My project integrates empirical evidence from studies on the intelligence-led policing program in Pasco County, Florida, with interdisciplinary research. I evaluate the effectiveness, empirical consequences, and human/civil rights ramifications of predictive policing methods. My research has provided me a platform to raise awareness regarding predictive policing, an issue that significantly affects my hometown community in Pasco County.
After sharing my preliminary findings at the 2023 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference and the Association for Computers and the Humanities 2023 Conference, I was honored with the David B. Ford Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award through the FSU IDEA Grant program to further develop my research. Throughout my research journey, I felt empowered to advocate for my community and promote critical thinking about how we legislate ever-evolving technology.
How have you served the FSU community?
I have diligently strived to prioritize leadership and service through my engagement with SGA at FSU. I began my journey with SGA during my inaugural year at FSU when I was elected to the student senate. In this capacity, I worked to meet the needs of the student body by allocating funds to organizations, drafting legislation to promote campus sustainability and undergraduate research, and installing a permanent food donation bin in Strozier Library. Within the senate, I served as the chair of the internal affairs committee, conducting interviews for every candidate nominated for an SGA position.
After a year serving in the student senate, I decided to continue advocating for sustainability within SGA, and I was appointed as the secretary of sustainability in the executive cabinet. In this role, I have focused on enhancing recycling awareness in dorms and promoting more sustainable transportation options at FSU. Advocating for the issues important to the student body and funding the outstanding resources FSU provides to students has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
How have you contributed to the Tallahassee community?
My efforts with CAP have positively impacted both the FSU student body and the Tallahassee area. The aim of CAP is to connect FSU students with local non-profit, service-oriented organizations in Tallahassee. In my two years with the program, I have collaborated with the BHL Center. Now serving as a second-year ambassador, I assist others in engaging with service by meeting with first-year ambassadors and students interested in participating in service at FSU through service advising. This helps motivate other students to dedicate their time in college toward creating a positive community influence.
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