Hello FAMUly!

Great things happen every day at Florida A&M University (FAMU), but we recently had something monumental transpire in the life of the University. FAMU rose in the U.S. News & World Report Top 100 National Public Universities. FAMU leaped from No. 103 a year ago to No. 91 in 2023. Just as impressive, we are ranked No. 3 among all -private and public- Historically Black Colleges and Universities and remained the highest-ranked public HBCU for the fifth consecutive year. That is no easy task, and that is not all. FAMU is now No. 21 on the U.S. News & World Report Social Mobility Index, the truest indicator of the ability of a FAMU education to transform the economic trajectory of graduates and their families for years to come.

I congratulate our students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and Board of Trustees for their support and stewardship. This reflects our collective effort and our unstinting commitment to the success of our students and our making good use of the funds invested in us by Florida taxpayers, funding agencies, private-sector partners, philanthropic foundations, and friends. All of these accolades are reminders that after almost 136 years, FAMU continues to rise. We held a press conference on the steps of Lee Hall to commemorate the recognition and held a “Celebration on the Quadrangle” with the FAMUly. It’s a great time to be a Rattler!

#FAMU Shorts – President’s Reaction to U.S. News & World Report Rankings

#FAMU Shorts – U.S. News & World Report Institutional Video US News & World Report Institutional Video

#FAMU Shorts – U.S. News & World Report Package

#FAMU Shorts – U.S. News & World Report Press Conference

The Wall Street Journal also recognized FAMU as one of the Top 10 Best Colleges in the U.S. that scored highest for career preparation in a survey of students and recent alumni. FAMU tied for sixth place. This is a tribute to the work of our Career and Professional Development Center, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Division of Academic Affairs. We just held our Fall Career Expo, and I’m so proud of the number of Rattlers who returned to the “Highest of Seven Hills” to recruit a fellow Rattler. Indeed, the alumni turnout among recruiters was truly impressive. Additionally, we held the 36th Graduate Feeder Scholars Recruitment Fair. Major institutions from across the nation came to recruit FAMU students for graduate and professional school opportunities.

The Fall Career Fair was again packed to capacity in the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center as many companies came to FAMU to recruit students for internships and job opportunities.

#FAMU Shorts – Career Fair Package

Additionally, the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), partnered with FAMU in hosting the second HBCU Digital Partnership Summit. The three-day hybrid, (virtual/in-person) event was for all HBCU faculty and students, researchers, minority businesses, digital transformation professionals, and other academic enclaves, including the Department of Defense personnel who advocate for connecting the U.S. Air Force and the HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI).

The President’s Convocation is another celebration to welcome everyone back to the “Highest of Seven Hills,” and to greet the incoming Class of 2027. My message is that we believe in their potential and already know they will be successful because student success is at the core of what we do. They don’t have to prove it to us.

#FAMU Shorts – President’s Convocation

Speaking of celebrations, thank you to all of the Rattler fans who came to the home football season opener and the naming and dedication of the Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium. It was a very special occasion for the Riley family and for FAMU.

#FAMU Shorts – Ken Riley Field Package

Congratulations to alumna and ABC News President Kim Godwin who's among the Gold and Silver Inductees at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards. Also, a huge acknowledgement to our Office of Communications Graphic Designer Brion Eason whose work was featured at this year's Congressional Black Caucus weekend in Washington, D.C.

Finally, it gives me great pleasure to announce that special funding has been set aside to provide a recurring 3 percent performance-based wage increase, effective August 18, 2023, for eligible faculty, staff, and administrators. In addition to the recurring $2,400 increase provided in August 2022, “I am pleased to report that collectively, the University has provided two recurring wage increases to eligible faculty’s salaries within one year.

Coach Willie Simmons and the Rattler football team’s slogan for the 2023 football season is, “It’s Our Time.” FAMU it is. It’s our time in more ways than one!

Keep “Striking from the Top!”

Larry Robinson, Ph.D.

President