Ella Windlan

International affairs student Ella Windlan is making the most of her Florida State University experience by engaging with community service and individual research opportunities. From studying abroad in Prague to taking guitar classes at FSU, Windlan has embraced the vast educational and extracurricular offerings available at FSU.

As a passionate advocate for social justice, Windlan received an IDEA Grant award to fund her research on predictive policing in Pasco County, Florida. This research has allowed her to raise awareness about an issue that deeply impacts her hometown and has empowered her to advocate for her community.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Windlan has given back to her community through her involvement with FSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) and the Community Ambassador Program (CAP). Her work with SGA has focused on promoting campus sustainability, supporting undergraduate research and addressing the needs of the student body. Through CAP, she has connected FSU students with local non-profit organizations, such as the Center on Better Health and Life for Underserved Populations, an organization that aims to address health disparities in the local community through community-based participatory research to create better health for people in the North Florida region.

Why did you choose to attend Florida State University?

I chose to attend FSU because of the profound sense of community I felt the moment I stepped foot on campus for the Presidential Scholars interview weekend. Learning about the unparalleled academic resources and undergraduate research opportunities available at FSU only reaffirmed the incredibly positive feeling I had about this university. I loved the vibrant student life at FSU, and to this day one of my favorite aspects of the university is that there is truly a community for every type of student. After that weekend, I knew Florida State University was the college for me, and I continue to feel that way every day I spend on this outstanding campus. 

How have you contributed to the academic community at FSU?

My research journey began as a freshman when I completed the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Through UROP, I worked as a research assistant for Associate Professor Tarez Samra Graban, helping trace the intellectual influence of underrepresented women in the rhetorical studies field. This experience helped me find my love for research and understand the power of research as a form of advocacy.  

I then pursued an independent research project under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Trinyan Mariano, whose Literature of Human Rights course deeply inspired me. My research project combines empirical evidence from the investigations of the intelligence-led policing program in Pasco County, Florida, with multidisciplinary research. I analyze the efficacy, empirical impact and human/civil rights implications of predictive policing practices. My research became an avenue for me to raise awareness about predictive policing, an issue that deeply impacted my hometown community in Pasco County. 

After presenting my preliminary findings at the 2023 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference and the Association for Computers and the Humanities 2023 Conference, I was awarded the David B. Ford Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award through the FSU IDEA Grant program to continue developing my research. Throughout my research journey, I felt empowered to advocate for my community and encourage critical thinking about the way we legislate ever-evolving technology.  

How have you served the FSU community?

I have worked diligently to prioritize leadership and service through my involvement with SGA at FSU. I began my journey with SGA during my first year at FSU when I was elected to the student senate. In this role, I worked to support the needs of the student body through funding organizations, writing legislation to promote campus sustainability and undergraduate research, and installing a permanent food donation bin in Strozier Library. In the senate, I served as the chair of the internal affairs committee, conducting interviews for every candidate slated for an SGA position.  

After serving in the student senate for a year, I decided I wanted to continue championing sustainability in SGA, and I was appointed secretary of sustainability in the executive cabinet. In this role, I have been working to improve recycling literacy in dorms and promote more sustainable transportation at FSU. Advocating for issues that the student body cares about and funding the incredible resources FSU offers to students has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. 

How have you contributed to the Tallahassee community?

My work with CAP has positively contributed to the FSU student body and Tallahassee. The purpose of CAP is to connect the FSU students with local non-profit, service-oriented organizations in Tallahassee. In my two years with the program, I have worked with the BHL Center. As a second-year ambassador, I now help others engage with service by meeting with first-year ambassadors and students who hope to engage with service at FSU through service advising. This helps inspire other students to dedicate their time in college to creating a positive community impact. 

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