When Amaiya Brown arrived at Florida A&M University, she was searching for a new experience. Instead, she also discovered a community that challenged her to grow personally, professionally and academically.
“I chose FAMU because it was the only public HBCU in Florida, and I knew I wanted to experience a culture outside of one that I’ve experienced back home,” she said.
As a Summer 2026 graduate with a degree in health informatics and information management, Brown leaves FAMU prepared to continue her work in public health, carrying with her the experiences and relationships that shaped her undergraduate journey.
Brown entered college knowing she wanted a career in health care but hoped to make an impact in a way that aligned with her interests. That led her to health informatics, a field where technology, data and health care intersect.
“What excites me the most about health informatics is how broad of a field it is,” Brown said. “You don’t have to just choose to do one thing. You can do research, coding, compliance and data analytics. There are plenty of options within the field, so you aren’t limited to choosing a job or a role.”
While her academic journey introduced her to new career possibilities, Brown’s involvement outside the classroom helped her discover confidence and connection.
As a freshman, Brown often kept to herself. That began to change during FAMU’s 2023 Homecoming celebration, when she experienced a sense of belonging that encouraged her to become more involved on campus.
“That was the first experience that I had being surrounded with people who actually cared about me,” Brown said. “It showed me that I wouldn’t have to spend my college journey by myself.”
That moment became a turning point for the Miami native, who later became involved in multiple organizations and found additional opportunities to grow as a leader.
One of those experiences came through her membership in the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Brown said joining the organization challenged her to collaborate with others, consider different perspectives and strengthen her leadership skills.
“Becoming a member of my organization changed me as a leader and a person by showing me what it takes to work with other people,” Brown said. “There are other opinions and voices that matter, along with my own.”
Brown’s academic journey was also shaped by mentorship from Takiyah Mitchell, assistant professor, Division of Health Informatics, who introduced her to research opportunities that deepened her interest in health informatics and encouraged her to continue exploring the field.
As Brown prepares for her next chapter, she plans to continue her education by pursuing a master’s degree in public health before earning a doctorate in epidemiology. Her goal is to use research to contribute to the future of public health.
“Stay motivated, definitely don’t give up, because hardship will come at any time,” Brown said. “You just have to learn to keep going.”
Brown arrived at FAMU searching for something different. She leaves prepared to make an impact in public health, carrying with her the confidence, relationships and purpose she found along the way.
“Going to FAMU had to be one of the best decisions that I made for myself,” Brown said.
Media Contact
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law student Sashauna Bailey has been selected as a 2026-2027 Holland & Knight LLP Scholar. The prestigious honor recognizes academic excellence and provides tuition for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, along with a summer internship.
Bailey, drawn to Holland & Knight for its reputation for hiring top-tier legal talent, its number of tenured attorneys, and its comprehensive practice areas, is eager to connect what she’s learned in law school coursework with actual experience at the international law firm.
“I am extremely thankful for the opportunity,” said Bailey, a rising second-year law student. “I will demonstrate my appreciation by consistently delivering exceptional work product.”
Bailey will gain invaluable experience from Holland & Knight, a global law firm with more than 2,200 lawyers and other professionals in 35 offices worldwide. The firm represents clients in litigation, business, financial services, health care, real estate, wealth and tax, and government law.
“We are excited to welcome Sashauna as a Holland & Knight Scholar and to support her professional journey,” said Glenn Adams, executive partner in Orlando who focuses on corporate and tax law. “Programs like this reflect our commitment to investing in future leaders of the legal profession and creating opportunities for students to translate academic success into impactful legal practice.”
FAMU Law and Holland & Knight have a long-standing partnership. Since 2008, Holland & Knight has awarded an annual scholarship to a first-year FAMU law student and provided an opportunity to participate in its summer associate program.
“Sashauna’s selection as a Holland & Knight Scholar reflects both her academic excellence and FAMU College of Law’s commitment to producing outstanding advocates,” said Dean Simone Marstiller. “Our longtime partnership with the law firm continues to open doors for exceptional students to experience remarkable and rewarding experiences in connecting legal education and legal practice.”
Bailey, who loves working with numbers, looks forward to spending time learning about mergers and acquisitions, finance law, contracts, credit agreements, and more, as well as litigation.
“I have an undergraduate degree in accounting, and I spent six years as a corporate accountant,” said Bailey. “I am eager to build upon my knowledge and apply it to the practice of corporate law.”
Beyond corporate law, Bailey hopes to use her legal education to help people navigate the legal system as an “advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves.” She also aspires to become a judge, particularly one presiding over bench trials, to “be a part of the conversation that makes a change in society for those underrepresented.”
During her first year, Bailey served as the Corporate & Business Law Society’s 1L representative, a member of the Student Bar Association Academics & Curriculum Committee; a member of the Student Bar Association Elections Committee; and BARBRI’s 1L Representative. During the 2026 fall semester, Bailey will serve as president of CBLS.
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
Sabrina Childress
Coordinator, Media Services
FAMU College of Law
sabrina.childress@famu.edu
State University System launches Florida 10 for 10, a statewide scholarship initiative for undergraduate students
Florida A&M University (FAMU) joins the State University System of Florida (System) in celebrating a decade of excellence as Florida is once again ranked No. 1 in the nation for higher education by U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 State Rankings. Since the inception of the rankings in 2017, Florida has led the nation in delivering high‑quality, affordable, and accessible public higher education.
The milestone reemphasizes FAMU’s own rise in the rankings. The 1890 land-grant institution remains in the Top 100 among the more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities ranked in the 2026 Top Public Schools by U.S. News & World Report and was named the Number 1 HBCU by Niche.
“Florida’s recognition as the nation’s No. 1 state for higher education for the tenth consecutive year reflects what becomes possible when state leadership invests boldly in the promise of its people. We are grateful to the Governor, the Florida Legislature, and the Board of Governors for their sustained commitment to excellence — and for their recognition that our state universities are essential engines of research, workforce development, and economic opportunity across this state,” said President Marva B. Johnson, J.D.
To mark this historic achievement, the System will launch Florida 10 for 10: Celebrating a Decade of Leading Higher Education, a statewide competitive scholarship initiative awarding up to $1,000 to 10 full-time undergraduate students at each participating university. Applications will open on Monday, August 3. More information on how to apply through individual institutions is available at flbog.edu/FL10for10.
“Florida’s Board of Governors cares about one thing, first and foremost—student achievement,” said Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine. “Parents and students know that when they choose Florida’s system of higher education, they are investing in a degree that has value. Our students graduate with low or no debt, and they have high-value jobs they can compete for. That is what students, parents, and taxpayers rightly expect. Student success is behind every decision we make as Florida’s governing body for higher education.”
“I am deeply proud to lead and represent the #1 public university system in the nation,” said System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “At a time when confidence in higher education is being tested, Florida has remained focused on improving student outcomes and ensuring academic programs are grounded in merit and excellence. By prioritizing skills and qualifications, our universities are developing the next generation of leaders for Florida and the nation. I thank our university leadership, faculty, and staff whose dedication and commitment make this success possible every day.”
That leadership is reflected in outcomes that matter most to students and families. Florida’s public universities compete successfully on the national stage, ensuring graduates earn high‑quality degrees and move confidently into their careers and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Additional Florida higher education highlights include:
University leaders across the state credit collaboration, accountability, and sustained investment for the System’s success.
“At Florida A&M University, we are proud to stand at the center of this achievement. As the nation’s No. 1 public HBCU for seven consecutive years, a Top 100 public national university, and Florida’s 1890 land-grant institution, our mission is not a historical footnote — it is a living mandate to conduct transformative research, educate leaders who serve communities, and extend knowledge in service to Florida and the nation. Together, we are proving that excellence rooted in purpose is not the exception — it is the standard,” said Johnson.
U.S. News & World Report State Rankings evaluate key metrics for higher education, including educational attainment, graduation rates, affordability, and federal student loan debt. View the FAMU 10 for 10 scholarship submission guidelines here.