{"id":400927,"date":"2026-09-15T23:26:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T23:26:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/400927\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T23:26:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T23:26:30","slug":"famu-students-take-center-stage-at-the-college-tour-red-carpet-premiere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/400927\/","title":{"rendered":"FAMU Students Take Center Stage at \u201cThe College Tour\u201d Red-Carpet Premiere"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 Florida A&M University students took center stage Friday evening as the university
\n rolled out the red carpet at Lee Hall Auditorium to celebrate the premiere of its
\n episode of \u201cThe College Tour,\u201d showcasing life on the Hill through the voices of Rattlers
\n themselves.<\/p>\n

Students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members gathered Sept. 11 for
\n the screening of FAMU\u2019s episode of the award-winning series available on Amazon Prime
\n Video. The evening included a red-carpet experience, episode screening and panel discussion
\n with members of the featured student cast.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe College Tour\u201d introduces prospective students and families to colleges and universities
\n through the experiences of current students, offering viewers an inside look at academics,
\n campus culture and student life.<\/p>\n

\"AttendeesAttendees watch FAMU\u2019s episode of \u201cThe College Tour\u201d during the Sept. 11 red-carpet
\n screening at Lee Hall Auditorium. The event brought together students, faculty, staff,
\n administrators and community members to celebrate the University\u2019s featured student
\n cast. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams, FAMU University Photographer)<\/p>\n

FAMU\u2019s episode features 10 current students and recent graduates whose personal stories
\n highlight the breadth of experiences available at the university, including career
\n readiness, study abroad, research, the transfer experience, Army Reserve Officers\u2019
\n Training Corps (ROTC), on-campus living, campus activities and the first-generation
\n college experience.<\/p>\n

Among those sharing their story was Jamel Nedderman, a third-year broadcast journalism
\n student in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication who is from the Bronx,
\n New York.<\/p>\n

For Nedderman, participating in the episode was an opportunity to speak directly to
\n students who, like him, may be considering traveling far from home to pursue their
\n education.<\/p>\n

\"FAMUJamel Nedderman, a third-year broadcast journalism student in the School of Journalism
\n and Graphic Communication from the Bronx, New York, poses with Herb Johnson, director
\n of University Housing, during FAMU\u2019s \u201cThe College Tour\u201d premiere at Lee Hall Auditorium.
\n (Photo courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was very exciting, to be honest, getting to share my experience being an out-of-state
\n student, especially being from New York and coming so far to get my degree and get
\n my education,\u201d Nedderman said. \u201cThe experience was very empowering to me and really
\n about trying to uplift other students who were like me, being out of state as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nedderman\u2019s segment, \u201cHome Away From Home,\u201d is one of several that allows viewers
\n to experience FAMU through students representing different academic programs, backgrounds
\n and aspects of campus life.<\/p>\n

For President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., amplifying those student stories on a broader
\n platform represents an opportunity to strengthen awareness of the FAMU experience
\n and the university\u2019s national reputation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the things that we know drives excellence, as much as you put in the work
\n and you see the impact in real tangible things, your brand reputation matters,\u201d Johnson
\n said.<\/p>\n

\"FAMUFAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., shares a lighthearted moment with members of
\n \u201cThe College Tour\u201d cast during the panel discussion following the Sept. 11 screening
\n at Lee Hall Auditorium. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams, FAMU University Photographer.)<\/p>\n

Johnson connected a stronger national reputation with FAMU\u2019s ability to attract additional
\n research and philanthropic investment, resources that can expand opportunities for
\n students and strengthen the university\u2019s educational mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking sure that everyone knows what an amazing experience Florida Agricultural and
\n Mechanical University is will help attract research dollars. It will help attract
\n philanthropic investment dollars, and it will help make FAMU a choice for Ph.D. scholars,\u201d
\n Johnson said. \u201cWe\u2019re extremely excited about this opportunity to tell our story.\u201d<\/p>\n

The range of experiences represented by the cast illustrates the story FAMU is introducing
\n to broader audiences.<\/p>\n

Dillon Ford of Miami earned his undergraduate degree from FAMU\u2019s College of Agriculture
\n and Food Sciences and continued at the university to pursue his master\u2019s degree. Ford
\n reflected on how his FAMU experience pushed him outside his comfort zone, encouraged
\n him to become more involved with his peers and helped him develop as a leader.<\/p>\n

\"MembersMembers of FAMU\u2019s \u201cThe College Tour\u201d cast share a lighthearted moment during the panel
\n discussion following the screening at Lee Hall Auditorium. The featured students reflected
\n on their experiences filming the episode and representing FAMU. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams, FAMU University Photographer.)<\/p>\n

Those experiences eventually led Ford and other students to take initiative on an
\n agriculture-focused project that began as a small garden and grew into a larger vision
\n for an agricultural space on campus. For Ford, the project provided an opportunity
\n to put his education into practice while contributing to his college and University.<\/p>\n

For fellow cast member A\u2019Deja Farlow of Seaford, Delaware, FAMU has become a place
\n where military service and her goal of becoming a nurse intersect. The Army ROTC and
\n School of Nursing student balances early-morning ROTC responsibilities with the demands
\n of nursing school, an experience she said that requires discipline and commitment.<\/p>\n

\"A\u2019DejaA\u2019Deja Farlow, an Army Reserve Officers\u2019 Training Corps (ROTC) and School of Nursing
\n student featured in FAMU\u2019s episode of \u201cThe College Tour,\u201d poses on the red carpet
\n ahead of the Sept. 11 screening at Lee Hall Auditorium. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams, FAMU University Photographer.)<\/p>\n

Farlow said serving as a soldier while pursuing nursing has strengthened her confidence
\n and given her a deeper sense of purpose.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m committed to the military and to being a nurse,\u201d Farlow said. \u201cBeing an Army
\n soldier, plus a nurse, gives me confidence. I have a deep sense of purpose in both
\n areas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., said experiences
\n like those highlighted in the episode demonstrate how learning at FAMU extends beyond
\n the classroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazon is a major platform, and so is Florida A&M University,\u201d Watson said. \u201cTo have
\n a virtual college tour that is a high-quality, high-level peek into what Florida A&M
\n can offer is exceptional.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FAMUFAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., reacts
\n during the screening of FAMU\u2019s episode of \u201cThe College Tour\u201d at Lee Hall Auditorium
\n on Sept. 11, 2026. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams, FAMU University Photographer.)<\/p>\n

Watson pointed to internships, international experiences and experiential learning
\n as examples of how students can apply their education while preparing for life after
\n graduation.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople say all the time, \u2018You can get anywhere from FAMU,\u2019 and you truly can,\u201d Watson
\n said. \u201cYou learn so much at FAMU, not only in the classroom, but also in the field
\n as you prepare to be a leader of your own time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following the screening, members of the featured cast participated in a panel discussion
\n and Q&A, reflecting on the filming experience and what it meant to represent FAMU
\n before a broader audience.<\/p>\n

Karma Muslim, a senior computer information systems student from Atlanta, Georgia,
\n said hearing directly from the cast reinforced the pride and sense of community portrayed
\n throughout the episode.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe College Tour panel was very insightful,\u201d Muslim said. \u201cI feel like the students
\n on the panel did a good job expressing how FAMU has impacted them in a positive way.
\n They did an amazing job highlighting our university, what we stand for and how proud
\n everyone is to be a Rattler.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SanaiSanai McKinney, a College of Science and Technology student from Memphis, Tennessee,
\n smiles and applauds as she watches FAMU\u2019s episode of \u201cThe College Tour\u201d during the
\n premiere screening at Lee Hall Auditorium. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams, FAMU University
\n Photographer)<\/p>\n

The episode also highlights how experiences outside the classroom contribute to student
\n development and leadership.<\/p>\n

Herb Johnson, M.P.A., director of University Housing, pointed to residential life
\n as one place where students can develop skills that later translate into leadership
\n roles across campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe this is a very important moment to shine a light not only on the university,
\n but the department itself,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cHaving a position within University Housing
\n of leadership can lead to bigger and better things.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Nedderman, telling FAMU\u2019s story ultimately means showing prospective students
\n that there is room for them to find their own place on the Hill.<\/p>\n

\"FAMUFAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
\n Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
\n Alonda Thomas, Ph.D., and members of \u201cThe College Tour\u201d cast pose together following
\n the premiere screening and panel discussion at Lee Hall Auditorium. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams, FAMU University Photographer)<\/p>\n

\u201cI think FAMU is definitely a melting pot. I think there\u2019s something here for everyone,\u201d
\n Nedderman said. \u201cIf you want to take those opportunities, it\u2019s upon you to really
\n be yourself and take the initiative to indulge and involve yourself within everything
\n that FAMU has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through those student voices, FAMU\u2019s appearance on \u201cThe College Tour\u201d gives prospective
\n Rattlers and their families an opportunity to experience life on the Hill from wherever
\n they are and hear firsthand from students and graduates who chose to make FAMU their
\n educational home.<\/p>\n

Watch FAMU on \u201cThe College Tour\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Watch the full FAMU episode and explore individual segments featuring the student
\n cast on the University\u2019s official\u202fCollege Tour at FAMU webpage.<\/a><\/p>\n

Media Contact:<\/p>\n

Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist\u00a0
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Back to Stories<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 Florida A&M University students took center stage Friday evening as the university rolled out the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":400928,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[232,234,233],"class_list":["post-400927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee-headlines","tag-tallahassee-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/400927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=400927"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/400927\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/400928"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=400927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=400927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=400927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}