![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_img_StPeteJohnson.jpg\" "\\"President")
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., poured into students at St. Petersburg College during\n the Destination FAMU recruitment event on Wednesday, Nov. 19. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG & TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 Florida A&M University (FAMU) brought its signature spirit, energy, and recruitment
\n power to St. Petersburg College (SPC) in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the Shanna and
\n Bryan Glazer Jewish Community Center in Tampa, Florida, this week as part of a series
\n of statewide engagements leading up to the Florida Blue Florida Classic.<\/p>\n
The \u201cDestination FAMU\u201d events, presented by Enrollment Management, in the Division
\n of Student Affairs, drew hundreds of high-achieving students eager to learn more about
\n opportunities at the state\u2019s only public historically Black university.<\/p>\n
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., poured into students at St. Petersburg College during
\n the Destination FAMU recruitment event on Wednesday, Nov. 19. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
The tour began at St. Petersburg College (SPC), where FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., delivered remarks alongside SPC President Tonjua Williams, Ph.D., strengthening a longstanding partnership between the two institutions built on Florida\u2019s
\n nationally recognized 2+2 transfer system.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am honored to be the 13th president for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University,\u201d
\n Johnson said, praising SPC\u2019s leadership and highlighting the value of state college
\n partnerships in expanding access to higher education. She emphasized that Florida\u2019s
\n articulation model makes it possible for students to transfer seamlessly without losing
\n credits or taking unnecessary courses\u2014saving time and money. \u201cWhen we work together,
\n we multiply the opportunities, we remove the barriers, we accelerate your journey
\n to success,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_img_JohnsonWilliams.jpg\" "\\"President")
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., and St. Petersberg College President Tonjua Williams,
\n Ph.D., talked about the importance of partnerships. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
The event, hosted by Mister FAMU Miles Howard and Miss FAMU Edwina Fleuridor and supported by the Royal Court and Presidential Ambassadors, blended information
\n with the unmistakable culture of FAMU. Students were introduced to academic programs,
\n financial aid resources, student life, and campus traditions.<\/p>\n
![\"2025](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_img_StPeteMrandMissFAMU.jpg\" "\\"Mister")
Mister and Miss FAMU kept the audience entertained during the recuritment event at
\n St. Petersberg Colleg. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
Johnson, who grew up in the Tampa Bay area, praised Florida\u2019s higher education system
\n for consistently ranking number one in the nation.<\/p>\n
A panel of four FAMU student leaders shared personal stories about choosing the University
\n and what they have gained from student involvement. Their favorite campus traditions\u2014Homecoming,
\n Set Fridays, Fried Chicken Wednesdays, and spirited pep rallies\u2014drew cheers from the
\n SPC audience. The panelists encouraged students to get involved early, seek mentors,
\n and embrace the supportive environment that has long defined the FAMU experience.<\/p>\n
The room came alive as the King and Queen of Orange and Green Gucciany Toussaint and
\n Tamia Williams led spirited chants, including a crowd favorite: \u201cI put my F in front
\n of my A, my A in front of my M, my M in front of my U \u2014 I love my HBCU!\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"King](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_img_Gucci.jpg\" "\\"King")
King of Orange and Green Gucciany Toussaint made sure the student engagement was high.
\n (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
Among the students who attended was Jabari Shirley, an SPC music student who plans to transfer to FAMU in Spring 2026 to major in music
\n education. Shirley said the event affirmed his decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the presentation,\u201d he said. \u201cI hype up FAMU as a St. Petersburg College student
\n any chance I get.\u201d He added that he appreciated the depth of information about financial
\n aid, which he said is often missing from recruitment events.<\/p>\n
Shirley, who is building his own entertainment company, said he hopes to be in Tallahassee
\n spring 2026. \u201cI\u2019m super excited about my journey to FAMU and looking forward to being
\n on the Highest of Seven Hills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Day Two: Hundreds of Tampa Students Experience Destination FAMU<\/p>\n
The momentum continued the following day at a packed event in Tampa, Florida, where
\n hundreds of students from local high schools\u2014including Riverview, Middleton and Jefferson\u2014packed
\n the Shanna and Bryan Glazer Jewish Community Center for a chance to engage directly
\n with University recruiters, deans and student leaders.<\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_img_PresJohnson4.jpg\" "\\"President")
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., grew emotional as she talked about growing up in
\n the Tampa area. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
Johnson again delivered welcoming remarks, this time reflecting on her personal ties
\n to the area. \u201cI\u2019m a proud product of Hillsborough County public schools,\u201d she said.
\n \u201cIf a little girl moved from Orange County, California, to Tampa, Florida, and lived
\n in the public housing project right across the street, can stand before you today
\n as the 13th president of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, you can go
\n anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
She reminded students that they would be the first incoming class she personally participates
\n in recruiting. \u201cYou will be like my classmates,\u201d she said, encouraging them to pursue
\n their ambitions with confidence.<\/p>\n
For many local schools, Destination FAMU offered an essential connection point.<\/p>\n
![\"Ann](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_img_Ann-Griffin.jpg\" "\\"Ann")
High School Counselor Ann Griffin talked about why Destination FAMU makes a difference.
\n (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
Ann Griffin, a college and career counselor at Riverview High School, said she brought 13 students
\n to the event, many of whom will tour FAMU in Tallahassee the following day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives a little bit of FAMU right here in our own backyard,\u201d Griffin said. \u201cThe
\n programs, the culture, the vibe\u2014it feels like home, being away from home.\u201d She said
\n events like this are especially valuable for students who may not be able to visit
\n campus.<\/p>\n
Dozens of students expressed interest in becoming Rattlers, including many who had
\n already applied for early admission.<\/p>\n
Ava Woods, a senior class senator at Middleton High School, said the event helped her connect
\n the campus experience with real conversations about academic programs. Woods hopes
\n to become a corporate attorney and plans to major in criminal justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like that I could go from a four-year degree from FAMU to their law school as well,\u201d
\n she said. \u201cIt\u2019s connected, and I really love their pre-law program.\u201d Woods has already
\n applied and hopes to join FAMU\u2019s Mahogany Dance Theatre when she arrives.<\/p>\n
![\"Cohen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_img_CohenandWillie.jpg\" "\\"Cohen")
Cohen Allen, who plays linebacker at his highschool, stands with his high school’s
\n defensive coordinator and program advisor Willie Washington, who encourages him on
\n the field and in the classroom. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
Cohen Allen, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, said he is interested in civil engineering
\n and heard that the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is one of the best. He said the
\n event presented \u201ca great opportunity to network.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allen, whose parents are FAMU alumni and pharmacists, plans to pursue engineering
\n in the military before transitioning into civilian work. \u201cI really want to go to FAMU,\u201d
\n he said. \u201cIt\u2019s close to home and I know a lot of people there already so my transition
\n from high school to college will be good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Da\u2019Zorah Pinckney, a senior at Middleton High School, said the event helped her explore new academic
\n paths.<\/p>\n
She intends to major in psychology, minor in criminal justice and ultimately create
\n supportive spaces for formerly incarcerated individuals. \u201cEvery time I come to a FAMU
\n event, it feels all-inclusive,\u201d she said. \u201cThey make you feel welcome, like this is
\n your community.\u201d Pinckney has already applied for early admission.<\/p>\n
![\"Queen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_img_Tamia.jpg\" "\\"Queen")
Queen of Orange and Green Tamia Williams made sure the students did not miss a beat
\n when it came to FAMU chants. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n
Across both cities, FAMU\u2019s recruitment team sought to deliver one message: students
\n can get anywhere from FAMU.<\/p>\n
With hundreds of future applicants energized across St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida,
\n Johnson said the enthusiasm reflects what makes FAMU special.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t get that number one public HBCU designation by just showing up,\u201d she told
\n Tampa students. \u201cIt\u2019s a reflection of the excellence of our students and our faculty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Media Contact:<\/p>\n
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n