Tallahassee native and Florida A&M University alumnus
Tola Thompson, long-time director and assistant vice president of FAMU’s
government relations efforts, is once again headed to Washington, D.C.
He will be leaving “the Hill” to relocate to Capitol Hill to
support fellow alumnus and newly elected Congressman Alfred “Al” Lawson as his
chief of staff.
“It has been my great privilege to serve my alma mater these
past nine-plus years. My time at FAMU has been some of the best years of my
life,” said Thompson. “I will miss the incredible people I have had the
pleasure of working with and the tremendously talented students who are the
reason why I lobbied so hard for FAMU.”
He added, “I look forward to working with U.S. Rep.-elect Lawson and the people of Florida’s 5th Congressional District, which includes FAMU, giving me the opportunity to support my alma mater once again.”
Interim President Larry Robinson applauded Thompson’s
dedication to the advancement of the university.
“Tola Thompson has been an asset to Florida A&M
University for a number of years,” said Robinson. “He literally ‘grew up’ on
this campus and his commitment to FAMU’s success has been shaped by witnessing
firsthand the impacts of the educational opportunities offered by his alma
mater. I am certain that while he moves on to a larger legislative arena in our
nation’s capital, his commitment to FAMU will remain strong.”
Robinson announced that Barbara Cohen-Pippin will serve as
the University’s new director of governmental relations, effective January 10,
2017. Her resume includes more than 30 years of political experience, including
serving as the special assistant to the president for governmental relations at
Broward Community College from 2000-2011. She was also policy advisor to former
Gov. Lawton Chiles and executive assistant to former University of Florida
President Marshall Criser Jr.
Robinson said, “Mrs. Cohen-Pippin’s track record in the
Florida Legislature and in higher education in Florida will make her more than
capable of hitting the ground running in this very important time in the
legislative process.”
Cohen-Pippin said her passion for FAMU started in the 1970s
when she learned about FAMU’s rich history through a friend.
“My college roommate’s parents were FAMU graduates. The love
FAMU’s alumni have for their alma mater is contagious and impressive,” said
Cohen-Pippin.
“I share FAMU’s passion for its students and the community
it represents. I look forward to working with Dr. Robinson and being a partner
in advancing his vision for the university, which is about students and
enhancing their academic performance.”
In 1979, Cohen-Pippin started her career working as a higher
education analyst for the Florida Senate Committee on Education. In her
capacity as an analyst, and later as a staff director, she worked closely with
University presidents, staff, and alumni.
Cohen-Pippin earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from the
University of Rhode Island, Kingston and her Master of Education from the
University of Massachusetts.
Since she retired in 2011, Cohen-Pippin has coordinated
workshops for college students to enhance their awareness of the political
process and published a tool for middle and high school students on how a bill
becomes a law.