Floria State University (commonly referred to as Florida State or FSU) is a public research university located in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation. The university comprises 16 separate colleges and 39 centers, facilities, labs and institutes that offer more than 300 programs of study, including professional programs. In 2005 Florida State University's President launched "Pathways of Excellence", a major academic initiative that was proposed by a faculty committee to hire hundreds of new faculty to help position FSU for future membership in the Association of American Universities.