Alumna Caroline Klancke institutes an educational environment in the world of ethics for Florida public officers and employees

By Sara Vigne

In the world of ethics, where principles and guidelines can help shape the behavior of public officers and employees, Florida State University English alumna Caroline Klancke stands as a leading advocate for clarity and understanding.

Klancke’s blend of double majors during her time at FSU—she earned her second bachelor’s degree in history and graduated in 2003—and her passion for knowledge dissemination paved her journey to a pivotal role in that realm. She is the founder and executive director of the Florida Ethics Institute, a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization based in Tallahassee.

"English literature and history are the two sides of every text," she says, an insight that reflects her deep understanding of the importance of context and historical perspective in ethical matters.

Her education at FSU not only enhanced her writing skills, she says, but also instilled in her the critical thinking skills necessary for the meticulous analysis of various subject matters.

"That is the building blocks of a lawyer right there," Klancke says.

Since its beginning in July 2022, Klancke has made it her mission with the Florida Ethics Institute to inform those who serve the public with the knowledge and tools to navigate the intricate landscape of ethical conduct.

“The Florida Ethics Institute is dedicated to meaningful, accessible, ethics education in Florida to assist public servants in their compliance with the state’s Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees and to facilitate a better understanding of ethics in government,” according to the organization’s website.

Klancke made her academic choices as an undergraduate with purpose and foresight. The training she had at FSU proved invaluable as she embarked on her law school journey at the University of Miami. While there, faculty members approached Klancke to become the Greenberg Traurig Fellow with the Center for Ethics and Public Service.

“And this fellowship made me, it gave me life and truly lit in me a passion for public service,” she says.

During this fellowship, Klancke assisted local nonprofit organizations in adopting and implementing best practices in corporate governance to oversee nonprofit resources and to be eligible for grants. Her involvement in this program helped her find her calling for public service and ethics, setting the stage for an impressive career.

“It was this experience that led to my understanding that ethics is not merely an abstract area of study for academics—but rather is an active process that each of us can engage in to improve our lives, strengthen society, and work collaboratively to address challenges facing our communities.”

Following her 2006 graduation from UM, Klancke ventured into private practice, primarily focusing on energy and transportation law with a firm in Jacksonville, Florida. After one year, her innate calling for public service led her back to Tallahassee, however, where she joined the Florida Public Service Commission, serving as Chief Ethics Officer and Senior Attorney.

During her time at the FPSC, she was responsible for “handling utility regulation cases while also leading educational initiatives related to ethics laws, public records, and open public meetings.”

After seven years of service, Klancke then shifted her focus to ethics to begin working as a full-time attorney with the Florida Commission on Ethics. She began to observe a rising number of complaints filed against individuals who were ill-prepared to comply with, or not aware of, the laws governing public service.

This awakening inspired her to establish the Florida Ethics Institute.

"There was no independent nonprofit to speak for the protection and advancement of ethics legislation before I created, founded, and spearheaded the Florida Ethics Institute," she says. "And there was no comprehensive guide that explained the Code of Ethics before we wrote and published one.”

Klancke knew she wanted to create a manual that not only outlined the Code of Ethics but also incorporated legal requirements, constitutional mandates, case law interpretations, and advisory opinions, which continually evolve.

"It has to be annually produced because the ethics laws are always changing," she says.

Klancke credits her unique combination of expertise in English literature, history, ethics, and law that has allowed her to bridge the gap and produce a handbook that filled the void.

“It takes an ethicist attorney with a great grasp of writing to author a book that is comprehensive,” she points out.

The desire of individuals to serve their communities in public positions remains strong these days. Klancke’s dedication to education, ethics, and the pursuit of clarity serves as a bridge between that calling and intricacies of the law.

Her trailblazer mentality in the field of ethics ultimately benefits the citizens of Florida.

Sara Vigne is an English major on the editing, writing, and media track, with a second major in professional sales.

Follow the English department on Instagram; on Facebook; and on X