Alumni Stories

The Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award is the highest honor given to a graduate of the university. To be nominated for this award, a UNF graduate must have made significant contributions to his or her profession, community and/or society, and have consistently maintained the pursuit of excellence as a representative and graduate of UNF.

Congratulations Dr. Diana Greene, COEHS alumna, for being named Floridas's 2021 Superintendent of the Year.

The Florida Department of Education named Sarajean McDaniel, principal at William D. Moseley Elementary School in Putnam County, the 2020 Principal of the Year for the State of Florida. McDaniel graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1996 and received her master's degree in educational leadership in 2003.

Team Duval Athletic Director Tammie Talley '92, a UNF Alumna from the College of Education and Human Services, was recently honored as the Athletic Director of the Year by the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (FIAAA).

UNF's College of Education and Human Services presented this year’s Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence to four local Jacksonville teachers, one of whom is a UNF alumna: Jill Sullivan, Mayport Coastal Middle School. Sullivan was surprised with the award over a Zoom meeting called by her school's principal.

Each year during Homecoming the Alumni Association honors alumni who have demonstrated continuous outstanding volunteer service to the University and meritorious public service on a local, state, national, or international level.

Leadership skills are built through many scenarios. Dr. Diana Greene’s were most shaped during a life-changing time when she had to be a follower.

Small is beautiful in Jennifer Albert's fifth-grade science and math classroom at Emma Love Hardee Elementary in Fernandina Beach, FL, where small group learning leaps to the fore and big academic gains are the norm.