Skip to Main Content
A-Z Index
Marketing and Communications
oneColumn handbook

Inside UNF — December 18, 2023

Happy Holidays

We wish all of our UNF family – faculty, staff and students – a happy holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year. The University will be closed during winter break starting Friday, Dec. 22 through Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Get into the holiday spirit with carol selections from the UNF Singing Ospreys!

The benefits of learning a second language

By Joy Batteh-Freiha
 
Whether you want to learn a new language to live, work or study in another country or simply for pleasure, one thing is for sure – learning a new language not only can enrich your life but it can improve your mental health, too.
 
Dr. Jessica Chandras, assistant professor of anthropology at UNF“Learning a new language gives you the ability to see the world differently and can help strengthen cognitive health, as well,” said Jessica Chandras, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of North Florida, who specializes in linguistic anthropology. “Being bilingual promotes critical thinking by opening your world to multiple perspectives and understanding of different cultures.”
 
Throughout the years, several studies have shown that people who actively “use” or “work” their brain, have an advantage than those who don’t. She said the challenge of actively learning something new like a new language, helps to keep the brain busy.
 
“Often, the elderly and those at-risk for dementia and other disorders, are given puzzles and games that can be challenging but with repetition and practice, can help increase brain activity and development, boost confidence, improve listening skills and sometimes fight off depression,” Chandras said.
 
Practice and repetition are key.
 
“When learning a new language, memorization is important,” she explained. “The repetition of actively learning — forming sentences, speaking and writing — all help with mastering the language and sparking new pathways in the brain.”
 
While it’s common for Americans to be monolingual, that is, only speak one language, Chandras said the tide is turning in favor of learning more than one language.
 
“We’ve seen a shift in the last decade or two with respect to speaking more than one language,” Chandras said. “Children who are bilingual or multilingual are seen as having privilege and an advantage over those who only speak one language. There’s also the benefit of better job prospects in the future.”
 
Although Chandras said it’s easier to learn a new language as a child, with several language apps available, it’s easier than ever to learn as an adult.
 
“The best language apps are those that make you an active learner and produce language —speak and write,” advised Chandras. “Also, being in the region where that language is spoken and having a sustained pressing need to communicate in that language, always helps.”
 
“We live in a multi-cultural world,” Chandras said. “Besides the opportunities to advance in a career, or travel, understanding different cultures and languages can enhance all aspects of your life.”
 
Besides the social aspects of being bilingual, environment — region and class hierarchy — also plays a role in learning a new language.
 
As part of her ongoing research in India, Chandras and her research collaborators are studying a group of school children from the state of Maharashtra/Banjara — a forcibly settled nomadic community whose mother tongue is Banjara and who are being taught Marathi  — the official regional language of the state of Maharashtra — at school.
 
In her research, Chandras found that at first, the children in the study were perceived as “slow” by educators because of the difficulty of learning a new language, while simultaneously learning coursework.
 
“A prevailing, incorrect belief that these children have less cognitive abilities because they’re not able to speak or understand as quickly as their Marathi-speaking peers,” said Chandras. “When in fact, the Banjara students’ brains were becoming more advanced because they’re able to work out more complex linguistic and cognitive needs, creating new neural pathways through language acquisition."
 
Dr. Jessica Chandras, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of North Florida“Language and identity are influenced by the social hierarchy, or the caste system,” Chandras said. “Although learning a new language may have been a slow process and even painful for these children, they adapted and learned to master a new language. Eventually, it became a rite of passage and a source of pride for these children and their families.”
 
Chandras recently published her first book, “Mother Tongue Prestige, The Sociolinguistics of Privilege in Urban Middle-Class Education in India” which will be available in January. The book is based on earlier research on middle class urban students in India, who are learning a standardized version of Marathi connected to a specific caste group.
 
Locally, Chandras’ latest grant-funded research, which she started in January this year, explores the various dialects of Floridians. Originally from California, the subject piqued her interest after moving to Florida to accept her position at UNF over a year ago.
 
“Through funding from UNF’s Digital Humanities Institute, I received a faculty fellowship grant that allowed us to conduct our research,” said Chandras. “I was curious about the diversity in languages and regional accents throughout the state. My inspiration came from watching a documentary produced by two filmmakers, who traveled the U.S. researching regional connections, attitudes and cultures as it pertained to language. I thought this could be an accessible learning and researching opportunity for my students.”
 
Each semester since receiving the grant, Chandras and her research assistants interview, research and investigate the diversity of Florida dialects — pronunciations, regions and perceptions — as it pertains to language.
 
Chandras said the project has shown succinct findings and as a result, they were recently accepted to compete in a linguistic competition at the Linguistic Society of America conference in New York in January 2024. Chandras and her research assistants will present a 5-minute short video on their findings.
 
She plans to apply for additional grants to continue her research next year, with plans to produce a video resource, co-author articles and write a book.

UNF's Strategic Plan for 2023-28 awaits final approval

University of North Florida entrance signUNF’s new Strategic Plan for 2023-28 was approved by the Board of Trustees in June and goes before the Board of Governors next month for final approval.

Visit the Strategic Plan website to learn all the details of the plan including Institutional Aspirations, Areas of Focus, Priorities and Goals for the next five years. The site includes a dashboard to follow the plan’s progress.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 graduates!

Friday's graduates now join a network of more than 110,000 UNF alumni. We're proud of their efforts and years of hard work. They have excelled and now will become leaders in their chosen fields. 

Female UNF graduates sitting at 2023 commencement ceremony UNF graduates wearing caps and gowns at 2023 commencement ceremony UNF graduates at 2023 commencement ceremony

Message from President Limayem

Happy holidays to our faculty and staff! As we wind down the semester, I want to thank you all again for the incredible work you do every day to provide our students with knowledge, guidance, support and care. 
 
As an institution, there were great accomplishments in 2023 that will have a lasting impact on our University. We recognized a number of critical needs and were fortunate to receive record funding from the legislature this year, which allowed us to provide well deserved and needed raises for our faculty and staff. 
 
We have worked together to develop our priorities and goals for the next five years through our new Strategic Plan that provides a common direction for all our employees. And we confirmed our significant economic impact on Florida — $1.375 billion!  
 
On Friday, we celebrated more than 1,200 graduates who begin a new chapter in their lives. Some will remain with us in Graduate School; some will go on to begin their careers here in Jacksonville or around the world. Our faculty and staff have prepared and served our students well — engaging them in incredible research projects, connecting them to professional opportunities, or simply offering a kind word or gesture to lift a student up at just the right moment. I continue to be touched by the stories I hear every day about our faculty and staff and all that you do for our students.  
 
Our jobs in higher education are immensely rewarding, but they are not always easy or without challenges. I know this has been a challenging year for many, but despite what may be happening in higher ed, in our state or in our world, the faculty and staff here at UNF keep students as their focus always, in a supportive and caring environment. Our campus values and embraces civil discourse, and we remain committed to fighting all acts of hatred, racism or bigotry to the fullest extent of the law. 
 
You have worked hard throughout the year, and I encourage you to try to disconnect as much as possible during your time off. Let’s come back refreshed and ready for an even greater year. Enjoy your break, and again, happy holidays to each of you.  

State Employee Benefits: What’s New for 2024

The State of Florida has implemented changes to employee benefits for the upcoming year. Below are changes effective Jan. 1, 2024. For more information on changes to benefits, or click on the image. 
 
People First 2024 Benefits Guide brochureHMO Plan Changes
HMO plans are being provided by Aetna, AvMed, Capital Health Plan, or United Healthcare.  Aetna switched to United Healthcare for Duval County which is the major change for 2024.  Those who took no action during Open Enrollment, you will default to the new HMO for the region. Employees are encouraged to confirm their current providers are in-network based on the new HMO for their region to minimize any disruption in services if a change is needed. Learn more about which plans are applicable by region.
 
Pharmacy Benefits
OptumRx will replace CVS Caremark as the State Group Insurance Program’s Administrator for pharmacy benefits. The change broadens the pharmacy network to include Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Publix and independent pharmacies. To ensure a smooth transition, provide your new pharmacy benefits card to your pharmacy and your primary care physician as soon as possible. Learn more about changes to your prescription drug plan.
 
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Health Savings Accounts maximum contribution amounts for the 2024 plan year will increase for individual plans by $300 and for family plans by $550. Learn more about changes to your health savings account.
 
Carryover for Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
For the healthcare FSA and limited purpose FSA, December 31 is the last day to incur claims for the current plan year, and you must submit all claims by April 30 of the following plan year. If you have funds remaining at the end of the current plan year, a maximum of $610 will carry over to the next plan year while any funds in excess of $610 will be forfeited.
 
Dental Plan Rate
The Cigna plan rates will decrease for the 2024 plan year by approximately 5 percent. Visit People First to review your annual benefits statement or myBenefits.myFlorida.com/DentalPlans to learn more.
 
Cigna Hospital Supplemental Plans
While the premium amount for Cigna coverage remains unchanged, the fixed daily benefit of the 365 PLUS plan will increase from $200 to $250, effective January 1, 2024.
 
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) 
The Humana plan rate will increase from $44.63 to $47.85 for the 2024 plan year. You can review your annual benefits statement at People First or myBenefits.myFlorida.com/MAPD.
 
Medicare for Disability 
A program exists through the Division of State Group Insurance to help eligible retiree members with applying for and obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and early Medicare coverage. The Public Consulting Group (PCG) administers this program for the Division. If you are under age 65, a retiree, spouse or an eligible dependent, PCG may be able to assist you with obtaining Social Security Disability and Medicare benefits at no cost to you. Learn more about Medicare for disability.

Maintaining your mental well-being during the holidays

Friends chatting at a Christmas dinner‘Tis the season for hustle and bustle, long checkout lines and holiday gatherings with friends and family with differing ideologies. Fret not, we’ve got you covered. Dr. Sean Freeder, assistant professor of political science and public administration, offers advice on getting through the holidays — the politically correct way, while maintaining a peaceful holiday atmospher. 
 
While every gathering is different, here are six tips on how to handle spirited conversations:
  1. If you’re hosting at your house and know of guests who tend to be very political and/or aggressive in their discussions, let them know in advance the degree to which political discussions will be welcomed. Similarly, as a guest, let your host know in advance if political conversations will make you feel uncomfortable.
     
  2. Try not to engage in political discussions at the dinner table. It's the worst time to talk politics becuase people are hungry and distracted. Instead, save any political discussions for after dinner when people tend to be well-fed and in better moods. And, it gives those not interested the option to opt-out.
     
  3. Discussing politics with friends/family is easier than with strangers. The only goal you should have in any political conversation is to communicate why you have the beliefs/attitudes you do and to learn more about why others have theirs.
     
  4. More than half of human communication is nonverbal. Maintain politeness not just while speaking, but also in terms of hand gestures and facial movements. Avoid wild hand movements, maintain eye contact and avoid head-shaking and eye rolls. They're generally taken as aggressive and/or disrespectful.
     
  5. Make positive/gracious assumptions about the people with whom you are having a conversation. Identify points of commonality.
     
  6. Avoid unproductive language words such as “all” or “none.” Better choices are “few” or “many”, “rarely” or “often.”

Faculty Feature: Dr. Scott F. Jones

Dr. Scott F. Jones, assistant professor of biology at UNFDr. Scott F. Jones, assistant professor in the department of biology, dedicates his research to the study of coastal and wetland ecosystems. An avid nature lover, the Minnesota native, who began teaching at UNF in fall 2022, says he has a "soft spot for plants." In addition to his teaching duties, he serves as principal investigator of WE ~ ECO, a group of UNF researchers investigating the impact of environmental changes on coastal ecosystems.

What were your career aspirations as a child?
In elementary school, I wanted to be a scientist so I could go to the rainforest and find 'the cure' for cancer. This idea was almost certainly inspired by watching "The Magic School Bus" and generally being fascinated by nature and the outdoors.
 
Why did you decide to pursue a career in biology?
I've always been interested in science and trying to understand how things work. As I grew up, I realized I enjoyed being out in nature and was particularly fascinated with plants, so I majored in biology as an undergraduate. I was lucky to get an opportunity to conduct a summer research project doing field botany after my sophomore year. I was hooked forever on field biology. Both biology and ecology allow me to lean into my curiosity about the world around us and there's always another string to pull on or a question to ask. As I learned more about the current human-caused climate crisis, studying how living things respond to environmental change, felt timely and pressing.
 
What courses do you currently teach?
I currently teach General Biology II, Plant Anatomy & Physiology and Coastal Ecosystem Ecology, with a few other courses in the works.
 
Describe your teaching style and how you engage with your students
I am always developing my teaching style and learning how best to engage each group of students, but I would generally describe my style as more of a guide/facilitator than an orator/sage. I try to clearly communicate expectations to students so they can focus less on reading my mind and more on mastering concepts. I'm a big believer that less (content) is more (conceptual understanding). In the classroom, I sprinkle in more active approaches to engage students in the learning process, having them wrestle with questions and discuss together. Ultimately, I believe learning is up to the student, so I try to provide all the resources and support they need to do the work necessary for growth. My weak dad jokes and abysmal meme game also give students something to groan about, keeping morale high.
 
What are your current research interests/previous interests?
The WE ~ ECO lab focuses on how coastal and wetland ecosystems respond to environmental change. I’m particularly interested in how to quantify ecological resilience, rare plant species conservation and wetland greenhouse gas fluxes. Much of our work investigates how coastal systems are coping with climate change stressors like sea-level rise and salinity intrusion. In general, I enjoy collaborative research and would like to be a bridge to connect people so we can tackle big issues in ecology.
 
What fascinates you about the field of botany and wetland and coastal ecosystem ecology?
So many things! The more I study the plants that make up the foundation of coastal and wetland ecosystems, the more amazed I am at their adaptation to living in very harsh places. Coastal wetlands in particular are incredibly complex, making them fascinating and frustrating systems to try to understand. They are a meeting place of land and water, terrestrial and aquatic and integrate entire watersheds. This challenge keeps me engaged and interested. There's so much we still don’t know about how these systems work, how they are changing and how we might be able to best manage and conserve them for future generations. 
 
What do you like best about teaching at UNF?
The students at UNF make teaching and research a joy. Students know what hard work looks like and I’m consistently learning new things from my students. They aren’t afraid to get uncomfortable or dirty, which makes teaching lab courses and conducting field research easier. Being able to mentor students and help them parse out what the next right step is for their careers is incredibly rewarding and often humbling. Of course, my colleagues in Biology and beyond make working at UNF great — from meeting other new faculty to being mentored by folks who have been here for decades, the people at UNF are kind and passionate. 
 
What jobs have you had before teaching at UNF?
Before coming to UNF, I worked at a nonprofit land conservancy in West Michigan doing land management/restoration. Also, I was a post-doc at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium in the marshes south of New Orleans and was a federal scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey's (UGSS) Western Ecological Research Center in Davis, California. USGS was my most recent job before UNF, where I primarily focused on conducting management-relevant ecological research in the San Francisco Bay-Delta. My first paid job was delivering papers with my dad before I could drive. 
 
What book(s) are you currently reading or recently read?
I mostly read scientific journal articles (ok, I skim the abstracts), but recently I read "Book Lovers" by Emily Henry with my partner and thoroughly enjoyed it. I generally like dark comedy or fantasy/sci-fi for fiction and re-visionary history for nonfiction. I also read a lot of children's books with my kids; Mo Willems, the Magic Tree House series and anything illustrated by Dan Santat are favorites. 
 
Who/what inspires you?
My partner and kids inspire me in ways big and small. 
 
What do you like to do in your free time (hobbies)?
I enjoy getting outdoors with my family whenever possible — from hiking around local trails to tent-camping trips on state/national conservation lands. I also enjoy listening to and attempting to play music and I am unlikely to turn down a good craft beer. 
 
What is one thing your colleagues may not know about you?
I’m a tenor and have been singing off and on since being a grade-school choirboy. I'm a bit rusty now since it’s been a few years.

UNF graduate leans into her passion as the adventure begins

By Joy Batteh-Freiha
 
Many people go through life thinking one thing and doing another. Cassandra “Cassie” Muse says she can relate.
 
UNF senior and finance major Cassandra "Cassie" MuseThe 21-year-old Orlando, Florida native graduated from the University of North Florida on Friday with a finance degree, was planning to study international business and pre-law, but then decided to run for vice president of finance of her sorority and changed her major to finance.
 
“When I ran for VP of finance for alpha delta pi, I had no previous experience managing a budget, let alone a $100,000 budget,” said Muse. “I drew upon what I was learning in some of my classes to help me out, but math doesn’t come easy to me. It challenges and pushes me to focus – that’s what I like.”
 
Muse challenged herself even further, when she took on several other positions within her sorority including chapter president, president of the Panhellenic Council and became a member of Order of Omega – a Greek honors society that focuses on academics, community service and leadership. “I found what I love and dug deeper,” Muse said.
 
And deeper she went. That confidence bolstered Muse to apply for an internship she secured with the FBI in summer 2022 – and one she hopes to continue working fulltime after graduation.
 
“Although the application process and all the steps in between were a lesson in perseverance and patience, it was so worth it,” Muse said.
 
Assigned to the Public Corruption and Civil Rights squad, Muse said her finance degree and her leadership roles in her extracurricular activities proved to be a plus with her work at the FBI.
 
“A lot of crimes have a financial aspect to them,” explained Muse. “Having a background in finance can give a different perspective when looking at information we’re working on. The bureau has people working in all backgrounds and studies which is helpful when trying to look at things from various viewpoints.”
 
Ronald Heymann, a UNF adjunct instructor of finance in the Coggin College of Business and one of Muse’s instructors, agrees.
 
“Having a background in finance and financial planning helps an investigator get to the root of most crime – follow the money,” said Heymann. “From Sam Bankman-Fried to Hunter Biden, the headlines are loaded with intrigue, most of which ties back to complex investment and business schemes. I tell my students, there are always clues to follow. You don’t always need a badge and a gun to be the ‘good guy.’ A finance grad like Cassie, with a clear conscience and a calculator can be equally effective.”
 
Muse said it’s been an honor working for the FBI. “There’s a lot of balancing responsibilities, assignments and deadlines that are challenging, but it’s rewarding and impactful work,” Muse said.  I’ve learned so much about leadership and organization through this internship.”
 
Kendra Gress, supervisory special agent with the FBI and Muse’s direct supervisor, said the FBI seeks out interns like Muse, with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
 
“A student’s major matters, but diversity matters, too,” said Gress. “Cassie is the type of student intern we seek out. She embodies the FBI’s core values, she’s a team player, a leader with great communication skills and she’s eager to learn. Cassie has been an indispensable part of my team and it’s been a delight to see her grow these past two years.”
 
Gress said Muse gained experience in almost every aspect of the squad from scanning discovery, filing and shredding to writing synopsizes and helping agents get ready for grand jury and trials.
 
“These are all tasks that we’re responsible for even when Cassie is not working. We’ve been blessed having her with us.”
 
Muse was one of a handful of students selected to give their perspective about their educational experiences at UNF to the Board of Trustees at their meeting in October.
 
“That was a great experience and one that helped hone my public speaking skills,” Muse said.
 
Looking back at her years at UNF, Muse recalled the reason why she chose UNF in the first place.
 
“I knew I wanted a different experience from my peers in high school who wanted to go to bigger schools,” said Muse. “Small classes were important to me as well as having the opportunity to be seen and heard by my professors. When I toured UNF for the first time, I knew this was the university for me. The campus is beautiful, and Jacksonville has so many opportunities to offer.”  
 
While it was American economist and author Peter Drucker that said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” Cassie Muse is certainly living it.

Staff Spotlight: Christie Ellis

Christie EllisAs the Sr. Employment Coordinator in UNF’s Human Resources department, Christie Ellis keeps track of different queues and email inboxes throughout the day. She says making a daily “To-Do” list helps her stay organized and on top of the various requests that come across her desk every day.

Describe a typical workday for you?
Constantly looking at my different queues and email inbox to keep up with all the different requests we receive in a day. The employment team is responsible for postings, hiring proposals, applying EPAFs to Banner, keying in new employees, interview pool requests and network access forms. There are different queues for each type of employee, so I have approximately six different queues to keep track of and that’s not including emails.
 
What led you to this opportunity at UNF?
We relocated to Jacksonville for a new employment opportunity for my husband. My youngest son was just entering high school, which is not a great time for a move. I was looking for a part time job that would allow me to be available to help him with the transition and the perfect opportunity came up at UNF. I started as a part-time Office Assistant for CIRT before moving to Human Resources.
 
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I truly enjoy assisting the campus community in getting new employees hired for their departments. New beginnings are always exciting and to be a part of someone’s next employment journey is rewarding.
 
What do you like most about UNF?
It still feels small and inviting, even though we are growing.
 
What energizes you at work?
I often start the day with a list of “To-dos” that seems insurmountable. I start working and checking off items, which motivates me to keep going. The feeling of accomplishment of getting things done and/or resolved for the wider campus community energizes me. 
 
What’s a work-related accomplishment you’re proud of?
Earlier this year, I passed the test to get my Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP) certification.  I decided to study on my own rather than take classes and was able to pass the test on my first try! 
 
What is your role as a member of the OspreyRising Implementation Team?
I am a team lead for Recruiting. I am helping with configuring and testing all aspects of recruiting. 
 
What will this new project mean to UNF?
It will be a huge boost to Human Resources by simplifying how we bring new employees into the University, which in turn should help departments in hiring.  It’s a lot of work getting Workday configured and tested, but I am very excited for July 1.
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to travel. I wish I could do more. I am an annual passholder for Disney and I try to visit as often as my schedule allows, which isn’t enough.
 
What was your first job?
The campus bookstore at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
To keep setting goals for yourself and not become complacent.
 
Who inspires you and why?
My husband. He’s very optimistic and always looks for the good in any situation. It reminds me to keep a positive outlook.
 
What’s your favorite thing to do on weekends?
Sleeping in. I am not a morning person, so a nice leisurely morning on the weekends sipping my coffee is wonderful. 
 
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
I love to travel and have lots of places I want to visit. First up is a trip to Geneva, Switzerland to visit my son next summer. We will more than likely add a stop to Milan and London as part of this trip. One day I would love to go to Australia. I really want to climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge. 
 
What is one thing about you that others may not know?
I was a director of the local news station right out of college. My degree was in television production. I absolutely loved it, but after a while the hours you must work in that field gets difficult. That’s when I decided to leave television and go into Human Resources.

Leading Ladies Summit brings great minds together

By Joy Batteh-Freiha
 
Leading Ladies Summit panel participants in pictures one and three. A overall view of the summit in picture 2.More than 180 students, faculty, staff and community members attended the 2023 Leading Ladies Leadership Summit hosted by the Taylor Leadership Institute on Nov. 30. This year’s lunch and learn event featured eight women from the Jacksonville community — Teresa Nichols, Joey Leik, Laura Phillips Edgecombe, Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, Nan Ferrera, Lindsey Jackson, Maggie Owen and Marie Foster Gnage — who shared their inspiring leadership journeys. 
 
According to the Pew Research Institute, women leaders have gained ground of late, making up 35% of the U.S. workforce — despite still lacking in equal pay. 
 
That’s why Dr. Matthew Ohlson, associate professor, department of leadership, school counseling & sport management and executive director of the Taylor Leadership Institute (TLI), said events like the Leading Ladies Summit are integral in showing students the importance of being an advocate for yourself.
 
“Strong female leadership deserves to be recognized and celebrated,” Ohlson said. “Having confidence and surrounding yourself with mentors and influencers strengthens your support system and goes hand-in-hand with being your own advocate.”
 
Ohlson said leadership is having a positive influence, not a title or a position. “A good leader inspires, motivates and empowers others to achieve common goals through integrity, empathy and effective communication. We encourage our students to use their words and actions to bring about positive change in their own lives, on campus and in the community.” 
 
The event embodies the leadership practices and principles that TLI teaches. Many of the courses, training and events help students develop the three C’s: 
  • Confidence — Before anyone will believe in you as a leader, you must believe in yourself. Students need to develop an awareness of their strengths and talents as they find their own voice and before they can help others find theirs.
  • Collaboration — Leadership is a people business and the best leaders work with others for the collective impact of the group.
  • Courage — Once you gained confidence and the ability to collaborate, have the courage to take risks to achieve the life you imagine. We want our students to have the courage to act and achieve greatness – remember, all students can be leaders.
In addition to the courses and training, industry certifications have been added to the leadership program to give students even more advantages when compared to other applicants, especially the ability to demand higher salaries. These efforts resulted in UNF being awarded the Global Leadership Prize by HR.com, beating out Stanford, Vanderbilt, Cornell and the Wharton School of Business.

Try this healthy seasonal recipe

Bowl of chili with crackers on the sideAre you looking for a simple, yet delicious meal to share with your family during the holiday season? Well, you're in luck. Try this recipe below below: 

Slow Cooker Veggie Chili with Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:
-1 medium onion, chopped
-1 green or red bell pepper, chopped
-4 cloves of garlic, crushed
-1Tbsp chili powder
-1 Tbsp cumin
-1 Tbsp cacao powder or cocoa powder, unsweetened
-1/4 tsp cinnamon
-1 28 oz can fire roasted tomatoes
-2 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
-2 minced chipotle peppers in adobe sauce with seeds scraped out
-1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½” pieces
-1 cup vegetable broth or water
 
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a slow cooker (crockpot) and cook for 7-8 hrs on low or 4-5 hrs on high. Can be served with grated cheese, sour cream, cilantro and tortilla chips if desired.
 
Serves approximately 4.
 
Submitted by Sierra James, RDN, LN and UNF campus dietitian

Office of Undergraduate Research hosts annual research symposium

By Byron E. Jones
 
University of North Florida student researchers presented their findings last week on topics that ranged from COVID-19's impact on stress levels to the history and structure of the Milky Way during the annual 2023 Undergraduate-Graduate Learning, Inquiry and Distinction Experimentation (U-Glide) Symposium.
 
2023 U-Glide Symposium attendees at UNF Faculty, staff and fellow students in attendance were tasked with voting for their favorite posters out of the 56 presentations. Winners were announced during an awards ceremony following the symposium. Each award recipient received a gift card to the UNF Bookstore.
 
The U-Glide Symposium, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), is an annual interdisciplinary conference held during the fall semester granting undergraduate and graduate students a platform to share and present their research projects in poster format. By providing support to students interested in conducting thought-provoking research, the OUR helps UNF ignite a passion for learning and discovery through transformational education in a supportive environment that leads students to rewarding careers and lifelong success.
 
Dr. Judith D. Ochrietor, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and associate professor of biology, discussed how beneficial student-led research is. 
 
UNF U-Glide symposium attendees“Participating in research, scholarship, and creative activities (RSCA) as an undergraduate student provides an incredible foundation for these students,” said Ochrietor. “They not only gain discipline-specific skills, but also 21st century skills, both of which will prepare them for the opportunities and challenges they will encounter in graduate programs and their careers. It is exciting to realize that these students are the future movers and thinkers in their respective fields and that their passions were sparked by an intriguing research question they investigated with their faculty mentor.” 
 
The 2023 U-Glide undergraduate and graduate winners chosen by their peers included:
 
Undergraduate: Matthew Eells and Gavin Dickinson
“Creating a Controlled Atmospheric Turbulence for Free Space Optical Communication: Design and Fabrication Approaches”
Mentor: Dr. Hemani Kaushal
 
Graduate: Dorian James, Phillip Baker, Mike Nilon, Evan Kilby and Aiden Jokomba
“Personal Health Monitoring of Basketball Team”
Mentor: Dr. Shyam Paryani
 
Locate a list of all presenters and their research topics in Digital Commons.

North Florida Athletics announces 2024 Hall of Fame Class

UNF Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024Earlier this month, North Florida Athletics announced its 2024 Hall of Fame class featuring five former UNF student-athletes, an influential family and a history-making team. The 2024 selections were made through the efforts of the UNF Athletics Hall of Fame Committee. The ceremony and reception takes place Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 from 6 - 9 p.m. at the John A. Delaney Student Union.
 
For more information on the Athletics Hall of Fame event, please contact a member of the Athletic Development Staff or email osprey.club@unf.edu.
 
This year's inductees include:
  • Eden Meyer (UNF Women's Cross Country & Track, 2014 - 2018)
  • Drew Weeks (UNF Baseball, 2011 - 2014)
  • Jack Findel-Hawkins (UNF Men's Tennis, 2013 - 2017)
  • Donny Lotz (UNF Men's Basketball, 2001 - 2005)
  • Lee McCool (UNF Baseball, 1998 - 2000)
  • The Delaney Family (John and Jim Delaney)
  • 2015-16 UNF Women's Golf
 
Information provided by North Florida Athletics

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey Fountain
College of Computing, Engineering and Construction
Dr. Xudong Liu, associate professor, will serve as the local chair for the IEEE International Conference on Machine Learning and Applications, Dec. 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The international conference is geared to scientists and researchers who will discuss their research on machine learning in artificial intelligence.
 
College of Education and Human Services 
Dr. Kim Cheek, associate professor, along with Brad Hokanson, Matthew Schmidt, Marisa Exter, Andrew A. Tawfik and Yvonne Earnshaw, published “Formative Design in Learning, Design Thinking, Growth Mindset and Community.”
 
Dr. Wanyong Choi, associate professor, was an invited speaker on a panel on “Technology and Data Analysis in Golf,” at the Callaway Korea Media Talk and an invited speaker on “Technology Advancement and Changes in Sport Management Major Education,” at Sport Industry Global Conference in Korea.
 
Dr. Terrie Galanti, assistant professor, along with Dr. Courtney Baker from George Mason University, published a paper “Transforming Assessment in Online STEM Learning: Preparing Teachers to Integrate Computational Thinking in Elementary Classrooms,” in the journal of Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education.
 
Dr. Liz Gregg, professor, was the guest lecturer on “Successfully Navigating the Academic Job Market,” to graduate students of the Sport Management Program at Indiana University.  
 
Dr. Liz Gregg, professor and Dr. Jason Lee, professor, co-authored the introduction article to the special issue on accreditation in the Sport Management Education Journal. Also, Dr. Gregg and Dr. Lee served as guest editors of the special issue. October 2023. 
 
Dr. Rakesh K. Maurya, assistant professor, co-authored an article recently published the article “Counseling and the Interstate Compact: Navigating Ethical Practice Across State Lines,” in The Professional Counselor journal.  
 
Dr. John Miller, visiting professor, along with Jeffrey Curto (Hiram University), Andrew Goldsmith (Colorado State University), Michael Carroll (Troy University) and Christina Martin (Troy University), published “Active shooter preparedness: Perceptions of NCAA Division I athletic directors and campus police chiefs” in Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport. 
 
Dr. John Miller, visiting professor and Chris Croft (University of Southern Mississippi) published “The influence of campus recreation centers on student return and retention during COVID-19 pandemic” in the Recreational Sports Journal.
 
Dr. Amanda Kulp along with Dr. Amanda Pascale and Dr. Liz Gregg, published a manuscript “The Job No One Wants? A National Study of Department Leader Job Satisfaction” in Research in Higher Education. 
 
Hicks Honors College
Dr. Denise Monti, Ph.D., biology instructor and assistant director of UNF's Hicks Honors College and colleagues published "Models of classroom assessment for course-based research experiences" in Frontiers in Education, November.
 
UNF Athletics
Jamie Davies was named as head coach of the UNF Men’s Soccer program. Davies is the third head coach in the team’s 32-year history. A London native, Davies is credited with 15 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level. His most recent work saw him as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Central Florida men’s soccer team for the past six seasons.

Free Things to Do

Art + Politics: Grounding Dialog
Exhibit on view now through Jan. 7, 2024, MOCA Jacksonville
View a selection of prints from the printmaking course “Art + Politics” at UNF, where students create large-scale relief carvings on woodblocks and print them with a steamroller in collaboration with FSCJ. Enjoy the opening celebration during Museum Nights on Wednesday, Dec. 20 starting at 6 p.m. Learn more about this exhibit made possible by UNF and FSCJ printmaking students.

six paintings featuring masks from the exhibition Art with a Heart in Healthcare: DaydreamersArt with a Heart in Healthcare: Daydreamers
Exhibit on view now through Jan. 14, 2024, MOCA Jacksonville
MOCA Jacksonville continues its partnership with Art with a Heart in Healthcare (AWAHIH), a nonprofit organization that provides personalized art experiences to support the healing process for patients and families at local hospitals. Through the years, the program has developed different themes to encourage the patients to express themselves creatively, helping them to articulate their feelings, ideas and experience through art. Learn more about the AWAHIH exhibit. (@ Photo by Laird)

Project Atrium: Rowland Ricketts
Exhibit on view now through Jan. 28, 2024, MOCA Jacksonville
Rowland Ricketts is a contemporary fiber artist who creates immersive site-specific installations using handwoven and hand-dyed cloth. His approach follows the long history of art’s engagement with the natural world through an unconventional and highly personal perspective, emphasizing the relationship between nature, culture, the passage of time and everyday life. Learn more about this Project Atrium exhibit.

Free Flu Shots
Tuesday, Dec. 19, Call for appointment time, Student Health Services Clinic (Building 39A / 2098)
Free flu vaccines are available for UNF faculty and staff at the Student Health Services Clinic. Call 904-620-2900 to schedule an appointment. Learn more about getting a free flu shot.

Museum Nights @ MOCA
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 5 - 9 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
Spend your evenings at MOCA with extended hours the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Learn more about this event.

Taxi Driver movie posterMOCA Movie Night: "Taxi Driver"
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 6 - 8 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
Taxi Driver is MOCA's featured film in connection to the exhibition "A Walk on the Wild Side: ‘70s New York in the Norman E. Fisher Collection," which is presented in celebration of MOCA's 100th anniversary. Learn more about this movie presentation.

PROJECT Trio
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, 7:30 p.m., Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Center
PROJECT Trio is a dynamic and and innovative music group known for their genre-blending performances and captivating stage presence. The trio pushes the boundaries of traditional chamber music with their unique fusion of classical, jazz, hip-hop, and world music influences. Learn more about this exciting musical performance.

Swoop Summary

UNF baseball left handed pitcher throwing the ball
Baseball Releases 2024 Schedule
North Florida baseball announces its complete 2024 slate for the upcoming season. The schedule features 56 total games, which include 33 games at home and 44 games inside the state of Florida. Learn more about the upcoming baseball season.

Here are a few upcoming events:

Women's Basketball vs. Winthrop
Wednesday, Dec. 20, noon  |  UNF Arena  |  Free Admission  |  Holiday Game
 
Women's Basketball vs. Florida A&M
Friday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m.  |  UNF Arena  |  Free Admission 
 
Women's Basketball vs. Stetson
Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, 7 p.m.  |  UNF Arena  |  Free Admission 
 
Swimming vs. FGCU
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, 1:30 p.m.  |  UNF Competition Pool Complex  |  Free Admission 
 
Men's Basketball vs. JU (River City Rumble)
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, 7 p.m.  |  UNF Arena  |  Purchase Tickets  |  Blue Out