Skip to Main Content
Marketing and Communications
oneColumn handbook

Inside UNF — March 31, 2023

Ogier Gardens to celebrate sixth annual Osprey Spring Jamboree

UNF students at the annual Osprey Spring Jamboree in Ogier GardensSwoop over to the Ogier Gardens Friday, April 7 from noon to 4 p.m. for the annual Osprey Spring Jamboree.
 
The event will feature live poetry readings in conjunction with the International Poetry Festival, music performances, a free healthy lunch, plant giveaways and more! Campus Canines and pet Partners will be on hand for therapeutic animal interactions! Learn more about upcoming events and workshops at Ogier Gardens.
 
Information provided by the Department of Recreation and Wellness

OspreyRising Q&A with Brian Verkamp

UNF Vice President and Chief Information Officer Brian Verkamp discusses OspreyRising, a digital transformation project to upgrade and transition key University business processes to Workday. 

Brian Verkamp speaking at a podiumYou’ve shared that the OspreyRising project will be a “digital transformation” for UNF. What does this term mean to you and what does it mean for UNF?

To me, digital transformation is the process of how we can use digital technologies to fundamentally change the way we operate and deliver value to our stakeholders. The goal is to improve processes, innovate, create efficiency, improve effectiveness and create new opportunities for growth and success. For UNF, the OspreyRising project represents a significant step in this journey. With Workday, we will be able to modernize our HR, budget and financial management systems and move away from outdated manual processes. This will not only improve the efficiency of our operations but will also free up time and resources for other critical priorities at UNF.

Communication is a significant aspect of digital transformation, conveying the value of technology — how technology can bring innovation, improve productivity and increase efficiency. For example, using digital workflows inside a system like Workday, instead of current (many manual) processes with multiple systems, will save time and costs for everyone at UNF, freeing up resources to focus on other projects. The impact goes beyond business processes, ultimately improving teaching, learning, administration and education overall. Leveraging technology and data helps enhance our institutional operations at a larger scale, benefiting the lives of faculty, staff, students and alumni. 

What makes Workday different from our current systems and tell us why it is important to UNF?

In recent years, it has become clear that Banner’s agility and capability to respond to operational and strategic change is decreasing. Automations, customizations and integrations with the University Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) environment are difficult and time-consuming due to the lack of modern tools and capabilities. More importantly, the University is revamping our strategic plan. To support UNF’s strategic goals, Workday is recommended to replace our existing Ellucian Banner ERP.

At UNF, Workday is going to provide several benefits. First, it will help streamline many existing processes and also combine many existing systems into one new integrated experience. What makes Workday different is that it is a cloud-based software platform providing human resources, financial management, budget planning and payroll services. It is very different from our current systems, including Banner, because it is a fully integrated platform, meaning that all of its features and applications work together seamlessly. This integration enables real-time data sharing and collaboration, eliminating the need for multiple software systems and reducing manual data entry across campus. This functionality will be a game changer for UNF, as it will streamline processes and allow people to spend time on important tasks. In addition, Workday will provide increased accessibility and security, automatic updates and scalability. It also offers a modern interface with mobile capabilities that make it easy for people to access and use the system from anywhere, at any time. 

Outside of technology, do you see any other opportunities as part of this project?

I believe the biggest impact made by the OspreyRising project is going to be streamlining our existing processes and systems. This project has provided an opportunity to review many daily functions at UNF. This review and recalibration will improve operations at UNF, by helping us streamline our workflows, reducing manual data entry and eliminating redundant steps. There will be opportunities for training and development for students, faculty and staff. I would also say that OspreyRising will allow for increased collaboration and data sharing among departments. It’s a huge opportunity to break down silos and improve communication and collaboration across the campus. We believe this modern technology platform will also attract talented individuals to the University. 

Explain the role of the OspreyRising Steering Committee and how this team works together.

The OspreyRising Steering Committee plays a critical role in overseeing and guiding the implementation of Workday at UNF. Our Steering Committee consists of senior leaders from departments across the university including HR, finance, budget, Academic and Student Affairs and ITS. Their role is to provide strategic direction, make decisions and ensure that the implementation aligns with the UNF’s goals and objectives. They are responsible for overseeing the implementation process from start to finish and ensuring that the project stays on track. Additionally, it is important that the Steering Committee provides support to the project team by ensuring they have the resources/expertise needed to succeed. 

What excites you most about this project?

The opportunities it brings to UNF are the most exciting things to me! Think about it — not only will UNF completely shift technology to a modern platform, but it will also completely transform how we do business. We have an opportunity to make things better for everyone! Workday is critical to the strategic goals we have at UNF. Workday is going to allow UNF to better use data for answering important questions and helping make decisions, so we can best serve our students, faculty and staff. The opportunities are bigger than the technology! 

The OspreyRising project is divided into phases. What phase may present the biggest challenge?

The Workday implementation and migration project typically includes several phases, such as planning, designing, building, testing, deployment and support. During the build phase, the Workday system is configured to meet the organization's specific requirements, such as customizing business processes, defining security roles and integrating with other systems. This phase can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant effort from the project team. Once the build phase is complete, the system must be thoroughly tested.

While all phases of the Workday implementation and migration project present unique challenges that can vary based on a unit’s needs and requirements, the build and test phases tend to be the most demanding. Careful planning, effective project management and collaboration between departments and stakeholders will help ensure we have a successful implementation. 

What three main points should the campus community keep in mind as we move forward?
  1. Communication: If anyone has questions or is unsure of anything, please reach out. All questions are welcomed, and if you have them, others might, too. We want to keep people informed during all stages of the project. There will be many opportunities for feedback including town halls, newsletters and scheduled department-level conversations/updates.

  2. Change management: OspreyRising represents a significant change in how many departments and individuals across the University will conduct daily business. With that in mind, it's important for us to focus on change management and ensure that everyone is prepared and trained for the Workday launch in July 2024. Providing adequate training and support, and encouraging feedback will help us ensure a smooth transition.

  3. Ongoing support: Once Workday is live, ongoing support will be critical to ensure continued success. This will include access to support resources — addressing any issues and incorporating feedback from individuals to continuously improve the system. At launch, the campus community should be prepared to support the new system and processes now used for day-to-day business. A support structure where we help each other will be critical to a smooth transition. 
What is the best way for the campus community to send feedback about the project?
Please send any questions, thoughts or communications to mkuehner@unf.edu.
 

UNF students win first place at the Southeast Cyber Defense Competition

University of North Florida’s School of Computing student teamOsprey Security, the University of North Florida’s School of Computing student team, won both first place and “Best in Service” at the 2023 Southeast Regional Cyber Defense Competition (SECCDC). The team now advances to the national finals in Dallas to compete against nine other schools at the end of April.
 
The UNF students beat several other schools in the regional competition including Clemson University, Columbus State University and the University of Central Florida.
 
 
Information provided by UNF Media Relations

Giving Day exceeds expectations

Thank You Ospreys! UNF Giving Day bannerOsprey Nation raised $1,002,276!
 
UNF Giving Day 2023 was a huge success! Thanks to the generosity of a record-setting number of donors — over 3,400 — revenue totals exceeded $1 million. Donors supported a variety of projects including UNF’s Student Success Fund which President Limayem matched up to $50,000 dollar for dollar.
 
Thank you for joining together to #SwoopAndSupport UNF students and the campus community!

UNF PACT study raises Alzheimer’s awareness with campus collaborations

UNF PACT study administrator and participant
UNF's Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study, led by Dr. Jody Nicholson, associate professor of psychology, is making a positive impact across campus and in local communities through groundbreaking research and interdisciplinary collaborations within the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
These collaborations help strengthen the dialogue between arts and sciences while increasing Alzheimer’s awareness. The study, which began at UNF in 2021, aims to examine whether computerized brain training exercises can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to UNF, the study is also taking place at four other institutions including the University of South Florida, the University of Florida, Duke University and Clemson University. The UNF PACT study recently surpassed 800 participants in its quest to gain a total of 1,300. For more information on the PACT study, please visit PACTstudy.org, or call 904-620-4263.
 
The following upcoming free events are interdisciplinary collaborations that Dr. Nicholson has developed with the UNF School of Music and the Department of Art, Art History and Design:
 
UNF Wind Symphony and UNF Concert Band Present "Places We Can No Longer Go"
Wednesday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., Lazzara Performance Hall
The UNF Wind Symphony will host renowned composer, John Mackey, for a three-day residency April 3-5. The focus of the residency will be Mackey's piece, "Places We Can No Longer Go," which tells the story of Alzheimer's, but in reverse. It starts in the present, or maybe even in the future, and over the course of 22 minutes, goes in reverse as confusion turns to clarity and grief turns to comfort. Dr. Erin Bodnar serves as conductor. In addition to the concert performance, attendees will be able to view vinyl art pieces on the windows of the UNF Fine Arts Center created by art students. Dr. Nicholson will also speak a few words before John Mackey’s pre-concert talk.
 
The full event timeline of Mackey’s residency is as follows:
Monday, April 3 – 2:30 - 4 p.m.; The UNF Wind Symphony Rehearsal in Lazzara (open to the public)
Tuesday, April 4 – 7 - 9 p.m.; The UNF Concert Band Open Rehearsal in Lazzara (open to the public)
Wednesday, April 5 –
2:30 - 4 p.m. Wind Symphony Rehearsal in Lazzara (open to the public)
4 - 5 p.m. Meet and Greet with John Mackey
6:45 p.m. Pre-concert talk
7:30 p.m. Concert
 
Forms of Knowing: Cultural Documents Considering Alzheimer’s Research
Wednesday, June 21 - Thursday, November 9, UNF Lufrano Intercultural Gallery
Forms of Knowing is a two-part exhibition highlighting artwork concerning research and interpersonal connections between Alzheimer’s studies and human impact. This exhibition asks the viewer to consider Alzheimer’s through an investigative prism, illuminating myriad ways of understanding and qualifying a disease that impacts a sizable portion of the aging population. Designed into two segments, last year's exhibit featured the work of Ellie Brown and Rosemarie Oakman while this year's exhibit will feature the work of Lorrie Fredette and Kija Lucas. This exhibition is co-curated by former UNF Gallery Director and instructor Jessica Borusky and Sculpture Professor Jenny Hager with assistance from UNF Interim Gallery Director Michael Bell.

Get ready for Inauguration

President Limayem speaking at a podium wearing a gownJoin the campus community on Friday, April 14 to celebrate President Moez Limayem's Inauguration as the seventh president of the University of North Florida. 

Below is the schedule of events:

Friday, April 14, 2023
10 a.m. Processional — departs from UNF Field House, travels through campus, arriving at the Fine Arts Center
10:30 a.m. Investiture Ceremony — the official ceremony at the Lazzara Performance Hall of the Fine Arts Center 
11:30 Campus Celebration — celebrate with food, music, swag and festivities immediately following the ceremony in Osprey Plaza at the John A. Delaney Student Union. There will be five $2,500 scholarship giveaways for currently enrolled students attending UNF in the summer or fall 2023. Eligible students must have a valid Osprey 1Card to participate and must be present to win.

For more information about Inauguration, visit unf.edu/inauguration

April Faculty and Staff Mixer

Ozzie poster board on a tableJoin your fellow colleagues for the next monthly Faculty & Staff Mixer on Thursday, April 6 from 4-6 p.m. in the Talon Room lounge area in Osprey Commons (Building 16).

Enjoy great conversation, light bites and beverages at no charge. 

Osprey Profile: Destiny Basden

Destiny Basden sitting at the Student UnionMeet Destiny Basden

UNF senior Destiny Basden is incredibly involved on campus and committed to helping others through volunteerism and acts of service. The Jacksonville native is the president of the Black Student Union, a resident assistant for Housing and Residence Life, an event coordinator for Osprey Life and Productions and a member of the NAACP. Destiny is majoring in psychology and minoring in both African Diaspora studies and social welfare. She is a recipient of the E.L. Konigsburg Scholarship. 

What brought you to UNF?
I transferred to UNF during the COVID-19 pandemic because it was close to home and affordable.

What have you enjoyed most about the University?
I've enjoyed becoming active on campus! The opportunities at UNF have allowed me to interact with people every day. Having the capabilities to provide for students and become a voice for others is empowering.

Do you have a favorite place on campus?
Outside the Cafe are some swings near the lake. That is my favorite place to go. During sundown or on a peaceful night, I am able to think and just relax while watching the ducks or otters swim by.

What’s the greatest bit of advice you’ve ever been given?
"Destiny, if you want it, then go get it. There is nothing on this campus that you are not capable of getting."

Who inspires you?
My friends inspire me every day. They are ordinary people who have also had their trials and tribulations, but continuously find a way to become better. They inspire me to keep pushing and trying every time something goes wrong or right. They teach me that giving up is not an option.

What is a fun fact about you many people may not know?
I am lefthanded, and I actually received a scholarship for it!

RecWell recognized for innovative programming

UNF students performing muscle posesUNF's Department of Recreation and Wellness (RecWell) has experienced great success and recognition in 2023. The department was named "Rec of the Month" in February by Campus Rec Magazine for its wide range of programming and services offered to the campus community. 
 
"This recognition speaks to the uniqueness of our department. We know the influence of healthy choices on a college campus is threefold, affecting academic, emotional and physical performance," said Ashley Ballard, senior director of RecWell. "In response to those challenges, we try our best not only to maintain quality programs and services but to expand and develop new and innovative programs and initiatives that further enhance the health of our students."
 
The department's Competitive Sports team was also recognized by Campus Rec Magazine for the implementation of two unique intramural sports this year — billiards and innertube water polo. Comprised of six units including Aquatics, Competitive Sports, Fitness, Eco Adventure, Wellness and Youth Programs Compliance, RecWell has seen tremendous growth in recent years and they plan to continue the trend. By summer 2023, upgrades to each of RecWell's three fields will be complete to further enhance its programs and offerings.
 
Learn more about Recwell's facilities, programs and services.

UNF commits to reducing textbook costs

OER Initiative Open Educational Resources at UNFThe financial commitment to a college education affects students and faculty worldwide. The expensive costs of textbooks and other learning materials have remained a topic of discussion for many years. In a 2022 survey of 13,000 plus Florida college students conducted by Florida Virtual Campus, more than half (53.5%) said they had courses they did not purchase required textbooks for due to costs.

To offset costs, many UNF faculty members use Open Educational Resources (OER) in their courses instead of traditional textbooks. According to Rob Rose, an instructional designer in UNF's Center for Instruction and Research Technology (CIRT), "Open Educational Resources are beneficial to the learning experiences of students primarily because it helps lower the cost of their education."

OER are defined as teaching, learning and research materials that are either in the public domain or licensed in a manner that provides everyone with free and perpetual permission to use.

OE Week 2023
To further expand OER use on campus, UNF participated March 6-10 in Open Education (OE) Week, an annual global celebration of the Open Education Movement. UNF OE Week events included a faculty panel discussion, an open textbook review workshop and more.

UNF's OER Initiative
UNF's CIRT teamed up with the Thomas G. Carpenter Library in 2018 to create the UNF Open Educational Resources Initiative. The goal of the Initiative is to support and incentivize faculty adoption and creation of high-quality OER in place of traditional and expensive textbooks. To date, 90 courses have completed the Initiative, 12 courses are currently underway and the Initiative has already surpassed the million-dollar mark in savings for students with participation from every college on campus. Learn more about UNF's OER Initiative.

UNF Newsroom shares the latest campus news

UNF students walking on campusVisit the UNF Newsroom for daily content covering all the news that matters to the campus community. From research grant announcements to unique achievements of students and faculty, you'll find the latest updates in the Newsroom.
 
To share relevant information and possible stories, please email Amanda Ennis, media relations manager, at amanda.ennis@unf.edu. If the news is about a specific event, please be sure to include the date, time and location.
 
Visit the UNF Newsroom.

Get To Know: Mark Harris

Mark Harris sitting in Peace Plaza at UNF campusMark Harris is a student engagement coordinator in UNF's Intercultural Center and the advisor for the Student Alliance for Inclusion and Diversity (SAID). The Jacksonville native is committed to student success through outreach initiatives and innovative programming. A UNF alumnus, Harris earned a bachelor's degree in health administration with a minor in community leadership and a Master of Science in higher education administration from Florida International University.

What does your job involve?
In my role, I oversee The Brotherhood, a university initiative that supports UNF male college students throughout their college journey through connections with peers, leadership development opportunities, cultural enrichment experiences and academic support programs. Additionally, I advise SAID organizations — UNF Asian Students in Alliance (ASIA), Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and the Black Student Union (BSU).
 
Where did you grow up?
Jacksonville, Florida
 
What do you enjoy most about working here?
I enjoy returning the support that was given to me as an undergraduate student while attending UNF from 2009 to 2014. I was supported by several staff members. Without them, I can only imagine where I would be. Now it’s my time; I want to pour into my students’ future because I genuinely care.
 
How do you like to spend your time when you aren’t working?
I enjoy working out. I recently took a swim in the pool at the Student Wellness Complex and it was refreshing. I am hoping to add this to my weekly schedule! I enjoy watching tv — Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. It can be very relaxing to watch tv. The only objective is to finish the show, and the magical part is, if I don’t finish; it is okay. I enjoy shopping as I am a big fan of sneakers. In my free time, I research upcoming sneakers and find ways to match them with my current wardrobe. 
 
What’s the greatest bit of advice you’ve ever been given?
If you cannot move up, then move out.
 
Who inspires you and why?
My parents inspire me because of their faith, work ethic and their values. My parents are supportive and I love that because it ensures they care about my future.
 
What is a fun fact about you many people may not know?
I’m lactose intolerant, but I love dairy; especially cheese.

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey Fountain on UNF campusBrooks College of Health
Dr. Li Loriz, professor of nursing, has been appointed to the Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) as part of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Accreditation for the term of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025.
 
Dr. Dawn Turk, clinical assistant professor, with co-author Sarah Kopp, published “Human Papillomavirus Vaccinations: Provider Education to Enhance Vaccine Uptake” in Clinical Pediatrics, January 2023.
 
Dr. Jen Ross, assistant professor in the department of nutrition and dietetics, has recently been elected as President-elect of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
 
Coggin College of Business
Dr. Nathan Kunz, associate professor of operations management, with co-authors Thomas Chesney (University of Nottingham), Alexander Trautrims (University of Nottingham) and Stefan Gold (University of Kassel), published the paper titled "Adoption and transferability of joint interventions to fight modern slavery in food supply chains” in the International Journal of Production Economics, February 2023.
 
Dr. Nathan Kunz, associate professor of operations management, with co-authors Lysann Seifert (ETHZ Zürich), Ph.D. student, and Stefan Gold (University of Kassel), published the paper “Sustainable innovations for humanitarian operations in refugee camps” in the International Journal of Operations and Production Management, February 2023.
 
The research of Dr. Rachel Frieder, associate professor of management, and her co-authors including Dr. Matthew Leon, assistant professor of management, entitled “Does social distancing make the heart grow fonder? The impact of work spouse interaction frequency on organizational outcomes” was picked up by the Wall Street Journal on March 2.
 
Dr. Rachel Frieder, associate professor of management, was featured on the March 7 episode of the radio show “AirTalk with Larry Mantle” on NPR in California (LAist 89.3) talking about the “work spouse” phenomenon. Read the original study referenced online.
 
The Coggin College of Business (CCB) has two students, Logan Larochelle and Anthony Cossio, who have advanced to the finals in the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) Student Planning Challenge. This is a prestigious annual event where student teams from across the country compete to create a financial plan for a fictional client.  This year, CCB students were up against over 100 other teams.  CCB submitted two teams, and Larochelle and Cossio were selected to present and defend their plan in the finals of the event. Learn more.
 
College of Arts and Sciences
Art, Art History and Design
Trevor Dunn, professor of ceramics, exhibited ceramic sculptures and vessels at the 2022 Tampa Tour de Clay event December 10 and 11. Hidden Lake Gallery, Tampa, Florida.
 
Jason John, associate professor of painting and drawing, was featured on the podcast, December Group Show, Jones Gallery, based in Kansas City, Missouri. He was also featured on the podcast, Jason John Interview, The American Art Collective Podcast, and International Artist Publishing, based in Scottsdale AZ, December 2022. John was interviewed by Heather Ross on WROE-LP Roanoke Radio Free, in Roanoke, VA, January 2023.
 
Sheila Goloborotko, associate professor of art, is among 22 national and international artists included in the “Altered Environments” portfolio, exhibited in December 2022 at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts in Boone, North Carolina. Altered Environments premiered in the Helen C. Frederick Gallery at Pyramid Atlantic Gallery, Hyattsville, MD, in October and at the Sustainable Stories Gallery Exhibition at the University of Houston Clear Lake, Texas, in November 2022.
 
Altered Environments became part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, MD. This work will be prominently exhibited at the 11th International Marine Bioinvasions Conference in Annapolis, MD, in 2023.
 
Art + Politics: Grounding Dialogue, banners created in Prof. Goloborotko’s Relief printmaking in the fall semester, opened at MOCA Jacksonville in December and remained on view until February 5th. In this Art + Politics course, students are encouraged to freely discuss, interpret, respectfully disagree, and learn to develop common ground through art. Printmaking students from FSCJ and UNF work collaboratively during the 2022 Blocktoberfest, printing large-scale woodblocks using a steamroller.
 
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Dr. Michael Cherbonneau, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice, with co-author Bruce Jacobs, published “Carjacking: Scope, Structure, Process, and Prevention” in the Annual Review of Criminology, January 2023.
 
English 
Dr. Nicholas de Villiers, professor of English and film, was interviewed by Li-Ping Chen for the “New Books in East Asian Studies” podcast, December 2022.
 
Math/Statistics
Dr. Jae-Ho Lee, assistant professor of mathematics, published the article “Circular Hessenberg pairs." Linear Algebra and its Applications, December 2022, 655, 202-235.
 
Dr. Michelle DeDeo, professor of mathematics, published a conference paper titled “On the Energy of Transposition Graphs” as part of the Springer Proceedings in Mathematics & Statistics book series, PROMS, volume 388.
 
Dr. Mohammad Rahman, professor of mathematics, gave a talk at Joint Mathematics Meetings American Mathematical Society’s special sessions on “Modeling dynamics of mutualism in prey-prey-predator system with variable carrying capacity”, Boston, MA, January 2023.
 
Physics 
Dr. Jason T. Haraldsen, associate professor of physics, organized a conference in association with the University of Connecticut titled “Quantum Matter: Dynamics and Sensors,” December 2022.
 
Dr. Jason T. Haraldsen, associate professor in physics, presented his research “A-Spin: Open-source software for the analysis and understanding of spin dynamics” at the Quantum Matter: Dynamics and Sensors Conference in Storrs, Connecticut, December 2022.
 
Political Science & Public Administration 
Dr. Joshua C. Gellers, associate professor of political science, delivered a virtual talk, “From Object to Ecology: Towards an Ecocentric Approach to Regulating Robots,” at the 1st Interdisciplinary Workshop on the Governance for Social Robots during the 35th International Conference on Legal Knowledge and Information Systems held at Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany, December 2022.
 
Dr. Joshua C. Gellers, associate professor of political science, published an essay titled “The Flawed Case Against More-than-Human Rights” in Open Global Rights, January 2023.
 
Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Dr. Mandi N. Barringer, assistant professor of sociology, her colleague, and Caroline Howard, a sociology graduate, had their article “Signs, Songs, and Dr. Seuss: The Activism of LGBTQ College Students Challenging the Hostile Messages of Campus Preachers" accepted for publication in Sociological Focus.
 
Dr. Mandi N. Barringer, assistant professor of sociology, her colleague and an undergraduate student, presented "Managing the Impact of Emotional Labor: The Importance of Self-Care for the Mental Health of Nurses During the Covid-19 Pandemic” at the 2023 Sociologists for Women in Society Winter Meeting.
 
Dr. Jessica Chandras, assistant professor of anthropology, published "Remote Reorientations: Teach for India Fellow Perceptions of Pedagogy and Technology During the COVID-19 Pandemic" in Contemporary Education Dialogue, 2023, 20(1), 91–119.
 
Center for Community-Based Learning
Dr. Justin Sipes, director of the Center for Community-Based Learning, was selected to be an inaugural member of the NASPA Mid-Level Administrator Steering Committee, where he will serve a two-year term. Read more.
 
Dr. Justin Sipes, director of the Center for Community-Based Learning, was recently a part of the pilot program for Student Affairs Educator Certification through the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification (HECSAC). Dr. Sipes achieved the core certification (CSAEd) and specialty certification for fraternity and sorority life (CSAEd-FSL). With other NASPA members, he was invited and will participate in the development of educational resources and preparation materials for future core certification applicants.
 
Digital Learning
Robert C. Rose, instruction designer in the Center for Instruction and Research Technology, presented “Cultivating deep learning using discussion boards” at the Online Learning Consortium Accelerate Best-in-Track Webinar series, February 2023. 
 
Sarah Moukhliss, STEM online learning librarian in the Center for Instruction and Research Technology, presented “Designing an online library information science course based on the principles of student-centered pedagogy” at the Conference on Meaningful Living and Learning in a Digital World in Savannah, GA, February 2023.
 
College of Education and Human Services
Dr. Mark Halley, assistant professor of ASL/English interpreting, and David Phillips, UNF alumni and former visiting faculty, published a peer-reviewed article in The Interpreters' Newsletter, the first academic journal in interpreting studies. In their article, "Discoursing ‘dis course: applying discourse analysis in an undergraduate signed language interpreting course," Halley and Phillips explore the utility of discourse analysis and inter-genre reformulation activities as pre-translation and translation training. EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 2022, pp. 107-129.
 
Christine Weber, professor and interim assistant chair of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum, and colleague Angela Novak published the chapter “Professional Learning: A New Look” in “Introduction to Gifted Education,” edited by J. L. Roberts, T.F. Inman and J. H. Robbins (Eds.). Routledge, 2022.
 
Christine Weber and colleague Emily Mofield published the article “Considerations for Professional Learning Supporting Teachers of the Gifted in Pedagogical Content Knowledge” in Gifted Child Today, February 2023, 46(2), 128–141.
 
Dr. Pamela Williamson, professor, Exceptional, Deaf and Interpreting, and her colleagues Nicole Birri, Christina Carnahan and Carla Schmidt, published a paper titled “A Personal Narrative Intervention for Adults With Autism and Intellectual Disability” about teaching adults with autism and intellectual disabilities to write personal narratives. Due to the unique social cognitive profiles of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with and without intellectual disability (ID) sharing coherent and complex personal narratives can be challenging. To address these challenges research has focused on teaching macrostructure components using visual supports and repeated opportunities to practice. Despite success by young children with ASD and ID, the application of this instruction for adults with ASD with and without ID is still largely unknown. An ABAB single-case withdrawal design was used to determine the effects of a personal narrative intervention to teach macrostructure within participant-generated personal narratives. Results indicate all participants demonstrated more coherent and complex personal narratives with the intervention. The results and implications for practice are discussed. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,2023, 128 (1): 21–35.
 
Dr. Nile Stanley, associate professor of literacy and arts education, with co-authors Laurel Standley (Grand Canyon University) and Steffani Fletcher (Hope at Hand, Inc.), published "Maximizing use of Poetry and Art in Public Spaces for Promoting Language Development" about a curated graffiti poetry exhibit in downtown Jacksonville in the Babylonia Journal of Language Education, 2022.
 
Dr. Laura L. Boilini, program director and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Leadership, School Counseling & Sport Management, presented at UNF for SportsMEDIA Technology (SMT) on the topic of "Authentic Leadership and Leading Multi-Generational Teams." This interactive session was presented to the Vice Presidents and Directors for SMT, and followed by a group team-building activity at the Osprey Challenge Course on campus.
 
Dr. Rakesh K. Maurya, assistant professor in the Department of Leadership, School Counseling & Sport Management, with co-authors Brittn Grey and Jordan Clarfield, published the paper titled "Evolution and process of spiritual awakening: A grounded theory study" in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 2023.
 
Dr. E. Newton Jackson, Jr., professor of sport management, served as a co-presenter at the 4th World Association of Sport Management (WASM) Conference. The research co-presentation is the first among the UNF sport management faculty at this biannual meeting, held the first week of March 2023 in DOHA, Qatar.
 
Thomas G. Carpenter Library
Maria Atilano, student engagement librarian, co-presented a virtual session titled “Power to the Librarians: Lessons Learned from Union Work” during the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Conference on March 17, 2023.
 
Courtenay McLeland, head of digital projects and preservation, published a review of a digital exhibit from Arizona State University Library titled “Search and Discover: Art on Paper Class Exhibition.” Library Exhibitions Review, Issue 1, March 2023.

Free Things to Do

Brennan Wojtyla sitting on a chair in his studioBrennan Wojtyla: Cathedral of Labor
Exhibition on view now through May 21; MOCA Jacksonville
Free admission for UNF employees and one guest.
Transdisciplinary artist and 2022 MOCA Student Artist-in-Residence, Brennan Wojtyla, presents his first solo exhibition featuring works that draw people’s attention to traditional forms and practices of everyday life that go unnoticed by giving them a different appearance. Learn more about the exhibition.

Print+: Sameness and Otherness in Contemporary PrintMedia
Exhibition on view through Aug. 27; MOCA Jacksonville
Free admission for UNF employees and one guest.
This exhibition focuses on the importance of showcasing artwork where diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion create an essential and fertile ecology. Learn more about the exhibition.

Contemporary Cartographies
Exhibition on view now through Oct. 15; MOCA Jacksonville
Free admission for UNF employees and one guest.
This exhibition includes works from MOCA Jacksonville's permanent collection, complemented by loans from local and national artists, charting their surrounding landscape both literally and figuratively. Learn more about the exhibition.

Haiku Contest 2023 for UNF students, faculty and staffHaiku Contest 2023
Accepting submissions online through Friday, April 7
In honor of National Poetry Month, the Carpenter Library is hosting a Haiku Contest. All students, faculty and staff are welcome to participate. Submissions will be accepted online until Friday, Apr. 7. Three winners will be chosen to receive gift cards. If you have any inquiries, please contact Maria Atilano at m.atilano@unf.edu or (904) 620-1564.

UNF International Poetry Festival 2023
Tuesday, April 4 - Friday, April 7, Multiple campus locations
The UNF International Poetry Festival will celebrate poetry with eye-catching poets from all over the world. Discover a world full of poetry with readings, special thematic events and workshops. View the schedule of events for this year's Poetry Festival.

A Moment of Remembrance for Dr. King
Tuesday, April 4, Noon, Peace Plaza
Join the African American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA) to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 55th anniversary of his 1968 assassination by taking a commemorative photo at the MLK statue in Peace Plaza.

North Florida Philosophy Slam presents "Do We Want Freedom of Thought, or Freedom from Thought?" with Dr. Sean Freeder
Wednesday, April 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Sahara Cafe & Bar
The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies hosts a monthly "Slam". These are facilitated communal ponderings on philosophical issues related to life. Each slam includes a short 10 to 15-minute presentation by a facilitator, followed by an informal open discussion. These events are open to everyone.

Spring 2023 Healthcare Leadership Lecture
Thursday, April 6, 5 - 7 p.m., Adam W. Herbert University Center
Join the Brooks College of Health Leadership Institute for the Spring 2023 Healthcare Leadership Lecture. Dr. Gary Josephson, chief medical officer and vice president of Nemours Children's Health - Jacksonville, will offer an interactive, motivational and inspiring discussion with evidence-based studies and real-life experiences focused on human potentialities and positive psychology. Registration is required.

Female UNF student looking through a telescopeAstronomy Night
Friday, April 7, 8 - 9:30 p.m., Science and Engineering Building
Learn about the wonders of the night sky and view them through state-of-the-art telescopes. This event's speaker will be Dr. Sushil Shreekumar discussing the topic "Neutron Stars: Life After the Death of a Star." Learn more about UNF Astronomy Nights.

Botanical Garden Tour
Saturday, April 8, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Thomas G. Carpenter Library
Take a relaxing stroll with a garden guide through UNF's botanical gardens. Discover the beauty and diversity of our cultivated plant collections. The tour will start on the east side of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library.

VyStar Free Saturdays
Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
Enjoy free admission to MOCA Jacksonville every Saturday, thanks to the generous support of VyStar Credit Union.

Dateline

UNF Dateline balloonsMilestones
Congratulations to the following employees with a milestone anniversary in March:
 
25 Years
Angela Graham, Senior Treasury Associate, Treasury
Sheila Spivey, Assistant VP, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
 
20 Years
Glenda Kelsey, Coordinator, Library Services
 
15 Years
James Catron, Coordinator Accounting, Training and Services Institute
Merla Ibarreta, Senior Accountant, Training and Services Institute
Joe Williams, Assistant Landscaping Grounds Superintendant, Physical Facilities
 
10 Years
Jennifer Grissom, University Photographer, Marketing and Communications
Randall Head, Locksmith, Maintenance and Energy Management
Pernell McGhee, Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance and Energy Management
Gina Motes, Manager of Administrative Operations, Office of the CIO
Erica Powell-Jones, Custodial Supervisor, Custodial Services
 
5 Years
Anisa Bakiu, Coordinator Accounting, Controller
David Flatt, Supervisor, Parking and Transportation Services
Ariel Lewis, Coordinator, Student Affairs
Amy Lorenz, Associate Director, Residence Life Programming
Hoang Nguyen, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Monica Stam, Associate Director Student Financial Aid, Financial Aid Office
James Tanner, Coordinator, Research Program Services, Biology
 
Welcome
The following employees were either hired by UNF or were promoted from OPS positions recently:
David Bellamy, Office Manager, Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Robyn Blank, Associate VP, Chief Compliance Officer
Daisy Cabañas, Police Communications Operator, University Police Department
Aleyna Caras, Admissions Events Specialist, Admissions
Morgan Connor, Academic Advisor, CCB Advising
Mariah Denson, Coordinator, International Student Affairs
Blake Ehlers, Manager Sourcing Analytics, Procurement Services
Nancy Fishkin, Administrative Assistant, BCH Advising
Marlene Gandoza, Coordinator, Events/Catering, MOCA
Kiersten Geloneck, Business Services Financial Specialist, Business Services 
Stephanie Giordano, Coordinator, Scholarships, University Development and Alumni Engagement
Jennifer Goodbred, Executive Secretary, Brooks College of Health
Victoria Houf, Director, Alumni Engagement
Jesse Jones, Coordinator ,Residence Life
Jennifer Joseph, Clinical Research Associate, Psychology
Josie Manternach, Academic Advisor, COAS Advising
Candice Overholser, Assistant Professor, Nursing
Gianna Piazza, Coordinator, Student Success Processes, Undergraduate Studies
Vito Plaia, Law Enforcement Officer, University Police Department
Rosemary Ponce Ferguson, Associate Director Employee and Labor Relations, Human Resources
Taquillia Robinson, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Brandon Row, Assistant Athletic Coach, Volleyball
Jasmine Saint-Leger, Office Manager, Marketing and Logistics
Andrew Schmidt, Assistant Vice President, University Development and Alumni Engagement
Carleigh Semeniuk, Academic Advisor, CCEC Advising
Attila Toth, Coordinator Data Management, Advancement Services
Jennifer Trotnow, Academic Advisor, COAS Advising
Erin Tuzuner, Library Services Specialist, Library
Louise Walker, Office Manager, Brooks College of Health
Raymond Walker, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Catherine Weiser, Career Coach Coordinator, Career Services
 
Great Job
The following employees were promoted recently:
Christopher Abetz, Coordinator, Research Programming Services, Small Business Development Center
Brandon Barfield, Coordinator, IT Support, Service Management
George Boston, Coordinator, Grad Operations, Graduate School
Phaedra Dejarnette, Coordinator, Student Affairs
Emily Gebbia, Coordinator, Accounting, University Development and Alumni Engagement
Angela Gibson, Associate Director, Contracts Grants Accounting, ORSP
John Kane, Law Enforcement Lieutenant, University Police Department
Joseph Lutz, Law Enforcement Sergeant, University Police Department
Susan Perez, Associate Provost, Undergraduate Studies
Katie Sarria, Director, Student Orientation Transition Programming, Admissions
Maria Steadman, Director Student Affairs, Student Affairs
Leigh-Ann Thompson, Associate Director Research Development, ORSP
Sierra Weiner, Program Interpreter, Exceptional Deaf and Interpreter Education
 
Goodbye
The following employees have left UNF recently:
Jacquelyn Bostick, Assistant Director, Student Financial Aid, Financial Aid Office
Brittney Garner, Academic Advisor, COAS Advising
Kathleen Halstead, Law Enforcement Lieutenant, University Police Department
debran Harmon-O'Connor, Assistant Professor, Nursing
Lena Hernandez, Acquisitions Coordinator, Library
Morgan Holbrook, Events Planning Associate, University Center
Carly Hudson, Staff Interpreter DHH, Student Accessibility Services
Robert Hutchinson, Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance and Energy Management
Ricarla Jackson, Coordinator, Admininistrative Services, College of Arts and Sciences
Nicky Jones, Academic Advisor, CCEC Advising
Tamara Kaiwa, Coordinator Career Services, Career Services
Reid Labenz, Assistant Athletic Coach, Strength and Conditioning
Allison Lynch, Technical Support Specialist, Financial Aid Office
Wilson Navarro, Assistant Controller, Controller's Office
Angela Pisa, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Apryl Price, University Librarian, Library
Katherine Suter, Visiting Instructor, Nursing
Kathy Weglicki, Coordinator, Student Financial Aid
Mary Yuskis, Director, Donor Engagement and Stewardship, University Development and Alumni Engagement

Swoop Summary

East First Round NCAA 2023 Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships flyerGet ready Ospreys! The University of North Florida is hosting the East First Round of the 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 24 - May 27 at the Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium. Get your tickets today.

Here are a few upcoming events:


 
Men's Tennis vs. Eastern Kentucky
Thursday, April 6, 2 p.m.  |  UNF Tennis Complex  |  Free Admission
 
Softball vs. Liberty (Doubleheader)
Friday, April 7, 1 and 3:30 p.m.  |  UNF Softball Complex  |  Purchase Tickets
 
Women's Tennis vs. Bellarmine
Friday, April 7, 2 p.m.  |  UNF Tennis Complex  |  Free Admission
 
Beach Volleyball vs. FIU
Friday, April 7, 4 p.m.  |  Cooper Beach Volleyball Complex  |  Free Admission
 
Baseball vs. Jacksonville State
Friday, April 7, 6:05 p.m.  |  Harmon Stadium  |  Purchase Tickets
 
UNF Volleyball Spring Fling
Saturday, April 8, 10:30 a.m. vs. FSCJ  |  UNF Arena  |  Free Admission
Saturday, April 8, 1 p.m. vs. Valdosta State  |  UNF Arena  |  Free Admission
Saturday, April 8, 2:30 p.m. vs. Flagler  |  UNF Arena  |  Free Admission
 
Men's Soccer vs. South Carolina
Saturday, April 8, 3 p.m.  |  Hodges Stadium  |  Free Admission