Skip to Main Content
Marketing and Communications
oneColumn handbook

Inside UNF — August 6, 2026

UNF celebrates 2026 summer commencement

Last week, 1,092 students earned their degrees during the Summer 2026 commencement ceremonies at the UNF Arena. Degrees were awarded from 75 different combinations of majors in total. View photos from this summer's commencement.
 
 
Two female UNF students at graduation in cap and gown waving UNF students in cap and gown seated at commencement A female UNF students at graduation waving to the audience
UNF students at commencement looking into the audience UNF student at graduation walking down the aisle with her diploma Group of UNF grad school students at commencement in cap and gown

Feathering the Next is fast approaching

Get Ready Ospreys — Feathering the Nest is slated for Aug. 10-14!
 
Start off the week at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, Osprey Commons, Bldg. 16, Talon Room, with a warm beverage. “Latte with Leadership,” gives you a chance to connect with colleagues and have a relaxed conversation with UNF Leadership. Then from noon to 12:30 p.m., add movement to your day by joining a Healthy Osprey team member for a 30-minute walk focused on wellness, stress relief and social connection -- another 30-minute walk is scheduled at 4 p.m. Meet at Gear Checkout (Building 54) to walk through Eco Adventure's nature trails. Please wear closed-toe shoes. Don't forget your department's Swoop Spirit Showdown Video is due by noon on Monday, Aug. 10.
 
The return of the exciting UNF Employee Photo will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at J.B. Coxwell Amphitheater. T-shirt pickup begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Amphitheater. Don't miss your chance to participate. RSVP today. After the photo, hang around and grab lunch with colleagues at the cookout beginning at 11:30 a.m.
 
Wear your Osprey pride with UNF colors all day on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Beginning at noon, join the Esports GeoGuessr tournament. With a competitive twist on Google Maps, the event will kick off with a warm-up round in Jacksonville, followed by a knockout round that spans the globe. Attendees can form teams with colleagues or compete individually against other Ospreys. Whether seasoned gamers or casual players, everyone will have a chance to battle for bragging rights. Registration is open until Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 11:30 a.m. Also on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 3 p.m., get ready for UNF's version of staff and faculty karaoke – "Ospreyoke" in the Student Union Ballrooms.
 
On Thursday, Aug. 13, Building 9, Room 1421, the Swoop Spirit video winner will be revealed. Last year, UNF's MarComm earned bragging rights and won the best video. Can they hold on to their title? We shall see.  At 3 p.m., cheer on the Lady Ospreys as they take on the FAMU Rattlers in the volleyball game at the UNF Arena.
 
On Friday, Aug. 14, at 9 a.m. and again at noon, join colleagues for another 30-minute walk through our beautiful campus. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
 
For additional information, contact the Culture of Care Committee at cultureofcare@unf.edu.

NIH grant helping prepare students for biomechanical pediatric research

UNF professor Gui Cesar smiling while talking with colleaguesThe University of North Florida has been awarded a nearly $800K, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to provide immersive research education focused on pediatric rehabilitation and assistive technology.
 
Dr. Gui Cesar, associate professor of physical therapy, will lead the Proficiency in Research and Innovation for Multidisciplinary Education in Pediatrics (PRIME-PEDS).
 
The project will provide structured and immersive research education, multidisciplinary training and experiential learning for undergraduate and graduate students from biomedical disciplines or health-related fields including physical therapy, kinesiology, mechanical engineering and more.

UNF and WareWorks partner for student workforce development initiatives

UNF students standing next to a solar panel in a parking lotThe University of North Florida has partnered with WareWorks to help expand its reach in preparing students for careers through targeted skills development.
 
UNF offers traditional degrees and specialized programs to help advance workforce development, including UNF's Educational Microgrid for Enhancing Renewable Growth and Education (EMERGE) program in partnership with JEA, the city’s public utility, and Miller Electric to help prepare future leaders and professionals in the clean energy sector.
 
In spring 2025, Chris Ware, owner of WareWorks, made a principal gift to the UNF JEA Sustainable Solutions Lab, which helped support the EMERGE program. In winter 2025, Ware purchased a sustainable and energy efficient building near UNF’s campus that is now the home of WareWorks as well as the EMERGE program.
 

Osprey summer graduates soaring to new heights

Isabella Panya

By Byron E. Jones
 
UNF student Isabella Panya in a lab coat and goggles holding lab toolsUniversity of North Florida biomedical sciences major Isabella Panya has combined study abroad, laboratory research and a Mayo Clinic internship to prepare for a future focused on disease prevention and healthcare leadership.
 
Her path was shaped in part by the loss of her father just before she arrived at UNF as an international transfer student in the summer of 2023. With the support of her family and the Osprey community, Panya navigated grief and uncertainty during the start of her time on campus, channeling her experiences into a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to helping others.
 
Motivated by a desire to honor her parents’ sacrifices, she hopes to bridge gaps in healthcare access and outcomes, particularly for communities like her own, where resources for disease prevention and treatment are often limited.
 
 

Shea Leary

By Mattison Hansen
 
Shea Leary headshotShea Leary’s smiling face is the first thing most visitors see when they step into the Office of the President at the University of North Florida.
 
While finishing her bachelor’s degree, Leary has taken on the role of office manager in the top office at the university.
 
The Jacksonville native began college later than many of her peers as she spent years balancing work and life responsibilities. After earning her associate degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville, she enrolled at UNF in 2024.
 
“UNF felt like a place that could meet me where I was in life as a working student. It offered opportunities for academic and professional growth without forcing me to sacrifice the life I had already built.”
 
 

Racquel Rowell

By Amanda Ennis
 
UNF alumna Racquel Rowell sitting in a classroom with a laptopRacquel Rowell was working as a principal compliance and regulatory safety engineer at Mercedes-Benz in 2024 when she realized continuing her education would help her use data to solve problems and help customers.  
 
That fall, she returned to the University of North Florida, where she had graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, to begin a master’s program in business analytics.
 
She found UNF’s master’s program was perfect to help her balance life as a student with that of a mom and a full-time engineer working for an international company with an office in Jacksonville where she has worked for nine years.
 
.

UNF Athletics breaks ground on soccer practice facility

UNF new soccer practice facilityUniversity of North Florida Athletics officially unveiled an update on a transformative project that will create a new dedicated soccer practice complex for its Men's and Women's Soccer programs.
 
The project will further enhance the student-athlete experience, while supporting the continued growth and success of the programs.
 
Elevated features of the new complex will include two and a half natural grass practice fields constructed by The Motz Group, designed with top-of-the-line irrigation and drainage systems to maximize field quality and year-round availability. The new practice fields will showcase TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda grass, which will provide championship-caliber playing surfaces that can support the demands of training throughout the year.
 

Inside News Roundup

Stage view from inside the UNF Fine Arts Center Lazzara Performance Hall

Fine Arts Center Grand Reopening Showcase

On Thursday, Aug. 20, from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m., the UNF Fine Arts Center will host a Grand Reopening Showcase celebrating the completion of its newly renovated LED theatrical and architectural lighting system. Admission is free. Happy Hour starts at 5:15 p.m. and the showcase starts at 6:30 p.m.
 
The event will feature lighting demonstrations choreographed to music, along with performances by current and former UNF students and faculty, local lighting designers and dance groups from the Jacksonville community.
 
The showcase celebrates a significant investment in the Fine Arts Center that enhances the experience for students, audiences and the many community organizations that perform in its venues.
 
For inquiries, contact Misty deSmit.
 
 
UNF student holding a UNF Diner Passport card

Vegan Chef Challenge

Throughout August, Jacksonville restaurants will showcase creative plant-based dishes as part of the Vegan Chef Challenge. Join the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships in supporting UNF’s Dining Services’ specially curated vegan offerings. Enjoy delicious meals, share your experience through votes, comments and photos and help celebrate culinary innovation. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian or simply curious, all dietary preferences are welcome. Grab your UNF Diner Passport at Founders Hall, 2/2100, Osprey Cafe or other participating Dining Services locations and bring it to the Awards Ceremony on Monday, Sept. 14 from noon to 2 p.m. in Osprey Plaza, to receive and redeem tickets for prizes. Individuals can present their Passport and their Osprey1 card for 10% off of select Vegan Chef Challenge items at participating restaurants. Learn more about the challenge.

Faculty Equipment Checkout

Equipment and laptops previously available from CIRT have been transferred to the Thomas G. Carpenter Library for loan. Faculty should reserve a pick-up time for available equipment. The form is used to notify the library staff to prepare the selected equipment for pick-up.

Workday Strategic Sourcing

Workday Strategic Sourcing (WSS) is now live. This new platform will be used to register new suppliers, as well as students and individuals requiring one-time payments. Step-by-step instructions for the new registration process are available in ServiceNow, with additional details in UNF Central. To access WSS in Workday, search “Strategic Sourcing.”
University of North Florida Convocation State of Osprey Nation

2026 Convocation: State of Osprey Nation Core Value Award Nominations

Convocation 2026 is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. in the UNF Arena. Nominations are now open for Core Value Awards for UNF staff and faculty. Please review the nomination form for eligibility criteria and submit your nomination by the Friday, Aug. 7, deadline. Winners will be notified on Friday, Aug. 28. The awards recognize individuals who embody UNF’s core values: accountability, integrity, excellence, civility and a culture of care. Each award will be given to one staff member and one faculty member.

2026 Roar & Soar

The 17th Annual Roar & Soar Tailgate is slated for Monday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Flex Field Lawn, with kickoff at 8:15 p.m. Come join fellow Ospreys and cheer on the Jaguars as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The menu includes a Bono’s BBQ dinner, beers, seltzers, an exclusive UNF x Jaguar t-shirt, games, giveaways and tailgate fun. Tickets are $26.

Osprey Update for Faculty and Staff is moving to UNF Central

Universitywide announcements currently shared through Osprey Update will be emailed to all faculty and staff via UNF Central Osprey Update beginning Monday, Sept. 14. All events will solely be shared in the UNF Calendar. All employees should begin to check the UNF Central Osprey Update page daily and follow department pages you commonly interact with to see department-specific news. They should also regularly check the UNF Calendar for events. Departments will share their news and events on their department pages at UNF Central. They can also request their news to appear on the UNF Central Osprey Update. The guidelines page provides instructions for submitting. During this transition, departments should submit announcements to both Osprey Update for Faculty & Staff and UNF Central Osprey Update. The Osprey Update for Students is not impacted at this time.

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey Fountain on UNF campus

Institute of Environmental Research and Education

Dr. Heather Barnes Truelove, professor of psychology and joint faculty of IERE, along with co-author M. Ryan Nugent, published "You Must Eat Less Meat! Effects of Issue Importance on Reactance to Meat-Reduction Messages" in The Journal of Social Psychology, June.
 
Dr. Erin Largo-Wight, director, IERE, presented "Nature Contact, Health, and Well-Being: Exploring Dose, Type, and Setting" at the International Congress of Applied Psychology in Florence, Italy in July.

Silverfield College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Rakesh Maurya, associate professor, and Dr. Laura Boilini, clinical associate professor and program director, conducted a professional development session with St. Johns County School District in July for assistant principals from all levels, elementary, middle school, high school and K-8 Academies. The topic of the session was "Listening to K12 Florida Assistant Principals-Leadership Actions as Aligned to the FELS, the Florida Educational Leadership Standards."

Free Things to Do

Austin Lightholder: Alchemy of Perception

Exhibition on view now through Aug. 16, MOCA Jacksonville
Austin Lightholder is the fall 2025 UNF student artist-in-residence. He works across acrylic painting, collage, photography, charcoal drawing and plaster sculpture and likes to explore all three dimensions in his work, both wall and floor-based. His practice centers on themes of transformation, passion, and raw emotional expression. Learn more about Lightholder's unique exhibition.
Jiha Moon, 2024, Shape of Heart. Acrylic, Silk, Hanji Paper, and Found Fabric. Courtesy of Dereck Eller Gallery.

Jiha Moon: Half Moon

Exhibition on view now through Aug. 23, MOCA Jacksonville
Moon is a contemporary visual artist with a multifaceted practice ranging from gestural paintings, ceramic sculptures and installations. She draws from a wide range of influences, including Eastern and Western art histories. Learn more about Moon's artistic work.

Outside Looking In: The Paintings of Amer Kobaslija

Exhibition on view now through Sept. 20, MOCA Jacksonville
This exhibition features a collection of works by locally based, international artist Amer Kobaslija, tracing his career from early works to the present, including works from his multiple well-known artistic series. Learn more about this exhibition featuring Kobaslija's renowned paintings.

VyStar Free Saturdays @ MOCA

Saturday, Aug. 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. Visitors can experience current exhibitions and explore the museum free of charge. Learn more about this free event at MOCA Jacksonville.
A cup of latte

Latte with the Leadership (Feathering the Nest)

Monday, Aug. 10, 8 - 10 a.m., Building 16, Osprey Commons, Talon Room
Start the week with a warm beverage while connecting with colleagues and engaging in relaxed conversation with UNF leadership. This informal gathering offers faculty and staff an opportunity to build connections, share ideas and stay engaged with the University community. Learn more about this upcoming faculty and staff event.

Feathering the Nest 2026 Full Schedule

Aug. 10-14, Various campus locations
View a complete list of "Feathering the Nest," a week of spirited activities designed to energize, connect and uplift our Osprey community as we prepare for the upcoming academic year.

Philosophy Slam: What Is History? with Dr. David Sheffler

Sunday, Aug. 16, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Sahara Cafe and Bar
Join Dr. David Sheffler, chair and associate professor in UNF's Department of History, for an engaging discussion exploring the nature of history, how historical knowledge is created and why understanding the past remains relevant today. Learn more about this thought-provoking community conversation

Free Museum Nights @ MOCA

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 5 - 9 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
Museum Nights @ MOCA features free admission thanks to the generous support of Florida Blue. Learn more about this MOCA event.

UNF Fine Arts Center Grand Reopening Showcase

Thursday, Aug. 20, 5:15 - 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center
The Fine Arts Center will host a Grand Reopening Showcase celebrating the completion of a newly renovated LED theatrical and architectural lighting system. Learn more about the Fine Art Center's grand reopening showcase.

Swoop Summary

UNF Ozzie mascot in commencement regalia

North Florida Athletics Celebrates 2026 Summer Graduates

University of North Florida Athletics celebrated 21 summer 2026 graduates. Learn more about these new student-athlete alums.

North Florida Athletics Names Kailan Jones Head Cheerleading Coach

University of North Florida Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow recently announced Kailan Jones as the head coach of the cheerleading program. Jones joins North Florida after he spent 2025-26 in an assistant coach role with the All-Girl D1A cheerleading program at South Florida. Learn more about Jones and the future of UNF Cheerleading.

Beach Volleyball Secures 2026 AVCA Team Academic Award

North Florida Beach Volleyball earned the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award last week, marking the program's ninth-ever and a record sixth-straight selection. Learn more about the award and the team's academic achievements.