Academic and Student Affairs, International Center
Dr. Luisa M. Joyce, director University Study Abroad and Compliance, was awarded a grant to present at the Florida Association of International Educators annual state conference in Miami, Florida on the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. The presentation, “Unlocking New Flightpaths (UNF): Leveraging Technology to Expand Study Abroad Accessibility and Capacity” was presented on Feb. 6.
Brooks College of Health
Nutrition and Dietetics
Dr. Casey Colin, associate professor, published "Establishing credibility of the registered dietitian through improved research literacy within evidence-based practice" in Nutrition Reviews, May. In addition, Dr. Colin collaborated with administrators at Tallahassee State College (TSC) to complete an articulation agreement that allows TSC students with a specific associate of arts degree to seamlessly transition into the UNF BS in Nutrition and Dietetics upper-level program sequence to earn their Bachelor of Science degree. This agreement is the second of this nature after securing a similar articulation agreement with Daytona State College last year.
Public Health
Dr. Amy Binder, clinical assistant professor, and Dr. Jennifer Wesely, professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, along with a co-author from Northern Illinois University, received a contract to publish a book on qualitative study examining the experiences of justice-involved youth participating in an animal assisted support program in Michigan and Illinois.
College of Arts and Sciences
Art, Art History and Design
Jenny Hager, professor and chair of AAHD, Lance Vickery, associate professor, and alums Dave Main and David Nackashi, were recognized during the 2026 Florida Association of Public Art Professionals State Conference, where public are projects are recognized for creativity, excellence and innovation in public spaces.
Communication
Dr. Rachel Riggs Achorn, assistant professor of public relations, with co-authors Drs. Jaclyn Pickens, Thomas Kimball, Eric Rasmussen and Sarah Wakefield, published "With friends, it's harder to have a serious conversation: Expectations of youth when disclosing mental health concerns with peers" in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, June.
English
Dr. Clark Lunberry, professor, presented a paper on “Poetics of the Postcard,” and presented an art installation at a conference in Sorbonne University in Paris, France. June.
College of Computing, Engineering and Construction
Engineering
Dr. Ryan Shamet, assistant professor, received the 2026 Engineer of the Year Award from the Jacksonville Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers during the organization's 75th Anniversary Banquet on June 12. Student Mia Decker received the Student of the Year Award, and graduate student Michael Kabendera received the Graduate Student of the Year Award.
Hicks Honors College
Will Pewitt, dean, presented his paper, “The Grammar of Authority: The Phenomenological Shape of Shakespearean Politics" at The Symposium for Renaissance & Medieval Studies, St. Louis, Missouri, June.
Military and Veterans Resource Center
Kathy Lee Hunt, SMSgt, USAF Retired assistant director lead VA certifying official and Chris Brewer, Navy Veteran Manager of Military Engagement and Compliance VA certifying official, presented “Advancing the Acceptance of Military Training for Academic Credit” at the annual conference of the Florida Association of Veterans Education Specialists (FAVES) in St. Petersburg, Florida. The organization provides services and training to Veterans Administration School Certifying Officials.
Office of Student Success
Dr. Erin Richman, associate vice president, was a featured panelist for the plenary session, "From Insight to Impact: Data, Equity, and Institutional Change for Student Success" at the 2026 NASPA Conferences for Student Success in Higher Education in Austin, Texas. In addition, Dr. Richman presented the educational session, "From Friction to Flow: How Systemic Reform Drove Record Retention at a Public University" and co-presented with Dr. Justin Sipes, senior director for experiential learning, "Scaling What Works: Faculty Partnership and Student Success Through EL."
Silverfield College of Education and Human Services
Dr. Dione R. Thomas, clinical assistant professor, presented “Ethical Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Graduate Research: A Mixed-Methods Study Advancing Pedagogical Innovation and Digital Literacy” at the 2026 Teaching and Learning with AI Conference hosted by the University of Central Florida. In addition, Dr. Thomas, along with Dr. Madalina Tanase, professor, attended a state convening called the Florida Educator Preparation and Leadership Network (FEPLN): A Collaborative Space for Educational Leaders.
Dr. Stacy Boote, associate professor and Dr. Terrie Galanti, associate professor, published an article in a top-tier academic journal on their study that shares a thematic content analysis using Project InTERSECT Grant data that was collected while working closely with early childhood and primary educators in Duval County Public Schools.
Dr. Marlena Jenkins, director of USOAR, was voted the Florida representative for the Southeastern Postsecondary Education Alliance (SEPSEA).
Thomas G. Carpenter Library
Maria Atilano, student engagement librarian, participated in an online panel discussion, “Library Values in Action" for the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Professional Values Committee and ACRL EDI Committee in June.
The University of North Florida's Silverfield College of Education and Human Services and River City Science Academy (RCSA) have partnered to create a customized graduate certificate program designed to strengthen literacy instruction across RCSA’s five elementary and middle school campuses.
Kate Moore, the University of North Florida’s Associate Vice President, Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer, was recently confirmed to the Jacksonville Ethics Commission after being nominated by State Attorney Melissa Nelson.
The University Provost is very pleased to announce the appointment of Will Pewitt as dean of the Hicks Honors College (HHC). Following a national search, Pewitt will begin his new role on Monday, July 6. 
By Byron E. Jones
As part of the university's ongoing efforts to modernize file storage and collaboration tools, ITS will soon begin partnering with departments to transition from the N&O Drives to Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
By Amanda Ennis
2026 Convocation: State of Osprey Nation Core Value Award Nominations
Willful Miscommunication: An Exquisite Collaboration
Free Museum Nights @ MOCA
Hernandez Named Men’s Most Outstanding Track Performer To Highlight ASUN Postseason Honors