Cyberween Challenge Oct. 19-30
Put your cybersecurity skills to the test during this year's Cyberween Challenge beginning on taking placec Oct. 19-30. For the first time, UNF employees can win major prizes including two prize packs valued at $400 each by participating.
- 3D Printer
- Home Theater Projector with an Outdoor Projector Screen
The game takes place every October, in honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, as a competition between institutions in the Florida State University System. Students will compete for their own major prizes while helping their college compete for the Cyberween College Cup.
Tickets to claim the individual student prizes will be drawn from the college with the highest participation rate. The winning college will also take home bragging rights and the inaugural College Cup trophy.
2026 Homecoming Office Decoration Contest
This year’s Homecoming Office Decorating Contest theme is "
Flock the Halls." All campus departments and offices are invited to participate and show their UNF spirit by transforming their spaces into a celebration of all things Osprey.
Registration is open until Oct. 29, and judging will occur on
Wednesday, Nov. 4 and Thursday, Nov. 5. The winner will be announced in UNF Central.
UNF Homecoming 2026: Nov. 9-15
Ospreys, prepare now for an incredible week of Osprey spirit and camaraderie during this year's Homecoming celebrations. Gather your flock and help make Homecoming 2026 an unforgettable experience for all. Whether you plan to attend the Alumni Recognition Awards, volunteer during the Ospreys Serve event, participate in the parade or attend this year's basketball game, there's something for everyone to enjoy. View the
full list of events and prepare to soar with fellow Ospreys during Homecoming Week.
Ospreys Serve
Join fellow Ospreys on
Friday, Nov. 13, for a morning of service, connection and impact during our Homecoming Community Service Event. Faculty, staff, alumni and students will come together to serve both on-campus and community partner sites, demonstrating the power of the Osprey spirit in action.
Sign up to make a difference. Also, as a part of this year's Ospreys Serve event, help support the UNF Lend-A-Wing Food Pantry by donating nonperishable foods, canned goods, frozen foods and personal hygiene items at the Homecoming Day of Thanks event on
Thursday, Nov. 12. Every donation helps fellow Ospreys in need!
Pack UNF Arena for the 2026 Homecoming Basketball Game ($10 Discount Tickets)
Get ready for an action-packed day of Osprey spirit, family fun and Homecoming excitement!
UNF Athletics is offering special
$10 general admission tickets for the men's basketball game as the Ospreys take on The Citadel on
Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. in UNF Arena. All UNF students receive free admission with their Osprey 1Card.
Updated Name for UNF Help Emails
Starting Friday, Oct. 22, emails from the ServiceNow help portal will be sent from UNF Help using the same unf@service-now.com address. This change reflects the wide range of campus support services that use the system and provides clearer communication. No action is required. Continue to use help.unf.edu to get help and submit a ticket. Departments currently using the ticketing system include: Accounts Payable, Campus Planning, Controller Business Assets, HR, ITS, Marketing and Communications, Office of Planning and Budget, Office of Teaching and Learning, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Records and Registration, Silverfield College of Education and Human Services and University Development and Alumni Engagement.
Osprey Cafe Earns 4-Star Green Certification
Osprey Cafe earned the 4-Star Green Certification designation as one of the highest-rated dining facilities in Florida and the first college dining facility in the state to achieve a 4-Star Green Certification. Some of the Cafe’s infrastructure upgrades helped secure additional points during the certification process as well as the team’s commitment to maintaining high standards through its vegan and vegetarian offerings, the Waste Not program to reduce food waste, food donation initiatives and the Green Box program.
IERE Seed Grant Applications Open
The Institute of Environmental Research and Education is pleased to share that the
2027 Faculty Research Seed Grant applications are now available and accessible within UNF Central. The page includes the application materials, acknowledgment form, eligibility information and submission guidelines. Applications are due by
Monday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. IERE will award two seed grants of $10,000 each to support interdisciplinary environmental research projects. Email IERE at
environment@unf.edu for more information.
Digital Humanities Institute and Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History
The 2026 Digital Projects Showcase will be co-hosted on
Friday, Nov. 6, from 3 to 5 p.m., by the Digital Humanities Institute and the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History in the Carpenter Library. The program features 18 interactive poster presentations by UNF faculty and students and representatives from other cultural and educational institutions across North Florida. Presenters will discuss their use of digital tools and methods in teaching and research, including in the recovery and dissemination of the history of our region. Learn more
about this year's showcase.
Honors Colloquium: Call for Proposals
The Hicks Honors College is seeking faculty to create and teach an open-topic colloquium for first-year students in fall 2027. Courses may grow out of research, creative practice or community partnerships. Applications are due
Monday, Nov. 16. For the full call for proposals and eligibility details, email Honors Dean Will Pewitt at
will.pewitt@unf.edu.
Fall Commencement Volunteers Needed
Fall commencement –
December 11 – is around the corner and volunteers are needed in the UNF Arena.
Faculty can sign up to reserve their spot in the faculty procession or serve as a marshal.
Staff can sign up to volunteer for any of the commencement ceremonies.
The University of North Florida is partnering with the University of Florida's Florida Semiconductor Institute to host STEM on the Lawn, a free community event, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the J.B. Coxwell Amphitheater. 
Don't miss the final First Thursday Faculty and Staff Mixer of the fall semester, Thursday, Nov. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Talon Room, Osprey Commons (Building 16).
The University of North Florida received a National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity grant of more than $700,000 from the National Security Agency to develop curriculum on AI cybersecurity for K-12 students and teachers and expand access to emerging technology education across Northeast Florida.
By Lloyd Morris
Open Enrollment for the 2027 Plan Year is underway and concludes Friday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. EST.
By Joy Batteh-Freiha
Empty Bowls
39th Annual Great American Jazz Series
UNF-FSCJ Blocktoberfest
Kaitlyn Schroeder Claims Individual Medalist Finish, Women's Golf Wins Team Title at Evie Odom Invitational