UNF In the Media - 2026
April
April 16, 2026
UNF to present $17,000 Gladys Prior awards to 4 Jacksonville teachers
Source: News4Jax
UNF’s Silverfield College of Education and Human Services, on behalf of philanthropist Gilchrist Berg, surprised four local teachers with the 2026 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence and $17,000 each.
April 14, 2026
UNF political scientist explains the new AI national framework
Source: News4Jax
Political scientist and AI ethics expert Josh Gellers discusses the new national framework aimed at shaping how AI is developed and regulated across the country.
April 13, 2026
UNF expert discusses who deserves rights in the age of AI
Source: TEDx Talks
Political scientist and AI ethics expert Josh Gellers argues that threats to animals and ecosystems, along with AI advances, challenge the idea that rights are exclusive to humans.
April 10, 2026
UNF Giving Day raises more than $1.7 million, sets donor participation record
Source: Action News Jax
UNF raised more than $1.7 million during its 2026 Giving Day, surpassing its donor goal and setting a new record for participation.
April 9, 2026
UNF Opera Theater Production of Mozart’s "The Magic Flute"
Source: First Coast News
UNF Opera Theater Production of Mozart’s "The Magic Flute” is the largest performance from UNF since 2007.
April 3, 2026
UNF to host public listening session for presidential search
Source: Action News Jax
The UNF Presidential Search Committee is inviting members of the Northeast Florida community to take part in a public listening session as part of the search for the University’s next president.
April 3, 2026
UNF's Hodges Stadium playing field gets new name in five-year deal
Source: The Florida Times-Union
UNF and Corporate Traffic Logistics have reached a five-year agreement for the naming rights to the playing surface at Hodges Stadium.
March
March 31, 2026
UNF hosts Gail M. Cobb Archaeology Laboratory dedication ceremony
Source: Public
UNF’s Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work dedicated the Gail M. Cobb Archaeology and Laboratory and the new outdoor archaeology laboratory.
March 27, 2026
UNF's Sweeney Todd at Greenlight Theatre Company
Source: First Coast News
UNF’s Swoop Troupe’s Sadie Sims and Anvar Gashimove and Greenlight Theatre Company’s Chris Milligan discuss UNF’s Sweeney Todd performance.
March 27, 2026
UNF student selected to Overwatch World Cup team
Source: WOKV
UNF senior Justin Tuazon has been selected to join the Philippines national team in the Overwatch World Cup.
March 26, 2026
UNF political science students: Here’s how the crisis in Libya affects the Sunshine State
Source: The Florida Times-Union
UNF political science class offers insight on how the crisis in Libya affects Florida.
March 25, 2026
UNF studies the role of animals in rehabilitating inmates
Source: News4Jax
Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Wesely discusses her research on how animals are helping rehabilitate inmates.
March 25, 2026
UNF helps teachers help kids
Source: First Coast Connect
UNF professor Dr. David Hoppey and DCPS teachers discusses Project Ideas, a UNF program to help teachers work with disabled students in regular classrooms.
March 24, 2026
UNF names presidential search committee
Source: Jacksonville Daily Record
UNF’s board of trustees has established a search committee to identify the University’s next president.
March 17, 2026
UNF survey shows expanding manufacturing activity in Jacksonville
Source: Jacksonville Daily Record
Economist Dr. Albert Loh discusses the results of the recent UNF Jacksonville Economic Monitoring Survey.
March 16, 2026
UNF expert contributes to Smithsonian blue crab study
Source: Smithsonian Voices
Biologist Dr. Eric Johnson coauthored a Smithsonian Environmental Research Center study on blue crabs.
March 12, 2026
$8M Hodges gift to propel UNF stadium into its next era
Source: Jacksonville Business Journal
UNF has received a grant from the estate of Kernan R. Hodges to support renovations and upgrades at Hodges Stadium.
March 12, 2026
UNF expert shares budgeting advice
Source: Jacksonville Business Journal
Accounting & Finance instructor Ron Heymann shares his expertise on budgeting.
March 11, 2026
UNF hockey club team takes flight at AAU hockey nationals in Jacksonville
Source: News4Jax
UNF’s ice hockey club is making history as the Ospreys are playing in the AAU National Championship Tournament for the first time.
March 10, 2026
UNF expert shares how artificial intelligence is shaping education
Source: News4Jax
Josh Gellers, UNF dean of Professional and Lifelong Learning, discusses how AI is shaping education for kids and teens .
March 6, 2026
Artist transforms cast-off items into MOCA exhibit
Source: Jacksonville Today
The work of New York artist Nari Ward is the newest installation at MOCA, a cultural institute of UNF.
March 4, 2026
How UNF empowers teachers of students with disabilities
Source: The Florida Times-Union
The UNF Silverfield College of Education and Human Services is collaborating with Duval County Public Schools to empower teachers of students with disabilities.
March 2, 2026
UNF students curate an exhibition of historic landscapes at the Cummer Museum
Source: American Fine Art Magazine
Students from UNF curated an exhibition of historic landscapes at the Cummer Museum.
February
February 27, 2026
UNF’s new Flight Deck Esports Arena aims to level up Jacksonville’s tech scene
Source: News4Jax
UNF’s new esports and innovation arena is now open, marking a step in the University’s plan to expand technology learning and strengthen the region’s future workforce.
February 23, 2026
JaxPort board approves creation of James Bennett Endowed Memorial Scholarship for UNF students
Source: Jacksonville Daily Record
UNF students will have the opportunity to receive an endowed scholarship named after a former Jacksonville Port Authority executive.
February 20, 2026
First-ever Tristyn Bailey Leadership Day kicks off at UNF
Source: First Coast News
UNF’s campus will have events focusing on student safety, including social media and self-defense training, character development, victim advocacy and more.
February 18, 2026
CRE insights: Discipline and ‘hyperlocal’ unlock opportunity
Source: Jacksonville Daily Record
Accounting & Finance adjunct professor Eric Heninger shares his expertise on commercial real estate.
February 17, 2026
UNF manufacturers survey shows improvement in January
Source: Jacksonville Daily Record
Economist Dr. Albert Loh discusses the results of the recent UNF Jacksonville Economic Monitoring Survey.
February 12, 2026
Meet the local advocates behind the Jacksonville Rental Housing Project and the Jax Tenants Union
Source: First Coast News
UNF sociologist Dr. David Jaffee is calling attention to the national affordability crisis through a series of projects.
February 12, 2026
How UNF students are preparing for AI in the workplace
Source: First Coast News
Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich, who teaches design thinking and educational technology at UNF, says her goal is to have students prepared to use AI responsibly when leaving campus.
February 11, 2026
UNF students witness how cats and kittens are helping inmates heal through Flagler County rehabilitation program
Source: News4Jax
UNF students studying the role of animals in rehabilitations visited Flagler County Jail to learn about the “SMART program” and its kitten component.
February 10, 2026
2026 UNF MedNexus Innovation Challenge: ‘Addressing Loneliness in a Connected World’
Source: FlaglerLive
UNF is partnering with the City of Palm Coast and Flagler Schools, with sponsorship support from Blackstone Launchpad, to announce the 2026 MedNexus Innovation Challenge.
February 5, 2026
UNF names interim president: Who is Angela Garcia Falconetti?
Source: The Florida Times-Union
Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti has been chosen as the interim president for UNF.
February 2, 2026
UNF experts breaks down how artificial intelligence is transforming daily routines
Source: News4Jax
Dr. Josh Gellers,UNF’s first Faculty Fellow for AI and director of the Digital Humanities Institute, discusses how AI is transforming daily routines.
January
January 31, 2026
Advanced 'water from air' technology lands at UNF
Source: Jacksonville Business Journal
UNF unveiled the installation of the WellSpring100, an Atmospheric Water Generator technology that will allow the University to conduct resiliency research to help protect critical infrastructure from threats and disasters.
January 30, 2026
18 Punta Gorda senior citizens graduate from UNF’s AI certification program
Source: WINK
Eighteen Punta Gorda senior citizens completed UNF’s AI for Work and Life certification program and celebrated with a graduation ceremony.
January 29, 2026
UNF to consider Polk State College leader for interim president
Source: Jacksonville Business Journal
Jacksonville native, double UNF alum and current Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti is being considered for the role of interim president at UNF.
January 28, 2026
JaxPort announces UNF partnership to create scholarship honoring COO James Bennett
Source: News4Jax
The Jacksonville Port Authority announced a partnership with UNF to create a scholarship in honor of Chief Operating Officer James Bennett.
January 22, 2026
Brooks College of Health launches on-line life-style administration focus for well being and wellness professionals
Source: Fooshya
UNF’s Brooks College of Health announced a new, totally online lifestyle administration focus inside its four-year Bachelor of Health Care Management program.
January 13, 2026
UNF earns 3rd consecutive Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement
Source: EurekAlert!
UNF has once again been recognized for its sustained commitment to community partnership, earning the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement for the third time.
January 12, 2026
UNF expert discusses zero-based budgeting
Source: WalletHub
Dr. Oliver Schnusenberg, professor of finance, shares his expertise on zero-based budgeting.
January 8, 2026
UNF hosts red carpet premiere for “Wright of Passage” documentary
Source: First Coast Connect
Jacey Darrah Downing, director of alumni engagement, discusses the “Wright of Passage” film premiere.