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Inside º£½ÇÉçÇø— February 9, 2024

º£½ÇÉçÇøbreaks ground on new Honors Residence Hall

By Joy Batteh-Freiha
 
The º£½ÇÉçÇø broke ground earlier today on a new Honors Residence Hall that will provide students with a new option for where to live, study, eat and play on campus beginning fall 2025.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøPresident Moez Limayem and Dr. Jeff Chamberlain, º£½ÇÉçÇøHicks Honors College dean, were joined by Jacksonville City Councilmen Will Lahnen and Raul Arias, as well as other campus and community leaders at the groundbreaking on the site where the new four-story, 164,579-square-foot residence hall will go up — along the east side of the campus on Osprey Ridge Road adjacent to Osprey Fountains. This is the University’s first housing expansion since 2009, and it will bring the number of beds available to students to approximately 4,300 when the new facility opens.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøPresident Moez Limayem and Ozzie at groundbreaking eventUNF’s new strategic plan, approved last month by the Florida Board of Governors, includes plans to increase enrollment to 25,000 students over five years. While that growth would come from students in various stages of their education, the University wants to provide additional housing opportunities for the growing number of students wanting to live on campus.
 
The new residence hall is a living-learning community designed for honor students. However, all students will have the opportunity to apply for housing in the new building beginning in spring 2025.
 
“We are very excited to begin construction on this new honors community for students,” said º£½ÇÉçÇøPresident Moez Limayem. “This new residence hall demonstrates our commitment to strategic growth as we continue to create environments that support student success at UNF.”
 
Living-learning communities are designed to support students’ development and learning through engagement with other students with similar academic goals or shared interests. º£½ÇÉçÇøhas more than a dozen living-learning communities, and students generally do better in their coursework and are given the opportunity to broaden their learning experiences with peers who have similar interests.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøHicks Honors College Dean Jeff ChamberlainThe energy efficient facility will include space for about 520 beds, standard amenities such as designated study areas, lounge areas for socializing and a central kitchenette on each floor. An added feature not found in other on-campus housing is a pathway opening between floors for more communications with residents.
 
The main floor features a larger kitchen, including a future cooking demonstration feature, offices, larger gathering and study spaces, mail, laundry, two Resident Advisor apartments and space for an outside food vendor.
 
Outdoor amenities include basketball and sand volleyball courts, green space and a boardwalk connector to the center of campus.
 
John Hale, UNF’s associate vice president and chief facilities officer, said the new student housing project is the result of a demand study conducted by consultants which started prior to COVID-9, and was updated again in spring 2023.
 
“The demand study looked at student needs, enrollment, growth, housing inventory and the North Florida market,” Hale said. “It was determined then that more student housing was needed to keep up with the University’s growth pattern. This project helps to fulfill that need.”
 
Ajax Building Company, headquartered in Midway, Florida, is the contractor for the project.
 
Hale said second phase of the project, which will include an academic center to be built next to the residence hall, is in the planning stage.
 
Living-learning communities have proven to be exceptional environments for students, said Dr. Jeff Chamberlain, dean of the Hicks Honors College.
 
The new residence hall will accommodate students at various stages of their time at UNF, which would help when upper classmen honors students, mentor first-year students, Chamberlain said.
 
“The intention is to promote an environment where students have common interests to build a strong academic and social support system in a convenient location,” Chamberlain said.
 
Other major º£½ÇÉçÇødevelopment projects in the works include renovation of the Coggin College of Business, which will be merged with adjacent Building 10, and the renovation of Brooks College of Health. Both projects are expected to be completed in 2025.

º£½ÇÉçÇøranked among the nation's top 2024 Best Online Programs

º£½ÇÉçÇøstudent sitting outside working on his laptopº£½ÇÉçÇøhas earned high rankings in , landing at No. 20 in the nation for its online bachelor’s programs, while also earning recognition for its . 
 
UNF’s online programs are praised for their continual student support and programming adaption to provide personalized attention to promote success, such as partnering students with local organizations to get real-world experience.  
 
UNF’s online master's in education program is recognized for its strong traditional academic foundations based on student-instructor access, graduation rates and instructor credentials.
 

Staff Spotlight: Julien Carter

Julien Carter, º£½ÇÉçÇøAssistant Vice President and Chief Human Resource OfficerHaving relocated to Fernandina Beach from the United Arab Emirates, Julien Carter is UNF's new assistant vice president and chief human resource officer. He is responsible for providing strategic and administrative leadership that serves the university community from benefits, to recruitment, compensation and more. The Missouri native has over 25 years in human resources management. Among his many academic and professional accomplishments, he earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Missouri School of Law.
 
What led you to this opportunity at UNF?
I recently located to the Jacksonville area after completing my most recent assignment in the United Arab Emirates. My son serves at the Naval Base in Kings Bay, Georgia. So I moved nearby in Fernandina Beach. I was thrilled when I saw the AVP for HR position at UNF. I very much enjoy working at a university with faculty, students and staff. 
 
What are your main job responsibilities?
I am responsible for providing the strategic and administrative leadership for the º£½ÇÉçÇøDepartment of Human Resources which serves the university community in a number of ways to include benefits, recruitment, classification/compensation, processing transactions that impact payroll and a variety of other HR services.
 
What are 3 top goals you would like to accomplish in your new role?
  1. Work with campus leadership and stakeholders to attract and retain university talent; 
  2. Streamline HR business processes; and, 
  3. Provide outstanding service to our university stakeholders. 
 
What professional experience prepared you for this new role?
I have worked in similar roles at Tufts University, State of Minnesota-Department of Employee Relations, University of Louisville, Khalifa University for Science and Technology (UAE) and the American University of Sharjah (UAE).
 
What energizes you at work?
I like helping people achieve their work and personal objectives. 
 
What’s a work-related accomplishment you’re proud of?
I have several that I am proud of. The one that always comes to my mind first when asked, is a health promotion program I started while at the University of Louisville that was favorably featured on the CBS show "60 Minutes." 
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
I mostly spend time with my spouse, Antonio, and our two dogs enjoying the beaches and trails around Fernandina Beach. We also like to travel to other countries when we can. 
 
What’s the best/most impactful advice you’ve been given?
Whether it is in your job description or not, do your best to contribute and help where you can. 
 
Who inspires you and why?
There are a lot of people who inspire me. But what they all have in common is how they overcame various challenges with grace. 
 
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
I have been to many places throughout the world but never to South America.
 
What is one thing about you that others may not know?
I am one of nine children. My parents did not graduate from high school. I am the only one who went to college and received three different degrees.
 
Anything else you'd like to share? 
That I am very glad to be at UNF. People here are very welcoming and helpful. I know I will like it here. I am looking forward to serving the º£½ÇÉçÇøcommunity.

º£½ÇÉçÇøalums recognized by Jacksonville Mayor

By Joy Batteh-Freiha
 
Whether you’re planning on building a new home or adding to your existing one, you’ll need to apply for a building permit, and the City of Jacksonville has just made it easier than ever, thanks to three º£½ÇÉçÇøalumni  — and their manager, working in the city’s Information Technologies Division.   
 
The new system — Jax Enterprise Permitting Inspections and Compliance System (Jax EPICS) was introduced last month by Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, and it promises to be an easier process for contractors and others to apply for permits.  
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøalums (left to right): John Tyler, Ryan Rukab and Jason Swinehart. Photo credit: Brad BiringerWhen announcing the new system, Deegan mentioned the work of the three alums, now city employees – Ryan Rukab, Jason Swinehart and John Tyler, who have degrees from º£½ÇÉçÇøin Information Technology and Computer Science.
 
Charged with revamping the old cumbersome and tedious process to apply for building permits, the three developed an online portal that cuts the permit approval wait times by at least 10 days and improves productivity and efficiency within the city’s building and planning department. 
 
“The old site wasn’t user-friendly or easy to navigate, even for longtime Jacksonville contractors,” said Rukab, senior software developer and the lead person on the project. t was difficult to add new functionality when needed. Now, the new software allows us to add new technology on demand, provides more functionality and it’s easier to use.”
 
The old process of submitting a permit took approximately 30 days or longer for approval. The new system shortens the approval time and allows contractors to track their applications throughout the process, reducing communications between contractors and staff.
 
Chris Callahan, manager of the Jax EPICS team, said the new software will provide more functionality, visibility and connectivity throughout the permitting process for external users and city employees.
 
“This new system improves the productivity of city employees by reducing manual communications between the public and staff and having to use multiple applications to see the complete permitting review process,” Callahan said. This results in cost savings for the city as well as the customer since ‘time is money’ with their construction projects.”
 
Like Rukab, º£½ÇÉçÇøalums Jason Swinehart and John Tyler, also developers, said drawing on their time at º£½ÇÉçÇøand their courses proved to be valuable and gave them the confidence in their abilities to tackle such an important project.  
 
“I remembered a class I had on cybersecurity when I was developing the search function on the new site,” said Tyler. “That’s when it clicked that what I learned in class was beneficial in helping me do my job.” 
 
For Swinehart, it was math classes and algorithms. “I wouldn’t have studied them on my own,” he said. “But I see the value of them with my job and I’m glad I took the courses.”
 
Rukab graduated from º£½ÇÉçÇøin 2019, Tyler in 2021 and Swinehart in 2021.  
 
Both Swinehart and Tyler said the twice-a-year º£½ÇÉçÇøCareer Fairs hosted by the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction were beneficial in helping them network with potential employers. 
 
“I met Ryan at the career fair and that’s when I learned the City of Jacksonville was hiring,” said Tyler. “I wouldn’t have thought to apply to the city if I didn’t attend the career fair.” 
 
Swinehart agreed. “I made a contact with the application development manager for the city at the career fair and accepted a position soon after.”
 
Callahan said that while a project of this size requires constant oversight to meet goals and follow the development plan, “each of them were eager to learn and worked tirelessly to bring their technical skillsets up while learning the ‘business rules’ side of permitting.”
 
“Before too long, they were each handling bigger coding sections on their own, in constant collaboration with each other to provide support and to help out each other,” he continued. 
 
“We very much trust their capabilities and refer to them as our ‘rock stars.’” Callahan said.
Pictured left to right: John Tyler, Ryan Rukab and Jason Swinehart. Photo credit: Brad Biringer

º£½ÇÉçÇøreceives 2023 Greatness Award for Student Success

º£½ÇÉçÇøengineering students working on projects in a labº£½ÇÉçÇørecently received the Student Success Greatness Award by FranklinCovey Education at the 2023 Higher Education Summit, placing ahead of more than 50 prestigious institutions nationwide including Stanford, the University of Tennessee and the University of Texas.
 
The award was granted to the º£½ÇÉçÇøTaylor Leadership Institute (TLI) for their tremendous efforts in training more than 300 º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents and staff in the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” a hallmark in the business and career readiness world.
 
The award committee also acknowledged TLI’s new partnership with the Ritz Carlton as an innovative, experiential learning model.
 

Sculpture Exhibit at JIA

º£½ÇÉçÇøstudent sculpture installations at the Jacksonville International AirportApproximately 20 students in the º£½ÇÉçÇøDepartment of Art and Design Sculpture Program will have their sculptures exhibited in the Sky Gallery at Jacksonville International Airport, Feb. 2 through April 30, 2024.
 
In addition to the sculptures, posters featuring maquettes – small models – of this year’s large-scale student sculptures currently on exhibit at the º£½ÇÉçÇøSeaside Sculpture Park located at 480 First Street South in Jacksonville Beach, will be on display as well as those from 2023.
 
The Sky Gallery is one of two areas located pre-security and is next to the Haskell Gallery in the central courtyard. The Gallery is open to the public every day from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sculptures from last year’s exhibition at the º£½ÇÉçÇøSeaside Sculpture Park are currently being auctioned off with proceeds benefitting the º£½ÇÉçÇøSculpture Program.

º£½ÇÉçÇøleaders receive prestigious awards

Brian Verkamp, º£½ÇÉçÇøVP and CIOTwo º£½ÇÉçÇøvice presidents recently received top honors!

º£½ÇÉçÇøVP and CIO Brian Verkamp named CIO of the Year
Brian VerKamp, UNF’s vice president and chief information officer was named CIO of the Year in the education category at the 2024 Florida ORBIE Awards ceremony.
 
The Florida ORBIE Awards is the premier technology executive recognition program in Florida — celebrating chief information officers who have exhibited excellent technological leadership. Verkamp and six other chief information officers throughout Florida were recognized for their efforts in driving technological innovation and growth within their respective organizations.
 

Teresa Nichols HeadshotTeresa Nichols honored as a 2024 Woman of Influence
Teresa Nichols, vice president of University Development and Alumni Engagement for the º£½ÇÉçÇø, has been named a Woman of Influence by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
 
Nichols will be recognized at a March event along with 19 other Women of Influence selected by the JBJ.
 
Honorees were selected from various industries and backgrounds. Each person selected is a key player in their organization and the growth of the Jacksonville area community.
 

Faculty Feature: Dr. Tru Leverette Hall

Dr. Tru Leverette Hall, º£½ÇÉçÇøEnglish professor and director of the Africana Studies programº£½ÇÉçÇøEnglish professor and director of Africana Studies, Dr. Tru Leverette Hall, combines her love of reading and writing with her interests in mixed race studies to provide meaningful learning experiences to her students. Throughout her nearly 20-year tenure at UNF, she has won multiple awards. She is also an accomplished author currently working on a new book project. Outside of the classroom, the Michigan native enjoys gardening and hiking, among other recreational activities.
 
What were your career aspirations growing up?
When I was really young, I wanted to be a jockey since I love horses and riding, but I grew too tall. Then, I wanted to be a farmer.
 
Why did you decide to pursue an English degree and focus your research in African American and mixed race literature?
I always loved reading and writing and had a personal interest in race and discourses of mixture. Also, realizing I was taught by only one Black female professor throughout my entire education (graduate school included), I wanted to help fill that representational void.
 
What brought you to UNF?
I had taken some graduate classes here before transferring to the University of Florida. I loved the campus at º£½ÇÉçÇøand the people I met here and had kept in touch with one of my professors, who was then chairing the English Department. He told me there was a position opening for a specialist in African American literature and the timing was perfect for me to apply.
 
What are your current research interests/previous interests?
I'm currently working on a book project on African American environmental history. It's informed by a larger community-engaged, collaborative project with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and St. Johns Riverkeeper that is meant to document, preserve, and augment economic, residential, environmental, and communal​ assets of residents in the Ribault River corridor/Moncrief Cemetery district of Jacksonville.
 
What do you like best about teaching at UNF?
Students and colleagues here, including staff, are the best part of UNF. I find the people as well as the natural beauty of the campus to be my favorite things about UNF.
 
What book(s) are you currently reading or recently read?
I'm re-reading books that I'm currently teaching: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Hurston, High on the Hog by Jessica B. Harris, Soil by Camille Dungy. Not directly related to teaching, I'm reading World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl.
 
Who/what inspires you?
Nature inspires me. People working for justice inspire me. Students with clear, hopeful visions for a better world and their energy to pursue those visions inspire me.
 
What is one thing people may not know about you?
I'm trying to learn to play the guitar, which so far has been a real challenge for me.

Osprey Profile: Victoria (Vic) Hayes

º£½ÇÉçÇøstudent Victoria (Vic) Hayes sitting on a bench on the º£½ÇÉçÇøcampusSenior anthropology major Victoria (Vic) Hayes unearthed her passion for discovery during the summer of 2022 while attending UNF's Archaeological Field School led by Dr. Keith Ashley, associate professor of anthropology. The Jacksonville native, who is also minoring in sociology, recently presented her research about local Indigenous history at the 2024 Timucuan Science and History Symposium. Hayes is currently interning as a lab assistant and serves as president of the º£½ÇÉçÇøAnthropology Club.
 
Why did you choose anthropology as your major and what are your career plans?
I first became interested in anthropology (specifically archaeology) when I took the º£½ÇÉçÇøsummer 2022 archaeological field school and developed a deep interest and respect for the local Indigenous history of northeastern Florida. In the future, I plan to continue my undergraduate research at the graduate level and pursue a career in academic archaeology.
 
What brought you to UNF?
While I began attending º£½ÇÉçÇøat the height of COVID and most of my classes were initially online, I was most drawn to how the smaller class sizes tended to foster a community and provide opportunities to work more closely with both students and professors.
 
Have you participated in any memorable community service/campus projects, internships, presentations, etc. that you care to share?
I recently gave a paper presentation on an ongoing joint-research project Dr. Keith Ashley and I are working on at the 2024 Timucuan Science and History Symposium. This experience was incredibly memorable to me because it marked the first time I have presented my research outside of the University to a broader audience.
 
What have you enjoyed most about your experience at the º£½ÇÉçÇø?
I have most enjoyed my experience in the field and the lab. Last summer I was the undergraduate assistant for the º£½ÇÉçÇøArchaeological Field School; learning more about field methodology and helping other students further ignited my passion for the discipline and provided me with valuable experience I will carry with me throughout graduate school.
 
Who is your favorite music artist/favorite music genre to listen to?
My favorite band of all time is Talking Heads and I mostly enjoy music from the 1960s to 1980s, although I am always looking for new artists to listen to.
 
Who or what inspires you?
My mom is my greatest inspiration. She has always been my number one support system and is one of the strongest women I've ever met; I know I can always rely on her for anything.
 
What is a fun fact about you many people may not know?
I collect keychains and vinyl records.

Cutting-edge education

Fingering touching a digital screen displaying the letters "AI"The º£½ÇÉçÇøDivision of Continuing Education recently launched comprehensive training in high-demand fields such as IT, cybersecurity, data analytics, artificial intelligence, Java, microservices, DevOps, networking and cloud security in collaboration with Applied Technology Academy (ATA). This partnership further solidifies UNF's commitment to providing cutting-edge education and skills development opportunities to professionals in the region.
 
The new offerings, now open for enrollment, cater to professionals aiming to enhance their skills within their current roles or transition into new careers. These flexible courses are available both online and in-person, allowing students to complete them within days or weeks. Upon completion, participants will receive a professional certificate from UNF, with many courses also offering the opportunity to earn nationally recognized vendor certifications.

Suggested readings and resources for Black History Month

º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents and faculty member at a Black History Month eventIn celebration of Black History Month, faculty and staff from the Thomas G. Carpenter Library have compiled a list of recommended readings and resources.
 
Books – find these titles at the Carpenter Library or your local public library:
  • by Hannah Crafts, Henry Louis Gates Jr. (2002)
  • by Ytasha Womack (2013)
  • (1945) and by Richard Wright (1940)
  • by Alice Walker (1982)
  • by John Lewis (2013) 
  • by Octavia Butler (1993)
  • by Zora Neale Hurston (2018)
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøDigital Commons Exhibits:

 
The Carpenter Library’s has the following virtual reality experiences available as part of their “VR Gallery of Heroes: Black History Month in VR”:
  • MLK: Now is the Time
  • Time: The March 360
  • Timesnap: The Fugitive Slave Law
  • Traveling While Black
  • The People’s House: Inside the White House with Barack and Michele Obama

Inside News Roundup

Dr. Michael Binder speaking to a PORL studentPORL Ranks 12th Nationally
The º£½ÇÉçÇø Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) has been named the 12th best pollster in America by 538, a prestigious pollster rating group owned by ABC News. The rating is based on empirical accuracy and methodological transparency. Accuracy is measured by the average error and average bias of a pollster's polls and transparency is quantified by how much information each pollster released about how every poll was conducted since 2016. Read more about this prestigious honor.

2024 Spring Break Holidays – March 21 and 22
º£½ÇÉçÇøPresident Limayem has designated two days off for budgeted employees during spring break 2024. All support, law enforcement, administrative, nine- and 12-month faculty and executive service employees will receive paid holiday leave for the last two days of spring break: Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22. Note from HR: The designated holidays can be recorded as “regular holiday” for employees completing timesheets. To be paid for any holiday, an eligible employee must be in a “paid status” the day before the holiday, and still an active employee the day after the holiday. “Paid status” means the employee is either at work or using accrued leave time.
  
Distinguished Voices Lectures: Robert Daly "U.S. - China Relations"
Robert Daly, the director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the U.S. at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars is the next distinguished speaker of the World Affairs Council’s Distinguished Voices Lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., Adam W. Herbert University Center, Bldg. 43. Daly has an extensive background in U.S.-China relations, has taught Chinese at Cornell, worked in TV and theater projects in China and helped produce the Chinese-language version of Sesame Street. He is a director of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and American Mandarin Society and a member of the Task Force on U.S. China Policy.
 
myNest is now LIVE! New features available
All undergraduates are now able to book their appointments with academic advisors and student success advocates using myNest. For faculty, the new academic alert system is now also live in myNest for the Spring 2024 term. If interested in receiving a Quick Reference guide for how to submit alerts in myNest, email Undergraduate Studies at undergrad.studies@unf.edu who will send it to you digitally. Email Erin Richman for more information at Erin.Richman@unf.edu.
 
Blind Date with a Book event flyerFor the Love of Reading
The Carpenter Library invites students, faculty and staff to go on the annual “Blind Date with a Book” for Valentine’s Day from Thursday, Feb. 1 through Wednesday, Feb. 14. Popular reading titles have been selected from the Library's collection and decoratively wrapped and labeled with keywords to provide the best blind date experience. The books are on the Library's first floor, near the Information Desk. Those who check out a book can complete a "Rate Your Date" survey for a chance to win a prize. Contact: Maria Atilano at m.atilano@unf.edu or (904) 620-1564.
 
Alumni Tailgate and Education Appreciation Homecoming Game
Join the College of Education and Human Services for an Alumni Tailgate to reconnect and network with alumni. Afterwards, join the college for the Men’s Homecoming Game vs. Central Arkansas, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the º£½ÇÉçÇøArena. During halftime, º£½ÇÉçÇøwill recognize and celebrate the principal and teacher of the year finalists from Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns County.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøStudent Wellness ComplexHooray for Wellness
To mark the opening of the newly renovated Student Wellness Complex, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Complex – Bldg. 61. The renovation project began last November and was recently completed.
 
Mix with the Best!
Join your colleagues and friends at the next Faculty and Staff Mixer, Thursday, March 7, 4 - 6 p.m. in the Talon Room, Osprey Commons (Bldg. 16). It’s a great way to unwind from the workday and a nice pre-start to your Friday! Light refreshments and adult beverages are served.
 
2024 Professional Development Forum 
This year’s Professional Development Forum theme is focused on transforming ourselves, our departments, culture, students and university into the best version of themselves. The forum will be held on Wednesday, May 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Adam W. Herbert University Center. The PD Forum Committee is accepting session proposals through midnight on Friday, March 1. Proposals must be submitted online. For more information, contact Kelly Harrison at kelly.harrison@unf.edu, (904) 620-1709 or visit www.unf.edu/cpdt/

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey FountainCollege of Education and Human Services
Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich, associate professor, was selected as a 2024 EDSAFE AI Alliance Woman in AI Fellow. Designed for women technologists and leaders, this yearlong program supports exceptional and impact-minded individuals by providing an outstanding platform to learn and work on questions of AI in education.
 
Dr. Rakesh K. Maurya, assistant professor, co-authored a research article, “Impact of immigration and discrimination on vocational wellness for immigrant mental health professionals” published in the Journal of Employment Counseling, an American Counseling Association journal.
 
Dr. Tara Frazier, associate director Student Accessibility Center and Director of the THRIVE Program, accepted the nomination bid for a 4-year term on the executive board for the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) beginning January 2024.
 
Office of Experiential Learning
Dr. Justin Sipes, director of the Office of Experiential Learning, was selected to continue as a Trained Consultant with the American Council on Education (ACE) for the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement application cycle.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøInterpreting Program
Dr. Mark Halley, Dr. Len Roberson, Dr. Dawn Wessling and Dena Stolp, announced that UNF’s Interpreting Program was named by Hands Up Communications as one of the best interpreting programs in the country.

Dateline

º£½ÇÉçÇøDateline balloonsMilestones
Congratulations to the following employees with a milestone anniversary in January 2024:
 
25 Years
Donald Barker, Associate Director, Institute of Police Technology and Management
Cheresa Boston, Assistant VP Research, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
 
20 Years
Frank Brown, Senior Floor Care Worker, Custodial Services
Olivia Daniels, Senior Custodial Supervisor, Custodial Services
 
15 Years
Paige Lilley, Director, Graduate School
 
10 Years
Nathaniel Swanson, Cloud Architect III, Systems Engineering
 
5 Years
Lamar Boyde, Academic Support Services Specialist, Interdisciplinary Studies
India Hamilton, Accessibility Services Specialist, Student Accessibility Services
Gary Sessoms, Senior Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
 
Welcome
The following employees were either hired by º£½ÇÉçÇøor were promoted from OPS positions recently:
Elizabeth Aiken, Administrative, Education and Human Services
Nadine Amador, Student Financial Aid Coordinator, Financial Aid Office
Seff Ali, Coordinator IT Support, Service Management
Joseph Burton, Office Manager, Accounting and Finance
Julien Carter, Assistant VP, CHRO, Human Resources
Dyllan Cole, Instructor, College of Arts and Sciences
Magdalena Emary, Coordinator Facilities Management, Facilities and Grounds
Carolyn Floyd, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Enkelida Frasheri, Student Financial Services Specialist, Controller
Donald Gabrelcik, Assistant Men's Golf Coach, Athletics
Juliette Guido, Instructor, College of Arts and Sciences
Taylor Harrison, Lecturer, Biology
Kevin Hozey, Assistant Director Academic Advising Services, Undergraduate Studies Academic Advising
Trevor Hunsworth, Instructor, College of Arts and Sciences
Tracy Jones Jr., Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Sokphally Ky, Instructor, College of Arts and Sciences
Yasmeen Merriweather, Coordinator Training, CIRT
Mihana Mitchell, Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
Camille Modesto, Instructor, College of Arts and Sciences
Emerson Murphy Jr., Instructional Designer, CIRT
Jillian Payne, Admissions Events Specialist, Admissions
Katie Penkala, Instructor, College of Arts and Sciences
Katie Peters, Lecturer, Biology
Aleksa Racunica, Coordinator IT Support, Service Management
Nancy Rigsby, Coordinator Employment, Human Resources
Jennifer Roberts, Instructor, College of Arts and Sciences
Ahsan Shareef, ERP Analyst I, Enterprise Systems
Terry Shurling, Maintenance Mechanic, MOCA-Po and M-Bldg Maintenance 
Scott Solice, Data Warehouse Report Writer II, Enterprise Systems
Robert Talbert, Instructor, College of Arts and Sciences
Melissa Titus, Instructor, Nursing PIPELINE
Vladimir Tkach, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Oliver Uson, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Elizabeth Vazquez, Office Manager, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Sara Wenger, Instructional Designer, CIRT
 
Great Job
The following employees were recently promoted:
Wendy Baker, Director Clinical Practice, College of Education and Human Services
Armisha Bartley, Custodial Supervisor, Custodial Services
Delores Irvin, Coordinator Academic Support Services, Psychology
Robert Keyser, Manager IT Support, Project Management Office
Tiffany King, Assistant Director of Grant Management, Urban Internship
Jennifer Muller, Manager Project Portfolios, Project Management Office
Kyle Patterson, Director Housing Operations, University Housing
Robert Rose, Senior Instructional Designer, CIRT
Brandon Row, Assistant Volleyball Coach, Athletics
Jaycie Wegner, Assistant Director Development and Events, Athletics

Free Things to Do

A Retrospective: Mary Ann Bryan
Exhibit on view now through Feb. 23, º£½ÇÉçÇøGallery of Art
The Department of Art, Art History and Design and the College of Arts and Sciences invites the Osprey community to visit the º£½ÇÉçÇøGallery of Art to enjoy "A Retrospective: Mary Ann Bryan," an exhibition offering a retrospective of the impressive career of renowed artist and fifth generation Floridian Mary Ann Bryan, who passed away in 2023. Many of the works displayed have never been exhibited out of the family home.

RICHARD “DICKIE” LANDRY, Einstein on the beach, Knee II, 1976. Gelatin silver print. © Richard “Dickie” Landry. Used by permission.A Walk on the Wild Side
Exhibit on view now through July 7, MOCA Jacksonville
Comprised of nearly 700 objects in all media, The Norman Fisher Collection is one of MOCA's most significant holdings. It was donated to the museum in 1979 by the family of Jacksonville native Norman E. Fisher. Learn more . (RICHARD “DICKIE” LANDRY, Einstein on the beach, Knee II, 1976. Gelatin silver print. © Richard “Dickie” Landry. Used by permission.)

Homecoming Village
Saturday, Feb. 10, 11:30 a.m., Osprey Plaza (Outside º£½ÇÉçÇøArena)
Attend this family-friendly event that features this year's Homecoming shirts, along with yard games, food trucks and much more. Learn more about this fun event hosted by the º£½ÇÉçÇøAlumni Association.

Robert Daly, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International ScholarsRobert Daly: "U.S. - China Relations"
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m., Adam W. Herbert University Center
Robert Daly is the director of the Kissinger Institute on China and The United States at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. He has interpreted for Chinese leaders including Jiang Zemin and American Leaders including Jimmy Carter and Henry Kissinger. Learn more and register online to attend this free event.

º£½ÇÉçÇøConcert Band Outdoor Concert
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m., The Green
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor

Valentine Wishes in Brass
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Center
Dr. Randy Tinnin, Dr. Marc Dickman and Dr. Gary Smart perform romantic music for brass soloists.

Project Atrium: Frank Stella Opening Celebration
Thursday, Feb. 15, 7 - 9 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
Join MOCA Jacksonville for an evening of community, art, live music and lite bites celebrating the opening of "Project Atrium: Frank Stella." Frank Stella returns to MOCA Jacksonville following his successful print exhibition in 2018," Frank Stella Unbound." This time, Stella returns for an installation in the Atrium to celebrate the museum’s 100th anniversary. Learn more .

Drummer performing on stageJazz Combo Night
Monday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m., Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Center
Lynne Arriale, director

Here Comes Tomorrow: Cinema of the Last Century
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
As MOCA Jacksonville celebrates its 100th anniversary, they are looking back at the last century of artistic expression in film with a particular focus on films that imagined the future. This yearlong series explores decade-by-decade, the hopes, anxieties and dreams of filmmakers and audiences from the 1920s to the present day. Learn more .

The Future of Academic Integrity
Friday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m., Thomas G. Carpenter Library (Room 2102A)
Emerging technologies and recent events have drawn attention to anxieties about the future of higher education. Faculty are invited to reflect on and discuss these issues, as well as their positive visions for research, scholarships and creative production in the future. Roundtable participants will give a short position statement, followed by a larger conversation among all attendees. Roundtable participants include Jenny Lee Convo, Kally Malcolm-Bjorklund, Amber Barnes, Stacey Hobbick, Sandeep Reddivari, Joshua Gellers, J. Adam McGalliard, Drew Thoeni and Greg Gutkowski. For more details, contact Lamar Boyde at l.boyde@unf.edu or (904) 620-2976.

Astronomy Nights: 3D Printing in Space and on the Moon
Friday, Feb. 23, 8 - 9:30 p.m., Sciences and Engineering Building
Alex Blanchard (NASA Huntsville) will present a short public talk about the possibilities enabled by 3D Printing in Space and on the Moon. The talk will be followed by an hour of stargazing with telescopes. Learn more about this event and other planned Astronomy Nights.

Swoop Summary

Blue and Gray Bash 2024 Swoop to the '80s
Blue and Gray Bash Auction Set to Go Live Monday, Feb. 12
North Florida Athletics will be celebrating 40 Years of Athletics this year, as the Ospreys will be SWOOPING it back to the 1980s with an "80s Prom Attire" theme for the annual Blue & Gray Bash on Saturday, Feb. 17 at the º£½ÇÉçÇøArena. Learn more about the and .

Here are a few upcoming events:

Men's Basketball vs. Central Arkansas
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2 p.m.  |  º£½ÇÉçÇøArena  |    |  Homecoming and Family Weekend
 
Women's Tennis vs. FIU
Friday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m.  |  º£½ÇÉçÇøTennis Complex  |  Free admission
 
Baseball vs. Delaware
Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m.  |  Harmon Stadium  | 
 
Women's Basketball vs. Queens (Charlotte)
Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.  |  º£½ÇÉçÇøArena  |  Free Admission
 
Men's Tennis vs. Radford
Saturday, Feb. 24, noon  |  º£½ÇÉçÇøTennis Complex  |  Free Admission