º£½ÇÉçÇø

Are you searching for inspiration or just need some time away from the office? UNF's beautiful campus is the best place to experience Florida's naturally diverse landscape. From the Bamboo Garden to the Peace Plaza to the Healing Garden, take a break from your daily routine and experience the beauty of UNF's campus.

Mahalia White was 16 years old in 2015, when she watched her mother exude remarkable strength and optimism after being diagnosed with breast cancer.  

“We’re a ‘glass half-full' kind of family,” said Patsy White, Mahalia’s mother. “There is a choice in life, you either let setbacks bring you down and you can stay there wallowing in regret, or you make the choice to get up and move on.”  

That is the choice Mahalia made three years later when she was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma while a freshman at the University of California at Davis, and again in 2021, when she tore her ACL.  

“She set the example of keeping a positive attitude,” Mahalia said of her mother. “And I couldn’t help but follow it.”  

Since coming to the º£½ÇÉçÇø in 2022, Mahalia has been known for her optimism, her leadership skills and for being a volleyball sensation. This summer, she will graduate from º£½ÇÉçÇøwith a master's degree in communication management with a concentration in leadership.  

She will use what she’s learned from her family, from her coaches, her team and the faculty and staff at º£½ÇÉçÇøto work as a recruiter, helping companies find their own future stars. 

Building resilience early on  

Mahalia White grew up with a loving, supportive family in a home filled with "fun and laughter." Her father taught accounting at Devry University and at Cal State Dominguez University, and her mother a homemaker.   

Patsy White recalled that Mahalia was shy as a child around others outside the family.    

“Mahalia was in kindergarten when she had to give a speech in front of an audience,” said Patsy. “She thought she couldn’t do it. We practiced repeatedly, and I told her I would sit in the front row so she could see me. She focused on me and did great. Every speech after, I kept moving farther and farther back in the audience until I was in the back row.”   

With an older brother, Michael, and a twin brother, Matthew, White said achieving excellence in academics was a priority in her family early on. 

“My parents always instilled a sense of hard work and competitiveness in us,” said White. “It was understood that if I was involved in something, I would do it to the best of my ability.”   

There were tough times, including when her father lost his job temporarily in 2008 during the economic recession. The family supported each other.  

It’s that deep family bond and respect that has been the hallmark of White’s overall success.   

“Our parents created an environment that instilled in us that we could be and do anything we set our minds to and do it well,” White said. “They taught us that there is so much to be grateful for even during challenging times. That way of thinking set me up for success in both my studies and my sport.” 

The once shy young girl blossomed over the years and would become one of 20 Valedictorians of her high school class of 470 seniors in Canoga Park, California.  

She stood out on the volleyball court while an undergraduate at UC Davis — where she earned a bachelor's degree in American studies with an emphasis in Business Communication.  

Excelling at UNF  

When it came time for White to continue her Division I play eligibility and continue with her graduate studies, choosing º£½ÇÉçÇøwas an easy decision, she said.  

“I moved two weeks after touring UNF,” she said. “It was scary moving coast to coast, but when I met Coach [Kristen] Wright and the volleyball team, they seemed like family to me.”   

At UNF, White garnered numerous academic and athletic awards and recognitions, most recently the 2024 Manny Velasquez Perseverance Award, inspired by the former º£½ÇÉçÇøTrack standout who overcame life’s challenges and inspires those around them.   

While her trophy list is deservedly long, White said she is most proud of being named a College Women Sports Awards (CWSA) Honda Inspiration Award winner last year. The award goes to Division I student athletes who have succeeded on and off the field of competition in their sport, but also overcame significant hardships enroute to that success.  

“That was such a memorable honor,” White said. “To be in a room with such amazing people such as Caitlin Clark and 2022 NCAA Volleyball MVP and National Champion Logan Eggleston and others, listening to the conversation, sharing our ideas and connections was truly uplifting and inspirational. Having my family, friends and º£½ÇÉçÇøcoaches made it even more special.”  

White says she draws upon these experiences to put things in perspective and for inspiration. As a graduate student athlete, she admits the rigors of balancing both sports and academics can take its toll — mentally and physically — but she draws on her friends and lessons she learned from her professors to keep her grounded.  

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as an athlete is that everything really starts with mindset,” White explained. “Performance and attitude are a choice, so is waking up, lifestyle, eating healthy and everything in between so that you can be the best version of yourself. If I’m going through a tough time, I don’t dwell in a negative mindset. I know I can lean on my teammates or my family.”     

Dr. Matthew Ohlson, director of Taylor Leadership Institute at UNF, guides student athletes with leadership training. White turned to him often for guidance throughout her º£½ÇÉçÇøjourney.  

“The Team Leadership class I had with Dr. Ohlson gave me the tools I needed to identify my leadership style and showed me ways to challenge myself so that I can be a good leader,” White said. “It’s about having a positive mindset in order to be mentally strong even when I feel physically weak, so I can be the best leader I can be.”  

Inspiring others  

This past April, White was the keynote speaker at the Taylor Leadership Institute Taylor Talks and Awards show at UNF. The TED Talks-type event included community leaders, area high school students and º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents and faculty.   

Ohlson said that rather than looking globally for a keynote speaker, he knew he could find a big star on UNF’s campus.    

“Mahalia is someone whose light and positivity could serve as a beacon for our students, staff, and community stakeholders,” Ohlson said.   

“Mahalia’s strongest leadership quality is her ability to combine perseverance and passion and demonstrate grit as a student, an athlete and a campus/community leader.”  

In addition, White won an audition to be one of 10 students featured on the º£½ÇÉçÇøepisode of The College Tour series with Alex Boylan. The series, which airs on Amazon Prime, tells the º£½ÇÉçÇøstory from campus life, to academics, sports, housing and other activities.  

Outside of sports and academics, White’s passion lies in volunteering at the local Ronald McDonald House.    

“I love playing games with the kids, decorating for holidays and just being there for encouragement,” said White, who stayed at the house in Davis [California] when she was receiving treatment. “I can relate to what those kids are going through and any time I can bring a positive light to their lives, makes me happy.”   

Ohlson said White’s work with children undergoing cancer treatment while juggling a busy academic and athletic schedule is inspirational.  

“She helped these children see that if she could overcome the ravages of stage 4 cancer and thrive as a top-tier student-athlete, then they, too, could face any challenge,” he said.  

Working with White for her two years at UNF, Ohlson said he witnessed her tremendous growth as a graduate student, athlete and leader.  

“Mahalia has emerged as a powerful presence that has overcome extreme adversity and allows all of us to see that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and the greatness within you,” Ohlson said.   

º£½ÇÉçÇøHead Volleyball Coach Kristen Wright has worked with White for two years. Recognizing her positive and encouraging attitude early on, Wright named her captain of the volleyball team her first season at UNF.  

“Although Mahalia has hit a couple of roadblocks in her athletic career, she perseveres and her spirit is contagious,” Wright said. “She is resilient and an optimist. That type of attitude spills over to her teammates. It does not mean things are not hard; she just does not let them change her behaviors or attitudes. She chooses to respond in a way that is inspiring.”  

White shares her story and uses her experiences to encourage others, Wright said.  

“We had ACL injuries, we had a torn retina, we have had illness, parents ill, etc.,” Wright said. “Mahalia would mentor and gravitate toward those teammates. I know she encouraged them in attitude.”  

Wright said the family-like atmosphere and culture of the team is dictated by behaviors.  

“Mahalia is extremely enthusiastic, positive, athletic, dynamic, strong, fast-twitched, fit and fiery,” said Wright. “As an optimist, she sees the best in everyone, loves doing things well and was excellent at celebrating herself and others. She played with joy and as a teammate she was supportive and empathetic. She led by example.”  

After graduation  

After graduation, White accepted a position with Insight Global in North Carolina as a recruiter in their business division.   

“This new position excites me because it allows me to be a supportive figure to those who are in the process of finding their new career roles,” White said, thinking back to when her family experienced the recession years firsthand. “I understand how an opportunity at a job can change your life.”  

Ohlson said employers are looking for the type of characteristics White possesses — strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, grit and a collaborative mindset.  

“I have witnessed Mahalia demonstrating these skills in many ways,” he said.   

As White moves on after graduation, she carries with her a wealth of experience and a º£½ÇÉçÇøeducation she will put to good use.   

"Overall, my two years at º£½ÇÉçÇøhave been amazing,” White said. “It’s been a great experience all around.”     

Carrot Smoothie 

• 1 cup sliced carrots 
• ½ teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 ½ cups ice cubes
• 3 (1 inch) pieces orange peel curls, optional

Brooks College of Health
Dr. Sarah Firmin, clicnical assistant professor,recently passed the Nurse Coach Certification exam and now has new credentials: Nurse Coach - Board Certified (NC-BC) through the American Holistic Nurses Association and the .
 
Dr. Stacey Hobbick, assistant professor, shared that the Harvard AI Pedagogy Project has accepted her submission “Simulated Telephone Triage Calls”. They “were impressed with [her] submission” and are going to include it in their repository of assignments.

College of Arts and Sciences

Milestones
Congratulations to the following employees with a milestone anniversary in July 2024:
 
30 Years
Valtina Kearse, Work Management Specialist, Quality Control and Work Management
 
25 Years
Alison Cruess, Executive Director Operations, President's Office
Wallace Harris, Director, Facilities Operations, Physical Facilities
 
20 Years
Dmitriy Bond, Associate Vice President, Enterprise Systems, Enterprise Services
 
15 Years

LeAnn Anderson-Vincecruz, Associate Director, Academic Support Services, COAS Academic Advising
Ronald Covington, Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance and Energy Management
Ralph Felix, Control Systems Technician, Physical Facilities
Keith Lynn, Life Safety Supervisor, Maintenance and Energy Management
Khiem Ma, Recycle Refuse Worker, Physical Facilities
Aaron Small, Data Warehouse Programmer III, Enterprise Systems
Kristi Sweeney, Associate Professor/Chair, Leadership, School Counseling
Marian Watters, Web Developer III, Enterprise Systems

 
10 Years
Wanda Cockfield, Senior Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Ian Coffey, Head Athletic Coach, Women's Swimming
Joel Cumbow, Landscape Grounds Superintendent, Grounds
Aleta Hayes, Office Manager, Nursing
Elise Marshall, Associate Instructor, School of Computing
Patrician Price, Coordinator, Research Programming Services, Biology
John Reis, Senior Associate General Counsel, General Counsel
Jessica Russell, Coordinator, Budgets, Physical Facilities
Katie Sarria, Director, Student Orientation and Transition Programs, Undergraduate Studies
Kevin Summerville, Senior Shipping and Receiving Clerk, Procurement Services
Ben Thompson, Deputy Director, MOCA Jacksonville
Claudia Vargas, Accountant, Controller
Sheri Verile, Chief of Security, MOCA Jacksonville
 
5 Years
Catrina Ashley, IT Project Manager, Project Management Office
Brandon Bergman, Manager, Internal Auditing
Christie Ellis, Assistant Director, Human Resources
Tasha Felder, Child Development Teacher, º£½ÇÉçÇøPreschool
Caleb Garrett, Director Development, CCEC, UDAE Development Salaries
Sarah Jackson, Assistant Director, ES Processing, Enrollment Services Processing Office
Michele Lamarsh, Instructor, Construction Management
Katie Lewis, Associate Director, Residence Life, University Housing
Allan Liao, Coordinator, IT Support, Campus Technology Services
Stephen Marmash, Senior Storekeeper/Receiving Clerk, Procurement Services
Kyle Patterson, Director, Housing Operations, Housing and Residence Life
Alex Perez, ERP Development Manager, Enterprise Services
William Smith, Assistant Director, Physical Facilities
Anna Tyre, Associate Director, Gift Processing, Advancement Services
 
Welcome
The following employees were either hired by º£½ÇÉçÇøor were promoted from OPS positions recently:
Taryn Bellino, Senior Business Systems Analyst, Project Management Office
Leila Bennati, Student Academic Success Services Coordinator, Undergraduate Studies
Stephen Billy, Academic Advisor, UGS Academic Advising
Shadia Blair, Director Development, University Development/Alumni Engagement
Brock Borgeson, Assistant Athletic Director - Strategic Communications, Athletic Communications
Gabriela Campos, Administrative Specialist, CCEC Dean's Office
John Collins, Head Athletic Coach, Men's Tennis
Acsa Colombo, Administrative Assistant, Coggin College of Business Dean's Office
Greg Diggins, Academic Advisor, UGS Academic Advising
Quinn Echelson, Laboratory Tech, Department of Art, Art History, and Design
Aracely Gallegos, Coordinator, International Student Affairs
Weimin Gao, Chair, Department of Public Health
Shannon Hopkins, Academic Advisor, UGS Academic Advising
Wendy Hutchins-Deck, Student Success Associate, Undergraduate Studies
Kevin Linder, Assistant Athletic Coach, Baseball
Christopher Linke, Academic Advisor, UGS Academic Advising
Melinda Melrose, Administrative Specialist, Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Dalton Nordquist, Program Coordinator, Gear Checkout and Adventure Trips, Recreation
Lauren Oakes, Athletics Academic Coordinator, Athletic Academic Support
Wyatt Wingenroth, Coordinator, Athletics Compliance, Athletics, Intercollegiate
Kailee Woodall, Admissions Recruiter, Admissions
 
Great Job
The following employees were recently promoted:
Jeremy Baker, Assistant Director Academic Support Services, Academic Advising
Scott Brown, Interim Dean, Hicks Honors College
Tyler Charles, Assistant Director, Student Accessibility Center
Olga Colon, Custodial or Grounds Worker, Residence Halls
Erin Duggan, Office/Administrative Support Coordinator, COAS Dean's Office
Christie Ellis, Assistant Director, Human Resources
Tim Hunter, Assistant Director, Florida Institute of Education
Cole Huntley, Help Desk Support Specialist II, Campus Technology Services
Delores Irvin, Business/Financial Coordinator, Department of Psychology
Arianna Merkley, Business / Financial Specialist, Planned Giving
Daimarys Mesa, Custodial/Grounds Worker, Residence Halls
Fanny Pavon, Custodial or Grounds Worker, Residence Halls
Nancy Rigsby, Senior Employment Coordinator, Human Resources
Jasmine Thompkins, Associate Director, Fraternity and Sorority Life
Bruce Turner, Director, Academic Advising

In Memoriam
The º£½ÇÉçÇø is saddened to hear of the loss of Dr. Jay Stanley Huebner, professor emeritus of physics, who passed away on July 21 at his Jacksonville home. A founding faculty member, Dr. Huebner joined º£½ÇÉçÇøduring its first year in 1972 and taught courses in physics and astronomy in what is now the Department of Physics. Known for his kindness and mentorship, he oversaw an active research program which developed new materials and devices for the design of sensors and also played a significant role in the creation of the BS in Physics in 1998. During his time at UNF, Dr. Huebner published research in 69 peer-reviewed papers, filed four patents and secured more than $5 million in research grants. Dr. Huebner retired in 2006 and continued his scholarly activities as professor emeritus until 2011.

Dr. Huebner came to º£½ÇÉçÇøfollowing a post-doc at Michigan State University in biophysics, specializing in membranes. He received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Kansas State University and a doctorate in physics from the University of California at Riverside. He will be laid to rest in Bushton, Kansas and a memorial will be held in August. View online.

Elysa Adams: Voices of Moncrief
Exhibit on view now through Sept. 8, MOCA Jacksonville
Elysa Adams, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville’s 2024 º£½ÇÉçÇø Student Artist-in-Residence, presents a body of work that highlights her community in the historic neighborhood of Moncrief in Northwest Jacksonville. Learn more . (@ Elysa Adams, Moments I and Moments II, 2024, Screenprint, 25 x 19 in. Image courtesy of the artist.)
 
Fill My Heart with Hope
Exhibit opens Saturday, July 27, MOCA Jacksonville
MOCA Jacksonville is pleased to present "Fill My Heart With Hope: Works from the Gordon W. Bailey Collection," an exhibition featuring artworks from the collection of Los Angeles-based scholar and collector Gordon W. Bailey. Learn more . (@ Eddie Arning, "Untitled (woman with cat in tree)," ca. 1960s. Mixed media on paper. 16 x 22 inches.)
 
Emil Alzamora: Starship Abundance
Exhibit opens Saturday, Aug. 3, MOCA Jacksonville
New York-based artist Emil Alzamora (b. 1975 Lima, Peru) presents a multidisciplinary exhibition, intended “as a nod to the seemingly unending richness that abounds on planet Earth.” Learn more . (© Emil Alzamora, Starship Abundance)
 
VyStar Free Saturdays @ MOCA
Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
Through VyStar Credit Union's generous support, members of the community have greater access to contemporary art through free admission every Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more.
 
Scientific Illustration Gallery Show
Tuesday, July 30, 1 - 2 p.m., Biological Sciences Building (near Rooms 2701 and 2703)
Students in the biology department scientific illustration course will share their work from this summer. In this summer elective course, students learn techniques to create scientific illustrations for presentations and publications. Learn more .
 
New Faculty Orientation 2024 - Lunch in the Library
Tuesday, Aug. 6, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Thomas G. Carpenter Library (Room 2102A)
Take an opportunity to mingle with the new º£½ÇÉçÇøfaculty with a warm welcome and delicious lunch. Learn more .
 
Ideas of Our Time | MOCA Jacksonville: The First 100 Years
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 7 - 8 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
This lecture series provides a forum for creative dialogue with artists, educators and others. This second lecture features speaker John Bunker, who served as interim director and associate director of the Jacksonville Art Museum, the precursor to MOCA Jacksonville, from 1976 to 1994. This free event has limiting seating. Learn more and .
 
Botanical Life, Art and Culture Garden Tour
Saturday, Aug.10, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Starts at Thomas G. Carpenter Library (Lot 2)
Explore the lush gardens and admire the stunning flora and fauna that surround UNF's campus. Participants will also tour the intricate sculptures and art installations that are nestled within the gardens, and learn about the cultural significance of each piece. Learn more .
 
Interfolio Promotion and Tenure Q&A
Monday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m. - noon, J.J. Daniel Hall (Room 1401) and Virtual
Academic & Student Affairs and OFE are hosting three Q&A sessions for all faculty preparing promotion cases. There will be no agenda to these sessions, but rather just a chance to ask any questions. Learn more and .

Beach Volleyball Selected to AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll

After securing a department-high 3.79 spring team grade point average, North Florida beach volleyball was selected to earn the 2024 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award sponsored by INTENT. Learn more .

 
Five Ospreys Garnered Selections to WGCA All-American Scholar Team
North Florida women's golf gained selections from five student-athletes into the 2023-24 Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars Team, as released by the organization last week. Learn more .
 

Men's Basketball Receives NABC Academic Excellence Team Honor for Fifth Consecutive Season

North Florida men's basketball was recently honored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) with NABC Team Academic Excellence honors for a fifth straight season. The team achieved a 3.42 team GPA for the spring semester. Learn more .

Upcoming events: