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Inside º£½ÇÉçÇø— May 24, 2024

Accomplished golf coach reflects on 30 years as an Osprey

º£½ÇÉçÇøhead golf coach Scott Schroeder standing on golf course with arms foldedBy Byron E. Jones
 
For proud º£½ÇÉçÇø alum and head golf coach Scott Schroeder, being a member of Osprey Nation is a profound part of his life story. 
 
“I haven’t lived much life outside of being here [at UNF],” said Schroeder. “It’s been a fun ride.” 
 
This year, Schroeder celebrates 30 years of involvement in the º£½ÇÉçÇøgolf program that began in 1994 when he was a student-athlete. Now, he is the longest tenured active head coach at º£½ÇÉçÇø— 18 years — and has built the most successful golf program in the history of the school.
 
The love of the game
Growing up as the son of a golf coach, Schroeder quickly developed a love of the game and cites golfers such as Tiger Woods, Tom Watson and Phil Mickelson as influences.
 
“I started playing golf really young; I was probably four or five years old,” Schroeder recalls.
 
By early adolescence, he found success playing at local courses in the Clearwater/Tampa area, where he grew up, and competing in the Florida Junior Tour — collecting more than 20 tournament victories. During his sophomore year at Largo High School, he won districts and began to realize that he had a bright future in the sport. While in high school, Schroeder received offers from UNF, University of South Florida and Florida Southern College. He chose UNF, in large part, because of the favorable golf courses in Northeast Florida. 
 
His first impressions of the campus were that it was very nice and considerably smaller than it is today. In fact, Schroeder recalls taking a class in Founders Hall (Building 2) and being able to park roughly 60 yards away from the building. 
 
As an Osprey golfer, Schroeder continued to experience success on the course, capturing an amateur championship at the 1998 Oglethorpe Invitational in Savannah, Georgia. 
 
During his time as a student-athlete, º£½ÇÉçÇøcompeted in NCAA Division II and the golf team did not have a dedicated practice facility or course on campus — instead the team often practiced at TPC Sawgrass and the Jacksonville Golf and Country Club.  
 
After graduating in 1999 with dual degrees in marketing and management from the Coggin College of Business, Schroeder coached multiple sports at Southside Middle School before returning to º£½ÇÉçÇøas an assistant golf coach from 2002 to 2004. He then spent two and a half years as director of the Hayt Golf Center before taking over as head golf coach in 2006. 
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøhead golf coach Scott Schroeder walking a golf courseBuilding a successful program
Since assuming head coaching duties, Schroeder has propelled the º£½ÇÉçÇøgolf program to unprecedented levels of success, becoming the winningest coach in the history of º£½ÇÉçÇøAthletics. As a seven-time ASUN Conference Coach of the Year, Schroeder’s teams have won seven ASUN Championships, made 14 NCAA Regional appearances including 14 straight and advanced to eight NCAA Championships. Just as impressive, his coaching resume includes seven ASUN Golfer of the Year winners, eight ASUN Freshmen of the Year winners, 38 All-ASUN honorees and 64 ASUN Academic Honor Roll members. 
 
Today, the golf team uses the º£½ÇÉçÇøGolf Complex at the John Hayt Learning Facility, equipped with a private practice tee as well as a large practice green, quite a difference from Schroeder’s time as a student. 
 
When asked what he attributes his coaching success and the success of his players to, Schroeder says staying consistent and investing many hours in the sport is key. 
 
Considering his outstanding coaching accolades and his longevity at UNF, Schroeder is highly respected among his contemporaries, his players and the Osprey community. 
 
“Coach Schroeder has done a tremendous job leading the º£½ÇÉçÇøgolf program for the past 18-plus years,” said º£½ÇÉçÇøDirector of Athletics Nick Morrow.  “He works incredibly hard to identify quality student-athletes that will positively represent the program.”  
 
Morrow also commends Schroeder’s loyalty to UNF, his ability to build relationships with his student-athletes and how he helps them reach their full potential. 
 
While Schroeder's dedication to the game of golf has certainly paid off for him professionally, it has also afforded him joy in his personal life. His daughter, Kaitlyn Schroeder, is completing her freshman year at the University of Alabama as a member of the women’s golf team. To date, she has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments, including competing in several USGA events and being named the 2022 AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year, all due to her hard work, the proud father says. 
 
After completing a solid 2023-2024 campaign, which saw º£½ÇÉçÇømen’s golf place third at the 2024 ASUN Championship, earn a sixth seed at the NCAA Rancho Sante Fe Regional and advance to the NCAA Men's Golf Championship, Schroeder reflects upon his coaching journey and states that he is most proud of doing things the right way and helping his players reach their goals. 
 
“As a coach, my job is to try to put the player in a position that if they do the right things and they work hard, they can accomplish something.”

Summertime reading suggestions

Book cover of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinSummertime is here, temperatures are rising and days are getting longer. What better way to relax than with a good book? Whether you’re soaking up the sun or cooling off indoors, here are a few reading recommendations from Thomas G. Carpenter Library’s faculty and staff to check out and enjoy.

  • Maria Atilano, Student Engagement Librarian: by Gabrielle Zevin
  • Daniel Baker, Library Services Specialist in Digital Projects and Preservation: by Dave Grohl and by Torquemada
  • Joel Cordova, Library Services Student Assistant: by Mariko Tamaki
  • Tia Esposito, Library Services Coordinator in Access Services: by James McBride
  • Emma Fehrs, Senior Library Services Associate in Access Services: edited by Michele Filgate and by Jessica Knoll
  • Rebecca Harrington, Head of Resource Acquisition and Discovery: by Shelby Van Pelt

The Carpenter Library is open this summer for all your browsing and research needs!

Article submitted by Maria Atilano, Student Engagement Librarian

Five tips to staying active during the summer

Exercise gym equipmentStaying active is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. As summer approaches, many will look to continue or begin their fitness routine. Below are five tips to stay active during Florida's hot summer months.
  • Take a walk in a shaded or cooler area like the beaches or º£½ÇÉçÇøtrails.
  • Stop in for a swim at the º£½ÇÉçÇøCompetition Pool Complex.
  • Get an early start! Do exercises you are familiar with and enjoy early in the morning to avoid rising temperatures. Remember to hydrate!
  • Visit the Student Wellness Complex Track on the third floor — it is indoors and air-conditioned!
  • Switch up your routine and try something new! Set a SMART Goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound) to help yourself be consistent.
Information provided by Kayliana Carson, health education coordinator, RecWell

Workday launch will be here soon

Workday logo
Practice Workday with Training Tenant
UNF’s Workday launch is just around the corner on July 1! As the date approaches, º£½ÇÉçÇøis pleased to provide Workday training for all employees, which includes access to the Workday training environment.
 
Complete learning opportunities and practice in Workday. The training environment is a safe place to explore full Workday functionality – and you can’t break it! Changes will not carry forward to Workday when we go live on July 1.
 
As you use the Workday training environment, please keep in mind:
  • Employees hired after Jan. 22, 2024, will not have a personalized training tenant. Tenant access will be available during in-class sessions.
  • Some personal information, such as salary, has been data scrambled in the tenant for security purposes. Your information is expected to be accurate in the live environment on July 1.
 
View Workday’s Training Tenant
 
Additional Workday Training
Additional Workday training sessions are now open for registration in Osprey Ascend. The new offerings cover topics in HCM and finance as well as more general courses.
 
Register Now
 
Find out more about the transition to Workday at unf.edu/ospreyrising.

Office of Undergraduate Studies undergoes name change

º£½ÇÉçÇøStudent SuccessNew name — aligned services 
Reflecting a fundamental priority in the University’s Strategic Plan, Undergraduate Studies will be renamed and become Student Success effective June 10. The change underscores the University’s commitment to empowering every student to achieve educational and professional success.

Student Success integrates critical services, from Academic Advising and Student Academic Success Services to Career Services and Success Advocacy, ensuring that students have access to the comprehensive support they need from enrollment to employment. Enrollment Services and Student Life/International Affairs also will be part of UNF’s Student Success umbrella, streamlining and enhancing the support network for our students. By aligning these vital resources, º£½ÇÉçÇøreaffirms its dedication to creating a cohesive and supportive student experience where every Osprey can soar to success.

For more information about this name change, reach out to Dr. Erin Richman, AVP of Student Success, at erin.richman@unf.edu.

Biology professor speaks at Safe Boating Week event

Dr. Quincy Gibson speaking at a podiumThe City of Jacksonville held a Safe Boating Week and Manatee Protection Awareness event at Friendship Fountain on Friday.
 
Dr. Quincy Gibson, º£½ÇÉçÇø Dolphin Research Team director and biology associate professor, was a guest speaker at the event along with representatives from the Mayor’s Office, Coast Guard, North Florida Marine Association, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Waterways Commission, Jacksonville University and others.
 
Gibson, who has been studying local dolphins with the º£½ÇÉçÇøDolphin Research Team since 2011, spoke about the recent increase in dolphins being killed by boat strikes in the St. Johns River. Awareness is especially important this time of year as dolphin breeding season is from April through October. There are twice as many dolphins in the river and newborn calves have not yet mastered their swimming and diving skills making them unable to effectively avoid boats.
 
Gibson encourages boaters to slow down and keep a continuous lookout for wildlife.
 
Also, the º£½ÇÉçÇøDolphin Research Team will present their dolphin research in November in Australia at the international 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Learn more and .
 
Story provided by º£½ÇÉçÇøMedia Relations | Photo credit: Matt Kingston, City of Jacksonville

North Florida Athletics celebrates academic milestones

North Florida Athletics reached new heights with academic milestones during the spring 2024 semester, touting a 3.57 institution-wide grade point average.
 
There were 68 º£½ÇÉçÇøstudent-athletes with a perfect 4.0 GPA, 197 with a 3.5 GPA or better, and 272 with a 3.0 GPA or better.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøAthletics has now surpassed a 3.0 grade-point average for the 26th straight semester. This mark matches the spring 2023 mark for the highest GPA in the department outside of the spring 2020 COVID-19 altered semester.
 
Beach volleyball led the charge academically with the highest team GPA at 3.79, while men's tennis notched the best mark from a male team at 3.77. It was a new record-high mark for men's tennis and softball team GPAs, while also putting together the highest male GPA ever in a semester. º£½ÇÉçÇøalso recorded 19 more 4.0's this semester than during the fall '23 term.
 
Learn more .
 
Information provided by º£½ÇÉçÇøAthletics

Staff Spotlight: Phaedra Dejarnette

Phaedra DejarnettePhaedra Dejarnette, coordinator of Student Life, is a recent recipient of a Presidential SPOT Award and a proud º£½ÇÉçÇøalum — earning a master's degree in higher education administration in 2022. In her role in the Office of Student Life, she works with students and departments throughout the Univeristy to promote a positive campus culture that prioritizes inclusivity and student engagement on campus. She believes helping students ignite school spirit is beneficial for their academic success and personal development.
 
As Student Life coordinator, what strategies do you use to foster a sense of belonging among all students? We aim to foster a sense of belonging through a variety of different events planned throughout the year. We also ask students for feedback and suggestions about future events: what foods they would like, what activities and merchandise would be cool, and what artists they would want to see at OzFest. Students value being heard.
 
How often do you plan events for students?
The Office of Student Life hosts at least two events a month. We do week-long programming for Homecoming, Week of Welcome in the fall, spring and summer as well as Spirit Week.
 
What are a few of your regular student life events? Do you have themed events?
Our regular Student Life events include Flight School, Welcome Back Block Party, Pep Rallies, Oktoberfest, Battle of the Bands, and OzFest. In 2023, we held our first annual Spirit Week and the theme for the week was the 1970s. Spirit Week coincides with the founding of º£½ÇÉçÇøin October.
 
What innovative ideas are you using to boost student engagement and to “ignite school spirit?"
Some innovative ideas we've planned to boost student engagement and ignite school spirit are:
  • Flock Frenzy: Student staff can go out on the court during men’s basketball game timeouts and use UNF-branded t-shirt cannons to shoot t-shirts into the student section. This gets students out of their seats and pumped to get free merch. 
  • Through our partnership with athletics, we have collaborated on tailgates to spread the word that tailgating is back. We hosted a large tailgate for the º£½ÇÉçÇøv. JU basketball game and had great student attendance. 
  • For our inaugural º£½ÇÉçÇøSpirit Week from October 1 to October 6, we partnered with athletics and the Student Union on a Spirit Week-themed Market Day. The President gave away scholarships and the drumline performed at our pep rally. We ended the week with a "pink-out" volleyball game where we helped give away free pink t-shirts. 
What role do students play in planning school spirit week events?
School spirit and University pride are best achieved when student-focused and student-led. The student staff in the Office of Student Life find ways to plan for student life events creatively. They contact vendors, design and marketing merchandise, serve as point of contact on the day of the event and more. These are events are created by students for students. 
We give away free º£½ÇÉçÇøswag to students throughout the year, whether it’s t-shirts, “SWOOP” Sunglasses or tote bags. Our student graphic designers create all our unique º£½ÇÉçÇømerchandise.
 
Why does school spirit matter?
School spirit matters because it creates a campus culture that fosters academic success, personal development and a life-long affinity for UNF. Students who have strong school spirit will become alumni that continue to have college pride.
 
How do you connect school spirit to academic success?
Having school spirit and pride in your university increases a sense of belonging, motivation, engagement and higher retention rates. Students who feel connected to their university are more likely to be engaged in academic activities, as well as a campus life. The more students are engaged in university activities and traditions, the more committed they are to their education and campus community.
 
Describe your participation at the National Association of Campus Activities and the presentation you gave on igniting school spirit and revamping a student organization. When was this held? You were asked to come back and give a virtual presentation.
NACA Live is held annually in February and this year it was in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. I presented on how the º£½ÇÉçÇøOffice of Student Life has incorporated school spirit into our campus life programming through partnerships with athletics, hosting pep rallies, and tailgates. In April, I was contacted by the NACA Director of Education & Research, Dr. Sarah Keeling to give a virtual presentation for their Summer Essentials program, which is for both students and campus activities advisors and covers topics such as event planning, student government and student organization advising. It is an amazing opportunity to have been selected to present at the NACA Summer Essentials program.
 
What goals do you have for future events?
We would love to see more students attending our events and learning about what º£½ÇÉçÇøhas to offer them outside of academics. Another goal is to see more students wearing º£½ÇÉçÇømerch, attending athletic events and cheering on our º£½ÇÉçÇøathletes and teams.

º£½ÇÉçÇøgraduate using medical engineering to improve joint surgery

º£½ÇÉçÇøspring 2024 graduate Molly Dubrow posing in a labBy Amanda Ennis
 
While deciding on a major for her undergraduate degree, Molly Dobrow watched a video and was struck by the intrusive nature of knee replacement surgery. She was inspired to embark on a career in healthcare.
 
After earning her undergraduate degree in biology from the º£½ÇÉçÇø seven years earlier, Dobrow was working as a medical technician III at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville.
 
She was happy in the role but considering next steps that would help her leave more of an impact on the world.
 
“The video stuck in my mind. It was shocking knowing that me and most of the people I know will likely need knee replacements someday,” said Dobrow. “The video inspired me to continue my education. Maybe I could help better understand joints and muscles to contribute to research that could help avoid these intensive surgeries.”
 
Dobrow has spent the last two years working on many complex materials science research projects and teaching two classes.
 
Earlier this month, Dobrow graduated with a Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering, and this summer, she will begin a research and development internship with Johnson and Johnson MedTech.
 
She’s on a path to helping find a solution to a problem facing millions of Americans.
 
Back to school
While Dobrow considered going back to school, her husband was studying mechanical engineering at UNF. He was the one who encouraged her to consider the engineering program.
 
“My husband kept pointing out how the engineering and medical fields overlap,” she said. “He introduced me to some of the engineering research faculty and things clicked.”
 
When Dobrow explained how she was interested in better understanding human joint and mobility issues like osteoarthritis, Dr. Laura Habegger, assistant professor of biology and shark expert, presented the opportunity to study shark cartilage in her lab.
 
Dobrow quit her job in the Baptist lab and jumped into the waters of a º£½ÇÉçÇømaster’s program in 2022.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøspring 2024 graduate Molly Dubrow holding a knee joint 3D modelResearch in progress
Dobrow’s master thesis research work focuses on the mechanics of tessellated mineralized cartilage in sharks using cutting-edge multi-material 3D printing to manufacture idealized model designs. By studying shark cartilage, she hopes to contribute to research to better understand osteoarthritis and other conditions that impact joint space, conditions typically related to old age but can also be caused by athletic activity.
 
“Molly will be such an asset to the medical engineering field bringing a keen intellect and passion for research,” said Habegger. “Her skills with medical imaging make her a highly desirable candidate for any medical engineering doctoral program or a hospital, university or private company.”
 
Dobrow has also worked since May 2022 as a graduate research assistant in the º£½ÇÉçÇøMaterials Science and Engineering Research Facility (MSERF), assisting with materials characterization test method development for industry and research clients.
 
“One of the most interesting projects I worked on while at MSERF was working for Johnson & Johnson MedTech doing a polymer analysis using the Shimadzu QTOF HPLC-MS,” said Dobrow. “This type of machine is only found in advanced laboratories, and it was an incredible experience to work with such highly precise equipment.”
 
She also teamed up with biologist Dr. Adam Rosenblatt’s lab to help create 3D imaging of alligator eggs and compare microscope methods. And in a different lab, she conducted research on polymer-induced liquid precursor (PILP) mineralization.
 
As a graduate teaching assistant, she helped design the curriculum of UNF’s unique pilot interdisciplinary course, Anatomy in 3D. In addition, she also worked as a graduate teaching assistant for an Algebra–Based Physics I course.
 
Dobrow is currently preparing to submit a paper about the interface behavior of multi-material polymeric structures manufactured by material jetting. She presented work this year at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) Conference in Seattle, Washington, with the assistance of a graduate research grant from the º£½ÇÉçÇøGraduate School.
 
After her internship with Johnson and Johnson this summer, she will start the prestigious biomedical engineering doctoral program this fall at the University of Florida, where she was accepted to work on an osteoarthritis research project with three esteemed faculty researchers.  
 
“It’s never too late to try something new and work consciously toward the direction of your dreams,” said Dobrow. “It feels wonderful to wake up in the morning and know that the work I am doing is making a difference.”

Inside News Roundup

Memorial holiday
Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, is a recognized University holiday. View the full 2024 Holiday Schedule.
 
Deadline for New Hires and Job Changes - May 28 
While gearing up for the upcoming Workday launch, please be reminded that all job changes and new hire submissions must be completed and received by Tuesday, May 28, to ensure a seamless integration into the new system. To stay informed about additional cutover dates and relevant updates, please regularly visit the OspreyRising Cutover web page. Fore more information, contact Megan Kuehner at pmo@unf.edu.
 
American Flag flying on º£½ÇÉçÇøcampusAdditional holiday in July
This year the Independence Day holiday falls on a Thursday. The president has designated Friday, July 5, as an additional day off for faculty and staff. Essential employees who may have to work that day should reach out to their supervisor or HR for further direction. This day is in addition to the regularly scheduled University holidays.
 
UPS Store Summer Hours
The UPS Store on campus will begin summer operating hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, until Monday, Aug. 5.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøDining Hours for Summer A - May 13 to June 24
For Summer A, the operating hours are as follows:
  • Osprey Cafe - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday
  • The Market at Alumni Square - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Thursday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays
  • Starbucks - 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays
  • Chick-Fil-A - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays
  • Einstein’s Bagels - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday to Thursday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays
  • Jamba Juice - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday
  • Ozzie’s (Fountains) - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Sunday
Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award for faculty nominations open
The Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award honors current or former academic faculty who inspired a former student “to create an organization which has demonstrably conferred a benefit on the community at large” or inspired a former student “to establish on a lasting basis a concept, procedure, or movement of comparable benefit to the community at large.” Since 2010, the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award has distributed more than $3.5 million to 140 professors nationwide. For more information, visit the . Nominations are due by Saturday, June 15.
 
Pandion magazine coverCall for Submissions to PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas
The Office of Undergraduate Research is accepting submissions for the 5th volume of Pandion: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas. To nominate a student paper or project, please complete the by Saturday, June 1.
 
Volunteer to be a Conversation Partner with the English Language Program
The English Language Program is looking for conversation partner program volunteers. Partners meet one-on-one with international students for an hour each week during the semester. For an opportunity to gain volunteer hours, help someone practice English, learn about a different culture and make a new friend, visit the English Language Program Office (Building 14E, Room 1710) or email volunteerelp@unf.edu.
 
Library Instruction Available
Instruction librarians are available to provide training on the Carpenter Library's numerous electronic resources and collections. Sessions are tailored to class needs and cover research tools specific to the subject being taught. Faculty are encouraged to work with librarians to fit course needs with an in-person session, on Zoom or a completely asynchronous library instruction experience. or choose from a . For more information, contact Lauren Newton at lib-instruction@unf.edu or (904) 620-2615
 
New Library Database Trial: Sanford Guide 
The Carpenter Library has a new database trial for , which provides infectious disease information designed for use at the point of care. Sanford Guide includes comprehensive coverage of treatment options for infectious diseases, syndromes and pathogens. The trial is available through Friday, July 5. Students, faculty and staff are invited to . View other available . Fore more information, contact Library Acquisitions at lib-acq@unf.edu or (904) 620-2615.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøNorth Florida Ospreys T-shirtLast Day to Take the Product Survey for a Chance to Win $100  
Where do you buy º£½ÇÉçÇømerch? How often do you buy and what type of products do you look for? These and a few other survey questions are included in a survey conducted by UNF’s licensing partner, CLC. Participants completing the CLC survey are eligible for a chance to win a $100 gift card to the º£½ÇÉçÇøBookstore. For more details and to fill out the survey, . Survey closes today. 
 
Student Life: WOW Tabling and Event Request
The Office of Student Life is hosting its annual Summer B Kickoff Cookout on Monday, June 24, from noon to 2 p.m. in Osprey Plaza. The annual Welcome to College Block Party will be held on Sunday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Share information about your department, club or organization and services provided by tabling at either event. If interested, please to reserve a table or to add events to the calendar of events for Summer B Kickoff, held from Monday, June 24 to Friday, June 28, and WOW, which will be from Friday, Aug. 16 to Friday, Aug. 23. For more information, contact Ariel Lewis at ariel.lewis@unf.edu or (904) 620-5440.

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey Fountain on º£½ÇÉçÇøcampusBrooks College of Health
Dr. Brittany Nettles, assistant professor and assistant director of the School of Nursing, was interviewed for Legacy of Leaders on May 1.
 
Dr. Sandy Shapiro, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, will be presenting a workshop at the Department of Children and Families Summit on Sept. 4-6, in Orlando, on Family Engagement in Early Childhood Development: "Love Growing Love."
 
Heather Thomas, BSN, RN (current BSN-DNP FNP student), had her manuscript published in the Clinical Advisor.
 
Dr. Zhigang Xie (Shay), assistant professor of public health, was recently accepted to participate in the Advancing Workforce Analysis and Research for Dementia (AWARD) Network Summer Institute, July 15-19, 2024, at the University of California San Francisco Mission Bay Campus, which includes training, mentoring and experiential learning opportunities.
 
College of Arts and Sciences
Michael Taylor, adjunct faculty in the School of Music, won the 2023 Outstanding Adjunct Teaching Award.
 
College of Computing, Engineering and Construction
Dr. Ayan Dutta, associate professor in the School of Computing, along with former student and alum James Orr, wrote a paper, “Multi-agent Deep Reinforcement Learning for Multi-robot Applications: A Survey” that was recognized as being the most cited review articles of 2023 in the journal Sensors.
 
College of Education and Human Services 
Dr. Rakesh Maurya, assistant professor in the Department of Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management, co-authored a research article in Family Relations, an official journal of the National Council on Family Relations.
 
Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich, Dr. Amanda Pascale, Dr. Brian Lane, Rob Rose and Christopher Pertello, assistant vice present, Campus Technology SVs, had their proposed grant titled “OzzieBot Humanizing AI at UNF: Enhancing Student Success and Belonging with an AI-Powered Chatbot” selected for funding under the Innovation in AI Grants program at the º£½ÇÉçÇø. The award amount is $15,000.
 
Dr. John Miller, professor of sport mangement, had his article selected as one of the three most meaningful studies published in the Sport Management Education Journal this past year. In addition, Dr. Miller has been elected to the Sport and Recreation Law Association Board of Directors as Association Historian.
 
Dr. Nile Stanley, associate professor of reading education, presented a research study, “The effect of bibliotherapy intervention on the resilience of undergraduate college students” at the Conference of the National Association for Poetry Therapy, Washington, D.C.
 
Jeremy Darlow is the new 2024-2025 Executive in Residence for the Sport Management Program. The EIR program provides industry professionals the opportunity to share their knowledge with students – it’s a direct link to real-world industry exposure within curricular programming.

Dateline

º£½ÇÉçÇøDateline balloonsMilestones
Congratulations to the following employees with a milestone anniversary in May 2024:
 
40 Years
Julia Behler, Coordinator Library Services, Library
 
20 Years
Diane Denslow, Associate Instructor, Management (Coggin College of Business)
Edward Doyle, Program Manager, Training and Services Institute
 
15 Years
Tung Nguyen, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
 
10 Years
Emily Batt, Financial Analyst, University Planning and Budget
Christopher Dann, Coordinator IT Support, SG Business and Accounting Office
Ty Hak, Instructor, Mathematics and Statistics
Raymond Ross, Law Enforcement Officer, University Police Department
 
5 Years
Jon Askins, Law Enforcement Liaison, TSI - IPTM and PSI Employees
Jamie Harrell, Senior IR Analyst and Visual Developer, Institutional Research
Nicole Hartley-White, Custodial Worker, Student Union-Custodial
Sabrina Padlan, Senior Grants Specialist, TSI - IPTM and PSI Employees
Danyelle Stokes, Community Engagement Coordinator, Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships
Sam Xia, Manager Analytical Instrumentation Facility, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
 
Welcome
The following employees were either hired by º£½ÇÉçÇøor were promoted from OPS positions recently:
Asseel Al Amair, Senior Grants Specialist, Florida Institute of Education
Stephanie Castro, Student Government Assistant Director, Business and Accounting Office
Judah Chester, Student Financial Services Specialist, Controller
Dorian Drummond, New Student Orientation Specialist, Undergraduate Studies
Hannah Falconer, Office Manager, Faculty Center Planning and Program Development
Tori Ferrell, Manager, Contract Administration, Procurement Services
Samuel Gordon, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Jenna Green, Assistant Director Development, AASA, College Development Officers
Rami Hadad, ERP Analyst I, Enterprise Systems
Jillian Herrera, Fellow FDOH, Graduate School
Simone Hester, Office Manager, College of Education and Human Services
William Huntley, Help Desk Support Specialist II, User Services
Luntze Jackson, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Ruby Jackson, One-Stop Advisor, One Stop Student Services
Marlena Jenkins, Director USoar, Leadership School, Counseling and Sport Management
Sara Komanowski, First Year Experience Coordinator, Undergraduate Studies
Kolbe Lanneau, Laboratory Technician, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Angel Mays, Executive Secretary, Brooks College of Health Dean Office
Heidi Mitchell, Coordinator Classification Compliance, Human Resources
Vamsee Naramsetty, IR Programmer, Institutional Research
Ethan Owen, PC Maintenance Tech II, Service Management
John Paredes, IT Technician II, Service Management
Alex Santiago, Student Success Advocacy Coordinator, Undergraduate Studies
Sarah Schechter, º£½ÇÉçÇøOnline Admissions Specialist, º£½ÇÉçÇøOnline
Robert Schelling, Systems Administrator III, Messaging and Collaboration, Systems Engineering
Heather Senterfitt, Research Administrator, FIE-Training & Materials
Andrew Snelson, One-Stop Advisor, One Stop Center
Hector Torres Vera, Recycle Refuse Worker, Recycle
Ashley Washington, Assistant Director Alumni Engagement, Alumni Services
Amy Williams, Associate Director USOAR, Leadership School, Counseling and Sport Management
Carlos Williams, Custodial Worker, Custodial Services
Travis Young, Groundskeeper, Groundskeeper
 
Great Job
The following employees were recently promoted:
George Boston, Change Manager, Project Management Office
Sherri Charles, Treasury Coordinator, Treasury
Susan Eisenberg, Director Academic Advising Services, UGS Academic Advising
Brigid Fitzpatrick, Senior Coordinator International Student Affairs, ELP-Faculty Grants and Initiatives
Amy Lehnhoff, Director Operations and Finance, Coggin College of Business
Chung-Ping Loh, Professor, Coggin College of Business
Morgan Luckie, Associate Athletic Coach, Women's Soccer
Daniel Osachy, Library Services Specialist, Library
Mary Palka, Assistant VP, Strategic Comminication and Initiatives, Marketing and Communications
Patricia Palmer, Associate Director, Industry Engagement, Career Services
Alexander Perez, ERP Development Manager, Enterprise Systems
Jessica Phillips, Associate Director, Student Financial Aid, Financial Aid Office
Shelby Scanlon, Media Developer, DL-º£½ÇÉçÇøOnline
Joslyn Simmons, Assistant Director Operations and Communications, Coggin College of Business
Madison Smith, Student Government Assistant Director, SG Business and Accounting Office
Russell Triplett, Associate Professor, Economics
Katrina Willis, University Budget Coordinator, University Planning and Budget
Richmond Wynn, VP, Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships

Free Things to Do

Project Atrium: Frank Stella "Jacksonville Stacked Stars"
Exhibit on view now through Aug. 18, MOCA Jacksonville
Renowned artist Frank Stella, who recently passed away, returned to MOCA Jacksonville with his latest installation, Jacksonville Stacked Stars for Project Atrium, a site-specific commission to celebrate the museum's 100th anniversary. In addition, Frank Stella Unbound, is also on exhibit. Learn more .

@ Elysa Adams, Moments I and Moments II, 2024, Screenprint, 25 x 19 in. Image courtesy of the artistElysa 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.)

CIRT Event: Accessibility in Canvas
Tuesday, May 28, noon - 1 p.m., Virtual
Canvas content can easily be made accessible. This workshop provides hands-on instruction for making course content accessible in the Rich Content Editor and using the built-in accessibility checker. Learn more and .
 
Cactus with yellow bloomsPlant Swap @ Ogier Gardens
Wednesday, June 5, 9 - 11 a.m., Ogier Gardens
Indoor plants are shown to improve mental health as well as air quality. Bring a fresh cutting of your favorite house plant to swap. Ogier Gardens will provide rooting hormone, plastic pots, potting soil and instruction for you to take a new plant to your home or office. Learn more .
 
Ideas of Our Time | MOCA Jacksonville: The First 100 Years
Wednesday, June 5, 7 - 8 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
Ideas of Our Time is a lecture series providing a forum for creative dialogue with artists, educators, and others around some of the most vital and important art and ideas of our time. In 2024, the museum is hosting MOCA Jacksonville: The First 100 Years, recounting the history of the museum by both historians and those who lived it. Learn more and .
 
Botanical Life, Art and Culture Garden Tour
Saturday, June 8, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Tour begins at the º£½ÇÉçÇøLibrary
Explore the lush gardens and admire the stunning flora and fauna throughout the º£½ÇÉçÇøcampus. Learn more .

Swoop Summary

Kolbe Earns ASUN Women's OTF Scholar-Athlete of the Year
After earning ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year for indoor track & field in February, Smilla Kolbe repeats her recognition as the ASUN Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year for outdoor track & field, as announced by the conference office last week. Kolbe garners her second recognition of the season as Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as well as an All-Academic selection from the conference. Learn more .
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøgolfer Nick Gabrelcik Listed to Final Watch List for Haskins AwardGabrelcik Listed to Final Watch List for Haskins Award 
Four-time ASUN Golfer of the Year Nick Gabrelcik has been named to the final Haskins Award Watch List awarded to the top collegiate men's golfer in the country, as announced by The Haskins Foundation Friday, May 17. Gabrelcik is one of 10 total golfers, as well as the only non-Power Five golfer, to make the final watch list of the 2023-24 season for the Haskins Award. Learn more .
 
Coffey Inks Contract Extension Through 2027 Season
º£½ÇÉçÇø women's swimming head coach Ian Coffey has agreed to a multi-year contract extension through the 2027 season, as announced by Director of Athletics Nick Morrow last week. Coffey receives a three-year extension through June 30, 2027. Learn more .
 
Former º£½ÇÉçÇøbasketball player Emma BroermannBroermann Signs to Plamen Pozega in Croatia
Former º£½ÇÉçÇøWomen's Basketball standout Emma Broermann has signed her first career professional contract, as she will play overseas in Croatia for Plamen Pozega for the 2024-25 season, as announced by the team last week. Learn more .
 
Men's Golf Advances to Eighth NCAA Championship
North Florida men's golf finished as one of the top five teams in the NCAA Santa Fe Regional to advance to the NCAA Men's Golf Championship for the eighth time in program history. Learn more .