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Inside º£½ÇÉçÇø— October 24, 2024

Coggin College of Business celebrates groundbreaking

 
º£½ÇÉçÇøpresident and employees wearing hard hats and holding shovels in front of a Coggin College of Business signº£½ÇÉçÇøcelebrated the groundbreaking on the extension and updates to the Coggin College of Business on Tuesday. The new space will provide needed classrooms, research labs and additional spaces to facilitate the success of Coggin’s more than 3,000 students, over 100 distinguished faculty and talented staff.
  
“We are excited to share news today about the Coggin College of Business expansion and renovation project,” said President Limayem. “º£½ÇÉçÇøgraduates are executives and other vital employees in almost every major company in this region. These updated facilities will help us provide more resources to our students so they can find their own direction and later become leaders and innovators in Jacksonville and beyond."
 
The expansion adds 21,660 square feet of new space and connects Building 42 with Building 10. The new space will be utilized for labs, classrooms including The Regency Centers classroom, the Stellar Student Lounge, faculty offices and conference rooms. It will also house the Crowley Center for Transportation and Logistics. The second floor of Building 10 will be completely renovated for new classrooms, offices and to house Coggin’s Graduate and Executive Education program. About 50,000 square feet in all will be renovated or added.
 
Two state-of-the-art labs will open in the new space. The Energy Authority Portfolio Management Lab will be utilized for finance and fintech students to study market trends and trading. The Behavioral Research Lab will enhance Coggin faculty’s ability to conduct cutting-edge business research in consumer behavior, behavioral finance, behavioral economics and management.
 
Animated blue print of the º£½ÇÉçÇøCoggin College of Business buildingThe project was funded in large by a generous $26.3 million Public Education Capital Outlay appropriation from the State Legislature.
 
“This groundbreaking is highly anticipated and wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated faculty, staff and students as well as generous supporters,” said Dr. Albert Loh, Coggin College of Business interim dean. “This space will help our students and faculty to produce world-class research that will have impacts far beyond the º£½ÇÉçÇøcampus.”
 
The Coggin College of Business offers 10 undergraduate programs, seven master's programs, three graduate certificates and five undergraduate minors. It also offers an array of study abroad, international dual degrees, internships, executive education and badges.
 
Those offerings include two new graduate programs in cutting-edge and high-demand fields
 
The Master of Science in FinTech program began enrolling students this fall. The Master of Science in Business Analytics program started in 2021 and has seen enrollment quadruple since the program’s inception. Coggin also recently expanded its Executive Education program that offers high-impact customized programming in executive training and development for both large corporations and small businesses around the nation. 
 
When º£½ÇÉçÇøopened its doors for classes in 1972, the campus consisted of four major buildings and three colleges: Business Administration, Arts and Sciences, and Education. The College of Business Administration, Building 42, was built in 1996 and was named the Coggin College of Business in 2002 after the late Jacksonville business leader and longtime º£½ÇÉçÇøsupporter Luther W. Coggin. º£½ÇÉçÇøhas awarded a total of 28,800 business degrees since opening its doors, about 24% of the total 122,488 degrees awarded by the University.

º£½ÇÉçÇøcontinues its October celebration with city proclamation

º£½ÇÉçÇø event tents with balloons in Osprey Plazaº£½ÇÉçÇøcontinues its celebration of its impact on the community during the month of October.
 
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan officially proclaimed the month of October 2024 as º£½ÇÉçÇø month. The proclamation recognizes UNF’s enduring contributions to the city of Jacksonville, its role as a top talent provider, and its significant economic and social impact. It comes on the anniversary of º£½ÇÉçÇøopening its doors in October 1972.
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøis proud to celebrate our growth and the incredible impact we have on the city and the nation.
 

Data with a purpose: How º£½ÇÉçÇøstudent innovators are tackling social issues

By Joy Batteh-Freiha

º£½ÇÉçÇøstudent Marion Forest holding a first-place winner's check at the 2024 AI for Good Hackathon event

Approximately 20 º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents, along with other students from Jacksonville University, participated in the 2024 AI for Good Hackathon that began on Saturday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Sept. 29 at The Link in Ponte Vedra.

This is the third year of the two-day, 48-hour marathon event, that brings together students to build solutions to problem cases that drive social good benefits. Community partners, including The Link, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Jacksonville and Google, provided tools, support and mentorship to the teams as they collaborated and worked to solve the cases:

  1. Apartment Scams: addressing rental scams with the goal of detecting MLS listings that are fraudulent
  2. Heirs Property: Identify and estimate households vulnerable to heirs’ property issues in Duval County 

Winners

First-place winner was º£½ÇÉçÇøjunior Marion Forest whose team f “{Adjective}{Animal}” team, worked on Problem 1 using Linear Modeling. He focused on detecting and flagging MLS listings that can be considered fraud at 95% confidence.
 
The second-place award went to Hackstreet Boys, º£½ÇÉçÇøjuniors Hunter Ford, Aryan Shirmohammadi and Antony Malesevic, who worked on Problem 1 using NEAT Algorithm to detect anomalies in the MLS listings.
 
The third-place award went to Ospreys team º£½ÇÉçÇøgraduate students Mahmoud Elbatouty, Walid Kambagha and Ahmed Sayed), who worked on Problem 2 using ML packages and Tableau to identify properties that are at risk for the sale of tax certificates.
 
The fourth-place award went to Osprey Security team junior Edgar Quinones, senior Delali Simpson and junior Alex Ramudo, who worked on Problem 1.
 
Fifth-place award went to Team MAE, Michael Rivera of UNF, Ann Ubaka and Elias Missa – both JU students), who worked on Problem 1.

Sponsors

Awards were sponsored by representatives from Valley Capital Partners, LISC Jacksonville and Macquarie Group. All participants and volunteers received access to a Google Cloud Skills Boost license thanks to the in-kind Gift from the Google Cloud Platform.
 
 The 2024 AI4Good Hackathon was organized by the FL-DSSG in partnership with Google Cloud, LISC Jacksonville, The Link, and UNF. The hackathon was organized by Raghu Misra, Kristopher Smith, Sean Maxwell, Xudong Liu, Indika Kahanda, Andreas Ink, Dan Richard, and Karthikeyan Umapathy.

FL-Data Science for Social Good (FL-DSSG)

For more than seven years, the FL-DSSG program — hosted at º£½ÇÉçÇø— blends data science and technology design to inform and solve important wicked social problems presented by local organizations. Students team up to analyze the organization’s data to find impactful and effective solutions to social issues.

The Cathedral Arts Project (CAP), a nonprofit provider of arts education for children and young adults in Jacksonville, is one of the organizations that has benefitted from the work of º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents.
 
Since 2022, completed student projects included carry-forward effects with ongoing impacts and benefits to CAP.
 
“Projects we worked on for the past three years are all related and included carry-forward effects with ongoing benefits to CAP,” said Dr. Karthik Umapathy, associate professor of computing, who spearheads the FL-DSSG along with Dr. Dan Richard, associate professor of psychology. “In 2022, the projects found key insights from responses to a Landscape of Education in the Arts in Duval (LEAD) survey. In 2023, a process to generate an arts education scoring mechanism using LEAD survey data was created, and this year, students implemented the arts education scoring mechanism. By using the 2024 outcome, CAP can now celebrate arts education success with principals and educators whose efforts create tremendous impact on students.”          
 
Dr. Lucy Chen is vice president of Advocacy & Community Engagement with CAP. She said the partnership with FL-DSSG and Duval County Public Schools created a roadmap and feedback system for arts education programs in schools.  
 
“The FL DSSG program has played an important role in shaping CAP's collective impact work in recent years,” said Chen. “Through data analysis, DSSG found that quality arts education significantly influences students' academic performance, behavior and school attendance. This collaboration allowed CAP and our community partners to design effective initiatives, such as CAP’s Arts Integrated Field Trip Initiative, which benefitted thousands of youths in Duval County this summer.” 
 
“FL-DSSG analyzed data from the Florida Department of Education and CAP’s LEAD surveys, examining schools based on their arts education efforts and outcomes,” Chen continued. “These findings served as the foundation for an innovative arts education scoring system aimed at increasing students’ access to the arts, fostering community partnerships, and recognizing principals for their vision and innovative approaches to bringing quality arts education to their schools and students.”

º£½ÇÉçÇøand READ USA partner to improve literacy in Jacksonville

Front of the º£½ÇÉçÇøCollege of Education and Human Services buildingThe º£½ÇÉçÇø’s College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) is excited to announce a new partnership with READ USA to develop future educators and improve literacy in Jacksonville.
 
Established under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer Kane during her tenure as interim dean of COEHS, this partnership creates a pathway for º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents within the Osprey Teacher Residency program. It allows º£½ÇÉçÇøsophomores, juniors and seniors pursuing degrees in teacher education to become literacy tutors in the READ USA Literacy Tutoring program.
 
Employed º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents will be trained by READ USA to deliver daily, intensive literacy interventions to second through fifth graders in Duval County, providing a hands-on teaching experience while benefiting young learners. READ USA tutors are also eligible for academic scholarships provided by the college and have the opportunity to become AmeriCorps members.
 

Mark your calendars for additional University holidays

Christmas tree with lights at nightYes, Ospreys! You heard correctly.
 
This year, the University has added additional holidays to the calendar for you to make the most of the upcoming holiday season.

Employees will have the following time off:

  • Thanksgiving Holidays: Wednesday, Nov. 27 - Friday, Nov. 29
  • Winter Break: Monday, Dec. 23 - Friday, Jan. 3

More information and timesheet instructions will be published in Osprey Update.

Faculty Feature: Dr. Weimin Gao

headshot of Dr. Weimin GaoDr. Weimin Gao, chair and professor of public health, is a leading global healthcare expert who came to º£½ÇÉçÇøfrom the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences at West Virginia University where he served as a tenured professor.
 
Prior to that, he was a professor at Texas Tech University. Gao has over 30 years of training and experience in public health, toxicology and environmental and occupational health.
 
“º£½ÇÉçÇøoffers a diverse array of innovative health initiatives and academic degrees in a dynamic and growing urban setting,” said Gao. “There are so many opportunities to further develop impactful research and meaningful collaborations with leaders in the health enterprise sector.”

º£½ÇÉçÇøprofessor and colleagues name new rare flower

The Bay Miwok Evening PrimroseDr. Scott F. Jones, assistant professor of biology at the º£½ÇÉçÇø, is the lead author of a recently published paper revealing a new flower subspecies on the ancient dunes in the San Francisco Bay-Delta in California.
 
While the manuscript was written and revised by Jones while working at UNF, the paper describes work he conducted in the field while he was with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Western Ecological Research Center team in California.
 
 
Information provided by º£½ÇÉçÇøMedia Relations

Staff Spotlight: Dorian Drummond

By Byron E. Jones
 
As the new student orientation specialist in the Office of New Student Orientation, Dorian Drummond says he cherishes the opportunity to connect with prospective and current students. In his multi-Dorian Drummond sitting on a benchfunctional role, his duties include responding to phone and email inquiries, planning orientation events, coaching student orientation leaders and more.
 
A native New Yorker, Drummond started at the º£½ÇÉçÇø in May, after teaching in New York’s education system for the past seven years. He says that he was looking for a new career path and the opportunity to work at º£½ÇÉçÇøwas a perfect fit.
 
Now a member of the Osprey community, Drummond says he enjoys meeting new people and learning all about Jacksonville and UNF.
 
“I love how connected the University is,” said Drummond. “The relationships I have built so far is the most exciting thing for me.”
 
In addition to his role at UNF, he is a motivational speaker and a certified personal development and relationship life coach. Understanding the highs and lows of being a college student, Drummond says he is impressed by the mental fortitude of º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents to succeed in their endeavors.
 
“The students here are hungry, and I admire their hard work,” he said.
 
When he’s not working or lending a helping hand, he enjoys playing video games, working out and trying new taco spots around town.
 
Drummond is a 2015 graduate of SUNY Old Westbury and a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He holds a bachelor of arts in media and communications.

More About Dorian

Hometown: Brentwood, New York
Favorite Sports Teams: Brooklyn Nets and Cincinnati Bengals

Tips and resources for Open Enrollment 2025

Attention Ospreys! The Open Enrollment period is now in session. Speak with representatives from our benefits providers for personalized insights and learn how to assemble the best options for you and your family.

Here are some tips and resources to make the most of your available options:

  • Visit the º£½ÇÉçÇøOpen Enrollment website for details on 2025 plans
  • Review the
  • Attend the º£½ÇÉçÇøBenefits Fair on Friday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Adam W. Herbert University Center to meet with vendors and ask any questions that you may have.
  • Make changes by Friday, Nov. 1, including adding/removing dependents. Changes will take effect Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
If you are attending the Benefits Fair, º£½ÇÉçÇøStudent Health Services has partnered with CVS to host a vaccine clinic for º£½ÇÉçÇøfaculty, staff and contractors during the event. to receive a flu or vaccine shot. Additionally, Student Health Services is offering free vision screenings and reading glasses from 9 a.m. to noon on a first come basis.

º£½ÇÉçÇønamed a 'Top Military Friendly School'

Group of mini American flags planted in the groundThe º£½ÇÉçÇø has been designated as one of the top schools in the nation by Military Friendly for the 15th consecutive year. The University is honored with the silver recognition status for exemplary commitment and dedication to military students.
 
The 2024-25 Military Friendly Schools list honors educational institutions nationwide that are doing the most to embrace the nation’s military students and dedicate resources to ensure success both in the classroom and after graduation.
 
The annual list is based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide.
 
 
Information provided by º£½ÇÉçÇøMedia Relations

International Healthcare Symposium 2024 rescheduled

International Healthcare Symposium 2024 brand logoThe International Healthcare Symposium 2024, which was originally scheduled to take place in early October, has been rescheduled and will now take place on Monday, Dec. 2 and Tuesday, Dec. 3 in the Adam W. Herbert University Center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. For those who previously registered, your registration remains valid. Registration remains open.
 
The International Healthcare Symposium 2024 is a two-day multidisciplinary conference aimed at educating, engaging and connecting healthcare professionals in all disciplines through relevant sessions about challenges and opportunities in the healthcare industry. The conference is jointly hosted by the º£½ÇÉçÇø and the Duval County Medical Society Foundation.
 
The event will cover various topics including Digital Health and AI, Improving Access to Healthcare and more.
 

Osprey Profile: Evan Wilson

By Byron E. Jones
 
Evan Wilson (‘20), a º£½ÇÉçÇø graduate student in the Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE) program, is all smiles after being named “Grad Student of the Month” for October by the º£½ÇÉçÇøGraduate School. 
 
º£½ÇÉçÇøgraduate student Evan WilsonThe Jacksonville native, who earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from º£½ÇÉçÇøin 2020, says he is humbled by the recognition. 
 
“I am grateful, not only for the nominations, but for being deemed deserving,” Wilson  said. 
 
Having battled homelessness throughout his youth, Wilson’s story is one of resilience and triumph. After earning his GED and completing general education requirements at FSCJ, he transferred to º£½ÇÉçÇøin fall 2018. He chose to major in physics to gain a better understanding of the natural world.  
 
Wilson’s research interest focuses on condensed matter physics, and he chose to return to º£½ÇÉçÇøas a graduate student in fall 2023 to continue his research efforts. His dedication to his research has led to several life-changing opportunities including presenting at several conferences, attending the American Physical Society's March Meeting earlier this year and visiting the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico with his research group, led by Dr. Jason Haraldsen, professor of physics. The group has secured funding for a collaborative project with the national laboratory. Wilson says these opportunities would not have been possible without the support he receives at º£½ÇÉçÇøfrom mentors such as Haraldsen. 
 
He continues to perform well academically while working full-time at a local biomedical company and working part-time as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Physics. Additionally, he started a “Quantum Group” in the spring to make quantum mechanics accessible to nonscientists, including undergraduate physics students and graduate materials sciences students. The group meets on campus to discuss quantum mechanical concepts. They also setup a Discord to chat amongst themselves, often sharing study resources and posting general questions. 
 
When discussing his success at UNF, he credits Haraldsen for always lending a helping hand. Together, they co-authored “Effects of frustration on the spin dynamics of the zigzag honeycomb lattice” published in August in Physical Review B by the American Physical Society. 
 
“I want to make sure Dr. Haraldsen gets the credit he deserves,” said Wilson. “He gives more time, effort and compassion to his students than anyone I have ever met.” 
 
Following his time in the MSMSE program, Wilson intends to pursue a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics or materials science. He is scheduled to complete his master’s degree in spring 2025.

Ospreys Swoop Into Service

This past weekend, the º£½ÇÉçÇøAlumni Association welcomed the community on campus for "Swoop Into Service," a day of service in honor of UNF’s birthday! Alumni, family, friends and students volunteered their time to tackle various service projects throughout the University. Volunteers were treated to a delicious breakfast and an Alumni Association fanny pack, the contents of which included a SWOOP magnet, Alumni Association lip balm, SWOOP keychain and an Alumni Association pen.

Swoop Into Service volunteer activities included:

  • Cutting down overgrowth, removing invasive plants and weeding in the Ogier Gardens
  • Participaing in a Plant-a-thon in the Botanical Garden to increase biodiversity within UNF’s Bioswale garden, removing turf and adding curated plants to invite more feathered friends and support local wildlife
  • Putting together 150 packages for UNFAthletics to give to basketball season ticket holders 
º£½ÇÉçÇøSwoop Into Service volunteers holding shovels standing outside of a building º£½ÇÉçÇøSwoop Into Service volunteer holding plant roots º£½ÇÉçÇøSwoop Into Service volunteer holding a tree º£½ÇÉçÇøSwoop Into Service volunteer sitting with legs crossed while planting plants in the ground

Inside News Roundup

Campus Master Plan Meetings

The Campus Master Plan process is underway, and there is another opportunity for faculty and staff to share their input on the future of UNF’s campus is Wednesday, Oct. 30. Come out and attend the Campus Master Plan Big Ideas Workshop in the Osprey Commons Talon Room (Building 16, Room 4202). There will be two identical sessions from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., held to accommodate schedules. The workshop will include an overview of the campuswide survey, results of the visioning workshop, a presentation of how much space is needed to meet enrollment goals and additional discussions.

2024 Cyber Bowl: OvertimeCyber Bowl 2024 logo

Due to hurricane closures, the 2024 Cyber Bowl has officially gone into overtime. Students, faculty and staff can still until TOMORROWFriday, Oct. 25. Three winning universities will be picked based on the most participants, the highest percentage of participants and the most questions answered correctly. Participants in the cyber security quiz will automatically be entered to win a prize.

Open Enrollment for the 2025 Plan Year

Open Enrollment is now open through Friday, Nov. 1. To make your selections, visit your People First portal or call the People First Service Center at (866) 663-4735 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You may make changes as many times as you would like during the Open Enrollment period. All elections become final at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. For any questions, please contact the Benefit Program Operations department at benefits.retirement@unf.edu or (904) 620-2903.

CVS Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic at Employee Benefits Fair

Student Health Services has partnered with CVS to host a vaccine clinic for º£½ÇÉçÇøfaculty, staff and contractors during the Employee Benefits Fair. Please in advance to receive a flu, COVID or other vaccine. You must bring a copy of your health insurance card with you to your appointment. All participants who sign up and receive a vaccine will be entered to win a $25 gift card. For more information on the 2024-25 flu season and flu prevention, visit the Brooks College of Health webpage. For more information, contact Valerie Morrison at v.morrison@unf.edu or (904) 620-1569.

IERE Seed Grants: Accepting Proposals

The Institute of Environmental Research and Education is now accepting applications for the 2025 Seed Grants. This is a fantastic opportunity for innovative, environmental, research projects and ideas to receive the funding they need to grow and thrive. Two grants will be awarded in amounts up to $10,000 each. Proposals are reviewed by a committee of º£½ÇÉçÇøfaculty and are competitively awarded to the most meritorious proposals. Applications must be received before Sunday, Nov. 3 at 11:59 p.m. Contact Kelly A. Rhoden at k.rhoden@unf.edu or (904) 620-5806 for more information.

Virtual Health & VitalityLunchbox

Join Virtual Health & Vitality’s 30-minute lunchtime chat, Monday, Nov. 4 at noon, featuring nurse practitioner Pat Richards, who will be discussing the critical importance of managing your eye health, especially given our extensive screen time. Learn about valuable tips and recommendations on when you need to seek an evaluation to prevent potential vision damage. The presentation will be about 15 minutes followed by Q&A. . Registered attendees will receive the Zoom link on Nov. 1. All present attendees will have a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card at the end of the presentation.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to protect your eyes and maintain optimal eye health!

New Quizzes Week

The CIRT is pleased to announce New Quizzes Week at º£½ÇÉçÇøfrom Monday, Nov. 18 to Friday, Nov. 22. This week of events will showcase the innovative features of New Quizzes and how they can enhance teaching and assessment practices. New Quizzes Week is dedicated to informational sessions, drop-in virtual office hours and training sessions focused on migrating, building and fine-tuning assessments in New Quizzes, and much more. Specific event and registration information can be found via the .

Fall Commencement Volunteers Needed

º£½ÇÉçÇøCommencement is seeking volunteers for Fall Commencement on Friday, Dec. 13 in the º£½ÇÉçÇøArena. Volunteer roles include checking in and guiding graduates, scanning tickets and ushering guests. The COAS Undergraduate Ceremony will be held at 9 a.m.; the BCH, CCEC, CCB and COEHS Undergraduate Ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m.; and the Graduate Ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The deadline to is Friday, Nov. 1. Please arrive at least one hour before the ceremony starts. Each ceremony will last about 2 hours. For any questions, please reach out to commencement@unf.edu.

SBDC at º£½ÇÉçÇøDowntown Enterprise Hub Ribbon Cutting PartyAmerica's SBDC Florida logo

Join us for a ribbon cutting party at our new office in downtown Jacksonville, 112 W. Adams Street, 4th floor, Thursday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. This is a significant milestone that underscores the SBDC at UNF’s commitment to business success and community engagement. Contact Ali Stephens at ali.stephens@unf.edu to RSVP.

Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Assistance from the SBDC at UNF

The Florida SBDC Network is a principal responder in the state's Emergency Support Function (ESF) 18 for Business & Industry. As such, they help businesses prepare for, respond and recover from hurricanes and other disasters. Businesses are encouraged to , including a disaster preparedness plan guide, preparedness plan template and emergency procedures template. Following a storm, the Florida SBDC Network visits those counties who have been impacted in the SBDC Mobile Assistance Centers (MACs). The team helps impacted businesses prepare disaster loan applications and with other post-disaster challenges. For more information on available resources and relief efforts, please visit .

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey Fountain on º£½ÇÉçÇøcampus

Brooks College of Health

Dr. Kassie Terrell, associate professor and Dr. Katherine Meuti, assistant professor, were recognized by graduating students as an educator who demonstrates a passion for student success.

Coggin College of Business

Leonard Ferman, adjunct professor, published a sports history book "The 1973 Mets - You've Got to Believe" that follows the inspirational 1973 season of the New York Mets. It was meticulously researched via daily review of newspaper archives from 1973.

Dr. Tetiana Momot, instructor, Dr. Russell Triplett, associate professor and º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents Angelo Azueta and Bogdan Chalyy, in collaboration with the O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv (Ukraine), presented their research, “Artificial Intelligence Urbanization: Enhancing Efficiency, Sustainability, and Quality of Life" at the 3rd International Conference on Smart Technologies in Urban Engineering (STUE-2024) in June.

Dr. Rachel Frieder, associate professor, was featured by Inside Higher Ed with University of Iowa colleagues about their upcoming paper “Making the grade? A meta-analysis of academic performance as a predictor of work performance and turnover” in the Journal of Applied Psychology. 

GlobalMBA students Nat Tran, Maxime Burggraf, Zuzanna Wojcik and Grant Gutierrez, won first place for the º£½ÇÉçÇøBlackstone Launchpad Innovating in Sports Marketing competition in September. The Global team represented º£½ÇÉçÇøat the Statewide round October 18-20 at UCF.

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Judy Ochrietor, professor (biology), along with Dr. Terri Ellis, associate professor (biology), Amy Keagy, lecturer (biology), Kaitlyn Minnicks, coordinator, Undergraduate Research, Dr. Maureen McCluskey, instructor (English), and Will Pewitt, associate instructor (English) each presented posters at the Florida Statewide Symposium: Engagement in Undergraduate Research in Orlando.  Dr. Ellis gave an oral presentation,“The Undergraduate Biomedical Research Internship (U-BRI) Program: Basic Science Research Opportunities Provided in Partnership Between º£½ÇÉçÇøand Mayo Clinic, Florida.”

College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Kim Cheek, associate professor, gave an oral presentation to the Geological Society of America in Anaheim, California on “Why should I learn this? Improving geoscience knowledge by emphasizing its relevance in an out-of-school program” — a project she is working on with Dr. Elizabeth Brown, associate professor (psychology), Dr. Ryan Shamet (civil engineering) and Dr. Tamara Reeves.

Dr. Laura Boilini, clinical associate professor and Jayla Adams, former º£½ÇÉçÇøbasketball player and current grad student in M.Ed. in Educational Leadership in the concentration of Athletic Administration, held an art session at Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville earlier this month. Parents, children and staff took part in the painting session titled “Paint What Makes You Happy!”

Dr. Megan E. Lynch, post doctorate associate, Dr. Katrina Hall, associate professor and Wendy Baker, director of clinical practice, co-authored a manuscript "Identifying Opportunity Gaps in Clinical Practice: A Concept Map Analysis" published in The New Educator, co-authored with faculty at Illinois State University, Western New England University, and Sacred Heart University.

The School-University Partnerships journal, edited by º£½ÇÉçÇøfaculty, published their third issue of the year. The editorial board consists of co-editors Dr. David Hoppey, professor and Dr. Katrina Hall, associate professor and lead Associate Editor Dr. Megan E. Lynch, post doc associate and Associate Editors Dr. Jennifer Kilpatrick, associate professor, Dr. Raven Robinson-Wilson, assistant professor and Dr. Elizabeth Hale Rozas, associate professor. The issue begins with the editorial, “Exceptional Research for School-University Partnerships” co-authored by Dr. Megan E. Lynch, Dr. Katrina Hall and Dr. David Hoppey.

Dr. Stephen Dittmore, dean of the College of Education and Human Services was quoted in the Crain’s Cleveland Business Journal about small colleges and the percentage of their students who are athletes. October.

Several º£½ÇÉçÇøfaculty attended and presented at the American Association for Teaching and Curriculum Annual Conference in Denver. Dr. Paul Parkison, associate professor and president of the AATC, gave the presidential keynote as well as other presentations, along with Dr. John White, professor and Crystal Parker, graduate assistant.

Dateline

º£½ÇÉçÇøDateline balloons

Milestones

Congratulations to the following employees with a milestone anniversary in October 2024:

35 Years

Rachel Broderick, Director Persistence Advocacy, Office of Student Success

20 Years

Michael Neglia, Treasurer, Treasury

15 Years

Deborah Eichelberger, Instructor, Criminology and Criminal Justice

10 Years

Juan Cardona, Law Enforcement Liaison, IPTM

Janice Martinez, Law Enforcement Liaison, IPTM

Tim Roberts, Coordinator, LEL Program, IPTM

Shaun VanBeber, Senior Law Enforcement Liaison, IPTM

Jessica Wingate, Assistant Director, Creative Services, Marketing and Communications

5 Years

Amanda Campbell, Laboratory Technician, Department of Art, Art History and Design

Marty Geanmers, Coordinator, Campus Planning, Design and Construction

Jason Lewis, Network Engineer III, Chief Information Office

Jon Merritt, Law Enforcement Sergeant, University Police Department

Jocelyn Posos, University Conduct Officer, Office of Dean of Students

Robin Robertson, Office Manager, Student Government

Warren Smith, Law Enforcement Officer, University Police Department

Welcome

The following employees were either hired by º£½ÇÉçÇøor were promoted from OPS positions recently:

Kyle Brady, Police Communications Operator, University Police Department

William Cousins, Director, Military and Veterans Resource Center

Alejandro Diaz, Custodial/Grounds Worker, Physical Facilities

Andrew Keck, Engineer I, Enterprise Applications

Megan Lescroart, Student Success Advocacy Coordinator, Office of Student Success

Cierra Marshall, Senior Library Associate, Library

Darron McCullough, OPS Services Maintenance, Housing and Residence Life-OPS

Constance Morris, Police Communications Operator, University Police Department

Benjamin Milano, Mental Health Counselor, Counseling Center

Caleigh Mullane, Student Success Processes Coordinator, Student Success Systems

Amanda Schaaf, Coastal Tech, Biology

Eric Cornelis Schoute, Post Doctoral Associate, College of Education and Human Services, Research and Development

Cody Semler, Assistant Baseball Coach, Athletics

Dominique Stallworth, Custodial Worker, Housing and Residence Life

William White, Coordinator, Living Learning Communities, Housing and Residence Life

Chestike Williams, Curatorial Assistant, MOCA

Great Job

The following employees were recently promoted:

Megan Dennerlein, Business/Financial Coordinator, Coggin College of Business Dean's Office

April Flores, Program Manager, Career Services

Brandy Hull, Admissions Specialist, Enrollment Services

Stanley Mlynarczyk, Accountant, Accounting

Jessica Ramos-Mattia, Senior Academic Advisor, Academic Advising

Carolina Rivera, Human Resources Specialist II, Human Resources

Amanda Schaaf, Laboratory/Research Technician, Biology

Free Things to Do

A Century of Contemporary: 100th Anniversary Exhibition

Exhibit on view now through Jan. 12, 2025, MOCA Jacksonville
This small exhibition traces the history of MOCA Jacksonville, which first began as a series of exhibitions by artists of the day, used as a fundraising tool to support public school education; then as a guild; and later as an art museum and educational leader. Learn more .

Works from the exhibition Art with a Heart in Healthcare: The Power WithinArt with a Heart in Healthcare: The Power Within

Exhibit on view now through Jan. 12, 2025, MOCA Jacksonville
Sponsored by the Florida Blue Foundation, this exhibition is organized by Art with a Heart in Healthcare in collaboration with MOCA Jacksonville, and features art created by local pediatric patients. Learn more .

º£½ÇÉçÇøEmployee Benefits Fair

Friday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Adam W. Herbert University Center
Attend the employee benefits fair to learn more about the benefit plans, changes for the following year, wellness options, employee perks, and more. Learn more about open enrollment and your benefit options.

Physics Open House

Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Science and Engineering Building
Everyone is invited to enjoy a self-guided tour of UNF's Science & Engineering Building hosted by students and faculty from the Physics Department and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Attend this event to learn more .

Difficult Conversations from the Perspectives of Leaders and Supervisors

Monday, Oct. 28, 6:15 p.m., Tom and Betty Petway Hall, Room 1100A
Are are welcome to attend this free event featuring supervisors and leaders in a variety of fields sharing their experiences and strategies about how to handle difficult conversations. Learn more .

Jazz at the º£½ÇÉçÇøBoathouse Halloween Concert

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., º£½ÇÉçÇøBoathouse (John A. Delaney Student Union, Building 58W)
This event features performances by º£½ÇÉçÇøJE III directed by Dr. Marc Dickman and º£½ÇÉçÇøJE II directed by Dennis Marks. Come dressed in your spookiest costume for a chance to win prizes: best overall costume, most creative and spookiest. Learn more .

º£½ÇÉçÇøWriting Center Anniversary Party FlyerWriting Center's Halloween-a-versary Celebration

Thursday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Skinner-Jones Hall (Room 2501)
Enjoy lunch, candy, and spooky treats in the Writing Center in celebration of Halloween and the commemoration of their 10-year anniversary. Learn more .

2024 Natural Sciences Symposium

Friday, Nov. 1, 1 - 4 p.m., Science and Engineering Building
This is an annual event serving as a platflorm for º£½ÇÉçÇøstudents to present their research in biology, chemistry and physics. Learn more .

º£½ÇÉçÇøAstronomy Nights "Astronomy on a Budget"

Friday, Nov. 1, 8 - 9:30 p.m., Sciences and Engineering Building (Event starts in the lobby)
The public is invited by the Physics Department to learn about the wonders of the night sky and view them through telescopes. This event features guest speaker Al Bott (NEFAS) discussing, "Astronomy on a Budget."

General David H. Petraeus, USA (Ret.): "Future of Warfare"

Monday, Nov. 4, 7 - 8 p.m., Adam W. Herbert University Center
The º£½ÇÉçÇø is proud to partner with the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville to bring distinguished speakers to our campus. Don't miss this lecture, featuring General David H. Petraeus, who will be discussing the "Future of Warfare." Learn more about this free event and register today.

Rest and Relax in the Virtual Learning Center

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Thomas G. Carpenter Library
Visit the library for an opportunity to practice mindfulness and destress in virtual reality. The VLC has five VR experiences to try, including the Marvellous Machine, Mindfulness VR and more. Learn more .

MVRC students in uniform standing togetherVeterans Tribute

Thursday, Nov. 7, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Veterans Plaza
The Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) would like to invite students, faculty and staff to the 14th annual Veterans Day Tribute celebrating the service of º£½ÇÉçÇømilitary veterans and their families. Learn more .

VyStar Free Saturdays @ MOCA

Saturday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville

All community members enjoy free admission to MOCA Jacksonville every Saturday thanks to the generous support of VyStar Credit Union. MOCA’s exhibitions and programs set the pace for arts and art-integrated programming on a regional and national stage. Learn more .

Swoop Summary

º£½ÇÉçÇøwomen soccer players celebrating and hugging on the field

Women’s Soccer Clinches ASUN Playoff Berth in 2-0 Win over Bellarmine

North Florida women's soccer (7-3-7, 4-1-4 ASUN) recently clinched a spot in the 2024 ASUN Championship Tournament with a dominant 2-0 win over Bellarmine (5-9-2, 4-4-1 ASUN) thanks to goals from Bella Pontieri and Jersi Dadah. Learn more

Swimming Breaks 200 Medley Relay Record at Eagle Invitational

North Florida women's swimming recently broke a school record by posting a top-ten program time and earning 30 top-ten finishes at the Eagle Invitational hosted by FGCU. Learn more .

Upcoming events:


Women's Soccer vs. JU (River City Rumble)
Saturday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m.  |  Hodges Stadium  |  Free admission
 
Softball vs. Florida
Friday, Nov.1, 6 p.m.  |  º£½ÇÉçÇøSoftball Complex  | 
 
Women's Tennis º£½ÇÉçÇøFall Invite (3-Day Event)
Friday, Nov.1 through Sunday, Nov. 3 |  º£½ÇÉçÇøTennis Complex  |  Free admission
 
Men's Soccer vs. Central Arkansas (Senior Night)
Saturday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.  |  Hodges Stadium  |  Free admission
 
Women's Basketball vs. Trinity Baptist (Education Day)
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m.  |  º£½ÇÉçÇøArena  | 
 
Men's Basketball vs. Charleston Southern
Thursday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.  |  º£½ÇÉçÇøArena  | 
 
Volleyball vs. West Georgia
Friday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.  |  º£½ÇÉçÇøArena  |  Free Admission