Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023

Skip to Main Content
A-Z Index
Marketing and Communications
oneColumn handbook

Inside Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 — October 20, 2022

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 preschoolers go wild for animals

By Amanda Ennis
Media Relations Manager

Preschool kids learning in a classroomThe Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Preschool recently teamed up with the Dolphin Research Program and the Campus Canines Program to teach the preschoolers lessons about animals.
 
The Preschool recently adopted and named a dolphin to help support the Dolphin Research Program. Brittney Goodrum, a graduate student research assistant, visited the preschoolers and taught the kids about their adopted marine mammal they named “Delphine.”
 
Students were excited to learn about local river dolphins, investigate a dolphin skull, make dolphin sounds and move their feet like dolphin tails. Campus Canines, led by Dr. Carlene Taylor, also stopped by for a visit to teach the children the difference between pets and animal therapy dogs. The children learned about processing emotions and feelings while they enjoyed playing with the therapy dogs. Several pets also visited including Ms. Melissa's chicken, three island canary birds and Ms. Tasha's dog Rollo.

Staff meeting with the President

Attention all Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 staff! You are invited to attend an informal conversation with President Limayem on Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 2 - 3 p.m. in the Talon Room, Building 16, 4th floor. The President will speak and answer questions. Refreshments will be provided.

If you plan to attend, before Oct. 28.

Monthly employee social hours

Talon Room loungeThe University is excited to announce regular First Thursday employee social hours — an opportunity for faculty and staff to meet up and visit with one another after work.
 
Beginning Nov. 3, on every first Thursday of the month employees are invited to the lounge area next to the Talon Room in Osprey Commons (Bldg. 16) from 4 to 6 p.m. for light bites and nonalcoholic drinks, at no charge. A cash bar will also be available. 
 
We hope you will join your fellow Ospreys for a chance to relax and socialize!

Discussing phishing attacks with VP and CIO Brian Verkamp

Brian VerkampIn recognition of the recent increase of phishing attacks Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 employees have been experiencing, we reached out to ITS Vice President and Chief Information Officer Brian Verkamp to answer some questions about the best practices to avoid becoming a victim of these attacks.
 
What is a phishing attack?
Cybercriminals use email, SMS, social media posts, or a direct messaging service to try to steal your usernames, passwords, account numbers, credit card details or Social Security number by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. Cybercriminals launch thousands of phishing attacks every day with a request to fill in personal details. Most of the messages have an urgent note that requires the potential victims to enter credentials to update account information, change details or verify accounts. You may be asked to fill out a form to access a new service through a link that is provided in the email or text message.
 
What are some common indicators of a phishing attempt?
Cybercriminals often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends. Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking a link or opening an attachment. These messages often appear to be coming from a bank, credit card company, utility company, online payment website or popular app. Here are signs that an email is not legitimate:
  • Claim they have noticed some suspicious activity or login attempts on your account.
  • Claim there is a problem with your account or your payment information.
  • Claim you need to confirm some personal or financial information.
  • Include an invoice you do not recognize.
  • Want you to click on a link to make a payment.
  • Claim you are eligible to register for a government refund.
  • Offer a coupon for free stuff.
  • Offer a job with high pay, minimal number of hours per week, and little to no experience required.
While real companies might communicate with you by email, legitimate companies won’t email or text a link to update your account/payment information.
 
Is there a reason for the recent uptick in phishing attacks at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 and are these attacks happening elsewhere?
Cybercriminals are investing in technical resources that can help them run more efficiently and increase the number of scams they can send per minute, making them more dangerous than ever before. They have been successful in the past few years because they have obtained funding to build better scams. The number of phishing attacks are higher than ever before, with the quarterly total of identified unique phishing attacks exceeding one million for the first time, and over 600 distinct brands attacked each month.
 
What happens to a person’s computer during a phishing attack?
Once cybercriminals have your account information, it can be used to access protected systems. In some cases, the intent of the attacker is to gain access to and install malicious software on those systems. One method of installing malicious software is through the use of email attachments. These malicious attachments, concealed as word documents, PDFs, images, video or audio files, are intended to launch an attack on the system of the email recipients. If these attachments are opened, they can install viruses, malware, or ransomware on the victim’s computer. Some malicious software, such as spyware, is designed to get access to the victim’s computer and steal personal and confidential data, such as login credentials or important files saved on the system. Be careful when opening any email attachment, especially if the email:
  • Creates a sense of urgency.
  • Uses generic greetings, salutations, and email body content.
  • Is from unknown senders.
  • Has a puzzling context, like emails with photos of another employee’s vacation, or documents of a meeting that never took place.
Can you share an example of a phishing attack that caused great harm?
Over 130 organizations, including Twilio, DoorDash and Cloudflare, have been potentially compromised by cybercriminals as part of a months-long phishing campaign. Login credentials belonging to nearly 10,000 individuals were stolen by cybercriminals who imitated the popular single sign-on service Okta. Targets of the phishing campaign were sent text messages that redirected them to a phishing site. The cybercriminals used that access to pivot and attack accounts across other services.
 
On August 15, the secure messaging service Signal alerted customers that the Twilio breach allowed the cybercriminals to reveal as many as 1,900 Signal accounts and confirmed the cybercriminals were able to register new devices to accounts. The newly registered devices would allow the cybercriminals to send and receive messages associated with that account. Twilio also updated their breach notification, noting that 163 customers had their data accessed.
 
It was also reported that 93 users of Authy, a cloud service for multifactor authentication, had their accounts accessed and additional devices registered. The attackers have spread their net wide, targeting multiple industries, including finance, gaming and telecoms. Domains cited as targets (but not confirmed breaches) include Microsoft, Twitter, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Coinbase, Best Buy, T-Mobile, Riot Games, and Epic Games. We likely won’t know the full scale of this attack for some time.
 
What is the difference between spam and phishing?
Spam is unsolicited and unwanted junk email sent out in bulk to a wholesale recipient list. Typically, spam is sent for commercial purposes. However, spam email can also contain malicious software that will attempt to gain access to your computer.  
 
Phishing is a form of social engineering that uses email, social media posts or a direct messaging services to lure you into clicking malicious links, giving away personal information, or downloading an infected attachment. Because we are more digitally connected than ever before, phishing has become one of the primary attack methods used by cybercriminals.
 
What are some essential measures to take to avoid being attacked?
Ask yourself the following questions before taking action on a suspicious message:
  • Does the message create a heightened sense of urgency? Are you being pressured to bypass your organization’s security policies? Are you being rushed into making a mistake? The greater the pressure or sense of urgency, the more likely this is an attack.
  • Does the email or message make sense? Would the CEO of your company urgently text you asking for help? Does your supervisor really need you to rush out and buy gift cards? Why would your bank or credit card company be asking for personal information they should already have about you? If the message seems odd or out of place, it may be an attack.
  • Are you receiving a work-related email from a trusted coworker or perhaps your supervisor, but the email is using a personal email address such as @gmail.com?
  • Did you receive an email or message from someone you know, but the wording, tone of voice or signature in the message is wrong and unusual?
As a general rule, you should never share personal or financially sensitive information over the internet. When in doubt, go visit the main website of the company in question, get their number and give them a call. Most of the phishing emails will direct you to pages where entries for financial or personal information are required. An internet user should never make confidential entries through the links provided in the emails. Never send an email with sensitive information to anyone. Make it a habit to check the address of the website. A secure website always starts with “https.”
 
Some accounts offer extra security by requiring two or more credentials to log in to your account. This is called multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication makes it harder for cybercriminals to log in to your accounts if they do get your username and password. Even when using multi-factor authentication, cybercriminals will attempt to trick you into authenticating their access to your accounts. If you are unexpectedly contacted and asked to verify your identity by approving or providing the second form of authentication, this is highly suspicious behavior and is most likely an attack.
 
What should you do if you believe you are the victim of a phishing attack?
If you believe you are the victim of a phishing attack you should perform the following actions:
  • Ensure the cybercriminals do not maintain access to your accounts. Change your passwords or start the account recovery process.  
  • If you think a cybercriminal has your information, like your Social Security, credit card or bank account number, go to . There you’ll see the specific steps to take based on the information that you lost.
  • If you think you clicked on a link or opened an attachment that downloaded harmful software, update your computer’s security software. Then run a scan and remove anything it identifies as a problem.
What are some key things to remember about phishing from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023?
  • Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 staff will NEVER ask you for your password.
  • Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 staff will NEVER ask you to accept a Duo multifactor authentication request.
  • Beware of unexpected phone calls, text messages or emails asking you to provide more personal information or to verify your account. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 will NEVER ask you to do this.
  • If you receive a multifactor authentication request through your phone or Duo app and are not logging in, deny the request. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 will NEVER contact you asking you to approve this.
  • If you are concerned about messages that you have received, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 904-620-HELP (4357), email them at helpdesk@unf.edu, or visit .
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 logins are comprised of your username (N-Number), password and multifactor authentication (Duo). A multifactor service, like Duo at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023, adds a layer of security by asking an individual to verify access using something that is unique to them. Duo at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 is available through mobile app, telephone or text messaging.
 
If you have any questions or need help with email security or phishing, please contact the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 IT Security team at itsecurity@unf.edu. This team offers additional training or information to help you safeguard your email and personal information.
 
For more details about phishing, please .

Share your feedback

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 logo for the Inside e-newsletterIn the previous edition of Inside, we introduced a new look and refreshed layout. We also asked for your feedback. We're still looking to hear from you with any suggestions you feel will make the e-newsletter more interesting.

As a reminder, we've changed Inside's schedule, so you can now expect it to be sent to your inboxes twice a month, typically during the first and third weeks of each month.

We hope you enjoy this issue, but we want to continue to improve and provide the news you want. !

Benefit changes and more at the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Benefits Fair

Open Enrollment 2023 logoOpen Enrollment has begun
For employees eligible for benefits through the State Group Insurance Program, the time is here to review your coverage and make any needed changes before Open Enrollment closes Friday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. Any changes you make now will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

Learn more at the Employee Benefits Fair on campus
To learn more about the benefit plans, changes taking place for the following year, wellness options, employee perks and more, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 is holding an in-person Employee Benefits Fair, Friday, Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the .

Discover what’s new for 2023

  • Diabetes Management Pilot Program
  • Weight Management
  • Health Savings Account (HAS) Contributions and Coverage Limits
  • Ameritas and MetLife Dental rates decrease
  • New Humana Dental Plans
  • Employee Assisted Program (EAP) expands
  • Eligible Former Employee Benefits

    Read more .

Get screened at the mobile mammography unit at the Benefits Fair
Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Buddy Bus and First Coast News anchor Jeannie Blaylock will make a stop at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023's Benefits Fair Oct. 21, which is also Mammogram Awareness Day. The Buddy Bus is a mobile mammography unit that provides convenient screening mammograms to individuals in Northeast Florida. Women must be at least 40 years old to receive a screening. To see if you are eligible and to schedule an appointment, . Once the registration form has been submitted, you can expect a phone call from the Baptist scheduling team within two business days. For questions, please contact BuddyBus@bmcjax.com. 

More to do at the Benefits Fair:
Visit with Ozzie
Blood Pressure Checks
Flu Shot
Vendor Candy Bingo
Raffle, prizes, snacks and more

The Open Enrollment Process:
To access Open Enrollment, log in to the People’s First portal. A and are available if needed. If you have questions, call the People First Service Center at 866-663-4735. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023’s Human Resources has also provided information online.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 and Suddath launch new Logistics IT Solutions Lab

The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023) and The Suddath Companies announced the launch of a new Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Suddath Logistics Information Technology Solutions Lab. In a grand opening ceremony at the Coggin College of Business Oct. 11, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 and Suddath leaders, members of the business community, alumni and current students explored how the lab’s new technology and design will enhance the learning experience of students enrolled in the Transportation and Flagship Logistics program.
 
Suddath Logistics Information Technology Solutions Lab grand openingAs part of a multi-year sponsorship commitment from Suddath to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023, the lab has been equipped with tools and resources that are in use in the industry today, helping students acquire critical practical skills for job readiness. Students can now engage in more meaningful collaboration, discussion and research using simultaneous live-data feeds across multimodal transport systems, including road, rail, sea and air.
 
“We are extremely fortunate to partner with The Suddath Companies to offer this new state-of-the-art technology lab within our College’s Transportation and Logistics program,” said Dr. Richard Buttimer, dean of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023’s Coggin College of Business. “The Suddath Logistics Information Technology Solutions Lab will provide students access to real-time data and information relevant to building logistics analytics capabilities. We’re excited that with Suddath’s support, our students will gain greater opportunities to research solutions that can alleviate challenges impacting the supply chain and will help Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 to develop more skilled talent for the growing transportation and logistics industry.”
 
 
All information provided by the Media Relations team in the Marketing and Communications Department.

Hurricane Ian Relief Information for Ospreys

Volunteer moving boxes of foodRelief agencies expect to need volunteers for the next 18 months to help the people in southwest Florida impacted by Hurricane Ian. Here are some ways Ospreys can help:

How to Volunteer
Prospective volunteers must coordinate with a specific relief agency (links listed below) and have a plan for check in, lodging, hygiene and food.

Please direct students or student organizations to ospreyimpact@unf.edu so information of those interested in ongoing and future opportunities for relief efforts can be collected and centralized. 

What volunteers need to know

  • Currently, the commuting time to showers and sleeping locations is three hours each way, as Tampa and Sarasota hotels are full. The nearest place to stay is in St. Petersburg, and travel time is extended due to traffic and infrastructure issues.
  • Work crews will be primarily mucking out properties and clearing debris, eventually moving to rebuilding. Skill sets such as construction, electrical knowledge and similar expertise are especially needed, but so are able bodies who can lift 50 pounds or more.
  • Bring in and carry out what you need, including proper clothing and portable personal cleaning items such as wipes, tools, sunscreen, insect repellent, water bottles and phone battery packs.
  • Crews traveling together can request to be assigned to projects in groups of 15 or more, and some projects can be single day to accommodate one-day or weekend travel.
  • Agencies have an agreed-upon workday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Safety equipment, waivers and lunch are usually provided to volunteers, though no training is provided. Volunteer coordinators should brief their students in advance on what to expect, how to deal with survivors, how to make referrals, etc.

How to make donations

  • Cash can be donated to a specific clearinghouse such as or a specific agency listed above.
  • Donations of goods not requested by a specific agency are not welcome at this time. Collection drives should be connected to an agency such as the Humane Society or a specific school or facility and all goods must be delivered. To be connected to an organization in need of a drive, contact or Susan Trudeau in the Center for Community-Based Learning at s.trudeau@unf.edu
  • Please do not send donations that compete with the goods that big box stores are donating and selling, like pallets of water, diapers, etc., because it interferes with maintaining the retail infrastructure.
  • Clothes, home goods and furniture are not needed at this time, but these items will be needed later.

This information was provided to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023’s Center for Community-Based Learning by relief agencies in southwest Florida. Information is constantly changing. For the latest news, contact Susan Trudeau, Co-Curricular Coordinator at s.trudeau@unf.edu or 904-620-3547.

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey FountainBrooks College of Health
Dr. Catherine Christie, associate dean and professor at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023's Brooks College of Health, has been honored by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with a 2022 Medallion Award in recognition of her outstanding service and leadership in the Academy and the nutrition and dietetics profession. Christie is one of eight registered dietitian nutritionists to be honored with this prestigious award. Read more about the award and Christie.

Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof, associate professor Nutrition and Dietetics, published “Nutrition Check: World Alzheimer’s Day and the Food/Brain Connection” . Also, with Caroline Jury, Hicks-Roof also published “Nutrition Check: Children’s Eye Health/Safety Month” .  

Dr. Sericea Stallings-Smith, associate professor Public Health, presented “Association between Food Insecurity and Cardiometabolic Outcomes in the U.S. Adult Population,” a collaborative project with Dr. Zhigang Xie, assistant professor Public Health; Dr. Andrea Arikawa, associate professor and Interim Chair, Nutrition and Dietetics; and Dr. Lauri Wright, associate professor Nutrition and Dietetics; at the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology conference in Athens, Greece, September 2022.

Dr. Tes Tuason, professor and clinical director in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, is one of the top 20 individuals around the country who was chosen to participate in the Spiritual Competency Training in Mental Health (SCT-MH) for Graduate Students project. This is a re-grant of the University of South Alabama from the John Templeton Foundation.

Coggin College of Business
Diane Denslow completed the requirements to receive the Rural Entrepreneurship Education Certificate. The Program, conducted by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, introduces educators to the expanding research and efforts to bolster rural ecosystems.  

College of Arts and Sciences
Art, Art History, and Design
Trevor Dunn exhibited 15 works in the exhibition “Playing it Cool,” at the Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, Montana, August.

Stephen Heywood exhibited in the 12th Annual Clay International – National Juried Exhibition, at the Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, Virginia, August.

Dr. Elizabeth B. Heuer published “American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection,” D. Giles Limited, London.

Jenny K. Hager participated in the Juried International Exhibition, “Calculations: Units and Measurements” Alte Rathaus and Heidecksburg, Rudolstadt, Thüringennd, Germany, July – August.   

Communication
Dr. Rachel E. Riggs, with her colleagues S. Melhem, C. Perez, C. Smith, and N. Punyanunt-Carter, published “Understanding American college students’ perceptions of Asians on television” in the journal Media Asia.

English
Mark Ari published “Santa’s House on Sunrise Highway” in the anthology Music Gigs Gone Wrong, August.
Marcus Pactor published "Risking Chaos: An Interview with David Leo Rice" in Heavy Feather Review, August.

Music
Joshua Tomlinson performed his electroacoustic theater piece “A Short Story,” at De Montfort University in Leicester, England as part of the Convergence Conference, September. “In ‘A Short Story’ a typewriter is first heard alone, but progressively its sound becomes further and further removed from reality. Additional sounds that help construct the narrative are triggered by a lamp, the only source of light. The audience is invited to observe an author's creative process — to hear his imagination and listen to his memories.”

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Dr. Bert Koegler published “Social Ontology, Dialogic Recognition, and Contemporary Challenges: A Reply,” in the anthology: , L. Dunaj/K. Mertel (eds.), London/New York, Bloomesbury.

Physics
Dr. Samana Shrestha received a 2022-23 American Short-Term Research Publication Grant Fellowship in the amount of $6,000. This amount was awarded to write a paper on “Improving radiation therapy and immunotherapy using magnetic nanoparticles-a review.” 

Department of Psychology
Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons in collaboration with his coauthors C. J., Schiller, L. K., Scheibe, D., Taber, J. M., Sidney, P. G., Matthews, P. G., Coifman, K. G., Waters, E. A., & Thompson, C. A published an article, “Number lines can be more effective at facilitating adults' performance on health-related ratio problems than risk ladders and icon arrays” in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied. 

Dr. Taylor Vigoureux, published an article as second author of an undergraduate mentee from University of South Florida titled “Daily association of stressors with perceived cognitive abilities: Moderating role of age,” in Stress and Health.

College of Education and Human Services
Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich, associate professor, was recently elected to serve on  Steering Committee representing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Digital Learning. The Steering Committee is representative of the WCET membership, makes recommendations on programmatic issues of interest to the membership-at-large, and leads and/or contributes to activities in support of WCET’s programs and membership. This is an elected position with a two-year term.

Drs. Wanda Lastrapes, faculty administrator, and Brian Zoellner, associate professor, both Project PIs, facilitated a workshop, “A STEM Induction Collaborative: Teacher Inquiry to Critically Examine Instructional Practices,” which was attended by Noyce project directors and teaching fellows.

Jacksonville Teacher Residency/National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teaching Fellows Program was represented at the 2022 Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Annual Summit in Washington, D.C., July 18 – 20. The Summit celebrated Noyce scholars, fellows, and researchers working to advance equity in high-need school districts over the past 20 years of NSF Noyce. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Master of Art in Teaching alumna Isabella Kitzis highlighted her Teacher Inquiry/Impact Project with a poster presentation titled, “Nothing You Taught Was on That Test: Analysis of the Biology Pacing Guide to Achieve Learning Outcomes at a Title 1 School.” Ms. Kitzis is a second-year biology teacher at Englewood High School, Duval County Public Schools.

Rakesh Maurya, assistant professor, published “Counsellors' lived experiences of empathy & compassion: An interpretive phenomenological inquiry,” in . This study explored counselors’ lived experiences of empathy and compassion. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, findings highlighted how counselors experience compassion and empathy, how boundaries shape wellness and practice with clients, and the impact of empathy and compassion over a career. The findings suggest that self-other differentiation is key while using empathy to develop a strong therapeutic alliance and counselor self-care.  

Dr. Matthew Ohlson, director of Taylor Leadership Institute, said the Taylor Leadership Institute is certifying more than 1000 students, staff and community stakeholders in the highly regarded leadership program — the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, thanks to an award from Franklin Covey. The partnership pilot will include representatives from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Athletics, CCB (Graduate and Executive Program), BCH (Health Administration Leadership Institute), ROTC & the Jax Icemen. The Covey 7 Habits training has been implemented by 90 percent of the Fortune 100 and more than 75 percent of the Fortune 500. Those interested in participating should email Dr. Ohlson. 

In addition, student-athlete leaders from the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 baseball and women’s tennis teams participated in a leadership mentoring initiative with the Ronald McDonald House. The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 student-athletes took time out of their busy schedules to bake cookies, cook meals, play games and enjoy some heartfelt laughter with children and families undergoing significant medical treatment and care at area hospitals. Their efforts helped to further strengthen the powerful partnership between the Taylor Leadership Institute and the Ronald McDonald house.

Dr. Elizabeth Hale Rozas, assistant professor of Literacy, has a book coming out Oct. 28 titled “High Attention Reading: Preparing Student for Independent Reading of Informational Text,” published by .

Finding your passion in research

Graduate student Elise BallashBy Marsha Blasco

Elise Ballash was the child who endlessly asked the question “Why?” Now a master’s student at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023, she has channeled her boundless curiosity into research.

Today, her inquiries relate to the work she is doing with Dr. Amy Lane, Presidential professor of chemistry, who is focusing on using bacteria as a possible source for the next drug breakthrough. Ballash has discovered that a bacteria she has been studying is producing a new compound that may have the potential to be used for medicinal purposes. “Right now, we’re in the phase that I’m trying to get enough of this compound to determine its structure,” she said. “It’s really cool because this compound has never been studied before.” This past summer, Ballash also participated in the University’s inaugural Chemistry Department Summer Undergraduate Research Program that was sponsored through a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 partnership with Johnson & Johnson Vision.

To find research opportunities, Ballash talked with several professors during her junior year as a biology undergrad at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023, in preparation for her start in the new accelerated BS/MS program in Biomedical Sciences. When she met with Lane, the research just clicked with her interests in researching pharmaceuticals from natural sources. “I’m so pleased to have found Dr. Lane,” Ballash said. “She has been a very influential and important part of my time at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023. I do not think I would have this research opportunity elsewhere as a student just because I think Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 is a more personable university, and everybody wants to get to know you and has your best interests in mind.”

The research project has also helped Ballash in planning her career. She had been weighing opportunities — medical school, a Doctor of Pharmacy, a Ph.D. program or a job in the pharmaceutical industry. “This has definitely helped me figure out what I want to do,” she said. “I would like to ideally get my Ph.D. and pursue more research, which is something I’ve discovered that I love.”

Ballash began her journey at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 as a student-athlete on the swim team, yet said she also chose the University for the academic programs she wanted to pursue. When an injury at the end of her freshman year ended her ability to swim, she was glad she had looked so closely at the quality of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023’s degree offerings. “I loved swimming and the team, but in the end it has all worked out for me,” she said. “I am also very passionate about what I’m studying here and happy to be able to devote all my time to my academics.”

Faculty Forum: Dr. Michele Moore

Dr. Michele MooreMeet Michele Johnson Moore

Dr. Michele Moore serves as chair and professor in the Department of Public Health. Her areas of expertise include Adolescent Health, Reproductive Health and Sexuality, and Social Behavioral Public Health, and she teaches the courses PHC 6940 Public Health Capstone and PHC 6945 Public Health Internship. Moore has won several teaching awards during her tenure at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023. Most recently she is the recipient of The Distinguished Professor Award for 2022. The honor is presented annually to a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 faculty member who has a balanced record of distinction at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 in all three areas of teaching, scholarship and service.

What research are you doing?
Currently, I collaborate with the Duval County Public Schools and Department of Health-Duval on a CDC-funded grant, which includes multiple aspects: to monitor adolescent health behaviors through implementation of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS); to train teachers to implement evidence-based sexuality education curriculum; to provide sexual health services through school-based clinics; to assess community support for sexuality education and health services; and to disseminate project outcomes.

How long have you worked at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023?
This is my 24th year.

How do you like to spend your time when you aren’t working?
I love to travel and have a bucket list of places a mile long! But on a daily basis, I just love to be outside —hiking, boating, walking the beach — with my family, our dog or friends.

Where did you grow up?
Stuart, Florida

Where did you go to school?
University of Florida

Who inspires you and why?
Our office manager Delores. She has such a passion for our students, our faculty, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 and the work she does each day. She always has a smile on her face and makes everyone who walks through the door feel like they are the best thing since sliced bread. She truly has a heart of gold and inspires me to do good every day.

What is a fun fact about you many people may not know?
I spent a semester studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria, during college and our classes were held in the Schloss Leopoldskron, better known as the "Sound of Music" palace.

Free Things to Do in October

Faculty Exhibition 2022 logoÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Art, Art History and Design Annual Faculty Exhibition
Now through Nov. 11, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Gallery of Art, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Mon. through Thurs.)
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023's annual Department of Art, Art History and Design faculty exhibit features work in ceramics, drawing, installation, painting and more.

Intro to Organic Gardening
Friday, Oct. 21, 10 - 11 a.m. at Ogier Gardens
Learn the basics to starting your own garden with Ogier Gardens Coordinator, Kevin Anderson.

Lynn Novik and Ken BurnsDistinguished Voices Lectures
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. at the Adam W. Herbert University Center
‘The U.S. and the Holocaust: Lessons for Today’s Challenges’ with Lynn Novick and Ken Burns
Join distinguished documentarians Lynn Novick and Ken Burns for an insightful dialogue on their September film, The U.S. and The Holocaust, and the lessons learned from the international response to the Holocaust and how they can be implemented today. Novick and Burns have a combined 17 Emmys and two Grammys for their work in film. Lynn Novick will be with us in person, while Ken Burns will join virtually.
Free, .

Faculty Recital: Hello Mr. Clarke! The Music of Herbert L. Clarke
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Center
Featuring Drs. Marc Dickman, trombone, euphonium; Randy Tinnin, cornet, trumpet; and Gary Smart, piano. 

Saxophonist Joel Frahm35th Annual Great American Jazz Series
Thursday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater
Saxophonist Joel Frahm and Douglas Anderson SOTA JE1
Features Dr. James Hall, artistic director. 
Free admission; suggested donation: $10

Fall Choral Showcase
Sunday, Oct. 30, 4:30 p.m., Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Center
Features Dr. Cara Tasher, conductor.
Free admission; suggested donation: $10

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 wins Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award

The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 has proudly received the 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for the eighth consecutive year. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 is recognized as a Diversity Champion, scoring in the top tier of all HEED Award institutions.

HEED logoThe annual HEED award is presented by INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This national honor recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“Continuing to receive the HEED award and the Diversity Champion distinction is an honor as it signifies Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023’s commitment to holding diversity and inclusion as institutional core values,” said Dr. Richmond Wynn, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 VP and chief diversity officer. “We will continue our work to build a culturally inclusive university environment that values and respects human differences and honors the dignity and well-being of each of our community members.”

Wynn leads the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Office on Diversity and Inclusion, which is home to the Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, Intercultural Center, Interfaith Center, LGBTQ Center, Women’s Center and Student Alliance for Inclusion and Diversity.

The HEED Award is the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. For more information about the 2022 HEED Award, visit .

See more news on the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 newsroom.

Swoop Summary

North Florida teams are gearing up to play on the new CSI Companies Court! Starting in November, both the volleyball and men and women's basketball teams will break in the new court as fans will get to experience the various upgrades in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Arena for the first time including a new sound system, enhanced lighting and the Bank of England Hospitality Suite.

Here's What's Coming Up Next:

Women's Soccer vs. Bellarmine
Saturday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m.  |  Hodges Stadium  |  Free Admission
 
Women's Swimming vs. SCAD
Friday, Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m.  |  Competition Pool Complex  |  Free Admission
 
Men's Soccer vs. JU
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.  |  Hodges Stadium  |  Free Admission
 
Volleyball vs. JU
Sunday, Nov. 6, 5 p.m.  |  Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Arena  |  Free Admission
 
Women's Basketball vs. Warner
Monday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.  |  Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Arena  |  Free Admission