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Inside ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ — July 16, 2026

• ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ IERE conducting aquatic barrier study
• Undergraduate Mentor of the Year: Dr. Indika Kahanda
• ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ launches human-centered care badge
• Graduate Mentor of the Year: Dr. Elena Buzaianu
• Elementary teacher prep program earn A+ rating
• Osprey Profile: Anne Araujo
• ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Mednexus expands think tank
• North Florida Athletics announces new endowed scholarship
• Inside News Roundup
• Faculty and Staff News
• Free Things to Do
• Dateline
• Swoop Summary

³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ IERE conducting aquatic barrier study

The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Institute of Environmental Research and Education (IERE) is collaborating with the Northeast Florida Regional Council and other partners on a study that will assess aquatic connectivity in Northeast Florida.

 

The project is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Additional partner organizations include The Pew Charitable Trusts, St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, North Florida Land Trust, and Jacksonville University.

 

Structures installed at road-stream crossings, such as culverts and bridges, can fragment river systems and alter their natural flow, creating flooding issues and habitat loss for fish and wildlife. This study will fill important data gaps about the performance and impact of these structures in Northeast Florida.

 

Learn more about the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ IERE aquatic barrier study.

Undergraduate Mentor of the Year: Dr. Indika Kahanda

By Byron E. Jones

 

By helping students build research skills and prepare for successful careers, Dr. Indika Kahanda has created a mentoring model that transforms aspiring computer scientists into confident researchers.

 

An associate professor at the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s School of Computing, Kahanda was recently recognized for those efforts when he was named the Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year during Research Week 2026.

 

Kahanda, who joined ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ in fall 2020 and directs the BioMedInfo Lab, said the recognition is not his alone but belongs to the students he mentors. The lab brings together undergraduate and graduate students to collaborate on projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science and health.

 

Learn more about Kahanda's impact on students.

³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ launches human-centered care badge

The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ is launching a new Human-Centered Care Badge, an employer-informed credential designed to equip nursing students with advanced competencies in empathic communication, emotional intelligence and professional presence at the bedside.

 

The program is a partnership between ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ MedNexus and the School of Nursing. Developed in direct response to feedback from healthcare leaders across Northeast Florida, the badge addresses a critical workforce need: ensuring that new nurses enter the profession not only clinically prepared, but also ready to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.

 

The Human-Centered Care Badge reinforces the foundational reason behind nursing — caring for people during their most vulnerable moments.

 

Learn more about the badge curriculum and instruction.

Graduate Mentor of the Year: Dr. Elena Buzaianu

By Alyssa Elaskari

 

Dr. Elena Buzaianu, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been described as brilliant and accomplished, yet never too busy to sit down with students who need help.

 

Buzaianu was named the Graduate Research Mentor of the Year during Research Week 2026 — a recognition that reflects both her scholarly expertise and the lasting impact she has on the students she mentors.

 

For many of her students, Buzaianu's mentorship goes far beyond answering questions. She meets with thesis students twice a week, offering consistent feedback and guidance through every stage of the research process — from identifying a direction to reading literature critically to refining scientific writing.

 

Learn more about Buzaianu's impact on students.

Elementary teacher prep program earn A+ rating

The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s elementary teacher preparation program has earned an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), placing it among a select group of programs nationwide recognized for excellence in preparing future educators to teach reading.

 

The recognition comes from NCTQ’s latest report, which highlights ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ for exceeding literacy instruction standards by preparing teacher candidates in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, while avoiding instructional methods unsupported by research.

 

NCTQ’s review of coursework, assessments and clinical experiences found that ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program provides comprehensive, evidence-based preparation for teaching reading.

 

Learn more about the elementary teacher preparation program's recognition from NCTQ.

Osprey Profile: Anne Araujo

By Joy Batteh-Freiha

 

Born in Brazil and raised in Tampa after immigrating to the U.S. with her family at age 12, Anne Araujo arrived at the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ in summer 2022 determined to build a future rooted in science, service and leadership.

 

Four years later, the 22-year-old will graduate July 31 with a degree in biomedical science with a minor in leadership, and as a proven campus leader who loves to help others.

 

Along the way, she conducted research on the biological roots of neurodegenerative diseases, gained hands-on experience at Mayo Clinic and Baptist Health, interned with a local service organization and was heavily involved on campus, including as a resident assistant.

 

Learn more about Araujo's ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ experience and her biomedical research efforts.

³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Mednexus expands think tank

Following a successful inaugural year that generated innovative solutions for regional nonprofit organizations and meaningful experiential learning opportunities for ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ students, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ MedNexus, Hicks Honors College and Telescope Health are now accepting applications for the second cohort of the Social Innovation Think Tank.

 

The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ MedNexus | Telescope Health Social Innovation Think Tank was created to connect talented students with real-world challenges facing nonprofit organizations throughout Northeast Florida. Through an interdisciplinary, mentor-supported experience, students work directly with community partners to develop practical, research-informed solutions to pressing healthcare and social impact issues.

 

The first cohort delivered actionable recommendations for organizations addressing food insecurity, healthcare access, family support services and mental health. Several participating organizations are exploring implementing student-developed strategies and continued collaboration beyond the program.

 

Learn more about what's next for the think tank.

North Florida Athletics announces new endowed scholarship

³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Athletics is excited to announce the establishment of the Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship, a transformational investment that will support Osprey student-athletes pursuing careers in healthcare.

 

"The establishment of The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship is a truly transformational gift that reflects the strength, resilience and compassion of the Cagnassola family," Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow said.

 

The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship honors the strength, faith and resilience that carried Mark, Micah and Hank through a bone marrow transplant experience at Mayo Clinic. Inspired by the compassion demonstrated by students completing clinical experiences, the family chose to establish an endowment that will impact generations of future healthcare professionals.

 

The scholarship will provide fellowship opportunities for student-athletes pursuing graduate degrees in nursing and athletic training.

 

Learn more .

Inside News Roundup

Licensing and Retail Experience Survey

The Licensing team is working to enhance the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ brand's market presence. They request that be shared widely, with a completion deadline of Friday, July 17. Increased feedback will help them provide merchandise and experiences that resonate with audiences and strengthen the university's brand. Contact: Tanner Marzullo at t.marzullo@unf.edu or (904) 620-2040.

Jaguars Ticket Raffle

To show appreciation for the many contributions that faculty and staff make to the university, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ will be raffling off football tickets to the 2026 Season Jacksonville Jaguars home games at EverBank Stadium. OSA staff members can enter to win via the online . The deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 22 at 5 p.m. Note: This raffle is not available to those in a director level position or higher.

Faculty Equipment Checkout

Equipment and laptops previously available from CIRT have been transferred to the Thomas G. Carpenter Library for loan. Faculty should reserve a pick-up time for . The form is used to notify the library staff to prepare the selected equipment for pick-up.

Workday Strategic Sourcing

Workday Strategic Sourcing (WSS) is now live. This new platform will be used to register new suppliers, as well as students and individuals requiring one-time payments. Step-by-step instructions for the new registration process are available in , with additional details in . To access WSS in Workday, search “Strategic Sourcing.”

Updated Mileage Rate Change

Based on House Bill 5003E, General Appropriations Act for 2026-27, Section 140, the mileage rate has increased from $0.445 cents a mile to the IRS standard mileage rate of $0.725 cents a mile, as of Wednesday, July 1.

2026 Convocation: State of Osprey Nation Core Value Award Nominations

Convocation 2026 is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. in the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Arena. Nominations are now open for Core Value Awards for ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ staff and faculty. Please review the for eligibility criteria and submit your nomination by the Friday, Aug. 7, deadline. Winners will be notified on Friday, Aug. 28. The awards recognize individuals who embody ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s core values: accountability, integrity, excellence, civility and a culture of care. Each award will be given to one staff member and one faculty member.

2026 Roar & Soar

The 17th Annual Roar & Soar Tailgate is slated for Monday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Flex Field Lawn, with kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. Come join fellow Ospreys and cheer on the Jaguars as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The menu includes a Bono’s BBQ dinner, beers, seltzers, an exclusive ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ x Jaguar t-shirt, games, giveaways and tailgate fun. .

Plan Ahead for Retirement

FRS is offering free financial planning workshops for ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ employees on Tuesday, July 28 and Wednesday, July 29, both in-person in Tallahassee and via Zoom. Topics include taking control of your finances, investment planning, education planning and understanding the FRS Investment Plan. To register, call 1-(866) 446-9377 or visit the . Please register separately for each session you wish to attend. For questions, create a .

Faculty and Staff News

Brooks College of Health

Dr. Amy Binder, visiting clinical professor and Dr. Jennifer Wesely, professor, Criminology College of Arts and Sciences, along with Keri Burchfield, received a book contract from NYU Press for their book based on their qualitative study of youth in detention facilities paired with shelter dogs for a 10-week program called "What Would My Dog Do: Youth Voices, Shelter Dogs, and Healing in Juvenile Detention" with a release date in 2027.

Nursing

Dr. Julie Baker-Townsend, clinical associate professor and Amy Howell, instructor, presented a poster, “Bridging the Gap: Pop-Up Clinics as a Pathway to Improving Women's Health Access” at the American College Health Association (ACHA) 2026 Annual Meeting in Denver on May 30.

Physical Therapy

Dr. Gui Cesar, assistant professor, secured a five-year grant from NIH National Institute of Child Health and Human Development funding an immersive research training program in pediatric rehabilitation and assistive technology and will lead the initiative, known as PRIME-PEDS (Proficiency in Research and Innovation for Multidisciplinary Education in Pediatrics) to train undergraduate and graduate students across physical therapy, kinesiology, engineering and related fields through coursework, mentored projects and hands-on research in ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics and Engineering.

College of Computing, Engineering and Construction

Computing

Dr. Ayan Dutta, associate professor along with Dr. Anirban Ghosh, associate professor, co-authored “TACO-Net: Topological Signatures Triumph in 3D Object Classification,” which was accepted to the 19th European Conference on Computer Vision — ECCV 2026.

 

Dr. Upulee Kanewala, associate professor and principal investigator and Dr. Nan Niu, professor, co-principal investigator, received a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for a one-year pilot project, “Supporting Legacy Code Evolution in Research Software through Generative AI-driven Refactoring and Metamorphic Testing: A Pilot Study,” in July.

Institute of Environmental Research and Education

Sydney Barrett, research associate, presented "Warm glow and going green: Affective responses to sustainable vs. unsustainable actions" at the International Association for People-Environment Studies (IAPS), Guildford, UK.

Silverfield College of Education and Human Services

Dr. John Miller, visiting professor, Dr. Elizabeth Gregg, professor, Dr. Jason Lee, professor and Dr. Amanda Pacale, associate professor, published a study, “Exploring the role of a sense of belonging for sport management faculty retention” in Sport Management Education Journal.

 

Dr. Jason Lee, professor, Dr. Elizabeth Gregg, professor and Dr. John Miller, visiting professor, published a a study “Don’t mess with Bluebonnet University: A failed attempt to rebrand Bluebonnet University. Case Studies in Sport Management.

 

Dr. John Miller, visiting professor and J. Curto, assistant professor, Hiram College, Ohio, published “Risk Management practices of youth ice hockey coaches in the United States” in The Physical Educator.

Free Things to Do

Project Atrium: Nari Ward - Great Greetings

Exhibition on view now through Aug. 16, MOCA Jacksonville
Great Greetings is a new exhibition which transforms MOCA Jacksonville’s Atrium into a shimmering space of gold and silver by using everyday, disposable emergency blankets. The blankets, often used for survival or post-marathon recovery, drape the Atrium’s walls and dangle overhead as pennants, enveloping viewers in gleaming metallic color. Learn more .

Austin Lightholder: Alchemy of Perception

Exhibition on view now through Aug. 16, MOCA Jacksonville
Austin Lightholder is the fall 2025 ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ student artist-in-residence. He works across acrylic painting, collage, photography, charcoal drawing and plaster sculpture and likes to explore all three dimensions in his work, both wall and floor-based. His practice centers on themes of transformation, passion, and raw emotional expression. Learn more .

Jiha Moon: Half Moon

Exhibition on view now through Aug. 23, MOCA Jacksonville
Moon is a contemporary visual artist with a multifaceted practice ranging from gestural paintings, ceramic sculptures and installations. She draws from a wide range of influences, including Eastern and Western art histories. Learn more .

Outside Looking In: The Paintings of Amer Kobaslija

Exhibition on view now through Sept. 20, MOCA Jacksonville
This exhibition features a collection of works by locally based, international artist Amer Kobaslija, tracing his career from early works to the present, including works from his multiple well-known artistic series. Learn more .

Third Thursday Pop-Up at BrewHound

Thursday, July 16, 6 p.m.,

Bring your pup and join fellow alumni for a relaxed summer "pop-up" at BrewHound Dog Park + Bar, Jacksonville’s first dog park bar. All alumni are welcome. Free for humans and $6 for dogs of alumni.  Learn more and ; walk-ins are welcome.

Healthy Osprey Plant Swap

Wednesday, July 22, 9 - 11 a.m., Ogier Gardens

Bring a fresh cutting of your favorite plant to swap. Ogier Gardens will provide rooting hormone, extra pots, potting soil and instructions for you to take home your new plant. Learn more .

Summer 2026 Student Research Symposium

Friday, July 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., John A. Delaney Student Union, Third Floor, Senator Joe Carlucci Ballroom

Witness undergraduate and graduate students showcasing their research projects in poster or oral presentation formats. Learn more .

VyStar Free Saturdays @ MOCA

Saturday, July 25, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville

Enjoy free admission to MOCA Jacksonville every Saturday, thanks to the generous support of VyStar Credit Union! Learn more .

The Starting Line - Virtual Roundtable for Startups

Tuesday, July 28, 4 - 5 p.m., Online

The Florida Small Business Development Center at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ is hosting monthly roundtable discussions focused on starting a business. These no-cost, virtual and informal sessions are designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of exploring or developing a new business idea. Learn more .

Dateline

Milestones

Congratulations to the following employees with a milestone anniversary in July 2026:

20 Years

Luisa Joyce, Director Study Abroad, Student Engagement and International Affairs
Robert Richardson, Assistant Director Research Technology Services, ITS - Academic Technology
Jennifer Spaulding-Givens, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work

15 Years

Nick Morrow, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, North Florida Athletics
Loc Tran, Senior Custodial Worker, Physical Facilities

10 Years

Eric Cardenas, Recycle Refuse Worker, Physical Facilities
Jeff Conrad, Head Softball Coach, North Florida Athletics
Elizabeth McCarthy, Professor, School of Nursing
Paul Parkison, Professor, Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Andrea Wylie, Program Specialist Continuing Education, Professional and Lifelong Learning
Diane Yendol-Hoppey, Professor, Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum

5 Years

Sean Halstead, Police Support Associate, University Police Department
Kelly Rupinta, Coordinator IPTM, Institute of Police Technology and Management — Grant Operations
Allie Wade, Social Media Manager, Marketing and Communications
Alec Wicker, ERP Development Manager, ITS — Workday Operations

Welcome

The following employees were either hired by ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ or were promoted from OPS positions recently:

Marquise Anthony, Custodial Worker, Physical Facilities
Tamar Dexheimer, Office Manager, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Alain Edouard, Custodial Worker, Housing and Residence Life
Amanda Futch, Senior Accounts Payable / Receivable Representative, Housing and Residence Life — Budgets
Mykia Govia, Academic Advisor, Coggin College of Business
Johnathan Holmes, Procurement Specialist, Computing Engineering and Construction — Operations
Julia Hudson, Academic Advisor, Silverfield College of Education and Human Services
Morgan Jeremy, Administrative Assistant, Coggin College of Business — Operations and Finance
Kailan Jones, Head Cheerleading Coach, North Florida Athletics
Tracey Kyles, Visiting Instructor, School of Communication
Alejandra Martinez, One-Stop Advisor, One-Stop Student Services
Lindsey McKnight, Head Women's Swimming Coach, North Florida Athletics
Adrian Menendez, Head Preparator, MOCA Jacksonville
Julie Nystrom, Student Financial Aid Budget Analyst, Office of Student Financial Aid
Sydney O'Hara, Assistant Softball Coach, North Florida Athletics
Christian Schultz, Assistant Director of Photography, North Florida Athletics
Chau Tran, Business/Financial Coordinator, Coggin College of Business — Operations and Finance
Katelyn Whitty, Fundraising Campaign Director, University Development and Alumni Engagement
Amanda Williams, Custodial Worker, Physical Facilities

Great Job

The following employees were recently promoted:
Cesar Castellon, Associate Director of Information Security, ITS — Information Security
Kathleen Leone, Senior Director Principal Gifts, University Development and Alumni Engagement
Tung Nguyen, Custodial Supervisor, Physical Facilities
Will Pewitt, Dean - Faculty Executive, Hicks Honors College
Victoria Pontieri, Academic Advisor, Academic Advising
Joel Turner, Assistant Director Training Programs, Counseling Center
Michael Walt, Assistant Director Engineering and Operations, Materials Science and Engineering Research Facility (MSERF)
Brooke Wooten, Admissions Specialist, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Online - Distance Learning

Swoop Summary

Upcoming 2026 Schedules

Several North Florida Athletics programs release their 2026 schedules including ,  and .

North Florida Athletics Names Lindsey McKnight Head Swimming Coach

³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow recently named Lindsey McKnight as the third Head Coach in North Florida Swimming program history. Learn more .

Softball Announces Addition of Assistant Coaches Sydney O'Hara and Josie Foreman

North Florida Softball's Head Coach Jeff Conrad announced the additions of assistant coach Sydney O'Hara and Josie Foreman.

O'Hara comes to North Florida after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant coach at Syracuse. While at Syracuse, she worked primarily with pitchers but also assisted in all aspects of the program. Learn more .

Foreman joins North Florida after a standout five-year playing career at the University of South Florida from 2021 to 2025. Following her playing career, she served as a graduate assistant for the Bulls during the 2026 season. Learn more .