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In This Issue
Dean's Note
An Extraordinary Graduation
New Computer Science Program
Students Present Research in Education
Mid-South Sociological Association
Annual Conference
CSSME Students Inducted into Honor Societies
Criminology Professor Spreads Holiday Joy in Tampa
Upcoming Events
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Dear Friends of CSSME:
I often say that commencement day is the best day of the year. Even in the midst of a pandemic and watching the ceremony on a computer screen, I can still feel the sense of accomplishment and pride among the students and their families. So let me start by providing my heartfelt congratulations to all of the winter 2020 graduates. Of course, I miss being on the platform looking out on all the families and their endless smiles. But we have been dealing with this virus long enough now to understand that flexibility and adaptability are attributes that our graduates will need to demonstrate as they enter the workforce, graduate studies, or whatever path they choose. So to all of our bachelor’s and master’s graduates, please accept my sincerest congratulations.
Looking back on the fall semester, I feel compelled to congratulate all of our students and faculty for their flexibility and perseverance throughout the semester. With some classes being taught remotely, some being taught outdoors, and others being taught in a modified face-to-face format, it seemed like a masterclass on adjustment and resiliency for students and faculty alike. And yet through it all, we successfully completed the semester without a single case of Covid being traced back to the classroom; and more importantly, no students or faculty ending up in the hospital. So, as I often feel during the holiday season, more than anything else, I am feeling remarkably thankful.
In closing, allow me in this season of thankfulness, to ask you to consider a small donation to the college. As I have previously mentioned, these small donations support our students with their participation in a variety of co-curricular activities. Whether it is participation in Moot Court, travel to a conference, or other competitions, we try to ensure that all students have the opportunity. So, if you are so inclined, simply click the donate button to the left. Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated.
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
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Jack M. Geller, Ph.D., Dean |
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An Extraordinary Graduation |
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As is the custom at UT for each year's December commencement, the recipient of the Louise Loy Hunter Award for Outstanding Faculty Member presented the keynote address to our graduates. This year's recipient and speaker was our college's Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Mathematics Leslie Jones. Jones shared her struggles as a graduate trying to find her place in the world and described how if she wrote a book, she would title it It's OK to be Ordinary: Living an Extraordinary Life. Jones encouraged our graduates to make a positive impact in the world through investing time in others, personal growth and practicing small acts of kindness in order to live an extraordinary life.
And let’s not forget psychology major and law, justice and advocacy minor Debra Tuberion who presented the student challenge. Tuberion commended our graduates for their resiliency through the obstacles they encountered this year and called on our graduates to "continue to chase [their] dreams, despite any challenges [they] may face."
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New Computer Science Program |
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The College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education is proud to announce the recruitment of the inaugural class of students for our new computer science program. As the video demonstrates, students will not only learn the core and contemporary topics in computing, but it will do so in a very hands-on way.
The curriculum covers the fundamentals and applied aspects of hardware and software, as well as advanced topics in machine learning and artificial intelligence, data mining and data management, computer networking and security, web programming and development, and human-computer interaction.
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Students Present Research in Education |
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Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction students spent the entire fall 2020 semester conducting qualitative research studies in Part-Time Professor Michelle Frankich's EDU 613 - Research in Education class. On November 19, the students presented their research at the EDU 613 Inquiry Conference. Students shared their research problems, literature reviews, data collection procedures, data analysis, findings and implications. The students also discussed how their research applies to their classroom practices and how to further their research as they seek solutions to problems within the field of education
Research Presentations
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Researcher: Lucy Monette
Presentation: "Using Humane Education to Promote Empathy for Animals"
Researcher: Jack McLoughlin
Presentation: "Digital Literature as a Preparatory Strategy for Digital Assessments"
Researcher: Samantha Fernandez
Presentation: "The Benefits of Implementing a SEL Toolkit in a General Education Classroom"
Researchers: Eve Flett, Tori Liles, Hannah Zavodney
Presentation: "Instructional Learning Management System Implementation: The Effect of Training Modality on Teacher Perceptions of Preparedness and Success"
Researcher: Sara E.L. Miracle
Presentation: "The Accuracy Of Students’ Perceived Impact Of Music On Reading Comprehension And Speed"
Researcher: Sarah Pfeffer
Presentation: "Book Selection and its Impact on Kindergarten Students Interest and Attitude Toward Reading"
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Mid-South Sociological Association
Annual Conference
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The University of Tampa's sociology department had a strong presence at the Mid-South Sociological Association's annual conference that was held virtually on October 14-17, 2020.
Part Time Professor Ruth Chananie participated in the "Interracial Solidarity with Black Activism for Racial Justice" panel and organized the "Social Media, Entertainment Media, and Popular Culture" and "Social Movements, Social Problems, and Politics" sessions.
Associate Professor J. E. Sumerau spoke on the "Southern LGBTQ Experience" panel and co-presented "Domestic Violence & Anticipatory Gaslighting."
Sumerau also co-organized the "Teaching LGBTQ Health" panel, and Sumerau, along with Assistant Professors Brittany Harder and Pina Holway spoke on the panel.
Assistant Professor Katie Cooper co-presented "Urban Reanimation? Examining the Influence of The Walking Dead on a Small Southern City."
Associate Professor/Chair Bruce Friesen organized and presided over the "Meet the Editors" panel discussion. |
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Applied sociology major Tiffany Maziarz presented "'You Throw Like a Girl!': A Theoretical Exploration of Media Representation and Viewership of Women’s Sports." and won second place in the Undergraduate Student Paper Competition.
This paper is part of Maziarz's larger Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) funded research project with Assistant Professor of Sociology Katie Cooper. Maziarz and Cooper are analyzing viewership patterns of women's sports among college students.
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CSSME Students Inducted into Honor Societies |
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Criminology & Criminal Justice |
In Fall 2020, the criminology and criminal justice department welcomed 9 new inductees into Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honor society.
Inductees:
- Santino Manzare
- Kenzie Erickson
- Leanna Spoto
- Allison Brocco
- Anna Samen
- Trinity Clark
- Agatha Olier
- Jacqueline Zogby
- Bernadine Davenport-Smith
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On Saturday, October 24, the education department welcomed 21 new members into the Kappa Delta Pi international honor society in education at a socially distanced ceremony in Reeves Theater.
Inductees:
- Alicia Meacham
- Ashonda Muir
- Brandi Hart
- Caldeira Ripine
- Caterina Valentino
- Dylan Bronkema
- Emily Pregartner
- Emma Voge
- Gabrielle Orthos
- Graceline Galan
- Jessica Greenberg
- Juliette Vick
- Katherine Stewart
- Nicole Delpidio
- Katie Diesing
- Olivia Rightley
- Olivia Hyde
- Rebecca McCormack
- Samantha Furst
- Sierra Keller
- Yuval Bar-Av
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On Friday, December 4, 10 students were inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, an honor society for students of history.
Inductees:
- Gina Dattilo
- Chris Downey
- Ryan Erwin
- Scarlett Garee
- James H. Lane
- Brianna Lovette
- Cameron McKee
- Bridget P. Miller
- Alex Prendes
- Tori A. Walters
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During the Fall 2020 semester, the psychology department welcomed 15 new inductees into Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.
Inductees:
- Surumya Bhargava
- Alyssa Bernabe
- Catherine Bouziane
- Camille Geiger
- Maria Gutierrez Lopez
- Hayley Jewett
- Sydney Kuczura
- Jaclyn McCauley
- Rylie Moore
- Jasmin Perez
- Alexandra Rodriguez
- Catherine Rutstein
- Sophie Thompson
- Joselin Velasquez
- Alyssa Wence
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On November 13, the political science department received 9 new members into the Nu Upsilon chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honors society: Inductees:
- Matthew Beranek
- James Fiorenza
- Juliana Fray
- Julia Ingram
- Joshua Lurie
- Mya McDonald
- Sophia Pisano
- Natalee Stevens
- Chase White
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On November 18, the sociology department had a virtual ceremony for its 12 inductees into Alpha Kappa Delta with guest speaker and UT sociology alumna Britney Galantino, M.D., Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University of Florida, Jacksonville.
Inductees:
- Micah-Simone Durrant
- Lauren George
- Isabel Karabulut
- Erin Kelliher
- Hannah Miller
- Hannah Mitchell
- Kaytlan Rouse
- Valerie Ervin
- Dana Fidler
- Ashley Ruehle
- Jason Pelaggi
- Blossom Madubike
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Criminology Professor Spreads
Holiday Joy in Tampa
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During the most wonderful time of a very unusual year, UT's Part Time Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice Peter "Nick" Nazaretian plays St. Nick to spread holiday joy to local children. Read more and watch the newscast on News Channel 8 by clicking on the link below. |
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Local judge helps Santa spread Christmas cheer
2020 has been the Grinch who's stolen a lot of joy from kids this year. They've missed being with friends, been through isolation lockdown and perhaps even seen their parents struggling to make ends meet, but one of Santa's very best helpers is...
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Providing our students with outstanding out-of-classroom experiences is a hallmark of the College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education. This may include participating in an overseas travel course; being mentored on an undergraduate research project; or traveling with faculty mentors to present research findings at an academic conference. But of course, these important out-of-classroom activities take additional resources. The College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education is committed to assisting all students gain the benefits of these experiences. Help support these experiences for all students. Make a small contribution today. |
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If you have an upcoming event that you would like advertised in the newsletter, please send your event information to Laura Gicker at lgicker@ut.edu.
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January 4 - Classes begin for Winter Intersession
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January 15 - Winter Intersession ends
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January 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, no classes
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January 19 — Spring Semester Begins
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