School of Social Work names interim director | |
Chris Simmons, PhD, LCSW, has agreed to serve in the position of interim director of the School of Social Work and will begin in this role on Aug. 12. Simmons is an associate professor of instruction in the School of Social Work and served as associate director since 2021. As School of Social Work interim director, Simmons succeeds Riaan van Zyl, PhD, who is retiring after leading the School of Social Work as director since August 2017.
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Scholarship will honor aging studies Emeritus professor | |
Victor Molinari, PhD, ABPP, has made countless significant contributions to the School of Aging Studies and the field of geropsychology during his decades-long career at USF. Now, he and his wife, Cindy Mason, are cementing his legacy by establishing a scholarship in his name. Their gift, which includes $150,000 to fund an endowment, will provide scholarships to undergraduates pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health care administration.
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Criminology faculty lead study abroad trip in the Netherlands
USF students had an unforgettable experience in the Netherlands with Department of Criminology Professor Joan Reid, PhD, LMHC, and Assistant Instructor Amber Oderinde, MS. During their 10-day study abroad trip, they explored Dutch perspectives and responses to social issues. Students visited The Hague and Amsterdam, visiting with local practitioners and hearing from Dutch scholars in the fields of human trafficking and restorative justice. Read more.
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CBCS programs expand on Sarasota-Manatee campus
Two programs in CBCS will be offered on the Sarasota-Manatee campus starting this fall: the behavioral healthcare major and the master’s in criminal justice program with a concentration in criminal justice administration. Jessica Grosholz, PhD, an associate professor of criminology on the Sarasota-Manatee campus, says she plans to introduce two more concentrations in the near future, one with a focus on juvenile delinquency and victimology and a second with a focus on crime prevention. Read more.
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Aging studies PhD student awarded McKnight Dissertation Fellowship
Rio Tate, a PhD candidate in the School of Aging Studies, was recently awarded a prestigious McKnight Dissertation Fellowship. The fellowship seeks to address the underrepresentation of African American and Hispanic faculty at colleges and universities in Florida by increasing the pool of citizens qualified with doctoral degrees to teach at the college and university levels. Read more.
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MHLP visiting research scholar presents in Barcelona
Freeman Gerhardt, PhD, a recent graduate of the PhD in Behavioral and Community Sciences program and current visiting research scholar in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy (MHLP), presented his dissertation at the International Academy of Law and Mental Health conference in Barcelona. His presentation was titled, "Cross-system Strategic Planning: An Exploratory Analysis of Sequential Intercept Mapping." Read more.
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Educational Interpreter Project hosts annual Summer Institute
The Educational Interpreter Project hosted its annual Summer Institute at the University of South Florida. Over seventy participants from across the state of Florida came to hear nine presenters during the four-day intensive. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Associate Instructor Samantha Thomas, MA, NIC, and Hands On USF Coordinator Haley Eyster, NIC, presented and received raving workshop reviews. Read more.
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Aging studies PhD student presents at Alzheimer's Association International Conference
Manninkattil (Sri) Unni, MA, a PhD student in the School of Aging Studies, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). She shared her poster titled, "Unique gut microbiome signatures associated with physical and cognitive function." She was also featured in a video highlight from the AAIC-24 Florida chapter, where she discussed her research interest.
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Aging studies PhD student defends dissertation
Mitch Roberts, PhD, successfully defended his dissertation, “Technology and Aging: Maintaining, Improving and Understanding Health and Wellness.” Roberts' defense chairperson was Autar Kaw, PhD. His co-major advisors were Debra Dobbs, PhD, and Carla VandeWeerd, PhD. His committee members were Gizem Hueluer, PhD, Lindsay Peterson, PhD, and Ali Yalcin, PhD. Roberts will continue to work full-time as a clinical research manager at the UF Health Precision Health Research Center in The Villages.
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Academic advising team welcomes new member
Renee Poteet has joined CBCS as an academic advisor in criminology. Originally from Virginia, Poteet moved to Tampa in 2017 and joined the University of South Florida in 2023. She earned her bachelor's degree from Berea College in Berea, KY, and her master's degree from Saint Leo University. Renee has been in higher education for more than 20 years, including eight years as an academic advisor. This extensive experience has equipped her with the knowledge and skills to guide students effectively. In advising students, Renee strives to establish a welcoming and empowering environment conducive to identifying students' strengths and aspirations, collaboratively developing actionable plans to support their goals, and promoting personal and academic growth and excellence. In her spare time, she enjoys playing video games, watching Twitch and British mysteries, reading, crafting, and bowling.
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What to know about claims that Trump rally shooter used ‘encrypted’ messaging, bank accounts
PolitiFact
"'Encryption is used daily by anyone using a cell phone, computer or the Internet,' said Thomas Hyslip, a professor of instruction in criminology at the University of South Florida who formerly worked in federal law..."
Tips to prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies when caring for older adults
WMNF 88.5 FM–Tampa
"On WMNF’s Tuesday Cafe, we spoke about preparation tips with University of South Florida College of Behavioral and Community Sciences professor Lindsay Peterson. Lindsay is an assistant professor of aging studies whose research is on the impact of hurricanes and other disasters on older adults.."
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A father lost his son to sextortion swindlers. He helped the FBI find the suspects
USA TODAY
"Assistant Professor of Criminology at the University of South Florida Roberta O'Malley told USA TODAY that in her research of 215 men who were sexually extorted, half told her they had thoughts of death or..."
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Upcoming Events & Deadlines | |
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Open House: PhD in Social Work
Aug. 29 | noon
Microsoft Teams
Know someone interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in social work? Invite them to the school's upcoming open house to learn more about the PhD in Social Work program.
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Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) Model Training
Sept. 13 & 27 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Microsoft Teams
The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) Model Training facilitated by Rose Iovannone, PhD, BDBA-D, is an eight-hour training divided into two parts, offered on two different days. The trainings cover the PTR Model, research supporting its efficacy, and the five steps of the PTR process. Organizers recommend that individuals attend the entire training on both days. RSVP by Sept. 9.
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Adding News, Events, and Publications to the CBCS Website and Newsletter
If you have news/events or recent/upcoming publications you would like posted on the CBCS website and/or in the Communique newsletter, send the details and any attachments to CBCS Marketing (CBCSMarketing@usf.edu). Please send all newsletter submissions no later than Thursday for inclusion in the following week's newsletter.
Be sure to include all pertinent information (title, date, times, location, event description, and contact information) in editable digital text format. Articles included in the CBCS Communiqué may be disseminated to USF Media outlets and/or beyond.
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