Sept. 22-28, 2025

Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Sciences program designated as Center of Excellence

The Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Sciences program is celebrating a landmark year, most recently earning national recognition for excellence in the field. This summer, the program was named a Center of Excellence by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, a designation awarded to only five university programs nationwide. Read more.

Applied Behavior Analysis master’s program earns national award for enduring contributions to the field

The Master of Science program in Applied Behavior Analysis, led by Raymond Miltenberger, PhD, BCBA-D, has been named the recipient of the Enduring Programmatic Contributions in Behavior Analysis Award, presented by the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis. Read more.

Welcome, Leury Peña

Leury Peña, PhD, LMFT, has joined the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce as a visiting clinical instructor in the CBCS Department of Child and Family Studies. Peña brings extensive experience in bilingual psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and family-focused care across clinical, hospital, and university settings. Her expertise arrives at a critical time, as Florida faces a shortage of marriage and family therapists, and will support FCBHW’s efforts to expand pathways into family therapy, mentor students, and advance evidence-based practices that strengthen Florida’s families.

Charlie Kirk shooting: Authorities still searching for motive

LiveNOW from FOX

"One thing that we are always concerned about is what the triggers are that would send somebody to want to commit an atrocity like this, because if we know these, we can look out for these red flags and ideally prevent an occurrence like this from happening," said Bryanna Fox, PhD, professor in the Department of Criminology.

On way to catching Charlie Kirk shooter suspect Tyler Robinson, a rare forensic crime tip was left behind

CNBC

"Bryanna Fox, a former FBI special agent and professor of criminology at the University of South Florida, says advances in crime technology have been notable over the past two decades, and some criminals may not be aware of the level of forensics available to law enforcement. 'He may have thought, 'Oh, I can leave my forearm prints and it won’t amount to anything,' Fox said.'"

O’Malley, R. L., Grosholz, J., & Ozuni, A. (2025). What predicts law enforcement reporting among male sextortion victims? Criminal Justice and Behavior, 00938548251372902 https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548251372902

Wagers, S. M., Grosholz, J. M., Khan, S., Pate Carter, K., & McCullough, M. (2025). Enhancing human trafficking victim services: A technology-driven, participatory action research approach. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 17488958251376621.

https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958251376621

Mental Health & Wellness in the Workplace Course

Learn to attract and retain talent by creating a workplace culture that fosters wellness and allows for the free expression of issues related to employee mental health, behavioral health, and addiction. Start the course today.

Suit-A-Bull Clothing Drive

Sept. 3-Oct. 3 | CBCS drop off locations: MHC atrium, Dean's Office, and PCD 1^st floor lobby

Donate gently-used professional clothing such as suits, pants, blazers, dress shirts, blouses, ties, belts, and shoes to help restock this free resource for USF students.

Student Health: Strategies to Thrive, Not Just Survive

Sept. 23 | 6-7 p.m.| Register here

This online event is presented by the USF School of Social Work CALM Speaker Series and features Dane Minnick, PhD. All are welcome!

Topics will cover: monitoring your health to recognize early signs of stress or unhealthy patterns; evidence-based strategies to reduce or avoid risky or problematic substance use; understanding how drugs and alcohol affect your brain, body, and long-term health; and practical habits and resources.

School of Aging Studies Distinguished Lecture

Technology to Enhance Quality of Life for an Aging Society

Sept. 26 | 10:30 a.m. | MHC Atrium

Heads up! The correct date for the School of Aging Studies Distinguished Lecture is Friday, Sept. 26. We're sorry for the mix-up in a previous Communique.

Speaker: Wendy A. Rogers, PhD

Shahid and Ann Carlson Khan Professor of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Director, McKechnie Family LIFE Home, Human Factors and Aging Laboratory. For more information, email Jim Scull at jscull@usf.edu.

Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Model Training

Part 1: Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. via Microsoft Teams

Part 2: Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. via Microsoft Teams

RSVP by Sept. 22.

The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) Model Training, facilitated by Rose Iovannone, PhD, is an 8-hour training divided into two parts, offered on two different days. It is recommended that participants attend the training on both days.

2025 Human Trafficking Summit

Sept. 30 | 9 a.m. | Free online event | Register here

USF criminology professors Joan Reid, PhD, and Shelly Wagers, PhD, will present “Leveraging Data-Driven Solutions in Human Trafficking." Their session highlights how Florida can use data to better understand risks, strengthen prevention, and support victims.

Info sessions: ITRE Scholar Program - Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health

Oct. 3 | 12-1 p.m.

Ten graduate students will receive 15 credits of paid tuition, fees, books, the opportunity for presentation at a professional conference, coaching to write their own manuscript for publication, the skills to conduct implementation science and translational research, and will engage with a community agency, leaving them with a catered adolescent behavioral health evidence-based intervention. Applications are due Oct. 15 for the Spring program.

Mind the Gaps: Addressing Gaps in Florida’s Behavioral Health System (hosted by Florida Advocates for Behavioral Health)

Oct. 9 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Online event | Register here

Panelists Kathleen Moore, PhD, executive director of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, and Courtney Whitt, PhD, executive director of the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce, will review and discuss the 2025 Florida DCF commissioned study, "Behavioral Health Gap Analysis." Read the report and register here.

Annual Open Enrollment and Benefits Fair & Wellness Expo

Oct. 13 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Marshall Student Center Ballroom

Attend the Benefits Fair & Wellness Expo to learn more about important plan updates and the many benefits available to USF employees. Vendors will be present with information about their products and services. This year, the Tampa campus will host a single benefits fair for all USF campuses. Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 13 to Oct. 31. Prepare by visiting usf.edu/OE.