Students please check your emails to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement. Students will have the opportunity to win one of fifteen prizes, including a $100 gift card!

Click here for full photo

Dr. Gari Tookes, a Miami, Florida native, completed his Bachelor and Masters of Social Work degree at Florida State University. He is also a Florida A & M University alumni, as he completed his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, Administration and Counseling. Dr. Tookes started his career in academia August 2018 as an Assistant Professor in FAMU’s Department of Social Work. He serves on the FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Steering Committee, University Graduate Council, University Research Committee; chairs the MSW Admissions Committee and MSW Curriculum Committee, co-advisor of the FAMU’s Gospel Choir, Board Member of Big Bend Cares, Inc. and Carepoint, and the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association Economic Impact and Resident Empowerment Committee. 

In 2019, he was elected to serve as Chair of FAMU’s Department of Social Work, but was promoted to Director of the Masters of Social Work program. He is a recipient of the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative grant, has several publications in the area of education, has presented at a number of social work related conferences and continues to work toward the prize of a high calling. 

Dr. Tookes served in many juvenile and criminal service capacities in the Big Bend region. He has an extensive background in behavioral health, is a licensed clinical social worker, a master’s certified addiction professional and has worked with the 2nd judicial court system, community-based providers, and state agencies to increase service capacity in rural counties in efforts to reduce recidivism.

Dr. Tookes also lead four of FAMU's MSW graduate students to program design a nd write the grant  for Gadsden County Criminal Justice Diversion Project . Recently, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the $1.2 million dollar grant which will be a great opportunity to set the tone for systems collaboration to address a state and nation wide epidemic in behavioral health. 

**************************

Congratulations to Dr. Tookes and the MSW graduate students for making this grant possible and for their noteworthy service to our community. Please read more about the Big Bend region grant here.

Our College of Education, Living Learning Community will be exposed to history, scholarship and service during our upcoming trip to Washington, DC. Dr. Ameenah Shakir and the LLC Scholars will travel April 7th-10th. During the scholarly excursion they will meet Howard University School of Education Scholars, tour the National African American History Museum, visit Prince George's County Schools and perform a service-learning project.

The 2020 Florida Historic event is currently looking for staff and graduate students to judge student competitors (grades 6-12) to represent Florida at the National History Day Competition. Judges can volunteer on either May 3rd or May 4th at Tallahassee Community College.

Event and registration info here

More about National History Day here

The Bulletin is accepting papers for their biannual, peer reviewed journal. All scholars who study issues concerning the black Diaspora and related events are encouraged to participate. The topic for 2020 is "We Want Black Studies ": Celebrating 50 years of African American Studies at FAMU. Please click the link to read the complete flyer from the Meek-Eaton Research Center.

The Bulletin: Journal of Social and Political Justice

 The Affordability Counts Day Online Conference that will be held on Wednesday, March 25 ^th . The conference will address measure to reduce textbook costs and make textbooks more affordable. The BOG is recommending alternative ways to lower textbook cost that should not exceed $20/credit hour. 

Visit this link to learn more.