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Humble beginnings, lasting impact: CBCS celebrates decades of advancing behavioral and community sciences
Ask the earliest students of programs that are now part of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS), and they’ll likely tell you the same story: the first programs were born from humble — and sometimes gritty — beginnings. As USF celebrates its 70th anniversary, we look back at the foundation of CBCS and some of the programs that helped shape it. Read more.
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USF researchers partner with Sarasota Police Department to pilot AI-driven crime forecasting
Researchers from the Department of Criminology and the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing have launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven crime forecasting tool with the Sarasota Police Department. Read more.
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Tampa Convention Center expands accessibility through partnership with USF’s Center for Autism
The Tampa Convention Center is expanding its accessibility efforts through training and resources provided by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD-USF). The partnership is an extension of the City of Tampa’s ongoing collaboration with CARD-USF through the Autism Friendly Tampa Initiative. Read more.
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Finding the path forward: Inside FCBHW’s NextGen Mentoring Program
The Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (FCBHW) has launched the pilot cohort of the NextGen Mentoring Program at USF to support students preparing for behavioral health graduate programs. Learn how mentoring and targeted financial support are helping students navigate education and career decision-making while charting a path toward behavioral health careers. Read more.
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Spreading love: Valentine’s Day cards for older adults
Members of the USF Student Association for Aging Studies and USF's chapters of the Gerontological Society of America and Sigma Phi Omega Upsilon created Valentine’s Day cards for socially isolated older adults in the community. Read more.
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Ivan Jarama signs national anthem at NHL game
Ivan Jarama, MS, an assistant instructor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, signed the national anthem in American Sign Language ahead of a National Hockey League (NHL) game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins on Feb. 1. Read more.
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Call for Papers
The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, in partnership with the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce, invites submissions for a special issue focused on Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce: Research, Innovation and Policy. Deadline for submissions is July 1, 2026. Learn more.
| | Peng, S., Perry, B. L., & Roth, A. R. (2026). Comparing Ecological Momentary Assessments and Time Diary Methods for Measuring Daily Life. Sociological Methodology. https://doi.org/10.1177/00811750261419100 | | | |
USF experiences continue to shape alumna’s approach to hearing health care
USF News
"For Madison Dowdy, who earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from USF’s College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, the chance to immerse herself in research and clinical outreach played a defining role in her education."
Arizona Police Set to Give Update at Any Moment
NBC News Daily
"For more on this investigation, let's bring in Bryanna Fox. She's a former FBI special agent and currently a professor at the University of South Florida's criminology department."
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Support Alzheimer's Awareness bill (Voice of the People)
The Ledger
"'I urge Sen. Ben Albritton to help Floridians take action on their health and support Senate Bill 578,' wrote Nik Lampe, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice."
Only at USF: Become a special education teacher or behavior analyst—and get $27K
USF College of Education
"Through a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the USF College of Education and the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, USF has launched Project Interdisciplinary Training of Special Educators and Behavior Analysts (iSEBA)."
| | Upcoming Events & Deadlines | | |
Center on PBIS Virtual Forum
Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Register here
Hosted by Heather George, PhD, sessions are organized into blocks of single-topic breakout sessions and topic-specific strands and will provide guidance and tools for strengthening prevention-based systems that support the social, emotional and behavioral needs of students to ensure engagement in learning. Opportunities for dialogue and sharing with other implementers will be provided.
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USF Basketball Nights
Women's: Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Men’s: Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. vs. Memphis Tigers
Join the College of Behavioral & Community Sciences for a special discounted ticket offer! Get your tickets here.
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Proposals open for CBCS Internal Award
Deadline: Monday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m.
The purpose of this initiative is to provide support for CBCS faculty research that will strengthen an application for a federal grant. Learn more and apply here.
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NAADAC Webinar: Process Addictions: Maladaptive Coping Across the Ages
Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 12 - 1:30 p.m. | Register
Presented by Cary Hopkins Hall, MA, CAP. The number of people experiencing process addictions such as gambling, gaming, and social media has been growing for years. The criteria, symptoms and even neurobiology of these disorders are incredibly similar to those of substance use disorders. In this webinar, we will discuss those stark comparisons and the concern that, from young children to the elderly, the population who are addicted is diverse and vast.
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School of Aging Studies Distinguished Alumni Lecture
Friday, Feb, 27 | 10:30 a.m. | CBCS Atrium
Melissa Castora-Binkley, PhD, MA, PMPS, senior director, Research Pharmacy Quality Alliance, will present a colloquium titled “Medicare Part D Medication Therapy Management (MTM): Program & Evidence Overview.”
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This Is My Brave: College Edition at USF
Friday, Feb. 27 | 7 p.m. | Reserve your free tickets
This is My Brave: College Edition at USF will be live on stage, featuring USF students sharing stories about their lived experience with mental illness and/or substance use disorder. Join us in our movement to eliminate stigma and increase hope for college students.
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Nomination deadline: March 6
The CBCS Faculty Council is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Dean’s Awards. Nominations are due to Heather Zerger, PhD, BCBA-D, at hzerger@usf.edu by Friday, March 6, 2026. Learn more here.
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National Training Institute 2026
Pre-Conference: April 6-7 and Conference: April 7-10 | Register here
The National Training Institute on Effective Practices provides early childhood education systems leaders and professionals with an in-depth, intensive learning experience on the implementation of the Pyramid Model framework for addressing the social and emotional development and challenging behavior of young children.
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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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