March 24-30, 2025

CBCS faculty and students honored at ACJS conference

The College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) was well represented at the 2025 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) conference, with several students and faculty receiving notable recognitions. CBCS faculty member Fawn Ngo, PhD, was named the recipient of the 2025 ACJS Mentor Award, a distinguished honor recognizing her dedication to mentoring students in the field of criminal justice sciences. Doctoral student Klejdis Bilali was honored with the ACJS Victimology Section Outstanding Graduate Student Award for her contributions to research in the field of victimology. Additionally, fellow PhD student Emily Walker was selected to participate in the ACJS 2025 Doctoral Summit and received a mini-grant to travel and present her work. Read more.

To help battle human trafficking, DCF awards $900,000 grant to state law agencies

WUSF and WFSU

"'When we consider the detrimental psychological impacts and severe health consequences of repeated exploitation in human trafficking,' Reid said, 'it becomes so clear how important preventing that initial entrapment and early intervention is in order to stop this repeated exploitation. It can literally make the difference between life and death.'"

5 years later, long-term care facilities continue to guard against COVID

Bay News 9

"Dr. Debra Dobbs, interim director of the University of South Florida’s School of Aging Studies, said that staffing and protective gear shortages were among the challenges facilities faced. Dobbs said many COVID-era precautions are still in place, with several still struggling to attract workers."

Cellphones make tempting targets for thieves who earn big bucks off the parts

South Florida Sun Sentinel

'"If vendors can get the screens cheaply from stolen phones, they’ll take them apart and sell the parts. If you’re a third-party vendor that fixes phones, if you can get the screen for example, you get a great discount, you can then make a larger profit, and fix the phones,' said Thomas Hyslip, assistant professor of instruction at the University of South Florida’s cybercrime program."

'Heinous crime': DCF joins human trafficking fight

Florida Politics

""The screening items included in the Community Human Trafficking Identification Guide describe the most common of trafficking conditions and experiences to enable a community of bystanders to identify victims more efficiently,' said Dr. Joan Reed, Director of the USF Human Trafficking Risk to Resilience Research Lab."

Mastering cybercrime: How USF helped a federal agent sharpen his investigative skills

USF News

"As cybercriminals develop more sophisticated tactics, investigators like Gary Rudd must stay ahead of the latest digital threats. With nearly two decades of experience as a special agent in the U.S. Department of Defense, Rudd has spent his career tracking down cybercriminals and protecting digital assets."

New questions raised after 90-year-old wandered from Ocoee assisted living facility

WFTV

"'It’s not supposed to happen. And when it does happen, it becomes a matter for the regulators to come in and investigate. Often they will. They will be fined,' said Lindsay Peterson with the University of South Florida’s School of Aging Studies."

Chenneville, T., Bilali, K., Wasilewski, S. and Reid, J. (2025), Similarities and Differences in Trauma Bonding Among Young Adults in the U.S. and Kenya: Implications for Forensic Assessment. Behavioral Sciences & the Law. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2723

Hernandez, R., Chen, J., Kwon, S., Martinez, L., Martinez, A., Alemany, G. M., ... & Moskowitz, J. T. (2025). Impacts of a Church-Based Positive Psychological Intervention in Spanish-Speaking Hispanics/Latinos with Uncontrolled Hypertension: Results from the¡ Alegrate! Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Happiness Studies, 26(3), 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00854-4

van Zyl, M. A. (2025). A Philosophical Liberal Critique of the Postmodern Definition of Social Justice in Social Work Education Competency Standards. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 45(2), 348–361. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841233.2025.2469547

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.

Building Community in a Post-COVID Era for Older Adults and Their Families

March 27 | 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Registration required

Embassy Suites (3705 Spectrum Blvd)

Attend this one-day conference to understand the problems facing older adults and their caregivers across the care continuum from health and aging service professionals and learn about services and resources to address issues related to loneliness, social isolation, grief, and bereavement.

Nominations open for CBCS Student Employee of the Year

Nomination deadline: March 28

This award recognizes one Federal Work Study student/student assistant (9190) and one graduate assistant for their achievement in reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, and uniqueness of the student’s overall contribution to the department. Nominations should be submitted using this form.

Duvall Conference: “Collaborating to Tackle Local Substance Misuse: Creating Connections and Building a Community Academic Partnership”

April 2 | 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Registration required

USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Student Center Ballroom

This interdisciplinary event, presented by the Duvall Initiative and the USF School of Social Work, welcomes Sarasota-Manatee community members and professionals, as well as USF faculty, staff, and students. Prepare for a day of inspiring discussions, learning, and networking that will spark action and collaboration.

CBCS Faculty & Staff Assembly

April 18 | 9:30-11 a.m.

MHC Atrium Lobby

All CBCS faculty and staff are encouraged to attend in person. The event will also be available on Teams.

Risk to Resilience: Innovations in Human Trafficking Research and Response

April 25 | 9 a.m. - noon and 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

USF St. Petersburg Campus | SLC 2100

Register or reserve an information table.

This symposium and workshop will bring together subject matter experts to discuss innovations in human trafficking research and response. The event will include individual speakers, a panel discussion on collaborative approaches to combat human trafficking, and community partner information tables. For more information, contact Melissa Carlson at mbarongi@usf.edu.

Fiesta by the Bay for Autism

April 26 | Doors open at 6 p.m.

USF Alumni Center | Registration and sponsorships

The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD-USF) will host its annual fundraiser Fiesta by the Bay for Autism on Saturday, April 26 at the USF Alumni Center. This family-friendly event provides an evening full of fun, entertainment, food, and a silent auction. Funds raised from the event support CARD-USF's Autism Services Fund. Facebook event page: 2025 Fiesta by the Bay for Autism Fundraiser