UF in the Community

Office of Community Relations

UF Government and Community Relations

Monday, February 8, 2021

Across the University of Florida, our 16 colleges, numerous institutes, and health care facilities embrace our shared mission of outreach and service to improve and enrich our community, nation, and the world. UF in the Community spotlights the impact of UF in our region.

Although UF has students and employees throughout the state, North Central Florida is home to much of our faculty and staff and to our 50,000+ students. Like all area residents, we want a vibrant, safe, healthy, and equitable place in which to live and thrive. Here are some of the ways in which we are enhancing our shared community.

UF offers powerful new NVIDIA supercomputer to students and researchers across State University System

University of Florida’s new supercomputer -- the fastest artificial intelligence supercomputer in higher education -- will soon be available for students and faculty across the State University System.

The HiPerGator AI computer will give faculty and students from across the State unparalleled computing power in artificial intelligence (AI) to apply across many areas to improve lives, bolster industry, and create economic growth across the state.

Further, the power of HiPerGator AI will give researchers the tools to solve applied problems that were previously out of reach. Potential applications include enabling teachers to identify academically at-risk students even if they are learning remotely, bending the medical cost curve to a sustainable level, and identifying solutions to the problems facing Florida’s coastal communities and freshwater supply.

UF Health pilot program to deliver COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy to rural communities

A University of Florida Health pilot program will bring a new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy to rural communities in North Florida during the coming weeks.

As part of the White House’s Operation Warp Speed initiative, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services selected UF Health and the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute to coordinate the distribution and administration of 1,000 doses of bamlanivimab, a monoclonal antibody therapy, to eligible residents in rural North Florida communities.

UF employees give more than $985,000 to local nonprofit agencies through the 2020 UF Campaign for Charities

Every year, UF employees give to approximately 100 local charities through the UF Campaign for Charities. The 2020 UFCC total exceeded $985,000. These funds help the elderly, feed the hungry, protect abused children, shelter animals, protect the environment, pay for disease research, and more. Learn more about the UF Campaign for Charities below.

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Stay Aware of UF legislative efforts: Join Gator Advocates

With the new structure and changes to this year’s Legislative Session, social media is going to play a larger part in advocacy efforts. Our team at UF Government & Community Relations is working hard to grow our social media voice and would appreciate your following and support.

At this time, we can be found on Twitter @GatorAdvocates, on Facebook at @GatorAdvocates, and we have recently established a LinkedIn group. You may also want to formally join us as a “Gator Advocate” here to begin receiving regular legislative and Gator Day updates.

Lastly, if you are a Gator improving the future of Florida as a city, county, state, federal employee, or influencer of the Process, let us know. We’re updating our Gators in Government contact list.

Join Gator Advocates

Join us (virtually) at the November UF Eye Opener Discovery Breakfast

featuring

Dr. Christine Angelini

Assistant Professor,

Environmental Engineering Sciences

Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

UF Center for Coastal Solutions:

A Roadmap for Impact

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

8:00 am ET

Registration

UF College of Dentistry: Partnering to Improve Oral Health for the Special Needs Population

Providing oral health care for those in the state’s underserved communities is a passion for faculty, staff, residents and students at UFCD, and volunteering to provide dental care through local and statewide clinics, and in locations throughout the world on educational service trips, is an opportunity many are eager to participate in.

Creating partnerships between UFCD’s statewide dental centers and organizations with like-minded service initiatives plays a key role in serving those who need oral health attention most.

(In Gainesville, these services are offered for adults with special needs at Tacachale Dental Clinic and for children at the UF College of Dentistry Department of Pediatric Dentistry.)

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Florida/Georgia Virtual Race

Join Gator Nation in the first-ever fitness challenge against the Georgia Bulldogs from April 1 – 22. Fans will compete in the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and 1-mile Kids Fun Run. Registration is now open for $45 for one race, $50 for two, or $60 for the full race bundle and will be available until the last day of the race on April 22. All registrants will receive an amazing registration packet which includes a Florida or Georgia-branded long sleeve dry fit shirt, the official race medal, and a car decal to brag to all your friends about your fitness accomplishments!

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UF IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program offers online programming

The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors. The FMNP teaches those who teach others about Florida's unique ecosystems and wildlife. FMNP Instructors teach participants about Florida's environment using science-based information and interpretive techniques that prepare participants to share their knowledge with others.

Find more information and course listings below:

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UF IFAS Family, Youth and Community Sciences prepares you for Valentine’s Day. Smart Couples: Strengthening Marriage and Relationship Training

Explore and apply some of the best of what we know from the last 30-years of research to help you strengthen your relationships, and you’ll have a great time doing it!

What Is SMART Couples? SMART Couples is a five-year (2015-2020), five million dollar federal grant project under the direction of Dr. Victor Harris in the University of Florida’s Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. The project’s goal is to strengthen marriages, relationships, and families among Florida residents across ethnicities and income levels.