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Dec. 16-22, 2024

MHLP professor leads COVID Conversations event

Amber Gum and Panelists

Amber Gum, PhD, a professor in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy (MHLP), organized the recent COVID Conversations event. This event brought together a diverse group of experts to engage in constructive dialogue on COVID-19's origins, public policy, science, mitigation, politics, and public communications. Gum welcomed event participants and moderated the panel on policy decisions and implications. Read more.

Restrepo and Soares at ASHA

CSD faculty and students participate in ASHA Convention


Faculty and students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) received awards and presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention in Seattle. Assistant Instructor Marian Lowther, MS, was recognized as the 2024 ASHA-PAC State Honoree for Excellence in Advocacy, and doctoral student Anna Soares and Department Chair Laida Restrepo, PhD, were awarded the Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award. Doctoral student Ansley Davis was also recently selected to participate in ASHA's Minority Student Leadership Program. Read more.

BSW Pinning Fall 24

BSW program graduates honored at pinning ceremony


Graduating students of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program were welcomed into the profession Thursday at the program's pinning ceremony. Additionally, students receiving child welfare certification were recognized and members of Phi Alpha National Honor Society for Social Work Students and the Social Work Society were honored. Students from the online program based in Sarasota-Manatee and the in-person cohort on the Tampa campus celebrated together, filling the room in the Marshall Student Center. Photos from the event can be found here.

Zenn presents a grad a pin

BHC students and faculty celebrated at pinning ceremony


Behavioral healthcare (BHC) graduates received their pins Thursday afternoon as they were celebrated by their peers, family members, and department faculty. During the event, Paul Stiles, JD, PhD, was presented the Behavioral Healthcare Champion award in recognition of his dedication and vital contributions to the behavioral healthcare program. Read more.

LAUNCH Academy student presenting

LAUNCH hosts a night of discovery to close out fall semester


The LAUNCH program held its annual Night of Discovery, welcoming families, mentors, donors, and staff to attend a reception followed by the students' end-of-semester presentations. Each LAUNCH Academy student presented what they have learned about themselves during the semester and discussed their goals and potential career paths. Read more.

Child writes on worksheet

USF researchers address literacy needs in Liberia


Ruby Joseph, MPA, an associate in research in the Department of Child and Family Studies, and her team recently published the results of their work addressing the literacy needs of some of the poorest families in Monrovia, Liberia. As part of the Family Literacy Initiative/Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, Joseph and her team offer preschool educational services and an adult literacy program. Read more.

CBCS in the News

USF's Online Master of Social Work program builds confidence through immersive home visit simulation

USF Innovative Education News

"Through Associate in Research Christopher Groeber’s reimagined Child Maltreatment course, students gain the practical skills to successfully navigate these complex scenarios."


USF Sarasota-Manatee ‘trailblazers’ share their research

Momentum Magazine

"Before graduating from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences with her doctorate in audiology, Madison Dowdy spent 14 days providing audiologic outreach services in Malawi with USF alumna Jenna Vallario, a professor and audiologist..."


Spotlight on new faculty members at USF Sarasota-Manatee

Momentum Magazine

"Laura Curran, a distinguished scholar and advocate in the field of mental health law and policy, joined the faculty this fall as an assistant professor after completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at Tulane University School of Social Work."


USF Sarasota-Manatee making its mark in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity

Momentum Magazine

"USF Sarasota-Manatee will play a major role in the new college, with several members of the campus’s faculty from the Muma College of Business and the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences already conducting research in AI, cybersecurity and other computing-related fields."


HIV diagnoses among Black women in Pinellas County more than tripled since 2021

WMNF-FM

"Stephanie Marhefka-Day is a professor at the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida, and has been working with HIV care since 1999. She says there are many factors for the increase."

NYPD: Suspect Arrested with Fake ID, Gun

CNN

"Also here tonight is Dr. Bryanna Fox, professor of criminology at the University of South Florida and former FBI special agent."


Prosecutors: Suspect had gun, silencer when caught  

CNN

"Joining us now is Bryanna Fox, a former FBI special agent. She is a criminology professor at the University of South Florida."


Why finding the suspected CEO killer is harder than you might think

CNN

"'The evidence suggests the gunman viewed himself as a Batman-type figure that was seeking justice on behalf of people that he thinks he’s representing,' said Bryanna Fox, a professor of criminology at the University of South Florida."


NYPD: Fingerprints, Shell Casings Tie Suspect to Shooting  

CNN

"Joining us now, former FBI special agent and University of South Florida professor of criminology Dr. Bryanna Fox."


Social support can help LGBTQ+ older adults from memory loss, study finds  

McKnights Senior Living

"'If we create better programs, better outreach efforts to tackle and affirm fully LGBTQ+ older adults, and to work with families, friends, coworkers and neighbors to help support this community, we can reduce cognitive health disparities,' Nik Lampe, PhD, an assistant professor with the University South Florida and lead..."

Publications

Akré, E. L., Barbee, H., & Lampe, N. M. (2024). Structural barriers to accessing gender-affirming care for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals in the United States. International Journal of Transgender Health. 1-11. doi:10.1080/26895269.2024.2431826


Capehart Weah, Y., Manswell Butty, J. L., Joseph, R., Mertz, R. E., & Rosen, D. (2024). Addressing unmet family literacy needs in Monrovia, Liberia. COABE Journal, 13(2), 28–40.

Rallapalli, V., Freyman, R., & Souza, P. (2024). Relationship Between Working Memory, Compression, and Beamformers in Ideal Conditions. Ear and Hearing, 10-1097.

doi:10.1097/AUD.0000000000001605

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

MHWW Course Cover Photo

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's mental health, behavioral health, and addiction. Start the course today.


PACT Study

Volunteers age 65+ needed for study on preventing Alzheimer's disease


The Preventing Alzheimer's with Cognitive Training (PACT) team is recruiting volunteers to participate in their research study to see if computerized training exercises reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Interested adults who are 65 years or older, do not have any neurological disorders, have not had a stroke or brain injury, and do not have mild cognitive impairment or dementia, should visit www.PACTstudy.org for more information.

GMH Ed Board Mentorship

Call for Applications: Global Mental Health Mentorship Editorial Board

Application Deadline: Dec. 20


Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health (published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment) is launching a mentorship program offering a year’s mentorship entry onto the journal’s editorial board.


Interested applicants are asked to send their CV along with a cover letter that includes your responses to the provided questions to globalmentalhealth@cambridge.org.

Free Tickets: USF Basketball

Dec. 21 | 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Yuengling Center


All CBCS faculty and staff are eligible to redeem two free tickets (one for themselves and one for a guest) to the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader versus Duke and Texas A&M Commerce.


Use this link to claim your tickets.

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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