Joined by university presidents, such as University of North Florida President John Delaney, police chiefs, counseling center directors, students and other stakeholders, the Board of Governors and Florida’s 12 public universities, including UNF, will announce their campaign to support student mental health and security, university research, and initiatives to promote student success.
When: Wednesday, March 29 at 12 p.m.
Where: 4th floor of the Capitol, Senate side
Who (in order of appearance): Board of Governors Chair Tom Kuntz, Senator Gary Farmer, Jr., UWF Student and Veteran Timothy Jones, UF Researcher Glenn Morris, M.D., M.P.H., T.M., FSU First Generation Student Genevieve Bell, Board of Governors Vice Chair Ned Lautenbach
Contact: Brittany Davis Wise, Florida Board of Governors, 850-323-0353
university of north florida
Brotman Lecture Series Speaker Discusses Experiences Crafting Science of ‘Nemo’ and ‘Dory’
Dr. Adam Summers, professor of biology in the School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences at the University of Washington, will discuss “From Finding Nemo to Finding Patents: Adventures in Marine Biomimetics” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, in the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, Building 14A, on the UNF campus. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Summers is also the associate director of the University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories. His work focuses on the biomechanics of fish—he studies the morphology of fish bodies and how their morphology influences how fish move and function.
In addition to his research, Summers was also the science consultant for Pixar Studios’ hit movies “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory.” During his lecture, he will give a presentation about his experiences in helping to craft the science behind both movies.
Summers will also discuss his recent, highly publicized efforts to attempt to scan and digitize the more than 25,000 fish species in the world. As a result of his work, each species will soon have a high-resolution, 3-D visual replica online, available to all and downloadable for free. Scientists, teachers, students and amateur ichthyologists will be able to look at the fine details of a smoothhead sculpin’s skeleton, or 3-D print an exact replica of an Arctic alligatorfish.
He uses a small computerized tomography scanner in his lab to churn out dozens of fish scans from specimens gathered around the world. The machine works like a standard CT scanner used in hospitals—a series of X-ray images is taken from different angles, then combined using computer processing to create 3-D images of the skeleton.
“The goal is to make it possible for scientists to examine the morphology of a particular species or try to understand why a group of fish all have similar physical characteristics, such as bony head armor or the ability to burrow into the sand,” said Summers.
This Distinguished Voices Lecture is sponsored by The Brotman Family Coastal Biology Lecture Series and the UNF Coastal and Marine Biology Flagship Program. All Distinguished Voices lectures are free and open to the public and require an e-ticket, however, seating is limited.
To get an e-ticket, visit http://www.unf.edu/lectures/. For more information, contact Michelle Davis, UNF Coastal and Marine Biology Program, at (904) 620-2830 or at [email protected].
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
UNF Environmental Center Presents ‘Exploring Northeast Florida’s Special Places’ Film Screening
The University of North Florida Environmental Center and the Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute of Florida will present the official debut of “Exploring Northeast Florida’s Special Places.” This free film screening event will take place 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Intuition Ale Works, 929 East Bay St., downtown Jacksonville, with parking available in Lot K on Bay Street.
This documentary series highlights the amenities, history and natural beauty found in the city, state and national parks of Duval County and was produced by Sean Lahav, a project leader in the UNF Environmental Leadership Program.
The event will feature episode screenings accompanied by live music from American folk band the Whetherman, a silent auction, community forum and networking. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance online or at the door. For further information, contact Maria Mark, coordinator of the UNF Environmental Center, at (904) 620-5806.
The Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute of Florida pursues legal means to protect and preserve public lands and waters, as well as supporting the education of political leaders, government officials and citizens. For more information about the Public Trust, contact John November, executive director, at (904) 247-1972.
The UNF Environmental Center fosters programs for students, faculty and staff to pursue environmental activities through academics, research and extracurricular activities. Grooming the next generation of environmental leaders, the Environmental Leadership Program is open to UNF undergraduate students who have a passion for the environment and a desire to lead community projects that address environmental needs/issues.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
John Delaney Announces Retirement from UNF Presidency
University of North Florida President John A. Delaney announced today he will be retiring from his current position at the end of his contract, May 30, 2018. Delaney is the longest serving president in UNF’s history.
“Over the past 14 years, I’ve had the honor of working with a truly remarkable team of people committed to providing the highest quality education to our students and to making our region stronger,” said Delaney. “Every time a student crosses the stage at commencement and I hand them their diploma, I recognize the life-changing impact UNF has made on them and the lives they will touch. The personal pride I have for each and every one of these students runs deep.”
“John’s leadership has propelled UNF beyond all expectations,” said Joy Korman, chair of the UNF Board of Trustees. “His accomplishments are far and wide, ranging from academic enhancements to community outreach. He always puts students first.”
Since being selected president by the UNF Board of Trustees in the summer of 2003, Delaney has made huge improvements to the University’s academic programs and the quality of students who graduate from the school:
- The average high school GPA of incoming freshmen in fall 2003 was 3.6. This past fall, it was 4.17. The average high school SAT score of incoming freshmen in fall 2003 was 1145. This past fall, it was 1208. UNF is now the third most competitive among Florida public universities, attracting some of the brightest students from the state and beyond.
- Diversity in the student body is up 63 percent from 2003.
- The number of doctoral degrees awarded has increased 76 percent.
- There were only 37 accredited programs in 2003. Now there are 54, a 46 percent increase.
- Many of UNF’s signature programs are being nationally recognized including Nursing, International Business, Music, Transportation & Logistics, Coastal Biology and Nutrition & Dietetics.
- In 2009, UNF acquired MOCA, providing new opportunities for UNF students and giving UNF a strong downtown presence.
- Thanks to an increase in scholarships supporting global experiences, UNF students now study abroad at twice the national average.
- Since 2003, overall enrollment has increased 14 percent, to 15,985.
- When he retires from the presidency, Delaney will have awarded 55 percent (52,544) of the 95,459 total UNF degrees granted since the university opened in 1972.
- UNF’s graduation rate is 24 percent higher than the national average.
- UNF has the sixth highest graduation rate among public, urban regional universities in the entire nation.
- UNF tops the schools in the State University System when it comes to graduates being employed in Florida.
- A quarter of UNF alums earn more than $49,400 in their first year.
- The average salary of a UNF alum 10 years after graduation is 23 percent above the national average.
Under Delaney’s leadership, the campus has undergone the biggest expansion in its history:
- The building space on the campus is 168 percent larger than when Delaney first became president. That’s an increase of two million square feet of labs, classrooms and other spaces.
- The campus was 1,121 acres in 2003. Because of campus expansion and the donation of wetlands for research, the campus is now 2,431 acres, a 116 percent increase.
- Since 2003, 13 new or renovated buildings have received the prestigious LEED certification for green construction, including the Social Sciences Building, Osprey Fountains, Tom and Betty Petway Hall, the Biological Sciences Building, the Student Union and the Student Wellness Complex.
- Newly constructed buildings have won prestigious awards. The Biological Sciences Building is ranked No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 9 in the world for most impressive environmentally friendly university building.
- Since 2003, the University has acquired five major buildings from private companies, including those now known as Alumni Hall and Ann and David Hicks Hall.
- Since 2003, Delaney has secured $187 million in construction funding from the state.
Since 2003, President Delaney has also dramatically increased UNF’s regional and national recognition:
- In 2003, UNF had one national ranking. UNF now has 11 national rankings.
- Organizations such as U.S. News and World Report, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and Princeton Review have cited UNF every year for nearly a decade for providing a quality education at an affordable price.
- UNF received the prestigious Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation. The classification is given to institutions committed to providing leadership, resources and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement, as well as programs promoting civic engagement.
- An estimated 18 million viewers tuned in to watch UNF play host to the 2012 CNN Presidential Debate. In addition to the debate itself, the publicity before and after boosted UNF’s profile across the nation.
Delaney is UNF’s chief fundraiser:
- Nearly $250 million has been raised since 2003.
- The endowment has grown to $100 million, two and a half times what it was in 2003.
- Delaney secured 28 leadership gifts and commitments of $1 million or more, including significant donations from George Hodges, Brooks Rehabilitation and David and Ann Hicks, a UNF alumnae. These fundraising successes led to the naming of the Brooks College of Health and the creation of UNF’s sixth college, the Hicks Honors College.
- Delaney led the most successful capital campaign in Northeast Florida, the Power of Transformationcampaign, which exceeded its goal, raising more than $130 million for the University. The campaign was publicly launched in 2009, in the middle of the recession, with an ambitious goal of $110 million.
President Delaney has made UNF an economic driver in the region and been a leader in the state:
- UNF now has an annual economic impact of more than $1 billion.
- In 2015, Delaney served as chair of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, the organization charged with leading economic growth in the region.
- He helped create and is a board member of the Jacksonville Civic Council, an organization focusing on defining Jacksonville’s future.
- Delaney is the past president of the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities, an organization representing 70 private and public institutions.
- He was tapped to serve as the interim chancellor of the State University System from 2008-09, while the State Board of Governors conducted a search.
President Delaney has created a student-focused campus:
- He led the smooth transition to NCAA Division I athletics beginning in 2005. North Florida advanced to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2015.
- Nearly 4,000 students now live on campus, transforming UNF into a traditional college setting.
- He created programs and services to assist special populations including the LGBT Resource Center, the Military and Veterans Resource Center and the Disability Resource Center.
President Delaney has worked hard to ensure hallmarks of a UNF education remain intact:
- In 2003, the student-to-faculty ratio was 22:1. It is currently 19:1, giving UNF students the advantage of individualized attention.
- The average class size at UNF is still only 32 students.
Delaney’s contract allows him to lead a center at UNF following his retirement as president. He has not yet decided if he will pursue that option or other opportunities.
This spring, the UNF Board of Trustees will discuss the search process for a new president.
Delaney served as mayor of Jacksonville from 1995 to 2003, leaving office due to term limits. During his time at City Hall, Delaney is credited with launching The Better Jacksonville Plan and the Preservation Project. His approval rating reached 90 percent, with support from both political parties.
Delaney received both a bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Florida. He and his wife Gena have four children and helped raise a niece and a nephew. In addition, they have three grandchildren.
The University of North Florida is a public university in Jacksonville, Florida. A member institution of the State University System of Florida, the University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. UNF has six colleges, which offer 55 undergraduate degree programs and 35 graduate degree programs. The University is located on an environmentally beautiful campus, which includes a nature preserve.
Health Care Systems Donate Nearly $900,000 to UNF Mental Health Graduate Nursing Program
There’s a mental health professional shortage not only in Northeast Florida but also across the country. In order to address this critical shortage of psychiatric professionals, six Jacksonville health care systems have come together to collectively donate nearly $900,000, helping to alleviate this crisis by funding the Mental Health Graduate Nursing Program in the Brooks College of Health (BCH) School of Nursing at the University of North Florida. The program will educate mental health nurse practitioners with earned doctorate degrees in nursing practice.
Northeast Florida has higher rates of suicide across all age sectors than the entire state, according to a 2014 study by the Jacksonville Community Council Inc. Almost 270,000 of the 1.1 million adults in Northeast Florida are living with a mental illness. Roughly 4 percent, or about 42,000, of adults live with a severe mental illness, like schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder or other psychotic disorders.
“This is a very meaningful gift, and we’re exceptionally grateful to all of the donors,” said Dr. Pam Chally, UNF BCH dean. “Local health care organizations are coming together to support a significant need in Northeast Florida—increasing access to mental health care. A lack of mental health care is a major public health concern.”
St. Vincent’s HealthCare, Baptist Health, Brooks Rehabilitation, Flagler Hospital, Mayo Clinic and Memorial Hospital have collectively and generously donated funds to support this critical mental health nursing program. St. Vincent’s HealthCare is taking the lead in this effort by establishing a non-endowed professorship in Mental Health Graduate Nursing for a five-year period, providing resources to pay the salary of an outstanding faculty member in the field of psychiatric/mental health nursing. UNF will pay the professor’s salary once this funding stream has been exhausted.
“Behavioral health is a top priority in our community, therefore it’s a top priority for our ministry at St. Vincent’s. Northeast Florida ranks as the second-lowest area in the state for mental health funding, which makes it even more imperative for us to invest in partnerships like these to grow capacity and add necessary resources to ensure all patients in need have access to the essential behavioral health care they need locally,” said Tom VanOsdol, interim CEO of St. Vincent’s HealthCare. “Supporting this program and professorship at UNF aligns perfectly with our regional strategy and our mission to provide compassionate, holistic care to everyone throughout the communities we serve.”
Currently, Brooks College offers a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and prepares mental health counselors to provide direct counseling services to individuals, groups and families. Program graduates not only directly counsel but also advocate for clients’ rights through participation in community, state and national organizational efforts, becoming leaders in community agencies and facilitating delivery of optimum mental health services.
With the addition of the Mental Health Graduate Nursing Program at UNF, BCH will prepare mental health professionals who will have a significant impact on the health of the First Coast. With additional attention in this health care field, specifically Northeast Florida, BCH is hopeful that mental health care will improve and that social issues, like homelessness and addiction, will decrease.
The Brooks College of Health prides itself as being a leader in the preparation of the highest quality health care professionals dedicated to serving the community. For this reason, the College is continually working to provide specialized programming in a wide range of health care fields. Currently, BCH offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and bachelor’s degrees in public health, exercise science, health administration, athletic training and nutrition.
Graduate programs include public health, health administration, clinical mental health counseling, exercise science and chronic disease and nutrition. BCH offers three doctoral degrees: a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and a Doctorate in Clinical. The College also houses two flagship programs—nursing as well as nutrition and dietetics.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
Jacksonville Civic Council Leader Featured Speaker at UNF Leadership Speakers Bureau
The University of North Florida’s Taylor Leadership Institute will host its spring Leadership Speakers Bureau event, “Leading through Consensus Building,” featuring Jacksonville Civic Council (JCC) leader Jeanne Miller 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Osprey Commons, Building 16, Talon Room, Fourth Floor.
An experienced executive and attorney, Miller has more than 20 years’ experience leading organizations and moving big ideas and projects forward. Since 2013, she has been exercising those skills as JCC president and CEO, a business advocacy organization that works with leaders of Northeast Florida’s largest companies to promote solutions to the region’s most complex business and public policy challenges.
In her presentation, Miller will engage participants on the challenging practice of consensus building, providing unique insight into this collaborative process. Sharing valuable advice on what is needed to facilitate this dynamic and cooperative approach to problem solving, she will inevitably draw upon her unique experience leading the JCC, an organization that has had great success in harnessing the collective knowledge, experience and influence of a wide range of local business and civic leaders to positively shape First Coast public policy.
“As the issues of our society become more complex and controversial, developing the ability to bridge that gap between different groups and ideas becomes all the more essential for today’s emerging leaders,” said Alison Noonan, outreach coordinator for UNF’s Taylor Leadership Institute. “When working among diverse groups with often conflicting interests, the ability to find common ground and identify mutually beneficial solutions is a valuable skill that, when developed, has the potential to benefit UNF students in countless ways.”
Participants are invited to attend a reception, catered by Chartwells, immediately following the presentation. This event is free and open to the public. Parking will be available in Parking Lot 9, in front of the UNF Annex, Building 6.
To register, visit the website. For more information, contact Korie Hilliard, Taylor Leadership Institute events planning coordinator, at [email protected].
The Leadership Speakers Bureau offers attendees a unique, face-to-face experience with leadership-centric speakers with esteemed backgrounds, motivating stories and illuminating question-and-answer segments about leadership.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
New Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office survey shows community supports police
The Public Opinion Research Laboratory (PORL) at the University of North Florida recently conducted a community survey on behalf of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office that reveals the community overwhelmingly supports police on the First Coast.
The JSO Community Survey results show the vast majority—78—percent, of Jacksonville residents approve of the way the Sheriff’s Office is handling its job. Patrol Zone 2 had the highest level of overall approval at 83 percent, while Patrol Zone 5 had the lowest level of overall approval, with 73 percent.
“In a somewhat surprising finding, given the national narrative the last year or two, even the areas of town that face the highest crime rates are very supportive of the police,” said Dr. Michael Binder, PORL faculty director.
Most Jacksonville resident—88 percent—agreed they feel safe in their neighborhood. Patrol Zone 3 had the highest assessment of neighborhood safety, 93 percent. Patrol Zones 1 and 5 had the highest percentages of respondents who indicated they don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods, with 20 percent and 21 percent respectively.
Overall, 70 percent of residents agree that Jacksonville is a safe place to live. In Patrol Zone 1 (33 percent), Patrol Zone 4 (35 percent) and Patrol Zone 5 (32 percent), approximately a third of respondents don’t think Jacksonville is a safe place to live.
“In a lot of ways, this is analogous to the ‘I don’t like Congress, but I like my Congressman’ phenomena,” said Binder. “Residents feel safe where they live and work but are less optimistic about Jacksonville in general.”
When asked about specific encounters with JSO personnel, 79 percent agreed they found them to be courteous and competent. Patrol Zone 6 had the highest level of perceived courtesy and competence, with 84 percent. Patrol Zone 5 had the most respondents (19 percent) who disagreed that JSO personnel are courteous and competent. While white respondents strongly agree (61 percent), only 35 percent of black respondents strongly agree that JSO personnel are courteous and competent.
“While generally in agreement about courteousness and competency, the strength of agreement is one of the few findings that greatly differs among racial groups,” Binder noted. “If improving community relations is a goal of JSO’s leadership, this might be an area to focus on for the future.”
One of the most intriguing findings of the entire survey is the consistency in the responses of an open-ended question about what JSO could do for the respondent in their neighborhood, according to Binder. Across all patrol zones, approximately half of the responses wanted an increase in patrols, visibility or police presence.
Most Jacksonville residents—61 percent—think JSO does a good job investigating officer-involved shootings. However, there are meaningful differences across racial groups, with 71 percent of white respondents agreeing that JSO does a good job handling these occurrences, whereas only 44 percent of black respondents agreed.
“In light of recent media attention, this highlights one of the differences in opinion within Jacksonville’s diverse community,” said Binder.
Additionally, the survey revealed that at 93 percent, there is unequivocal support in Duval County for the use of body cameras for JSO officers.
“There is almost no variation across patrol zones,” noted Binder. “The stunning levels of support for the implementation of body cameras across all demographic groups, and I suspect likely for differing reasons, suggests that JSO should find a way to bring this initiative to life.”
For the complete report click here.
Methodology
The survey was sponsored and funded by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and conducted November 14 through December 11, 2016, by the Public Opinion Research Laboratory (PORL) at the University of North Florida. The PORL has a 27-station telephone-polling laboratory that uses Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing. A sample of the polling universe (Jacksonville, Florida, residents age 18 and older) was selected through the use of Random-Digit-Dialing methodology for both landlines and cell phones. Scientific Telephone Samples provided all of the telephone numbers used for the survey.
The total sample contained 1,711 adult Jacksonville, Florida, residents and had a response rate of 16.5 percent. AAPOR Response Rate 4 includes an estimate of what proportion of cases of unknown eligibility are actually eligible and includes partial interviews as completes. The margin of sampling error for the entire sample is +/- 2.4 percentage points. Margins of error for each patrol zone are larger.
Upon reaching individuals through the landline telephone sample, respondents were selected in the household by being the first qualified participant to be available to participate. The breakdown of completed responses on a cell phone to a landline phone was 81 percent to 18 percent, with less than 1 percent unknown. Cell phone sample respondents were selected by being the first qualified participant to answer the phone.
To ensure a representative sample, surveys were conducted in both English and Spanish. Calls were made from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week (except for Thanksgiving weekend). Stratified sampling, using the six JSO police patrol zones was used for geographical representation. Quotas were placed on each subgroup to ensure a large enough sample of completed surveys from each patrol zone. Each JSO police patrol zone was weighted by age, gender and race to the estimated 2015 American Community Survey. This analysis produced sample data for demographic characteristics of people who are 18 years of age or older and live in Jacksonville, Florida (excluding the Beaches communities).
The PORL is a full-service survey research facility that provides tailored research to fulfill each client’s individual needs from political, economic, social and cultural projects. The PORL opened in 2001 and is an independent, non-partisan center, a charter member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research Transparency Initiative and a member of the Association of Academic Survey Research Organization. For more information about methodology, contact Binder at (904) 620-2784 or by email at [email protected].
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
OneJax Announces 2017 Humanitarian Award Honorees
OneJax, an institute of the University of North Florida, has announced recipients of its 2017 Humanitarian Awards, which will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, located at 1000 Water St., downtown Jacksonville. A reception will take place at 6 p.m.
The OneJax Humanitarian Awards honor those who have demonstrated the highest level of personal and professional integrity, have given generously and extensively to our community and have been dedicated to the improvement of human relations among diverse groups in our community.
“We’re thrilled with the strong and diversified 2017 class of Humanitarian Award honorees,” said Nancy Broner, OneJax executive director. “They truly represent a cross-section of people doing meaningful work in our community in a wide variety of ways. These are people who have made—and continue to make—an important difference in the lives of so many in Northeast Florida.”
The 2017 awards honorees are as follows:
- 2017 Gold Medallion for Lifetime Achievement: David Stein, King Provision chair and CEO. This award recognizes those who have had an extraordinary impact on and have given back generously to their communities over their lifetime through exceptional commitment to the OneJax mission of promoting the dignity and respect of all people.
- 2017 President’s Citation: Jean Ludlow, retired insurance executive and community volunteer. This award is bestowed periodically on a leader whose efforts and vision have resulted in substantial, positive, local and national changes in one or more areas.
- 2017 Silver Medallions: Dr. James Crooks, UNF professor emeritus of history, author and community volunteer; Rodney Hurst Sr., civil rights activist and author; and Faisal Sayed, Muslim American Social Services executive director. This award is given to individuals in recognition of their outstanding dedication and community service.
- 2017 Acosta-Rua Young Professionals Award: Sabeen Perwaiz Syed, Florida Nonprofit Alliance executive director. This award is given periodically to young professionals under the age of 40, already making a significant impact in their community for promoting understanding and awareness, furthering the cause of social justice issues and for providing leadership that encourages responsible action by others throughout the community.
“OneJax has been doing such important work for such a long time in our community,” said Jan Lipsky, OneJax board chair. “This year’s honorees reflect our efforts to educate, advocate and build community to promote the respect and understanding that will overcome bias, bigotry and oppression.”
Sponsorships for the Humanitarian Awards Dinner may be obtained by contacting OneJax at (904) 620-1529 or at [email protected]. Tickets for the event are available online at http://tiny.cc/wzp8hy.
Since 2012, OneJax has been an institute at UNF. Through education, community building and advocacy, OneJax works to make Northeast Florida a better place for everyone by celebrating differences and identifying all we have in common.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
U.S. News & World Report Names UNF ‘Best Online Bachelor’s’ Program in the Nation
The University of North Florida is among hundreds of higher education institutions included in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best Online Programs rankings released today. UNF is ranked among the Top 50 colleges and universities in the country for “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs,” which includes data from more than 1,300 distance-education degree programs nationwide.
UNF, ranked No. 48, is the only local higher education institution listed among the rankings in this category. The University also landed on the “Best Online Education Programs” and “Best Online Criminal Justice and Criminology Programs,” both graduate-level rankings.
“It’s very rewarding to have U.S. News & World Report rank our bachelor’s and graduate education online programs among the best in the nation,” said UNF President John Delaney. “Faculty in our online programs are committed to this form of program delivery and have developed course materials and teaching methods that are second to none.”
U.S. News assessed schools based on four general categories: student engagement (including participation in courses that allow students opportunities to readily interact with instructors and fellow classmates), faculty credentials and training (including doctoral and tenure-track faculty and formal training for faculty in distance education), student services and technology (including diverse online learning technologies, career guidance and financial aid resources) and peer reputation (including industry opinions that account for intangible factors on program quality that is not captured by statistics).
“UNF continues to support academic programs and departments as they develop online courses to meet the needs of students,” said Dr. Len Roberson, UNF associate vice president for Academic Technology and Innovation. “Our desire is to offer online courses that are not only high-quality but that provide students with greater access to the University’s excellent programs.”
The University has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2013-14. The faculty provide students with personalized attention to promote success. Using the principles of community and public health nursing, students work in partnership with local community agencies on a project that is applicable to the current workplace and will promote health within the population.
UNF is leading the way in distance learning for interpreter education with distance students from around the United States and Europe. Within the College of Education and Human Services, the University’s ASL/English Interpreting graduate program offers a Master’s degree in Interpreting Pedagogy, which combines fully online courses with intensive face-to-face learning in the summer. Nationally, this program is one of only a few master’s degrees in interpreter pedagogy.
The University’s online graduate education programs include Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychological-Mental Health, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Master of Science in American Sign Language/English Interpreting, Master of Education in Special Education: Autism Track, Master of Education in Educational Leadership: Instructional Technology Track, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, RN-BSN Bridge Track as well as Graduate Certificates in Early Childhood Education, Sport Management, Global Health and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
This latest recognition comes on the heels of UNF receiving several other national designations, including Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s 2017, “Best Regional University” by U.S. News & World Report, “Best in the Southeast” by Princeton Review, “Best Bang for the Buck Southeast Colleges 2016” by Washington Monthly, 2017 “Best College” by College Factual and the national 2016 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from Insight into Diversity magazine, to name a few.
U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on factors such as graduation rates, indebtedness of new graduates and academic and career support services offered to students. Only degree-granting programs offering classes entirely online were considered. For more information on the “Best Online Programs” rankings, visit www.usnews.com/online.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
University of North Florida Camp Composition Aids Local School Students
The College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida will host its annual Camp Composition, a writing camp to aid fourth- through 11th-graders to earn higher Florida Standards Assessments English language arts and writing scores, from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning Saturday, Jan. 21, and running through Saturday, Feb. 25, in Tom and Betty Petway Hall, Building 57, on the UNF campus.
The writing camp schedule is as follows:
- Week 1, Saturday, Jan. 21: Writing Prompts
- Week 2, Saturday, Jan. 28: Prewriting Strategies
- Week 3, Saturday, Feb. 4: Drafting Strategies
- Week 4, Saturday, Feb. 11: Revising Strategies
- Week 5, Saturday, Feb. 18: Editing Strategies
- Week 6, Saturday, Feb. 25: Writing Celebration
Camp Composition will be led by local lead area teachers who specialize in writing instruction in grades four through 11. These teachers will work with specific writing teams and will provide weekly feedback to each individual student. Stress-reduction strategies will also be taught to students by an expert.
Camp orientation is from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday. Jan. 20, in Tom and Betty Petway Hall, Room 1100A, where the camp schedule and room assignments will be shared with participants. A completed form and registration fee of $240 is required; space is limited. Scholarships will be offered on a limited basis to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and/or attend a Title 1 school. These students would attend at no cost. Confirmation from the school is required, and a reduced fee is also available for siblings. No refunds will be offered after Friday, Jan. 13.
For more information, visit http://www.unf.edu/coehs/celt/Camp_Composition.aspx or contact Dr. Christine L. Weber, UNF associate professor in the Department of Childhood Education, Literacy and TESOL, at (904) 620-1754 or at [email protected].
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
