AGE-FRIENDLY
SARASOTA PAGE 7 // Using research and
relationships to help build a community for all ages in Sarasota
IN THIS
ISSUE
BIAS BY DESIGN I 11
Psychology researcher seeks to tease out how pre-trial publicity impacts jurors
INVESTING IN RELATIONSHIPS I 15 Research finds value of investments in the little things
ROLY POLY REVELATION I 17 Student discovery of sea creature yields new scientific opportunities
17 IN THIS
ISSUE
19
3
LETTER FROM THE REGIONAL CHANCELLOR
4
INSTITUTIONAL SNAPSHOT
7
RESEARCH 6
FACULTY PUBLICATION SNAPSHOT
7
COVER STORY: THE CONNECTOR
Kathy Black uses research and relationships to
help build a community for all ages in Sarasota
11
BIAS BY DESIGN
Psychology researcher seeks to tease out how
pre-trial publicity impacts jurors
26
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
15
INVESTING IN RELATIONSHIPS
27
FINANCIAL INSIGHTS
Research finds value of investments in
The power of Wall Street at students’
the little things
fingertips
17
ROLY POLY REVELATION
28
HANDS-ON HOSPITALITY
Student discovery of sea creature yields
The Culinary Innovation Lab opens new
new scientific opportunities
doors for hospitality students
19
VETERAN VOLUNTEERS
29
STUDENT RESEARCH ROUNDUP
Research looks at role of community
31
BEYOND TEXTBOOKS
engagement in helping returning vets
Centers and labs enhance educational
21
UNDERSTANDING BOKO HARAM
experiences
Paper and video trail reveals changes in
32
THE RiTE STUFF
extremist movement
Student teachers demonstrate classroom
23
FACULTY RESEARCH ROUNDUP
effectiveness
1
RESEARCH: USFSM
STUDENT SUCCESS
REGIONAL CHANCELLOR Karen Holbrook, PhD REGIONAL VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ADVANCEMENT Lee Williams, CFRE OFFICE OF RESEARCH Sandy Justice ART DIRECTION Krista Lee CHAIRS, EDITORIAL BOARD Melissa Sloan, PhD Murat Haner, PhD
11
27
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 34
JOY OF GIVING
Featuring local philanthropists Harry Leopold &
Audrey Robbins
35
ALUMNI Q&A
Featuring Kendra Simpkins ‘14 and
Ashley Metelus ‘15
37
CROSS COLLEGE ALLIANCE
Leveraging the power of our “college
EDITORIAL BOARD Shawn Ahearn Richard Borghesi, PhD Wilma Davidson, EdD Michael Gillespie, PhD Jenni Menon Mariano, PhD CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Melanie Hanns Becky Ham, PhD Joseph Kays Judy Myers Ginger Pinholster Sophia Scott Rich Shopes
town” 38
PERLMAN PARTNERSHIP
Bringing talented musicians to the
Suncoast
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH
2
From the
REGIONAL CHANCELLOR
Welcome to the inaugural issue of
findings. Problem-solving, critical thinking,
Research: USFSM, from the University of
collaboration, team work and analysis are
South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM).
among the most valuable skills students will
This publication explores USFSM’s expanding
employ in a career or profession as well as in
profile as a research-active institution where
their personal lives.
faculty and students across our four colleges
investigate problems and energize classwork
demonstrate a broad range of issues that
in the fields of STEM, education, business,
contemporary society is facing – from
IT and cybersecurity, the arts, social sciences
the discovery of new species, the role of
and hospitality and tourism.
commitment in romantic relationships, aging,
pre-trial publicity and jury bias to veteran
Our faculty arrive with diverse research
The articles in this first edition
backgrounds and often continue their work
reintegration and the benefits to society.
from a previous institution, develop research
activity with colleagues at other universities,
about USFSM research discoveries interesting
the private sector and, importantly, with our
and enjoyable, and we invite you to engage
graduate and undergraduate students.
with our incredible faculty and students.
We hope you will find these stories
Undergraduates can work closely with
a faculty member – as early as their freshman year – to pose a question or problem, develop PHOTO Karen Holbrook, PhD
3
a hypothesis, design the strategies to find solutions, collect data and present their
RESEARCH: USFSM
Karen A. Holbrook, PhD Regional Chancellor, USF Sarasota-Manatee
INSTITUTIONAL
SNAPSHOT
INSTITUTIONAL
SNAPSHOT
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is invested in the success of our students with a learning environment that spans far beyond the classroom. When world-class faculty instruction is paired with hands-on experience, student skills develop quickly, and abstract concepts become vivid and tangible. We believe in providing our students with many opportunities to gain hands-on experience, whether through internships, teaching labs or personalized faculty mentorship. Investing in our students’ success is investing in the future leaders and innovators of our community.
26
UPPER-LEVEL UNDERGRADUATE
FRESHMAN-LEVEL
402
internships set up for our students in 2017-18
Our commitment to small class sizes helps our students connect with world-class
22
faculty on a oneon-one level.
Average Class Sizes
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH
4
5
RESEARCH: USFSM
RECENT FACULTY BOOKS Karen Holbrook, PhD, and Kiki Caruson, PhD Globalizing University Research This volume, the tenth and final report in the Global Education
right-wing women’s movement from
technologies and analytics.
Research Reports series, examines
1950 to 1975. She examines issues
Unhelkar takes a holistic view of
the ways universities can support
that stirred women to take action –
the organization to enable agility as
international research, equip
education, health, desegregation,
a key business value from Big Data
scholars with tools for success,
moral corruption, war, patriotism and
investments.
engage students, create institutional
the Equal Rights Amendment – and
partnerships and connect with the
explores how they attempted to
Murat Haner, PhD
community to facilitate research
shape the lives and outlooks of the
The Freedom Fighter: A Terrorist’s
that reflects our globalized world.
next generation.
Own Story Inspired by the ground-breaking
Recognizing challenges such as time, language and cultural differences,
Bhuvan Unhelkar, PhD
classic, “The Jack-Roller: A
the authors create a space for critical
Big Data Strategies for Agile
Delinquent Boy’s Own Story” by
reflection and action.
Business
Clifford R. Shaw, Haner explores the
This book serves as a
issue of radicalization into terrorist
comprehensive primer for
organizations through the life-history
June Melby Benowitz, PhD
Challenge and Change: Right-Wing businesses eager to capitalize
method, enabling a terrorist to tell
Women, Grassroots Activism, and
on Big Data to achieve strategic
his story. This riveting life history
the Baby Boom Generation
business agility. It makes a unique
provides unique insights into why
Drawing on a wide variety of
contribution to the Big Data
someone becomes a “terrorist” and
sources, Benowitz explores the
domain through a detailed adoption
what such a life entails.
development and growth of the
framework incorporating strategies,
USFSM RESIDENT FACULTY HAVE AUTHORED OVER:
as of 12/12/17
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH
6
THE
CONNECTOR Kathy Black uses research and relationships to help build a community for all ages in Sarasota
PHOTO Kathy Black, PhD, Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar
G
erontologist Kathy Black, PhD, says
aging is being rewritten before our eyes.
“We are in the midst of a great
“Being here is a gerontologist’s dream,”
said Black, who considers Sarasota the right
demographic transition,” said Black, a professor
place at the right time in her 40-year career
of aging studies at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
that began in nursing. “It’s incredibly unique to
“The entire world is aging, but in Sarasota we
live and work in a community with such a high
have already been living with a large aging
percentage of older adults.”
population for many years.”
no time getting involved on campus and in
Nationally, about 13 percent of the
population is 65 or older. In Sarasota, that
7
number is 33 percent, and the median age is 54.
RESEARCH: USFSM
After her arrival in 2002, Black wasted
the community. In fact, in local civic and
13%
of the U.S. population is 65 or older
33%
of Sarasota’s population is 65 or older
54
educational initiatives to promote healthful
• Transportation
aging, Black is Sarasota’s common
• Housing
denominator.
• Social participation
• Respect and social inclusion
Black spearheaded Age-Friendly
is Sarasota’s median age
Sarasota, an initiative that propelled Sarasota
• Civic participation and employment
County to join the Age-Friendly Community
• Communication and information
network of the World Health Organization
• Community support services
(WHO). Sarasota is Florida’s first community
to join, due in large part to Black’s leadership
communities differ. In Sarasota, for example,
and support from The Patterson Foundation.
social programming is abundant.
This work was really about listening to people. We assessed what community features are most helpful to people as they age. For the first phase of the project,
“
“
Black said the WHO recognizes that
“We have so much programming –
Black engaged about 1,200 residents through
cognitive, social, physical, recreational. We
surveys and focus groups in every ZIP
are so rich,” Black said. “But in our study,
code in the county to ensure all areas were
we heard a lot about the built environment,
represented.
including transportation.”
“This work was really about listening
Black reached out to the Metropolitan
to people,” Black said. “We assessed what
Planning Organization, or MPO, a regional
community features are most helpful to
transportation planning group, about engaging
people as they age.”
USF students to carry out walkability studies
using a smartphone app. As the students
Based on the results of the surveys
and focus groups, Black helped to develop an
walk, they capture image and GIS data of
action plan that provides specific goals for the
potholes, gaps in sidewalks and other issues
community across eight domains:
that complicate life for pedestrians. Work with
• Outdoor spaces and public buildings
the MPO also includes policy efforts to ensure
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH
8
the needs of older citizens are considered
when developing walking, cycling and driving
more from transportation. Black advised a
infrastructures.
group of USFSM MBA students who used
their capstone project to look at transportation
Alternatives to automobile travel are
But older residents said they want
important, considering that older adults outlive
for older residents from a different angle.
their ability to drive safely by seven to 10
years, Black said. Sarasota has an Independent
was, ‘How do we make transportation fun?’”
Transportation Network (ITN) offering door-to-
Black said. “Their model included a party
door service for people 60 or older, and that’s
bus and a calendar of events.” ITN has since
important for getting to medical appointments
implemented the students’ program, which is
and running errands.
being piloted for feasibility as a national model.
“The perspective of the students
“
When you make a community better for people who are older, you are making it better for people of all ages.
“
Sarasota’s civic groups rely on a
legion of volunteers – Black said some local organizations have hundreds of volunteers.
“Though Sarasota is a shining star
when it comes to volunteering, there is increasing interest in strengthening the relationships between the generations in Sarasota County, which has a disproportionately lower share of millennialaged adults.” Black said.
Black notes that promoting a
multigenerational workforce can, for example, encourage younger workers to mentor up to older workers, teaching them new tech skills PHOTO
needed in today’s workplace.
Kathy Black speaks with a group of students
With her sweeping view of aging,
from teaching college students to conducting research on aging, Black is uniquely positioned
9
RESEARCH: USFSM
to discuss what being “age-friendly” really means. In her Physical Changes in Aging class she simulates sensory changes with aging such as vision and hearing loss. She said her students report back about better understanding older customers and clients in their work and with their families.
“The students recognize that eyesight
or hearing can interfere with communication,” she said. “That leads to age-friendly service for organizations in our community.”
Black is particularly enthusiastic about
the far-reaching policy implications of the age-friendly work in the region. For example, Sarasota County has adopted a voluntary resolution for builders to design homes with universal features such as wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or grab bars in bathrooms.
Black, who was recognized as a 2017
What questions should we ask of an agefriendly community? Outdoor spaces and public buildings: Are parks, parking lots, shopping venues and government centers safe, accessible and barrier-free? Transportation: Do residents have access to reliable, affordable transportation? Is the design of traffic-related infrastructure – signs, traffic lights, sidewalks – helpful to drivers and pedestrians of all ages? Housing: Is housing affordable, well-located and designed in a manner that allows for independent living? Are there options for shared or communal housing? Social participation: Does the community promote a variety of interactions that allow citizens of all abilities and financial means to participate in community activities? Respect and social inclusion: Does the community foster intergenerational understanding and respect for aging persons, as well as positive images of aging?
Next Avenue Top 50 National Influencer in Aging, has also partnered with AARP Florida and other age-friendly movements across the state and nation. Recently, she was invited to help draft policy about creating an age-friendly public health system for the American Public Health Association.
Ultimately, age-friendly communities
benefit everyone, she said.
“When you make a community better
for people who are older, you are making it better for people of all ages,” Black said. “Everybody is a stakeholder in an aging
Civic participation and employment: Are there ample opportunities for volunteering, voting, serving on committees, as well as opportunities for meaningful employment? Communication and information: Are all citizens connected to sources of communication about events and services? Community support services: Are support services available for mental and physical health across the lifespan, including services for those who serve as caregivers? More reading: agefriendlysarasota.org nextavenue.org/make-community-age-friendly usfsm.edu/faculty-members/dr-kathy-black/
society.”
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 10
BIAS BY DESIGN A psychology researcher seeks to tease out how pretrial publicity impacts jurors
By Joseph Kays
C
hristine Ruva, PhD, saw a lot of high-
of information – all the stuff that came before
profile criminal cases when she worked
trial – the pre-trial publicity, or PTP – and
as a probation and parole officer in
then you have the actual trial information,”
Pinellas County in the 1990s, and she always
Ruva said. “My question was, can jurors
wondered what effect media coverage of
differentiate between the two?”
those cases had on juries’ decisions.
jurors, Ruva and her team of mostly USFSM
Over the past few years, Ruva,
To determine the impact of PTP on
now associate professor and chair of the
undergraduates spent nearly two years
psychology department at USF Sarasota-
developing a scenario they could use to test
Manatee, has developed complex simulation
jury bias.
experiments to try to answer her long-held
questions about jury bias.
trial about a woman accused of murdering
her husband – she claimed the killing was self
11 RESEARCH: USFSM
“At trial you have two different sources
They took key moments from an actual
defense – and edited it down to a 25-minute
they saw on television or read in a newspaper
video. They also developed three types of pre-
or on Facebook.
trial publicity – anti-defendant, anti-victim and
neutral.
all the details,” she said, “they just have to be
biased by it, tainted by it, have a view of the
“We recruited 648 USF students to
“It’s not that they need to remember
come into the lab, read actual news stories
defendant that he probably did something,
about the crime, then come back a week later
that he’s not a good person, that he’s actually
and view a video of the trial,” Ruva said. “They
a scary person.”
provided individual verdicts, then they got into
juries and deliberated, and after they reached
different jurors’ biases will cancel out during
a verdict we asked them to provide individual
deliberation – “the tainted will become
verdicts again.”
untainted” – but by carefully correlating the
Once jurors have been exposed to [pre-trial publicity] they can’t unhear it. They come to court with a story and they’re going to try to fill it in with evidence. The result: “My suspicions were
“
“
Ruva said the legal system believes
jurors’ verdicts before and after deliberation,
confirmed. They had a very difficult time
she has been able to show the opposite is
discriminating between information presented
happening.
at trial versus that which came prior to trial.
They had strong confidence that pre-trial
from this study is that the untainted jurors,
publicity was, in fact, presented at trial.”
the ones who had read the irrelevant pre-trial
publicity but who deliberated with the jurors
Once a jury is chosen, the judge
“One of the most interesting things
typically tells the jurors not to read or watch
who had seen anti-defendant PTP, took on
anything about the case, but Ruva said, “by
the bias of those anti-defendant jurors. They
then it’s too late. They’ve already been tainted.
didn’t correct the bias, they took it on. The anti-
defendant jurors rubbed off on them.”
“Once jurors have been exposed to
this information they can’t unhear it. They
come to court with a story and they’re going
understand how jurors form their opinions
to try to fill it in with evidence that fits the
during deliberations. Her team is conducting
framework they have already developed.”
a comprehensive content analysis using a
random sample of videotapes from the 126
Ruva said jurors don’t have to
remember all of the details about a crime that
Ruva’s next project is to try to
jury deliberations in the original study.
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 12
continuance isn’t really a remedy either.”
deliberations, now we want to know what
happened during those deliberations to make
some success, but it is very seldom granted
them do that.”
because it is expensive.
“
She said change of venue has had
Unlike traditional media, you can say anything on social media. There’s no fact checking. Ruva said her research shows that
“
Christine Ruva, PhD
everything when it comes back up again, so
we know that their verdicts changed after
PHOTO
“We know what the data says,
Ruva said she only expects pre-trial
the bias created by pre-trial publicity cannot
publicity to worsen with the boom in social
be remedied by traditional approaches such
media.
as continuance, change of venue or voir dire,
where attorneys from both sides question
say anything on social media. There’s no fact
potential jurors.
checking,” she said. “And now, not only are
people who might be jurors taking in the
“This is not an intentional bias, so
“Unlike traditional media, you can
they may say during voir dire that they can
news, they’re actually producing the news.
disregard what they’ve seen or heard, but they
They’re commenting on it, they’re actively
can’t,” she said. “With a continuance, you’re
engaged in the conversation before they even
hoping they’ll forget, but our research shows
go to court.”
that in some cases the bias actually increases
over time. And besides, with these high-profile
year, usually for the defense, and often in
cases, you can count on the media to reinstate
capital cases, “because these are the most
Ruva testifies in several cases a
important, someone’s life is on the line.”
In high-profile criminal cases, citizens’
First Amendment rights to free speech and the press often conflict with a defendant’s right to a fair trial as guaranteed under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, Ruva said.
“I hope my work will be used to
educate judges and other legal professionals about the real threats that pre-trial publicity imposes on defendants’ right to a fair trial,” she said. “Although defense attorneys are the ones who typically contact me regarding
13 RESEARCH: USFSM
consultation and expert testimony, my most recent work demonstrates the prosecution
RESEARCH BY THE NUMBERS
should also be concerned about the impact
The following statistics are from a study conducted by Ruva
of PTP.”
and Guenther, 2015.
Ruva is particularly proud of the
fact that she has been able to conduct
BEFORE DELIBERATION
these complicated simulations using
JURORS EXPOSED TO
only undergraduate research assistants,
NEGATIVE PTP
UNEXPOSED JURORS
something she said always surprises her colleagues.
“I train them, I give them the skills
they need to do this stuff, then it’s pretty much run by these students,” she said. “This research took multiple years to complete and over these years many undergraduate students acted as either lab manager or colab manager and oversaw training, scheduling and day-to-day operations of the psychology and law lab.”
Ruva’s research is making an impact
AFTER DELIBERATION JURORS EXPOSED TO
UNEXPOSED JURORS
NEGATIVE PTP
in the legal psychology community, appearing in leading journals like Law and Human Behavior and garnering the attention of faculty at leading institutions in the field.
“Dr. Ruva has managed to
consistently generate research which is interesting from both an applied and a theoretical perspective,” said Steven Penrod,
These results show how deliberation affects jurors exposed
distinguished professor of psychology at John
and unexposed to PTP. Exposed jurors were relatively
Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.
unaffected by deliberation, but unexposed jurors greatly
“She is currently the leading researcher in
shifted their stance due to reasonable doubt during
this area. Her name and high-quality research
deliberation.
are recognized by everyone in the jury research community.”
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 14
INVESTING IN
RELATIONSHIPS: Research finds value of investments in the little things
By Sofia Scott
E
ven before joining the faculty at the
findings of previous research that indicate
University of South Florida Sarasota-
commitment is essential to the maintenance
Manatee, Anthony Coy, PhD, focused
and strength of relationships, and furthermore,
his attention on the dyadic perspectives
examined what no empirical work had
of romantic relationships, taking particular
directly tested before – the sway a partner’s
interest in exploring how one partner’s
investments can have on commitment. For
behavior may influence the other. His most
the purpose of the study, investments were
recent research sheds light on the power
divided into two categories: tangible and
and limits of behavior within romantic
intangible. Tangible investments were defined
relationships. “I think a lot of people view
as any shared belongings such as cars,
themselves as an individual and very self-
housing, even children and pets. Intangible
contained. We look at how the outside world
investments are harder to measure and
affects you.”
include self-disclosure, sacrifice, effort and
emotional bond, as well as time contributed
15 RESEARCH: USFSM
Coy’s work expands upon the
towards the relationship.
Going forward, research is going to look at
what people prefer.” What began as a measure
Multiple studies have comprised
Coy’s work on partner investments. His basic
for the influence of partner investments on
partner investment finding was presented
commitment could possibly provide new
at the annual meeting of the Society of
tools to relationship counselors and empower
Southeastern Social Psychologists, and his
individuals to improve their own relationships.
most recent couples study, focused on the
differences between tangible and intangible
undergraduate researchers suggest that
partner investments, was presented at the
commitment may not be found in the
annual meeting of the Society for Personality
extraordinary depths of fairy-tale love stories
and Social Psychology.
but rather in the interdependent actions of
“
partners. Coy explains, “Partners matter.
Partners matter. . .they have tangible effects with how you interact with the world. The data revealed commitment could
“
The findings of Coy and his eight
be significantly predicted using indicators of
Animal companions, or a spouse; they have
partner investments, particularly intangible
tangible effects with how you interact with
partner investments. Coy reveals, “The main
the world, your level of happiness and your
idea is that partners directly influence each
commitment to relationships.”
other’s commitment, above and beyond our own level of satisfaction. That theoretically, the partner’s actions matter to a greater extent than just making the partner happy.” Coy’s discoveries about relationships unearth more questions about the hows and whys of commitment and the implications moving forward.
“Relationship science is relatively
new,” said Coy, who views the research as a stepping stone to dive further into desired types of investments. Referencing the writings of Gary Chapman in the popular book ‘The Five Love Languages,’”That kind of model
PHOTO
is being tested within psychology.
Anthony Coy, PhD
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 16
ROLY POLY REVELATION Student discovery of sea creature yields new scientific opportunities
By Ginger Pinholster PHOTOS Carlos Santamaria searches for Ligia isopods along a Hawaiian coast Opposite page: Left, Ligia isopod Right, Carlos Santamaria, PhD
B
iologist Carlos Santamaria, PhD, is glad
had never been found so far north.
his team of student researchers didn’t
Ligia isopods are seaside-dwelling
follow directions when he sent them out
cousins of the land-based “roly poly” bugs
to collect specimens from the mangrove forests
that curl into a ball when you touch them. The
of Sarasota and Manatee counties.
particular species of Ligia isopod the students
collected – L. baudiniana – was some 200
“I have to give them credit for not
listening,” said Santamaria, describing how
miles north of its previously documented
the specimens of Ligia isopods that former
territory. The team’s research was published
students Edgar T. Bischoff, Moe Aye, Keith W.
in November 2017 in the online, open-access
Phillips and Victoria Overmeyer brought back
journal F1000 Research.
17 RESEARCH: USFSM
A crustacean and a prey item for birds,
their susceptibility to pollution, their ability to
crabs and other creatures, Ligia isopods never
survive in saltier waters and even the bacteria
venture far from their rocky intertidal habitats.
in their gut.”
Eggs emerge as fully formed juveniles that
don’t disperse into the ocean. Ligia isopods
among mangroves and not on artificial
“
also dry out quickly, and they can’t swim far.
structures such as piers and boat docks, the
All of this tends to keep them in one spot
finding also has important implications for the
and results in subtle evolutionary changes.
conservation of mangroves.
The process, called “cryptic speciation,”
causes different species of Ligia isopods
indicator of ecosystem health,” Santamaria
to have identical forms, or morphological
said.
characteristics, but unique genetic signatures.
The trick, however, is in telling the more than
as a doctoral student at Texas A&M University,
40 different species of Ligia isopods apart – an
working with advisors Luis A. Hurtado and
area in which Santamaria has deep expertise.
Mariana Mateos. So far, he has studied Ligia
Santamaria recognized male L. baudiniana
species found in Florida, Mexico, Hawaii,
specimens based on their telltale reproductive
South Africa and the Pacific Ocean.
features, which he describes as “like a
drumstick and sickle.” Genetic tests confirmed
every population is a replicate of a natural
the discovery.
evolutionary experiment,” he said. “They’re
a perfect living laboratory and a wonderful
Because the creature is found only
Understanding how
different species evolve can
“
[Ligia isopods] are a perfect living laboratory and a wonderful teaching tool.
“It might serve an important bio-
Santamaria “fell in love with isopods”
“Because their dispersal is so limited,
teaching tool.”
reveal fundamental insights into their evolution and behavior. Santamaria said the students’ discovery “opened up whole new avenues of research.
“Now, we can do
physiological comparisons across species,” he said. “We can study
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 18
E
ric Hodges, PhD, is searching for an effective way to integrate returning veterans into civilian society. Combining
preliminary research findings with his own experiences as a Marine, he’s proposing that civic engagement — everything from mentoring at-risk youth to volunteering at disaster sites — could benefit returning vets and American society at large.
Hodges, an assistant professor of
interdisciplinary social sciences and political
VETERAN
science at USF Sarasota-Manatee, began his research while working on his doctorate at Virginia Tech, where he encountered the
VOLUNTEERS
groundbreaking work of sociologist Robert
Research looks at the role of community engagement in helping returning vets
interacting with friends and neighbors, joining
By Judy Myers
democracy itself.
Putnam. Putnam observed that Americans were spending time by themselves instead of clubs or participating in civic organizations — a phenomenon that has led to the disintegration of our communities, social fabric, even
By contrast, Hodges noted that vets
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were volunteering for community service in record numbers.
“Vets were actively trying to seek
out and rebuild the community and sense of purpose they lost when they got out [of the military],” he said. “That led me to examine the role that civic engagement can play in helping them reintegrate when they come home.”
19 RESEARCH: USFSM
Building on his idea, Hodges
formulated what became a long-range project
engagement helps veterans reintegrate, then
titled “Soldier to Citizen: How Military Culture
maybe there are changes that can be made at
Encourages Civic Engagement Among
the local, state or federal level,” he explained.
Veterans.” Hodges designed interviews that
“I’m not directly trying to influence policy,
would gauge the level of civic engagement
but once I find accurate information, I think it
among Marine Corps recruits and drill
should be shared with policymakers to inform
instructors. He’s still in the initial phase of
their process.”
research, but preliminary findings show that
“
sponsored organizations that match vets with volunteer opportunities. By connecting with policymakers, perhaps Hodges can stimulate
“
If my research finds that community engagement helps veterans reintegrate, then maybe there are changes that can be made.
There are already a number of veteran-
the creation of public-private partnerships to further invigorate community engagement among vets to the benefit of service people, civilians and American democracy.
Marine Corps training develops leadership skills and community-oriented values. Later phases will involve the development of a survey instrument and quantitative analysis of that data using statistical coding techniques, refinement of the hypothesis and major data collection. Hodges also is doing a needs assessment of veterans and their families who reside in Manatee County and investigating the civic engagement of “military brats.”
According to prevailing social science
literature, a person needs three things to become civically engaged: skills, desire and opportunity. Hodges’ research indicates that Marine Corps training provides the skills and desire. He’s hoping that his research can provide the opportunity.
PHOTO
Eric Hodges, PhD
“If my research finds that community
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 20
UNDERSTANDING
BOKO HARAM
Paper and video trail reveals changes in extremist movement By Becky Ham
W
hen it comes to researching
movement fighting government corruption and
Boko Haram, the violent jihadist
poverty to a group known for its indiscriminate
movement that has terrorized
slaughter and the abduction and sexual slavery
northern Nigeria since 2009, the challenges
of women and girls.
are plain.
Boko Haram, he said, is a technique called
The “field site” is a no-man’s land
One of Pieri’s favorite ways to study
of weekly brutal attacks, with two million
discourse analysis, where he examines the
displaced persons and five million suffering
language and narratives contained in Boko
from food insecurity, and the group’s
Haram statements.
members are “almost impossible to
interview,” said Zacharias Pieri, PhD. “How
of Boko Haram materials that I know of, and
do you do research in the absence of research
in it you can see some major shifts in the
participants from that region?”
discourse that are reflected in the operations
and strategy of the movement,” he said.
Pieri, an instructor of Interdisciplinary
“I have the largest discourse database
Social Sciences at USF Sarasota-Manatee
and an expert on extremist movements, has
trace the history of Boko Haram’s decision
instead turned to an innovative and diverse
to become an affiliate of the extremist
mix of materials — from interviews and videos
group Islamic State in 2014, and Pieri and
to pamphlets and sermons — to understand
his colleagues show how shifts in the idea
how Boko Haram evolved from a social justice
of takfirism — or judging fellow Muslims as
21 RESEARCH: USFSM
For instance, discourse changes
unbelievers or apostates — led to a splintering
the context in which they operate and have a
of the group in 2016, with some factions
phenomenal understanding of their own
expanding their attacks to a broader population
history.”
in Nigeria.
extremist movements, Pieri has given advice
The analyses have also uncovered the
As an expert on Boko Haram and
deep roots of Boko Haram in Nigerian history,
to the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office and
back to an 1804 jihad and caliphate in northern
Ministry of Defence, as well as the U.S.
Nigeria that Boko Haram members hold up as
Office of National Intelligence. His research
an alternative to Nigeria’s corruption-riddled
helps these agencies develop strategies for
government.
countering jihadist extremism.
“I will agree that these movements
“
“
These movements actually are very conscious, able to root themselves within the context in which they operate.
“If we’re able to understand the
are exceptionally brutal and not really justified
discourse of a group and the narrative, we can
in what they are doing, but I think my
then allow policymakers and influential people
students are surprised to find out that these
to develop counternarratives,” Pieri said.
movements actually are very conscious,” Pieri said, “able to root themselves within
PHOTO Zacharias Pieri, PhD
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 22
RESEARCH
A Snapshot of Faculty Research
ROUNDUPS RICK BORGHESI, PHD
When Associate Professor
JAMES UNNEVER, PHD the disparity between the financial
of Finance Rick Borghesi, PhD,
windfall reaped by universities and
and insisting on change when
fused two of his passions – sports
the NCAA and the often poor and
it comes to racism and crime in
and finance – as research topics, he
overburdened student-athletes.
America is something criminology
tapped into a national debate about
professor James Unnever, PhD,
collegiate athletes and whether they
athletes fair wages is an inevitability,”
admits can be challenging, but
should be paid like their professional
said Borghesi. “As broadcast rights
necessary.
counterparts.
contracts continue to increase in
value there will be mounting societal
advocate for social justice,” said the
agreement between the National
pressure to share the wealth with
USF Sarasota-Manatee criminology
Collegiate Athletic Association
those responsible for generating it –
professor. “Racism is like a surgeon’s
(NCAA) affiliated universities and
primarily the student-athletes.”
scalpel for exposing the fundamental
student-athletes in which players
nature of our country’s society.”
exchange limited athletic services for
year for Borghesi’s earlier research
scholarships in lieu of cash wages,”
projects exploring the existence of
interviews, secondary and
Borghesi wrote in the introduction to
profitable sports betting strategies,
longitudinal data, public records and
“Pay for Play: The Financial Value of
as more than a dozen states are
40 years of criminology and race
NCAA Football Players,” published in
expected to introduce bills legalizing
relations research, Unnever’s latest
Applied Economics earlier this year.
sports gambling.
work has culminated in his third
“To many this seems unfair since
book, “Building a Black Criminology:
universities earn billions of dollars
finance roots for his next project – a
Race, Theory, and Crime,” scheduled
from football operations.”
joint study with Finance Associate
to be published this year.
Professor Kiyoung Chang exploring
for this and another study, “The
the benefits that corporations obtain
“A Theory of African American
Financial and Competitive Value of
by engaging in socially responsible
Offending: Race, Racism, and
NCAA Basketball Recruits,” (Journal
activities such as environmental and
Crime,” the new book advances
of Sports Economics, 2017) was
human rights initiatives.
the thesis that the field needs to
“There is a long-standing
Borghesi said the impetus
23 RESEARCH: USFSM
“I think paying student
This could also be a big
Borghesi is returning to his
Asking the tough questions
“I’ve always been an
Utilizing case studies,
A follow-up to his 2011 book,
JOY D’ANDREA, PHD incorporate the experiences of
what it means to be black living in
mathematics and statistics instructor
region, along with hurricane data for
a racist society into its analyses of
Joy D’Andrea, PhD, it would be
the years 1992 through 2014 from
crime.
expected that her research résumé
Unisys Weather, she analyzed the
would include topics such as applied
probability of storms. She used a
to fully understand why blacks
statistics, extreme value theory and
process called exploratory factor
commit crimes and to generate
mathematical crystallography.
analysis (EFA) to determine storm
race-specific policies that will
factors that explain variance and to
mitigate the likelihood that a
who has lived in the Sunshine
measure correlations between storm
black person will commit crimes,”
State for more than 25 years,
indicators such as month, location,
Unnever said.
most recently applied her numbers
wind speed and barometric pressure.
expertise to explore something
has essentially assumed the
closer to home – hurricanes.
Florida Department of Environmental
causes for black and white crime
Protection, she conducted statistical
are the same, but it’s not true,”
the Florida Keys, and I have been
analysis on the four types of
he said. “Research shows that
through many hurricanes, including
sinkholes in Florida – collapse,
chronic exposure to white racism –
Hurricane Andrew,” said D’Andrea.
solution, alluvial and raveling – to
feeling disrespected, stereotyped
“This inspired me to investigate and
determine time to event between
negatively, encountering
help forecast hurricanes.”
occurrences of sinkholes.
discrimination in schools, stores,
jobs – increases the likelihood
Statistical Analysis of Hurricanes
conclusion to this project, D’Andrea
that blacks will become hostile
in the Atlantic Basin and Sinkholes
continues to incorporate personal
and angry. They have experienced
in Florida,” D’Andrea seeks to
and professional expertise with
racism at a level unparalleled to
understand and more accurately
proposals for future research on
other minority groups in American
predict the formation of a storm and
instructional design, sea turtles and
history.”
how that is connected to sinkhole
coral reefs.
“This is the only way
“The field of criminology
For USF Sarasota-Manatee
But the Philadelphia native,
“Part of my family is from
In her current work, “A
Armed with buoy data in the
With information from the
As she works toward a
creation. USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 24
25 RESEARCH: USFSM
STUDENT SUCCESS IS COMMUNITY SUCCESS An important role of public higher education is to train critical thinkers. Those who become knowledgeable, involved citizens contribute meaningfully to the region’s economic and social success.
UNDERGRADUATE HONORS PROGRAM
USFSM’s undergraduate honors
“Not many universities have the ability
program, now open to first-year students, is
to enable undergraduate students to work
a research-intensive track culminating with
with faculty mentors one-on-one on a student-
the development of an honors thesis. The
initiated project,” said Melissa Sloan, PhD,
thesis, akin to graduate-level work with a
honors program coordinator. “Given our small
faculty mentor, involves student and mentor
size and dedicated faculty, we are able to do
collaboration on data collection, extensive
that, and many who complete the program say
research and writing and a jury of faculty to
it’s the best experience of their undergraduate
evaluate the students’ papers.
years.”
“
“
The Honors Program at USFSM provided me with a clarity and purpose that I did not possess with my initial enrollment. -William Kittinger, USFSM ‘15
STUDENT SHOWCASE FOR PROJECTS, RESEARCH & INNOVATION
One of the ways USFSM celebrates
said Jane Rose, PhD, dean of the College of
and encourages undergraduate achievement
Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. “Providing
is through the Student Showcase for
access for our students to share
Projects, Research & Innovation, an annual
their work with scholars
campus-wide symposium organized by Kim
and professionals
Badanich, PhD, in which students formally
who will assess it
present their research to faculty, students
on its own merit
and the community. Research is evaluated
prepares them for
in discipline-specific categories, and winners
the real world. And
travel to national academic conventions, free
presenting their work
of cost, to further present their work.
alongside others from
around the country can be
“We are giving the students a larger
arena in which to have their work evaluated,”
more instructive than the classroom.”
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 26
FINANCIAL
INSIGHTS The power of Wall Street at students’ fingertips
I
t was an auspicious occasion and
advisors and Wall Street traders.
represented a milestone for USFSM’s
College of Business: As business leaders
Advisors, USFSM students can now
Thanks to a gift from Cumberland
and others gathered last spring on the second
access information about financial markets,
floor of the campus, Dean James Curran, PhD,
economics, pricing data and descriptions,
and David Kotok, chief investment officer at
as well as data about stocks, bonds, mutual
Cumberland Advisors, unveiled a laboratory
funds and information concerning Gross
equipped with 12 new Bloomberg computer
Domestic Product, the inflation rate and
terminals.
employment statistics.
“This is going to give our students
“This contribution was made in order
access to the same information that financial
to help students learn about the ever-changing
experts around the world use to make major
world of finance and investments via the most
financial decisions,” Curran said.
cutting-edge technology available,” Kotok
said. “We are always looking for ways to
A celebratory moment, the terminals
represented a step forward in the education
help maintain and improve the lifestyle that
of USFSM business students. Few business
attracted us to Sarasota. We look at that as a
colleges can boast they possess Bloomberg
responsibility.
terminals.
PHOTO
Sarasota-Manatee and the community is a
A student logs into a terminal at USFSM’s Bloomberg Lab
gold standard in technology, the terminals
way we can do that,” he said. “Perhaps they
provide real-time market data from around
will attract students to the area and potentially
the world and typically are used by financial
keep students in the greater Sarasota area.”
27 RESEARCH: USFSM
Representing the financial industry’s
“Donating these terminals to USF
HANDS-ON
HOSPITALITY
The Culinary Innovation Lab opens new doors for hospitality students
U
SF Sarasota-Manatee needed space
techniques, food service, event planning and
for its growing hospitality program four
more.
years ago when a unique opportunity
The space also became home to
arose: a 4,000-square-foot state-of-the art
another program, one aimed at helping a
kitchen space had become available for lease
vulnerable segment of our society: homeless
on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street, a retail
veterans. Called Vets2Chefs, this special
development east of Interstate 75 in Manatee
program was instituted in 2014 by USFSM
County.
alum Bryan Jacobs, a veteran himself who lost
a brother to veteran suicide.
The campus’ College of Hospitality &
Tourism Leadership immediately seized the
opportunity and signed a four-year lease. Soon
chef to the Busch family of Anheuser-Busch
after, staff and faculty got to work repurposing
fame, Jacobs teaches the classes himself. For
the space, formerly the Viking Culinary Center,
12 weeks, his students receive a “boot-camp”
into the Culinary Innovation Lab.
style indoctrination to life in a professional
kitchen. By the program’s end, the students
PHOTO
a breakthrough instructional venue. It enabled
have employable skills and many, in fact,
hospitality students to learn about “front and
work in restaurants throughout Sarasota and
back of the house” operations in a facility
Manatee counties.
outfitted with the latest in professional-grade
equipment, classroom space and preparation
for help,” Jacobs said. “People need to
Top left: Students and faculty work together at a Bulls Bistro event at the Culinary Innovation Lab
and demonstration areas. The students
understand that this program is not a hand
learn about kitchen management, cooking
out, but a hand up.”
The CIL, as it’s known, quickly became
Formerly trained and once a personal
“There’s nothing wrong with asking
Top right: Bryan Jacobs teaches a Vets2Chefs session
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 28
RESEARCH
A Snapshot of Student Research
ROUNDUPS
ASHLEY WICHERN & RISSA FLEENOR
JESSICA SKINNER
Biology undergraduate
The short-term goal of this
What makes someone leave
Jessica Skinner’s research could
research is to survey microbiota
his or her homeland to become part
one day result in new and innovative
within major tissues of Cuq and
of an extremist group in another
ways to control one of Florida’s most
develop an understanding of which,
country? In their research project,
problematic pests.
if any, have potential to serve as
“The Phenomenon of Foreign
mutualists or symbionts. The project
Fighting Revisited: How Motivations
Inside the Bug: Uncovering Potential
is being reviewed by The Journal of
for Foreign Fighting Changed,” USF
Symbionts of Mosquitos” – Skinner
Medical Entomology.
Sarasota-Manatee undergraduate
noted that while mosquitos are
Ashley Wichern and graduate student
intensely studied as vectors of
between blood-feeding arthropods,
Rissa Fleenor analyzed the words
disease-causing pathogens, less is
like mosquitos, and the health of
of actual terrorists to try to find the
known about the microbes inside
both domestic animals and wildlife,”
answer.
them. Those bacteria could be
Skinner said.
exploited as an effective strategy
curiosity of what drives people
to control mosquito populations,
limited to insects, Skinner said,
to participate in foreign fighting,”
Skinner said.
who works part-time at a veterinary
said Wichern, a senior majoring in
hospital and said her passion
criminology. “It also is a very relevant
Manatee junior, spent two years
is working with a pitbull rescue
topic in today’s climate, with the
working with biology Assistant
organization.
ongoing issues pertaining to ISIS.”
Professor Aparna Telang, fellow
students Alexander McClure and
that breed in particular, as they often
analyzed 89 interviews with foreign
Susie Bennet and graduate Robert
get a bad rap,” she said. “Changing
fighters captured at the border
Nemitz comparing the microbial
people’s minds is always
of Turkey and Syria, conducted
diversity between lab-raised and wild
rewarding.”
in part by their academic advisor
In her project “The Bugs
Skinner, a USF Sarasota-
“There is an undeniable link
That love of animals isn’t
“It is rewarding to work with
“We were driven by the
Beginning in 2016, the pair
southern house mosquitoes, Culex
Murat Haner during his time as
quinquefasciatus (Cuq), to identify
an undercover counterterrorism
bacterial mutualists.
officer in 2015. Haner is a research
29 RESEARCH: USFSM
DANIEL SLABAUGH administration faculty fellow and
instructor in criminology.
Disease Control and Prevention
testing will be required, Slabaugh is
declared antibiotic resistance “one
optimistic his research could be an
the decision to engage in foreign
of the world’s most pressing public
important first step.
fighting was influenced by five
health problems.” That same year,
key elements: peer pressure from
USF Sarasota-Manatee senior
see a new antibiotic come on the
religious networks, socialization with
Daniel Slabaugh turned to plants
market as a result of this study,”
existing fighters, low levels of risk
and animals found in Floridians’
Slabaugh said. “A more realistic
associated with travel, favorable life
backyards to identity potentially life-
outcome would be that researchers
conditions compared to previous
saving solutions.
will know what plants hold promise
jihad locations and the opportunity
and which should be ignored.”
to exact revenge.
thesis, “Native Florida Medicinal
Plants,” Slabaugh spent three
to embark on this topic by two
findings was that motivations
months measuring how much
undergraduate courses taught by
vary by their country of origin,”
different common plants inhibited
his mentor on this project, organic
said Fleenor, who is pursuing her
bacterial growth. Those tested were
chemistry instructor Edie Banner.
masters in criminal justice.
Rosa damascena (Damask rose),
Spinacia oleracea (common spinach),
the mechanism behind antibiotics
Fleenor and Wichern were the
Vigna luteola (hairy cowpea) petal,
and antibiotic resistance, natural
first undergraduate researchers in
Vigna luteola (hairy cowpea) leaf,
compounds, how they become
USFSM’s history to present at the
Cuscuta pentagona (dodder vine),
pharmaceuticals and how
American Society of Criminology’s
Cladonia rangiferina (reindeer lichen),
researchers are currently isolating
conference last fall in Philadelphia.
Koelreuteria paniculata (golden
new antibiotic compounds,”
raintree seeds) and Oncopeltus
Slabaugh said. “Writing a thesis
for publication in a top-tier research
fasciatus (milkweed bug).
was the perfect excuse to not only
journal in the U.K., Terrorism &
research those topics but also
Political Violence.
and milkweek bugs showed positive
Months of research revealed
“One of the most important
As a result of their project,
The study has been accepted
In 2017, the Centers for
For his Honors Program
Only the reindeer lichen plant
results in killing bacteria. While more
“Ultimately, I would love to
Slabaugh was inspired
“I was fascinated learning
partake in it.”
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 30
BEYOND TEXTBOOKS
Centers and labs enhance educational experiences
U
PHOTO Students and professors access the powerful M3 hospitality software
SF Sarasota-Manatee made headlines
laboratories. The anatomy and physiology lab,
in 2016 as home to the Florida Center
which debuted last fall, uses 3D software
for Partnerships for Arts-Integrated
to explore the human body. “Students can
Teaching (PAInT), a statewide resource
perform virtual dissections of any region,” said
where teachers learn to infuse the arts with
Instructor Aron Owen.
academics to help public school students.
sciences lab. Fully equipped, the lab will
But that’s just one research-centric
Still in development is the social
success story at USFSM. Others include
include six research stations with computers
the M3 Center for Hospitality Technology
and other technology where students and
and Innovation, a new anatomy lab and the
faculty can conduct surveys and qualitative
upcoming social sciences lab.
and quantitative research projects. One station
is equipped so far, and USFSM is seeking
The M3 center grew out of a
partnership with M3 Accounting Services
funds for the remaining stations.
five years ago. The center was funded by
Tampa businessman John McKibbon III’s
faculty projects, offer students an opportunity
JB McKibbon Foundation. It functions as a
to get hands-on research experience and
repository for research and home to three
expand our ability to engage with community
academic journals. It also helped develop
partners by helping them with needed
educational programs that integrate real-world
research,” said Sandra Stone, PhD, professor
hotel software into the hospitality curriculum.
and interim chair of the department of social
sciences.
Now, USFSM is planting seeds for
additional research centers and academic
31 RESEARCH: USFSM
“This lab will allow us to support
RiTE STUFF
Student teachers demonstrate classroom effectiveness
By Melanie Hanns
E
ach semester, as many as 30 USF
student learning data, as well as other student
Sarasota-Manatee teaching candidates
demographics.
completing final internships at
Program graduate Nicole Marcinko
elementary schools throughout Sarasota and
chose multiplication facts as her focus skill
Manatee County are able to demonstrate their
because her observations and data from her
effectiveness as educators thanks to a unique
Problem of the Day (POD) activities indicated
program launched in 2015 celebrating the
that students struggled in this area, with an
positive, hands-on impact they have had on
average pre-test result of only 64 percent.
student learning in their K-5 classrooms.
After implementing a series of lessons, which
included educational games, student-created
Led by Coordinator of Clinical
Education Heather Duncan, PhD, and with
songs and collaborative learning, the class
support from USFSM School of Education
average on the post-test soared to 84 percent.
faculty, the Research in Teacher Excellence
Program (RiTE) Celebration features posters
opportunity for our candidates to showcase
that detail the achievements of their
the value they have added to their students’
elementary-aged students. Examples include
learning experience,” Duncan said. “It is a
lesson plans, sample student work, evidence
powerful indication of their effectiveness as
of arts-integration and evidence of student
teachers.”
“The RiTE celebration provides the
growth from pre-test to post-test.
Candidates are required to create and
implement lesson plans utilizing previous
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 32
33 RESEARCH: USFSM
THE JOY OF
GIVING
Featuring local philanthropists Harry Leopold & Audrey Robbins
L
ong before making their first charitable
them to the Sarasota-Manatee region. “We
gift as a married couple, local
have to find a way to bring those activities
philanthropists Harry Leopold and Audrey
here to excite others to get involved. I want
Robbins were learning about the joy of giving
to provide the leadership to help other people
from their parents. “My parents always made
discover their passion and feel the joy received
sure that I knew the importance of doing for
from giving.”
others,” Audrey said.
“
philanthropists from the sidelines and into
I want. . .to help other people discover their passion and feel the joy received from giving. While Audrey grew up in Denver,
“
Audrey wants to bring potential
Colorado, Harry immigrated to the U.S. from
the action. “I would tell the next generation
Holland in 1951 with his family. “In my 20s, I
‘It’s your turn, and it’s good for your life!’”
was earning a decent income and was able to
she said. “I also want more people involved.
help my parents. It was their joy and gratitude
Those in their 30s and 40s, it’s not too early. I
that touched me. So many years later, I gain
want people to know that giving to others will
tremendous pleasure from giving.”
create happiness in their lives.”
Harry and Audrey are a philanthropy
team. “Audrey’s the reconnaissance person, out in the community searching for the next impactful project,” Harry said. “She’ll find an exciting project and we’ll discuss its potential impact. We give serious thought to what we will support. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the arts, human services or education. If the project will have long-lasting impact, we will support it.”
A big-picture thinker, Harry longs to
discover other non-profit activities and bring
PHOTO Harry Leopold and Audrey Robbins
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 34
ALUMNI Q&A WITH KENDRA SIMPKINS USFSM ‘14, PSYCHOLOGY
to the field of direct clinical practice, I saw individuals suffering from mental health issues without appropriate resources. This was the beginning of my advocacy to improve access to veteran benefits and provide effective services. Programs and treatments, especially What are you doing now? I am a clinical social worker and own a private practice in Sarasota, providing Rapid
research. Do you feel that the skills you gained at
solution-focused approach to clear trauma. I
USFSM benefited you in graduate school?
also am a co-trainer for the Institute of Rapid
Most definitely! The opportunities and
Resolution Therapy, traveling nationwide to
research experiences provided at USFSM
train other mental health professionals; clinical
not only gave me invaluable experience, but
director of the Brian Bill Foundation, which
I also felt I was much more knowledgeable
holds Warrior Healing retreats for Special
and prepared going into graduate school at
Forces veterans; and founder of Operation
Columbia University than my peers.
Warrior Resolution, a nonprofit providing RRT
to military and veterans.
Do you have any advice for students?
in research as an undergraduate student?
Kendra Simpkins as an undergraduate student outside of the Office of Veteran Affairs
a new initiative, so I began to see the value of
Resolution Therapy (RRT), which is a brief
What motivated you to become involved
PHOTO
government-run ones, require data to support
Research interested me because after I transitioned from the military and had to go through “the system,” I knew there had to be a better way to care for returning service members. As I narrowed my focus
35 RESEARCH: USFSM
Take advantage of every opportunity you can. You don’t have to know exactly what your main interest is-jump into something that you think you may have an interest in. Even if it ends up being something you won’t continue to do, you’ll definitely learn something; it will lead you on a path and narrow your direction of focus. Also, have fun!
ALUMNI Q&A WITH
ASHLEY METELUS USFSM ‘15, INTERDISCIPLINARY SOCIAL SCIENCES
What are you doing now? Currently I am a research and evaluation assistant at Horizons for Homeless Children, where I am responsible for all the internal data and statistics. It is a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and help their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play and comprehensive family support services. What types of research did you conduct as an undergraduate student at USFSM? Besides research coursework, there were three main research experiences that I had. In the summer of 2013, I was able to travel to Africa with Jody McBrien, PhD, to conduct a research project on the educational challenges that students faced during and after the war in Lira, Uganda. From 2014 to 2015, I participated in the USFSM Honors Program, in which I
on the association between youth adult relationships and youths’ future aspirations. Do you feel that the skills you gained at USFSM benefited you in graduate school? Currently, I am a graduate student at Boston College obtaining a master’s in Educational Research Methodology. I felt that I was ahead of my classmates because of the prior research skills and experiences from my undergraduate degree at USFSM. When beginning graduate school, I had prior knowledge of the content that was being taught in my courses.
wrote an undergraduate thesis about Haitian-
Do you have any advice for students?
American college students’ motivations
I would tell them to take advantage of and
for pursuing post-secondary education. In
participate in all the research opportunities that
the summer of 2014, I participated in the
are being offered to them! They may not see
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
the benefits while they are participating, but it
at the University of Virginia, in which I utilized
will be beneficial once they start their career
PHOTO
existing data to create a research project
and/or graduate school.
Ashley Metelus
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 36
THE CROSS-COLLEGE ALLIANCE
W
ith its museums, theatres, even an
Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation and
opera house, Southwest Florida
the Andrew Mellon Foundation.
often lays claim to the title “the
Together, the CCA institutions had
Cultural Coast,” but the region might also be
an economic impact of $657.9 million and
called “a college town.”
created 11,966 jobs last year. They collaborate
on programs and complement each other
Concentrated along seven miles of
Sarasota and Manatee counties are 23,000
while maintaining their unique qualities: USF
students on five campuses – the University of
Sarasota-Manatee is a research institution,
South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, New College
New College is an honors college, Ringling is a
of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design,
premiere art and design school, State College
State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota and
of Florida Manatee-Sarasota is the largest local
The Ringling/FSU.
public college and The Ringling/FSU features
programs and facilities to train students in the
Campus leaders decided to unify
PHOTO
this collective force in 2013 by forming the
performing arts.
Students of the Cross College Alliance institutions pose for a photo (Andie Chupp and Yolanda Woody of State College of Florida, William Vinopal and Megan Ruiz of Ringling College of Art & Design and Tim Thomas and Gustavo Delgado of USF SarasotaManatee)
Cross College Alliance (CCA), recognizing that
while each member institution is distinct, the
cross-registration in which students within the
members share a common vision: “to build
CCA can register for classes at other member
a network among the region’s educational
institutions, job and internship assistance from
organizations that amplifies and expands
career counselors, joint-research opportunities
learning opportunities for our students and the
among faculty from CCA campuses and
communities that surround us.”
shared student life events open to all CCA
students.
It didn’t take long for the community
to rally behind the CCA, garnering support from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota, the
37 RESEARCH: USFSM
The alliance offers, among other things,
PERLMAN
PARTNERSHIP Bringing talented musicians to the Suncoast
S
ince 2004, The Perlman Music Program/ Suncoast (PMP) has partnered with USF Sarasota-Manatee to host the
Perlman Music Program Sarasota Winter Residency, a 17-day music training program led by PMP founder Toby Perlman and her husband, world renowned violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman. This program offers students of exceptional talent, ages 12 to 20+ from around the world, life-changing musical training through an intensive program for
residency culminates with the Celebration
violin, viola, cello and bass players.
Concert at the Sarasota Opera House, with
Itzhak Perlman conducting the PMP String
More than 6,000 residents from
Sarasota, Manatee and surrounding counties
Orchestra and Patrick Romano leading the
enjoy more than 20 free and low-cost musical
PMP Chorus. The residency is an amazing
experiences in the performance tent on
classical music experience that PMP/Suncoast
USFSM’s campus and enjoy hearing Perlman
would not be able to do without the support of
work directly with the PMP String Orchestra.
the university. We are thrilled and honored to
call USFSM ‘home.’”
PMP/Suncoast Board of Trustees Chair
Fran Lambert noted, “The PMP Sarasota
Winter Residency offers a unique learning and
lucky to serve as ‘home’ to the Perlman
musical experience for students and residents
Music Program/Suncoast,” said Regional
alike. Audience members get a behind-the-
Chancellor Karen Holbrook, PhD. “Anyone who
scenes look at what goes into the training
appreciates music will leave a PMP concert
of these world-class musicians, attending
enriched; I invite everyone to the USFSM
orchestra rehearsals, master classes, works-
campus to attend one of the amazing Perlman
in-progress student recitals and more. The
concerts during the Winter Residency.”
“USFSM considers itself incredibly
PHOTO Itzhak and Toby Perlman during a winter recital at USF SarasotaManatee (photo by Rod Millington)
USFSM.EDU/RESEARCH 38
USF Sarasota-Manatee 8350 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243
Plan to attend our 25th Annual Brunch on the Bay.
Sunday, November 4, 2018 // 11:30 a.m. Enjoy delicious dishes from our area’s best restaurants and help raise scholarship funds for USF Sarasota-Manatee students. For more information, contact Pam Gleason at pjg@sar.usf.edu or 941-359-4603.