CAS Chronicles

Stories

USF: A Preeminent Research University

Urban and regional planning program director accepts seat on local planning commission

Led by ten citizen appointees from Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, the City of Plant City and the City of Temple Terrace and two representatives from MacDill Air Force Base and the Hillsborough County Public School District, the planning commission contributes to the creation of a thriving, prosperous community.

April 1, 2025Accomplishments, Community Engagement

USF: A Preeminent Research University

鶹AV faculty lead conservation discussions at Tampa Bay Youth Ocean Summit

John Parkinson, an assistant professor in the 鶹AV’s College of Arts and Sciences, spoke to over 150 university students from across the state who attended the summit to hear presentations on a variety of ocean-related subjects, including how to reduce plastic on university campuses.

March 31, 2025Community Engagement, Events, Research

Integrative Biology doctoral student Gabriela Quesada-Avila turned to the forests of Panama to examine the impact of temperature on germination responses. (Photo courtesy of Quesada Avila)

Can seeds adapt to the heat?

Integrative biology doctoral student Gabriela Quesada-Avila explores how temperature affects seed sprouting to understand plant community responses and inform forest restoration efforts.

March 26, 2025Community Engagement, Research

Julio Blanco III [Photo by Andres Faza, University Communications and Marketing]

From first-generation student to future pediatrician, meet 鶹AV’s Julio Blanco III

Julio Blanco is the first in his family to attend college. Joining 鶹AV was a monumental feat given the adversity he faced growing up, which included periods of homelessness and his family facing financial hardship. But he never let that get in the way of achieving his dreams. 

March 7, 2025Community Engagement

Escalando Nuestro Futuro's 2024 Cohort. (Photo courtesy of Madison Pollino)

Department of Communication professor Madison Pollino empowers youth through public speaking mentorship

When Tampa's Hispanic Services Council reached out to Madison Pollino about helping them with a mentorship program for middle school students, she seized the opportunity to bridge the gap between her work in higher education and the community.

February 24, 2025Community Engagement

More than 600 Hillsborough County Public School students competed in this year’s event. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

Competition plus collaboration equals success for annual ‘Math Bowl’

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics helped bring more than 600 Hillsborough County Public School students to campus for a competitive commemoration celebrating both the expression and power of the mathematics field.

February 24, 2025Community Engagement, Events

One of Anderson’s current projects includes studying experiences and barriers in the public library makerspace for adults with disabilities. (Photo source: Adobe Stock)

School of Information’s Amelia Anderson honored for research excellence in public library services for adults

Amelia Anderson, School of Information assistant professor, earned the prestigious Association for Library and Information Science Education Connie Van Fleet Award for her success in research about public library services for adults.

February 20, 2025Accomplishments, Community Engagement, Research

Mangrove restoration workshop

National Science Foundation names two 鶹AV faculty ‘Ocean Decade Champions’

The award will provide supplemental support to an ongoing project, a large interdisciplinary endeavor linking multiple U.S. universities and conservation and marine science organizations called “Strong Coasts,” which seeks to reduce risks from hazards like storm surge, confront environmental degradation, enhance communities' adaptive capacities and advance public and private investment in disaster risk prevention and reduction. 

February 12, 2025Community Engagement, Research

The 鶹AV women’s lacrosse team celebrates a victory in their inaugural game. [Photo courtesy of 鶹AV Athletics]

鶹AV women’s lacrosse makes historic debut with student-athletes studying to become lawyers, chemists and more

鶹AV women’s lacrosse dominated its debut game in front of more than 2,000 fans at Corbett Stadium. As the inaugural team, the players are well aware that they will forever be a part of 鶹AV history and are working tirelessness to ensure their legacy extends beyond the field.

February 10, 2025Community Engagement

Alexandra de Roos, Boundless Bulls

From ballet to brain injury advocacy: Meet 鶹AV student and Miss Tampa Alexandra de Roos

After a concussion ended her dream of professional ballet, Alexandra de Roos enrolled at 鶹AV as a double major in biomedical sciences and psychology with the goal of becoming a neuropsychiatrist. She was also recently crowned Miss Tampa and plans to use her pulpit to promote brain trauma awareness.

February 6, 2025Community Engagement

doctor talking to male patient in office

Graphic novel aims to break breast cancer’s ‘female disease’ myth and educate men on risks

Marleah Dean Kruzel and research colleagues aim to debunk myths surrounding breast cancer and educate men about their risk through a new graphic novel.

February 3, 2025Community Engagement, Research

Humanities Institute director Elizabeth Kicak (left) with poet Ocean Vuong (right) during the Institute's latest poetry reading in November. Photo by Corey Lepak.

Celebrating the power of words: World-renowned poets visit the College of Arts and Sciences for poetry series

A new partnership between the 鶹AV Humanities Institute and the Michael Kuperman Memorial Library will welcome world-renowned poets to campus to bring students and the community together and empower audiences to pursue their craft.

January 29, 2025Community Engagement, Events

About CAS Chronicles

CAS Chronicles is the monthly newsletter for the 鶹AV's College of Arts and Sciences, your source for the latest news, research, and events at CAS.