USF College of Behavioral & Community Sciences May 8 - 21, 2017

50th Anniversary: Communication Sciences & Disorders Celebrating Growth, Research, Life-Changing Work

At its founding, the University of South Florida's

Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders held classes in a former hotel, where students performed their clinical observations by peering through peepholes.

Today, CSD occupies nearly 50,000 square feet, in a building that bears its name, and encompasses three specialized clinics and a sign language interpretation service.

It is this growth, and a slew of other accomplishments, that CSD will celebrate this year, during its 50th anniversary.

"We have an amazing story to tell. We've grown into one of the largest audiology and speech-language pathology programs in the state, and we're the only program of our kind in the country," said Professor and Chair Jennifer Jones Lister, PhD.

"We are filling a niche here in our community, and our graduates are doing life-changing work in their careers. We have come a very long way in 50 years."


Read more.

Miles for Moffitt Volunteer Opportunity

Miles for Moffitt is looking for volunteers to work at positions along the race course to ensure that the course is clear for participants, as well as cheer them on as they pass by. Must be on your feet for a long period of time or bring your chair from home! Direct runners on the correct race routes. Keep the routes clear for the runners. Alert medical officer(s) if a participant requires medical attention. Control volunteers and on-lookers at designated areas around the course. Direct runners to stay within race boundaries (i.e. cones).

Since 2006 Miles for Moffitt has united the Tampa Bay community to support life-saving cancer treatments and has raised over $3.2 million.

Learn more.

Claudia Dold receives Fulbright Award

Claudia J. Dold, MLIS, MT, MBA, and CPA, recently received a Fulbright award to teach and research in the Palestinian Territories. Her assignment will be in the Old City of Jerusalem for eight months, beginning in August, 2017. In collaboration with the Dean of Digital Learning at al-Quds University, she will write and conduct a series of workshops on the development of research skills both for faculty members and students. She will also provide mentorship for students, librarians, and faculty.

Claudia would like to thank all the people who helped her reach this level of achievement: Dr. Darlene DeMarie, USF Fulbright advisor, Dr. Michael Decker who taught her Byzantine History, Dr. Ippokratis Kantzios who taught her Greek, Dr. Jim Strange who encouraged her to excavate with him in Nazareth, Dr. Ardis Hanson who taught her library and research skills, and all the faculty and students in CBCS who made her a researcher worthy of this award.

CSD Speech Party

Speech and Language Pathology students of Dr. Nathan Maxfield of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders hosted the 8th Annual Speech Party for children with speech and communication disorders. The event was hosted by the USF chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 30 USF graduate students in Speech-Language Pathology, and several adult members of the National Stuttering Association. The theme was "Acceptance and Commitment," and the event was a huge success, serving 16 young people and nearly 50 family members.

In Service to Mankind: How Sertoma impacts the lives of those who serve our communities

By Russell Nay

Every day she goes to work, Amy Davis improves how people experience life.

In August 2000 - four months after Davis got her Master's in speech-language pathology - she worked at Canterbury Wood Elementary in Annadale, Virginia where she helped deaf or hard of hearing preschool to 6th-grade students improve their communication skills.

One of her clients was a preschool girl who wanted to be in an upcoming school play but struggled with normal speech and couldn't say the lines she was given.

Read more.

Van Zyl Named New USF School of Social Work Director

Michiel (Riaan) van Zyl, PhD, a national and international scholar with extensive experience in higher education, research and administration, has been named the new Director of the School of Social Work.

Dr. Paul Stiles Joins Fulbright Specialists Program

Dr. Paul Stiles has been added to the roster of Fulbright Specialists for a term of three years. The focus of the program is on research, ethics, and assisting institutions to establish or improve a research integrity infrastructure that complies with US Federal Rules (many foreign universities have difficulty complying).

Stiles can now be engaged by institutions abroad to travel to their campuses and help improve their research integrity and responsible conduct of research programs and processes.

Congratulations, Dr. Stiles!

Honor Your Mom this Mother's Day

CBCS Employee Recognition Awards

CBCS Employee Recognition Awards


Dee Keiser, School of Social Work


Julie Kuhn, Dean's Office

CBCS Faculty and Student Awards presented to:


Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor

Ray Miltenberger, Child & Family Studies


Outstanding Faculty Service

Greg Teague, Mental Health Law & Policy


Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching

Lori Rogovin, School of Social Work


Outstanding Undergraduate Student Research

Robyn Gerry, Behavioral Healthcare/ Mental Health Law & Policy

CBCS In the News

USF helps make Tampa an autism-friendly city
USF News
...his life took a positive turn after he attended the Learning Academy, which was originally launched by the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. The Learning Academy at USF is a 30-week program designed to prepare young adults with ASD for employment outcomes that match their personal goals.

Letter: 2017 Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Department of Child & Family Studies
The College of Behavioral & Community Sciences at the University of South Florida applauds Mayor Bob Buckhorn for joining mayors and governors throughout the nation proclaiming Thursday, May 4th as National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. Read letter from CFS faculty Drs. Mary Armstrong and Mario Hernandez.

St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Campus Opens The Learning Academy for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Department of Child & Family Studies
The Learning Academy at the University of South Florida is a customized transition program that assists in preparing young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for employment.

Upcoming Dissertation & Thesis Defenses

Sex after Gray Hair? Association between Sexual Activity, Hugging, and Health Among Older Adults
Chantelle Sharpe - PhD in Aging Studies
Thursday, May 11, 2017
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
MHC 1503

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