SARASOTA, Fla. (May 14, 2018) – Zyairra Morris, a student from Emma E. Booker Elementary School, already has her dream job figured out: She wants to become an animator.
Julia Kelty from Bay Haven Elementary School wasn’t so sure about her career path, but she likes science so “maybe” a job in medicine is in her future. The two students were among 175 fifth graders from Sarasota-based Bay Haven and Emma E. Booker who visited the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee on Friday as part of the annual campus event, “What I can be with a College Degree.” While the students have years to figure out their careers, educators say it isn’t too early to talk with them about long-range goals, including college life and careers. “Our hope is that by being here, by walking into these classrooms and listening to these presentations they will begin to think about college and what it takes to get there,” Emma E. Booker Principal Edwina Oliver said. For three hours Friday, groups of students took turns touring the campus and participating in interactive presentations designed to urge them to think about higher education. One presentation had the students working with arts-integration instructors. Another had students matching job descriptions with different career scenarios. Still another by the campus’ Admissions Office emphasized the importance of good grades and high test scores. A high GPA coupled with strong SAT/ACT scores are significant in determining admission to college, but other factors, from volunteer activities to sports to after-school jobs, can also make a difference, officials said. Dr. Marie Byrd, director of the USFSM’s School of Education, organized the first “What I can be with a College Degree” five years ago. “I think it’s important for the children to be here because at the age they are right now in fifth grade they need to start thinking about different dreams, about college, and it starts with classes they take in middle school and the classes they take in high school,” Dr. Byrd said. “Their effort, their ability to mature and to do their homework and pay attention in class, everything counts. “We want to make sure that here at USFSM and in the School of Education that every child realizes that they can go to college. It is a possibility,” she said. Before arriving at USFSM, the students created illustrations of their future selves in their careers. Those students and illustrations were captured in videos produced by the two schools. USFSM Regional Chancellor to discuss area’s biotech future USF Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Dr. Karen Holbrook will discuss her vision for scientific research in the region during a meeting Wednesday, May 16, of the Sarasota-Bradenton chapter of BioFlorida. Dr. Holbrook, who has a strong history in the life sciences, will speak at about 6:15 p.m. She is expected to discuss the future of the region’s life sciences industry as well as USFSM’s plans to develop a science and research building with teaching laboratories, research labs and classrooms. Afterward, Dr. Holbrook will answer audience members’ questions. Jason Gaskill, the chapter’s business co-chair, will offer opening remarks. Nancy K. Bryan, president and CEO of BioFlorida, will provide closing remarks. BioFlorida represents 6,000 establishments and research organizations in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology (devices and diagnostics), health IT and bioagriculture sectors that collectively employ nearly 83,000 Floridians. The meeting is scheduled May 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at USFSM’s Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Registration is $45 for non-members, $25 for members and $15 for students. To register, visit bioflorida.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1094362&group=. For more information, visit bioflorida.com. Global Conference registration ends Tuesday Tuesday is the last day to register for the Global Conference on Business and Economics, scheduled June 4-8, at USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. More than 100 scholars from 20 countries are expected for this wide-ranging conference. Registration is free for USFSM faculty, staff and students. To learn more visit, http://globeconference.org/schedule/. Students can register at http://signup.com/go/hrwtbiF. Attendance is free but registration is required. Arts-integrated teaching symposium set this week Teachers and future teachers will benefit from an arts-integrated teaching symposium May 18-19 at USF Sarasota-Manatee. This free conference sponsored by the Florida Center for Partnerships for Arts-integrated Teaching (PAInT)will feature workshops to help educators create arts-integrated strategies, develop partnerships with arts organizations, design collaborative lesson plans and use arts integration to build community. Guest speakers include A. Hasan Davis and Jeanette McCune. Davis, a motivational speaker, is the author of Written Off: How One Man’s Journey through Poverty, Disability and Delinquency is Transforming the Juvenile Justice System. McCune is the director of school and community programs at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Other speakers include Dr. Helene Robinson of USFSM; Kelli Maldonado, director of education and community engagement at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall; Karen Bell, outreach and education manager, the Circus Arts Conservatory; and Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, coordinator of the Florida Center for Partnerships for Arts-integrated Teaching (PAInT). The conference will be held at USFSM’s Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/aisymposium. Dr. Lipscomb wins women’s research award USF Sarasota-Manatee congratulates Dr. Valerie Lipscomb, associate professor of English, for winning a 2018 USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Faculty Research Award. Dr. Lipscomb was recognized for her work in women’s issues and ageism. The USF WLP Faculty Research Award was launched in 2007 “to recognize distinguished faculty members in the USF System (USF Tampa, USF Sarasota-Manatee and USF St. Petersburg) whose research and creative efforts focus on women, women’s issues, and women’s initiatives,” according to the group’s website. Each winner receives a $5,000 award to support continued work. The Faculty Research Award Program recognizes excellence in six categories: one award per USF System institution, one for junior faculty, one for instructors and one for health sciences. Dr. Lipscomb was honored with the USFSM award. “This award allows me to continue fighting ageism against women, who are affected by age discrimination earlier in life and more harshly than are men,” Dr. Lipscomb said. “Literature and the performing arts afford us the opportunity not only to examine, but also to change, these cultural gender norms.” Dr. Lipscomb’s scholarship focuses on the performance of age in dramatic literature. In 2016, Palgrave Macmillan published her book, Performing Age in Modern Drama, the first monograph to examine age and aging as performance in contemporary plays. A collection of essays she co-edited with Leni Marshall, Staging Age: The Performance of Age in Theatre, Dance, and Film, also was published by Palgrave. Dr. Lipscomb’s articles have appeared in such academic journals as Modern Drama, Comparative Drama, the International Journal of Ageing and Later Life, and the Journal of Aging Studies. A native of Iowa, she earned a Ph.D. from USF Tampa with concentrations in modern literature and teaching composition. Dr. Lipscomb serves on the Executive Committee of the Modern Language Association Age Studies Forum and as Treasurer of the North American Network in Aging Studies. Dr. Moreo winner of local hospitality award Kudos to Dr. Pat Moreo, dean of USFSM’s College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership, for winning the Ed Hunzeker Hospitality Leadership Award. The Hunzeker award recognizes individuals who exemplify the leadership, vision and lasting impact reflected by Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker. Dr. Moreo has served in the hospitality and tourism industries for more than 30 years. In addition to serving as dean, he is a board member for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Suncoast Chapter. |
About USF Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM) USF Sarasota-Manatee is a regional campus of the University of South Florida system, offering the prestige of a nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown location, including classes in Manatee and Sarasota counties, Venice and online. USFSM is ideal for those interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit in a small, personal setting with distinguished faculty and a dynamic curriculum of more than 40 academic programs. Website: www.usfsm.edu. |