It’s been a home-run experience for USF Softball player and @usfcbcs graduate Alexa Galligani! 🎓
Balancing a 4.0 GPA with the demands of being a Division I student-athlete, Galligani proved what’s possible through hard work and determination. From excelling on the field to embracing the challenges of an @usfhonors education, she made the most of every opportunity during her time at USF.
“It teaches you how to build strong connections, work through challenges, and navigate situations you might not otherwise encounter.”
Read more about her journey on the Honors News website!
#usf #usfhonors
From Sarasota-Manatee to Washington, D.C.! 💚 🤘
Angie Sciarrone, a USF Sarasota-Manatee MSW student, recently participated in a national summit on addiction and homelessness hosted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
As an outreach case manager in Manatee County, Angie works on the front lines helping individuals navigate homelessness, addiction and other complex challenges. The insights shared during the summit will help shape a national toolkit designed to support communities facing similar issues across the country.
National and state leaders gathered at the “Seeds to Systems: Cultivating the Behavioral Health Workforce” colloquium to explore innovative strategies for strengthening Florida’s behavioral health workforce. The event highlighted workforce trends, education pathways, mentorship and cross-sector collaboration needed to expand access to care statewide.
Read more: /news/seeds-to-systems
But wait, there’s more! Meet a few more outstanding graduates from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences:
🎓 Ailanee Carrasquillo will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in ASL Interpreting, ready to jump right into the field. She’s most interested in working in a school or community.
🎓 Avry Eden Weinstein channeled her childhood grief into a path toward behavioral healthcare and a career that merges performing arts, music and play therapy to support children navigating loss.
🎓 Christopher Feliciano confirmed his calling in social work while volunteering with BRIDGE, a student-run free clinic at USF, where he saw firsthand the field’s ties to systems, policy and community impact.
🎓 Coral Morley, a CBCS Undergraduate Research Scholar and health care administration major, will leave USF having contributed to two projects shaping how care is delivered for vulnerable populations.
🎓 Brooke Haney, a doctoral graduate in behavioral and community sciences, studies the intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice. Her dissertation identifies gaps between research and best practices for admitting high-risk, justice-involved individuals into drug treatment courts.
#GoBulls #usfgrad #usfgraduation #usfclassof2026 #usfalumni
Commencement will be here soon, and we’re incredibly proud of our graduates! Here, we recognize a few outstanding students from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences:
🎓 Ethan Abercrombie, a double major in criminology and music studies, balances his passion for performance with a future in law enforcement focused on cybercrime and digital forensics.
🎓 Kimberly Menendez will earn a doctorate in behavioral and community sciences. Her dissertation reveals critical gaps in hospital-centric approaches to connecting nonfatal overdose patients to behavioral health services.
🎓 Gianna Rodriguez is driven by the power of communication and its impact on quality of life, gaining hands-on research experience while screening for dyslexia and developmental language delays.
🎓Perdita Samuel Lopez was so inspired by a professor’s passion for applied behavior analysis (ABA) that she decided to pursue ABA at the master’s level and is preparing for a career supporting students in schools.
(PS - Keep an eye out for Part 2, tomorrow!)
#GoBulls #usfgrad #usfgraduation #usfclassof2026 #usfalumni
USF American Sign Language interpreting students helped make last week’s "Ocean Odyssey” program at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing learners. The collaboration also provided interpreting students with valuable real-world experience applying their interpreting skills beyond the classroom.
“Ocean Odyssey,” hosted by the USF College of Arts and Sciences and USF Sarasota Manatee, was part of Suncoast Remake Learning Days. 🌊🐟
Congratulations to the incredible College of Behavioral and Community Sciences faculty and staff who were recognized at this year’s USF Faculty Honors & Awards Reception:
🏆 Shelly Wagers (Criminology) – Outstanding Research Achievement Award
🌍 Jerome Galea (Social Work) – Excellence in Global Research Award
🎓 Matthew Foster (Child and Family Studies) – Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award
📚 Renee Poteet (Criminology advising) – New Undergraduate Academic Advisor Award
⭐ Justine Leigh (former Social Work advising) – Advising Leadership Award
The reception also honored emeritus and retiring faculty members for their years of service, including emeritus faculty members Iraida Carrion, Kathleen Heide, and Don Kincaid, and retired faculty member Lori Rogovin.
Thank you for your dedication, leadership and excellence.
A great day of conversation, collaboration and shared commitment.
Last week’s Seeds to Systems: Cultivating the Behavioral Health Workforce colloquium brought together leaders from across the field to explore challenges and solutions shaping Florida’s behavioral health workforce.
From national and state perspectives to a powerful panel on education and training pathways, the event underscored what it will take to grow, retain and innovate Florida's workforce.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this important dialogue.
#FCBHW #BehavioralHealthWorkforce #FMHI #USF #GrowRetainInnovate
We were honored to host USF President Moez Limayem yesterday at the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences as part of his university-wide listening tour. President Limayem and his team met with our faculty, staff and college leadership, and joined a panel of students who shared their experiences, aspirations and the impact of hands-on learning across our programs.
We were proud to showcase the innovative work happening across the college and provide a tour of the future home of the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce and Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research.
Thank you for joining us, President Limayem! 🤘
🎉 Big congratulations to the outstanding College of Behavioral and Community Sciences students who were honored at the 2026 Celebration of Leadership Awards! 🎉
We are proud to celebrate Sandra Accilien, Livia Gabricio Hertel, Jessica Vanderwerf and Avry Eden Weinstein for their exceptional leadership, dedication to service, and meaningful impact within the USF community and beyond.
Congratulations to these incredible CBCS students for this well-deserved honor! 🐂💚
Big news from the University of South Florida College of Behavioral and Community Sciences 🎉
A record-breaking 27 students have been awarded Undergraduate Research Scholarships—the highest number in program history!
These scholarships, supported by the Moms Project and Florida High Tech Corridor, empower students to lead impactful research on topics like mental health, substance use, nutrition and positive aging — issues that truly matter to our communities.
From innovative health interventions to social impact research, these scholars are gaining hands-on experience and presenting their work to real audiences, shaping the future of behavioral and community sciences.
👏 Congratulations to this incredible group of student researchers pushing boundaries and making a difference!
Congratulations to our outstanding CBCS faculty, Jennifer Roth, Jane Smart and Mateus Santos, who were recognized at USF Women’s Lacrosse “Favorite Professor Day!” Your commitment to student success and academic excellence makes a lasting impact. 👏
