哔咔漫画

Social Welfare: Policy and Program Analysis taught by Dasha Rhodes, PhD, LMSW
Social Work in Practice in Mental Health and Health Care taught by Sarah Guadalupe, PhD, LMSW

鈥淪ocial Welfare was such a great class. This class taught you about social welfare policy issues and different welfare programs. We were able to dig deep into the different welfare programs. In the mental health and healthcare setting class, Dr. Guadalupe taught us how to broaden our understanding of mental illnesses and learn about the healthcare system. Both courses were developed and taught outstandingly.

鈥淭he BSW program has some of the best professors, and I am so proud to be in this program. While in the program, Dr. Guadalupe, Dr. Rhodes, and Professor Atchison shaped me as a student and social worker. They are passionate, supportive, and deeply understand the career field.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 going to miss the relationships I鈥檝e built during this program the most from my time as a 哔咔漫画 student.鈥�

鈥淢y overall advice for a new student starting the BSW online program is not to overwhelm yourself and always prioritize taking care of yourself.鈥�

Applied Behavior Analysis in Complex Community Environments taught by doctoral candidate Arturo Garcia, MA, BCBA

鈥淭his course offered valuable insights into the diverse applications of behavior analysis, inspiring me to explore beyond the traditional career paths in the field. Coupled with my experience as a Project MABAS scholar, it has shaped my long-term goals of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching, and eventually designing coursework鈥攐r even an entire program鈥攖hat integrates the analysis of behavior with mental health treatment.鈥�

鈥淲ithout a doubt, the students and faculty. USF鈥檚 ABA faculty have diverse research interests and experience which provide students with unique perspectives going into the field, and I developed meaningful and lifelong connections with colleagues within my cohort.鈥�

鈥淭ake advantage of every opportunity available during your time in the program. If you are local to Tampa, make the effort to visit campus and actively engage with faculty and fellow students. Participate in conferences 鈥� whether by attending or presenting 鈥� and explore the diverse and unique applications of behavior analysis. Fully immerse yourself in the experience to the extent that your schedule allows, because that is how you are going to be the best analyst you can be on the other end of the program.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 impossible to choose just one favorite course because I had the privilege of learning from amazing instructors like Dr.  John Ferron, Dr. Liliana Rodriguez-Campos, and Dr. Victor Molinari. Dr. Ferron turned the challenging subject of multivariate statistics into an engaging and enjoyable experience. His ability to simplify complex concepts and teach with enthusiasm made what could have been an intimidating course genuinely fun.

鈥淒r. Rodriguez-Campos, who taught courses on program evaluation, fostered a supportive and motivating environment, encouraging students to refine their skills and think critically about their work. Finally, Dr. Molinari stood out for his incredible mentorship and ability to bring psychology and aging science to life in his lectures. Each of them not only inspired me with their expertise but also demonstrated genuine care for their students, which had a lasting impact on my journey.鈥�

鈥淗aving completed my undergraduate, master鈥檚, and now PhD at USF, the university has been a constant presence in my life for many years. What I鈥檒l miss most are the people 鈥� faculty, students, and colleagues 鈥� who have shaped my journey along the way. Even as my time on campus decreased during my PhD while I focused on coursework and research, the relationships I built have remained impactful.

鈥淚鈥檒l also miss the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a vibrant academic community like USF. From those early years as an undergraduate to my doctoral studies, USF has been a place of growth, inspiration, and opportunity, and leaving that chapter behind feels bittersweet.鈥�

鈥淔ind a mentor who will advocate for you 鈥� someone who sees your potential and helps you grow beyond the classroom. While the courses are important, it鈥檚 the people you meet 鈥� faculty, researchers, and peers 鈥� who truly shape your journey. Be open-minded and allow yourself to be molded by their guidance and insights.

鈥淎t the same time, finding balance between school, work, and life is crucial. Make time to recharge, but also continue to nurture and invest in your support system. Building strong connections with friends, family, and colleagues isn鈥檛 just about getting through the program 鈥� it鈥檚 about maintaining relationships with the people who genuinely want you to succeed and will be a part of your life long after graduation. These connections, along with the lessons you鈥檒l learn, can make your time in the program more meaningful and fulfilling.鈥�

Child Sex Trafficking taught by Joan Reid, PhD

鈥淚鈥檓 sure this sounds alarming to some, but this class is where I found my passion for combating human trafficking and ultimately when I decided this is what I would like to pursue a career in. Dr. Reid is full of a vast amount of knowledge, and I really enjoyed learning from her point of view and experiences on the topic.鈥�

鈥淚 will miss the relationships I made with my professors the most! Since St. Pete is a smaller campus, I was able to make greater connections with my professors and learn from them; I even had the opportunity to work out with one of them, and she showed me up!鈥�

鈥淭he advice I would give to a new student is to say 鈥榶es鈥� to as many things as you can take on. You never know what doors may open for you, the people you will meet along the way, and the memories you will make. Looking back at my college years, I never regretted saying yes even when I felt a ton of pressure, but I do remember a few opportunities I passed up and now occasionally think about how they could have helped me advance as a student and overall human being. Enjoy your time at USF, it feels like just yesterday I was a transfer student starting my first semester and now I鈥檓 graduating!鈥�

鈥淓ach course I took while pursuing my degree has played a necessary role in shaping who I am today. I genuinely value the knowledge I gained, as it continues to influence my thoughts and responses now. I must express my deep appreciation for professors Lanicia Marshall, Paul Stiles, and Aaron Norton. Each of them had a unique teaching style that not only engaged me but also challenged me in ways I never expected. Their empathy and transparency made a significant impact on my learning experience, and I hold that in high regard. I truly appreciate their dedication and the deep effect they've had on my educational journey 鈥� more than they will ever know.鈥�

鈥淚 can honestly say that I will truly miss the incredible behavioral healthcare community. I'll also miss the beautiful campus; it鈥檚 such a special place to be a student. From the food halls to the bookstores, libraries, and those cozy common areas, I鈥檝e spent countless hours soaking it all in. I鈥檓 proud of my journey here and grateful for every moment.鈥�

"Embrace and appreciate your community by actively engaging with like-minded individuals. Don鈥檛 hesitate to ask questions or participate in class discussions; being fully present as both a student and a peer will enhance your learning experience. Remember, you are not alone in your struggles 鈥� many share similar challenges."

Hearing Sciences with Jungmee Lee, PhD
Hearing Disorders with Lindsey Kummerer, AuD

鈥淭hese courses included so much information on everything related to how we hear, how hearing is evaluated, and how clinicians go about treatment for patients with ear/hearing complaints. Both professors for their respective courses were so knowledgeable and made the content so approachable, which definitely helped make the classes more enjoyable. Ultimately, I was just so excited to finally be learning more about audiology and diving deeper into that field.鈥�

鈥淲here to even begin! My friends, the extracurriculars, the gorgeous campus; there鈥檚 so many things that I have loved about USF and will miss dearly. My time at USF has meant so much to me and given me friends and memories that I hope will last a lifetime. The university provides its students with so many outlets to get involved and discover what they are passionate about, and thanks to USF I am graduating as a passionate soon-to-be audiology student. Through USF organizations and opportunities, I have been able to volunteer at a food pantry, learn American Sign Language, play intramural volleyball, sing in an acapella group, pursue audiological research, and so much more.鈥�

鈥淏e open to any career option this major points you toward! This field has so much to offer and there are so many lives that can be changed by the future clinicians who come out of this program, whether it is a speech-language pathologist (SLP), an audiologist, a researcher, or an SLP or audiology assistant. Also, try to make relationships with the students in your cohort and your professors. This program keeps on a tight schedule, where you will be taking classes with the same people for two years, so it鈥檚 nice to become close with classmates who share the same passions as you (also good for bouncing ideas for homework and study tips). Connecting with your professors is always good because they are experienced in the field you want to get into, so you can ask them questions if you need advice on coursework or grad school stress (if/when it comes time for that).鈥�

Exemplary Treatment Practices in Behavioral Healthcare Treatment taught by Aaron Norton, PhD

鈥淒r. Norton鈥檚 clarity of teaching concepts and valuable feedback has set the foundation needed to succeed as an aspiring behavior analyst. This course has taught me how perspectives of behavioral healthcare have shifted over the last century and how evidence-based interventions are essential for successful recovery for individuals experiencing a magnitude of physical, mental, and psychological health conditions. I will apply this knowledge to maximize clinical outcomes and employee  performance in my field in addition to growing as an individual professionally鈥�.

鈥淚 will miss the interconnected community of students, instructors, and team leaders at USF. These connections have fostered a holistic learning environment that goes beyond academics. Instructors and community leaders have enhanced my commitment for professional growth by providing career insights and hands-on experiences such as volunteering. Establishing rapport with a diverse group of people has allowed me to expand my global viewpoints and gain critical thinking skills. Relationships built during undergraduate years often become professional networks and lasting friendships, extending the benefits of this interconnected community far into the future. Therefore, I am thankful for the welcoming atmosphere that the university offers for students."

"I advise students who are entering the behavioral healthcare program to participate in campus organizations and extracurriculars that enhance your soft skills. Such skills include public speaking, networking, collaboration with others, self-discipline, and many more. Developing soft skills play a significant role in both academic success and future career development.

"While technical knowledge is essential, soft skills are what differentiate successful professionals in the workforce. Such initiatives that students can partake in include the Global Citizens Project (GCP) and iBuddy International. The GCP aims to help students engage with global issues, cultivate their cultural awareness, and promote their global competencies. The iBuddy program aims to partner domestic and international students to build long-lasting friendships through a series of campus involvement events. Students can also join the Rotaract organization, whose mission statement is service over self, in order to facilitate community service and connect with like minded students. I assure incoming students that active participation will help you to become a well-rounded student in various aspects of life鈥�

"My favorite course was Gerontological Counseling Theory and Practice, as it directly aligns with my current work as a research manager with older adults in The Villages. The knowledge and skills I gained in that course are invaluable, and I regularly apply them in my professional role to enhance my work with this demographic."

"The vibrant sense of community, both on campus and within the city itself. The connections I've made, friendships I've formed, and the atmosphere of the university and surrounding areas have truly made this experience unforgettable."

"Embrace the fact that everyone鈥檚 journey and timeline are unique. Be open to exploring a wide range of opportunities and research paths, as you never know where they might lead. Stay flexible and curious, and be willing to adapt to new experiences, as they can often shape your academic and professional growth in rewarding ways."