About HIPUR

HIPUR Spotlight

The Importance of Practicing Sustainability!

Photo of the WATERGOAT

WATERGOAT at the ßÙßÇÂþ»­ St. Petersburg Campus. “A WATERGOAT collects trash that washes in from stormdrains in surrounding neighborhood streets. It helps protect water and properties from flooding by keeping debris and trash out of the streets, streams, and ditches.â€

Many unique perspectives of students/staff/community members helped make the WATERGOAT a reality!

In the fall of 2023, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) recognized the WATERGOAT installation on the ßÙßÇÂþ»­ St. Petersburg campus.

The WATERGOAT project was made possible by partnering with Student Government, Water Warriors Alliance, Student Environmental Awareness Society (SEAS), the Student Green Energy Fund, and the City of St. Petersburg. The project aligns with Goal 17 of the , Partnership for the Goals, which strengthens the means of implementation and revitalizes the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. , Sean interviewed the major individuals who were instrumental in making the WATERGOAT possible. Those individuals are as follows:

  • Elizabeth Olson, former Coordinator of Sustainability, ßÙßÇÂþ»­ St. Petersburg Student Government
  • Taylor Herman, former Coordinator of Marketing, ßÙßÇÂþ»­ St. Petersburg Student Government
  • Dr. Jacob Diaz, Regional Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Dean of Students, ßÙßÇÂþ»­ St. Petersburg Campus
  • Matthew Cimitile, Assistant Director, Communications and Marketing Department, USF St. Petersburg Campus, and Staff Advisor to Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF)
  • Christian Hardigree, Regional Chancellor, ßÙßÇÂþ»­ St. Petersburg Campus

video features young people from various backgrounds who create a short video on a particular sustainable development goal and its impact on their community. The project further aims to expose the audience to the different topics that embody each Sustainable Development Goal and the effect it is having on the lives of children across the world. Sean addresses SDG 17 and the WATERGOAT (4:48). Learn more about project.


Celebrating Student Excellence at APIC Annual Conference!

AIPC

Students pictures from left to right: Lorelei Herman, Melanie Colombo, Chukwuemeka Uhiom, Jenessa Monchery

We are thrilled to spotlight the remarkable achievements of our talented students who attended the prestigious Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Annual Conference. This exceptional event brought together leading minds in infection control and epidemiology, providing an invaluable platform for our students to share their innovative findings and contribute to advancing healthcare practices. The College of Public Health sponsored the students as part of their work on Dr. Christine McGuire-Wolfe's project. Building Capacity of the Public Health Workforce: Examining Challenges and Opportunities Related to Enhancing Infection, Prevention, and Control Education and Training for Students.

These exceptional students and Professor McGuire-Wolfe exemplify the dedication and passion that our institution nurtures. Their success is a testament to the significance of mentored research experiences that provide aspiring researchers with the guidance and resources they need to thrive.


Congratulations to all the brilliant minds who presented at our 2023 Summer Research Symposium!

summer symposium

2023 Summer Research Symposium

Over 50 posters and 100 students presented at the 2023 Summer Research Symposium! We are incredibly proud of their research dedication and appreciate the faculty mentors' fantastic support and commitment. Our students' dedication to undergraduate research is inspiring, and the future looks brighter with their contributions. They keep exploring, innovating, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. They are the driving force of change.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful sponsors, Dr. Sylvia Wilson-Thomas, Ph.D., Interim VP for Research & Innovation, and Paul A. Sohl, CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor, for making our 2023 Summer Research Symposium a resounding success!

Special thanks to Dr. Melissa Irvin, Ed.D., for her inspiring closing remarks and Dean Allison Crume, Ph.D., for supporting our undergraduate researchers.


The HIPUR Office Participates at the 2023 AAC&U Institute on High Impact Practices and Student Success 

AAC&U

The HIPUR team at the AAC&U Institute Summer 2023

The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research, including Dr. Melissa Irvin, Dr. Joy Harris, Dr. Nazek Jawad, Karen E. Garcia-McGowan, Nicole Roberts, and Chloe Mikolasik, had the privilege of participating at the AAC&U Institute on High Impact Practices and Student Success. It was an incredible opportunity for us to exchange insights and connect with leaders, educators, and administrators from across the nation who share a passion for empowering students and fostering their academic and personal growth by providing exceptional educational experiences.

The AAC&U Institute is a premier gathering for higher education professionals focused on exploring innovative strategies and best practices in high-impact practices (HIPs) and their positive impact on student success. As a leading institution dedicated to providing exceptional educational experiences, we were honored to be part of this transformative event.

Participating in the AAC&U Institute reaffirmed our belief in the transformative power of high-impact practices. We returned with a renewed sense of purpose, armed with fresh ideas and strategies to enhance our existing programs, engage with faculty members, and create new opportunities for our students to gain the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the organizers of the American Association of Colleges and Universities Institute for hosting this remarkable event and providing a platform for meaningful conversations and collaboration. We look forward to implementing the lessons learned and elevating our students' experiences.


2023 High Impact Practices Faculty Awards Ceremony

The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research celebrated exceptional faculty across the USF campuses at the inaugural 2023 High Impact Practices Faculty Awards Ceremony. The recognized faculty members have created outstanding learning experiences for their students, demonstrated a deep commitment to their students' success, and worked tirelessly to incorporate high-impact practices into their curriculum, specifically in the areas of global education and undergraduate research mentorship.

The Global Education Faculty Awards recognize faculty members who have created and delivered courses that allow our students to cultivate their global competencies. These faculty members have demonstrated a commitment to promoting global awareness and have gone above and beyond in providing students with unique and transformative learning experiences that broaden their perspectives and prepare them to be global citizens.

The Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship Awards recognizes faculty members who have significantly contributed to developing undergraduate research skills and the mentorship of undergraduate researchers. These faculty members have guided students through the research process, from identifying research questions to presenting their findings at conferences and other scholarly events.

We are grateful for the passion and dedication of our faculty members.