CAS Chronicles

Stories

ƶijapp: A Preeminent Research University

ƶijapp students make directorial debut

When Hilda Sheridan-Hewlett moved from London, England to Tampa, Fla. to study literature and film, she was so swept away by the natural beauty of the local beaches that she decided to write and direct a short film. The final product, “Lost in the Current," has so far been screened at five film festivals.

April 29, 2025Accomplishments, Community Engagement, Events

Graduate students work with patients under the oversight of the clinic’s supervisors and directors. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

ƶijapp Psychological Services Center filling mental health services gap for community

At the ƶijapp Psychological Services Center, anyone in the community has access to evidence-based therapy and assessments on a sliding scale.

April 29, 2025Community Engagement

Abby Vidmar in Port St. Joe, Fla., where her research takes place. (Photo courtesy of Abby Vidmar)

Anthropology in action: PhD candidate Abby Vidmar helps a town tell its story

Abby Vidmar, an applied environmental anthropology PhD candidate, is documenting the powerful grassroots movement in Port St. Joe, Fla., as residents unite to protect their hometown. Through her work, Vidmar blends research with advocacy, capturing stories of resilience and inspiring efforts to protect communities and ecosystems for generations to come.

April 29, 2025Community Engagement, Research

At the height of the pandemic, two programs launched to connect people across generations. Five years later, Health Buddies and TelePals have connected hundreds of older adults with ƶijapp students, reducing loneliness and increasing access to health information.

April 25, 2025Community Engagement

A new partnership between ƶijapp and the city of St. Petersburg will bring an industrial-sized composter to campus, with the goal of reducing tons of food waste from landfills and creating compost for community gardens and urban farms.

April 21, 2025Community Engagement

The interactive Creekshed 2.0 map is a collaboration between artists and writers that explores the human and natural stories flowing through Tampa Bay’s watershed.

April 17, 2025Community Engagement, Research

Dr. Josh Scacco speaks at podium at Center for Sustainable Democracy Event

Associate professor of communication makes history as ƶijapp’s first Carnegie Fellow

Dr. Joshua Scacco joins the 2025 Andrew Carnegie Fellows Class—ƶijapp’s first faculty member to earn the honor.

April 16, 2025Accomplishments, Community Engagement

Nearly two dozen students received their certificate of completion from ƶijapp's Brewing Arts program during a ceremony held at the Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen in Tampa.

April 4, 2025Community Engagement

The Rising Tides Podcast” covers ocean research from space to the seafloor, including the use of buoys, satellites, and submersibles to advance marine science. Credit: Jay Law.

‘The Rising Tides Podcast’ explores cutting-edge ocean technologies in marine science

Designed for ocean experts and general audiences alike, “The Rising Tides Podcast” invites oceanographers to discuss their ground-breaking research through one-on-one conversations.

April 2, 2025Community Engagement

ƶijapp: A Preeminent Research University

Urban and regional planning program director accepts seat on local planning commission

Led by ten citizen appointees from Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, the City of Plant City and the City of Temple Terrace and two representatives from MacDill Air Force Base and the Hillsborough County Public School District, the planning commission contributes to the creation of a thriving, prosperous community.

April 1, 2025Accomplishments, Community Engagement

ƶijapp: A Preeminent Research University

ƶijapp faculty lead conservation discussions at Tampa Bay Youth Ocean Summit

John Parkinson, an assistant professor in the ƶijapp’s College of Arts and Sciences, spoke to over 150 university students from across the state who attended the summit to hear presentations on a variety of ocean-related subjects, including how to reduce plastic on university campuses.

March 31, 2025Community Engagement, Events, Research

Integrative Biology doctoral student Gabriela Quesada-Avila turned to the forests of Panama to examine the impact of temperature on germination responses. (Photo courtesy of Quesada Avila)

Can seeds adapt to the heat?

Integrative biology doctoral student Gabriela Quesada-Avila explores how temperature affects seed sprouting to understand plant community responses and inform forest restoration efforts.

March 26, 2025Community Engagement, Research

About CAS Chronicles

CAS Chronicles is the monthly newsletter for the ƶijapp's College of Arts and Sciences, your source for the latest news, research, and events at CAS.