The University of South Florida will award nearly 2,700 degrees during summer commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus. We are proud to recognize a few outstanding students from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.
Blake Werab
Master of Science in child and adolescent behavioral health
After earning a master’s degree in applied and computational mathematics from Johns Hopkins University and spending five years as a middle school math teacher, Blake Werab realized his impact could extend far beyond equations and test scores.
"My desire for higher learning — specifically in child and adolescent behavioral health — stemmed from what I was seeing in the classroom every day: students needing more than just academic support,” Werab said. “My eyes were widened to this reality, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Motivated to better support his students' well-being, Werab returned to school online to earn a second master’s degree, in child and adolescent behavioral health (CABH) from USF. For his CABH capstone project, Werab combined his classroom experience with his new knowledge to develop a mental health elective course for middle schoolers.
“Educating students about emotional health and encouraging them to support each other with empathy and care, it felt like I was living a dream!" Werab said. "The class was student-centered and designed, and I would adapt the curriculum to support the observed need of my students. While this required flexibility and sometimes even more thought or care, it contributed greatly to the course's significance.”
Werab says that every year, he falls “more and more in love with the profession” and plans to use what he’s learned at USF to continue to support and connect with his students.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"My favorite course in the CABH program has to be either Pride! Supporting the Behavioral Health of LGBTQ Youth or School-Based Mental Health Services. Dr. Jessica Rice and Dr. Matthew Foster are amazing educators, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in their classes. As an educator myself, these two courses spoke definitively to my workplace and gave me plenty of helpful strategies and resources to utilize."
What will you miss the most about your time as a USF student?
"There are many things that I'll miss about my time as a USF student, particularly being able to read more about various behavioral health topics and issues that relate to the field of education. Being provided with multiple publication options to choose from, read, and analyze was a blessing and I hope to continue this practice beyond my time at USF."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"Advice I'd give to a new student starting the program would be to remain hopeful. Be kind to yourself and keep reminding yourself why you are a part of the program. At times, reading through various statistics and data can be bleak and one may feel as if there's too much work to be done to find equity. Honestly, it can be overwhelming. But all good things take time, determination, and ambition. Wherever life takes you, find yourself with a smile and carry yourself with a heart full of love."
Kirstin Downer
Master of Social Work
For Kirstin Downer, pursuing a Master of Social Work was more than a professional goal — it was a deeply personal mission inspired by her neurodiverse son, her daughter, and a desire to drive meaningful change.
“Once I saw all the ways social work empowers communities and families, I knew I had found my calling,” said Downer. “I felt instantly connected.”
Her time in the program, however, was not without obstacles. Downer faced an unexpected crisis when her son experienced a severe hypoglycemic episode. She was suddenly navigating the demands of graduate coursework while managing the emotional and logistical complexities of a medical emergency.
“This experience tested my capacity not only as a student but as a parent,” she said. “It reminded me why I chose this path in the first place: to build a future that supports families through real-life challenges with compassion and understanding.”
With the support of her husband, professors, and classmates, Downer persevered. She is now launching her career as a school social worker and working toward her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential. She is continuing her research with the Institute for Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health (ITRE) at USF and will begin a Master of Public Administration program at Florida State University this fall. She intends to continue her academic journey with a doctorate.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"While I found value in each course throughout the MSW program, one stood out as a true catalyst for my career focus: Foundations of Social Welfare Policy. This course sparked something in me — it ignited my passion to make a bigger impact in the field of social work. Through deep dives into macro practice and policy development, I discovered a calling to influence systemic change. The course not only solidified my interest in advocacy and public policy but also became a pivotal moment that shaped my dual-degree path in both social work and public administration."
What will you miss the most about your time as a USF student?
"Although I’ll still be part of the USF community through the Institute for Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health (ITRE), what I’ll miss most is my MSW cohort. We’ve shared late-night vent sessions, powerful classroom discussions, and the kind of support that only comes from walking through grad school side by side. Forming bonds across the USF community — faculty, peers, and mentors — was more than just academic, it was personal. It gave me a sense of belonging, purpose, and connection that I’ll always carry forward."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"As someone who’s mentored undergraduate students and navigated the MSW journey myself, my biggest advice is to stay curious, stay grounded, and lean into your support network. Grad school will challenge and stretch you — but it’s also one of the most rewarding periods of growth."
"Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek help when you need it, and build relationships with your cohort and faculty. Some of the best learning happens through conversations and collaboration. Also, make time for self-care. This field requires a lot of your heart and your mind, so protecting your wellbeing isn’t optional, it’s essential. Lastly, be open to finding new passions. I never expected that policy and research would capture my interest so strongly, but it changed my path entirely."
Leah Keirnan
Master of Arts in criminology
After double majoring in criminology and psychology and earning a bachelor’s degree in just three years, Leah Keirnan enrolled in the Master of Arts in criminology at USF to more deeply explore the intersection of psychology, criminality, and law.
For her master’s thesis, she focused on the criminal behavior of active malicious hackers — individuals who engage in illegal hacking — and examined what life events, such as education, legal employment, and marriage, may influence them to stop committing crimes. She also explored how autism traits may influence someone’s decision to stop or continue hacking.
“This addition was influenced by several things,” Keirnan said, “such as recent research suggesting autism may be overrepresented in this criminal population, my first-hand experience seeing cognitive impairments in the criminal justice system, and growing up with a sibling who has severe cognitive impairments.”
Keirnan used an advanced and uncommon statistical method — a mixed-effects multilevel ordered logistic regression model — to analyze the data, a challenge she overcame with the support of faculty members.
During her time at USF, Keirnan also embraced the opportunity to travel abroad — a goal she set for herself even before starting college. As an undergraduate, she participated in USF’s Summer in Florence program for six weeks.
“I planned my class schedules around the courses offered abroad, worked a side job to help fund the trip, and was awarded a travel scholarship,” she said. “It was my first time out of the country and gave me the opportunity to learn about cultural differences, which strongly influences how I ensure I remain open-minded in my academic work.”
Keirnan plans to continue her education in USF’s criminology doctoral program and further her research, with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"My favorite course in the master’s program was the Introduction to Criminology Theory with Dr. John Cochran. This was one of my first classes during the master’s program that focuses on laying out the foundational work of the field. Dr. Cochran enhanced the course with his repertoire of knowledge, creating a mentally engaging environment (even if it was a four-hour long class). The course also introduced me to the dynamic discussion-based approach that the criminology department utilizes in their classrooms. While it was challenging to adjust to the higher expectations for the master’s program, it truly set me up for success for the following semesters."
What will you miss the most about your time as a USF student?
"I have been accepted into the PhD program at USF and plan to continue my academic journey with the criminology department for the next five years. However, I know when it comes to my time to leave, I will deeply miss the community that has developed within the criminology department."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"One major piece of advice I would give to incoming students is that adaptability is essential. The life of a graduate school student is another world compared to undergraduate, and being open to changes from your day-to-day routine to how you learn is essential for success. There is a sudden shift in focusing on the development of research, where you can face so many unexpected setbacks that you have to work around. This is most plainly evident through the development of your thesis — changing and adapting to the hurdles presented. Sometimes you come in having no idea how the day will end up, so it is always best to be ready for anything and adapt to unpredictability of each day. Not only is this essential in the program, but it is very applicable in the field of criminology, especially when reflecting on my experiences with outside entities such as probation and the Department of Corrections."
Sarah Bochat
PhD in communication sciences and disorders
For Sarah Bochat, the path from clinical audiology to research has been driven by a simple but powerful motivator: curiosity.
“While I was pursuing my clinical audiology degree, I would consistently pose questions to which I could not find answers,” said Bochat, who had already earned her AuD from the University of Minnesota. “I’ve always gravitated toward clinical research because of this curiosity, and the next natural step was to pursue a PhD.”
That step brought her to USF, where she immersed herself in the doctoral program in communication sciences and disorders. Her long-term goal? To advance evidence-based audiology practices by turning those “burning clinical questions” into research studies that make a difference in patient care. Bochat had ample opportunity to work on a variety of clinical research projects with mentors she calls "visionaries in the field," through the USF Auditory Rehabilitation and Clinical Trials Lab.
"In addition to completing my dissertation work with the lab, my mentors encouraged me to assume additional responsibilities," said Bochat. "These included activities such as helping lead a clinical trial (the Early Age Related Hearing Loss Investigation Pilot Study) and leading meetings with our industry partners at Sonova, a hearing aid company that supported the clinical trial. Overall, my experience was unparalleled in that I was offered countless, high-impact opportunities that expanded my network and allowed me to grow as a clinician and scientist."
Bochat was awarded the USF Trailblazer Graduate Research Scholarship, which provided financial support during the final year of her program and allowed her to increase engagement in student research activities on the Sarasota-Manatee campus. She's also the recipient of a scholarship in a completely different field — the Beans for Brains Scholarship from Jimmy Beans Wool, which provided startup funds for her future sheep and alpaca farm!
Bochat has accepted a fellowship position at the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Portland, Oregon. As part of the fellowship, she will also work with the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research and the Clinical Audiology Department. Bochat is excited about the unique combination of clinical work and research, with the opportunity to use both her AuD and PhD degrees.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"I have thoroughly enjoyed all classes within and outside of the department, and to try to pick a favorite would be like splitting hairs! The course offerings as well as the instructors have been fantastic all around."
What will you miss the most about your time as a USF student?
"I will miss the phenomenal support system comprised of USF students and staff. I attribute my success in the PhD program to the support I received from my friends, acquaintances, fellow lab members, and mentors. I would like to give a warm shout out and many thanks to the Auditory Neurosciences & Technology Lab and the Auditory Rehabilitation and Clinical Trials Lab. I look forward to publishing the great work in which we’ve been engaged these past five years!"
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"Befriend everyone in your cohort, Ph.D. program, and lab, and proactively coordinate networking events. I have been fortunate to have had a great support network, and as I mentioned before, strong support is integral to success!"
Ashley Arflack
Bachelor of Science in behavioral healthcare with a concentration in children’s behavioral
health
What began as a personal desire to help her loved ones has grown into a professional calling for Ashley Arflack. She was inspired to pursue a Bachelor of Science in behavioral healthcare by her own family’s experiences.
“I have loved ones with autism and others who struggle with behavioral needs, and I’ve always wanted to better understand how to support them,” she shared. “As I started learning more, I quickly developed a deep passion for the field.”
That passion led her to complete her registered behavioral technician training and competency assessment and begin working in the field even before finishing her degree. She balanced full-time school, an internship, and a job in behavioral healthcare — all while raising a family.
“There were many late nights and early mornings,” she recalled. “But I stayed focused on my goals because I wanted to show my kids that it’s never too late to follow your passion and make a difference. Being a mother gave me even more motivation to succeed and be a positive example for them.”
After graduation, Arflack will continue her career as a registered behavior technician, working closely with children who have autism and behavioral challenges. She also plans to pursue a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis and become a board certified behavior analyst.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"Honestly, all the courses in this program had important information that helped prepare me for the behavioral health field. I can’t say that I have one course that stood out as my absolute favorite over the others. Each one taught me something valuable. However, I did really enjoy the classes that focused specifically on different types of behaviors. Those courses helped me better understand the challenges many children face and gave me strategies I now use every day in my work as a registered behavior technician. They sparked my curiosity and made me even more excited to continue growing in this field."
What will you miss the most about your time as a USF student?
"I’ll miss the support from my professors and the sense of community I felt in my classes. I learned so much not just from the coursework, but also from the discussions with classmates who were just as passionate about helping others. Being part of a program that truly cares about making a difference meant a lot to me."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"Take your time and be patient with yourself; this field is filled with heart, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. Ask questions, connect with your professors and peers, and find ways to apply what you’re learning. If you're passionate about helping others, this degree will open so many doors for you. And never forget why you started."