Once a Bull, always a Bull: CFS Working Bulls share their stories

The term Working Bulls, often used by the USF Alumni Association, is a name given to faculty and staff of the University of South Florida (USF) who are also alumni of the university. 

For many Working Bulls, their pride in the university is profound, enduring and palpable. 

As of Spring 2026, there were 4,136 Working Bulls at USF, including more than one hundred in the Department of Child and Family Studies. Their stories reflect a range of paths, from that of Rick Weinberg, PhD, who graduated in 1983 and is celebrating nearly 50 years of employment at the university, to employees currently pursuing their first or second degrees at USF.

For some, the journey began in the classroom and led to a rewarding career at the university. For others, working at USF inspired them to continue their education. Below, a few Working Bulls share their journey and what makes USF meaningful to them.

Anthony Concepcion, PhD, graduated in 2020 with a doctorate in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Today, he occupies the same office once used by his former adviser and holds the same position: chair of the online ABA Master of Arts program.

“It continues to be a little surreal,” said Concepcion. “I think about being the student sitting on the other side of that desk all the time.”

Having experienced USF as a student, Concepcion has a unique perspective. He recognizes that faculty are not only providing students with an education but also an experience, professional community and the relationships that stay long after graduation.

“I experienced that myself as a student, and now I get to make my own small contribution to that experience for the students who come after me.”

Concepcion brings that same sense of connection to his life beyond the classroom. He is a season ticket holder for football, basketball and lacrosse, regularly attends sporting events and other activities on and off campus, and is an active life member of the USF Alumni Association. Even at his wedding (to a fellow Working Bull), USF pride was on full display with an appearance by the one and only Rocky the Bull.

“At this point, USF is much more than where I went to school or where I work," said Concepcion. “It has become a community that is woven into both my professional and personal life.”

USF has given me unique opportunities to do exactly what I dreamed of doing professionally, and I have genuinely not found another place that offers the same combination of opportunity, support, and potential for impact.  

Anthony Concepcion, PhD

Jennifer Nolan began her career at USF in 2016 and soon found herself immersed in the culture of higher education. She started graduate coursework less than a year into her employment, beginning with a graduate certificate and then applying those credits toward a Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, which she earned in 2020.

Nolan and her family remain active members of the USF community, regularly attending sporting events and family-centered activities.

“I am able to give back to the place that helped shape who I am while continuing to grow alongside it, supported by a team that truly invests in one another,” said Nolan. “I am truly so thankful!”

Kim Read, PhD, has worked at USF for 26 years. She began her career as a lab assistant during her final semester as an undergraduate in psychology in 2001. She later returned to her studies and earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction/higher education administration in 2016. 

“USF has shaped my life journey,” said Read. “I am extremely proud to call USF my alma mater, and I am a lifelong Bull.”

Maura DeJesus graduated from USF in 2011. During her time as a student, she worked in Housing and Residential Education and the Office of Human Resources. After graduating she secured another student employee role in Human Resources that soon turned into a full-time staff position. After three years in Human Resources, she transferred to the Department of Child and Family Studies and began working as a unit human resources administrator. Fast forward to 2026, Maura has reached 15 years of service with USF.

Through her time at USF both as a student and employee, Maura noted the changes of the campus and people and the countless memories she has acquired through the years. She says at USF, “U Truly Stay Forever.”

Paige Talhelm, PhD, began her journey at USF as a student pursuing her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis in 2017. After graduating in 2019, Talhelm remained connected to the university as a Life Member of the USF Alumni Association, attending sporting events, and supporting USF ABA events.  

In 2023, she returned to the program. First, as a post-doctoral fellow, then as a visiting assistant professor of instruction, and is now is the ABA program’s practicum coordinator.  

“Teaching students who are sitting in the same classrooms I once sat in feels like a full-circle moment, and it continues to shape how I approach mentorship and training within the program.” 

Laura Rodriguez Lopez, PhD, began working at USF in 2016 and after three years decided to pursue a doctoral program.

“Working in higher education for several years, I decided to continue my education because I realized I wanted to deepen my knowledge around program development, systems change and educational innovation, and use that knowledge to support the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities’ work in training students in the disability and behavioral health fields,” said Lopez.  “I also knew I wanted to eventually pursue teaching as a faculty member, and I needed a doctoral degree to qualify.” 

Lopez graduated in 2022 earning her doctorate in education. Working full time for the university and pursuing her doctorate as a mother to a three-year-old was challenging, said Lopez, but also incredibly rewarding professionally and personally.  

“Being both an alum and an employee at USF means a great deal to me and it is something I am super proud of,” she said. “It took me a long time to get used to living in Florida, and USF was the first place that made me feel like I belonged.”

Ercilia Calcano was introduced to USF in 1992 by two faculty members conducting research in her small town in the Dominican Republic. Calcano had just learned English while completing a business program in the U.S., and was asked to accompany the USF researchers around the country to serve as a translator.

During that time, she learned about research methodology and data collection. The researchers connected her with USF’s Office of International Students and, in 1994, she began studying anthropology at USF. In 1998, she completed her master’s degree in public health. After graduating and working full time for other organizations, she still found herself connected to USF.

“I continued to be involved with USF by hosting students to do their field work, writing collaborative grant proposals with faculty members, serving as speaker and then instructor for USF Health classes, and sitting in various local and state committees to affect policy,” said Calcano.

In 2011, she returned to USF as a full-time employee and never looked back.  

“Although I've been called to apply for positions outside USF, this is where I feel at home.”

Sandra Dwinell began working at USF in 2004 during her final semester of pursuing her undergraduate degree in psychology.   

Dwinell says she has made some of her closest, strongest friendships at USF and credits the university for providing her with a degree, career, friends and a community. She found herself championing other family members and friends, even her spouse, through their years at USF.

“I would say that I have been connected to USF in some way for over half my life, and therefore, it is woven into the fabric of my being," said Dwinell. 

I have grown up here. USF is more than a place; it is a part of me, and it is my home.

Sandra Dwinell