The Serovich Scholars Program is continuing its mission of supporting students in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (CBCS) whose leadership, compassion and a commitment to service are creating meaningful change in their communities.
Established last year through a $250,000 gift from Bob Clark, MBA ’80, a prominent Tampa business leader and longtime friend of CBCS Dean Julie Serovich, the scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate leadership and community involvement. Clark created the program in Serovich’s honor after years of witnessing her ability to bring people together, build connections and strengthen the relationship between USF and the Tampa Bay community.
This year, five students who carry that spirit of connection and service into their own work have been selected as Serovich Scholars. From addressing loneliness among older adults and expanding access to speech and language services to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, improving mental health and creating environments where young people can thrive, each scholar is pursuing a different path while sharing a commitment to improving the lives of others.
Clark is known for forging connections through weekly gatherings that bring community members together — from city mayors and pageant winners to police chiefs and medical professionals. Dean Serovich created a similar opportunity this year for the Serovich Scholars, bringing them together to connect, share their experiences and build relationships.
“These students embody everything the Serovich Scholars program is meant to celebrate: leadership, compassion and a deep commitment to making a difference,” Serovich said. “Their drive to serve others is inspirational.”
Joanna Brown is an entrepreneur who has centered her leadership on creating programs that use nature-based practices to support healing and community well-being. As the founder of Horticulture for Healing, she developed therapeutic horticulture programs that provide supportive spaces where participants can pursue personal restoration and well-being through plant cultivation and gardening. Her programs have supported youth, individuals in substance use treatment and survivors of human trafficking, using plant care as a tool for mindfulness, connection and healing. Her experience founding and leading the nonprofit inspired her to pursue a Master of Social Work.
Maribridget Butler is driven by one quote: “Equality means little unless everyone has the same access.” — Anthony J. D’Angelo. After seeing firsthand how geography prevented students in underserved communities from accessing audiology services, Butler advocated for change, helping lead the development of an additional testing facility that brought services closer to the families who needed them most. The new facility helped remove transportation barriers and gave more students access to timely evaluations and educational support. Now pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, she hopes to continue expanding access to speech and language services for school-age students in underserved communities.
Emma Devine has built her academic and professional career around supporting children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Now pursuing a PhD in applied behavior analysis, Devine provides behavioral services while conducting research focused on improving outcomes for children with autism. Her experiences celebrating her clients’ progress through challenges, along with years of volunteering at autism awareness and inclusion events, have strengthened her commitment to creating opportunities where individuals with developmental disabilities can thrive.
Amy Polansky saw firsthand how loneliness and isolation can affect older adults during extended hospital stays and how even small moments of human connection can make a difference. While pursuing her social work degree, she turned that observation into action by establishing a Dear Elder Mailbox at her hospital, collecting handwritten letters of encouragement and personally delivering them to patients and older adults in the community. Through these interactions, Polansky discovered the power of helping older adults feel seen, valued and connected, an approach she hopes to carry into her future career as a social worker.
Britlee Yant has turned her passion for supporting young people into leadership that strengthens the student experience. Through her involvement with the USF Ambassadors Organization and Student Government, she focused on advocating for students, building an inclusive community and creating opportunities for engagement. Now serving as the director of admissions at a private school, Yant works closely with children and families while supporting students’ behavioral, developmental and educational needs. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, where she continues to expand her understanding of child psychology, youth development and mental health.