Faculty
Faculty Engagement
Dr. Christian Wells
Brownfields
When Dr. Wells identified the abandoned properties contaminated with dangerous chemicals
in the University area, he sought to take action. Dr. Wells began assessing the distressed
properties around USF known as “Brownfields,” then developed a plan to re-purpose
the areas overwhelmed with contamination and environmental pollution. Dr. Wells collaborated
with the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) to recognize Brownfields
along with other community partners to develop a plan for redevelopment. Dr. Wells
recently received the 2019 Outstanding Faculty Award, the 2018 Faculty Outstanding
Research Achievement Award, the 2018 Outstanding Community-Engaged Teaching Award,
and the 2017 Global Achievement Award for Outstanding Global Student Success from
the University of South Florida.
Dr. Catherine Wilkins
Museum Art/St. Pete
Dr. Wilkins developed the ‘How to Make History’ course, which represents a collaboration
with the St. Pete Beach Public Library (SPBPL) and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum
(GBHM). She developed the course when she learned about roof damage and flooding suffered
by the GBHM during Hurricane Irma. To help remedy this situation, Dr. Wilkins designed
a class in which students learn how history is recorded, stored and shared. She fully
embraced an experiential learning model, supervising students as they practiced recording
oral histories, producing documentary photography, digitizing visual and print artifacts,
cataloguing and contributing to an online historical archive.
Dr. Jonathan Gaines
Curriculum re-writing
Dr. Gaines, Mechanical Engineering faculty, has received formal training in Community
Engaged Learning, subsequently re-writing the curriculum for his team. Dr. Gaines
coordinates USF's creative thinking based first year engineering design course around
problem-based learning. He also has revitalized his department's lab based courses
around experiential learning and National Instruments hardware and software. In addition,
Dr. Gaines developed student-centered curriculum with training in course gamification,
cultural competency, and leadership development. He also promotes the incorporation
of makerspaces in formal and informal educational settings as a founding committee
member for the USF Design for X Lab. This lab provides undergraduate students with
access to 3D printer and laser cutter technology to promote student projects.
Dr. Rebecca Burns
Mort Elementary School
Dr. Burns, College of Education Associate Professor co-created the Mort Teacher Leader
Academy, a unique clinically centered program designed to develop teacher leaders
for urban schools. Dr. Burns’ research examines the clinical pedagogy used in clinical
experiences, roles needed to ratify clinically based education for teachers in partnerships
between university-community collaboration, and how supervision in these partnerships
promote necessary leadership skills to preserve the schools and the college of education.
“The Teacher Leader Academy at Mort Elementary is a true exemplar of how schools and
universities can partner in robust ways to make a difference in the lives of children.
It is an honor to work alongside Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Mort community
to improve the learning experience for all students. We are truly better together.”
–Dr. Rebecca Burns
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