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"This is not an isolated story": Forgotten Black cemeteries uncovered in Florida
No one can say when human remains began surfacing in Clearwater, Florida. There was the pipeline crew that churned up bones in a trench. Later, remains of the dead were found at an elementary school, a swimming pool, and an office building. It seemed like a curse for what had been done in the name of progress—and greed—in the old segregated south. The truth of what happened in the '40s and '50s was meant to stay buried, but in a neighborhood called Clearwater Heights, residents with long memories recognized a grave injustice.
November 27, 2022Community Engagement, Research and Funding, University Efforts
Getting certified in DEAI
Stepping out of my comfort zone has been a theme throughout my career journey — from switching labs in my sixth year of graduate school to switching careers from bench research to diversity, equity and inclusion after defending my thesis in 2020. Leading the staff of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology through a seven-part course that included challenging conversations and self-reflection about diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion in the workplace has been the latest step in this journey.
November 9, 2022Community Engagement, University Efforts
Administrative plans for growth in diversity shared during town hall
USF President Rhea Law held a town hall Wednesday to share leadership plans for the fall semester, review the newly approved university operating budget and outline human resources’ staff support services. Interim Provost Eric Eisenberg began the roundtable discussion by announcing diversity initiatives outlined in the university’s newest set of strategic plans.
September 8, 2022Community Engagement, Tampa Campus, University Efforts
First-year diversity decreases amid rise in enrollment
During Interim Provost Eric Eisenberg’s report at Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting, a common theme emerged of increased enrollment paired with stagnant or declining diversity numbers in certain communities for the fall semester. More first-year students are enrolled this year than any other incoming class in the university’s history, according to Eisenberg. There was an 8% increase in this incoming class, bringing the total number of students from 6,392 last year to 6,918.
September 7, 2022Community Engagement, University Efforts
USF professors study the civil rights movement during REACH Montgomery Museum Studies program in Alabama
Twenty-one educators, including eight professors from the University of South Florida, journeyed this summer to Montgomery, Ala., the cradle of the American civil rights movement, to learn more about the movement, reflect on its role in the nation’s history and develop ways to best teach the lessons they learned to today’s students.
August 16, 2022Research and Funding, University Efforts
USF hopes to fill diversity gap in STEM industry by launching new program to educate children
Programming, IT, and engineering are among the hottest jobs in Tampa Bay, but there’s a diversity gap in who fills those positions. A new program from the University of South Florida's St. Pete campus looks to fill it by educating minority children and girls in local schools about the STEM industry.
July 26, 2022Community Engagement, St. Petersburg Campus, University Efforts
An update on the search for USF’s next Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
I would like to share an update on the search for USF’s next Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. When we unveiled our new Strategic Plan this past year, we underscored not only our core values of Inquiry, Innovation, Integrity, and Inclusion, but also our steadfast commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These guiding values and commitments define who we are as an institution and shape our bold path forward as the nation’s fastest-rising university. True to the spirit of our aptly named Strategic Plan – “In Pursuit of Excellence” – we are now ready to launch the search for a talented, driven, and proven Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
July 25, 2022University Efforts
In-depth: Why doctors believe the racial disparity in COVID-related deaths is smaller now than ever before
Local epidemiologists have said the racial disparity in COVID-related deaths is smaller now than ever before. Some epidemiologists credit the rapid increase in vaccination rates among people of color. “So, the distance between the number of people that were vaccinated or not vaccinated in African American communities and that in our Caucasian counterparts has significantly narrowed during the past year,” said Dr. Kevin Sneed with USF Health. He also credits the work of organizations such as We Care and ReachUp, Inc. for the increase in local vaccination rates among people of color.
July 22, 2022Research and Funding, University Efforts
USF Tampa launches Local Restaurants Row to feature women- and minority-owned businesses
Today, three on-trend restaurants operate in LRR, and each meets Aarmark’s (the university’s food service partner) and USF’s rigorous standards. In addition to providing a great opportunity to hone their craft, being a part of LRR provides caterers, chefs, and restaurateurs major exposure to a huge local audience.
July 20, 2022Community Engagement, Tampa Campus, University Efforts
USF anthropologist tells the story of ‘throwaway’ boys
After spending several years unearthing graves and crimes at an infamous, state-operated “school for boys” in Florida’s panhandle, University of South Florida anthropologist Erin Kimmerle has released her harrowing findings to the masses.
July 1, 2022Research and Funding, University Efforts
USF Celebrates Juneteenth
Celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s, Juneteenth has become the most well-known commemoration for the ending of slavery in the United States. Last year, it was established as a federal holiday. On Friday, June 17, USF’s Office of Multicultural Affairs commemorated Juneteenth on the St. Petersburg campus, bringing together the community to shed light on the holiday’s complicated history, discuss current racial justice issues and celebrate through artistic performances. Music, great food and a joyous atmosphere added to the festivity.
June 17, 2022St. Petersburg Campus, University Efforts
USF students, officers discuss improving relationship between law enforcement, minority communities
University of South Florida students along with officers from USF's police department and the St. Petersburg Police Department discussed how to improve relationships between law enforcement and minority communities.
April 26, 2022Community Engagement, Student, University Efforts