Welcome to the April edition of Campus Insider, a monthly newsletter from the University
of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, featuring exciting university news, research and
stories of impact. Highlights this month include the PAM Health Living
Community, where 10 nursing will live as a cohort in Atala Residence Hall, details
about the 2025 Summer Grant Writing Workshop and how the Sarasota-Manatee campus fits
in with plans for the new Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity
and Computing at USF.
PAM Health scholarships give nursing students a home in Atala Hall
Ten nursing students at USF Sarasota-Manatee have been awarded scholarships to live in Atala Residence Hall, thanks to a new partnership between the College of Nursing and PAM Health that will provide the students with unique academic and other experiences as they prepare to start their careers.
Summer Grant Writing Workshop is a chance for researchers to learn 'hidden skill'
Whether you’re an early career researcher, university faculty member or a doctoral student, the 2025 Summer Grant Writing Workshop can provide the tools, strategies and expert insights needed to write competitive grant proposals.
ENTREPRENEUR TWIN BROTHERS BLAKE AND BROCK GRATTON TO SPEAK AT USF SARASOTA-MANATEE
The campus will host a fireside chat with twin brothers Blake and Brock Gratton, Sarasota entrepreneurs who started and built SpringWell Water Filtration into a powerhouse brand before selling the company for more than $100 million, as part of the Conversation with a Founder speaker series from the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship on April 15.
HISTORIC $40M GIFT ESTABLISHES BELLINI COLLEGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, CYBERSECURITY
AND COMPUTING AT USF, SOLIDIFYING TAMPA BAY AS “CYBER BAY”
The nation’s first named college dedicated to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity will drive workforce development, national security and economic growth.
USF Sarasota-Manatee making its mark in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity
Faculty members are engaged in research as USF plans the new Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing.
The Board of Trustees honored former campus leader Karen Holbrook by naming her regional chancellor emerita for life. Holbrook retired in December, after more than 15 years in several leadership roles at USF, including seven years at the Sarasota-Manatee campus. During her tenure as regional chancellor, the campus opened its first student housing, Atala Residence Hall; received its largest gift, $5.2 million for the naming of The Baldwin Group School of Risk Management and Insurance; established a presence for the Judy Genshaft Honors College; and raised more than $14.5 million in total philanthropic support. The USF Foundation has opened the “Dr. Karen A. Holbrook Legacy of Leadership” fundraising campaign to name the USF World offices in the Student Center and Atala Residence Hall in honor of Holbrook, a former senior vice president for global affairs and international research at USF.
The campus will host a Bank of America Better Money Habits networking event, featuring a presentation on the bank’s financial education curriculum, a panel discussion on careers in banking and financing and breakfast. The event, which is open to students, faculty, staff and community members will be on April 15 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Selby Auditorium. RSVP by April 14.
The renewal of the Sister City bond between Sarasota, Florida, and Perpignan, France, has ushered in a new era of transatlantic collaboration, with the University of South Florida and USF World playing a pivotal role in deepening academic cultural, and economic ties. During a presentation at the Selby Memorial Library, Brandon McLeod, campus director of USF World on the Sarasota-Manatee campus, underscored the university’s longstanding commitment to fostering global connections, particularly through its robust engagement with France. McLeod highlighted USF’s multifaceted relationship with France, which spans decades and encompasses over 980 students who have studied abroad in cities like Paris, Nice, and Lyon since 2013. “These programs are transformative, ”McLeod said, “equipping students with cultural fluency and academic excellence while building lifelong bridges between our nations.”
Fawn Ngo an associate professor of criminology at USF Sarasota-Manatee was named the recipient of the 2025 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Mentor Award, a distinguished honor recognizing her dedication to mentoring students in the field of criminal justice sciences. “This award means so much to me because it was the students who nominated me for it. I feel truly humbled and honored to have received it,” Ngo said.
Carlos Moreira was honored with the Florida Veterans Foundation Service Medal at the Veterans and First Responders Ball in Bradenton on March 22, where he was recognized by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) for his service to the Sarasota-Manatee community.
USF is accepting applications for up to $4,000 in scholarships for students who plan to live in Atala Residence Hall during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Sunshine From Darkness, part of the Bob and Lee Peterson Foundation of Sarasota, is sponsoring The Resilience Collective: USF Student Edition, a three-session lunch-and-learn or afternoon social program designed to empower students with resilience-building skills, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. a.m. on April 3, 9 and 16. With a focus on interactive workshops, this program supports student well-being, collaboration and career readiness.
USF Youth Experiences is accepting registrations for the Judy Genshaft Honors College Mock Trial Intensive for 10th through 12th graders, July 10-12, on the Sarasota-Manatee campus. The program offers high school students a unique chance to dive into the world of law and gain real courtroom experience in Sarasota-Manatee. The camp also provides invaluable exposure to the legal profession, featuring panels with legal experts and culminating in a mock trial at Stetson Law School.
USF in early March launched a new marketing campaign that celebrates the many ways, from groundbreaking innovation and research to empowering the next generation of leaders, USF’s people make “bold” happen every day. Check out the videos, stories and more at the Be Bold website.
USF Sarasota-Manatee's Support-A-Bull Food Pantry is available to students to address food insecurity by providing supplemental food and toiletry items to students in need. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday at the Main Rotunda desk. List of high demand items.
In the News:
The Wall Street Journal and other outlets reported a record-setting $40 million gift for the naming of the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing set to open this fall.
Fox 13 Tampa Bay interviewed Brooke Hansen, associate director of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management about a study that named 10 Florida beaches as the nation's most dangerous ones.
The Bradenton Times reported on how Manatee County government is seeking public input on possible improvements along U.S. 41, including at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
Beyond the Blog, which is published by the Patterson Foundation, reported on how the foundation has created new opportunities for the community to connect with Patriot Plaza's stories of service and sacrifice at Sarasota National Cemetery by contributing pieces of its commissioned artwork to community partners, including USF Sarasota-Manatee.