A NEW ERA
Welcome to the first FYCS newsletter of 2024. As we rang in the new year, Dr. Tracy Irani passed the department’s leadership baton to me. After a decade of serving as department chair, Dr. Irani stepped back into her faculty role, and I accepted the role of Acting (interim) Chair. Under Dr. Irani’s excellent guidance, FYCS experienced the successful growth of its academic programs, including the new Ph.D. in Youth Development and Family Science; the establishment of an interdisciplinary research program; and the expansion and reach of Extension work to new audiences through innovative programs. In the 15 plus years since I joined the department as a faculty member, I have witnessed the capacity of FYCSers to promote positive change and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I am excited for the opportunity to lead and support our efforts. My goal as acting chair is to continue our trajectory of growth by building on the foundation of distinction among our students, faculty, advisors, and other department personnel. Our collective resiliency and forward thinking will help us lead the university and broader Extension community in innovative teaching, research, and outreach that will continue to transform the lives of Florida youth, families, and the communities in which they live.
Dr. Larry Forthun, Interim Chair & Associate Professor
DR. JOHN'S TAKES ON ROLE OF UNDERGRADUATE COORDINATOR
After filling in the role last year, Dr. Tracy John's has officially accepted the position of FYCS Undergraduate Coordinator.
"I’m excited to start the Spring 2024 semester as the new (official) Undergraduate Coordinator for the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences. I look forward to making this a great year for all of our students and reaching out to recruit new majors and minors into our wonderful community of scholars. Our doors are always open in the Advising Suite – stop by to visit, ask questions, or just grab a snack!"
FIRST GEN DAY IN FYCS
Being a first-gen student means that your parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, regardless of other family member’s level of education. November 8 was selected as the date for the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Our undergraduate team participated in First Gen Day at the Reitz Union and got to spend time talking about FYCS with prospective students.
We also have our very own First Gen Professor, Dr. Amy Simonne (pictured left) who was happy to participate.
STUDENT RESEARCH IN FYCS
Congratulations to all the dedicated students who showcased their hard work and innovative research at #ARNOVA2023! The Nonprofit and Advocacy Research Lab, under the supervision of Dr. Kim Wiley and with support from Dr. Tracy Johns, presented three research projects. The members of the lab wish to extend their gratitude to ARNOVA for providing the platform to foster collaboration within the nonprofit research community!
Dr. Wiley leads the Nonprofit and Advocacy Research Lab, and teaches courses for the nonprofit minor and graduate certificate. Learn more about the work she does and her FYCS research lab at www.drkimberlywiley.com.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN FULL SWING
Students Esha and Aryanna presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium last fall semester. Esha is an FYCS Major and a University Scholar and Aryanna is from the department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and is doing supervised research with Dr. Melissa Vilaro. The title of their research was “Developing a novel communal coping cardiovascular risk reduction intervention supporting dietary adherence among African American cancer survivors.”
GRADUATE STUDENT SUCCESS
Congrats to Tyler Nesbit who is the recipient of the Rosemary V. Barnett Graduate Research Scholarship!
This scholarship program is to support graduate students who are pursuing a research career through enrollment in the Ph.D. in Youth Development and Family Sciences. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time at UF during the semesters during which they receive awards.
DR. KUMARAN PUBLISHES A BOOK ON INTERNATIONAL NGO MANAGEMENT
Dr. Muthusami Kumaran (aka. Dr. K), FYCS Associate Professor of Nonprofit Management & Community Organizations has co-authored a book “Managing A Million Missions: Strategic Capacity Building for Non-Governmental Organizations.” The book will be formally launched at the Jaipur Literature Festival (known as the “greatest literary show on earth”) in Jaipur, India on Feb. 3 followed by a book-release and signing event in the cities of New Delhi and Chennai.
Dr. K says this about the book: “This is a very ambitious and soul-satisfying project that consumed 3 years of hard work, multiple international travels that took me away from family, and countless weekends and sleepless nights in my office. It is a product of dedication, research, and interviews and discussions with numerous NGO leaders from across the world. I am very thankful for all the support and encouragement from the former FYCS Chair Dr. Tracy Irani, current Chair Dr. Larry Forthun, colleagues, and IFAS Deans. I also appreciate UF Provost’s Office for awarding a Faculty Enhancement Opportunity grant which funded the initial research phase of the project.”
Dr. Kumaran is an internationally recognized expert in nonprofit/NGO management. He teaches various applied courses on nonprofit management, conducts research on nonprofit capacity building on a global scale, and has trained more than 3000 nonprofit/NGO leaders across nine countries through U.S. State Department and Foundation grants. He is the recipient of a 2019-20 Fulbright Scholarship in South Korea, two UF Superior Accomplishment Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to the Global NGO Sector.
We are looking for alumni stories. Please email shannonjackson@ufl.edu If you would like to be featured on our social media/web. We want to know what you kinds of life-changing things you are doing!