Momentum magazine celebrates USF Sarasota-Manatee's research, community engagement efforts and new student center and residence hall

• December 10, 2024
• Campus News, Events, Research, Students

By Marc R. Masferrer, University Communications and Marketing

The 2024 edition of Momentum, a magazine highlighting groundbreaking research, community engagement and other exciting work by students, faculty and staff at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, is now available for reading on the campus's website. A print version whose cover features the opening of the new Student Center and Atala Residence Hall, will also be available soon.

"Momentum Magazine captures much of the impactful research and other work being done by our students, faculty and staff, in cybersecurity, education, business and other fields, and the positive difference it is making at USF and in the Sarasota-Manatee community," said Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook. "The magazine also celebrates the most evident sign of how we are growing to new heights, the opening of the new Student Center and Atala Residence Hall, which already has created so many new opportunities for our current and future students."

The magazine's cover story takes readers on a tour of the new building, which opened to students in August. The residence hall portion of the building was named after the Atala butterfly, a frequent visitor to the campus's landscaping.

"The Atalas symbolize transformation, resilience and the importance of harmony with the natural world," Holbrook said. "Like these butterflies, our unique students come here for a short while, to live, learn and grow. They then fly away to their next adventure and fly back as alumni to enjoy the campus year after year. Now both our students and the butterflies have a dedicated place to call home."

Other stories in Momentum highlight a new aerospace engineering program at USF that dovetails with efforts by Holbrook and others in the education and business communities to develop the aviation-related economy in the Bradenton area; the research already being done by USF Sarasota-Manatee faculty members as USF prepares to open a new college dedicated to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and computing; international education programs available to students at USF Sarasota-Manatee; work being done by the campus-based Florida Center for Partnerships in Arts-Integrated Teaching (PAInT) to develop new arts-integrated pedagogies; and cooperative efforts by the College of Education to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the Manatee and Sarasota public school districts, as well as provide career opportunities for USF graduates.

One of the stories about the College of Education describes how a donor, CORE Construction, which managed the building of the Student Center and Atala Residence Hall, is helping USF develop better teacher leaders in the School District of Manatee County.

"With our office being right here on the Sarasota-Manatee county line, we're invested in this community," said Jason Mitchell, CORE's vice president for client services. "Our employees live here, our kids go to school here, and we want to make sure that they're getting the best education from the most qualified teachers and leadership. And so that's why we're invested into a program like this."

Other stories highlight the campus's Office of Veteran Success and Center for Career and Professional Development, as examples of how USF demonstrates its commitment to its students' success while in school and beyond.

"We work alongside students to develop a vision for their future, identify their distinguishing talents and make the connection that will help them achieve their career goals, whether it is jobs, internships or graduate school," said Career Coach Antonia Ripo.

Copies of the magazine can be found in the magazine rack in the campus rotunda or online. Readers may explore and share individual stories by visiting www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/magazine/