The funding will be used in a study to advance the evidence base for non-pharmacological interventions in memory care settings, with the goal of finding effective ways to support mental health and wellness in older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

Robots for Connection

Beltran and Gryglewicz are evaluating the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of the PARO therapeutic robot — in this case, a soft, fluffy baby harp seal — to improve mood, behavior and social interactions. While studies have shown that non-pharmacological interventions, like pet therapy, have positive effects, access to animals in healthcare settings is limited due to allergies, hygiene and cost. Therapeutic robots could replicate the benefits of pet therapy without those limitations.

CHPS obtained its first PARO robot, nicknamed Sully the Seal, in 2023.

Social work faculty have already used Sully to support domestic violence victims during debriefing sessions and to provide companionship and interactive stimulation for neurodiverse adults. Beltran, a former nursing home social worker specializing in end-of-life care, saw an opportunity to bring Sully to older adults in long-term care settings to improve social engagement, foster connection and reduce loneliness.

The PARO robot is already in use in over 30 countries, including in hospitals, long-term care and behavioral health settings. The FDA recognizes it as a Class II medical device. Clinical studies have shown that the robot reduces cortisol levels and improves mood. Equipped with voice and vocal tone recognition, heart rate monitoring, and light and touch sensors, its behaviors are designed to elicit nurturing responses from users, which have been associated with physiological and psychological benefits.

CHPS will acquire a second PARO robotic seal for use in the study.

“Many older adults in long-term care have few opportunities for consistent, meaningful connections,” Beltran says. “Social engagement robots like PARO offer a simple way to create moments of interaction in settings where social connection doesn’t always happen naturally.”

An Alternative Method of Care

Memory care settings often heavily rely on medication to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Still, these approaches can have limited effectiveness, carry side effects and may not be appropriate for all residents. Beltran and Gryglewicz’s research will address critical gaps in research by developing and testing a structured intervention that combines guided group sessions and one-on-one interactions using PARO robots.

“Our intervention is not only innovative but also offers therapeutic benefits for enhancing the quality of life for residents,” Gryglewicz says.

Human-animal bonds are linked to healthy aging and an improved quality of life, including decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety and symptoms of PTSD, according to the American Humane Society. Yet many older adults in memory care are unable to manage the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Robotic companions like PARO may be an alternative to a “living” house pet, with the ability to “sense” its environment and provide comfort to human companions.

How the Study Will Be Conducted

The Â鶹ԭ´´ study will take place at two Central Florida memory care facilities, where 50 older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia will participate in both group and individual sessions with the robotic seals.

Master’s in social work students will lead group sessions, guiding participants through nurturing interactions, such as petting and talking to PARO. Nursing staff at the memory care facilities will help track behavioral and emotional responses before, during and after the sessions.

“For residents who may struggle with verbal communication, Sully can become a shared point of engagement, triggering smiles, memories or moments of interaction that might not otherwise occur,” Beltran says.

A Surprising Showcase

This past summer, Beltran showcased Sully at Orlando Health’s Second Annual Mental Health Conference, where she shared her experience using the robotic seal to enhance clinical impact. Social work professionals from around the state were able to experience Sully’s nurturing mannerisms in real time.

As Beltran presented, conference attendees heard soft squeals and subtle movements from a table in the back corner of the room. It was Sully, ready for attention before the seal was even introduced to the stage.

Sully purred as he was passed around from attendee to attendee, whining when he wasn’t petted.

“When I first introduce Sully, many social work practitioners expect that clients won’t connect with it or are skeptical that a robotic animal could be meaningful,” Beltran says. “The feedback I hear most often is surprise at how quickly Sully sparks real warmth, comfort and engagement.”

Future Efforts

Looking ahead, Beltran and Gryglewicz plan to expand the college’s robotic “zoo” within the next year to include other robotic animals like cats, dogs and birds.

“The goal of our research is to facilitate meaningful connections with these robotic companions, enhancing socialization and emotional well-being for individuals with limited social interactions and capabilities,” Gryglewicz says. “We plan to scale this intervention for widespread dissemination in healthcare settings in the future.”

“I really want to be an addiction counselor, that’s my ambition.” — LeRoy Langston, Â鶹ԭ´´ student

“I really want to be an addiction counselor, that’s my ambition,” says Langston, who has earned a bachelor’s in integrative general studies with a focus in social work. “I realize that is going to be another challenge because I can see how some people may not want to bring a 64-year-old intern into their organization. I’m a learner and I’m still learning how to trust and have faith in God in regard to what it looks like down the road, but I know God got me.”

Part of that faith and trust comes from Langston’s focus on progress over perfection — and knowing that no matter what’s ahead, the future is much brighter than what’s behind him.

Difficult Beginnings

Growing up in DeLand, Florida, Langston says his mother died before he even really knew what a mother was, leaving his father to care for him and his three siblings. Langston’s father held small jobs from time to time, but more often he gambled.

“My dad is my hero. I love him, but he wasn’t educated and he had to go through a lot to keep us because in those times it was a different world then,” Langston says. “He didn’t have much help and he was trying to raise four kids. Uneducated, no skills, he did what he could do. I spent a lot of time in the gambling joint with him to keep up with him and know where he was.”

When it came to school, Langston says he did well academically, usually finishing his homework before he went home, and he loved to play sports, especially basketball in high school.

“I always excelled at sports because I didn’t have anything else to do and that was a way for me to validate myself,” he says. “I always wanted to be the best. None of that was even put on the table, and with my dad being uneducated I had no type of support whatsoever.”

But at the time, Langston felt good grades and athletic performances weren’t enough to compensate for the poverty he had lived with his whole life. Looking for a way out when he was a teenager, he joined his younger sister’s boyfriend in robbing a bar in New Smyrna Beach and they were caught. At 17 years old, Langston was convicted as an adult with a 15-year sentence, before he could even finish the 10^łŮłóĚýgrade.

“At the time it didn’t make sense why I was tried as an adult, and now through my classes I’ve learned about the school-to-prison pipeline so I see how I may have been a part of that,” Langston says.

Criminal Past

While in prison, Langston did his best to adapt to his new reality. Whenever there were athletic events, he would compete and win money prizes. Using that, he would use the gambling skills he learned through his father to sustain himself. He also began pursuing his GED, which sparked a new interest.

“I got hooked on reading, novels by Smoke Jensen helped me get through that time,” he says. “I was able to escape through those mountain man stories.”

“I was the description of an addict. You live to use and use to live, that was what I did.” — LeRoy Langston, Â鶹ԭ´´ student

After three years in prison and while on a work assignment outside of the prison, Langston says he was approached by someone who told him he could make good money smuggling and selling marijuana inside. After a few months he got caught and faced his first drug charge, resulting in two years added to his sentence.

“My parole officer said that when looking at my situation that I probably shouldn’t have been in prison in the first place and he did what he needed to do to get me out after five years,” he says.

By the early 1980s, Langston moved to Orlando and began working in a gambling establishment, and after a few years he began using cocaine. In 1989, Langston was caught selling the drug for the first time, but it wouldn’t be his last. During the next 15 years he would continue using and selling, resulting in more than five arrests and congestive heart failure, for which he is receiving disability benefits.

“I was the description of an addict,” Langston says. “You live to use and use to live, that was what I did. I sold to keep using. I was so twisted in the head [using and] selling drugs. [During my last arrest] I’m looking at the undercover officer with a mustache falling off and I ignored that he was the police, that’s how much that thing got to me.”

Making a Change

In 2013, Langston knew he needed to make a change after realizing how his lifestyle impacted his eldest son. He went to the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, located in Orlando’s downtown Parramore neighborhood. After proving he stayed clean for his first three weeks, he enrolled in a rehabilitation program and eventually became a teaching aid for the GED program offered there. One day a representative from Orange Technical College came in and presented about a Pell Grant program that would pay for college. Langston qualified and even tested into accelerated courses at Valencia College.

“Now that I can think clearly, I can recognize that it wasn’t my doing, it was God because there was no way I would have walked away from the situation I was in and do something different,” he says. “That first semester they put me in flex classes, which were accelerated classes at the time, but after being out of school for 40 years and coming back my first semester I flunked every one of those classes. They wanted to know what was going on and I explained I had been out of school for 40 years and they allowed me to continue on.”

After a second failed semester, Langston lost his Pell Grant eligibility, but he says a school counselor recognized his strengths and potential and found a way for him to continue taking classes. During his second year, Langston began doing better in his courses and continued improving his GPA over the next five years until transferring through the program in 2018.

Once a Knight, Langston spent two hours commuting by bus to and from the main campus daily to attend class and to use the library computers to complete his coursework. Through his studies he completed volunteer work at an adult daycare facility in Winter Park, which Langston says was an eye-opening experience as to other ways people can receive support through social work. After the Â鶹ԭ´´ Downtown campus opened two years ago, Langston, who lives in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood, had easier access to the resources he needed to complete his courses, especially during the pandemic.

“I’m going to help people regardless — because I can show people kindness and do whatever I can to bring them a little joy — but that’s probably why I love social work, for the chance to help others.” — LeRoy Langston, Â鶹ԭ´´ student

“For my final assignment, I’m using things I’ve experienced at the coalition, where I saw the positive impact of their focus on addiction treatment,” he says. “Through my community-engagement course I’ve learned the importance of listening to the community to address their needs. All of these social work classes have given a label to the things I have seen going on throughout my life. I’m going to help people regardless — because I can show people kindness and do whatever I can to bring them a little joy — but that’s probably why I love social work, for the chance to help others.”

As he prepares for job interviews, Langston is optimistic about his next steps. No matter where he lands he’s ready to pass on the life and educational lessons he’s learned to other “scrappers.”

“Don’t give up, keep pushing,” he says. “I learned it isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. And I found out that progress for an addict is not using [drugs] because life can go one way and then another, but as long as you stay clean — which is not an easy journey — you’ll be able to think clearly and take life as it comes.”

But thanks to loving friends and some adult role models, she came to learn that she is in charge of her future.

Life didn’t start easy for Murphy-Allison, who was born to a 16-year-old mom who had to overcome many struggles of her own. Her mother tried to break away from Murphy-Allison’s abusive stepfather when she was 8. Her mom was packing up the kids and her belongings when her stepfather unexpectedly returned home.

In the struggle to get away, her mom was murdered by her stepfather. Murphy-Allison and her three siblings – all of whom had witnessed the event – were not harmed physically.

The stepfather was ultimately convicted and imprisoned.

Amiyah Murphy-Allison didn’t like where she was heading with her life, but also didn’t see how she could change it.

Murphy-Allison – the eldest child – and her siblings were taken in by their maternal grandparents in Illinois. But less than two years after their adoption, Murphy-Allison’s grandfather died from lung cancer.

Soon after, Murphy-Allison – then in middle school – began hanging out with the wrong crowd and participating in what she calls “adult activities.”

“I was doing things I had no business doing,” Murphy-Allison said.

She didn’t like where she was heading with her life, but also didn’t see how she could change it. Things came to a head one day when she broke down at school, on her late mother’s birthday.

Until then, Murphy-Allison had kept her story to herself. She was not a “victim,” a term she detested. She did not want to tell people her story for fear they would feel sorry for her.

Then a compassionate teacher took her aside and listened. “This happened to you,” the teacher said, “But you have the power to change your future.”

Things began to turn around for Murphy-Allison with that conversation and when her grandmother announced that she and her grandchildren were moving to Florida to live together with family. It was a move that set Murphy-Allison on the path to success.

She also connected with a social worker whose therapy and compassion helped to turn her life around.

“Colleen [the social worker] would take my sister and me out for ice cream and just to see how things were going with us,” Murphy-Allison said. “She made a very big impact on me and my siblings’ lives.”

With a new school, new environment and, best of all, new friends, Murphy-Allison became more extroverted. “People gravitated toward me,” she says.

Her new friends inspired friendly competition: Who could get the best grades was a popular game.

She discovered dual-enrollment – a free program where Murphy-Allison was able to earn college credit hours while completing her high school education. She became involved with student council and sports, and graduated from her Tampa-area high school with a weighted 5.8 GPA.

Murphy-Allison was accepted by all 12 colleges to which she applied, but it was not hard to decide on Â鶹ԭ´´, she says. She was invited to attend at the end of her senior high school year, for a six-week academic, on-campus intensive program for students like Murphy-Allison who show exceptional promise and ability, and who can also benefit from the opportunities that the Access program provides, such as mentoring and additional academic preparation before attending university classes in the fall.

In her time at Â鶹ԭ´´, Murphy-Allison has continued to focus on her academics; a current goal is keeping her GPA at a level that will qualify her for the Master’s in Social Work advanced standing program. That program allows successful students to obtain their master’s degree in social work in just one year.

In August, she was surprised to learn she was selected as the first recipient of a new scholarship created by College of Health Professions and Sciences Dean Christopher Ingersoll.

She is also involved in Â鶹ԭ´´â€™s John T. Washington Honor Society, an organization that focuses on scholarship, community service, networking and raising the standard of education for African American students.

In addition, Murphy-Allison works in .

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Amiyah since she started in our office as a first-year student,” says Megan Case, nutrition and outreach coordinator. “Of course, we are all impressed with her leadership skills, but she is also incredibly fun to work with and has a gift for putting people at ease. I’m not sure she realizes the positive impact she has on those around her. I feel fortunate to be one of those people.”

She decided to major in social work to be a positive influence in other’s lives at times when they need it most. She wants to help them realize their destiny can be greater than what’s been laid out before them.

“What happened to me does not define me,” Murphy-Allison says. “And what happened to you doesn’t define you. There is a whole lot of stuff happening out there today. I just want you to know that, whatever it is you want for yourself, you can do it.”

Jasmine Haynes, a graduate student in the social work track who is pursuing a doctorate in public affairs, and social work faculty members Denise Gammonley,  ˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý conducted research this summer on the benefits of virtual reality in the classroom.

Their goals were to see if virtual reality could improve students’ feeling of preparedness in working with Alzheimer’s patients, as well as foster empathy for the patients and family members affected by the disease.

“It’s different than having students engage in role-playing or watch videos because one of the challenges with role-playing is that it is only as good as the actor,” Gammonley says. “We needed a better way of exposing students to these situations before we send them out into the field. With virtual reality, students get this experience in a way that feels more real to them.”

Melody Bowdon, interim vice provost of the division of teaching and learning and interim dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies, said the research has helped to convince her of the benefits of virtual reality in the classroom.

“There are some things that can’t be explained or described but that can be experienced through virtual reality.”

“I could see the value of VR for recreational and entertainment purposes before I became aware of the Embodied Labs virtual reality tool, but I didn’t see how it fit into the teaching world,” Bowdon says. “Now, I’m an advocate for it. There are some things that can’t be explained or described but that can be experienced through virtual reality.”

Researchers in the  are continuing to explore the use of virtual reality simulation training to enhance students’ preparedness in helping patients with other conditions. This kind of exposure helps standardize the learning experience because students are not exposed to individuals with every condition in their clinical training.

“Clinical training is so important to preparing students for their future as social workers,” Gammonley says. “But we have very little control over what they will be exposed to during that training. Virtual reality allows us to best prepare our students by exposing them to an array of conditions they are likely to see in their careers.”

The subject of Alzheimer’s is personal for Haynes; her grandfather, who suffered from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, passed away in 2008.

“My grandfather was a pretty quiet individual,” she says, “but as his Alzheimer’s symptoms became more severe, he became more withdrawn and detached.”

That detachment is often an obstacle in treating someone with Alzheimer’s. It’s an uncomfortable territory for the patient, the family and the social worker.

After experiencing life vignettes through the perspective of a virtual Alzheimer’s patient, students feel more comfortable and prepared to work with these patients.

“Learning by experience can help students to connect with the concepts and tools we are teaching them,” Bowdon says. “When we can’t provide the exact experience we are looking to expose our students to in real life, virtual reality can bridge the gap and ignite another dimension of learning.”

Many of these situations were a reality for nearly 800,000 governmental employees and their families during the federal government shutdown from Dec. 22 to Jan. 25.

“If I didn’t — or if somebody didn’t — do something right away, we were going to have some families that were in a lot of trouble.” – Jessica Manfre, Â鶹ԭ´´ Online student

Jessica Manfre, a Masters of Social Work online student, experienced the effects of the shutdown firsthand at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Training Center Cape May in New Jersey. As the wife of a Senior Chief of the Coast Guard Scott Manfre, Manfre has been a part of a nonprofit organization called, Jersey Cape Military Spouses Club, which allowed her to assist families in need.

“I watched the political climate. I just knew that [the shutdown] was going to continue and we were going to miss paychecks. And if I didn’t — or if somebody didn’t — do something right away, we were going to have some families that were in a lot of trouble,” she says.

As a result of her work helping others, Manfre recently was named the Armed Forces Insurance’s Coast Guard Spouse of the Year and will be considered for the Military Spouse of the Year Award to be announced May 9 in Washington. She is nominated with spouses from the other branches of the military — Air Force, Army, Marines, National Guard and Navy.

As a student, mother and military spouse, Manfre said her passion is helping military families gain access to mental health resources, especially for veterans who are affected by substance-use disorders.

“It was the most important to me because of what my goals are for my future… I kept every book I needed because it’s just something I know I’m going to fall back on.”

She looks forward to graduating and meeting the Â鶹ԭ´´ instructors who “changed her life without even realizing it.”

With the help of her military spouse group and the USCG base commanders, Manfre launched a free food and essentials pantry with donations from local businesses, including hard-to-get products, such as meat, fresh produce, baby formula and other items for children with special needs. The pantry serviced the 500 active-duty employees at the base and thousands of other military personnel and families who heard of the pantry through the media and word of mouth. She says the pantry received a phone call from the Greater Alaska Chiefs Petty Officers Association “who told us they were having difficulty getting food and things to some of those islands that really didn’t have anything. We were able to send them money and help them establish pantries of their own.”

Other organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars combined all their posts in New Jersey and donated $9,000 to support the club’s mission of helping Coast Guard families. As donations came in, Manfre and her team purchased 500 $20 gift cards for families that still needed to get to work despite not having a paycheck.

“We were able to overnight gas money to a unit in Maine where the closest housing unit was an hour away and everyone was forced to carpool,” Manfre says. “These were small things that made a big difference.”

“The new rankings reflect our focus on student success and faculty excellence and puts us one step closer to reaching our goal of becoming a 21st-century university committed to fueling the talent, ideas and innovation that will drive our community and state forward.”

The list shows the university’s upward trajectory in the number of programs on the top 100 list; there were 18 programs ranked in 2017. The rankings measure the quality of 800 schools’ faculty, research and students, and are based on peer and expert opinions.

“From our growing academic reputation to our successful athletic programs, the Â鶹ԭ´´ has made impressive gains over the last decade,” says Elizabeth A. Dooley, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The new rankings reflect our focus on student success and faculty excellence and puts us one step closer to reaching our goal of becoming a 21st-century university committed to fueling the talent, ideas and innovation that will drive our community and state forward.”

Â鶹ԭ´´â€™s top-ranked program this year, Emergency and Crisis Management, tied for No. 7, above programs at Texas A&M University, American University and George Washington University. The program is under the direction of Associate Professor Claire Connolly Knox, who says the course builds on the strength of the faculty, advisory board and alumni who mentor students.

“Effective emergency and crisis management is vital for every community,” Knox says. “Since 2016, four hurricanes — Matthew, Irma, Maria and Michael — and three mass casualty events — Pulse nightclub, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School and Fort Lauderdale Airport — have greatly impacted Florida communities. There is an increasing need for emergency management specialists to exp˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚýtheir knowledge, skills and abilities through an advanced degree so they can more ethically manage emergencies and crises.”

The next highest Â鶹ԭ´´ rankings are the Nonprofit Management at No. 8 (moving up from 12) ˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚýCounselor Education at No. 9 (moving up from 10).

Other programs ranked in the top 50 are: Optics and Photonics (No. 12), Elementary Education (No. 22), Public Administration (No. 23), Criminal Justice (No. 26), Industrial Engineering (No. 36) and Health Administration (No. 46).

Â鶹ԭ´´ programs with the biggest point-gain improvements this year were in nursing. Â鶹ԭ´´â€™s master’s nursing school ranked No. 61 overall, moving up 26 points, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice ranked No. 72, improving by 29 points.

Other programs in the top 100 are:
Computer Engineering (No. 52)
Communication Sciences and Disorders (No. 53)
Electrical Engineering (No. 53)
Overall best public administration graduate school (No. 53)
Materials Science and Engineering (No. 57)
Physics (No. 61)
Environmental Engineering (No. 63)
Civil Engineering (No. 65)
Mechanical Engineering (No. 65)
Social Work (No. 70)
Overall best graduate engineering school (No. 75)
Overall best graduate education school (No. 78)
Computer Science (No. 82)
Overall medical research school (No. 88)
Part-time MBA (No. 89)

This was the first time in the top 100 for the part-time MBA, which includes both the Â鶹ԭ´´ Evening MBA and the Â鶹ԭ´´ Part-time Professional MBA.

1. Pop Parlour

Serving up sweets is practically in graduate Brandon Chandler ’10’s DNA. In 2013, Chandleropened Pop Parlour, a shop offering fruity, creamy and boozy frozen treats as a tribute to his grandfather PopPop, who sold similar items after World War II. Pop Parlour has grown to two locations and serves coffee, tea, craft beer and wine, depending on which spot you visit.

ł˘´Çł¦˛ąłŮľ±´Ç˛Ô˛ő:Ěý4214 E. Plaza Drive on the Â鶹ԭ´´ campus; 431 E. Central Blvd., Suite C; ThePopParlour.com
(Pop Parlour’s Â鶹ԭ´´ location will be closed on Small Business Saturday due to campus closures, but you can still visit the downtown location or stop by another day.)

2. Six28 Boutique

Six months after graduating with a degree in elementary education, Rachel Ledbetter ’16 took a risk to pursue entrepreneurship by opening clothing boutique Six28. Located near Â鶹ԭ´´, Six28 sells trendy, affordable women’s clothing and accessories, which can also be purchased on the store’s online site.

Location:12082 Collegiate Way; 407-630-3890; Six28Boutique.com

3. Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux

Cycling enthusiasts Darrell Cunningham ’93 and Jen Cunningham ’95 ’96MSW opened Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux to provide a space for people to bond over good food, drinks and company. With a commitment to health in mind, the shop sells breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, beer, wine and more daily and at special events each month. While at Â鶹ԭ´´, Darrell studied civil engineering and Jen majored in social work.

Location:3022 Corrine Drive; 407-427-1440; BikesBeansandBordeaux.com

4. Deli Fresh Threads

Marketing major Anthony “Biggie” Bencomo ’98 merged his love of sandwiches with another creative passion by opening Deli Fresh Threads, a clothing store? with designs inspired by what he considers the #KingOfMeals. You can buy foodie fashion in the form of T-shirts, hats, pins and stickers on the online shop. Bencomo also hosts a monthly #SandwichEatUp at local shops around Central Florida to help support other small businesses.

Location: 321-303-5129; DeliFreshThreads.com

5. Tactical Brewing Company

Owned and operated by veteran and psychology graduate Doug Meyer ’14 ’16MBA, Tactical Brewing Company serves craft brews created on-site to veterans, first responders and all beer lovers alike.

ł˘´Çł¦˛ąłŮľ±´Ç˛Ô:Ěý4882 New Broad St.; 407-203-2033; TacticalBeer.com

6. Retrolando

Retro Orlando captures the City Beautiful’s history while giving back to others. The online T-shirt company offers men and women’s clothing inspired by former iconic Orlando businesses, organizations and landmarks. Each purchase is something you can feel good about because owner and English major Shannon Flesch Couillard ’04, donates a new shirt to a local homeless shelter for each shirt sold.

ł˘´Çł¦˛ąłŮľ±´Ç˛Ô:ĚýRetrolando.com

7. Yaupon Brothers Tea Co.

Brothers — Â鶹ԭ´´ senior hospitality major Kyle White and legal studies graduate Bryon ’09— have revived an ancient Native American superfood with their yaupon holly tea company. The brothers sustainably harvest their organic crop and distribute their product at restaurants and shops. Online purchases can also be made on their official site and Amazon. Yaupon Brothers also offers sustainable agricultural consulting services for Florida farmers looking for alternative crops.

ł˘´Çł¦˛ąłŮľ±´Ç˛Ô˛ő:ĚýVarious local shops such as Lucky’s Market, Credo Coffee, Infusion Tea and Dandelion Communitea CafĂ©; YauponBrothers.com

8. A Piece of Work

Started by marketing graduate Curtis Young ’04 in 2007, A Piece of Work apparel company creates custom embroidery and screen printing. Through partnerships with companies such as the Orlando Magic, Funky Buddha and more, the online site offers quality work clothing. A Piece of Work also sells eco-friendly items such as recycled journals and organic cotton totes.

ł˘´Çł¦˛ąłŮľ±´Ç˛Ô:Ěý321-662-3836; APieceofWorkGear.com

9. Just Save the Date

Whether you need to put together a small intimate gathering or a major extravagant event, Just Save the Date can help make any occasion special. Communication graduate and owner Kelly Erickson Fowler ’02 started the event planning company after planning her own destination wedding. Just Save the Date operates from two locations in the Orlando and Key West areas.

ł˘´Çł¦˛ąłŮľ±´Ç˛Ô˛ő:ĚýOrlando – 407-258-1944; Key West – 305-767-3774; JustSaveTheDate.com

As Harris-Jackson listened to the young woman, her tale unfolded. It became clear there was no way she could have been pregnant. The “event” had happened just the night before, and impregnation would not have been possible.

She calmed the young woman, and gave her a mini-human sexuality lesson. It became clear that this young woman was not alone in her beliefs – or lack of beliefs – about all the workings of the human reproductive system. “I felt like I needed to do something,” Harris-Jackson says.

It was a defining moment for Harris-Jackson.

She became the unofficial resident expert on human sexuality to her peers, answering questions from persons of all backgrounds. She heard, “How does one get pregnant?” all too frequently. Harris-Jackson says questions were occasionally accompanied by a snicker or a guffaw. She always tried to answer them in the manner she had gleaned from her unofficial mentor, Ruth Westheimer, a talk-show host who gained fame for bringing discussions about sex and sexuality to radio and television.

Soon, it became clear there was a need in all society for more resources about sex and sexuality. As she was pursuing her master’s and doctoral degrees, Harris-Jackson would still get questions from people who wanted to know why she wanted to be a sex therapist – a totally different area of study. Today, she’s a licensed clinical social worker and a certified sexuality expert.

Not much has changed in the 20 years or so since she was an undergraduate student. “People are hungry for information about sexuality at any age,” Harris-Jackson says.

In her presentations to students, Harris-Jackson’s professionalism and non-judgmental demeanor offer the assurance that no question that is asked will be mocked or disregarded.

“Dr. HJ is so excited about what she teaches, that it draws you in. You don’t want the experience to end,” says Nicole Smith. “She showed the importance of being able to be open about speaking about sexuality at whatever age.”

In her recent LINK (Learning and Interacting with New Knights) presentation at Â鶹ԭ´´, “Sex and the Senses,” Harris-Jackson discussed the five senses while simultaneously educating students and participants on safer-sex practices. About 70 students attended the event, says Gabe Martinez ’16, sexual wellness coordinator for .

“Dr. Tameca really goes into the chemistry of the aphrodisiacs,” Martinez says. With tastings of chocolate, strawberries and honey, Harris-Jackson encouraged the students to be aware of the role their senses play in sensuous settings.

“I was blown away by her presentation,” Martinez says. “She was funny, engaging, knowledgeable and approachable. The students fell in love with her teaching style.”

Harris-Jackson also has twice taken Â鶹ԭ´´ students abroad to Amsterdam, where, as part of a comprehensive program she developed, they are exposed to that culture’s open approach to sexuality. In Amsterdam, Harris-Jackson explained, issues related to sex and sexuality are part of school curriculums from kindergarten on up.

“This trip greatly prepared me for my future in social work,” says Felicia Bender. “I tried to train myself mentally before the trip to understand that I’m about to be in a different culture entirely.”

Harris-Jackson is planning a study-abroad program to Thailand next year. All interested students are invited to find out about the program at .

Repeating from last year, the Counselor Education program earned Â鶹ԭ´´â€™s highest ranking, moving up a notch to No. 9 nationally. The program prepares students for careers as counselors and practitioners in schools, community mental health agencies, hospitals, institutions and private practice.

“This ranking exemplifies the hard work of our Counselor Education faculty and staff and the progress we have achieved,” said Pamela S. Carroll, dean of the College of Education and Human Performance. “What an honor to be listed in the top 10 in the nation in this field.”

The next highest Â鶹ԭ´´ rankings were No. 14 for the atomic, molecular and optical sciences programs in the College of Optics & Photonics, and No. 17 for the Nonprofit Management program in the College of Health and Public Affairs, a jump of eight places.

Two more programs in the College of Health and Public Affairs were ranked in the top 50 – Criminal Justice (26) and Healthcare Management (38) – and Industrial Engineering was ranked at No. 39.

Others in the top 100 were: Communication Sciences and Disorders (53), Public Administration (63), Computer Engineering (64), Materials Science and Engineering (65), Electrical Engineering (66), Civil Engineering (75), Environmental Engineering (75), Social Work (78), College of Engineering & Computer Science (82), Physics (85), Medical Research (88), Computer Science (90), College of Education & Human Performance (91), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (100).

The Best Graduate Schools 2017 edition will be available on newsstands April 5.

The U.S. News rankings were announced one day after The Princeton Review and PC Gamer magazine named Â鶹ԭ´´â€™s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy the best video game graduate school in North America.

The Counselor Education program earned Â鶹ԭ´´â€™s highest 2016 ranking at No. 10. The program prepares for careers as counselors and practitioners in schools, community mental health agencies, institutions, hospitals and private practice.

“We are extremely proud of the work being done by our faculty and staff in the area of Counselor Education, and pleased to acknowledge the recognition the program continues to receive on a national level,” said Grant Hayes, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Performance.

Â鶹ԭ´´â€™s College of Optics and Photonics ranked No. 14 in the top atomic, molecular and optical sciences programs, and the Nonprofit Management program in the College of Health and Public Affairs was listed at No. 25.

Two other programs in the College of Health and Public Affairs made the top 50 – Criminal Justice (26) and Healthcare Management (39) – and Industrial Engineering was ranked at 45th.

Others in the top 100 are: Electrical Engineering (52), Computer Engineering (58), Public Administration (59), ), Environmental Engineering (70), Communication Sciences and Disorders (73), Civil Engineering (74), College of Nursing (83), College of Education & Human Performance (83), College of Engineering & Computer Science (85), Physics (85), Social Work (89), Computer Science (90), Physical Therapy (99) and Mechanical Engineering (100).

The Best Graduate Schools 2016 edition will be available on newsstands April 7.