Skip to Main Content
College of Arts and Sciences
oneColumn

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts & Sciences is the largest of the five colleges that make up the University of North Florida. Because it provides instruction in the liberal arts, the intellectual basis upon which rest the applied curricula of the four other professionally-oriented colleges, it constitutes the core of the university.

COAS News and Events

Jim Van Vleck and COAS Students

Jim Van Vleck's Transformative Gift to UNF's College of Arts and Sciences

Jim Van Vleck, a long-time benefactor whose generosity has shaped the College's landscape, has once again stepped forward. This time, his contribution of $250,000 is set to revolutionize the way students and faculty engage in collaborative research and creative pursuits through the COAS Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF) program.

 

Student and Faculty in Marsh

Safeguarding Coastal Wetlands for the Future

UNF faculty and students have been deeply immersed in the Webb Summer Research Program, an intensive endeavor focused on the intricate domain of coastal science. At its core, their research initiative revolves around the meticulous surveillance and study of UNF's sprawling 1000-acre coastal salt marsh, a thriving ecosystem that stands as a testament to the program's commitment to preserving and comprehending our coastal environments.

Public Opinion Research Lab

UNF Public Opinion Research Lab rated No. 12 best in nation

The University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) has been named the 12th best pollster in America by 538, a prestigious pollster rating group owned by ABC News. “It’s really affirming to be recognized for accuracy and transparency,” said Dr. Michael Binder, UNF PORL director and national polling authority. “In a field that is often criticized for inaccuracy, I am proud to be recognized for our precision and high ethical standards.” 

Congratulations to our Faculty Association Award Recipients

Distinguished Professor of the Year
Dr. Heather Barnes Truelove

Distinguished Professor Runner-Up Award Recipient
Ms. Lynne Arriale

Outstanding Faculty Scholarship Award Recipients
Dr. Dale Casamatta
Dr. Chris Kelso

Excellence in Online Teaching
Dr. Maria Angeles Fernandez Cifuentes
Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Awards
Dr. Leidy Barrero
Dr. Mandi Barringer

Dr. Michelle DeDeo
Mr. Trevor Dunn
Ms. Adrienne Lerner
Dr. Eirin McBride
Ms. Andrea Venet

Outstanding Adjunct Teaching Awards
Ms. Holly Adams
Dr. Audrey Sprenger

Alumni Spotlights

Dr. Heather Barnes Truelove

Dr. Heather Barnes Truelove

Dr. Heather Barnes Truelove is the recipient of this year's Distinguished Professor Award by the UNF Faculty Association. She is a Professor of Psychology at UNF and a joint faculty member in the UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education. She is a dedicated teacher who teaches courses in the areas of social psychology, conservation psychology, and research methods.

Her research interests center on the psychology of pro-environmental behavior including research on perceptions of environmental problems, application of behavior change theory to predict environmental behavior, and design and evaluation of behavior change interventions.  She has published her research in widely respected journal outlets such as Nature Sustainability and Global Environmental Change and her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Truelove’s research has been covered by major news outlets including NPR’s All Things Considered, PRI’s The World, and The Washington Post. Dr. Truelove serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

She received a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida, a M.A. in Psychology from the University of North Florida, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Washington State University. Dr. Truelove completed postdoctoral work at Vanderbilt University in the Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment and the Consortium for Risk Evaluation and Stakeholder Participation.

Learn more about Dr. Heather Barnes Truelove.

Dr. Matthew Millard

Dr. Matthew Millard

Dr. Matthew Millard graduated from UNF in 2007 with his bachelor's degree in Chemistry and then went to UC San Diego where he earned his Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry. He began his career at Lockheed Martin as a Staff Scientist and is currently the Founder and CEO of two separate companies, CapyBara Energy seeking alternative energy solutions and a second company that manufactures polymers for developing medical prosthetics. 

Dr. Millard received this year's Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. 

 

Isaiah Dorado

Isaiah Dorado

Isaiah Dorado graduated in May 2024 with a master's degree in Criminal Justice. Since he first arrived on campus in 2018, he has been an active member of several clubs and organizations including the Criminology and Criminal Justice Club, the Alpha Phi Sigma Pi Omega Chapter at UNF and he's a founding member of The Brotherhood at UNF, an organization that promotes the success of minority men professionally, personally and academically.

The Mulberry, Florida native plans to teach at his former high school and trailblaze a criminal justice academy or enter law enforcement.

In the News

Academic Calendar