Nest Notes Vol. 5: May 2025

May We Introduce Our New Director?

Please join us in welcoming our new
Director of Alumni Engagement - Jacey Darrah Downing!

With more than eight years of experience, Jacey Darrah Downing is dedicated to creating data-inspired engagement and impact to foster meaningful connections across the Osprey community.

Most recently, Jacey served as the Associate Director of Alumni and Student Engagement at Florida State University where she served as the lead strategist for the alumni relations function within the Division of Undergraduate Studies, leading alumni and student engagement efforts with identified affinity programs. She focused on connecting students and alumni to foster experiential learning opportunities, translating engagement into philanthropic giving, and cultivating emerging leaders through affinity programs, including the first-generation alumni network. Prior to moving to Florida, Jacey served as the senior event specialist and alumni board relations manager at the University of New Hampshire.

Jacey holds a bachelor’s degree in TV, film, and new media from San Diego State University, a graduate certificate in hospitality and tourism management from Plymouth State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire.

In her free time, Jacey immerses herself in the pages of an enchanting book, wanders through vintage markets in search of cute treasures and decorates spaces with her knack for interior design. She loves adventuring with her husband Cory and savoring afternoon tea with her favorite people. She is looking forward to making Jacksonville her new home.

This month, we hope to express all the vibrancy and fun that comes with Her Espresso mobile coffee cart, operated by UNF alumna, Ashtin Billhardt (’17).

Ashtin's vision was to reach clients who take a slower approach to coffee, where they can take their time to sip and admire the aesthetics of a cute, delicious creation.

On top of owning one of the trendiest coffee spots, Ashtin is also a mom and runs another small business. Good thing she’s got some caffeine close by! Learn more .

Be sure to check out Decca Live, downtown Jacksonville's newest concert venue and rooftop bar.

Owned and operated by UNF alumni Eric Fuller ('09) and Evan Rajta ('10), Decca has already booked notable EDM acts like Kaskade, Two Friends and Afrojack, as well as rap artists like 50 Cent, 2 Chainz and Soulja Boy. Learn more .

If you are a UNF alum and would like to be featured in an upcoming Local Business Showcase, please fill out this form below.

Date:
Thursday, June 12
5 - 8 p.m.

Location:
Cigar City Brewery and Taproom
3924 W Spruce St.
Tampa, FL 33607

Cost:
FREE

Calling all Bay area Ospreys! We’re headed to the Gulf coast this summer and bringing some friends with us. Join us at Cigar City Brewing's Spruce Street Brewery and Taproom for a family-friendly event to grab some UNF gear and share your stories with fellow alumni. Hope to see you all there!

Date:
Thursday, May 15
6 - 8 p.m.

Location:
Strings Sports Brewery
1618 Penman Road, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Cost:
FREE

May's Third Thursday takes us to Jacksonville Beach as UNF alumnus and head brewer Colby Adeeb ('15) shares with us an exclusive look at the newly-opened second location of Strings Sports Brewery!

Date:
Saturday, May 11
1 p.m.

Location:
Harmon Stadium

Cost:
$10

It's the last home game of the season as your Ospreys take on Queens University. Join us at the ballpark early as we recognize this year's senior class.

Date:
Wednesday, May 28
- Saturday, May 31

Location:
Hodges Stadium

Cost:
Prices vary

This year, the first round of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be hosted right in our backyard!

Among Ospreys that set records this season, Smilla Kolbe has made national news as her time in the 800-meter earned her First Team All-American honors.

The No. 17 nationally ranked Ospreys Beach Volleyball clinched the 2025 Atlantic Sun Championship title with a 3-0 sweep over No. 1 seed Stetson.

With the win, North Florida secured automatic qualification to earn its second-straight and second-ever berth to the 2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship. Learn more.

The innovative Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) dual degree program allows the Brooks College of Health to shape future leaders of the healthcare industry.

This spring, the program’s first two students graduated. Gianna Forte and Shekinah Mitchell were both high achievers at the top of their class. Learn more.

On behalf of philanthropist Gilchrist Berg, the UNF Silverfield College of Education and Human Services surprised four local Jacksonville teachers with the 2025 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence and $17,000 each, one of the largest monetary awards for teachers in the nation.

The 2025 award winners are Nicola Gibson from Annie R. Morgan Elementary School, Moises Ramos from Beauclerc Elementary, Maika Watson from Paxon School for Advanced Studies and Myra Wright from Riverside High School. Learn more.

In a milestone achievement, the UNF cheer team recently soared to new heights, placing third in the Advanced Small Coed Division I at the NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach.

This marks the first time in program history that UNF Cheer has landed a top three finish, earning a spot in the winner’s circle and bringing home a trophy. Learn more.