Dear Friends of the Silverfield College,

In recent weeks, we hosted several wonderful events that brought together educators, students, athletic leaders and community partners in meaningful ways. We were also pleased to be joined by Interim President Angela Garcia Falconetti at both events. Our annual ElevatED Education Appreciation Basketball Game was a great success and provided a fun opportunity to celebrate the dedication and impact of educators throughout our community. We also welcomed attendees to the inaugural Silverfield Coaching Symposium on March 2, which focused on the evolving landscape of high school coaching and athletic leadership. Thank you to Silverfield Family Endowed Professor, Dr. Elizabeth Gregg, Duval County Public Schools Athletics Director Tammie Talley, and our staff and students for helping make this event possible. We are especially grateful to our keynote speaker, Ryan Silverfield, head football coach at the University of Arkansas, as well as the many panelists and speakers who shared their time, insights and expertise. 

In addition, we were proud to host the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), Duval County Public Schools staff and community partners for a meaningful conversation about expanding strong, inclusive Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities for students with unique abilities. The day included data presentations, a panel discussion, small-group action planning and campus tours of The CIRCLE and the Student Accessibility Center. Through our partnership with JPEF and Duval County Public Schools, we remain committed to strengthening career-connected pathways that support every learner in our community. 

As we look ahead, we are excited to continue building on this momentum and look forward to a strong finish to the spring semester. Thank you for your continued support of the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services and for all that you do to strengthen our community. 

Sincerely,

Stephen W. Dittmore, Ph.D.

Dean, Silverfield College of Education and Human Services

The Joy Korman THRIVE Endowed Scholarship 

This month, we are honored to feature the Joy Korman THRIVE Endowed Scholarship, established by Ali Korman Shelton, member of the University of North Florida Board of Trustees, in honor of her mother, Joy Korman. The scholarship was created to celebrate Joy's 80th birthday and recognize her longtime support of the THRIVE program. On March 11, 2026, Joy celebrated her 81st birthday. 

For nearly a decade, Joy has been a dedicated champion of UNF’s THRIVE (Transition to Healthiness, Resourcefulness, Independence, Vocation and Education) Program. Since its founding in 2012, THRIVE has provided critical support to students with autism spectrum disorder, helping them navigate college life and ensuring their academic, personal and professional success.

The Joy Korman THRIVE Endowed Scholarship supports students who participate in the THRIVE program, with preference given to juniors and seniors. Recipients are selected by a committee within UNF’s Student Accessibility Center.

This scholarship honors Joy’s longstanding commitment to empowering students and will continue her legacy of expanding opportunities for THRIVE scholars for generations to come.

We are proud to spotlight Dr. Luke M. Cornelius, associate professor and director of the higher education administration program at Silverfield. Dr. Cornelius recently attended the 2025–2026 Florida Forum Speaker Series at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, featuring Vladimir Kara-Murza, a former Russian political prisoner and prominent advocate for democracy. The event was part of the Florida Forum Series benefiting Wolfson Children’s Hospital. 

Dr. Cornelius shared a few reflections from the evening: 

Q: As someone with a background in Russian history, what stood out to you most from Vladimir Kara-Murza’s talk? 
A: “It was an interesting update to my original studies during the Soviet period, when I met another dissident. What stood out most was how similar the current Russian system is to the USSR, and perhaps even more starkly a dictatorship without the ideological veneer of the communist system.” 

Q: Did anything he shared challenge or deepen your perspective in a meaningful way? 
A: “How easy it is for a system to fall into autocracy. Vladimir clearly explained how it was a process of subversion of norms, as opposed to a single moment. It was something I’ve thought about a lot since his address.” 

Q: How might experiences like the Florida Forum Speaker Series shape your teaching or conversations with students at Silverfield? 
A: “I shared my experience and reflections with my class the next night. Since I am teaching a leadership course this term, it felt especially relevant.” 

Dr. Cornelius brings a strong academic and professional background to his work. He teaches courses in higher education administration, including law, finance and policy, and also serves as a doctoral professor of educational policy. In addition to his academic role, he is an attorney and admitted member of the Florida Bar. 

Prior to joining UNF, Dr. Cornelius taught at the University of West Georgia and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is the co-author of several books, including The Costs of Education and The Higher Education Budget Workbook, and has contributed chapters and articles to several academic publications in the fields of education policy and higher education law.

Dr. Cornelius earned his B.A. in history and political science from Washington and Lee University, his M.A. in history from the University of Georgia, and his Ph.D. in higher education administration with a minor in public policy from the University of Florida. He also holds a J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law. 

Ian Bolger moved to Jacksonville from the Florida Panhandle in August 2021 after earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sport management from Florida State University. In 2021, he served as an athletic communications graduate assistant at UNF and was promoted to assistant director of athletic communications the following year.

Bolger spent the previous five years as a sports information director for UNF Athletics, supporting communications efforts for softball, women’s basketball, track and field, men’s soccer and golf.

Outside of work, he enjoys watching movies and spending time with his wife, Rachel, and their dog, Rosie.

Dr. Jason Lee, professor of sport management, recently joined CNN to discuss the strategy and storytelling behind this year’s Super Bowl commercials. During the segment, he shared insights on creativity, cultural relevance and the impact these advertisements have on brand storytelling and audience engagement. Watch the segment.

Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich, associate professor of instructional technology, training and development, recently joined Jasmine Monroe, morning news anchor with First Coast News, to discuss how UNF students are preparing for the growing role of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Watch the segment. 

Dr. David Hoppey, professor and director of the Ed.D. program in educational leadership, and Schantel Minton-Jones, project director for Duval County Public Schools, are leading Project IDEAS, a five-year, $4 million federal grant supporting professional learning for elementary teachers working with students with disabilities. Through the partnership between UNF and DCPS, the initiative provides specialized training, coaching and mentoring focused on High-Leverage Practices to strengthen inclusive classrooms and improve academic and behavioral outcomes for students. Read the story. 

Dr. Steve Dittmore, dean of Silverfield College, was recently quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education article, “A Small University Bet Big on Enrolling Athletes. Now it will Close.” In the article, he cautions institutions about relying heavily on athletics as an enrollment growth strategy and emphasizes the need for long-term sustainability in higher education planning. Read the article.

Celebrate the power of giving on April 8, 2026, as the Silverfield community comes together for UNF Giving Day. During this 24-hour race to fuel the future, alumni, families, faculty, staff and friends will unite to support the students, programs and initiatives that make the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services so impactful.

Save the date and make a gift of any size to the Silverfield fund that matters most to you. Your support helps strengthen programs, empower students and shape the future of education. Thank you for helping our students succeed and keep UNF soaring. 

April 17, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Adam W. Herbert University Center

This event will showcase UNF students as they share their powerful stories of transformational leadership, while celebrating campus and community leaders who make a difference at UNF and beyond.

Register today.

Silverfield College Of Education and Human Services

University of North Florida

1 UNF Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32224

(904) 620-2520