Dear Friends of the Silverfield College,

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful and relaxing holiday season.

Our spring 2026 semester began on January 7, and it is shaping up to be another record-breaking term for the Silverfield College. We retained 99% of our freshmen from fall 2025, the highest percentage on campus. Overall, spring 2026 enrollment in the Silverfield College is up 5.2% compared to spring 2025, and we are on track to offer 10.52% more credit hours across the academic year than last year.

In addition, our spring 2026 internship cohort in educator preparation programs, with nearly 90 students, is helping meet a critical workforce need in Northeast Florida. When these interns step into classrooms next fall as full-time teachers, they will make a meaningful difference in our region. We are proud of their commitment to education and excited about the impact they will have. 

Sincerely,

Stephen W. Dittmore, Ph.D.

Dean, Silverfield College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Katherine M. Kasten led the development of the University of North Florida’s first doctoral program, the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, 35 years ago. Through her collaborative leadership and student-centered approach, she helped establish the UNF Ed.D. program as a model for excellence. During her tenure, Dr. Kasten chaired 45 dissertation committees, and nine of her doctoral students received the Thomas A. Mulkeen Dissertation Award. Her impact extended well beyond campus through leadership on major urban education initiatives and National Science Foundation–funded projects supporting teachers and school systems.

Established in 2019, the Dr. Katherine M. Kasten Doctoral Advising and Mentoring Award honors faculty in the Silverfield College whose work reflects Dr. Kasten’s enduring legacy of innovative, effective and student-centered doctoral mentorship. Eligible recipients are Silverfield College faculty members who have served UNF for at least three years and who actively support the mission and future of the doctoral program.

We are thrilled to announce that in December 2025, Dr. Kasten made a generous contribution to ensure this award remains within the Silverfield College in perpetuity. Through this newly established endowment, the college will continue to celebrate excellence in teaching, research and service. Each year, one faculty member will receive a $2,000 award to support faculty research, with the expectation that recipients commit to mentoring students and sharing best practices in doctoral advising across the college and university.

Through this award, Dr. Kasten’s vision lives on, strengthening doctoral education by empowering faculty leaders who are shaping the future of UNF's scholarly community. 

To learn more about ways to leave a legacy with the Silverfield College, please contact our Director of Development, Dr. Shadia Blair, at shadia.blair@unf.edu. 

Jan. 26, 2026 | 5 - 6 p.m. | Virtual Via Zoom 

Take the next step in your academic journey! Join our next virtual, walk-in information session with Dr. Kim Cheek and Dr. David Hoppey to learn more about UNF’s innovative doctoral programs in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction.

Join the info session via Zoom. 

ElevatED Education Appreciation Basketball Game

Feb. 19, 2026 | 7 p.m. | UNF Arena

Enjoy a UNF Men’s Basketball game versus Austin Peay while honoring education professionals, with discounted tickets available for school employees and families.

Reserve your ticket today!

March 2, 2026 |8 a.m. - 5 p.m.| UNF Student Union Ballroom

Join us on March 2 for the inaugural Silverfield Coaching Symposium. This premier event will explore the evolving landscape of high school coaching and athletic administration, featuring perspectives from the ASUN Conference Commissioner, FHSAA, Jacksonville Sports Foundation and UNF Athletics. Save the date for an engaging day of insight, education and connection around today’s most pressing industry topics.

 This prestigious honor recognizes four outstanding veteran public or private school teachers who consistently go above and beyond. Each recipient will receive an incredible $17,000 in recognition of their dedication and impact.

Nominations are due March 2, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Start the year by celebrating an educator who’s made a lasting difference in your life or community!

Silverfield College Of Education and Human Services

University of North Florida

1 UNF Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32224

(904) 620-2520