CAS Chronicles

Alumni Spotlight

Liana Fernandez Fox (right) graduated from ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé with her master’s degree in 1980 and later earned her PhD in 1998.

CAS alumna celebrates more than 60 years of impact at ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé

Liana Fernandez Fox, a fourth generation Tampanian, professor emeritus and proud College of Arts and Sciences alumnus, has permanently shaped ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé’s past, present and future.

January 27, 2026Alumni

ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé: A Preeminent Research University

Communication alum uses passion and skills for good

Dyma AbuOleim, a 2002 graduate from the Department of Communication, has combined her passion for service with the skills she learned at ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé to found a nonprofit organization that’s making an impact in Tampa and beyond.

November 21, 2025Alumni

Vermillion served as a communications chief in the 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment. (Photo courtesy of William Vermillion)

Urban planning alum and U.S. military veteran leads growth in Pasco County

William Vermillion, a recent graduate from the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program in the School of Public Affairs, has a passion for community that has driven his success as the senior planner for Pasco County.

October 28, 2025Alumni

ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé: A Preeminent Research University

Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program streamlines certification for ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé grads

The new agreement serves as a guarantee from the Society for Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program that the suite of classes commonly taken by environmental science and policy majors at ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé meets industry standards.

September 29, 2025Alumni, Research

2025 CAS Honorees banner with Rick Brandt and Gigi Fernandez

Two College of Arts and Sciences alumni earn ‘Distinguished Alumni’ status

Of this year’s three Distinguished Alumni recipients, two of them hail from the College of Arts and Sciences.

September 24, 2025Accomplishments, Alumni

ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé alum Yarah Elshaer

ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé Alum Yarah Elshaer Receives Fulbright Grant to Teach English in Bosnia and Herzegovina

ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé alum Yarah Elshaer has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program English Teaching Assistant to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Guided by her passion for using education to uplift communities and strengthen national identity, she continues to pursue ambitious goals that create lasting impact.

September 11, 2025Accomplishments, Alumni

Boykin graduated with her undergraduate degree in communication in August and is returning this fall to begin her master’s degree in counselor education. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

CAS alumna’s experiences fuel passion for mentorship

Gabriella Boykin, a first-generation college student and recent graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences, is dedicated to working with students and supporting their academic journeys.

August 27, 2025Alumni

Noyce Master Teaching Fellows

Elevating Educators: ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé celebrates next generation of STEM teacher leaders

Leadership from ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé, the Coalition for Science Literacy and HCPS welcomed the recipients of the 2025 Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship and celebrated the accomplishments of the 2024 cohort, who earned their master of education in curriculum and instruction from ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé this summer and completed a professional development series in mechatronic principles.

August 21, 2025Accomplishments, Alumni, Community Engagement, Events, Research

Geosciences Field Station in Mackay, Idaho with mountains behind (Photo courtesy of Paul Wetmore)

A decade in the making: ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé Geosciences Field Station celebrates grand opening with alumni reunion

After a decade of collaboration between ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé faculty, staff, and alumni, the Geosciences Field Station in Mackay, Idaho officially opened this summer. The launch was marked by a reunion of more than 30 alumni, representing four decades of shared experience and support for Geosciences students and their capstone work.

August 11, 2025Alumni, Community Engagement

ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé: A Preeminent Research University

Creative writing summer camp empowers high school students to bring their ideas to life

Thirty high school students visited ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé’s Tampa campus this summer to explore various forms of creative writing — such as fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction — at the ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé Creative Writing Summer Camp.

July 30, 2025Alumni, Events

Alastre Arcusa’s true passion is educating both community members and students about the impact of genetic counseling. (Photo courtesy of Stefania Alastre Arcusa)

CAS alumna keeps community outreach at the forefront

For ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé alumna Stefania Alastre Arcusa, it’s her time in the College of Arts and Sciences that not only revealed a way to fulfill this passion but also gave her the tools to make a lasting impact.

July 30, 2025Alumni

Hiram Rios Hernandez makes Bulls hand gesture

From ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé to the Foreign Service: Alum Hiram Rios Hernandez Recognized for Global Impact

ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé Judy Genshaft Honors College alum and a recipient of the 2025 ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé Outstanding Young Alumni Award Hiram Rios Hernandez is making a global impact as a Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Department of State. From studying abroad to organizing international summits, his academic and professional journey reflects the power of learning, language, and leadership.

June 30, 2025Alumni

About CAS Chronicles

CAS Chronicles is the monthly newsletter for the ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé's College of Arts and Sciences, your source for the latest news, research, and events at CAS.