The 黑料社's Fall 2025 commencement ceremonies will be held on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus. We are proud to recognize a few outstanding students from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.
Alexandra Manalo
Bachelor of Arts in language-speech-hearing
When Alexandra Manalo arrived at USF, she carried with her two lifelong passions: a love of reading and writing, and a deep desire to help others. What she didn鈥檛 yet know was how seamlessly those interests would merge into a future career.
鈥淲hen I learned that USF offered a major specifically in language, speech and hearing sciences, it felt like the perfect fit by combining my interest in language with my desire to help others,鈥� she recalled.
Since January 2024, Manalo has been immersed in hands-on research as an assistant in the Bilingual Language and Literacy Lab, led by M. Adelaida Restrepo, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Manalo works specifically on a project that examines language transfer in bilingual children who speak English and Hebrew.
鈥淲orking on this project has given me valuable research skills,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned CLAN software, transcription conventions, data coding and systematic scoring procedures. I鈥檝e also gained experience with data organization, reliability checking and collaborating within a research team. Overall, this experience has strengthened my understanding of bilingual language development and has made me even more excited to pursue a career in speech-language pathology."
Manalo will continue her work in the Bilingual Language and Literacy Lab while she continues to apply to master's programs in speech-langauge pathology, ready to take the next step toward the career she first envisioned as a freshman.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"My favorite course in the program was Neuroanatomy for Speech, Language and Hearing with Dr. Brandimore. I was initially intimidated by how challenging the class seemed, but Dr. Brandimore explained complex concepts in such a clear and engaging way that it quickly became one of the most meaningful courses I鈥檝e taken. She consistently connected the material to real-life scenarios in speech-language pathology, which helped me see how essential neuroanatomy is to our field. This course not only gave me a strong foundation in understanding how the brain supports communication, but it also deepened my excitement about becoming an speech-language pathologist."
What will you miss most about your time as a USF student?
"What I鈥檒l miss most about my time as a USF student is my friends. They鈥檝e become such an important part of my everyday life. It鈥檚 bittersweet knowing that we鈥檒l all be going our separate ways, but I鈥檓 so grateful for the memories we鈥檝e made and the friendships that I know will last beyond USF."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"My biggest piece of advice is to never be afraid to reach out and ask questions. Throughout my time as an undergraduate, almost all of my opportunities came from simply reaching out to peers and professors. I also highly recommend building friendships within your classes. I鈥檝e been incredibly fortunate to form amazing friendships within my cohort, and they鈥檝e been a huge part of my success at USF. They offered support during stressful times, helped me study, connected me with opportunities and made my overall experience so positive. Having a strong support system truly makes a difference in this program."
Emilie Ellenberg
PhD behavioral and community sciences
For as long as she can remember, Emilie Ellenberg envisioned earning a doctorate degree. Life, however, reshaped her timeline. Newly married with a young son, she instead pursued a decade of meaningful work as a licensed mental health counselor, gaining a front-row perspective on the gaps and challenges within Florida鈥檚 behavioral health system.
Eventually, she returned to USF as an adjunct faculty member, teaching undergraduates about mental illness and addictive disorders. 鈥淲atching students grow in their understanding of behavioral health and become passionate advocates themselves has been a real gift,鈥� she says.
Yet Ellenberg knew that to create systemic change, she needed to return to her original goal: a doctorate. The degree did not come without challenges 鈥� Ellenberg wrote much of her dissertation while undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville as she faced a cascade of health concerns: autoimmune diseases, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, chronic kidney issues and hematologic complications.
鈥淲hile this initially made me consider dropping out of the program,鈥� she says, 鈥渋t turned into a drive to complete the work I was doing on improving the mental health of women with chronic health conditions. Going through this made me realize this work is so desperately needed.鈥�
Her work now focuses on strengthening Florida鈥檚 behavioral health system, addressing the implementation challenges, inconsistent funding and workforce shortages she witnessed firsthand. A three-time graduate of USF, Ellenberg's journey has also come full circle in the most meaningful way. She now serves as the assistant director of education and professional development at the, a center right here at USF with a mission to grow, retain and innovate the field of behavioral health.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"This is so hard; every class I took was so helpful, and the professors are all so amazing. If I had to say a course that was extremely helpful, it would be Professional Seminars with Dr. Goldstein. I am a first-generation college student. I did not know what a prospectus was, what it meant to be 'ABD,' or how the world of academia really worked. Dr Goldstein made it safe to ask these questions and really provided excellent guidance on how to succeed in a world that was totally new to me."
What will you miss most about your time as a USF student?
"I will miss the camaraderie of being a student. There is nothing quite like being in a doctoral program, and my peers and mentors made all the difference. No one really understands how challenging, and yet so rewarding, the process is like the people walking it with you. Particularly, I will miss my lab meetings with Dr. Kathleen Moore. She does such a fantastic job of bringing students together to work and grow collaboratively. She provides so many wonderful opportunities for her students to gain experience and fosters growth in all of us while providing stability, support and understanding along the way."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"Do not try to do this alone and never doubt yourself. The journey to a PhD is a long, difficult one, but it鈥檚 doable! Finding the right mentors and connecting with your cohort will make it not only achievable, but also enjoyable."
Hunter Plewka
Bachelor of Arts in criminology
Hunter Plewka is on the path to a career they once thought was "too cool to be real." It took research on education and job opportunities in criminology for them to realize that becoming a crime scene technician, like the characters on NCIS or Criminal Minds, was possible.
After graduation from USF, Plewka will continue their education by pursuing a Master of Science in Forensic Science with a concentration in Crime Scene Investigation, a prestigious and highly competitive program, at George Mason University.
"Excited and grateful cannot begin to describe how I have been feeling since I received the news," said Plewka. "In the long term, I want to find work as a crime scene technician, and hopefully find time to travel some more outside of the US."
Lori L. Hall, PhD, who supported Plewka through the graduate school application process, shared her admiration for their accomplishments: 鈥淗unter is an exceptional student whose drive, intellectual curiosity and reflective insight make them stand out."
Among the accomplishments that stand out from Plewka's time at USF, one milestone carries special weight: landing their first job. The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted their early career plans, canceling the high school internships they hoped would give them a head start. But working as a lifeguard turned out to be a defining experience.
鈥淲orking as a lifeguard in Campus Recreation has been wonderful, and I will forever be grateful to my team here.鈥�
What was your favorite course in your program?
"My absolute favorite was Introduction to Forensic Science, which was one of the big turning points during my time at USF that really inspired me to pursue a career in forensics. Despite the fact that it was an online/asynchronous course, the instructor's passion for the subject was clear as day. I also loved that she included information about both what happens in a forensic lab and on the crime scene itself in her lectures. Truly a very well-rounded and informational course."
What will you miss most about your time as a USF student?
"As excruciating as the heat can be in the summer, I will miss the warmth! I am not a warm-blooded person, so being able to enjoy walks around campus, seeing the blue bay and colorful flora practically year-round has been such a joy. Living on the St. Pete campus has been really lovely and I will miss it dearly."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"Try a little bit of everything! One of the things I loved most about USF's criminology degree is that it is not solely focused on pre-law or policing, but that there are a wide variety of electives to choose from. Despite my passion residing more in the science-y part of criminal justice, I have taken classes ranging from victimology and trauma-responsive justice to the correctional system and courts. While some of them may not have been the most relevant to my specific career choice, it gave me general insight into subjects that are nonetheless closely intertwined with what I want to do. I genuinely believe that our future depends on curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, so the more things we stick our noses into, the better!"
Alyssa Rojas
PhD in applied behavior analysis
Throughtout her undergraduate years, Alyssa Rojas taught karate to children. It was during this time that one of the families she worked with recommended she explore a career in applied behavior analysis (ABA), recognizing her natural skill in supporting their autistic daughter.
鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to make a positive impact and have always been drawn to serving communities in need,鈥� Rojas says.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Alyssa took a bold step: she moved to Colorado to accept a clinical position, fully immersing herself in the ABA field she had grown increasingly passionate about. The move was significant 鈥� geographically, professionally, and personally 鈥� and it became one of her proudest accomplishments. Not only did she pursue meaningful clinical work, but she also remained committed to a promise she made to her advisor: she would finish her dissertation.
鈥淐ompleting my dissertation while starting a new chapter in Colorado was something I wasn鈥檛 sure I could do, but I did it," she said.
Rojas notes that her advisor Catia Cividini-Motta, PhD, BCBA-D, also played a critical role in encouraging her to persevere through significant
health and personal challenges. But after graduation her plans are simple 鈥� and well
earned. 鈥淔irst, sleep,鈥� she says, and then continuing her role as clinical director
at an ABA clinic in Colorado.
What will you miss most about your time as a USF student?
My PhD cohort!
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
Prioritize a PhD/life balance and always have non-negotiables for self-care.
Jenna Enright
Bachelor of Social Work
After Jenna Enright left school in 2020 to pursue a career in sales, she found herself in an environment that drained her 鈥� unsafe conditions and 60-hour workweeks. But amid that struggle, something life-changing happened.
During a visit to a behavioral health hospital, Enright met a social worker who opened her eyes to a field she had never truly considered. As she continued to talk with others in the field, her interest was sparked.
鈥淚 understood that having my own practice in the future for counseling is what I want to do with my life. My own life experiences associated with mental health helped inspire me to pursue this degree," she said.
Life has tested her resilience in more ways than one. Becoming a mother while pursuing her degree could have been a roadblock, but instead, it became her greatest source of motivation. Her son, Colsen, became the reason she refused to give up.
鈥淓ach time I look at my son, it pushes me to keep going even more. He reminded me why I was doing all of this,鈥� Jenna shared. 鈥淥n the hardest days, thinking about the future I鈥檓 building for him kept me focused and motivated.鈥�
With graduation behind her, Enright plans to spend well-deserved time with her son before stepping into her career. This spring, she hopes to work part-time in a social work鈥搑elated role, gaining hands-on experience as she prepares to pursue a master's degree in social work.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"My favorite course in this program would have to be the field placement class. Being out in the field has been the most rewarding aspect of this degree. I like the fact that I am able to help individuals who are seeking out support. Since I have had a busy semester, my instructor, Sarah Guadalupe, has been incredible in providing me the support that I needed in order to graduate this semester."
What will you miss most about your time as a USF student?
"I am going to miss the connections that I have made with professors, students and the employees at my internship. After I graduate, it is on to the next step. Even though I鈥檓 excited for what鈥檚 ahead, it鈥檚 bittersweet because USF has been such a big part of my life. The support, the friendships and the sense of community I felt here are things I鈥檒l always carry with me. It鈥檚 been a place where I have grown a lot, both personally and professionally."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"The one piece of advice I would give a new student starting in the BSW program is to take one step at a time. The workload may be overwhelming at times with all the different papers, but it is so rewarding to be able to walk across the stage at graduation. All of the professors in the BSW program care for their students and will always be there for you. Graduation will be there before you know it."
Rio Tate
PhD in aging studies
When Rio Tate began exploring a career in cognitive aging, it wasn鈥檛 just scientific curiosity that drew him in 鈥� it was a desire to improve the lives of people often overlooked.
鈥淐ognitive decline and dementia disrupt the quality of life for many older adults and their loved ones,鈥� Tate explained. 鈥淎s scientists, ameliorating behaviors that can delay the onset of these symptoms and disorders, particularly in historically underrepresented populations, can really enhance the quality of life for people in our society.鈥�
Of all the milestones Tate reached during his doctoral journey, one stands out not for its scientific complexity, but for its human impact: writing 36 letters of recommendation for former students. "As scientists and instructors, we must help others reach their aspirations. I am fortunate to have been able to participate in this manner."
Despite his achievements, Tate鈥檚 time in graduate school was not without difficulties, including the unexpected death of his mother. But he wasn鈥檛 alone. 鈥淔ortunately, I have a solid support network between our program and my girlfriend, Brea,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was able to push through to the finish line.鈥�
With his doctorate completed, Tate is preparing for an exciting next step: a postdoctoral associate position at the Center on Aging and Behavioral Research at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.
What was your favorite course in your program?
"There are so many great courses our program offers, but my favorite is Social and Health Issues in Aging because I learned about societal influences on aging in a deeper way than I knew before."
What will you miss most about your time as a USF student?
"What I will miss most about my time as a USF student is the warmth of the people in the School of Aging Studies. Attending basketball games is second."
What advice would you give to a new student starting in your program?
"The advice I would give to a new student starting our program is to have hobbies outside of scholarship. Of course, our work is very important, but you are a person first and a scientist second. I also recommend staying organized by writing down your tasks. Lastly, reminding yourself that you belong in such a prestigious program, at such a prestigious university, can quell any self-doubts."