UF Outreach Programs

UF Literacy Institute – SAIL  

The University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI – pronounced “you fly”) is an ongoing effort by UF faculty and students to improve literacy outcomes for struggling students by addressing two key areas: reader development and teacher development. UFLI began in 1998 as a tutoring model for struggling beginning readers, but it now encompasses a variety of literacy projects, including tutoring and instructional models for struggling readers, assistance to schools and school districts, and teacher education and professional development.

Reader Development programs focus on assessment, instruction, and intervention for students.

Teacher Development programs prepare preservice teachers and practicing educators to use evidence-based instructional practices to serve struggling readers. These programs include graduate coursework, school-based supports, and online professional learning experiences to reach teachers worldwide.

Lastinger Center for Learning  

The University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning improves the quality of teaching, learning, and childcare. We research, develop, and scale educational innovations for adults and children that put all learners on trajectories for lifelong success.

Our team of over 100 associates combines research, practice, and policy to improve teaching and learning. 

Anita Zucker Center  

The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies is a transdisciplinary center at the University of Florida.

Our work is dedicated to advancing knowledge, policy and practices in early childhood studies. Early childhood studies is an interdisciplinary field focused on young children birth to age five, their families and the contexts that support their health, development, learning and well-being.

UF Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (CPET)

UF CPET programs are developed and coordinated to promote excellence in science, technology, engineering, and math; foster interdisciplinary science education across university research centers; build partnerships among researchers, schools, communities, and industries; integrate research processes and knowledge with national education goals and standards; and strengthen the ability of research students, graduate students, and faculty to share their work with the public.

AI in K-12 Education

With major investments from NVIDIA and the State of Florida, the University of Florida is leading the charge in building the AI-enabled workforce of the future by integrating artificial intelligence across the entire K–20 education system. In collaboration with school districts and industry partners, UF is launching initiatives focused on four key areas: developing new academic frameworks in data science and AI foundations for middle and high school students; expanding teacher professional development through the successful EQuIPD program and additional donor support; creating curriculum resources in partnership with educators and industry experts; and building experiential, community-based programs that offer hands-on, co-curricular learning to keep students engaged and reinforce classroom instruction.

Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars 

The Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars program boldly reimagines the first-generation student experience by providing transformative access, comprehensive scholarships, and elite support programs. Together, we are changing the trajectories of students and their families; ensuring that all of Florida’s brightest and most talented students have the opportunity to succeed in their lives and careers by earning degrees from the state’s premier university.

UF Health Mobile Fleet

Bringing care to those who need it most, the UF Health Mobile Fleet is a network of mobile health programs dedicated to improving access to essential health services across North Central Florida.

UF Mobile Outreach Clinic

The UF Mobile Outreach Clinic (MOC) has been a cornerstone of health in North Central Florida since 2010, delivering free, high-quality medical care and service coordination. By operating a retrofitted bus that brings healthcare directly into neighborhoods, MOC eliminates traditional barriers to care, such as transportation and distance to medical facilities. The clinic’s work prioritizes low-barrier, community-centered access, focusing on improving the health of the community. 

Mobile Cancer Screening Connector

Your Link to Cancer Screening, Education and Community Resources. The mobile cancer screening bus is outfitted with leading-edge technology to bring a range of cancer screening and health care services directly to communities, including 3D mammography and screenings for cervical, colon, and prostate cancers. The unit is the first of its kind in North Central Florida — a region larger than Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut combined.

UF Health OB/GYN Mobile Outreach

At UF Health, we believe everyone deserves access to quality health care, no matter where they live. That's why we’re proud to introduce UF Health OB/GYN Mobile Outreach program — bringing essential maternal and reproductive health services directly to underserved communities in Alachua County and beyond. Our mission is simple: to support the health and well-being of people who face barriers to accessing gynecologic and maternal care. Whether you have insurance or not, our team is here for you.

Alachua County Community-Based Programs

​The University of Florida College of Dentistry's Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science offers several community-based programs in Alachua County to enhance oral health access and education. These initiatives focus on preventive care and serve diverse populations, including children and adults with special healthcare needs.

Equal Access Clinic

Equal Access is a network of student-run free healthcare clinics established by the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. Pre-medical and health professional student volunteers in collaboration with the University of Florida faculty and staff provide care for the medically underserved in the community.  Clinics are held most Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. 

Mobile Outreach Clinic

The UF Mobile Outreach Clinic (MOC) has been a cornerstone of health in North Central Florida since 2010, delivering free, high-quality medical care and service coordination. By operating a retrofitted bus that brings healthcare directly into neighborhoods, MOC eliminates traditional barriers to care, such as transportation and distance to medical facilities. The clinic’s work prioritizes low-barrier, community-centered access, focusing on improving the health of the community. 

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities

The University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UF CARD) provides support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related disabilities.

Counties Served by UF CARD Gainesville: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, Union If you live in a different county in Florida, find your CARD here.

Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics

The University of Florida's Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics (HOBI) actively engages with the Gainesville community through various initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes. The Workplace and Community Engagement Committee organizes workshops, professional development training, and seminars with community organization leaders to foster a supportive and healthy work climate . HOBI also collaborates with the Ronald McDonald House's Visiting Chef Program, where volunteers prepare meals for families with seriously ill children . Additionally, the department supports food drives in partnership with local organizations like Food4Kids to provide resources to chronically hungry children .

Community Pharmacist Services

Our clinical pharmacists are more than caregivers — they are innovators, leaders and trusted medical advisors. They are determined to lead the pharmacy profession forward while delivering compassionate, patient-centered care in hospitals, practices and pharmacies throughout Florida.

Research Centers

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy hosts a diverse array of research centers that drive innovation across multiple domains of pharmaceutical science. These centers include the Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, which utilizes big data analytics to assess medication safety in real-world populations; the Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, focusing on conditions like diabetes, obesity, and stroke; and the Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), which supports early-stage drug discovery through chemical screening and target identification. Additionally, the Center for Pharmacogenomics and Precision Medicine leads in personalized medicine research, while the Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology applies quantitative modeling to optimize drug development and therapeutic strategies. The UF Translational Drug Development Core further bridges laboratory research and clinical application by providing expertise in bioanalytical drug metabolism and preclinical pharmacokinetics. Collectively, these centers underscore the college’s commitment to advancing pharmaceutical research and improving patient care.

HealthStreet

HealthStreet community health workers help bridge the gap between community members and resources available to them, including medical and social services and opportunities to participate in research that is relevant to their health concerns and conditions

UF Health Psychology Specialties

UF Health Psychology Specialties provides services in three locations: our Shands Clinic, our Haile Plantation Clinic and, in coordination with Neurology, at the Fixel Institute. We provide general mental health services to patients across the lifespan, including children and adults. We offer psychological and neuropsychological assessments, as well as evidence-based treatments in a brief therapy model (10-15 sessions) for a wide range of behavioral concerns and mood disorders. 

SmartDriverTM Rehab

UF SmartDriver™ Rehab provides driver rehabilitation services for clients in the greater Gainesville area and throughout north-central Florida.

Children On The Go

Doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students volunteer in a local non-profit organization dedicated to assisting children with disabilities to participate in recreational gymnastics.

PT Equal Access Clinic

he Physical Therapy Equal Access Clinic (PT EAC) offers pro bono physical therapy evaluation and treatments for individuals with orthopaedic, cardio-pulmonary, and neurological diagnoses, especially those with limited insurance coverage. The PT EAC is currently operating through telehealth and in-person appointments scheduled between 5-8pm every Thursday night (excluding University breaks and holidays).

PT Community Health

Our vision is to foster a community that is empowered to take charge of their health by engaging in a physically active lifestyle. To attain this vision, we are committed to being a well-informed and organized group of professional students who will continually develop and maintain collaborative relationships with our professional colleagues and the community to address the unmet health needs of Alachua County. We aspire to be a recognizable entity in our community with a leadership role in providing quality health service and education to the people we serve.

Veterinary Extension

The goal of UF Veterinary Extension is to educate and serve the animal industry in Florida, while promoting the health and welfare of all animals.

Aquatic Animal Health

Our mission is to provide sustainable state of the art training, education, diagnostics, and research support for managed care and wild aquatic species. (Photo courtesy David Schricte.)

Operation Catnip

Operation Catnip of Gainesville is a nonprofit organization offering free spay/neuter and vaccines for unowned free-roaming community cats from Alachua County, Florida since 1998. Our clinics are run entirely by volunteers (veterinarians, vet technicians and other trained volunteers) and are capable of sterilizing over 200 cats in a matter of hours. All cats have the tip of their left ear cropped which identifies the cat as sterilized.

Shelter Medicine Program

A program of innovative medical, surgical, and behavioral training to prepare practice-ready veterinarians for high-impact and rewarding careers in animal welfare. Our nationally known experts provide shelter consultation services, emergency response for disease outbreaks, and research to solve the most critical threats to successful animal sheltering.

Pets Are Wonderful Support

PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) is a completely donation-funded and student-run organization at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. We provide free veterinary care for the pets of people with disabilities and low socioeconomic status in the Gainesville area. The success of our clinic and the quality of care we provide depends wholly on the support of our donors.

Community Outreach

​The University of Florida College of Dentistry's Community Outreach news page highlights the college's efforts and events that aim to improve oral health in local communities. 

Community Engagement & Outreach

​The University of Florida's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering actively engages with the community through various outreach initiatives.

Outreach

The UF College of Journalism and Communications serves the public and the journalism and communication industries in a variety of ways that are integrated into its teaching, research, and service/outreach mission as part of a major public research land-grant AAU institution.

Outreach
Reaching out to the community is a tradition at the University of Florida, which is a land-grant institution. Serving our neighbors is central to our goal of being an excellent university. 

Community Service

​The University of Florida College of Medicine fosters community engagement through several student-led service programs. These initiatives offer students hands-on experience while addressing the healthcare needs of the community.

Community Outreach

Over the past quarter-century, professional nurses have emerged as a driving force in meeting the nation’s need for access-to-care. Faculty members and students from the University of Florida College of Nursing are working to fill this void by providing quality primary care, health promotion and disease prevention activities for Florida’s underserved populations.

Through clinical affiliations, partnerships and the College’s faculty practice initiatives, faculty members and students provide needed health care services and model the most current practice approaches.

College of Nursing faculty members and students can be found throughout Florida’s communities.

Office of Student Success, Wellness, and Community Engagement

Our mission is to cultivate a conducive environment where every student has the resources, support, and opportunities necessary to succeed academically, personally, and professionally. We empower our students to achieve their full potential, create meaningful connections, and make a positive impact on the world at large through a commitment to holistic wellness and community engagement

Veterinary Community Outreach Program

The Veterinary Community Outreach Program is an elective clinical rotation for junior and senior veterinary students at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. We are part of the UF Veterinary Hospitals. Our mission is to guide veterinary students in the development of basic clinical skills through service learning and community outreach.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center

The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center focuses on teaching, coaching and inspiring students to be entrepreneurial in their lives, and the Center would not be able to accomplish that mission without engaging the community. The support and involvement from the campus community to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Gainesville to entrepreneurs across the Gator Nation is critical to the success of our students. To share the wealth of our resources, the Entrepreneurship Center opens programs like TEDxUF to the public, we support disabled veterans through the VEP program and we work with local entrepreneurs from adverse backgrounds through the GEAP program.

Outreach Programs
​The Florida Museum of Natural History remains actively engaged with the community through a variety of educational outreach programs, even as its exhibits building undergoes renovations until 2026. Key initiatives include the Science Surprises program, offering interactive science demonstrations and hands-on activities for K–6 students in Alachua County, available both virtually and in-person . The Museum in the Parks program provides afterschool groups with guided nature hikes, specimen exploration, and educational backpacks to learn about Florida’s ecosystems . Additionally, the museum offers Inquiry Boxes, which are classroom kits designed to integrate science with other subjects; however, this program is temporarily suspended for refurbishment .

Outreach & Education Opportunities

The Florida Museum of Natural History is dedicated to public education in natural history and enhancing public appreciation of scientific research. Students have various opportunities to engage in outreach initiatives, contribute to exhibits and support public education programs alongside museum staff and other affiliated University of Florida departments.

Community Partners:

The BCLS is committed to building meaningful partnerships that connect passionate UF students with impactful community organizations, supporting volunteer efforts, enhancing engagement, and offering shared tools like the Gators for Good Network to strengthen and sustain our collective impact.

Gators For Good Network

This is a free, university-wide platform launched by the Brown Center for Leadership & Service, and its primary purpose is to connect students, faculty, staff, and community partners for volunteer opportunities, community engagement, and experiential learning. It acts as a hub for these activities, allowing users to find, track, and evaluate these engagements. 

Getting Engaged: Resources to Support Community Engagement Practices

This document is part of a series called Getting Engaged (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/series_getting_engaged), designed to help Extension and research personnel and other community engagement professionals become capable of and comfortable with engagement with a variety of stakeholder audiences. Engagement generally “describes intentional, meaningful interactions that provide opportunities for mutual learning between [domain experts] and members of the public” (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2016, para. 1). For a more thorough discussion of engagement, please see the first article in this series, “Public” Engagement for Researchers (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/WC272).

This document offers resources for practitioners at all stages, from those just beginning to think about engagement to those who have been engaging their communities for years. These resources will help you better understand your audiences and become more comfortable with interacting in a give-and-take manner, ultimately leading to engagement that is more effective at promoting behavior change outcomes.

Community

Your health care needs extend beyond our doors. UF Health and our community partners are embedded in the Florida community. We provide services, education and support to help you before, during and after your visit.

Resources in the Community

Discover health programs, support groups, classes and more.

Social Mission and Community

UF Health extends its impact beyond hospitals and clinics by actively engaging with the community to promote health and wellness. Through educational programs, outreach events, and strategic partnerships, UF Health shares valuable information on disease prevention, healthy living, and overall well-being. Experts from UF Health regularly speak at local events to raise awareness and provide trusted guidance on a range of health topics. Additionally, the organization supports and participates in community health fairs, offering screenings and resources to help individuals take proactive steps toward better health.

Community Benefit Destination UF Health

UF Health proactively reaches out beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinical practices to share valuable health information with area residents. We offer health education programs and events and also partner in community efforts. We support civic, social and cultural programs to raise awareness of health issues and promote wellness. We bring UF Health physicians, dentists, nurses and other providers and experts into the community to speak about specific health and wellness topics at seminars, and to offer disease prevention information and screenings at community health fairs and other outreach events.

Our commitment as a responsible, accountable steward of our resources is the cornerstone of UF Health’s not-for-profit mission. In fiscal year 2020, UF Health spent $164.8 million on unsponsored charity care (at cost) and social responsibility efforts across its Gainesville, Jacksonville and Central Florida campuses. Additionally, UF Health Shands and UF Health Central Florida reported a Medicaid shortfall totaling $68.5M as a result of caring for patients in our community who are most in need.

Cancer Disparities in Research – Dr. Carolyn Tucker

The CDRC consists of a group of four Black churches, an interdisciplinary team of culturally sensitive researchers, and a health disparities research support staff working collaboratively to conduct community-based participatory research that will lead to interventions and large grants that aim to help prevent and/or reduce cancers among Blacks and others who live in the East Gainesville Community in Gainesville, Florida. The aforementioned four Black churches are located in or serve the East Gainesville Community (the target community), which has the lowest household incomes in Gainesville. These four Black churches are called satellite CDRCs, and they are supported and operated in partnership with the UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC). The ultimate goal of this partnership and the satellite CDRCs is to help prevent and reduce cancers, cancer disparities, and cancer deaths among Blacks and others who live in the target community and later among Blacks and other disparity groups beyond this target community. The CDRC is organized into three studies.

Center for Public Interest Communications

The Center for Public Interest Communications, the first of its kind in the nation, is designed to study, test and apply the science of strategic communication for change.

The Center helps organizations around the world discover how behavioral, cognitive and social science can unveil insights into how people think, make decisions and behave. Through the use of science, systems thinking and human-centered design, the Center helps organizations create and implement powerful communication strategies to drive change.

One Florida+

The Coordinating Center for the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Network is co-located within the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and the College of Medicine’s Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, which unites researchers, clinicians, patients and stakeholders across multiple states and cities to address some of today’s biggest health challenges.

Community Scientist Program

UF researchers conduct many types of studies, including clinical trials. Some focus on certain health conditions, while others need healthy volunteers. 

CPETCONSUMER SENTIMENT INDEX

BEBR’s Survey Research Center conducts the monthly Florida Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) survey which measures consumer’s opinions in various areas of interest. These survey results are then utilized to create the monthly CSI report, which serves to bridge data together by providing insights into future business conditions, consumer attitudes, buying intentions, and inflation expectations. Each CSI report offers a comprehensive overview of the evolving consumer landscape and insight into potential trends for the months ahead.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

BEBR’s Economic Analysis department is a dependable source for accurate and impartial information concerning the national economy. Our team produces internationally recognized statistics on investments and industries, as well as reports detailing statewide and local statistics. Through rigorous data collection, we provide valuable insights using comprehensive analysis of economic factors impacting target research areas. This department’s objective is to assist with understanding the economy by offering up-to-date, relevant, and accurate data analysis services in an unbiased manner.

POPULATION PROGRAM

The BEBR Population Program consists of teams of experts who specialize in demographics, statistical analysis, and GIS modeling. The program conducts research on the accuracy of population estimates and projections, the components of population change, and other related topics. We have specialists who can build comprehensive GIS-based models to estimate and forecast population for geographical regions using property parcel data. Additionally, the Population Program team is capable of developing water demand forecasts, analytics for water conservation, and other related data products and services, all based on project criteria.

SURVEY RESEARCH CENTER

The University of Florida Survey Research Center (UFSRC) is one of the largest and most respected university-based survey programs in the United States. The UFSRC conducts mail, telephone, and online surveys using industry-standard practices. With accreditation from the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and membership in the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), the UFSRC has earned a notable reputation for conducting top-quality, independently recognized research. The UFSRC has earned nearly $11 million in revenue over the past decade, which attests to overall client satisfaction and excellent standards.

SOCIAL NETWORKS

The Bureau of Economic and Business Research Social Networks program focuses on network analysis research in order to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, provide analysis tools, and enhance research productivity.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

BEBR plays a critical role in equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s dynamic job market. Through a range of training and educational initiatives, we empower both students and professionals to thrive in their careers.

Electronic Data Information Source (Ask IFAS)

Ask IFAS is a comprehensive, single-source repository of all current UF/IFAS numbered, peer-reviewed publications. These are developed to support Extension program initiatives and are co-published by Florida Cooperative Extension and one of 23 UF/IFAS academic departments.

In 2023, visitors to the Ask IFAS website accessed over 6,500 free publication titles more than 9.4 million times.

The Ask IFAS website is the public-facing component of the EDIS publication system.

Pathway to Creating Engagement Through Innovation and Excellence

This document is a new pathway to guide Florida Cooperative Extension efforts for the near future, from 2024-2029. We’re calling this a pathway rather than a roadmap because it is intended as an evolving set of trail-markers through a rapidly changing landscape.

Honey Bee Research And Extension Lab

The Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (HBREL) is administered by Dr. Cameron Jack (Assistant Professor), Ms. Amy Vu (State Specialized Agent), and Dr. Jamie Ellis (Professor). The HBREL team is composed of visiting scholars, post-doctoral research fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, technicians, laboratory assistants, and volunteers. All members of the HBREL are committed to improving the collective understanding honey bees and the communities they support.

Biotility at the University of Florida

Biotility at the University of Florida is committed to providing high-quality education, training, and credentialing to facilitate professional growth. Our certificate short-courses are attended by professionals and students preparing to enter industry careers, as well as by researchers—all of whom seek to expand and deepen their knowledge in technical and regulatory details unique to bioscience industry and translational research.

Shimberg Center

The Shimberg Center conducts research into housing policy and planning, with a special focus on housing affordability for Florida residents. We provide data and applied research to state agencies, local planners, the housing industry, non-profits, and others involved in shaping housing policy in Florida. We work closely with our colleagues in University of Florida's College of Design, Construction and Planning.

Our current research focuses on documenting housing market conditions and affordable housing needs in Florida's counties, cities and neighborhoods; preserving Florida's affordable rental housing; linking affordable housing with land use and transportation decisions through GIS modeling; supporting the development of energy efficient and healthy homes; and studying the intersection of housing, disaster preparedness and recovery, and climate resilience. The Center also produces the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse, which provides public access to data on housing needs and supply for Florida's cities and counties.

Cholera Dashboard

​The Cholera Risk Dashboard—developed by Dr. Antar Jutla and the GeoHealth & Hydrology Lab at the University of Florida—is an advanced disease prediction tool that integrates satellite data from NASA and NOAA with artificial intelligence to forecast cholera outbreaks up to four weeks in advance. Deployed in approximately 20 countries, including Kenya, this interactive web interface identifies areas where cholera bacteria are likely to thrive, enabling early humanitarian interventions, medical preparedness, and public health alerts. 

Bob Graham Center for Public Service

The Bob Graham Center for Public Service was established at the University of Florida in 2006 by former U.S. Senator and Florida Governor Bob Graham to create a community of students, scholars, and citizens who share a commitment to revitalizing the civic culture of Florida and the nation.

The Center is driven by three central principles: civic engagement, public leadership and public service.

Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere

The Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere is a dynamic hub within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, scholarship and community engagement through the humanities. Through specialized programs, events, funding opportunities and partnerships, we aim to explore fundamental questions of human existence, inspire civic and moral responsibility, foster global and comparative understanding, and illuminate the role of the humanities in addressing contemporary challenges. CHPS celebrates the boundless curiosity that defines what it means to be human.

Pro Bono Program

The mission of the UF Law Pro Bono Program is to help students develop an awareness of their future ethical and professional responsibilities to provide service to their community. Participation in the program gives students the opportunity to perform valuable community service while learning about the legal needs of the underserved and developing the legal skills necessary to help meet those needs.

Clinics and Field Placements

The Fredric G. Levin College of Law Clinics and Field Placements are faculty-supervised, advice, representation, and mediation clinics that integrate the college’s nationally-ranked scholarship with applied lawyering, mediation, and problem-solving skills developed through simulation courses and by providing legal services in the state attorney’s office, public defender’s office, or a fully-operational law clinic.

Brechner Center for the Advancement of the First Amendment

The Brechner Center for the Advancement of the First Amendment provides research, advocacy, resources and training on critical issues related to free speech and freedom of information.

Community Voices, Informed Choices

Community Voices, Informed Choices (CIVIC) is a Florida A&M and University of Florida IFAS Extension program that helps communities address complex issues. Through deliberative discussions and town hall meetings, CIVIC activities provide information and engage community members in discussing contentious issues that require community-scale solutions. 

Membership Benefits

The Emerging Pathogens Institute seeks members of all disciplines who are dedicated to understanding why pathogenic microorganisms emerge and re-emerge as important causes of disease. Any UF faculty member interested in working toward the EPI’s mission may become a member. Membership status is conferred after review of application and CV.

Membership Resources

EPI members have exclusive access to professional development resources, networking and collaboration opportunities.

Social Impact & Sustainability Initiative

Social Impact & Sustainability Initiative at the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center empowers students to use the skills and strategies of business leaders to create innovative and sustainable solutions to social, environmental, and economic problems, locally and around the world.

Extension Administration

UF/IFAS Extension is your connection to the community. As a land-grant university, UF has a mission to serve the people of Florida, which is accomplishes through UF/IFAS Extension, the outreach arm of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Extension “extends” the reach of the university of providing the latest UF research as practical information that can help people, businesses and communities find solutions to present and future challenges.

UF Engagement Collaboration Catalog

​The UF/IFAS Extension Engagement Collaboration Catalog is a comprehensive resource detailing partnerships between the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and various UF colleges, departments, and external organizations. It showcases interdisciplinary projects across Florida, highlighting collaborative efforts in areas such as public health, urban planning, environmental sustainability, and community development. ​

Florida Stakeholder Engagement Program (STEP)

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences. To that end, the Florida Stakeholder Engagement Program (STEP) engages farmers and other agricultural stakeholders in friendly crop management competitions focused on input use efficiency and profitability. The program creates a shared learning experience for growers, industry representatives, policymakers, researchers, and extension agents. The goal is to improve crop management and increase the adoption of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) to sustain agriculture and protect water quality. 

UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (Solutions for Your Life)

​The UF/IFAS Extension's Solutions for Your Life website is your gateway to practical, science-based resources designed to enhance daily living across Florida.

Programs

The CTSI delivers its services and initiatives through a variety of specialized programs that build the foundation for translational research. These include Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design, Community Engagement, Learning Health Systems, Pilot Awards, and Regulatory Knowledge and Support—all focused on developing key infrastructure, resources, and methods.

Community Advisory Board

The UF-FSU Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Community Advisory Board advises the CTSI and its Community Engagement and Research Program on specific research projects and translational research goals, with meetings rotating between Gainesville, Jacksonville and Tallahassee. Read below to learn more about the board’s mission, vision, goals, members, governance and how to get involved.

Sea Turtle Hospital

UF Genetics Institute Resources 

​The University of Florida Genetics Institute (UFGI) is a multidisciplinary research center dedicated to advancing genetics and genomics through collaborative efforts across diverse scientific fields. With over 200 faculty members from eight colleges, UFGI fosters innovative research in areas such as biofuels development, plant breeding, wound healing, and gene therapy. 

UF International Center for Program Development

​The University of Florida International Center (UFIC) serves as the hub for global engagement at UF, supporting over 6,000 international students and facilitating study abroad programs for nearly 2,200 students annually. UFIC provides comprehensive services, including visa support, international research collaboration, and global learning opportunities

Outreach

The Center for Latin American Studies' Outreach Program provides resources and opportunities related to Latin America and the Caribbean to K-16 educators and the community throughout the United States. Program priorities include less commonly taught languages, language for specific purposes, science education, and building linkages between education, industry, and the community.

Friends In the Field

The UF Center for Arts in Medicine invites you to be a part of our new Friends in the Field engagement program. This program will connect our current graduate students with subject matter experts working in arts in health across the nation. 

The Friends in the Field program will foster relationships between students and friends based on shared interests, disciplines, and geography, resulting in increases in student engagement, student retention in the field post-graduation through employment, field engagement with the Center, and increased connections among the field at large. 

Center for Arts, Migration + Entrepreneurship

The Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship (CAME) connects networks of scholars, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and advocates to the engines of creative and cultural economics at the heart of migration. 

Center for Arts in Medicine

The University of Florida Center for the Arts in Medicine is committed to advancing research, education, and practice in arts in health, locally and globally.

SPARC 352

SPARC352 is an initiative grounded in the idea that arts are at the core of vibrant and healthy communities.

In partnership with community members, we have become a mobile unit for learning, wellness, workforce development, and historic and cultural preservation through creativity and collaboration. 

Thompson Earth Systems Institute

The University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute is advancing communication and education about Earth systems science in a way that inspires Floridians to be effective stewards of our planet.

Community

Through arts education programs, master classes, performance discussions, and more, University of Florida Performing Arts provides many creative engagement opportunities throughout our community.

Programs, Events & Resources for Families

​The Harn Museum of Art in Gainesville, Florida, offers a variety of engaging family programs designed to inspire creativity and learning for all ages. 

Outreach Programs

The Harn Museum of Art's Outreach Programs bring engaging art experiences directly to the community, ensuring accessibility for all.

Partner with Harn

From protecting precious art to helping facilitate solutions to protect precious lives, the Harn Museum of Art is proud to be a part of the University of Florida where research leads us to collaborate across departments for the greater good.

Gainesville Entrepreneurship & Adversity Program

The Gainesville Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program (GEAP) is an integrated, multi-faceted program to empower those living in adverse circumstances to create and grow their own businesses.

National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program

The National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) provides a rigorous entrepreneurial learning and development opportunity for veterans with service-connected disabilities and those who have uniquely distinguished themselves in the military. VEP is designed for veterans interested in starting a new venture as a means to financial independence and for veterans who have an existing business for which they would like to increase profits.

Doing Business with UF!

The University of Florida's "Doing Business with UF" initiative, led by the Small Business Relations office, offers monthly virtual workshops to guide small business suppliers in navigating UF's procurement processes. 

UF Mentor – Protégé Program

This program aims to facilitate the establishment of effective working relationships between mature established companies (mentors) and emerging small businesses, including woman and minority owned companies (protégés) in order for the latter to benefit from the knowledge and experience of the established firms. Further, it is the intent of the university through this initiative to foster increased business development and contribute to the economic development of the community through business growth and development resulting from the mentoring of small businesses

Emerging Small Business Program

In a collaborative effort of Business Affairs units (Planning, Design, and Construction; Facilities Services (Operations); and Small Business Relations), we seek to educate, develop, and increase access for small and emerging firms to participate in projects with the institution.

UF Opportunity Fair

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK at the University of Florida! This all-day event is designed to provide our business and community partners with information for success, business growth, and sustainability.

Gainesville Supplier Development Exchange

The Supplier Development Exchange includes presentations from government buyers and MyFloridaMarketPlace while providing an opportunity for small businesses to network. During the event’s Business Exchange, small business owners can market their goods and services directly to local and state buyers.

UF The Agency

Welcome to the cutting-edge world of a Gen Z-focused strategic communications firm, where students redefine advertising and public relations.

​We are a team of fearless, boundary-defying students, united by an unwavering ambition to produce transformative work with tangible results. As strategists, creatives, developers, researchers, producers and media coordinators, we don’t just follow industry standards—we set them. Unafraid to challenge the status quo and weave cultural relevance into our work, we are the ambitious youth spearheading new standards in the agency world.

Business Services

​The UF/IFAS Extension Business Services office provides comprehensive administrative support to Florida’s Extension professionals, ensuring smooth operations across fiscal, human resources, contracts, travel, and international activities. Key offerings include guidance on contracts and MOUs, travel and expense processing, overhead mitigation strategies, and coordination of the Florida Extension Business Professionals Conference. The team also manages the Straughn Extension Professional Development Center and offers a centralized ticketing system for efficient service requests. 

Tech Licensing 

UF Innovate | Tech Licensing works with innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners to maximize the potential of University of Florida innovations through commercialization for the global good. Founded in 1985, Tech Licensing receives more than 300 invention disclosures, executes more than 100 commercial transactions, and launches nearly 20 companies each year.

Ventures

Since 1985, more than 200 companies have formed by licensing technologies from the University of Florida. UF Innovate | Ventures seeks to fuel consistent growth in the number and quality of technology-based startup companies. These startups move UF inventions out of the lab and into the marketplace for the global good. Ventures supports startups by developing entrepreneurs, connecting companies to potential investors, and making equity investments.

UF Innovate | Ventures has a $2 million venture fund per fiscal year. Ventures will assist UF startups in preparing for a financing round and may participate in financings after review and approval by the Investment Committee. Ventures will act as a co-investor with an accredited third-party investor acting as the lead investor of a financing round.

In addition, Ventures oversees an Entrepreneurs in Residence program throughout the state of Florida. With EIRs strategically located throughout Florida in major urban centers, these seasoned entrepreneurial experts will connect UF startups with experienced executives in various industry sectors across the state. Also, the EIR program will connect UF startups to private capital, elevating the probability of success for these new enterprises.

Accelerate 

UF Innovate | Accelerate is the place-making, entrepreneurial support organization within UF Innovate dedicated to working with entrepreneurs, innovators, and business builders. Through two award-winning, globally recognized facilities, UF Innovate | Accelerate delivers industry-leading entrepreneurial programs and services designed (1) to accelerate the growth and development of its client companies and (2) to increase the likelihood of success of the business ventures it serves.

Pathways 

UF Innovate | Pathways serves to empower innovators with training and resources to support innovation and commercialization at UF. Whether you are a faculty member, postdoctoral associate, staff, or student, take advantage of these programs to enhance your knowledge and advance your ideas to market. 

Accessibility Services

The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries provide a number of services to ensure access to library collections and services for individuals with disabilities. If what you need is not available, or if you are a disabled UF faculty member or student seeking to use materials produced by the Smathers Libraries for a course or for other academic research purposes, or if you are a disabled member of the public seeking to use materials located within the Smathers Libraries web sites, please fill out the form below, visit our Contact Us page, or ask at any circulation desk.

Visitors

Our collections support the research needs of undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty in over 170 academic programs. With an emphasis on scholarship, we are different from a public library as we do not collect popular fiction, how-to books, or general magazines. Smathers Libraries is a regional federal, state, and European Union documents depository, and our Government Documents Department is open to all U.S. residents and others interested in government policies and regulations.

WUFT

WUFT-TV signed on the air November 10, 1958 with a mission to provide educational broadcasting to the UF and other schools within the broadcast area. In the late ’50s and early ’60s programming emphasis at WUFT was on instructional broadcasts. The station has evolved to featured PBS programming, local productions and an award-winning student produced and anchored weekday newscast

UF VETS Disaster Response

Our disaster response team works in coordination with the State Agricultural Response Team (SART). Where veterinary care is needed because community resources are overwhelmed (as in cases of natural disasters, hoarding cases, etc.), the UF VETS team can be requested by first reaching out to county emergency management offices. Requests can then be made to SART and with an approved mission, the UF VETS team is able to deploy. The UF VETS team does not self-deploy. Careful coordination with our partners ensures that needs are met in the most efficient and effective manner to provide the best aid to animals in communities of need.

Great Gator Neighbor Medallion

Off Campus Life wants you to become a Great Gator Neighbor before graduation! The Great Gator Neighbor Medallion program allows you to complete specific milestones to help you engage in your local community and learn what it means to be an engaged citizen. Based on Off Campus Life's 4 pillars, Live, Learn, Lead, and Discover, students will have their full University of Florida student career to complete various milestones aimed at increasing civic awareness and connection with both the University of Florida and the city where you live. The Great Gator Neighbor Medallion Program is open to all UF students, regardless of standing and location. Students who register will be added to a Canvas (e-learning) course that will include list of milestones, updates, reminders, and announcements.

Rental Welcome

Each fall the OCL partners with the City of Gainesville Code Enforcement, Solid Waste Division and Gainesville Police Department to conduct the annual College Park Rental Welcome. City and university staff pair up and go door-to-door to welcome UF students living in rental houses in the College Park area near campus and provide them with educational materials and answer their questions. The educational materials include safety and crime prevention information, garbage disposal and recycling tips, information about city codes and state statutes and OCL's magazine, the Gator Guide. This two-day event is a great way to connect with students who might be new to the Gainesville area, home maintenance and being responsible neighbors.

Discover Gainesville Jeopardy

Off Campus Life offers engaging presentations designed to support students in making a smooth and informed transition to living in Gainesville. These sessions cover a variety of important topics, including "Off Campus Housing 101" to help students navigate the rental process, "Discover Gainesville Jeopardy" to familiarize them with the local community, "Civic Engagement" to encourage involvement in local governance and service, and "Great Gator Neighbors," which promotes respectful and responsible community living. Through these programs, students gain valuable insights and resources to thrive both on and off campus.

Gator Guide to Off Campus Life

The Gator Guide to Off Campus Life is published by the office of Off Campus Life, which is part of the University of Florida Division of Student Life.
The mission, vision and values of the Division of Student Life are an extension of the University of Florida’s. We view ourselves as partners in pursuit of institutional goals and objectives.

Discover Gainesville

How would you like to explore local Gainesville hotspots on and off campus each month for free? With Off Campus Lifes event series, Discover Gainesville, you can get to experience new venues, food and culture around town guided by local experts. OCL will pay for all tickets and admission costs. We will post upcoming Discover Gainesville events through our social media pages @UFOffCampusLife. 

Off Campus Ambassadors

The Off Campus Ambassador (OCA)  mission is to connect students to the on and off-campus community by promoting inclusivity, leadership, and involvement.

Gator Families

As your student becomes a Gator, you too are becoming a vital part of the Gator Community. At the University of Florida, we strongly believe that family members provide crucial support for the new experiences students encounter during college. The beginning of a college career often brings changes in relationships with family and friends. Welcoming, understanding, and adjusting to these changes is an exciting challenge for all involved. New Student and Family Programs exists to help new students and their families with this transition and growth.

Alumni

Being a Gator is forever and always. When you reflect on your time in the Gator Nation, we hope the fond memories of being engaged in the many activities of student life are at the core of your most impactful moments. Your experience and knowledge can significantly impact our next generation of student leaders. We encourage you to remain connected and engaged with us to help shape the student experience at UF.

Students

The University of Florida Division of Student Life champions meaningful experiences that foster community connection, career design and lifelong wellbeing. We pursue the vision that every Gator is prepared for lifelong success through an individualized, excellent student experience.

Strategic Plan

We begin with our why in mind - an individualized excellent student experience for every Gator.

This vision provides guidance for our student-centered efforts to create meaningful experiences that champion community connection, career design, and lifelong wellbeing. Over the next decade, higher education is going to change considerably. We aim to not only be responsive to these changes but to innovate and find new pathways for the Gators of today and tomorrow to be successful throughout their lives.

Our work in the Division of Student Life is intentional and strategic. In the coming years, we will invest in and further develop our services, spaces, infrastructure, and human capital with purpose. We will think and prepare differently because our world is different, our students are different, and the needs of our industries are different. Within the pages of this strategic plan are our foundational goals and outcomes as we strive to create what’s next.

Student Life will be at the forefront of change, supporting every Gator.

UFIT Services

The University of Florida's Information Technology (UFIT) department offers a comprehensive suite of services to support the diverse needs of students, faculty, staff, and researchers. These services encompass administrative tools, communication platforms, end-point computing support, infrastructure management, IT professional services, research computing resources, security measures, and teaching and learning technologies.

Stadium Information

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, known as “The Swamp,” is the legendary home of the Florida Gators football team and a symbol of UF pride. Located in the heart of campus, the stadium is open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Visitors can access the field via Gate 18 and enjoy a self-guided experience of this iconic venue. The Swamp hosts game day traditions, historic statues of Heisman winners, and one of the loudest atmospheres in college football.

GatorMade 

GatorMade is a holistic player-focused and purpose-driven initiative that develops football scholar-athletes during their time at UF and beyond.

GatorMade is the development process of our football scholar-athletes. It is the culmination of opportunities and applied leadership that holistically develop the skills, experience, and character of Gators. More than a program, it is a mindset for each student leader to actively author his own experience through the resources and support of GatorMade. By investing in himself, each Gator expands his influence and his ability to impact others - in homes, communities, boardrooms, industries, and world.

Football Game Day Guide

​The Florida Gators Football Game Day Guide is your comprehensive resource for attending games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It covers essential information on parking, directions, ticketing, stadium policies, and more.

Rent the Center

​The Stephen C. O’Connell Center at the University of Florida offers versatile rental options for a wide range of events, including concerts, banquets, trade shows, and athletic competitions. The main arena accommodates up to 10,500 guests and features adaptable configurations to suit various event needs.

Box Office

​The University Box Office at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center is your on-campus destination for event tickets, including performances by the UF School of Theatre and Dance. Located at Gate 1, the box office operates Monday through Friday from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM .​

Plan Your Trip 

​Planning your visit to the Stephen C. O’Connell Center is straightforward with their comprehensive "Plan Your Trip" resources. The center provides detailed information on directions, parking, accessibility, and security policies to ensure a smooth experience.

SPACE RENTALS 

​The University of Florida offers a variety of rental facilities to accommodate events ranging from meetings and workshops to large-scale gatherings. 

UF EASTSIDE URGENT CARE COMMUNITY ROOM

Conveniently located on Southeast Hawthorne Road, UF Health Urgent Care Center Eastside offers the use of its multi-purpose community room for groups and events. 

Customer Resources

​UF Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) offers a comprehensive suite of resources to support the campus community's parking and transportation needs. The Customer Resources section provides essential information on parking maps, citation payment and appeals, rules and regulations, parking restrictions, and event parking reservations. 

Visitors 

UF Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) provides convenient and accessible parking options for visitors to the University of Florida campus. The Welcome Center and Garage 5, located near the Reitz Union, offer pay-to-park options on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with rates starting at $2 for short-term parking and $8 for a full day. Visitors may also purchase a $5 daily parking pass from the TAPS office, available to non-students. For those visiting UF Health Shands, complimentary parking is available with a patient voucher, and free valet services are offered at select entrances. Additionally, individuals with a valid state-issued disabled placard may park in most campus lots and garages, with free access to metered spaces and standard rates applying in garages. These services ensure that all campus guests can navigate and park with ease during their visit.

Alternative Transportation

UF Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) offers a variety of alternative transportation options to promote sustainable and convenient travel for the campus community. These include the Campus Connector, a free shuttle service with multiple routes connecting key campus locations; Campus Cab by Lyft, providing complimentary rides for faculty and staff on official business; and Gator Lift, a paratransit service for individuals with mobility-related disabilities. Students can benefit from UF Safe Rides by Lyft, offering discounted rides during late-night hours, and the SNAP service, a nightly campus safety shuttle. Additional options encompass the RTS Bus Service for broader Gainesville transit, Zipcar for car-sharing needs, and a micromobility program featuring rentable e-scooters.