The College of Behavioral & Community Sciences (BCS) at the University of South Florida focuses on developing: Behavioral science—devoted to the study of human behavior and the systems in which we live; and,
Community science—bridging the gap between science, practice and policy with community centered models.
Established in 2008, BCS’s collaborative units and academic strength position faculty, students and staff to lead USF’s stampede to become a preeminent research university with state, national and global impact. Along with one of the largest behavioral health research and training institutes in the country, BCS’s 13,000 alumni are a proud part of this unstoppable new force.
In our communities, quality of life is a concern for everyone. The quest for knowledge and understanding, and the ability to address that concern, is as prominent as ever. BCS has earned a reputation as a leader in many disciplines and services through high aspirations, world-class collaborations, exceptional faculty and a strong tradition of research and knowledge transfer. Our aim is nothing less than to be among the most influential resources for behavioral and community sciences in the region, nation and world.
Tampa Bay is an unstoppable microcosm of a modern, global society. Societal needs and quality-of-life expectations transcend national, continental, cultural and physical boundaries. The college’s presence and impact through seminal efforts focusing on children and families, elimination of health disparities, suicide prevention, immigration, mental health, kinship care, effective transition for veterans, hearing, technology, the elderly and more extend beyond Florida and are being applied to national policies to make our country and the world a better place.
With your gift to support multidisciplinary-engaged research and vital community-partnered participatory work, BCS can focus on innovative solutions to the problems that affect the behavior and well-being of people of all ages in communities everywhere.
For Students
As a leader in external research, the college must continue to recruit students who are able to blend their academic work with the critical thinking that comes with research inquiry. Need-based, merit-based and endowed scholarships must be expanded, as well as graduate assistantships and doctoral/post-doctoral community engaged research fellowships.
For Scholars and Teachers
Dedicated faculty are the driving force behind the college’s academic programs, public service mission and research capital. By increasing the number of endowed chairs and professorships, BCS can recruit top-notch faculty and maintain a competitive academic and research edge. With an increased number of outstanding faculty members, the college will continue to raise its academic profile.
Rewarding Academic Achievement through Scholarships
It is incumbent upon USF to mold students and young alumni into creative thinkers and strong leaders. Doing so serves the individual as well as the university. With financial support from our generous alumni benefactors, the USF Alumni Association has created scholarships and leadership programs that reward academic excellence, recognize individual perseverance and foster leadership skills that will last a lifetime. Additional support will make more opportunities available for more talented young USF constituents.
For Engaged Research and Knowledge Dissemination
To be successful, undergraduate, graduate and professional programs must encourage interdisciplinary inquiry and intellectual development as well as knowledge and skill acquisition, implementation and dissemination. BCS seeks to continue this tradition of a broad and deep continuum of “translational” research and its tradition of knowledge dissemination. Your gift will keep the college unstoppable in making a lasting positive difference in our communities.
For Facilities and Academic Programs of Distinction
With your support, BCS can update its facilities and enhance programs of distinction that engage and benefit the greater Tampa Bay community—and communities well beyond. These include the Westside Conference Center, which hosts educators and community partners, and classroom upgrades within the de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute facility. The college’s programs of distinction include the National University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the Policy Exchange Center on Aging, national knowledge transfer conferences, and others dedicated to students, scholars and service.
About the College
- BCS research alone represents one-third of all external funding for USF’s Academic Affairs
- The de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute houses one of only 13 mental health research libraries in the country
- Three of BCS’s four doctoral programs are ranked “Top 10” nationally by the Chronicle of Higher Education for scholarly productivity
