Public Service and Research Centers

The Center on Aging coordinates development of curriculum designed to prepare professionals to enter fields of service to the aging population and provides consultation for community professionals.

The Archaeology Institute conducts research on the pre-Columbian, Colonial and American archaeology of northwest Florida. Students and volunteers assist with excavation and analysis of residential, industrial, and military sites on land, and shipwrecks underwater. Institute faculty teach and advise students in the undergraduate Anthropology program (Anthropology) and in the graduate Historical Archaeology program (History). Research activities are funded through grants and contracts for archaeological services. Archaeological service capabilities include predictive modeling, GIS planning for cultural resource management, survey and inventory, testing and evaluation, data recovery, National Register nominations, artifact conservation, and federally approved collections curation. An archaeology exhibit area is open to the public five days a week in the Archaeology Institute Building (89).

The Behavioral Medicine Laboratory is designed to foster research and instruction that applies psychological expertise to problems encountered in medical settings. The primary focus is on the role of behavioral principles and techniques in the treatment of medically related complaints and stress disorders.

The Raymond M. Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development collects, analyzes and distributes information on the Northwest Florida business environment. It is the leading resource for social, economic and demographic information on the ten-county region, maintaining extensive data series describing key areas such as tourism, health care, the military sector, construction and manufacturing. Much of this information is available to the public at no charge. The Haas Center also conducts contract research and publishes The Northwest Florida Economy, as well as other publications.

The Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Research (ICER), functioning as a component of the Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation (CEDB), explores topics of environmental and ecological interest and acts as a resource and community liaison on issues of environmental quality. ICER participates in many local committees and works with local, state, and federal agencies. ICER's Wetlands Research Laboratory houses a state-certified laboratory, which supports the research efforts of the institute and the university while employing and training students. The laboratory maintains cutting-edge lab and field equipment and has the flexibility to develop new methods and approaches to the rapidly evolving field of environmental assessment.

The Office of Community/University Partnerships coordinates a variety of programs that bring the University and the community together. While the Office is continuously involved with new projects, the four major programs are the Leisure Learning Society (LLS), Academy of Senior Professionals (ASP), Elderhostel, and CUPLINKS. The LLS is an educational program for people 55 and older. The Society offers a variety of courses, seminars, Lunch 'N' Learns, and travel adventures. ASP is a "think-tank" established to satisfy the intellectual needs of retired professionals and to promote collaboration between this population, the community, and the University.

Elderhostel, a national organization, combines the best traditions of education and hostelling in programs designed for older adults. The University's Elderhostel program sponsors programs throughout the year. CUPLINKS is an educational partnership consisting of the University, Pensacola Junior College, the Chief of Naval Education and Training, and the Escambia and Santa Rosa County School Districts and Chambers of Commerce. Its purpose is for the partners to make collaborative efforts and sharing resources in preparing area educational systems for the 21st Century.

The Educational Research Center for Child Development provides child care for children of students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. It also serves as a research laboratory and practicum site for students in various degree programs of the University.

The Educational Research and Development Center (ERDC) engages in research and development activities that explore how learning with technology can increase performance. With a focus on both K-12 education and training in business, industry and the military, the areas of R&D emphasis include: distance and distributed learning, electronic performance support systems (EPSS), web-based learning environments, technology integration, diversity in learning environments, and school reform and improvement initiatives.

The Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation (CEDB), along with its affiliated Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Research (ICER) and Wetlands Research Laboratory, engages in basic and applied research in biochemistry, ecology, molecular biology, and microbiology pertinent to the assessment and improvement of environmental health; enhances educational and training programs; and contributes to public service, including activities to enrich science education at K-12 levels.

The Florida/China Linkage Institute, a joint endeavor with the University of South Florida and Brevard Community College, was established to improve academic, cultural, and commercial ties with China.

The Florida/Japan Linkage Institute (FJLI), is a joint endeavor with the University of South Florida and St. Petersburg Community College. FJLI assists in the development of stronger academic, economic, and cultural ties between this state and Japan through the promotion of expanded public and private dialogue on cooperative research activities, increased bilateral commerce, student and faculty exchange, cultural exchange, and the enhancement of language training skills.

The Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) Network is a statewide service network in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, sponsored by the SUS of Florida and administered by the University of West Florida. The FSBDC Network was part of the original SBDC pilot project in 1976. Today, the Network is the largest and most successful business assistance program in Florida -- featuring 20 college and university-based centers, with additional outreach provided at resource partner locations, including Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Councils, banks, etc. The Network links the resources of federal, state and local governments with the resources of the state education system, as well as the private sector, to provide the high quality on-on-one counseling, educational training events and information entrepreneurs needed to form, sustain and grow successful businesses. The scope of services is comprehensive, covering virtually all areas of business management, such as business planning, marketing, accounting, loan packaging, etc. Specialized areas of assistance include: international trade, government procurement, energy conservation, disaster mitigation, veterans outreach, women-and minority-owned businesses, and more... Services are available to all types of businesses in all stages of development. For additional information, visit our web site at www.floridasbdc.com or call (850)595-6060.

The Office of Research facilitates all aspects associated with sponsored research activity at the University. Assistance is provided to faculty and staff regarding proposal submission to external funding agencies for research, instructional support, public service and other forms of creative activity. Administrative support responsibilities include the Scholarly and Creative Activity Committee, the Animal Care and Use Committee and the Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects. The Office of Research has management oversight for internal research award programs including summer research support for faculty and small grant awards for both faculty and graduate students. Information on funding opportunities is available through The Office of Research web site at www.research.uwf.edu/. Support facilities are provided for The Research Foundation of the University of West Florida as well as coordination of the awarding of Continuing Education Units for noncredit programs.

The Research Foundation promotes, encourages and provides assistance for University faculty, staff, and student research activities. The Foundation serves as the primary vehicle for developing and promoting relationships between the University and private sector organizations in support of technology transfer. Incorporated by the State of Florida in December 1995, the 501(c)3, not-for-profit, Direct Support Organization provides a means by which discoveries, inventions, processes, and work products of the University faculty, staff, and students can be created and transferred from the laboratory to the public. Funds generated by such discoveries are used to enhance research at the University of West Florida.

The Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) provides UWF an internationally recognized research presence in human-centered computing, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computers in education, human/machine interfaces, and other related areas. In addition to developing a strong extramurally-supported research program, the IHMC faculty and staff are enriching the University's educational programs in several departments by teaching, developing new courses and programs, and providing research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students.

The Office of International Education and Programs (IEP) advances the University's commitment to internationalization by providing access to a wide range of study abroad programs and research opportunities for students and faculty. The office develops and coordinates exchange programs with universities in Europe, Asia, and Central and South America and fosters international awareness on campus. The office also coordinates the National Student Exchange Program, which enables UWF students to attend one of 167 colleges in the United States and Canada for a semester or year. International students who want to improve their English language skills may also enroll in the Intensive English Program prior to being admitted as degree-seeking students. Information about specific programs is available at the IEP Office in Building 8.

The Center for Learning through Organized Volunteer Efforts (CLOVE) provides students, faculty, and staff with information about volunteer opportunities in the Northwest Florida area and matches and refers students for service learning placements. Service Learning Field Studies specialize in one semester service learning projects initiated by faculty members and community leaders.

The UWF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides management assistance to both existing and potential small businesses through workshops, seminars, and confidential consulting. The SBDC has a Special Group Emphasis Center to assist minorities and women, and an Energy Conservation Assistance Program to assist businesses in reducing energy consumption and saving money. The UWF SBDC participates in the nationwide Small Business Institute Program, allowing College of Business (COB) students to consult with active businesses while enrolled in credit-earning courses. The UWF SBDC provides opportunities for COB graduate students to work as paid SBDC business analysts.

The Center for Social Science Research provides administrative organization for research and service projects of a general social scientific nature. The Center houses projects directed by UWF faculty and staff and serves as a point of contact for persons outside the University who wish to become involved in social science research or service projects.

The UWF Statistical Center assists students with statistical aspects of their theses and dissertations and faculty and staff with research projects. The service is available to the entire University community and to local and State governmental agencies.

The Whitman Center for Public Service provides outreach services to the UWF community in Northwest Florida. The four major service categories are: 1) Professional Development and Continuing Education, 2) Technical and Applied Research, 3) Community Leadership Development, and 4) Community Development. The Center supplies professional development and continuing education programs primarily through its Florida Institute of Government affiliation. While these programs are primarily designed for government and non-profit agencies, they are available to the general UWF community. Technical and applied research projects are normally conducted on a contract basis to support public policy in the region. Community development programs promote the capacity of neighborhoods and other areas to become effective participants in the policy process. In accomplishing these programs, the Whitman Center links University resources with community needs by directing the expertise of faculty and students to the solution of various community problems. Through all its programs, the Whitman Center seeks to enhance the quality of life in Northwest Florida.

WUWF - 88.1 FM Public Radio is a community-supported radio station broadcasting at 100,000 watts, 24 hours daily, from Building 88 (near the water tower) on the UWF campus. WUWF's news and information programming includes National Public Radio's (NPR) popular Morning Edition and All Things Considered (and their weekend editions) and local news produced by WUWF's news department. 
BUT  . . . WUWF is "not your father's" radio. In addition to classical programming, WUWF includes jazz, blues and world music programs and variety programming such as the immensely popular Prairie Home Companion, Car Talk, and Wha'd Ya Know.

Though WUWF is not a teaching station, students are employed in various broadcast activities and may participate in internships and directed studies related to all aspects of broadcasting, marketing and public relations.

WUWF also provides many on and off campus volunteer opportunities. 88.1 FM is widely known for community outreach and arts-related events such as the monthly RadioLive program held at the Museum of Commerce and the sound stage at the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival each November.