Continuing Education Welcomes Edythe Abdullah

Dr. Edythe Abdullah has joined UNF Continuing Education as the new interim dean. She previously served as special advisor to President Delaney from 2013-2015. She also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of North Florida and chaired the Jacksonville Community Council Inc.

Dr. Abdullah earned her bachelor degrees from Valparaiso University in Indiana and holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida. She also has a Leadership Certificate in the Management of Lifelong Education from Harvard University. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, it is clear where her passion lies.

Continuing Education is delighted to welcome Dr. Abdullah as our new leader. We are excited about the future and want to give you an opportunity to get to know Dr. Abdullah in the following Q&A.  

Tell us about your family. I am the mother of four adult children — three boys and one daughter — and “G’ma” to three grandchildren. Shahid is in Jacksonville, Naim is in San Diego Calif., Hamin is in San Juan, Puerto Rico (with his wife, Angela and kids) and Ayesha, who just earned her Ph.D. in philosophy from Penn State University, is at UNF taking pre-med courses.  

If you could choose any other career, what would it be and why? Executive director of a nonprofit organization that has as one of its goals to empower low-income kids. 

What would you like to do when you retire? Learn to play the guitar, travel and volunteer as a mentor. 

What is your favorite thing about working at UNF? Having the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of young and older adults. 

What is the proudest/happiest moment of your life? Being sworn in as a member of the bar 19 years after graduating from law school. I didn’t take the bar exam until 18 years after graduating due to kids and work. It was empowering to do what so many struggle to do right after law school — 19 years later. 

What is the best thing you ever won? I won a gift basket for a home movie night from church. One of my favorite movies was in the gift basket — “The Best Man.” 

What band(s)/musician(s) would perform the soundtrack to your life? The Tedeschi Trucks Band and Marvin Sapp 

Who is your favorite fictional character? What makes them your favorite? Janie Mae Crawford in “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neal Hurston. The character travels through life’s journey to find her true essence (spirit) and realize her relationship to God. 

If you won the lottery, what would do with the money? Pay off all bills, establish a trust for my kids and grandkids, tithe, set up a scholarship in my grandparents’ name, travel and volunteer.

If you were not working at UNF, what would you be doing? Advancing higher education goals at a higher education institution or higher education support entity. 

Describe your favorite UNF-related memory? The numerous commencement exercises that I participated in celebrating the success of our students. 

What is your favorite way to blow an hour? Kayaking

If you were asked to paint a picture about anything you wanted, what would you paint? I’d paint a picture of me with all my children/grandchildren and their spouses celebrating family on a Caribbean beach. 

What was the best money you ever spent? Educating my children 

Is there a piece of technology that you just couldn’t live without? Smart phone 

Tell us something that would surprise people to know about you: I sang in a girls’ band in high school. 

What was the first concert you ever attended, and what was the most recent concert you attended? James Brown in the Ritz Theater when I was a kid. Earth, Wind and Fire last year. 

What person had the greatest impact on your life? My grandmother, Edith Hunter 

What are you most passionate about? Finding ways to give kids with socioeconomic barriers tools and experiences that allow them to achieve their innate purpose. 

Who is the most famous person you ever met? President Barack Obama 

Tell us something about you that even your friends don’t know: I was a jazz radio DJ in college

What do you hope to accomplish that you have not done yet? Learn Spanish

Last book read: ”Still Foolin’ Them,” an autobiography of Billy Crystal

Photograph: Madelyn Caranci

Get to Know: Jessica Fields. The newest member of our Customer Care Team!

Jessica, could you share some background information of your professional career?

Before starting at UNF, I worked in the legal field as a legal assistant and legal administrator, most recently in a firm that handled disability cases. I have a bachelor’s degree in International Relations (minored in Economics) from Florida International University in Miami and I am currently a student here at UNF in the Masters of Public Administration program. I’ve just started my 2^nd year in the MPA program, and I should be graduating in August 2016. My ultimate career goal after graduation is to be in a management position within a public organization.

Why did you want to work at UNF Continuing Education?

I was very excited about working for UNF Continuing Education because it’s an awesome opportunity to gain valuable working experience for my MPA. The Continuing Education department here at UNF is a great place to learn about the State University System in Florida. Also, I love being able to provide a service for our community. Continuing Education is such a wonderful service to provide for the community, from the test prep for younger students all the way to the OLLI program for seniors, and everything in between. It feels great to be part of a team that makes such a positive difference in peoples’ lives!

How would you describe your role at UNF Continuing Education?

I am part of the Customer Care Team here in the Continuing Education department. My primary role is to provide customer service to our current and future students, including answering any questions they may have and helping them with course registration. I also work on specific projects within the department as needed. I’m here to help out with anything that someone in our department may need!

Anything else you want us to share about you?

I enjoy being involved in the community, so I do a lot of volunteer work. Most of my volunteer work involves cultural events in and around the urban core area of Jacksonville. I am now in my second year as a member of the board of directors for GastroJax, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that seeks to raise awareness about our local food shed and culinary scene. We are primarily known as the organizers of GastroFest 2015, a local food festival that was held in Hemming Park this past March. We are now hard at work organizing GastroFest 2016, as well as other events that will educate the community about local food! 

Get to Know Casey Knowles, new Accounts Payable Specialist

In our next "Get to Know" new staff post series, we interviewed Casey Knowles, new Accounts Payable Specialist at UNF Continuing Education. As you read the following Q and A, you will see why Casey has become an integral member of our team so quickly. We are delighted to welcome her and know that you will want to do the same. Her contact information can be found at the end of the interview.

Casey, could you share some background information of your professional career? 

Casey: My adult career started in insurance.  I was a file clerk for a year and then started making my way through the company.  "One and Done" was the motto so I eventually learned billing, processing, and Builders Risk Ins. My final step was Underwriter for Property/Casualty Ins.   I left the insurance world when a position needed to be filled as the Director of Children’s Ministry at my church.  I did that for 2 ½ years and got a full-time job for a commercial distributor doing customer service, shipping, and AP/AR.  Five years later I applied at UNF in the Physical Facilities department doing accounting work and have moved around trying to find my place.

Why did you want to work at UNF Continuing Education?

Casey: I accepted the job in CE because it’s different than any other department on campus.  I’m a firm believer in keeping the mind tuned and doing things that you love and Continuing Education gives you the opportunity to do that.  Being a student at UNF as well, I felt like working here and taking classes would be accepted and encouraged.  CE also just seemed like a good fit.  There were things to learn, but the skills I gathered from Phys Fac and AP really made me feel confident that I could do this job.

How would you describe your role at UNF Continuing Education?

Casey: My role here in CE is to keep everyone on track with payments to instructors and vendors, P-card transactions, and accounting/budget needs.  I work closely with all the program managers and staff to make sure payments are made timely so they can move on to the next project.  My motto is “Teamwork makes the Dream work”.  I like that my job allows me to interact and help out wherever I can.

Anything else you want us to share about you?

Casey: I’m on the USPA Committee, Parking Advisory Council, and help out with EH&S projects on campus (Garbage on the Green, Recycle-mania, etc.).  I enjoy working on projects around campus and getting to know the faculty and staff.  I also believe that the Staff needs to be a presence on campus and that getting involved with the students helps them learn that volunteering doesn’t stop after graduation.  There are needs to be met all over the world and as abled bodies we should be making a difference.


Also:

• I love my cats
• I’m getting my degree in Health Administration
• I’m an introvert trying not to be
• I sing (mostly church and karaoke) 

 Send Casey a welcome note to c.knowles@unf.edu or say hello by phone at (904) 620-4230.

Get to Know John Yancey, New Program Director for Professional Development Studies

John Yancey,  Program Director
Professional Development

The UNF Division of Continuing Education is delighted to welcome John Yancey to our team! John has a long and distinguished career in higher education leadership having most recently served as the Vice President for Enrollment Services here at the University of North Florida and previously as the UNF Director of Admissions for more than 10 years. John's role here at UNFCE is to direct our professional development programs, including the Legal Studies Institute.


John brings that same passion for excellence and student success to his new Program Manager role: "I am excited to join such a dynamic team and I look forward to doing everything in my power to help move this division forward into what I believe is a very bright future!" said John when asked about his new position.



John and his wife, Michelle, have been part of the UNF family since 1997. They have two children, Sarah (19) and Roman (17). We are so fortunate to now include them in the UNF Continuing Education family! We know that John will bring a unique perspective and years of knowledge and skills to growing our continuing education professional development programs. He is also great fun to just have around the office! We love his infectious sense of humor, his warm welcome every morning, and his desire to just jump right in and be a part of the team.

If you would like to welcome John, or ask a question about any of our professional development programs, he can be reached by email at jyancey@unf.edu and by phone at (904) 620-5176.

Get to Know Conner Harvey, student staff member extraordinaire!

Conner Harvey

We are pleased to shine the spotlight on Conner Harvey, extraordinary person and one of the indispensable leaders of our student support team. A Jacksonville native and senior at the University of North Florida, Conner has worked at UNF Continuing Education for the past two years and has endeared herself to staff, instructors, and continuing education students alike.

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Dean Robert Wood highlights one of Conner’s many accomplishments: "Conner had real work experience going to Burris Logistics in Lakeland FL and did assessments for 5 people. This was invaluable to our division, and more importantly our customer. This was an urgent demand by the client and Conner was able to help and did a great job of interacting with one of our new business supporters."

New Year, New Faces!

Nancy Moydell
Business Development Specialist

The UNF Division of Continuing Education is so pleased to welcome Nancy Moydell to our team. As a Business Development Specialist, Nancy will concentrate on developing relationships with potential students and industry related companies in several key areas: Transportation and Logistics, Lean Six Sigma, Leadership Development, Certified Financial Planner, and the Paralegal Program. UNFCE Director Tim Giles states, "We are excited to have Nancy join the CE team. She brings years of experience in business development and has a real passion for helping individuals and organization achieve their goals."