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Invest in the Nest/Local Business Showcase: Jamie Marchio

(Written by Alex Achorn, Published 3/13/25)

Alumni Spotlight: Nick Gabrelcik

With the Player’s Championship on the horizon, this month’s #AlumniSpotlight is a story you just can’t putt down! Nick Gabrelcik (’24) came to the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ as a member of the men’s golf team and took the ASUN Conference – and the nation – by storm on his way to the Korn Ferry Tour.

A high school golfer from Trinity, Florida, Gabrelcik initially visited ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ due to its proximity to home, but the camaraderie between the golfers, coaches and athletic staff convinced him to commit as an Osprey. He enrolled in the College of Education and Human Services as a sports management major with a minor in business management.

During his first season on the team, he played in nine tournaments and claimed the individual medal crown in three. He earned the No. 1 Golfstat ranking during the season and was named ASUN Freshman of the Year, ASUN Golfer of the Year, PING All-American, Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman, a Ben Hogan Award semifinalist and a member of the GCAA All-Nicklaus Team. Since he started playing golf, he’d always dreamed of playing professionally, but he said, “it wasn’t until after my freshman year when I realized I had a real shot at the PGA TOUR U program.”

After the Ospreys finished sixth in their NCAA regional and fell just short of the NCAA Championship, Gabrelcik was more determined than ever. He said, “having that linger for a year made us hungrier, and we proved our hard work really paid off in the end.” By the end of his sophomore year, his trophy case got more crowded with the addition of two more individual medal crowns and complimentary ASUN Golfer of the Year and PING All-American awards. However, he was just getting started. He shot an insane 205 (-11) in the ASUN Championship to earn the individual medalist crown and return the ASUN team trophy to ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. The Ospreys then headed to New Haven, Connecticut. for their NCAA regional. On the final day of play, Gabrelcik shot a round-leading 5-under-par as they finished tied for third, advancing to the NCAA Championship. His favorite memory at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ was celebrating with his team after that final round.

At this point, any college across the nation would be lucky to land a guy like Gabrelcik, but he was committed to spend his four years as an Osprey. He said ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ was there for him at the beginning and became his home. He formed lifelong relationships with his teammates and friends and had no interest in turning his back on them now. At the end of his senior season, he’d set program records with 9 individual medalist crowns, 24 Top 5 finishes, a best 18 of 10-under-par (2023 Visit Knoxville Collegiate), a best 54 of 19-under-par (2024 Gator Invitational), 15 ASUN Golfer of the Week awards and 4 ASUN Golfer of the Year awards, making the NCAA regionals all four years. “What a great finish to an unbelievable career,” said head coach Scott Schroeder. Gabrelcik saved his best for last, leading the Ospreys to another NCAA Championship and finishing No. 5 in the PGA TOUR U rankings to earn his Korn Ferry Tour card.

The Korn Ferry Tour has gone by many names in the past, but it serves as the development tour for the PGA Tour. “My experience on Korn Ferry so far has been a big adjustment,” Gabrelcik said. “In college, you can shoot 5-under in most events and be Top 10, but professionally 5-under doesn’t make a lot of cuts.” Last season, he earned his first Top 10 finish after shooting a ridiculous 268 (-20) in the Price Cutter Charity Championship. Last month, he shot 7-under to finish second in The Panama Championship. The level of play is so different that each day is a grind, which makes it stressful but also fun at the same time.

Typically, our ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ alumni like to play golf to relax and take their mind off work, but unfortunately Gabrelcik doesn’t have that luxury. To unwind from the grind, he likes to come back to town and spend time with friends and family, doing whatever he needs to do to momentarily distract himself from the game.

(Written by Alex Achorn, Published 3/11/25)

Schoolhouse Flock: Martin Aftuck

Martin Aftuck’s path to becoming a principal at Middleburg High School started back when he visited some friends at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and fell in love with the campus environment. “I loved that ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ always felt smaller than it was,” he said. Aftuck found that the smaller program ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ provided helped him form friendships and make connections.

After just two semesters at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, he knew that he wanted to be a teacher and a coach. Aftuck’s dream job quickly became his reality. At his internship with ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, he got to experience some of the joys of teaching for the first time and loved working with junior high students. He eventually got connected to Lakeside Junior High through one of his ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ friends and became a teacher and head baseball coach at that school!

Afterwards he went on to pursue other opportunities in high schools and taught at Orange Park High for 10 years. He became assistant principal at the alternative school in Clay County and then took over as the principal. By working with students in need of a second chance, he got to see “just how big of an impact a principal can truly have,” he said. 

Aftuck currently serves as the principal at Middleburg High School and has been a proud Bronco for five years. 

Middleburg High School on County Road enrolls close to 1,900 students in grades 9-12 and has over 160 staff members. Their hard work in the past few years has earned them an “A” rating, making it just the third time in history that the school has achieved this accolade. 

Middleburg offers many options for students looking to expand their horizons. Students can get an early start in earning college credit with the Cambridge program through St. Johns River State College. They also can get involved with one of Middleburg’s Career and Technical Education programs to get exposed to a variety of vocations and gain hands-on experience. These programs include Design Build Academy, VyStar Academy, Agriculture Horticulture and Technology, the Garber Automotive Academy and Computer Science Information Technology program.

The Bronco athletes certainly stand out in their community with their achievements throughout the years. They have won state championships in Volleyball, Softball and Cheer, and their football team is the only team in the county to make the playoffs in the past two years. Go Broncos! 

Though the role of a principal involves great challenges, to Aftuck, being able to impact student success and achievement makes it all worthwhile. Whether a student is a valedictorian or just meets the graduation requirements, Aftuck finds joy in seeing students grow from freshman to young adults. 

As Aftuck looks back to think how ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ prepared him for where he is today, he emphasizes the power that a few connections had in his career. Aftuck said, “I loved the connections that I made with my classmates and the partnerships that ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ has with local school districts. The program never felt too big!”

Aftuck is now excited to see his stepdaughter, Myla, graduate from the College of Nursing as an Osprey! They get to share in the family community that ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ has together.

(Written by Kara Hogue, Published 3/12/25)

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Blair

Today’s Alumni Spotlight is a seasoned veteran of the restaurant industry with special emphasis on the “seasoned.” After 13 years in the finance realm for Outback Steakhouse and Miller’s Ale House, Michael Blair (’04) now serves as the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer for Checkers and Rally’s Drive-In Restaurants.

Investing In Your Future

Blair’s path was anything but conventional, but he is a quick learner that gets stuff done. He started out at Hillsborough Community College while working full time but intended to transfer to a four-year university. After earning his AA degree, he visited ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and liked how despite the nearby metropolis, “it’s tucked away in its own little universe.” The smaller class sizes in the School of Communication were a positive as he initially pursued a career in radio, unbeknownst to what the future had in store.

Once he graduated with a bachelor’s in political science and a communication minor, he returned home to Tampa where he ran into a friend’s sister who was working in human resources for the Home Shopping Network (HSN) on the hunt for new employees. Blair initially started as a backstage coordinator for live HSN shows, working overnight shifts for six months before joining the business side as a merchandise assistant of food. While playing in a company kickball league, his teammates encouraged him to apply for an associate planner role. In his role, he optimized the profitability of the show by “blending art and science.” Since viewership numbers varied throughout the day, he would optimize attention-grabbing items with a lower price point before building up to the high-ticket items.

Blair eventually got recruited by companies on the West Coast and took a position in San Francisco as a merchandise planner for Gap Inc./Old Navy. The new location and responsibilities posed new adjustments for Blair, but he made friends and leveraged his relationships to quickly transition from Microsoft Excel novice to expert. However, when looking to put down his roots, he wanted to come back home to Florida. Chicos brought him to Fort Myers in a similar role with higher pay and allowed him to be close to Tampa to start dating Kalei, now his wife.

Journey Down Under

The mom of his wife’s best friend from childhood worked as an accountant at Bloomin’ Brands, a holding company that owns restaurant chains like Carrabba’s, Bonefish Grill and Outback Steakhouse. At a wedding, she and Blair talked about his experience, and she asked for his resume which made its way to the desk of John Massari, the CFO of Outback. While Blair had no direct experience in financial planning and analysis, Massari was impressed by his background and his work ethic. He hired him as a senior financial analyst and learned under the tutelage Shaun Lewis, who did everything from marketing and analysis to pricing and testing. Blair took to it immediately, volunteering for every opportunity to understand the consumer before understanding the numbers. He became skilled at budgeting and forecasting, which was rewarded by quick upward mobility in the organization.

Unlike many other CFOs that rose up solely in finance, Blair’s communication background allowed him to bring a new perspective to the company, transitioning from the myopic accounting viewpoint to a more operational and transformational role. After six years working at Outback domestic, his career growth led him to become the director of finance for the international markets before being promoted to international CFO. A few weeks each month, he traveled extensively across South America, Asia and Oceania. However, with two young children at home, he decided to prioritize family over work.

Miller’s Ale House had a CFO position open, and the commute to Orlando was much more reasonable than Australia. In 2019, he accepted the role where he helped grow LTM EBITDA by over 60% in 4 years while broadening his scope by leading departments outside of the traditional finance functions, including HR. Then, the Tampa headquarters for Checkers and Rally’s gave him a chance to return home and oversee accounting, finance and payroll, with the addition of legal, real estate and IT at the start of this year. He is now well suited to mesh his communication skills and his financial acumen to lead his unit with the support of his family nearby and aspirations of CEO on the horizon.

(Written by Alex Achorn, Published 2/3/25)

Local Business Showcase: Cork Media

For one Osprey, migrating south meant finding a unique career opportunity – and a life partner! Check out this month’s MetInTheNest Local Business Showcase.

Ian Cork (’24) graduated from the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ School of Communication with his bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism. A Chicago native, he spent a year at Georgia Southern University before transferring to the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, where he was deeply involved on campus. Cork was a member of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ PRSSA and co-founded the Kappa Omicron chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi.

It was during a Greek life event that Cork met his future partner, Kaitlynn Sorondo (’22), at a bowling event hosted by her sorority, Alpha Phi. As the two talked, Cork was so intrigued by a storytelling course she was taking that he switched his major to multimedia journalism, which became the first step towards his future as a communicator and entrepreneur.

Cork said his time at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ readied him for a career in media. He credits his courses for teaching him about creating a strong brand and selling a story, plus he learned videography, lighting and production skills that he puts to use in his occupation. One of his most memorable experiences as a student was working with a Chicago-based music production agency, where he had an opportunity to develop his public relations and social media management skills.

While still an undergraduate student, Cork launched his independent business, Cork Media, and he started serving local businesses looking for help with social media management. After graduation, he hired additional social media managers and advertising professionals. Today, the company offers its clients a broad range of services, from social media management to videography, advertising and graphic design. Cork says the company plans to expand its offerings to include traditional marketing while delivering bespoke solutions for each client.

Cork’s favorite part of entrepreneurship is seeing local businesses flourish. He enjoys attending events across Jacksonville and getting involved with the city he has come to love. For example, one of his favorite events to work has been with the Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville.

When he isn’t busy running his business, Cork enjoys hiking, playing basketball and traveling. He is looking forward to an upcoming mission trip to Tanzania, where he will help build schools. He also plans to climb Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai in northern Tanzania.

(Written by Kai Edu, Published 2/13/25)

Donor Spotlight: Eddie Collins

Continuing our “Thanks for Giving” campaign, we’d like to recognize Dr. Eddie Collins, founding faculty member for the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ - College of Arts and Sciences Department of Sociology, who has established a need-based undergraduate scholarship to echo his commitment to student success.

Collins attended public school in eastern North Carolina and went to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for his bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology. After graduating in 1966, he went to Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) where he got a master’s degree. He then taught at Clark College across the street for four years, and when he was researching for his thesis, he ran across Dr. Carroll Simms, a professor at Georgia State, who ultimately became the first chairman of the department of sociology at the newly founded ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. Simms called Collins and asked if he’d be interested in joining him, and he became an Osprey in 1972. After three years, Simms left to go up north, but Collins has remained part of the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ community ever since. 

In the early years, there were the core four in the department. Simms, Kumar Kuthiala, Chris Rasche and Collins. “Students were attracted to sociology because at least they had a vision of having some impact on society,” he said. Many of his students were much older than him; some were military and some had started their education before joining the workforce and never finished. Collins said, “Students who had a lot of real­ world experience and [were] very eager to get through.” The University allowed them to complete their degrees. 

When he started, he taught the three courses of the social welfare program for about ten years and was also an advisor. He’d never taught these courses before, but he says “I was lucky to find some good textbooks and took a couple of other courses at Gainesville, and those courses became the courses that I enjoyed.”

He also organized a fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, who got charted in the first couple of years. He’s loved seeing the growth of campus and the student body and remembers the first time he walked around and noticed students were playing around and suntanning on the green.

“Coming out of the 1960’s, it was a very optimistic time,” he said. “I saw this university as a part of that new revolution of creating a society that was much more open, much more diverse, and much more optimistic in terms of human possibilities.”

“I think the university probably impacted the city in terms of its racial climate more than anything that’s happened in the last hundred years,” he said. He was an active member of the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. that did an assessment of the city. Back then, the city was fragmented by regions, and he’s seen it grown tremendously in terms of developing an identity.

After 35 years, he retired from the University in July 2007, but still finds ways to contribute as an emeritus.

(Written by Alex Achorn, Published 11/26/24)

Oz For A Cause: Sarah Roberts

In this month’s edition of #OzforACause, we are highlighting a triple alumna who’s not only dedicated her life’s work to helping others through counseling and art therapy but has also staunchly advocated for herself and others living with diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and we recently sat down with Sarah Roberts, RMHCI (’21, ’21, ’24), to discuss her career and advocacy. She currently works as an associate therapist at Elite DNA Behavioral Health in Jacksonville.

A Third-Degree Swoop

As an Osprey, Roberts stayed active on campus and in the classroom, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and interdisciplinary studies, focusing on ceramic art therapy. This year, she completed her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and incorporates her ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ education into her work, primarily counseling children aged 9 and up.

Art therapy, in many ways, inspired Roberts to become a therapist. During undergrad, while taking 17 credit hours one semester, she struggled with stress as she pursued forensic psychology aspirations. Practicing ceramics during this time helped her manage the pressure and persevere through her studies.

“I thought, ‘How cool would it be for me to be able to use the tools that I’ve learned to put my stress into something and create something out of nothing and teach that to people.’”

During undergrad, Roberts also worked as an orientation leader, senior mentor, and development associate for ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s University Development and Alumni Engagement office after graduation.

She speaks highly of her master’s program, noting classes such as Expressive Arts Counseling, Equestrian Therapy, and Sexology as enjoyable and beneficial for helping clients. Currently, she holds a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI) designation and will need to pass an exam after two years of client work and 1,500 direct-client hours to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

Diabetes at a Glance

Diabetes is a group of diseases affecting how the body uses glucose (blood sugar), according to Mayo Clinic. Glucose provides energy for muscles, tissues, and the brain, but diabetes can lead to excess blood sugar, causing severe health issues.

With Type 1 diabetes (T1D), the pancreas makes little or no insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter cells and produce energy. There is no cure for T1D, which is often caused by genetics or viral infections and typically appears in childhood or adolescence but can develop in adults.

In Type 2 diabetes (T2D), the pancreas produces insufficient insulin, often due to inactivity, obesity, or insulin resistance in fat, muscle, and liver cells. While T2D usually occurs in older adults, rising obesity rates have led to more cases among younger people, including children.

Roberts was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 3 after a severe strep throat infection triggered an autoimmune response that temporarily shut down her pancreas. She uses two medical devices to manage her blood sugar: a Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and an insulin pump. These devices create a closed-loop system, acting as an external pancreas, she explained.

“I like to call myself part robot,” she said.

Insurance coverage for these devices can be challenging, and rising insulin costs remain a major issue for the diabetic community. Roberts said she’s had to fight her insurance provider to access the care she needs, while legislators often fail to grasp the life-or-death nature of insulin access.

“I think a lot of the time it’s seen as a luxury,” she said. “If you don’t have insulin, you can’t eat, you can’t function. You need insulin to survive.”

She also noted research showing that COVID-19 has triggered autoimmune responses in some adults, leading to late-onset Type 1 diabetes diagnoses.

“I know a lot of people in the mid-to-late 20s who got COVID and now they have Type 1, so it’s definitely something to pay attention to.”

Advocacy and Diabetes Camp

Roberts uses her T1D diagnosis to educate others and encourage younger generations to persevere despite their condition. As a child, she wrote a letter to President George W. Bush advocating for stem cell research, a potential avenue for curing diabetes. She received a reply with a presidential stamp, which she still has to this day.

Since age 5, Roberts has been involved with the Florida Camp for Children and Youth with Diabetes (FCCYD), returning frequently as a counselor. The camps offer a safe space and community for children with T1D.

Recalling her childhood, she faced bullying from peers who joked about her condition or mocked her medical devices. She said she often hid in school bathrooms to check her blood sugar.

“To be able to go to a space at least once a year [where] I didn’t have to hide part of myself is the best part about it,” she said.

Diabetes Camp provides a refuge where kids can participate in activities without worry, supported by trained counselors and professionals. The camps also offer diabetes education and mental health counseling. Roberts’ favorite, Camp Winona in DeLeon Springs, features lakeside cabins and is run by the YMCA.

Roberts advocates for person-first language, encouraging people to say, “I have Type 1 diabetes” instead of “I’m diabetic.” She explains that this distinction emphasizes that individuals are more than their condition—a principle she also applies to mental health and autism.

Living with diabetes requires constant decision-making, from monitoring blood sugar and food intake to managing devices and insulin. Roberts acknowledges this can be exhausting, especially after difficult fluctuations in blood sugar.

When she is not working as a counselor or volunteering at Diabetes Camp, Roberts enjoys pottery, spending time with friends, searching for shark teeth, visiting local breweries, and growing her vinyl collection.

(Written by Tyler White, Published 11/19/24)