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Education

1987 Central Michigan University, B.S. in Psychology and Education
1993 Central Michigan University, M.A. in CounselingÌý

Career Specialties

As the assistant vice president for wellness, Gina Firth supervises all areas of student well-being on the University of Tampa campus, including Medical and Counseling Services, Wellness Services and Campus Recreation, and is a member of the Student Affairs leadership team. In addition, Firth is the co-director of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) UTampa Cares, a systemic approach to improving student success through increased emotional well-being. Firth is also the director of a $300,000 Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). She is a founding member of the University of Tampa Community of Care Alliance, an offshoot of the JED Campus Initiative, which she directed from 2018-2023. Firth sits on the Spartan Support Case Management Team and Bias Incident Team. Lastly, she is a member of the Resource Team for Faith, Values, and Spirituality, and the Coalition for Enhanced Drug and Alcohol Resources and Study (CEDARS) campus/community coalition, where she was a long-time chair. Ìý

Firth teaches a wellness-themed first-year experience course and living-learning community. Primary areas of specialization are health promotion, alcohol and other drug issues, mental health, resiliency, interfaith dialogue, coaching and wellness initiatives. Firth is a nationally certified counselor, internationally certified life coach, GENOS Emotional Intelligence certified and certified meditation instructor through the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults.Ìý

Professional and Community Activities

Firth has served on several boards locally and is currently a board member and Board Secretary for the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance. Firth was a long-time regional director for the National Network Addressing Collegiate Alcohol and Other Drug Issues and previously chaired the Spirituality Coalition of the American College Health Association.

Honors and Awards

Leadership Award - Tobacco Free Partnership of Hillsborough County-2013
Outstanding Service Award - Alcohol and Addictions Resource Center, South Bend, IN 1997-2006
Service Award - 1st Annual Relay For Life, University of Notre Dame 2003-2004
Advisor of the Year - 2003-2004, University of Notre Dame
Department of Education Appointment - The Network Addressing Collegiate Alcohol and Other Drug Issues (1997-2010)
NASPA Region III Bob E. Leach Award for Outstanding Service to Students – 2023
ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Outstanding Service to the Baccalaureate Experience Program – 2021-2022