October 2021 Spotlight: Megan Dross, Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions

As Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions, Megan Dross provides leadership and support to a department focused on helping students begin their academic journey here at FSCJ. Her team oversees formal outreach and recruitment efforts within area high schools and community partners, provides assistance to students throughout the application process and manages new student orientation. She is excited to be a part of this incredible team and looks forward to helping them expand their outreach efforts and continue to strengthen the support already offered to all those interested in our programs.

Megan holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Religion from Flagler College (Go Saints!) and a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of San Francisco. She is currently pursuing her educational doctorate at Florida State University focused on Educational Leadership and Policy. Prior to joining the FSCJ family, Megan had the privilege of supporting students, faculty and alumni at a number of higher education institutions across the country. Prior roles include serving as Admissions Officer and Event Specialist for FSU College of Law; Faculty Development Coordinator for Harvard Medical School; Student Affairs Coordinator for UCSF School of Pharmacy; and as Assistant Registrar and Director of Admissions and Recruitment for College of The Albemarle.

In her spare time, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She loves a good true crimes podcast, medical TV drama or the opportunity to read a good book. As a military family who’ve traveled the nation, the Drosses are excited to be back in Florida and close to family again.

September 2021 Spotlight: Erica Mack, Associate Director of Student Success for Career Development

Associate Director of Student Success for Career Development Erica Mack oversees the career development staff and assists students with preparation for entry into the workforce. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Adult Education program.

Erica has worked in the field of education for 17 years in the northeast Florida region. She started as a student ambassador at Jacksonville University, which lead to her first job as an admissions counselor  upon graduation. She served in a variety of roles related to enrollment management at Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida, ascending to leadership positions at each institution. In addition, she worked as a school counselor at Darnell-Cookman Middle / High School for several years.

Erica is a native of Jacksonville and a graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. She completed her B.A. in Communications from Jacksonville University and M.Ed. in Counselor Education from the University of North Florida. In August 2021, she completed her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida. Her dissertation topic was Institutional Leaders’ Perspectives on the Unintended Consequences of Performance-Based Funding.

Outside of the academic and professional credentials, Erica is a runner. She has completed two half-marathons and seven 15K races. One of her favorite races is the Gate River Run.

 

August 2021 Spotlight – Kasey Anderson, Program Manager, Culinary & Hospitality Management

Kasey Anderson is the new Program Manager of Culinary & Hospitality Management. Kasey first joined the FSCJ team as an adjunct culinary Instructor, and after two semesters, she became a full time instructor. She then moved into her current position in August of 2020. She is dedicated to the success of the students, as well as the team of professors. Kasey strives to continue to lead the program in a direction to helps students to be well prepared when they venture into the Culinary and Hospitality industry.

With 18 years of food service experience, Kasey has worked for a private caterer and country clubs, as well as with restaurant chains. At The Capital Grille, Kasey worked her way up from a prep cook to an executive chef partner. She traveled the country opening restaurants and also served on the company’s research and development team. She then went on to open Bazille in Nordstrom at the St. Johns Town Center as their executive chef. Once again, she traveled, but this time internationally to help open restaurants with Nordstrom. Again, Kasey was on the research and development team with this company as well. After her journey with Nordstrom, Kasey got into the food sales and became an outside sales rep for Halperns’ Steak and Gary’s Seafood.

Kasey attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated with her A.S. in Culinary. She then pursued her B.A. in Food Service Management. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Hospitality at Florida International University.

In Kasey’s free time, she enjoys spending it with her three children, as well as doing CrossFit competitions and outdoor activities.

 

 

June 2021 Spotlight – Amy Lavner, Director of Marketing

As Director of Marketing, Amy Lavner oversees the strategic branding, marketing and advertising for the College.

Amy has a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). She has worked in higher education for more than a decade, starting at the University of Central Florida and spending the last seven years at Seminole State College.

A new member of the FSCJ family, Amy started at the College in May 2021. She is so excited to join such a talented, hard-working team and can’t wait for the College and community to see what they can produce.

In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryan; 2-year-old son, Cam; and golden retriever, Stella. She loves cheering on the Dawgs, going to the beach and setting up their new house in Ponte Vedra. Though she loves traveling, the family trip-planning is temporarily on hold – she’s too busy chasing around a busy toddler, with a baby girl due in September.

 

 

May 2021 Spotlight – Brandon Lettow, Instructional Program Manager, Theatre and Entertainment Technology

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Instructional Program Manager Brandon Lettow provides the education and hands-on training for both the Theatre and Entertainment Technology Associate in Science A.S. and the Stage Technology Technical Certificate. In addition, he holds the responsibility of technical director and a resident designer for theatrical productions. His most recent scene designs were featured in a joint FSCJ/Jacksonville University (JU) production of “In the Heights,” as well as a recent FSCJ original production of “A World Distanced,” which was performed in March.

Brandon is a big advocate for higher education, having spent 15 years as a student attending the University of Idaho and JU. In that time, he acquired his Bachelor of Science in Virtual Technology and Design in 2006 as well as three masters degrees, (MFA – Theater Arts, 2009, MBA – Business Administration, 2014, and an MFA – Visual Arts, 2016).

While he is only about six months into his current position, Brandon is no stranger to the program or Jacksonville. He has worked in some capacity as an FSCJ adjunct professor since the summer of 2017, primarily teaching sound for the stage. Although born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he has lived in Jacksonville since July of 2011 and previously worked as the technical director at JU before taking his current role in December 2020. He also participates with IATSE Local 115 stagehands union, primarily working at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Theatre, and occasionally the St. Augustine Amphitheater and Thrasher-Horne Center.

In his spare time, Brandon volunteers with Boy Scouts of North Florida. He also enjoys playing guitar and tinkering with his 3D printers but if the weather is nice, you can find him playing with his dog Einstein, at the beach or riding his motorcycle.

April 2021 Spotlight – Myisha De Nose, Associate Director of Academic Advising, South Campus

Myisha De Nose is the associate director of Academic Advising at South Campus. An FSCJ employee since 2011, she has worked in several departments including the Welcome Center, Military Student Services, Financial Aid and Academic Advising.

All told, Myisha has worked in higher education for over 16 years. She discovered her knack for serving students over 15 years ago while working at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University on Oceana’s naval base in Virginia Beach, VA and has since continued to serve students in multiple capacities.

She is a current participant in FSCJ’s Leadership Academy, serves on the Academic Advising Council and was a recipient of a 2019-20 Advisor Excellence Award. She’s also active on FSCJ’s Student Success Data team and volunteers as a Take Stock in Children mentor. Myisha is a parent advocate who serves as the Student Advisory Chair at Lone Star Elementary and is also a 2019-20 Duval County Parents Who Lead graduate and a Parent Academy Leader.

Myisha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Theatre from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master’s in Public Administration from Troy University.

She enjoys spending time with her daughter, Hannah, and husband, Osborn. She loves watching mystery movies, crocheting and online shopping.

 

March 2021 Spotlight: Jacqueline Kloin, Associate Director of Student Recruitment

Associate Director of Student Recruitment Jacqueline Kloin oversees the outreach efforts of the Recruitment team, including community, school-based, business and industry-based recruiting activities.  She helps implement College policies and practices that effectively enhance the student experience and student achievement, like the new application that launched this past fall. Jacqueline has implemented new ways of recruitment in the virtual world from daily virtual information sessions to large-scale Virtual Open Houses. She is always looking for new and innovative ways to reach prospective students and has collaborated with departments Collegewide to support this mission.

Jacqueline holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and dual master’s and specialist’s degrees from the University of Florida in education and counseling. She has worked in higher education for the past 10 years, including over five years serving at FSCJ. She joined FSCJ back in 2015 as a recruiter where she built relationships with her lead schools and several non-profits in the community from the ground up. Jacqueline has been in her current role for just over one year.

In her tenure at FSCJ, Jacqueline has taken advantage of a wide variety of professional development classes offered here. She has completed the Managing at FSCJ Certificate, the Leadership Academy and the Six Sigma Yellow Belt. She is also currently completing the Bridges Student Success Certificate. Jacqueline enjoys serving on numerous committees focused on the holistic student experience, and takes part in the Visionary Impact Plan.

In her downtime, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with friends and family. She has also been known to sing karaoke and enjoys traveling whenever possible.

February 2021 Spotlight: Karen Acevedo, Assessment Coordinator

As Assessment Coordinator, Karen Acevedo works collaboratively with faculty and staff in the development, reporting and analysis of outcomes assessment activities to enhance student learning and College operations. Her goal is to provide the support and resources needed to ensure all areas gather the appropriate data to focus on learning improvement.

Karen started her career in higher education 15 years ago and has held multiple roles over that time.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Everest University and her MBA at Walden University. She previously partnered with Year Up as a mentor and is part of the Parents Who Lead 2021 cohort.

In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband, kids and dogs. She has an appreciation for quiet weekends so that she can relax and enjoy a good book. As a new member of the FSCJ community, Karen is looking forward to partnering with faculty and administration on various committees and being fully immersed in the College culture.

January 2021 Spotlight: Danielle Thompson, FSCJ Foundation Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Campaigns

Danielle Thompson serves as the FSCJ Foundation Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Campaigns. Danielle’s main focus is to create relationships with our alumni, building their identity of pride and support for FSCJ and our current students. Danielle’s other responsibilities are building fundraising campaigns that invite the participation of all donors, no matter the amount of their gift. New to FSCJ, she has already become a member of AFC and serves on the Visionary Impact Plan Team.

Danielle’s professional life has always been dedicated to service. Danielle earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in English from Florida State University. She spent seven years working in politics, first as a field director and then as a fundraiser. She transitioned to nonprofit fundraising, bringing her talents to organizations such as Easter Seals, Habitat for Humanity, Autism Speaks and Leadership Broward. In 2012, she began her career in higher education at the Broward College Foundation.

“That was it for me. I fell in love! I am so inspired by the students we serve and the work that we do, especially as state/community colleges,” said Danielle. Danielle’s passion led her to earn her master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida and her master’s in Higher Education Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at the University of Florida.

“I believe the role FSCJ serves with our students and our community is invaluable. I love, truly, sharing our story with donors. People tend to believe that fundraising is about money. It isn’t. It is about giving an opportunity to make a positive impact in someone else’s life,” she said.

Danielle lives in Fernandina Beach with her husband Richard. She is an avid college football fan and loves to spend time outdoors walking, paddle boarding and kayaking.

 

December 2020 Spotlight: Julie Sutton, Department Chair for Physical Science

December’s Administrative and Professional Collaborative (APC) Spotlight shines on Julie Sutton, the new Department Chair for Physical Science. She has worked at FSCJ since 2010 as a laboratory manager and academic coordinator.

Originally from Australia, Julie has worked in the U.S. since 2002. She has combined her love of science and management throughout her professional career, initially in the field of forensic science where she led the Forensic Biology Unit at the Australian Federal Police. After moving to the U.S., she was a trainer of forensic analysts throughout the nation and an auditor of forensic science laboratories specializing in DNA analysis, management systems and staff training.

Julie earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry from the University of Sydney and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Canberra.

She was awarded her permanent residency under the category of extraordinary in the Arts and Sciences and is now a proud citizen of the U.S.A.