Feb 08

February 2016 Spotlight – Therese Ditto, Dean of Nursing, North Campus

Therese Ditto
Dean of Nursing
North Campus

Therese oversees the day to day operations, faculty, and staff of the nursing programs at FSCJ. Born in Key West and raised in Alton, Illinois, Therese started in the health care field as a Home Health Aide, then became an LPN and worked for seven years before earning her BSN and serving as a medical-surgical nurse for 10 years and a trauma/emergency room nurse for five years. Since 1986, she has been in nursing education, teaching Medical-Surgical, Fundamentals, Obstetrics, and Pediatric nursing

Therese’s BSN and MSN were completed at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois, and she earned her PhD in Nursing Education from Capella University in April 2014.

She enjoys teaching and guiding nursing students to what she believes is the most rewarding career they will ever have.

 

Jan 26

Join us Feb. 9th for an APC Brown Bag Luncheon with Dr. Christopher Holland

Jan 09

January 2017 Spotlight – Bill Allen, Director of Development, FSCJ Foundation

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Bill Allen
Director of Development, FSCJ Foundation

January’s Administrative and Professional Collaborative (APC) Spotlight shines on Bill Allen, Director of Development for the FSCJ Foundation, which cultivates relationships and raises scholarship, program and capital improvement dollars in support of FSCJ.  Each year, the FSCJ Foundation provides approximately 1,000 students with financial support.

Since early April 2016, Bill has been leading the Foundation’s development of a five-year initiative called FSCJ Works.  Under the banner, “Our Graduates. Your Workforce,” FSCJ Works will be a comprehensive fundraising initiative focused on raising $50 million from corporate, foundation, individual, alumni, and employee donors.

From 1995 to April 2016, Bill was co-founder of ByrneAllen Corporation. Under Bill’s leadership, ByrneAllen raised tens of millions of dollars for chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and Habitat for Humanity affiliates to fund critical programs and projects in fourteen states. Some notable clients include the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, Florida Tax Watch, and Martin County Habitat for Humanity.

Prior to 1995, Bill practiced corporate and bankruptcy law with the Atlanta-Washington D.C. law firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, and worked in financial management roles for Management Science America, Dun & Bradstreet Software and AT&T Paradyne.   He earned his undergraduate degree in Finance (magna cum laude) from Iona College and his Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) from Georgia State University College of Law.

Bill and his wife, Jeanne, live on St. Simons Island and are the proud parents of two daughters, Kimberly and Laura.

Dec 07

December 2016 Spotlight – Heather Kenney, Director of Student Engagement

HeatherKenney picHeather Kenney
Director of Student Engagement

As Director of Student Engagement at FSCJ, Heather leads the Student Life & Leadership, Downtown Immersion project, and Diversity & Social Change areas. Student Engagement provides the co-curricular programs on each of the campuses along with History & Heritage months, Student Organizations, Volunteerism, and the Student Government Association.

Heather joined Student Success in July 2016 after working at UNF for the past seven years. She has been in higher education for the past 16 years specifically working in Residence Life and Housing, Student Activities, and Academic Advising.

She earned her Masters of Science (M.S.) in Higher Education Administration from Florida State University in 2002 and her Doctorate (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida in 2012.  Originally from Pennsylvania, Heather grew up in Media, PA, but has lived in Florida since 1999.

 

Nov 07

November 2016 Spotlight – Brandi E. Angel Bleak, Assistant Director of Educational Technology, ITS, Deerwood Center

BrandiBleakBrandi E. Angel Bleak
Assistant Director of Educational Technology

As the newly appointed Assistant Director of Educational Technology, Brandi works to enhance teaching and learning by strategically incorporating educational technology, while focusing on accessibility and creative problem solving. She co-hosts In Focus, a program produced each month to educate the College audience about tech initiatives. She also conceptualized Innovate to Educate, a segment highlighting professors who are integrating technology into their classroom that will premiere in January.

Brandi furthers her reach to the community as a regular guest on the local tv show, The Chat, as a Tech Expert reviewing useful apps, gadgets, and trends in technology. She serves as Creative Director for the TEDxFSCJ team, and was one of the photographers who exhibited portraits of engaged community members at the FSCJ Downtown Campus gallery.

Brandi joined the FSCJ Technology department team in 2011 after working as a graphic artist for a local TV news station. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of North Florida, with a concentration in Advertising. Originally from Indiana, Brandi grew up in Dayton, Ohio, but has lived in Jacksonville since 2004. She enjoys traveling and spends her free time as a portrait photographer.

 

Oct 13

November Brown Bag Luncheon – Thursday, Nov. 3rd at Noon

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Oct 05

October 2016 Spotlight – Dawn Washington, Library and Learning Commons Manager at Kent Campus

DawnWashington

Dawn Washington
Library and Learning Commons Manager
Kent Campus

Dawn began her career with the College four years ago as an Academic Tutor – Science in the Kent Campus Library and Learning Commons (LLC).  She was subsequently promoted to LLC Advisor, Learning Commons Manager, and her current position, Library and Learning Commons Manager. As the LLC Manager, Dawn is responsible for overseeing the day to day activities of the LLC, including hiring, supervising, scheduling, and budget oversight.  She also provides leadership in planning and implementing services to support the LLC and College initiatives.

Prior to working at FSCJ, Dawn was a middle school science teacher in the public school system for six years. During this time, Dawn discovered her passion for learning and education. Although she enjoyed her time as a public school teacher, she always felt a pull towards Higher Education.

Dawn has earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, an MBA, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership.

In her free time, Dawn enjoys time with family. She has four siblings, including an identical twin sister.

Sep 06

September 2016 Spotlight – Jeremiah Cobb, Downtown Campus Grants Manager

 

JeremiahCobb

Jeremiah Cobb
Campus Grants Manager

Jeremiah began his journey with FSCJ in March of 2016.  His position is unique to the College in the sense that only Downtown Campus has a grants manager, due to the high volume of grants initiated and managed on that campus.  Jeremiah works extremely close with the Resource Development Office as a liaison between the college and external funding agencies ensuring grants are in compliance and deliverables are met.

With eleven years’ experience in grants management, contract administration, and regulatory compliance, Jeremiah is well versed in program development and implementation. He has extensive experience in programmatic and fiscal management and was influential in developing grant management processes for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, City of Jacksonville, and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Jeremiah is a graduate of Iowa State University with a dual bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Management.   He earned an MBA with academic honors from Webster University.  He was raised both in Long Beach, California and on Chicago’s Southside, but has called Florida home since 2004.  He serves on the board of Priority Love & Care, Inc. and is owner of a local bespoke clothier/image consultant company, The Bello Mo Group.

Aug 11

August 2016 Spotlight – Youlanda Henry, Director of Tutoring Services

Youlanda edit 1Youlanda Henry
Director of Tutoring Services

Director of Tutoring Services Youlanda Henry has worked for the College for twelve years, beginning her tenure at the College as a Professor of English.  She transitioned to administration in 2012, assuming the role of Associate Dean of the Library and Learning Commons (LLC) at North Campus.

In her newest role as Director of Tutoring Services, she provides administrative oversight for the LLC at North Campus and the Nassau Center and strategic leadership for the delivery of tutoring resources and services collegewide.  Youlanda has thoroughly enjoyed her work in the LLC, as it offers the best of both worlds.  As an administrator, she is afforded the opportunity to work collaboratively with faculty and staff to affect change and promote institutional improvement, and she still has the opportunity to work closely with students and stay attuned to their needs.

Youlanda earned a B.A. in English Education from the University of North Florida and an M.A. in English from the University of South Florida.  She has been a two-time recipient of the North Campus President’s Excellence Award (2007 & 2009) and was awarded an Outstanding Faculty Award (2010) and a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award (2011).

Youlanda is native of Jacksonville.  She is married to her life partner and best friend Troy, and is the mother of a beautiful daughter, Maya.  She enjoys music, crafting, and Zumba fitness.

Aug 11

Spotlight – Angela Browning, Director of Outcomes Assessment and Strategic Planning

AngelaBrowningAngela Browning
Director of Outcomes Assessment and Strategic Planning

Angela Browning currently serves as the College’s new Director of Outcomes Assessment and Strategic Planning.  This follows a year at the Presidential fellow, which allowed her to explore many areas of the College and see different ways that she could contribute to and support the opportunities our College provides to our student and our community.  She started at FSCJ in 2006 as an English professor at North Campus, and believes that her that classroom experience will serve her well in her new role as the Director of Outcomes Assessment and Strategic Planning.  She’s looking forward to working with colleagues to make our assessment and planning processes as effective and efficient as possible.

Angela became an English major because of a love for the discipline, but was unsure of her career path.  As a way to pay for her graduate education, she began working as a part-time instructor and tutor.  She was hired as a tutor for the College Reach out Program and Upward Bound, and worked as a part-time instructor teaching developmental English courses and high school dual enrollment courses at Santa Fe Community College.  This work made her aware of the Community College mission that existed beyond the awarding of the A.A. degree and ignited her interest in community colleges as an important access point to education.

A Jacksonville native, Angela holds an A.A. from St. Johns River Community College, a B.A. in English from Presbyterian College, an M.A. in English from the University of South Carolina and a Ph.D. in Instruction and Curriculum from the University of Florida.