October 2021 Alumni News

George Kantelis

October 7, 2021

Sophia and hughesSophia Rahming (Higher Education Ph.D. ’19) and Roxanne Hughes (Education Policy, Planning and Analysis Ph.D. ’10) are serving on the leadership team for a new grant housed in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. The Gulf Scholars Program aims to train future leaders to make a positive environmental impact in the Gulf of Mexico region and beyond. This vision stems from the larger mission to recover from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and prepare for additional social, economic, environmental, and climate stressors occurring throughout the region.

 


 

October 4, 2021

martinaMartina Perry (Higher Education M.S. '07), Associate Director of Training and Organizational Development at Florida State College at Jacksonville, was awarded the 2021 Administrative and Professional Collaborative Exceptional Service and Initiative Award, a $1000 award presented annually to an outstanding administrative or professional employee for their notable contributions to the College.

In addition to providing quality professional development programs to FSCJ employees, Martina's commitment to service and innovation was demonstrated through her development and implementation of the FSCJ Work-Share Initiative, which helped employees whose work was restricted during the Covid pandemic to continue working in ways that supported students and the College as a whole.  

 


October 1, 2021

whitleyCaitlyn Whitley (Special Education B.S./M.S. ’12) was recognized as Ruediger Elementary School’s Glenn Howell Distinguished Educator of the Year. To make a good year into a great one, she also received a $25,000 State Farm grant that will go towards new playground equipment at her school.

The to-be-replaced playground at her school had poor access for children with certain disabilities. As she noted during an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, "They can still be with their friends, but they can't be very active. This new playground will fix that problem."

 


October 1, 2021

dsuaundersDenning Saunders (Special Education B.S./M.S. ’18) was recognized as the 2021 Sanford Masonic Lodge Teacher of the Year and was awarded a $300 check for classroom enrichment. Denning teaches at Winter Springs High School in Winter Springs, Florida.

 

 

 


October 1, 2021

vernotDr. Gerard Vernot (Counseling & Human Systems Ph.D. '75) authored a book entitled "Helping Students Eliminate Inappropriate School Behavior: A group Activities' Guide for Teachers and Counselors." The work is being used in The Restorative Practices Program in Hillsborough County Public Schools. The Restorative Practices Program introduces targeted strategies designed to build and restore a student's sense of community, mindfulness, and over-all emotional well-being.