Educational Administration and Policy

Zaria is also in my Diversity Issues class. I have been very impressed with her engagement and high level of intellectual complexity reflected in the type of questions and points she brings to the class discussions. She has outstanding oral skills and eloquently elaborates her points. Likewise, she has highly performed in the academic assignments.

Last but not least, Zaria has demonstrated high levels of professionalism, work ethics and enthusiasm for learning.

For all these reasons, I nominate Zaria Malcolm as the EAP April 2008 student of the month.

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Degree Sought: Ph.D in Higher Education Administration

Career Goals: 1) To eventually assume a position as professor in a department of Higher education at a research university, 2) To make a valuable contribution as consultant/ advisor to the community college system in Jamaica and 3) To make valuable contributions to research which place particular focus on the Caribbean educational experience.

My sojourn in the field of education has been marked by a combination of fate and personal drive to make a difference in the Jamaican educational arena. The community college system has been the honing ground which has helped me to develop skills as a lecturer, administrator and academic advisor. During my tenure at the Excelsior Community College I had the opportunity to serve in capacities such as senior lecturer, assistant head of department, and first vice president of the academic faculty association. While I treasure the experiences which have allowed me to develop my professional abilities, it is the contact with my students which has had the most fundamental effect on my personal development. As one who progressed through the most traditional academic route in Jamaica, my experiences in the community college system have allowed me to appreciate the educational experiences of a subpopulation which were previously outside my frame of reference. This has been a major motivator in the choices I have made as an educator and the professional goals I now maintain.

None of my achievements would be possible without the presence of a strong family unit and supportive friends. It is my strong spiritual faith and this supportive unit which continues to be my source of strength as I navigate this journey towards a graduate degree thousands of miles from home. Being raised with the belief that 'I can do anything I set my mind to' has been the mindset which has propelled all my achievements. I therefore set high personal standards which I hope are exemplified in all my pursuits.

I am thankful to Dr. Mendoza for nominating me for this particular form of recognition, and appreciate her continued support in my graduate studies. I look forward to great things in the remainder of my time within the Department of Education and Policy at the University of Florida.

It has been a delight to have Meseop participate in three of my courses in Educational Leadership. She demonstrates high professional standards and enthusiasm for learning.

Based on her professional and academic career, Meseop Choi has a bright future with a broad range of possibilities as a public official and/or teaching students at a university.

It is an honor to celebrate Meseop Choi as the March 2008 Student of the Month.

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Degree Sought: Ph.D in Educational Leadership

Career Goals: I am hopeful that my future has a broad range of possibilities. 1) make a lasting contribution to Korea's education innovation as a public official in the education department 2) teach students at an university 3) be an effective person who has proactive leadership and decision making skills.

It was very challenging journey to be with University of Florida as a doctoral student for me. I was one of normal public officials in Korea. I have worked as a head or assistant administrator for elementary and junior high schools, and a senior high school since 1990. I was responsible for school administration management planning, support administration, budget formation, budget management duties, and personnel affairs. I constantly strived to grow professionally and personally by actively participating in projects. During my experience as a public administrator, I realized that there are many contradictions within Korea's unchanging administration and its policies. Looking at the situation in more positive way, I discovered that there were plenty of hidden opportunities for improvement. The lack of understanding among teachers, shortfalls in the administration system, friction between educators and administrators and the abundance of red tape were all barriers to improvement. I would like to contribute to the education improvement in any ways on the basis of my experiences and that was why I decided to study abroad in America.

However, after I got an admission from UF, the approving procedure to be allowed to study abroad from the Chungcheongnam-do Office of Education that I worked was also challenging. My offer of a temporary leave from my office for studying abroad in America was the fist event in my Office of Education so that the Public Official Personnel Committee held a meeting three times to deliberate my offer. At the end, I was approved by the Office of Education after finishing an interview with my superintendent promising to contribute to the development of Chuncheongnam-do's education.

I just finished the first semester in the Ph.D program and I am filled with emotion. I have learned many differences between Korea's education system and America's one through course works. In classes, the teaching, discussion, and presentation skills were eye opening things for me. What I want to say to other people is, however, that I got precious jewels that are respected faculties and kind classmates in America. I have been able to immerse myself in my studies with their moving encouragement and consideration. I believe that I can keep going to study in UF to contribute to my department as well as Korea's education. I am truly honored to receive this recognition and I would be forever grateful to my faculties and classmates for stretching my intellectual abilities and making me think.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Carlee for the past three years. Carlee distinguished herself immediately as a student who showed fervor, interest, and excitement about the course material.

This 2007-2008 school year Carlee has taken on the position of Assistant to the Executive Director for the American Education Finance Association housed within the Department of Educational Administration and Policy. She assists in the organizational activities including member records, conference scheduling, and AEFA research activities.

Presently, she is conducting research regarding the financing of virtual schools as well as the adequacy and equity of public education. She is presenting at this year's upcoming AEFA national conference to be held in Denver.

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Degree Sought: PhD Educational Administration and Policy

Career Goals: Research policy and funding practices for online schools. Research the relationships between virtual education and typical brick and mortar schools.

Education has been and continues to be a part of my life. Both my parents and my spouse are educators and the innate gravitational pull has ushered me into this essential career path. I am fully vested in the success of education because of my past and my future. I have two young boys who will be products of the American education system. This is why I plan to contribute to education by being part of the education finance and policy community.

Dr. Wood is my chair, confidant, mentor, and guide throughout this academic journey. Working with Dr. Wood has increased my skill sets and is preparing me for a successful career in academia.

This past semester Myrna successfully completed her qualifying examination and her dissertation proposal. Her dissertation research has the potential to impact state and national policy for evaluating the Supplemental Educational Services provision of NCLB. Myrna is examining academic success for students participating in SES, and a non-participating control group, in six of the most populous school districts in Florida.

In her doctoral studies and in her profession, Myrna embodies the "scholar-practitioner" persona that is essential to the field of educational leadership.

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Degree Sought: Ph.D in Educational Leadership

Career Goals: To remain in K-12 administration and contribute to meeting the educational needs of low achieving disadvantaged students.
Student Statement: There is no doubt that a teacher can have a lifelong impact on a student, but they can also dramatically effect the lives of parents. When my son was in elementary school, he was fortunate to have a teacher in first grade that changed my life. Her caring nature and unwavering confidence in my son opened my eyes to the influence that a teacher can have on one student's life. I was so inspired by this teacher that I decided that I would pursue a teaching career. I enrolled in Florida Community College of Jacksonville and, subsequently, the University of North Florida. After graduating I accepted a teaching position at Switzerland Point Middle school, where I taught for several years. At Switzerland Point I gained great respect for my principal, Bernard Scott. His leadership skills were admired by his staff and the community he served. Mr. Scott motivated me to once again return to college to pursue a Masters Degree. After completing my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, I became a school administrator, and six years ago I accepted a position in Duval County Public Schools' district office. I am currently an administrator in the Title I Office. In this position I am able to positively impact the education of Duval County's urban students.

Completing my Ph.D. has been as much a personal goal for me as a professional goal. It is my goal to stay in K-12 administration and, after receiving my degree, I hope to advance my career with a continuing focus on urban education.

Prior to returning to the doctoral program, Shari worked in various student affairs administrative positions.  She has worked in Residence Life at Florida Atlantic University, LGBT office and the Center for Leadership and Service at the University of Florida, and Semester at Sea. Her commitment to higher education is evident and clearly grounded in high professional standards and helping undergraduates achieve excellence inside and outside of the classroom.

Shari currently works on the Engaging Future Scientists research project, the Vice President of Student Affairs Assessment committee, and other related research projects. Throughout her academic tenure, her desire to learn about research methods and its process has been refreshing and exciting. She has demonstrated a commitment to develop as a researcher in order to help inform her student affairs experience.

I believe Shari Lupton is an excellent example of an active and successful graduate student in our Higher Education Administration doctoral program. In the next few months, we will present a six hour conference presentation on infusing assessment into professional practice at the national ACPA (College Students Educators International) conference, resubmit a research grant to the NASPA foundation to examine assessment practices of Student Affairs professionals at Research Extensive institutions, and submit a research paper on students of color in science majors.

Based on her professional and academic career, Shari Lupton has a bright future in higher education. It is with great honor that we celebrate her accomplishments with this distinct honor.

Career Goals: I am open to a variety of career paths beyond graduation. I would be excited about the opportunity to be a senior level administrator in student affairs or to be full-time faculty. Ultimately, I want to teach and do research either as an administrator or as faculty.

I am a second year Ph.D. student in Higher Education and currently work with Dr. Luis Ponjuan as a research assistant. Since starting the program, I have developed research interests in the following three areas: (1) access to higher education, (2) assessment practices within divisions of student affairs, and (3) issues related to student affairs administrators. Specifically, I am interested in access to higher education for former foster youth, student affairs administrators’ views of the assessment climate on their campuses, and the ethical development of graduate students in Student Affairs preparation programs.

Prior to returning to school full-time, I worked as a student affairs administrator for 6 years. I served as the Interim Director for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Affairs at the University of Florida. In this role I strived to create awareness, advocate for change, and provide a safe space for LGBT students, faculty and staff, and alumni. Before moving to Gainesville, I spent the fall of 2005 working for Semester at Sea as the Administrative Resident Director. This opportunity allowed me to travel around the world in 100 days, visiting 10 countries along the way. Through this experience, I developed an appreciation for adventure and strengthened belief in social justice.

Prior to these two unique opportunities, I spent two years working in residential life at Southern Methodist University and three years at Florida International University. My residential life experience allowed me to develop supervisory, crisis management and advising skills and has provided a solid professional foundation. I value my housing experience tremendously; specifically I value the individuals that I worked with along the way. These individuals molded me into the professional I am today and have helped me solidify my commitment to support college students in their development.

I began my professional journey at Florida State University, where I received a Master’s degree in Higher Education. Prior to FSU, I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I think back to my freshmen year at Charlotte, and I would never have believed that 14 years later I would be a full-time Ph.D. student at the University of Florida. As the first person in my immediate family to graduate high school, I could not have imagined all of the opportunities and growth that would shape my life following my undergraduate experience. I am thankful for the journey and to be here at UF; starting yet, another chapter.

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Degree Sought: Ed.D in Higher Education Administration

Career Goals: President of a community college
Student Statement: Tina Barreiro O'Daniels is Director, Corporate Training and the EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College (SPC) and is pursuing her Ed.D in Higher Education Administration. In this capacity, Tina supports Corporate Training's mission to develop and deliver innovative, customized and client specific business solutions which results in social and economic prosperity for the local and global community. She is directly responsible for directing Corporate Training's Business Solutions programs and initiatives which include the curriculum areas of professional and leadership development, technology, and licensed professions. In her role as Director of the EpiCenter, Tina, oversees the operation of an 186,000 square foot facility which houses both SPC academic departments and Pinellas County Partners. Tina serves as Partner Liaison to Pinellas County Economic Development, Convention and Visitors Bureau, WorkNet and Fine Arts Council.
Tina is honored to have been working for SPC for over 20 years, and takes her role as a community servant and steward of the taxpayer's dollars very seriously. Whether it's developing new programs and partnerships, or assisting students with signing-up for classes, the task at hand is completed in accordance to the mission of providing the community with quality accessible educational opportunities. Tina loves her career and wholeheartedly plans to continue to work in higher education, and a doctoral degree from the University of Florida will only afford her opportunities to apply for executive positions that can only be obtained with this advanced degree. She said, "vice president, provost or even president definitely has a nice ring to it!"
Even though, Tina's, career background has been practitioner oriented, she is already a published author and editor. Tina has two special issue co-editorships and two co-authorships in the Community College Journal of Research and Practice. In Spring 2007, she was appointed as an editorial board member for the Community College Journal of Research and Practice.

While the academic path David has taken may sound like many others, David has added other dimensions to his graduate experience. He has worked as a recruiter and assistant to Dr. Michael Bowie in the Office of Outreach, Recruitment and Retention. His friendliness and organizational skills were an asset to the recruitment efforts of many graduate students. David continued to gain additional student affairs experience working as a graduate hall director in the housing department on the University of Florida campus. David had to take on additional responsibilities as his supervisor left shortly after the initial semester began.

David continues to gain experience working closely with professors in the Department of Educational Administration and Policy.  He was nominated and became a UCEA Barbara L. Jackson Scholar. David finds opportunities to write and present as he prepares for his next professional position in higher education. I admire David’s tenacity and stamina as he pursues and achieves his goals both personal and professional. It is with distinct pleasure that I nominate him for Student of the Month.

Career Goals:  Gain a tenure-track faculty position at a research intensive institution; 2) make a lasting contribution to higher education and the study of community colleges; and 3) be a strong advocate for undergraduate and graduate students of color attending institutions of higher education and those seeking entry to higher education.

There have been a number of important events in my life that have pushed me to succeed in my academic and professional career. My participation in athletics taught me that hard work does pay off, and that you get out of life what you put into it. These were lessons learned at an early age that are still relevant in my life even today. These events, however, come second to the impact a number of individuals have had on my success as a student, scholar and professional. These individuals demanded that I give nothing less than my very best in all aspects of my life. They taught me to dream beyond all possibilities, to take risks, and most importantly, to believe in myself.  My family has a special place at the top of this list of influential people in my life. At an early age they taught me to never say, “I can’t” to something or be whatever I put my mind to doing. They also instilled in me the belief that any goal can be accomplished with proper focus, dedication and hard work. The encouragement, guidance, and support provided by my family, friends and faculty are the primary reasons why I chose to pursue an advanced degree at the University of Florida. I owe all that I have, and all that I have accomplished to these individuals that have continuously believed in me and have supported me throughout my journey.

As a student in the Department of School Administration and Policy, Carol has maintained a 3.9 GPA while also working full-time and earning her first full-time principalship.  Her experiences in this program led to Carol being asked by her Area Superintendent to train the assistant principals in the West Learning Community on Developing and Sustaining Professional Learning Communities.  She was also asked to video-tape a professional development session involving one-on-one mentoring with a staff member that could be used as a model by other principals as they work with their faculty members to analyze data from various assessment tools and to translate that information to teachers to help drive instruction.  She has also mentored several aspiring principals in the Preparing New Principals Program of Orange County, each of whom now serves as an assistant principal.

During the time that Carol has been principal of Chain of Lakes, the school has maintained an "A" grade as assigned by the Florida Department of Education.  Her school was the 5th highest scoring of the 32 middle schools in Orange County.  She has been recognized for maintaining a high standard of performance and producing consistent academic growth gains across all cultures and performance levels. She has worked diligently to bridge the transitions from elementary to middle school and middle to high school with such programs as "teacher swapping" for a day and curriculum planning meetings at her school site.

Chain of Lakes was also honored by the Superintendent as the top middle school for parent involvement, having documented the most volunteer hours of any middle school in the county.  The Superintendent also honored Carol as a "Hurricane Hero" for opening her school as a shelter for those in need, requiring her to eat and sleep in her office for 4 days.

Carol's dissertation research focuses on "The Relationship Between Organizational Climate and Job Satisfaction Among Middle School Principals in Central Florida."  As represented in the above statements, Carol is an outstanding example of the instructional leader that our Department is preparing for future leadership in Florida.  I am pleased and privileged to nominate her as our April 2007 Student of the Month.

Career Goals: To continue to learn to be the most effective school administrator possible.  I have many more years to serve and I am hopeful that my future has a broad range of possibilities.  I know that I will continue to work to help others become the best they can be whether I work with children or adults.

As a research assistant and Community Learning Facilitator for the Lastinger Center for Learning, Matthew has been working with school districts throughout the state. The data collection and research he conducted in Collier and Alachua counties was instrumental in examining student engagement during their county leadership meetings. Matthew also was a lead facilitator at the “Miami Ready Schools PK-3 Initiative Creating Collaborative School Cultures” where schools from throughout the county participated in workshops focused upon data driven decision-making. Finally, Matthew’s research on classroom management was included in a presentation at the College of Education Centennial Conference.

Matthew Ohlson has been a valued contributor to our department in his dedication to public schools, his commitment to conducting valuable research, and his ability to lead others.

Career Goals: To bring about positive change in urban schools.

During the past three months Matthew Basham has made some tremendous strides in his doctoral program. He successfully became admitted to Ph.D. candidacy after passing his qualifying exam in November 2006. He successfully defended his dissertation proposal: “Entrepreneurship, leadership, and personality characteristics: A national quantitative study of community college presidents, board of trustee members, and senior managers” which won an honorable mention for the L.V. Koos Award for community college studies in January and was accepted for paper presentation at the upcoming Student Alliance of Graduate Educators (SAGE) conference. Basham also had a paper “Why computer security courses are failing in community colleges and the pitfalls to avoid: A retrospect of seven years of being a computer security educator” accepted for publication in the Journal of Computer Security Education (refereed) in January 2007. He also is co-author of “The rules of business:  Futures policy commission recommendations” that was recently accepted for publication in the Community College Journal of Research and Practice.

In short, it is my pleasure to give Matthew J. Basham my highest unqualified endorsement for the Department's Outstanding Graduate Student of the month for February 2007.  He is one of the top emerging scholars that I have ever had the pleasure to mentor.  I have no doubt that with his commitment and passion that he will rapidly become a nationally recognized scholar in higher education administration.   

Career Goals: To become a university professor of community college administration, leadership, and policy

His research interests include curriculum and instruction (especially at the high school level), leadership, adolescent literacy, social foundations, and qualitative research methods.  As a fellowship doctoral student, he has received extensive instruction in curriculum, methods of teaching, and qualitative research methods.  He taught the first undergraduate course in leadership for our department which he solely designed.  Additionally he has become certified to deliver online instruction through the University of Florida’s WebCT Vista system.  He has one co-authored publication (Davis, C. A., & Behar-Horenstein. L. S.  ADD/ADHD.  (2006).  In S. Feinstein (ed.). The Praeger Handbook of Encyclopedia of Brain and Learning.  pp. 1-5) and has another paper under review.

Craig has also made one presentation at the American Educational Research Association annual conference (Behar-Horenstein, L.S., Isaac, C.A., Davis, C. A., & Graff, R. Hospital Safety: Paradigms in Hierarchy and Passivity. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association.  Montreal, CA. April 11-15, 2005).

Craig has made two presentations at the annual meeting of American Educational Research Association.  His has one co-authored publication in press and another manuscript under review. Craig is formerly a high school teacher of English, and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and Florida certification in English 6-12; English for Speakers of Other Languages, all levels; and educational leadership, all levels.

Craig is in his fourth year of his fellowship award.  Currently he is serving as the Assistant Principal for a middle school in Duval County and completing his dissertation.   He has been my research assistance for three years and a teaching assistant for the other year.  As a research assistant, he has conducted qualitative fieldwork, data entry and compilation, library research, and literature reviews.  Craig is dependable, and can also be counted on to complete the task in a timely manner.  He is a serious man who can be counted to serve the needs of his students and will make a fine academician.

Career Goals:
(1) To serve as a school-based administrator (my current assignment). (2) To serve as a university professor, with a focus on research and publication. (3) To contribute to the fields of K-12 and higher education, especially in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and administration. (4) To contribute to the field of qualitative research.

She was a recent invited presenter to the first National Community College Benchmarking Conference.  She has written a composition textbook that will be released in 2007.  As if all of that were not enough, Anne was recently invited to sit on a panel on academic leadership at the Florida Association of Community Colleges conference and to serve on the Florida Community College Learning Outcomes Taskforce. 

As her advisor and dissertation chair, I am honored to be working with a true professional.  The future looks bright for Anne Kress who has “hit the ground running” long before her dissertation is complete. 

Career Goals:  Vice President for Academic Affairs at a community college

Scott is scheduled for completion of his dissertation from the Department of Administration and Policy in 2007.  His dissertation is entitled, Analysis of Expert Witness Methodologies in Education Finance Adequacy Cases and is chaired by Dr. R. Craig Wood.  Scott and his chair intend to publish his research, as it will prove significant for public policy makers and the courts involved in litigation of education finance distribution formulas.

Scott is currently working for the national law firm of McGuireWoods in its Jacksonville office.  Previously, he served as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and law clerk U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, as well as research assistant for R. Craig Wood in several education finance and law projects from 2001-2004.  Scott was a successful high school English teacher and grant administrator/staff developer in Florida before pursuing his J.D. and Ph.D.

Scott has published with Professor Wood in the Education Law Reporter an article entitled, Rights Without Remedies:  The Consequences of Tennessee v. Lane for Disabled State University Students, as well as having an article entitled, Florida’s Past and Future Roles in Education Finance Reform Litigation which was recently accepted to the Journal of Education Finance published by the University of Illinois.  The Journal Education Finance is the most prestigious journal in the field of financing education with more than twenty-five years of publication.

Career Goals:  Law firm partnership, law professorship, or administrative position in large university

Her optimistic approach to succeeding in the program and in the student affairs profession is a testimony to her ability to lead by example. She provides a positive and visible presence at Santa Fe Community as a graduate assistant in the Service Learning program in the office of Student Life. Thea continues to excel as a graduate student in our program and will be a valuable asset to any future student affairs office. In conclusion, Thea is worthy of this distinction and she continues to be a shining example of our SPHE program.

Career Goals:

To begin with an entry level student affairs position in the fields of Greek Life, Leadership, Learning Communities, Service, and/or First Year Programming and then obtain a Doctorate in Higher Education so that I can become a Dean of Student Life! My other main goal in life is to somehow incorporate dance into my life in some shape or form.

Her dedication to scholarship and her commitment to her institution became very apparent when we attended a Graduate Student Faculty Forum in Tallahassee last winter.  Kelly was injured when her wheelchair flipped back on a concrete floor.  She spent several hours in the emergency room in extreme pain.  Her goal was to get out of the bed and get back to the conference so she could join her classmate in the case study they had prepared to present. She was successful in accomplishing this. Her resilience is remarkable.

Kelly is a woman of purpose, untarnished character and great dignity. She has a child-like excitement about life and its possibilities. She renders a can-do attitude and I believe she will accomplish great things in the field of Student Affairs one day.  It is a privilege to work with her and to know her.

There is no doubt in my mind that Kelly Mongiovi is well-deserving of this honor.

Career Goals:

Career Goals: To continue my work in Disability Services and make a lasting contribution to the field of student affairs for all students.  Additionally, I would also like to pursue my Ph.D. in the near future.

In this short time span, Brian has proved himself as an able scholar.  During both the summer and fall semesters, he has completed 9 hours of coursework–3 more that was expected from the cohort in each of these semesters.  In both cases, Brian drove to the Gainesville Campus from his home in St. Augustine in order to take additional coursework.  He completed a 3 hour research project with me last summer during which he researched the implementation of Zero Tolerance Policies around the country.  As a result of that research, he has identified a dissertation topic that he hopes to pursue dealing with the Implementation of Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools.

A teacher in the St. Johns Community School District, Brian has quickly established himself as a leader among his cohort group.  He has earned the respect of others because of his scholarly attitude toward the doctoral degree, his thoughtful and reflective comments in class discussions, and the respect shown to the ideas of others within the cohort.

Brian models the kind of student we seek in our doctoral program.  He is a quality student who is willing to exchange ideas during small or large group discussions, respectful of the ideas of others, has excellent interaction skills, and clearly demonstrates the determination to be successful in completion of the doctoral program.  I am pleased to nominate him for this Department recognition

Career Goals:

Career Goals: Research the effects of zero tolerance policies on schools, students, and communities; create safer schools; unite communities against all forms of violence.

Mr. Dawson has actively participated with fellow graduate students in department related activities outside of structured course work. Most recently, he directly assisted Dr. Larry Tyree, Dr. Dale Campbell and myself in the search processes for three new faculty members. The three of us served as chairs of the search committees and Mr. Dawson participated with us in the interview processes. He assisted our search committees in the interview processes to select a new department chair, and two new faculty members. He actively participated in colloquium presentations, meal functions and in the sessions of graduate students interviewing the candidates. In the search that I chaired, he coordinated and facilitated the “graduate students with the candidates” sessions.

Mr. Dawson continues to work with graduate students in both our higher education program and our school administration program. He has brought an international prospective to the studies of other graduate students.

Career Goals:

Senior leadership role in a community college