Kelly Astro

Director of Undergraduate Research and Civic Engagement

kastro@mail.ucf.edu

Kelly earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from UCF and her M.Ed from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Prior to assuming her current position, Kelly was Director of Service Learning, Leadership and the Freshmen Year Experience at Drexel University and worked in the Community Relations Department for the Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Organization. In her current position, Kelly oversees the SMART and Honors in the Major programs as well as all civic engagement programs for the College.

In addition, Kelly works closely with Honors student leaders and the National Merit Scholars. Kelly serves as the faculty advisor for the Undergraduate Research Society and Help Every Little Person (HELP). This is Kelly's first semester teaching in the LEAD Scholars Program, but has previously taught Leadership and service learning courses at Drexel University. In addition, Kelly is a certified teacher and has taught both at Grand Avenue and North Lake Park Elementary Schools in Orange County.

Brad Crawford

Director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM)

brad@ucfbcm.com

Originally from Georgia, Brad received an undergraduate degree and a masters degree (MBA) from the University of Georgia. He also holds a masters degree (M. Div.) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His business experience includes six years in sales and management in Moultrie, Georgia and Gainesville, Florida. He enjoys reading and traveling, and is an avid sports fan. Brad and his wife, Julie, have three children: Amy, Andrew, and Evan. He teaches our Basic Spiritual and Advanced Spiritual practica.

Rick Falco

Associate Director for Operations

rfalco@mail.ucf.edu

Has been at UCF since 1994, earning both his B. S. degree in Business Administration, Finance in 98 and his M. A. in Educational Leadership, Student Personnel Administration in 01. Before his transition to Associate Director for Operations at the Student Union in 2004, Rick worked at the Recreation and Wellness Center as the Associate Director of Finance and Operations. Along with spending time with family and friends, Rick enjoys traveling and playing golf

Dr. Cynthia J. Hutchinson

Associate Professor

Cynthia.Hutchinson@ucf.edu

Has been associated with UCF since 1973. Particularly skilled in the areas of pedagogy, Dr. Hutchinson works with pre-service and in-service teachers. Her graduate study was done at Allegheny College and Florida Atlantic University in the areas of Elementary Education and Administration and Supervision. She and her husband Tom enjoy riding their motorcycle and traveling to North Carolina to visit their children, Jonathan, a cartographic researcher, and Jennifer, a neo-natal nurse practitioner.

Amanda Pacheco

Administrator with the Office of Experiential Learning

Amanda.Pacheco@.ucf.edu

Has been an instructor and administrator with the Office of Experiential Learning since 2004. In this role, she focuses on research, statistical analysis, faculty development, and technology projects. In addition, she serves as the president and founder of Get PUMPed, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides donor milk to babies who cannot be nursed by their biological mothers. Amanda has worked in higher education – both in teaching roles and in program administration capacities – since 1998, and has a few years of corporate experience as well. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCF, a masters degree in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Delaware

Josh Wheeler

Coordinator for The Office of First Year Experience

jwheeler@mail.ucf.edu

Serves as the Program Coordinator for The Office of First Year Experience here at the University of Central Florida. Josh is a 2006 graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's or Science in Business Administration. Following the completion of his Bachelor's degree Josh received his Masters of Education with a focus in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina.

Michael Preston

Director of the Office of Student Involvement

Michael.Preston@ucf.edu

Dr. Michael Preston serves as the Director of the Office of Student Involvement. In addition to his duties as director he also advises the SGA executive branch, coordinates office assessment and serves on a number of university committees. A student affairs professional for over 15 years, Dr. Preston has worked with programming boards, campus leadership programs, freshman transition programs and student governments. Dr. Preston is a graduate of East Carolina University, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and Texas A&M – Commerce.

Ginny Botts

ginny.botts@knights.ucf.edu

Ginny is pursuing her doctorate in education at the University of Central Florida. Her research focus is on student athletes and institutional integration. She is originally from Orlando, but moved to Nashville, TN to pursue her undergraduate degree in Human and Organizational Development and masters degree in Organizational Leadership at Vanderbilt University.

Erica Coste

Event Planner for the UCF Student Union

Erica.Coste@ucf.edu

Erica began her time at UCF in the Fall of 2005, graduating undergrad with a degree in Interpersonal/Organizational Communication in May 2009. She quickly began graduate work in the Communication field, graduating with her Master's Degree in Interpersonal Communication in May 2011. Throughout her time as a student at UCF, she worked in many different areas on campus and currently serves as an Event Planner for the UCF Student Union.

Shameika Daye

Coordinator for Student Financial Assistance

sdaye@ucf.edu

Has been at the UCF since 2001 earning both her B.S. degree in Business Administration, Management in 2005 and her Masters of Public Administration in 2010. Before becoming a Coordinator in of the Office of Student Financial Assistance at UCF responsible for the Federal Work Study and TEACH Grant programs, Shameika worked at the American Cancer Society where she was the Community Service Representative for the Relay For Life of UCF. As an alumnus of the LEAD Scholars program, she is excited to have the opportunity to be an instructor for the program. Shameika enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as reading, writing, and training for marathons with a local running club in Winter Park.

Stephen O'Connell

Director of First Year Advising and Exploration

Stephen.OConnell@ucf.edu

I am Director of First Year Advising and Exploration and have been working in Higher Education for over 26 years. During my time in Higher Education, I have worked in Undergraduate Admissions, Academic Advising, Orientation and Greek Life. I find working with first-year students to be extremely rewarding and teaching in the Leadership Program here at UCF has been a real gift for me. I enjoy connecting with our new students and the experiences in and outside the classroom with LEAD Scholars continues to make my work in Higher Education so fulfilling.

My undergraduate degree is in Philosophy and I received my Master's Degree in Higher Education from The Ohio State University. When I am not working in FYAE or teaching, you can find me running as a participate in full and half marathons.

Jeremy Foskitt

Coordinator for Lake Claire Courtyard Apartments

foskitt@ucf.edu

Jeremy Foskitt serves as the area coordinator for the Lake Claire Courtyard Apartments with UCF Housing and Residence Life. He has been at UCF since 2009 when he graduated with his Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Jeremy's Bachelor's degree in political science is from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Jeremy has been working in student affairs as an undergraduate as student body president, a trustee for the University System of New Hampshire, residence life; in graduate school as the vice president of the Bowling Green Student Development Association, residence life, student activities and leadership development; and professionally at UCF is involved in various departmental, divisional, and instructional committees.

Jennifer V. Muscadin

Coordinator Academic Services

Jennifer.Muscadin@ucf.edu

Jennifer Muscadin was the first staff member to join the UCF Upward Bound Program in 2007 and PRIME STEM Project in 2010. Prior to joining the UCF TRiO family, Jennifer was a mortgage specialist for a national bank where she worked for six years. She is a proud graduate of Valencia Community College and the University of Florida where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Food and Resource Economics with a minor in Agricultural Law.

During her undergraduate years at Valencia Community College, Jennifer was introduced to the higher education profession. She developed passion for addressing issues of social injustice, inequality and access. Her concern for breaking the barriers of access into higher education for underrepresented and underserved populations led her to pursue a Master's degree at the University of Central Florida in Educational Leadership: Student Personnel Administration. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Higher Education and Policy Studies. She is committed to the student affairs profession and the students she serves.

Kali Austin

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Kali.Austin@ucf.edu

Originally from New Jersey and grew up in Ormond Beach, Florida. Graduated from the Florida State University with a B.S. in Criminology and Sociology and additionally received a certificate for Leadership Studies. Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Criminology & the Juvenile Justice Leadership Certificate.

Tegan Graser

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Tegan.Graser@ucf.edu

Originally from Andersonville Tennessee, recieved a bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of South Carolina. Currently completing master at UCF in Marriage and Family Therapy in the College of Education.