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| Current Students | Alumni | Search Alumni By NameTouma|Poulsen| Maberry| Rodriguez|Lindsey| Wuertz|Duncan|Ince| Mitchell| | ||
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Grace Touma My name is Grace Touma and I am from the beautiful country of Lebanon. I moved to Florida with my family when I was 16. Finishing high school was a great challenge because I hadn’t learned to speak English yet, although I was fluent in Arabic and French, in addition to my native Lebanese. The work ethic and study habits I developed during that difficult time in my life helped tremendously as I continued on into higher education and a professional career. After getting my Associates degree from Okaloosa-Walton Community College, I enrolled at UWF and went on to receive a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics in the spring of 2004, and a Masters of Accountancy in the spring of 2006. Since I live in Shalimar and worked in the OWCC Math Lab, taking classes at the FWB campus of UWF was extremely convenient and instrumental in my expedient completion of my degree programs. Also, the class sizes were smaller and the teachers more accessible, providing an environment more conducive to learning and building relationships with my classmates and instructors. After graduation in 2006 I went to work for Carr,
Riggs & Ingram, LLC as an auditor. While nothing quite prepares
you for working in the “real world,” my experience at
UWF provided me with a basis of knowledge, confidence, and team skills
on which to build upon, which are necessary for survival in such a
fast paced, competitive environment. Working for one of the largest
and fastest growing accounting firms in the southeastern United States,
I am presented with challenges every day that require me to draw upon
these learned skills and experiences. | ||
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My name is Amanda Poulsen and I am a proud graduate of UWF Emerald Coast. I was born in San Francisco, California where I lived until adulthood. I married my husband of 15 years in 1991. In 1998 we moved back to Florida for a second time and have been here ever since. My professional background includes over 15 years working in quality Early Childhood Institutions in California and Florida in positions ranging from classroom teacher to program director. In 2002 I decided to pursue my life-long dream of obtaining a BA in Education. I had reached the extent of what I could accomplish without a degree and wanted to join the larger field of public education. The dual major program at UWF Emerald Coast appealed to me due to the convenient class schedule, close proximity to my home and the knowledge that graduating with 2 majors(Elementary Ed.K-6 and Exceptional Student Ed. K-12) + the ESOL Endorsement would increase my career choices and job marketability when I entered the local workforce. As a non-traditional student returning to college
in my 30's, the convenient Teacher Education Program at UWF Emerald
Coast allowed me to perform the important role of parenting while
completing my professional studies. I found the instructors to be
knowledgeable, diverse and most of all - accessible. I brought away
a wealth of knowledge that I am applying everyday in my new role as
a Moderate Varying Exceptionalities teacher at Antioch Elementary
in Crestview. In fact, I was hired within three weeks of graduation!
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Will Maberry My name is Will Maberry and I graduated in the spring of 2005 with my BA in Communication Arts. I majored in public relations and minored in marketing. I began my degree at a larger school but discovered that I benefited most from smaller class settings with instructors who were more than just a face behind a podium to me. I was so frustrated by my situation that I moved back to the Emerald Coast and transferred to UWF. Admittedly, I didn’t give it enough credit when I was still in high school. Who would have thought that a school in my own back yard would be able to get me where I wanted to go in life? After completing my AA, I was fortunate enough to be able to take all but two of my classes on the UWF Emerald Coast campus to complete my BA, which made it possible to live and work where I was most comfortable. My instructors took a genuine interest in seeing their students succeed and the more non-traditional student body on the Emerald Coast campus helped keep me motivated because everyone seemed to apply themselves. Undoubtedly though, the most significant benefit I derived from attending class at the UWF Emerald Coast campus was the relationships I developed with my instructors. In my case, one relationship helped me land the position I currently hold as the marketing director for a local, high-end real estate company. Without that genuine concern and desire to help, I know for a fact that I would not have had it so easy. Looking back, I see just how well I was taken care of and how much concern was given to helping me succeed, both in the classroom and in stepping into the career I was preparing for. |
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Catherine Rodriguez My name is Catherine Rodriguez and I graduated from the University of West Florida with a master's in Public Administration in May 2003. I came to the Fort Walton Beach area after completing my bachelor's degree at Auburn University. It was important to me to pursue higher education and at first I was unsure where to go. I did some research based on my interests and found exactly what I was looking for at the University of West Florida. The in-class instruction was excellent! I learned so much about the public and private sector which prepared me for the career I am currently in. Before graduating, I was hired as the Community Relations Coordinator with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. I now serve as the Sheriff's point of contact for the public, professional organizations and for civic groups throughout Okaloosa County. Whether about fund raising, law awareness, law compliance, or assistance for community events, my role is to plan, coordinate and disseminate accurate information and maintain a cooperative relationship among all of these groups. I also serve as a liaison to all the chambers in Okaloosa County and sit on the Crestview and Fort Walton Beach Chamber Board of Directors. Working with the local chambers has been an integral part of developing better partnerships with local businesses and associations. It has been a wonderful way to network within our community and continually maintain open lines of communication with our citizens. Additionally, I serve as the Public Information Officer for the Northwest Florida Domestic Security Task Force Region 1 and the Regional Director for the Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officers Association. My education at UWF lead to the wonderful job I have now and I am very thankful. What I learned in the classroom helps me to understand the dynamics of working in the public sector. Living on the emerald coast and being educated here has truly been a rewarding experience! |
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I'm Keith Lindsay, a recent graduate of UWF with an Electrical Engineering degree. From a young age, I wanted to understand how things worked. Taking apart a transistor radio and hot-rodding guitar amplifiers were a part of growing up. After a stint in broadcast radio, I began to pursue a technical career in electronics. Technical school led to a job as a technician. Later, a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology allowed me to qualify for a job as a Field Engineer. Earning my EE degree has paved the way for another promotion. I'm currently working with InDyne, Inc. on Eglin Air Force base, providing instrumentation systems and testing services that ensure our soldiers receive the best equipment possible. At every turn in my life, education has been a key that opened the door to the next level. UWF Emerald Coast offers a convenient local campus with many programs of study. Classroom courses can be taken during the day or in the evening hours. Distance learning provides access to courses from your computer. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has well-equipped laboratories and an excellent instructional staff. I was able to schedule all of my classes locally without the need to drive to the main campus in Pensacola. These things add up to a winning combination for anyone hoping to increase their knowledge or skills and improve their chance for career advancement. One of the greatest things about living in our country
is the opportunity to become anything that you want to be. A healer,
an artist, a businessman, a teacher, a musician, a computer expert…wherever
your interests lie, in America, you can choose a career that is fulfilling.
I encourage you to make an investment in yourself by getting your
degree from UWF. | ||
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Mark Wuertz My name is Mark Wuertz and I graduated in the fall
of 2006 with a Masters in Business Administration from UWF. I am currently
employed as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, primarily using my undergraduate
Electrical Engineering degree in science and engineering work in the
defense of the United States. Because my job also includes program
management duties, I felt it would be beneficial to pursue my MBA. In addition, the professors were very understanding
of work schedules and would assist students, so that they could be
put in the best position to succeed. The portfolio project was also
a great experience because it gave me the opportunity to study every
aspect of an industry (economics, marketing, information systems,
financial management, and operations management) and prepare me for
a possible career within that industry outside of the U.S. Air Force. |
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Shelby Duncan My name is Shelby Duncan, and I am a proud lifelong resident of Okaloosa County and a graduate of UWF Emerald Coast. I was a nontraditional student, and very pleased with the academic schedule that was available during my course work. I successfully earned my BA in Criminal Justice/Forensic Studies in 2005. The Criminal Justice program provided me with the ability to intern in a field that has become a major part of my life. In fact, my internship with the State of Florida Medical Examiner Office became a part-time position during my last semester at UWF. After graduation, I became a full-time forensic investigator for the Florida District One office. The faculty and staff provided me with an excellent
learning environment. Every professor went above and beyond to assist
me with my work schedule and always provided me with any support that
I needed. UWF Emerald Coast faculty and staff helped to shape me into
the person that I am now. I am very appreciative to all that assisted
me in my quest for knowledge. UWF Emerald Coast gave me a broader
perspective in my major, and provided me with additional tools that
I use every day to advance my career goals. |
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My name is Lisa Anne Ince and I am a graduate of UWF. Not only was I a nontraditional student, but I was a single parent in my 30’s. I am proud to say that I successfully earned my BA in Psychology in 2002. The UWF Fort Walton Beach campus offered me flexible course schedules that I could work around job and family commitments. Upon completion of my BA, I began working on my MA in Counseling Psychology. I became employed part time as a psychometrist, administering psychological tests under the supervision of a Neuropsychologist. Additionally, I completed my counseling internship at Catholic Charities. Both of these experiences were extremely rewarding and went hand-in-hand with the skills I developed during my coursework. As I was finishing my MA, I accepted a position as
an Adult Protective Investigator with the State of Florida, where
I am still employed. I am very pleased with the education I received
at UWF. The guidance I received from my instructors and the faculty
while completing my coursework and internship requirements was absolutely
invaluable to my success. |
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Okeye Mitchell My name is Okeye Mitchell. I attended the University of West Florida Emerald Coast and graduated in December of 2007 with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Humanities. I came to Florida's beautiful Emerald Coast by way of a small town in Alabama. Before leaving my hometown, I received an Associate of Arts in Applied Sciences from my local junior college. After receiving my degree, I decided to take some time off to reevaluate my life and to decide which direction I should go. When I moved to Florida, I was told about the wonderful community on the Emerald Coast, and I decided to rejuvenate my love of art. So, I enrolled in school here and figured I should try make a career of my passion…art. That was the best decision I could have ever made. When I went back to school fell in love with art all over again, and realized I could apply my talents in the quickly growing field of graphic design. Through taking graphics courses, I was told about UWF's AA to BA program and realized it would allow me to somewhat customize my degree to my interests. With this new found awareness of the graphics world, I knew that starting my own advertising and design firm was the path I wanted to choose. I dreamed it and UWF made it happen.
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UWF Emerald Coast | 1170 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard | Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547-5068 | 850.863.6565 | Campus Map | Text Only |
