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Class of 2019-20

Learn more about the LEAD class members.


Meet the Staff LEAD Class of 2019-2020

Josh is the Textbook Reserves Specialist in the Circulation Department at the John C. Pace Library. As the primary point of contact for the Textbook Reserves program, Josh ensures that all undergraduate textbooks and materials are available for two-hour loan by ordering new books, attaching books to courses in the library database, and facilitating contact between faculty and staff. Additionally, Josh works the evening shift at the library and is responsible for closing the building Sunday through Thursday. Josh has a background in information technology and enjoys web development, philosophy, and his two Labradors.

Chip Chism became the Director of Parking and Transportation Services in December of 2004, and he has not has a good night’s sleep since.  In his spare time, he enjoys working with his friends on his TV show, Nightmare Theatre, and reading.   He lives with his wife and son in a small house with a dog who loves him and three cats who are fond of him so long as the food bowl is full.

Susan is an Academic Advisor with the UKCOH Advising Center. She has been in the role for over three years. Susan works with the undergraduate and graduate programs in the Psychology Department. She loves being a part of the education journey that the students are on. Susan and her family are from Minnesota and sometimes you can still catch her saying “Uffda”! Susan enjoys spending time writing, reading, baking, and being with her family.

Stephanie serves as Assistant Director of Community and Employer Engagement for the Office of Career Development and Community Engagement at UWF.  She has provided career advising services for over seven years and holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology. Stephanie focuses on assessment, ensuring alignment of departmental goals and programs. She works to maximize career opportunities for students and graduates and to maintain institutional visibility and generate support from community partners. Stephanie is the office’s go-to person for all things event-related, and she thoroughly enjoys the entire event-planning process.

Scott is currently the coordinator for UWF Postal Services. His key responsibilities are to manage the staff and mail delivery routes on campus and off campus, bulk mail for the departments, and all incoming and outgoing mail and parcels for faculty, staff, and students. Scott is a UWF alumnus, completing his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2001. What he enjoys most about UWF is the sense of family among students, staff, and faculty. Scott even met his wife at UWF, and his two children hope to attend in a few years. Scott is a former Escambia County School District K-6 teacher. He is a Maine native but fell in love with the area and has lived locally for over 20 years. His hobbies include sporting events, concerts, and beach fishing with his wife and children.

Toria is a supervisor in the Facilities Department at UWF after coming from 20 years of service to the Escambia County School system. Her infectious smile and wonderful sense of humor make her a joy to be around—just ask her children. She can’t help but grin when speaking of her grandbabies, especially the youngest, a child just one in age but who acts like a teenager already. Married for 25 years, Toria devotes all of her off time to her family and loves to take the little ones to Disney as often as she can. To Toria, her family is what keeps her so energetic.

Denise joined UWF in 2011 and has had various roles in advising and administrative support and over 10 years of experience working in both the community college and university setting. In her role as MBA Coordinator, Denise performs recruiting, admissions, and advising duties in addition to supporting the College of Business in its external partnership with Navy Federal Credit Union, study abroad programs, and assessment. Her favorite thing about working at UWF is the abundance of opportunities to do interesting work that benefits students on an individual level.

Jennifer is an advisor in the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS).  Jennifer most enjoys the opportunity to help students be successful at UWF.  She is currently working on her Ed.D. in instructional technology -curriculum and instruction. Prior to coming to UWF, Jennifer earned her B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S.Ed. in instructional systems technology at Indiana University. She taught fourth grade in South Carolina before moving to Pensacola and getting at job at UWF. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, reading, going to the beach, crafting, and spending time with friends and family.

Christy is the Administrative Specialist for the School of Nursing. She came to work at UWF in the spring of 2016 as an office administrator in what was then the Department of Nursing. She manages budgets as well as class and clinical schedules for the School of Nursing and works closely with the chairperson and directors to ensure that the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs run smoothly. She enjoys working with faculty and students and is proud to be part of such a great team. Christy has two sons and a daughter, as well as a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading good books, playing piano, and dancing as much as possible.

Shelley is the Design Coordinator for the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs and an adjunct graphic design instructor in the Art Department. In her role with DESA, she oversees a team of student interns and coaches them on client communication, vendor communication, graphic design, developing good professional habits, and how to work as part of a team. In addition to student training, she is responsible for creating marketing materials and strategies that affect UWF student life. When not working, Shelley enjoys traveling home to Germany to visit family, hiking, and sailing.

Kevin McDonald is Assistant Director in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at the University of West Florida. He majored in workforce education and development at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, earned an MA in ancient and classical history at American Military University, and received an EdS in curriculum and instruction from the University of West Florida. His interests include spending time with family, reading, studying history, watching movies and documentaries, and working with students.  Kevin taught a course on the effects of warfare in the fall and spring semesters and is currently working on updating financial aid processes.

Nicole is the Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Safety. She started in July 2012 as Environmental Coordinator. In her current role, she assists with managing several aspects of the health and safety programs for UWF as well as natural resources protection. Nicole assisted in establishing the Campus Cat Program, even adopting one of the campus cats. She is active in her community with the Pea Ridge Elementary PTA, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, and local animal rescue groups. Best times are those spent with her family, trips to the beach, and taking care of the mini farm.

Michael has worked with the Recreation Department as the Outdoor Adventure Coordinator for two years.  As the coordinator for the Outdoor Program, Michael manages the climbing center, trips, outdoor center & bike shop, disc golf course, challenge course, teambuilding events, and all custom events.  In his free time, Michael loves doing anything that keeps him active and takes him outside.  His hobbies consist of climbing, biking, handball, disc golf, and yard work.

Jimmy Orum is communications coordinator for the Division of Academic Engagement and provides marketing and communications support to the division. Prior to coming to UWF, he was a public information specialist at the Alabama State Port Authority. He earned a master’s degree in strategic communication and leadership from the University of West Florida and a bachelor's degree in communication/public relations from the University of South Alabama. As an ally and advocate for inclusion in higher education, Jimmy is not afraid to challenge the status quo and encourage shifts in the set culture.

Katie recently started a new position as an academic advisor in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. Prior to that, she maintained a role as a Graduate Admissions Coordinator in the UWF Graduate School for 4.5 years. She is a graduate of UWF and enjoys assisting others on their journey to becoming an Argo. What she loves most about UWF is its beautiful campus and sense of community. Katie is a huge animal lover, and you may catch her feeding the cat colony next to the LEAD Deck as part of the Campus Cat Program. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Monica is a Senior Grants Specialist for UWF’s degree completion initiative, Complete Florida, and is a PhD student studying higher education leadership. In her role with Complete Florida, she has written numerous grants receiving national recognition and established a statewide networking group recently highlighted in the Aspen Institute’s publication Upskilling Year in Review. The networking group includes stakeholders from two and four-year institutions as well as guest speakers from national organizations who present on innovative programming for nontraditional students. She also serves as a swim and soccer fan for her two children.