2025-2026 NextGen Provost Fellows

Dr. Colette Davis is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of West Florida, dedicated to advancing academic excellence, student success, and institutional innovation. As Chair of both the Curriculum and Admissions-Recruitment-Retention Committees, she has led major program realignments and founded the department’s first Student Ambassador Program. Dr. Davis revitalized student engagement through the Student Association of Public Health and established the Epsilon Rho Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society. A recognized scholar and mentor, she is committed to inclusive leadership, strategic planning, and fostering pathways for future public health leaders.

Dr. Melanie DiLoreto, Senior Instructor at the University of West Florida, holds a Ph.D. in Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment. She has led initiatives in educational assessment, accreditation, program review, and strategic planning, with expertise in data-driven decision-making. A published researcher in student engagement and assessment literacy, she has authored several articles, a textbook, and secured major grants. Dr. DiLoreto has coordinated institutional effectiveness efforts and served as a lead evaluator for accreditation bodies. Her expertise spans statewide education initiatives, advisory councils, and editorial boards, reflecting her commitment to bridging theory, policy, and practice in education.

Dr. Chris Fenner is an Instructor of Communication specializing in public relations, strategic communication, science communication, and popular culture. His classes connect theory with real-world practice, often partnering students with local businesses and nonprofits. With nearly 20 years of experience as a speech coach and communication consultant, Fenner is passionate about helping students find their voice. His research focuses on crisis communication, social media effects, and innovative approaches to communication pedagogy. Fenner currently also serves as the College of Arts and Social Sciences General Education Liaison.

Dr. Michelle Finley is Head of Circulation and Operational Support for the University Libraries. In this role, she oversees frontline services for the university’s student, faculty, and staff population, advancing operations through strategic planning and staff development. Her research focuses on higher education hiring practices, student success in the library, and the assessment of metadata assignment in integrated library systems. Michelle’s accomplishments include successful grant writing, leading collaborative initiatives, and building campus partnerships that strengthen institutional effectiveness and promote student success.

Dr. Ezhil Kalaimannan, an Associate Professor, conducts research in the broad areas of cybersecurity and network defense. Other significant areas include wireless networking, digital forensics, algorithmic theory, graph theory, operations research, and cybersecurity education. He is a Co-PI and research mentoring director on a $2.3 million grant titled “Argo Cyber Emerging Scholars (ACES): Developing a Cybersecurity Community of Practice”, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Cybersecurity Technology, published by Taylor and Francis. He is the director of the IMSTEM program at the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering at UWF. He primarily teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Cybersecurity and Computer Science at UWF. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering with a focus in Cybersecurity from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Dr. Lucas Long is an Assistant Professor of Finance with a Ph.D. in Finance and a Master’s in Accounting. Teaching since 2014, he is passionate about student success and brings a student-centered approach to the classroom. He integrates real-world certifications like CPA ,CFA and CFP, invites guest speakers, and connects students with industry leaders such as Bloomberg and Morgan Stanley. Dr. Long has led Wall Street tours, giving students firsthand insight into top financial institutions and universities. Known for his engaging and supportive teaching style, he is dedicated to helping students grow both academically and professionally.