Dr.  Stuart  Silverman
Dean

Dr. Silverman came to USF in 1970 after earning a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Yeshiva University. In the spring of 1987 he became USF's second Honors Program Director. The Honors Program became The Honors College in the spring of 2002, and Dr. Silverman was appointed Dean in December 2002. "The past 22 years have been the most rewarding of my professional career. Working with Honors students is challenging and satisfying. Being able to watch and help students grow and develop intellectually, socially and emotionally makes my job the best there is. I try to ignite students' passion to learn, to think and to create; they ignite my passion to teach and to mentor."

Contact Dr. Silverman at silverman@honors.usf.edu

Dr.  Georg  Kleine
Associate Dean

Dr. Kleine oversees Honors teaching. Born in Germany in 1940, he studied at the Universities of Tuebingen and Vienna , and earned his Dr. phil. degree in 1967 at the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg . An expert on 19th and 20th century German history, he joined USF's Department of History in 1968, where he is now a Professor Emeritus.

Contact Dr. Kleine at kleine@honors.usf.edu

Dr.  Linda  Lucas
Director, Office of National Scholarships

Linda E. Lucas is Director of the National Scholarship Office. She has a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Hawaii and an undergraduate degree in economics and government from the University of Texas at Austin. Her recent book, Unpacking Globalization: Markets, Gender and Work (2007, Rowman and Littlefield) documents the experiences of workers all over the world under global economic change. She has held Fulbright Professorships in Mexico City and Kampala, Uganda; been a Visiting Scientist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, a Visiting Professor of Economics at Thammasat University and Resident Researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute in Bangkok, Thailand and Economic Policy Research Institute in Kampala, Uganda and an East-West Center fellow in the Pacific Islands Development in Honolulu, Hawaii. She loves working with scholarship applicants.

Contact Dr. Lucas at lucasl@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Judy  Kane
Director of Development

Judy Kane leads the development effort for The Honors College as part of the USF Foundation advancement team. Ms. Kane connects individuals with a passion for supporting education to Honors College priorities including scholarships, a new facility, and Undergraduate Research. Whether to discuss an annual donation or planned gift for the future, Ms. Kane and the academic leadership of the Honors College are readily available at 813-974-1246 or kane@honors.usf.edu. Prior to returning to her alma mater in the fall of 2005, Ms. Kane worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for 15 years as Vice President of Development and continues to volunteer for the organization as a Big Sister to Little Brother Brandon. After graduating from USF with a B.A. in Mass Communications (Public Relations and Advertising) Ms. Kane spent 13 years in the NFL at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Player Personnel.

Contact Ms. Kane at kane@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Sharon  Geiger
Director of Academic Support Services

Ms. Geiger is the senior member of the Honors advising staff. She earned her bachelor's degree in American Studies from USF and is currently pursuing a master's degree in the same discipline. Ms. Geiger, a USF employee since 1979, says that the Honors students, faculty and staff make this the best job in the world.

Contact Ms. Geiger at geiger@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Celeste  Lazzara
Academic Advisor

Mrs. Lazzara joined the academic advising team in January 2000, after working in the Office of Admissions for 12 years. Mrs. Lazzara holds a master's degree in counseling from the University of Florida.

Contact Ms. Lazzara at lazzara@honors.usf.edu

Mr.  Reginald  Lucien
Academic Advisor

Mr. Lucien joined the Honors staff in August 2006. Prior to joining the Honors College Mr. Lucien was the director of a not-for-profit community technology center in Miami, Florida. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Communication from Florida State University and his Master’s degree in Education from the great University of South Florida.

Contact Mr. Lucien at lucien@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Cayla  Lanier
Academic Advisor

Mrs. Lanier first joined the Honors College as a student in 1999. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, she earned an MA in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. Her prior work experience includes directing a scholarship program for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas and advising online students at Everest University. Mrs. Lanier joined the Honors College staff in October 2008 and is happy to be back at USF.

Contact Ms. Lanier at cclanier@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Juliet  Hill
Academic Advisor

Juliet Hill joined the Honors College in Fall of 2008 and specializes in science and health professions advising. Before joining the Honors College, she advised for the Department of Chemistry at USF for 3 years and at Hillsborough Community College for 5 years. Ms. Hill holds a bachelor's of arts in philosophy from Berea College and is pursuing graduate studies in Latin American and Caribbean studies.

Contact Ms. Hill at jghill2@honors.usf.edu

Mr.  Arnaldo  Mejias
Academic Advisor

Mr. Mejias most recently served as coordinator of the Early Admission program and, as national scholarships coordinator, he prepared students for prestigious awards, such as Goldwater, Truman, and Rhodes scholarships. He joined the Honors staff in January 2005 after serving as an advisor at the State University of New York New Paltz for seven years. Mr. Mejias earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He completed advanced graduate work in student development at the University of Rhode Island, and earned an M.A. in Adult Education at USF.

Contact Mr. Mejias at mejias@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Danielle  Locke
Academic Advisor

Ms. Locke joined the Honors College staff in December 2010. First joining the Honors College as a Graduate Assistant serving the Jenkins Scholars in 2008, she advised and assisted her scholars in academic and personal development. Ms. Locke earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in College Student Affairs from the University of South Florida. Ms. Locke also spent some time on the Health Professions Advisory Committee in Summer 2010, working with students and colleagues enabled her to sharpen her skills as she recently advises students interested in health professions. She is happy to continue working with the students and staff within the Honors College at USF.

Contact Ms. Locke at dlocke@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Amanda  Cutchens
Academic

Amanda Cutchens earned her B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida in May 2007. She moved to Tampa in 2008 and worked as a graduate assistant to the Holcombe Scholars in the USF Honors College for two years while pursuing her graduate degree. In May 2010, she graduated with her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and a concentration in College Student Affairs. She rejoins the Honors College staff now as an Academic Advisor, after a brief period in the Transitional Advising Center working with conditionally admitted students. She works with the Honors Engineering students, and looks forward to the many opportunities that the Honors College offers students and staff at USF. Go Bulls!

Contact Ms. Cutchens at acutchens@honors.usf.edu

Mrs.  Lauren  Schumacher Chambers
National Scholarships Advisor

Ms. Schumacher joined the Honors College in December of 2008. She is now a National Scholarships Advisor in the Office of National Scholarships. Her previous role was Research Advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Research. Ms. Schumacher received her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Florida. Ms. Schumacher’s previous research experience includes an assessment of grief support in north central Florida, evaluating accessibility in an urban setting and reducing pediatric obesity in rural communities.

Contact Mrs. Schumacher Chambers at lschumac@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Joan  Field
Academic Services Administrator

Ms. Field joined the Honors staff in January of 2005. She assists Dr. Kleine with Honors College class scheduling, faculty communications, student permits, thesis paperwork, and works with Cathy on payroll and fiscal/budget matters, and with Ms. Geiger in hiring and directing Student Assistants. Ms. Field worked for over 12 years at a private school for gifted and talented students with the last five years spent as school administrator. Ms. Field earned her Bachelor's degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing from the University of Florida.

Contact Ms. Field at field@honors.usf.edu

Mr.  Mark  Friday
Staff Assistant

Mr. Friday is the Honor's Staff Assistant. He is in the main Honors office, SVC 1088, and will be the first person to greet you. Mr. Friday answers and directs incoming calls, distributes mail, and assists the staff. Most importantly, he has the most up-to-date copy of Dr. Silverman’s schedule.

Contact Mr. Friday at friday@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Cathy  Hsieh
Business & Fiscal Analyst

Ms. Hsieh joined the Honors staff in December 2010. Prior to joining the Honors College, she worked in the Anchin Center as a fiscal specialist. She received her Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of West Florida. Ms. Hsieh handles business support services and fiscal requirements for Honors College

Contact Ms. Hsieh at khsieh@honors.usf.edu

Mr.  Sean  Motta
Webmaster

Sean is the Honors College's Webmaster and Database Manager. Sean coordinates updates to the Honors College website, developing the Honors College's online forms and developing the databases containing student's Honors College records. Sean has been with Honors since Spring 2006 and is also currently a graduate Mechanical Engineering student.

Contact Mr. Motta at motta@honors.usf.edu

Mr.  John  Camacho
Assistant Webmaster

John is a Junior majoring in Computer Science; he has been with the Honors College since 2008 as a student and began working for Honors in Fall 2009 as a student assistant, John is responsible for the Office of National Scholarship's web site and databases. John also assists Sean in maintaining the Honors College website, and helps to develop new utilities and applications.

Contact Mr. Camacho at jcamacho@honors.usf.edu

Mr.  David  Vassalotti
Office Assistant

David is an Honors College graduate with a degree in English & American Literature. He has been working for the Honors College off and on since 2008. His duties involve running around campus, performing odd jobs for the staff, working the front desk, answering phones, data input, and eating leftovers.

Contact Mr. Vassalotti at dvassalo@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Beverly  Simoncini
Development Specialist

Beverly joined the USF Honors College as a part-time Development Specialist in March, 2012. Her administrative roles supporting C-level executives with publicly traded, and national franchise companies, has given her diverse and unique experience. Beverly is a native of the Tampa Bay Area where she attended St. Petersburg College. She currently volunteers at her church, and loves to travel with her husband of 31 years.

Contact Ms. Simoncini at bsimoncini@honors.usf.edu

Ms.  Andrea  Cappello
Holcombe Scholar Graduate Assistant

Andrea is the Graduate Assistant for the Holcombe Scholars Program. She advises and supports her students in their academic and individual pursuits. Andrea is from New Jersey and received her Bachelor’s Degree from The College of New Jersey in English/Secondary Education. She taught high school English for two years before deciding to pursue a Master’s Degree in College Student Affairs at USF. Andrea looks forward to working with the Holcombe Scholars and Honors College Staff over the next two years.

Ms.  Huda  Oweis
HCSC Graduate Assistant

Huda is the Graduate Assistant for the Honors College Student Council. She works directly with the Council and its executive members to plan events, volunteer opportunities, and social gatherings aimed to foster a greater sense of community amongst Honors students within the Honors College. Huda earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor in Studio Art. She is currently pursuing her Master’s of Education in College Student Affairs. She loves assisting and working alongside Honors students to host worthwhile events.

Ms.  Rochelly  Ramirez
Jenkins Scholar Graduate Assistant

Rochelly is the Graduate Assistant for the Jenkins Scholars Program. She advises and assists her scholars in academic and personal development. Rochelly earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Spanish Interpretation/Translation from Rutgers University. She joined the Honors College staff in August 2010. Prior to coming to USF, Rochelly worked as a Resident Assistant at Rutgers University for Special Interest Section, Latin Images. She is currently working on a Master’s degree in Education in the College Student Affairs program and plans to graduate in May 2012.

Mr.  Sam  Waldron
National Scholarships Graduate Assistant

Sam completed his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Miami in 2009. Since graduating, he has worked as an academic advisor and a research assistant at several different colleges and Universities. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in marketing at the University of South Florida. His current research interests include the effects of heuristics in consumer behavior. He hopes to continue on to earn his Ph.D. in marketing.

Ms.  Alnicia  Williams
HLLC Graduate Assistant

Ms.  Christa  Beck
Student Assistant

Christa is a freshman at USF, majoring in mass communications with a concentration in advertising. She began working as a student assistant at the Honors College in the fall of 2011 and is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a wonderful staff. She enjoys being a part of the Honors Living Learning Community and participating in campus events.

Ms.  Kelly  Brabant
Student

Kelly is currently a first year student at USF majoring in Pre – Social Science Education and plans on becoming a high school U.S. Government teacher in the future. She started working at the Honors College as a student assistant in the Fall of 2011. She works alongside the other student assistants, scheduling appointments and answering phone calls. She is a member of the Leadership Learning Living Community and enjoys being involved on campus.

Ms.  Ashley  Hinton
Student Assistant / Ninja

Ashley is a Senior Psychology and Political Science student; she has been an active member of the Honors College since Fall 2007. Serving first as President of the Honors College Student Council and now as a Student and Teaching Assistant, the Honors College has become her second home. As an employee of the Honors College, Ashley oversees the management of all honors student files, assists in coordinating Honors Graduation and Commencement, and is the TA for Panama: Beyond the Classroom. Just recently, Ashley has ventured into the world of online database management, assisting in the maintenance of the Honors College website. Ashley is currently working alongside Dr. David Diamond in the Cognitive Neuroscience Lab on campus and hopes to earn her PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience.

Ms.  Sara  Madiedo
Student

Sara is a sophomore at USF majoring in Mass Communications, and a member of the USF Womens Rugby Club. She joined the Honors College both as a student and a student assistant in the Fall Semester of 2010. She assists Mr. Friday and the Honors College staff with tasks that include filing, answering and fielding phone calls, and scheduling appointments for the advisors.

Ms.  Jasmine  Paulino
Student Assistant

Jasmine is currently a junior majoring in Mass Communications, specializing in Telecommunications. She hopes to become an investigative news reporter for TV. Jasmine joined the Honors College staff in August 2010 as a freshman student assistant at the front desk. She now works as a front desk student assistant for the Office of National Scholarships. Outside of school and work, Jasmine is the vice president of both the USF Scuba Club and Silver Wings, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between Air Force soldiers and civilians while providing community service to our troops.

Mr.  Hiram  Rios
Student Assistant

Hiram is a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering, and concert master of the USF Honors Orchestra. He joined the Honors College both as a student and as a student assistant in August of 2011. His main responsibilities include social networking for the Office of National Scholarships, helping create marketing material for ONS, and working the front desk to provide excellent customer service to USF’s many potential national scholars. Additionally, he is a PAL (Peer Advisor Leader) with the office of New Student Connections for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Ms.  Mekiayla  Singleton
Student Assistant

Meki is a sophomore double majoring in Psychology and Gerontology. She plans to earn her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She has been an active member of the Honors College since Fall 2010. She was an Honors LLC mentor for the fall semester of 2011 and is currently a senator for Juniper-Poplar Hall council. She began working for the Honors College in the fall semester of 2011 and helps assist the staff, answers phone calls, and schedules appointments for students.

Ms.  Lauren  Townsend
Student Assistant

Lauren is a senior majoring in Philosophy and German. She hopes to eventually earn her Ph.D. in philosophy concentrating in ethics. She has worked as a student assistant for ONS since 2009 planning workshops, corresponding with students, and keeping the office organized. Lauren is also involved in undergraduate research, is the student director for Lead Fellows in the CLCE, and enjoys running marathons in her spare time.