Alice is a native of Tennessee but has lived
in Florida for over 25 years.She
has worked in higher education in South Florida for over ten years, and was
hired at FGCU in the summer of 1997 before the university opened its doors to
students.She has a
Master’s degree in Counselor Education and has completed a doctoral
degree in education through a joint program between FGCU and the University of
Central Florida.She is the senior
advisor for Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society for freshmen, and she
teaches the Educational Survey Class and Intro to Education.Her husband, Jon, is a licensed psychologist at the University.Her hobbies include gardening, hiking and reading.
“We
have a great advising team that believes in assisting our students developmentally
and holistically.”
As an FGCU
alumnus Adam brings enthusiasm for meeting student needs to the
management of the First
Year Advising Team. Originally from Illinois, Adam holds a BA in Psychology
and
earned his FGCU MA in Counselor Education. His interests
include operational innovation and website development to enhance
student service delivery. Adam enjoys outdoor recreation including
kayaking, swimming, boating
and motorcycle touring. He works with students in tailoring an academic
plan to meet their educational and career goals and helps facilitate
scholastic vision. Adam specializes in major exploration
for deciding students and is the organizer of the Annual
FGCU Major Fair. Adam is the web author/developer for
First Year Advising and maintains our freshman/sophomore
major
tracks.
"Our user friendly website compliments the service level we strive to
provide every first year student we advise."
Originally from Maryland, Kristin came to Florida and received her
Bachelors in Psychology and later her Masters in Counselor Education.
Kristin has been working in advising for 4 years and enjoys the
relationship she develops with students while helping them realize their
potential. She has also worked with many first year students
through teaching and assisting in being academically successful.
Kristin and her husband Derek have recently relocated to Southwest
Florida and enjoy spending their time in the Florida sun while at the
beach or boating, and spending time with friends and family.
Jill graduated from FGCU with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work in
April 2007. As an undergraduate student, she lived in the Gresham-Kite
Pilot Scholarship House on campus. She was actively involved in
the Spanish Club, traveling to the Dominican Republic providing
community service. Jill also worked in the campus bookstore and for the
Center for Academic Achievement as an SI Leader and tutor. She is
currently a graduate assistant for First Year Advising She will
graduate in April 2008 with her Masters Degree in Social Work.
Jill married FGCU graduate Braxton Rhone in Dec. 2007 and they reside in
Naples. She enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with
family and friends. Jill has a passion to assist students in
accomplishing their goals.
Marissa Holt, Advising Staff Intern- Assistant
Originally from Rhode Island, Marissa graduated from Bridgewater State
College in Massachusetts with a BS in Communication in 2001. She
worked for a vacation firm and had the opportunity to travel the world.
She then took a position as an Admissions Officer at The Sawyer School
and was promoted to Director of Career Services and discovered her niche
for higher education. Marissa departed the Ocean State for the
Sunshine State, and was hired as an FGCU Admission Officer. She is
pursuing completion of her MA in Educational Leadership and will
complete her graduate practicum this summer in First Year Advising
assisting students as a member of our advising staff. Marissa
takes pride in FGCU and is very student-centered. She enjoys being
involved on campus and in the community She is a graduate of the
FGCU Leadership Diversity Program, a member of the Golden Key National
Honor Society, and contributed to FGCU as a student judicial board
member, staff advisor for tri delta sorority, and is a member of the
Staff Advisory Counsel Wellness Committee. She enjoys
beaches, movies, concerts, shopping, and traveling home to visit family
and friends.
Bella is a
senior here at FGCU, and has been working with First Year Advising since
2006. She moved here from San Francisco, California to attend FGCU, and
will be graduating with her BA in Communication-Public Relations in the
spring of 2008. She enjoys working with students as a peer advisor and
enjoys helping them throughout their first year of college. Bella loves
to write, and is a columnist for Eagle News and writer for
Coastalbeat.com. She is also a member of the Public Relations Society
of America, and is preparing for graduate school in Public Relations and
Advertising. She is currently engaged to her fiancé Justin Burton, and
the two are to be wed in July of 2008.
With 8
years of experience working in Student Services and Admissions at FGCU,
Sonia Casanova now serves as office manager and point of contact for the
Office of First Year Advising, Eagle View Orientation and Parents’
Office. She provides assistance to Students, Director, Assistant
Director and Coordinators as needed and she has vast experience
supporting FGCU Students, Programs and Events. Her focus on serving and
building lasting relationships with the students and members of the
University Community has afforded her the opportunity to become a very
spirited and rewarded employee. She is dedicated and committed to FGCU
and routinely promotes FGCU to prospective students and families through
her active community involvement.
