Archer, Florida, United States
My role as Director of Development for the UF Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment (ESSIE) revolves around forging strong external partnerships and engaging our alumni community in philanthropic support. With a background in fundraising, leadership development, and education, I have a proven track record of securing major gift resources to support university programs and research initiatives.
Director of Development for the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment (ESSIE) which includes academic programs and a number of university centers and institutes. Lead efforts to strengthen external partnerships, engage alumni, and secure the resources needed to support ESSIE's mission and vision, to ensure its continued success and growth. Work directly with members of the ESSIE Advisory Board and UF Center for Coastal Solutions Advisory Board to garner philanthropic programmatic support.
Instructor of SPC2608 (Public Speaking) - Develop and deliver lectures on the technical aspects of public speaking and speech development - Facilitate experiential learning exercises for students to develop and hone their skills - Manage online learning platform (Canvas) to supplement in-person instruction and as the primary means of delivery for asynchronous online instruction
Taught leadership development and communications focused undergraduate courses while collaborating with faculty to conduct and publish research related to education, communication, and leadership within an agriculture and natural resource context. Instructor on Record: AEC 3414: Leadership Development (Taught 8 semesters) Teaching Assistant: AEC 3033: Research & Business Writing (Taught 5 semesters) AEC 3410: Fostering Innovation Through Leadership (Taught 7 semesters) AEC 4434: Communication & Leadership in Groups & Teams (Taught 2 semesters) AEC 3073: Intercultural Communication (Taught 1 semester) AEC 3413: Interpersonal Leadership (Taught 1 semester) Invited Guest Lecturer: AEC 4942: Agricultural Education Internship ALS 4950: Challenge 2050: Taking Action AEC 3209: Instructional and Event Planning AEC 4465: Global Leadership FYC 4408: Organizational Leadership for Non-Profits FYC 4410: Fundraising for Community Non-Profit Organizations Designed and conducted research including preliminary literature review, methodology design, data collection, data analysis, data synthesis, and article publication. Also participated in designing and conducting program evaluations, collection and evaluation data, and translating results to applicable recommendations. Facilitated educational workshops as a representative of the university related to communication, conflict resolution, fundraising, and board development to external stakeholder groups such as the Florida Association of Counties. 2021 UF Graduate Student Teaching Award Nominee 2022 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) National Graduate Teaching Award Winner
Responsible for creating and implementing a strategy for identifying, engaging, and developing relationships with external stakeholders in the agricultural and natural resource industry to secure on mid-range and major philanthropic gifts for the purpose of supporting the academic and research goals of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, specifically focused on supporting UF/IFAS Extension and UF/IFAS Florida SeaGrant programs.
Manage the Florida 4-H Club Foundation Board. Facilitate the planning of fundraising events, secure financial resources through annual giving campaigns, individual donor solicitation, grants, and community engagement. Enhance relations with alumnus and friends of the program.