2024 - 2025 Cohort Presentations
| Margaret Bowman Capstone Presentation |
Margaret Bowman Margaret Bowman currently serves as the Director of Transfer Services at TSC where she oversees key programs such as ASPIRE and IGNITE. She has over 25 years of experience in Florida's K-20 system, including leadership positions at two large state colleges. Her expertise lies in program development and systems improvement, and she describes her career as being driven by a tenacious pursuit of quality and service excellence. As a higher education administrator, Margaret has held the positions of Senior Director of Academic Programs, Director of Organizational and Employee Success, Director of Curriculum Services, and Director of School Partnerships. Margaret holds a B.S. in English Education and Mass Communications from the University of South Florida, an M.S. in Adult Education from the Florida State University, and doctoral coursework in Leadership. |
||
|
|
Caitlin Bradbury Caitlin, a proud Tallahassee native, is an alumna of Tallahassee State College (TSC) and Florida State University (FSU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. She began her journey at TSC in 2018, working in the library before transitioning to the Communications and Marketing team in 2021. In her current role, Caitlin oversees TSC’s website and leads its digital marketing campaigns, leveraging her creativity and technical expertise. She believes leadership is a skill that should be used for the benefit of others and that a good leader should support the growth and work of their team while offering the guidance and push needed to reach valuable goals. Outside of work, she is an active volunteer at the Tallahassee Museum, contributing to her community in meaningful ways. |
||
|
|
Carla Chukes Carla Chukes currently serves as the Criminal Justice Instructional Coordinator for TSC’s Florida Public Safety Institute. Within this role, she oversees all Basic Recruit Training for Corrections and Correctional Probation Officers. She is a proud alumna of TSC and began her college career at Tallahassee Community College where she dual enrolled during her sophomore year. In 1994, she launched her Law Enforcement career as a Correctional Officer and in April of 2020 retired as a Law Enforcement Investigator with 25 years of service. Following her retirement, she chose to return to the workforce as a Bailiff within the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. In June of 2023, she assumed her current role at FPSI where she is passionate to make a difference in the lives of those she serves. Carla is dual certified in Corrections and Law Enforcement. This past spring, she was recognized in Austin, TX as an Excellence Award Winner at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD). |
||
|
|
Nicolette Constantino Nicolette Costantino currently serves as a professor of English within the Communications and Humanities division at TSC. She teaches both composition and creative writing and has taught within this capacity for over ten years. In addition to her teaching role, she serves as the primary advisor to the award-winning student art and literary magazine, the Eyrie, since 2013. Her own works of personal essays and poetry have been published in Anhinga Press, Apalachee Review, Yoga International, and Elephant Journal. She earned her master’s degree in English from Florida Gulf Coast University and her bachelor’s degree in Writing from the University of Tampa. She hails from Maryland and visits her immediate family there often. She also loves loving on her Tallahassee “pack” – her partner and two dogs – as well as spending time outdoors, practicing yoga, traveling, reading, and writing |
||
|
|
Kayla Dover Kayla Dover is the Student Resource Coordinator at Tallahassee State College (TSC), overseeing case management services, including Talon’s Market, Eagle Relief, and Storm Resources. Kayla joined the TSC community in 2022 as a Student Services Case Manager. Since her time at TSC, she has successfully implemented programs to raise awareness for food insecurity and increased pantry usage by 337%. Additionally, Kayla has had the privilege to speak at the Achieving the Dream 2024 and AFC Region II 2024 conferences along with colleagues about the exciting things happening at TSC regarding student support and success. She is a two-time graduate of Florida State University, earning her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work with a concentration in Social Leadership. Additionally, she holds a Certificate in Leadership in Executive and Administrative Development (LEAD) which she earned while completing her MSW. |
||
|
|
Tiffiany Echoles Tiffiany La’Toya Echoles currently serves as the Police Lieutenant and Accreditation Manager at Tallahassee State College. Prior to this role, she served as the Interim Chief of Police. Tiffiany grew up in the State of Florida, where she graduated from High School and attended college, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She currently attends the Phillips School of Theology (PST) at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), where she is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin), with a concentration in Pastoral Care. Tiffiany has 3 children; Faith, Lorenzo, Jr., and Charity. Tiffiany is the Senior Pastor of the Historic Saint James CME Church in Tallahassee, FL. Her favorite saying is “If I can help somebody along my way, then everything I’ve been through, has not, and will not be in vain.” |
||
|
|
Brendie Hawkins Brendie Hawkins is the Director of Grants and Special Projects with the Tallahassee State College (TSC) Foundation, supporting strategic initiatives across the college. She has more than two decades of experience in state government, both with the State Courts System and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Brendie possesses extensive project management experience with grants, training development, information technology and application administration, non-profit support, and event planning. She managed the successful execution of the annual Florida Missing Children’s Day ceremony at the Florida Capitol for 7 years. She holds an undergraduate degree in English from the University of North Florida and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida. Brendie is a proud wife and mother and enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and fellowshiping with friends. |
||
|
|
David Hoover David Hoover is the Director of the Teaching and Learning Academy at TSC, where he is dedicated to enhancing the professional growth of faculty through a variety of development opportunities. With a strong foundation in education, David started at TSC as an adjunct biology instructor before spending 5 years as a full-time member of the faculty. He holds dual master's degrees in Biological Sciences and Community College Science Teaching, reflecting his deep commitment to both his discipline and the art of teaching. Outside of work, David enjoys exploring new destinations and hiking, particularly in the breathtaking landscapes of national parks. |
||
|
|
Logan Lane Logan Lane has served as the Director of Certificate Programs at Florida Public Safety Institute (FPSI) since his appointment in 2023. Previously, he joined FPSI as an adjunct professor until an opportunity to serve as Law Enforcement Coordinator became available. Logan completed the Lively Law Enforcement academy in 1991 and joined the Tallahassee Police Department as an officer where he served for 26 years. Logan has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and launched several business ventures, most successful, some were not. He has always embraced his experiences as an opportunity to learn and grow. It is through his combined experience in law enforcement, training, and business that has encouraged his innovation and success in his present role. Logan has a beautiful wife, Dana, and three children. He attended FSU College for Business in the late 1990's and earned his bachelor's degree in criminology from Florida State University in 2023. He is looking forward to continuing educational and professional growth. |
||
|
|
Dr. Rebekah Lane Dr. Rebekah M. Lane is a Professor of Mathematics with over 15 years of experience teaching undergraduate mathematics in in-person, hybrid, and online formats. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics and Masters of Education in Mathematics Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), graduating Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Lane then completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education at Florida State University as a McKnight Doctoral Fellow. Throughout her teaching career, Dr. Lane has integrated various technologies into her classroom, including graphing calculators and educational platforms such as EDUCO, My Math Lab, Web Assign, My Open Math, and Lumen Ohm, along with learning management systems like Blackboard and Canvas. Dr. Lane's research has been published in the Journal of the Florida A & M University McNair Program and Adults Learning Mathematics: An International Journal, reflecting her dedication to advancing the field of mathematics education. |
||
|
|
Heather Marie Mitchell Heather Marie Mitchell is a Gadsden County native and a Heather Marie Mitchell is a Gadsden County native and a retired military leader with 22 years of service. After a successful military career, she transitioned into her current role as a Training and Development Manager, bringing her leadership and team development expertise to her home communities in Gadsden and Leon Counties. She is passionate about creating effective training programs that address the evolving needs of today's workforce. Her work has led to notable improvements in team performance and individual career growth within her organization. An active member of professional organizations like the Association for Talent and Development and the Institute of Organizational Development, Heather is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Her approach, which includes comprehensive needs assessments and agile coaching techniques, ensures that teams are equipped to meet their goals and succeed. Heather holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University and is certified as a DISC Facilitator. |
||
|
|
Emily Louise Micik Emily Micik currently serves as the Director of Academic Advising at TSC. With this role, she brings 13 years of experience in academic and career advising, transfer admissions, recruitment, and marketing. She has also taught first-time-in-college students as an adjunct instructor for SLS1510, guiding them in their transition to higher education. Emily is passionate about helping students uncover their "why" and chart a clear path toward achieving |
||
| Jennifer Peavy Capstone Presentation |
Jennifer Peavy Jennifer Peavy currently serves as the Student Financial Operations Officer at Tallahassee State College (TSC), where she oversees the daily operations of the cashier, scholarship, and financial aid offices. She is also responsible for the configuration and management of the Workday system for all student finance functions. A graduate of both TSC and Florida State University with a B.S. in Finance, Jennifer brings over 20 years of accounting experience, with a significant portion of her career spent in public accounting. Her expertise includes configuring, managing, and optimizing software systems to streamline financial processes. In higher education, Jennifer has held key leadership roles, including Assistant Controller at TSC and Chief Financial Officer of the TSC Foundation, with a continued focus on accounting and financial strategy |
||
| Dr. Iris Pendleton Capstone Presentation |
Dr. Iris Pendleton Dr. Iris Pendleton is an Assistant Professor and Lead Faculty of Early Childhood Education at Tallahassee State College. A passionate advocate for domestic violence survivors, Iris actively contributes to the Leon County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Now I Can Wear Pink, and Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence. She recently authored Now I Can Wear Pink, a personal reflection on her advocacy work. In addition to her academic role, Iris is the founder of Camp Summer Garden, a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive educational programs for children with autism. Iris earned A.A. from Tallahassee Community College (2005), followed by a B.S. (2007), M.S. (2010), and Ph.D. (2019) from Florida State University. Outside of work, she enjoys the beach, reading, spending time with family, and performing spoken word poetry. |
||
| John Salter Capstone Presentation |
John Salter John Salter currently serves as a Learning Commons specialist at TSC where he provides mathematics tutoring and assistance to students. In addition to this role, he oversees the Eagles Rise Summer Academy, a program designed to help low-income, first-generation and minority students transition smoothly from high school to college. As a passionate educator, he has over a decade experience in education, including tutoring, teaching, coaching, and assisting students to become successful and identify their life goals. John believes that effective leadership in education is rooted in the empowerment of individuals, fostering an environment where every student feels valued and capable of growth. By nurturing critical thinking, self-confidence, and resilience, he believes that leaders can inspire students to embrace their potential and pursue lifelong learning. John holds an Associate of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science (Secondary Mathematics Education), and a Master's in Business Administration. |