MEET THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER COORDINATORS

John Edwards

John is a Senior Instructional Assistant at the Communications Center. He received his BA and MA degrees from Florida State University. He began his career at Valencia in 1994 as an adjunct instructor in the Humanities Department. He enjoys travel, cooking, and classic movies.

Robyn Smith

Robyn began working at Valencia in February 2006 as a Human Resources Assistant.  In October 2008 she became a Senior Instructional Assistant at the East Campus Communications Center. Robyn has her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is currently completing her master’s degree in exceptional education with a focus on Autistic Spectrum Disorders. When she’s not working, Robyn enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends at the beach. 

MEET THE CONSULTANTS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Jodi Brock

Jodi has received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the University of Central Florida.  She began working as a writing consultant in the communication center in August of 2009.  When not working at Valencia, she enjoys working part-time buying and selling antiques, traveling, studying linguistics and philosophy, and spending time with friends and family. 

Stephen Chambers

Stephen has a Bachelor’s degree in English. He used to teach honors English at Edgewater High School and run the school newspaper. Currently he is playing in a local band called So Help Me Riffle. He plans on returning to school for a Master's degree in Education.

Yogini Dixit-Joshi

Yogini is originally from India. She completed her masters in English Literature in India and is doing her masters in TESOL at the University of Central Florida. She also has a diploma in the Japanese Language. She loves music and spending time with friends. Teaching has always been Yogini's passion. She likes to help people and to interact with them.

Susan Frith

Susan Frith burst into tears when she had to write her first essay on Thanksgiving in elementary school. She quickly recovered from that experience and now loves to write. Since earning her B.A. in English at the University of Virginia, she has worked as a news reporter, an editor, and a freelance writer. She enjoys writing short fiction, watching international films, and playing with her two young children.

Tori Grajeda

Tori Grajeda received her Master's degree in the Literature concentration of the Department of English, University of Central Florida in May 2008. Her primary focus of study centered around feminist and postmodern theories, film studies, and English composition, and her master's thesis was entitled Beyond Postmodern Margins: Theorizing Postfeminist Consequences through Popular Female Representation. Tori has taught Composition I and II courses at the University of Central Florida and has worked with college students as a writing counselor for 10 years.

Tricia Johnston

Tricia earned a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida in 2009. She is obsessed with storytelling in all formats, music, traveling, science, and kickball. Having toured Orange County as a part-time substitute teacher since the spring of 2009, she has learned patience and a deep appreciation for one-on-one tutoring.

Caroline Le

Jasmine Nokaly

Jasmine Nokaly has served as a writing consultant at Valencia Community College since January 2008.  In the past, Jasmine has worked as an English and math continuing education instructor at HOSTOS Community College in New York.  Jasmine received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the City University of New York.  She graduated from Rollins College in 2009 with a Masters degree in Higher Educational Leadership, Community College Teaching Track, with a specialization in English. In addition, Jasmine holds graduate teaching certifications in Professional Writing, Community College Education, and Graduate Teaching. 

Glenda Ramsey

Glenda was born in Kansas City, MO, and then moved to Texas. There she graduated from high school, married, then spent several years moving around and bringing up five children. She lived in Europe for two years as well. Glenda has an A.A. from Brevard Community College and a B.A. from the University of Texas in El Paso.

Aryna Ryan

Aryna Ryan has been "going green" (her favorite color) for ages. She got so intrigued with creativity and expanding others' horizons that she got her M.S. in Creativity and Change Leadership. Passionate about teaching, she leads classes in goal-setting, creativity, happiness, and currently, new views on Darwin. She also facilitates Creative Problem Solving sessions.

Kevin Scott

Kevin is currently a graduate student at UCF persuing a degree in TESOL. Kevin loves traveling and has been to seven countries ranging from areas such as the Middle East and Africa, to the Carribean. Kevin can speak and read some Arabic. He loves to teach English to young adults. He plays basketball, piano, Tabla (aka Dumbek) and guitar. He believes showing kindness, joy, and love to all people is the best way to live.

Heather Smith

Heather has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Central Florida and is pursuing a master’s degree in English Education. She loves tutoring and helping others learn. In her free time, Heather likes swimming, book reading, and bike-riding, and she loves to visit the beach. She recently recommends reading a spicy political romance titled In the Flicker of an Eyelid Jacques Alexis.

Neely Shingledecker

Neely is a part time Instructional Assistant and teaches Prep English here at Valencia. She has a bachelors degree from Western Michigan University. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dog and watching the History Channel.

Chia Whitehouse

Chia teaches communication, speech, and Asian humanities. She also works as a Senior Instructional Assistant here at Valencia Community College. Her Masters is in Communication and Informational Studies from Rutgers University. She also did her post-graduate program at the Hopkins Nanjing Center for Chinese-American Studies. Chia is a native speaker of both Chinese and English.