Andrea Arce-Trigatti Capstone Presentation

Andrea Arce-Trigatti 
Director of Institutional Assessment and Accreditation 

Dr. Andrea Arce-Trigatti currently serves as the Director of Institutional Assessment and Accreditation at Tallahassee State College in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. In this role, she supports student success strategies related to faculty teaching and student learning processes by using data to help assess and direct TSC’s progress toward initiatives aligned with the College's Strategic Plan. She holds a Ph.D. in Education with a Learning Environments and Educational Studies concentration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her efforts as an interdisciplinary scholar and educational evaluator feature research that centers on innovative assessment strategies, advancements in critical and creative thinking, and collaborative learning environments.

Amy Bentley Capstone Presentation

Amy Bentley
Program Chair of Business, Economics, and Sports Management /
Accounting Professor

Amy Bentley is the Program Chair for Business, Economics and Sports Management, and serves as professor of accounting. She started at TSC as an adjunct over 20 years ago and is entering her 15th year as a full-time faculty member. Amy obtained her Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Science degrees at Florida State University. It was there that she fell in love with teaching while completing her graduate assistantship. Her career began in public accounting while working as an auditor while at the same time serving as an adjunct professor at TSC and FSU in the evenings. She went on to serve as the Controller at Consulting Solutions International, and then became owner of a successful tax preparation and consulting business. Amy continually felt called to the classroom, so when offered a full-time faculty position at TSC, she left professional accounting to focus on preparing students for the business world. She is a 2019 NISOD Excellence Award winner and was named the TSC Nominee for the Association of Community College Trustees Faculty Leadership Award in 2018.

Amanda Clements Capstone Presentation

Amanda Clements
Director of Strategic Communications 

Amanda Clements, native Tallahasseean and graduate of Florida State University, joined
the Office of Communications and Marketing in 2021. As Director of Strategic Communications, she is responsible for College-wide communications, media relations, and community relations. Her career has included positions at Cumulus Broadcasting, VISIT FLORIDA, United Way of the Big Bend, and Coton Colors. She is a graduate of Leadership
Tallahassee, a past president of the Junior League of Tallahassee, and currently serves on
the board of the Council on Culture and Arts. Amanda has a special place in her heart for
TSC, as her parents met here.

Tamares Cockfield Capstone Presentation

Tamares Cockfield
Career and Academic Advisor

Tamares Cockfield is described as a motivator, educator, leader, counselor, and mentor. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Tamares is the proud recipient of an undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of North Florida and a Master’s degree in Counseling Education from Florida A&M University. Today, Tamares serves the student population as a Career and Academic Advisor at Tallahassee State College. With
significant commitment to first-generation college students (especially those from historically low socio-economic backgrounds) and those in pursuit of their dreams (regardless of societal caste), Tamares finds his purpose in helping students actualize their dreams and desires. Tamares is committed to making an impact in the systems, frameworks, and organizations that are commissioned to serve students advocating at the local, state, and federal levels for continued improvement. Tamares believes in catalyzing success through mentorship and success coaching; understanding that this is fundamental to “whole” student/professional development and self-actualization.

Eileen Durant Capstone Presentation

Eileen Durant
Professor and Chair, Respiratory Care

Eileen Genell Durant is the Program Chair/Professor in the Respiratory Care Program at Tallahassee State College. She graduated with her Bachelor's in Cardiopulmonary Science from Florida A&M University and earned her Masters in Instructional Design from Florida State University. After graduation, Eileen launched her career in the field of Respiratory Care. She has over 20 years experience working in every facet of this profession, including bedside care, transport, management and education. As a professor, she began her journey teaching as an adjunct at her alma mater, and then transitioned as an adjunct at TSC which became full time in Fall of 2009. She is the current chair of Respiratory Care and has held this role since 2012. She has made some innovative changes in the program to keep it relevant. 

Dustin Frost Capstone Presentation

Dustin Frost
Director of Procurement and Auxiliary Services

Dustin Frost currently serves as the Director of Procurement and Auxiliary Services at TSC. In this role, he oversees the College’s Purchasing Department, Conference and Events Department, Shipping and Receiving Department, the TSC Center for Innovation,
and the Auxiliary Services Department which includes Food Services, Vending Services, the Bookstore, and Leasing. Prior to moving to Tallahassee and joining the College in July
of 2013, Dustin worked in the marketing department at the Denver Broncos for 8 years.
When not at work, Dustin enjoys playing golf, participating in CrossFit competitions and most importantly, spending time with family and friends. Dustin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration & Physical Education from Tabor College where he played division II basketball.

Christen Givens Capstone Presentation

Christen Givens
Dean of Enrollment Services

Christen Givens currently serves as the Dean of Enrollment Services at Tallahassee State College. After graduating from Troy University with a Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology, Christen began working within the field of higher education. She has worked in Workforce Development and Student Affairs for the past 17 years. In her current role, she leads the Admissions and Records team, as well as the Enrollment Call Center to increase new student enrollment, redesign the student experience, and oversee degrees for students. She currently serves on the Strategic Enrollment Management Team, the ASPIRE Capital Region Advisory Committee, and leads the campus-wide recruiting team. Christen is the recipient of the 2019 TSC Eagle Award and 2022 NISOD Excellence Award.  

Alexis Howard Capstone Presentation

Alexis Howard
Project Specialist, Wakulla Environmental Institute 

Alexis Howard is the Project Specialist at the Wakulla Environmental Institute (WEI). Alexis
has been with WEI since 2018, starting as a Program Assistant and eventually earning the
Project Specialist title as the lead role in coordinating the Urban Farming and Entrepreneurship Training program. In this course, students learn how to start and operate a small-farm business. As the Project Specialist, Alexis has helped design, develop and currently manages the 1-acre small-plot farm at WEI that is in a continuous state of evolving. Additionally, Alexis instructs WEI’s Flight Operations class through WEI’s Unmanned Ground Flight School which trains students in unmanned aerial vehicles. Aside from class instruction and farm management, Alexis aids in the daily operations at WEI including student recruitment, budgeting, and admin assistance. Alexis holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science degree from Florida State University (FSU) and will be graduating with their Master’s in Geographic Information Science (MSGIS) in the fall of 2022 from FSU. 

Jessica Jones Capstone Presentation

Jessica Jones
Assistant Professor, Computer Technology

Jessica Jones currently serves as a Computer Technology Assistant Professor at Tallahassee State College. Before transitioning to teaching, Jessica worked as a Production and
Software Quality Engineer in the manufacturing arena in both aeronautics and defense contracting. Originally from Mobile, AL, she moved to Tallahassee, FL to attend Florida A&M
University, where she obtained dual Bachelor’s degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering. She later obtained her Master’s degree in Information Science from the University of Phoenix. She has held different positions while at TSC, with the prior being the A.S. Advising Specialist, before moving to a full-time faculty position. In her prior role, she headed the Digital Rail project which focused on introducing and recruiting K-12 and continuing education students to A.S. programs. Her mission is to break down learning barriers that may keep students from diverse backgrounds from understanding various sides of technology. 

Michael Papgikos Capstone Presentation

Michael Papgikos
Employee Relations Manager 

Mike Papgikos currently serves as the Employee Relations Manager with the Office of Human Resources. He is the oldest of four brothers, all of whom attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. After completing his degree in Political Science and Business, Mike
began his career in the Office of former Florida Governor Rick Scott, before spending seven
years at The Florida Lottery. In 2019, Mike transitioned to begin work at Tallahassee State College as the Employee Relations Manager, and has held that role ever since. In
addition to his passion for his profession and serving others, Mike is a sports and fitness enthusiast. Mike played lacrosse during his collegiate career at Florida State University, and
also played for the Greek National Team in 2016. Although appreciative of his personal accomplishments, he finds the most joy when helping others reach their potential. 

Kris Reeves Capstone Presentation

Kristopher M. Reeves
Technology Consultant Manager

Kristopher Reeves currently serves as the Technology Consultant Manager within the
Information Technology division. As a native of the area, Kris grew up in Bristol, Florida where he graduated from Liberty County High School with high honors. He is a proud alumni of TSC
and started working on campus as a student in the multimedia labs under Al Spradley. Following the conversion of the old TSC library into the Academic Computing Center, he transferred to the computer labs, as a lab assistant under Francis Spurlin. In 1998, Kris graduated from TSC earning his Associate in Arts degree. Not long after, he accepted an OPS technician position within the Information Technology Department while enrolled in Florida State University's School of Library Science’s Information Studies program. In August of 1999, Kris accepted the opportunity to serve full-time at TSC serving within the same division as a Distributed Computer Systems Technician under Donnie Thompson. He is a longstanding and valued employee of the College and has garnered 23 years of service within the Information Technology Department.

Melissa Scalzi Capstone Presentation

Melissa Scalzi
Professor of Leadership, College Success, and Career Planning 

Melissa Scalzi currently serves as Professor of Leadership, College Success and Career Planning within the Division of Social Sciences at TSC and has held this role since 2015. Prior, she worked as the Learning Commons Communications Specialist, the Distance Learning Student Services Coordinator, the Assistant to the Director of the Learning Commons, as adjunct professor in Transitional Studies, as well as the Assistant Costume Designer for Theatre TSC!. In addition to her existing teaching role at TSC, she also instructs Elementary French I and II, coordinates TSC’s global education programs, and co-chairs the Women’s History Month committee. Melissa earned her B.A. in French and English from Florida State University before returning to FSU to earn her M.A. in French Literature and Literary Theory. After graduating with her master’s degree, she spent a year in Nancy, France where she taught English to French students studying to become teachers. 

Steven Solomon Capstone Presentation

Steven Solomon
Director of Grants and Special Projects 

Steven Solomon currently serves as the Director of Grants and Special Projects for Tallahassee State College, where he oversees all grant writing and procurement activities for the college. He has submitted and received numerous grants from local, state, and national foundations, businesses, and governmental entities. Steven has been writing grants for well over 20 years, and has been awarded over $60 million dollars in grants over his career. In a previous position as the Executive Director of the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation, and the External Affairs Administrator for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FDJJ) he was responsible for grant coordination and management of private technical assistance grants for the Foundation. Prior, he was the Federal Grants Manager/Juvenile Justice Specialist at FDJJ, and served as the project manager where he oversaw $15 million dollars of federal funds for Florida. This included budgeting, reporting, distribution of funds, and statewide oversight for all subgrantees in Florida. He has worked closely with the legislature and Governor’s Office on juvenile justice issues and initiated projects related to the expansion of services for the Office of Prevention and Victim Services.

Vijay Subramanian Capstone Presentation

Vijay Subramanian
Associate Professor, Mathematics 

Vijay Subramanian has been with TSC for the past 12 years and currently serves as an Associate Professor of Mathematics. He is a Math Champion mentor, while also working on a committee to bridge the issue of equity gaps. He has served as the Director of the Honors program at TSC, 2018-19 during which time he was the representative of two-year institutions at the Florida Collegiate Honors Council. He received the TSC Online Catalyst Award for excellence in course design for successfully implementing the first precalculus online class in 2015. His other accolades include winning the 2016 NISOD award for teaching excellence, RISE award for Student Success in 2019, and an Equity Team Award in 2022. Recently, he has completed ACUE’s micro-credential in creating an inclusive and supportive online learning environment. His received his undergraduate degree in Engineering field from Bangalore, India and completed his Master's in Mathematics at FSU. He strives to empower students to build expertise and confidence in mathematics in order for them to achieve their dreams.