Tag: Alumni

Samantha Corrington, M.S., 2006 graduate of the master’s program in the Department of Family Therapy (DFT), in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria in Victoria, BC, Canada. Corrington recently visited DFT and spent time with students and faculty sharing her career path and professional experiences.

Corrington worked for United Way in South Florida prior to her relocation to Canada. She worked for almost a decade with the Penelakut First Nation before joining the faculty at the University of Victoria. She has published and presented widely and was able to address issues such as licensure in both the US and Canada, her clinical work, faculty experiences, and narrative therapy. DFT students enjoyed her perspectives and engagement.

Chantal Leconte, M.B.A. (’93), is the former chief executive officer at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, a Memorial Healthcare System pediatric facility in Hollywood, Florida. She has more than 40 years of experience in the field, including having served as a nursing manager, giving her a unique perspective as an administrator and practitioner.

Leconte has previously worked as CEO at Memorial Hospital Pembroke; administrator of Wuesthoff Medical Center-Rockledge in Melbourne, Florida; and chief operating officer of Coral Springs Medical Center in Coral Springs, Florida. She also worked for 17 years at Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Weston Florida.

Currently serving as the immediate past-chair of the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association Board of Directors, Leconte is a graduate of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class VI and the Leadership Broward Foundation Class XIX. She has volunteered her time with the Women’s Healthcare Executive Network-South Florida, the American Heart Association, the Weston Business Chamber of Commerce-Women Council, the Rockledge Rotary Club, and the City of Rockledge Advisory Board in Central Florida.

Leconte earned her M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Florida Atlantic University and a nursing degree from Queensboro Community College in Bayside, New York.

Cara Lougheed, M.A.

Cara Lougheed, M.A., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ), has been named the 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year by the Michigan State Department of Education and appointed by Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, to the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council.

She has taught English language arts and history for 21 years in Rochester Community Schools, beginning at Rochester High School in 1998. Over the years, Cara has been a social studies teacher leader, a building activities director, union building representative, and a national delegate representing Rochester at the NEA Representative Assembly each summer. She has worked collaboratively with colleagues and administrators over the years to create and write curriculum and to design an attendance incentive program for students.

Additionally, Cara is an advisory member of Oakland University’s (Rochester, Michigan) Vision 20/20 committee, which seeks the input of classroom teachers in making clearer connections and building relationships between the pre-k-12 and university communities. Currently, she is a student intern and mentor liaison to Oakland University and works in partnership with TeachingWorks and the Michigan Program Network (MiPN) to advance and improve teacher education in Michigan. This collaboration has led to the adoption by the Michigan Department of Education of “Core Teaching Practices” for teacher prep programs in Michigan.

Cara earned her M.A. in Teaching and Learning in 2001 with the FCE&SCJ.

Jamie Monty is the new (and a former) manager of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area (Coral ECA). She serves as chair of the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Team.

Jamie completed her master’s degree at Nova Southeastern University in coral reef restoration, using corals of opportunity, coral nurseries, and integrated stakeholder involvement. She started with DEP in 2005, assisting with the management of four aquatic preserves and revising the North Fork St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve Management Plan. She joined CRCP in 2008 as the Fishing, Diving, and Other Uses coordinator, was promoted to assistant manager, and served as manager from 2012-2015. She was the lead developer of the Our Florida Reefs Community Planning Process.

Since her time with DEP’s CRCP, Jamie went on to serve as the section chief for Miami Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) Restoration and Enhancement Section, where she oversaw the coral and artificial reef, beach renourishment, seagrass, water quality and coastal restoration programs. While at DERM, she served as a SEFCRI team member in a local government seat, and as vice chair of that stakeholder group. Most recently, Jamie worked as a senior project manager for the environmental consulting firm Coastal Systems International, where she led coral mitigation, coral disease and coastal resilience projects for government agency clients.

In addition to Jamie’s education, experience and dedication to the goals of DEP’s CRCP and SEFCRI programs, her genuine and warm nature when interacting with CRCP staff, SEFCRI Team/Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)/Vice Chairs, and the public make her an asset. The broader experience she brings to CRCP will surely assist both CRCP and SEFCRI in achieving their goals. Jamie is excited to be back at the helm and to have the opportunity to continue working with Coral ECA stakeholders to balance the use and protection of Southeast Florida’s coral reef resources.

Dwight Hollier, M.S. (’00), is the senior associate athletic director for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He is a national board certified and licensed professional counselor with extensive experience working with adolescents, families, and adults.

Hollier played professional football for nine years, including seven years with the Miami Dolphins, where he was a fourth-round draft pick and played linebacker for hall of fame coach Don Shula.

Prior to his current job with UNC, Hollier served as the vice president of wellness and clinical services at the National Football League (NFL). He helped current and former NFL players by increasing their awareness and participation in mental health and wellness resources and by reducing the stigma of seeking help. Working in the player-engagement department, his responsibilities included overseeing the total wellness platform and managing the education and professional development curriculum.

In 2000, Hollier earned an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling at NSU’s College of Psychology, completing his practicum at NSU’s Family Violence Program while still an active NFL player. He was one of several NFL players who participated in the NO MORE campaign and television commercial to stop domestic and sexual violence.

Holier earned his B.A in Psychology and Speech Communications at the University of North Carolina in 1991.

Josh Martin, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ), recently published the book, Turning a School Around: Key Considerations for Real Success. The book discusses the key roles that principals play in school turnaround efforts.

Dr. Martin has been a Texas educator for 17 years. During that time he has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and Special Programs director. He currently works as the Chief Academic Officer at Farmersville Independent School District, in Farmersville, Texas. In each of these roles, he has been driven to work towards finding and cultivating the best within his students by mentoring teachers and campus administrators to provide the best learning environments possible.

He earned his doctorate of education in 2011 with FCE&SCJ. To learn more about the book or to purchase, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Turning+a+school+around%3A+Key+considerations+for+real+success&ref=nb_sb_noss

Stephani Womack, M.S., 2014 graduate of the master’s program in College Student Affairs in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), is the Director of Believe Greater Dalton Educational Partnerships, in Dalton, GA. In this position, Womack builds bridges across the school systems and strengthens partnerships with higher education. This provides students with opportunities for success at every step along their educational journey. Believe Greater Dalton is a five-year strategic plan focusing on strategies to improve the community.

Prior to this appointment, Womack held several positions at Dalton State College, including Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development, Assistant Director of Orientation, and Coordinator of Orientation and Leadership. In addition to her master’s degree from NSU, Womack earned a B.S. from Michigan State University.