Women's Studies Center College of Arts and Sciences CAS
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Accomplishments of Women’s Studies Alumni, 2007-2008
Graduate Certificate Alumni
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Cruz, Serena (WS Graduate Certificate, 2007) – Currently a doctoral student in International Relations and Geography at FIU and recently completed her Ph.D. comprehensive examinations. Traveled throughout Southern Africa in Summer 2008, specifically in Zambia and Botswana, where she conducted preliminary field research, volunteered for Planned Parenthood of Zambia, and provided technical support for the United Nations International Office of Migration. Attended the 20th International AIDS conference in Mexico City. Accepted a nomination to sit on the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health Institutional Review Board. Continues to serve as a member of the Cultural Diversity Steering Committee for the National Board of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Co-Founded the Florida Reproductive Justice Alliance in partnership with the Women's Fund of Miami Dade County, MI-LOLA, and the South Florida Women's Health Center. Received the National Council of Women's Organizations, Younger Women's Task Force, Alexis Knox Fellowship. |
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Navarro, Christi (WS Graduate Certificate, 2008) – She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health (Health Promotion and Disease Prevention track) at FIU. Her research interests lie in areas of women’s health behavior, maternal and infant health, and their relation to access, equity, and quality of care of health services across minority populations in South Florida and the Caribbean. Christi is a recent recipient of the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship and is currently a working as a graduate assistant in the Women’s Studies Center at FIU. |
BA Alumni
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Boyd, Shyla (WS 2004) – She is currently a full-time PhD student at California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA, studying Women's Spirituality with a concentration in Women's Wisdom/Body Healing.
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Fuller, Julie (WS/English 2005) – Currently an English teacher for Broward County Schools while pursuing an MS in Information Science at Florida State University. She plans to work as a librarian for several years before completing a Ph.D in Women’s Studies and becoming a professor.
Garzon, Gabriela (WS/International Relations 2006) – Trained as an Image Consultant, and Etiquette and Protocol Consultant and then opened her own company, G.G. Image & Etiquette Consulting, Inc. She offers some of her services pro bono to low-income women entering the work force.
Kinchen, Raynel (WS/English 2007) – A substitute teacher for the Broward County Public Schools. She is exploring ways to become a part of a local activist group.
Lalama, Christina (WS/Psychology 1999) – A therapist for Family Counseling Services of Greater Miami. Through FCS/The Journey Institute, she also works for W.I.N.G.S. (Women in Need of Greater Strength) for Life, South Florida providing group therapy and counseling to pregnant teens on relationship safety and violence prevention.
Lee, Sze (WS/Political Science 2007) – Executive Assistant at Kristi House, Inc., a children’s advocacy center in Miami. She was appointed to the Commission for Women by Commissioner Jose Diaz in 2008 and plans to begin law school in the Fall of 2009.
Martinez, Rita (WS/English 1996) – Rita received an MFA in Creative writing in 2003 and now works as a Writing Consultant for Academic Services at the Kendall campus of Nova Southeastern University. Her book Jane-in-the-Box, a collection of poetry based on Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, has been accepted for publication by March Street Press and is due out later this year. She has also published poetry in the magazine MiPOesias, read at Books and Books in Coral Gables and at the Miami Book Fair International, and recently started a private tutoring business.
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Milian, Frances (WS 2007) – Currently working at Assurant as an Insurance Specialist II.
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Millheiser, Maria (WS 2006) – Self-employed. May return to pursue a Master’s degree in the near future. In the meantime is enjoying traveling and playing with her grandchildren.
Moghimi-Kian, Ida (WS 2004) – Graduated from FIU College of Law in May 2008 and sat for the Bar Examination in July. While in law school, she was a member of the FIU Board of Advocates and the FIU Trial Team. Placed 1st for Best Brief and 3rd for Best Oralist in the 2007-2008 Susan J. Ferrell Intercultural Human Rights Moot Court Competition at St. Thomas University. Is currently looking for employment with an attorney in South Florida.
Morris, Ian (WS/History 2004) – Pursuing a Master’s in History at Florida Gulf Coast University and researching a thesis on women involved in the Manhattan Project. He has given a number of lectures at FGCU and published an article titled “Rush to Judgment” at ezinearticles.com. He was married last year to a woman “who recognizes me as her equal partner.”
Pekel, Bryan (WS/History 2004) – Currently pursuing a Ph.D in history at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Reyes, Vanessa (WS/Journalism) – A freelance journalist who has published in the major south Florida newspapers Miami Herald, Sunpost, and Sun-Sentinel. She is currently engaged and living in New Jersey while looking for additional freelance opportunities.
Rodriguez, Michelle (WS/English 2007) – Works for the City of Miami as a Special Aid.
Sowers, Milagros (WS/English 2002) – Serving as Language Arts Department Chair for East Lee High School in Lehigh Acres, FL. She has also been recently appointed to the Community Council of Lehigh Acres as a representative for education. She received the Rookie Teacher of the Year Award in 2004 and was nominated for the Golden Apple award in 2005 and 2007. She plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in School Counseling in the near future.
Talavera, Kristen (WS/Psychology 2005) – Currently working in Miami as a research Specialist for the University of Delaware Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies. She will begin the Master’s of Public Health program at FIU in the fall of 2008.
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Valenzuela, Chonti (WS/International Relations/Asian Studies 2006) – Executive Assistant at The George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science. Expecting to complete her MA in Women's Studies with a concentration in International Affairs in Spring 2009. Passed her comprehensive examination with Honors. |
Undergraduate Certificate Alumni
Alonso, Raquel (WS Certificate 2006) – Has completed her first year as a graduate teaching assistant and MA student at Florida Atlantic University. She traveled during the summer term to complete research on a thesis topic related to US-Latina women.
Brannon, Taquesha (WS Certificate 2006) – Has been accepted into five different graduate schools and will begin a master’s program at UCLA in the Fall of 2008. After completing the master’s degree in Afro-American Studies with a specialization in Sociology, she plans to continue into a Ph.D program and study female representation in popular media. She hopes to eventually create her own “magazine that showcases positive images of women” and to write books. Awarded the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, which covers tuition, stipend, and fees at UCLA. The amount of the award is $37,175.50.
Duarte, Ivette (WS Certificate 2004) – Assistant Director for Internships and FIU and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in religious studies.
Gonzalez, Cristina (WS Certificate 2007) – Recently became a certified teacher and hopes to return school to complete a Master’s in psychology in the near future.
Green, Nicholas (WS Certificate 2004) – Worked for one and a half years at KILDEN – Information Center for Gender Research in Norway. He is applying to the Master’s program in Political Science at the University of Norway.
Hayez, Monique (WS Certificate 2000) – Has worked as a dispatcher for the Coral Gables Police Department for eight years. She plans to begin nursing school in 2008.
Llaguno-Feria, Evita (WS Certificate 2003) – Staff Attorney for Dade County Legal Aid Society representing low-income clients in paternity, divorce, custody, and abuse cases. She notes that more than half of these clients are women who have “finally gotten the courage to take legal action.”
Lopez, Anisley (WS Certificate 2006) – Import Specialist for Customs and Border Protection. She is awaiting promotion to a new position within the Department of Homeland Security and plans to continue a career in the federal government.
Macri, Melissa K. (WS Certificate 2006) – Earned a Master’s of Social Work in 2007 and currently working to become a licensed clinical social worker. She is employed as an intake coordinator at Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, FL.
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Martinez, Maria (WS Certificate 1997) – Has worked as a counselor for Miami-Dade Public Schools since 2000 and received a Ph.D in psychology with a specialization in counseling and adolescent studies in April 2008. Plans to open a private practice in 2009. She has also recently taught as an adjunct at Miami-Dade College and FIU and would like to continue doing so. |
Meyer, Laura (WS Certificate 2006) – A graduate student in marital and family therapy at Barry University. Since graduation, she has had a daughter and presently owns the professional life coaching business, Divorce Recovery Coaching Unlimited, LLC.
Parker, Caroline (Women's Studies Certificate 2004) - Curator of Education at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at FIU. Collaborated with many university departments, including the Women's Studies Center, in an effort to provide art education through interdisciplinary approaches to art. These collaborations included lectures by art critic and scholar Eleanor Heartney, controversial feminist author Camille Paglia, artist/architect Maya Lin and performance artist Marina Abramovic. Admitted at Boston University to pursue a graduate degree in Arts Administration. She hopes to continue to incorporate feminism and the visual arts into her programming initiatives.
Pellini, Kimberly (WS Certificate 2001) – Assistant District Attorney in Northeastern North Carolina. Hopes to eventually become an Assistant United States Attorney.
St. Clair, Michael (WS Certificate 2006) – Currently self-employed. He plans to study constitutional law and hopes to join the FIU law school in the Fall of 2009.
Stone, Alissa (WS Certificate 2003) – A full-time instructor of English Composition at Keiser University. She also works as an adjunct at Miami-Dade College and as a tutor. She plans to seek publication of her first book of poems and to apply to doctoral programs in Comparative Literature.
Townsend, Melissa A. (WS Certificate 2006) – A substitute teacher for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Plans to continue as an educator and writer locally.
FIU WS Alums,
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