The Lastinger Center team leverages extensive educational experience, research, and policy expertise to lead the design, production and delivery of strategic educational initiatives across the nation.
Director  |   Executive Leadership   |   Management Team   |  Associates   |   Affiliate Faculty
Awards: Director’s Achievement & Great Gator
Join our team!
We’re always seeking talented professionals to work with us.
Director
Phil Poekert, Ph.D.
Center Director
Executive Leadership
Tyran W. Butler, Ph.D.
Director & Research Scientist
Literacy & Early Learning
Cathy Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
Assistant Center Director
Zandra de Araujo, Ph.D.
Director & Research Scientist
Mathematics
Shaunté Duggins, Ph.D.
Director of State Initiatives
Julie Henderson
Interim Associate Director
Communications, Marketing, Creative
Leland Hill, M.I.B.
Associate Director
Business Operations
Ginno Kelley, Ed.D.
Interim Associate Director
Product Operations
Lisa Sutter
Interim Associate Director
Organizational Excellence
Management Team
Pam Alfaro. M. Ed.
Manager
Literacy Implementation
Mary Bratsch-Hines, Ph.D.
Senior Manager
Research and Evaluation
Maya Brown
Manager, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Pamela Chalfant, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Academics
José De León Alejandro, Ph.D.
Manager
Mathematics Content & Implementtion
Erika Fritz-Ochs, M.Ed.
Manager, Engagement
New Worlds Reading InitiativeÂ
Luiz Franco Giovanini, Ph.D.
Manager, Data & Reporting
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Angie Gomez, M.Ed.
Manager
Learning Experience Design
Brittany Gonzalez, MBA
Manager
Administrative Services
John-Michael Gonzales, MPH
Manager
External Affairs and CommunicationsÂ
Robin Gregory, MSM
Interim Assistant Director
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Mary Beth Head
Manager
Projects
John Houder
Manager
Interaction & Graphic Design
Bryn Humphrey, M.B.A.
Senior Manager
Product Development and Marketing
Nadeige King
Senior Manager
Finance
Jordan Koziol
Manager
Communications
Bryan Lutz
Senior Manager
Technology
Y. Michelle McGriff, MBA
Manager, Regional Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Tim Mosunich, M.Ed.
Manager
Learner Support & Advising
Joe Nicholson, MA
Senior Manager
Special Projects
Susan Phan
Manager
Vendors & Contracts
Alex Prinstein, M.Ed.
Senior Manager
Product Development
Kyra Purvis, Ed.S.
Manager, Literacy Content
New Worlds ReadingÂ
Shana Rafalski, Ed.D.
Assistant Director
Florida Tutoring Advantage
Jessica Richards, M.Ed.
Manager
Language & Literacy Partnerships
Jesse Steif
Manager
Literacy Implementation
Spencer Still
Manager
AV Production
Tiffany Taylor-Jones, M.Ed.
Manager, Content & Implementation
Early Learning
Ron Viafore, Ed.S.
Manager
Network Support
Amanda Wilson, MA
Manager
Literacy Content
Mallori Wojcik
Manager, Learning Services
Associates
Sasha Abreu
Specialist
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Kristen Alves
Specialist
Implementation Support
Brandon Amirin
Specialist
Learning Support
Eva Andrade
Specialist, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Rachael Aming-Attai, Ph.D.
Specialist
Math Content and Implementation
Whitney Augustine
Specialist
Literacy Implementation
Taylor Bainter, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Mathematics Content
Marissa Balbuena, MS
Senior Specialist
Graphic Design
Julianna Banks, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Research & Program Evaluation
Mary Beth Yokomi
Product Coordinator
Enrollment Management
Leah Benn, MS
Senior Specialist, Operations
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Amanda Bloyen
Specialist
Events
Melissa Brown
Coordinator
Product Development
Priscilla Brown
Specialist
Literacy Support
Shaneh Brown
Coordinator
Finance in State Appropriations
David Bryant
Development Director
New Worlds Reading InitiativeÂ
Kenneth Buchanan, M.Ed.
Coordinator
Early Learning Partnerships
Juliana Bunn, MSM
Senior Coordinator
Data Analysis
Adrienne Campbell
Coordinator, Operations
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Sarah Carmichael
Specialist
Animation
Jennifer Cao, MS
OPS
Learning Services
Rachel Chastain-Gross
Senior Specialist
Early Learning Content Development
James CiChewicz
Specialist
Finance Data Management
Anna Clark
Senior Coordinator
Graphic Design
Cheryl Cook
Senior Specialist
Financial Services
Ashlyn Comiskey
Specialist
Web Development
Rosa Cortez
Senior Specialist
Motion Graphics
Stephanie Cugini, M.Ed.
Director
Development
Jameson Cunningham
Specialist
Early Learning Project Planning
Jeanine Davis, M.Div
Specialist, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Nasseeka S. Denis
Coordinator, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Lee Delaino, PhD
Manager
Tutoring Operations
Kayla Deschamps, CMP
Specialist, Operations
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Dulcy Dillinger
Specialist
Learning Services
Evan Dolsak
Specialist
Video Content
Ana Lantigua Pascual, M.Ed.
Specialist
Implementation Support
Brittany Duquaine
Specialist
Literacy Implementation
Christine Ellis, M. Ed.
Specialist
Learning Services
Chris Engledowl, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Mathematics Research
Diane Evans, MS
Specialist
Human Resources
Ronnie Evans
Senior Coordinator
Financial Services & Stipends Processing
Kendra Fields
Specialist
Literacy Content
Kara Fedd
Specialist
Human Resources
Megan Fields
Coordinator
Communications
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Christina Flake, M. Ed.
Coordinator
Literacy Implementation
Fernando Franco Crespo
Senior Specialist
Help Desk
Deza Free
Specialist
Learning Services
Dayna Galganski, M.A.
Coordinator
eLearning Design
Maggie Gardner, Ed.D.
Senior Coordinator
Coaching
Hannah Goble
Senior Coordinator
Early Learning Product Development
Rebecca Gonzales
Specialist
Advanced Literacy Support
Lucianna Grasso, MS
Senior Coordinator
Learning Services
Fatima Greene
Specialist
Helpdesk Support
Jamie Greenspan
Senior Coordinator
Graphic Design
Matthew Griffin
Senior CoordinatorÂ
Processing
Estelle Gyimah
Specialist
Success EnablementÂ
Deborah Habora
Specialist
Processing
Shanita Hairston
Coordinator, Regional Partners Program
New Worlds Reading Initiative
James Hamlin
Specialist
Studio & Editor
Lindsey Harker, M. Ed.
Senior Specialist
Literacy Course Implementation
Jamie Harmon
Specialist, Course Implementation Support
Early Learning
Preksha Jagtap
Coordinator
Workflow Application Development
Michele James
Specialist
Vendor
Rosie John-Baptiste
Specialist, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Amanda Kelecy
Specialist
Office Management
Alexander Kirkpatrick
Specialist
Editing
Janette Labrador, M.A.
Specialist
Instructional Design
Liza Leonard, MSW, LCSW
Coordinator, Community of Practice & Coaching Implementation
Early Learning
Gabriel Lipartito, MS
Coordinator
Database & Systems
Savina Lipartito, M.Ed
Specialist
Literacy ContentÂ
Theresa Loch, M.Ed.
Specialist
Implementation Support
Angelica Long-Diaz, MS
Specialist
English Language Learner Content
Erica Lopez
Coordinator
Human Resources
Zach Lukasik
Specialist
Studio
Nemir Matos-Cintron, Ed.D.
Coordinator
Instructional Design
Elizabeth McConney
Specialist, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading InitiativeÂ
Danielle McMaster
Coordinator, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Nick Mendez
Specialist
Data Analyst
Eris Meredith
Specialist
Editing
Karen Molinario
Coordinator
Implementation Support
Mel Moller
Specialist
Social Media
Marianela Morán, M.Ed.
Coordinator
Content Design
Laura Morton, MS
Specialist, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Erin Mowry
Specialist
Research Data Management
Emily Moya
Specialist
Finance Data Management
Benjamin(Ben) Murphy
SpecialistÂ
Purchasing & Processing
Christina Myers
Specialist
Administrative
Anthony Nappi
SpecialistÂ
Instructional Design
Logan Neser, M.A.
Specialist
Technology
Shalah Newsome
Specialist, Events
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Monica O’Dea, M.Ed.
Senior Coordinator
Literacy ImplementationÂ
Karen Osarenkhoe
Specialist
Implementation Support
Amanda Pate, Ed.D.
Coordinator
Literacy Navigator
Hema Patel
Senior Coordinator
Finance
Brie Patterson
Manager
Office
Shelli Payne
Specialist, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Alyssa Pearson
Specialist
Web Design
Jennifer Perez
Coordinator, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading
Ryan J. Perez
Senior Specialist
Events
Tammy Perez-Njezic
Senior Specialist
Learning Services
Danielle Pico, Ph.D.
Research Coordinator
Early Learning
Kerry Pirrone
Coordinator, Regional Partners Program
New Worlds Reading Inititive
Hannah Puckett
Specialist
Literacy Product Development
Mireya Ramirez
Specialist
Graphic Design
Jennifer Reed
Senior Specialist
Processing
Lexi Reyes
Specialist
Interactive Media
Matthew Richmond
Senior Coordinator
Learning Content Design
Michele (Shell) Romano
Research Administrator
College of Education Post Award Services
Mercedes Ryan
Specialist, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Christine Salama, M.Ed.
Coordinator
Project Management
Anna Sansbury
Specialist
Interactive Media
Lourdes Santiago-Poventud, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Literacy Content Design
Karmen Santiago
Specialist
Email Marketing & Recruitment
Amy, Scott, M.A.
Specialist
Implementation Support
Nick Sessions
Specialist
Financial Services
America El Sheikh
Graduate Assistant
IES Goal 2 DIAL
Donny Shrum, MS
Senior Coordinator
Data Sciences
Emily Simmons
Specialist
Literacy Project Management
Courtney Smith
Coordinator
Vendors
John Smith
Specialist
IT
Stephanie Snidarich, Ph.D.
Senior Coordinator
Research
Amy Shockley, M.Ed.
Specialist
Advanced Literacy Support
Jesse Sullivan
Specialist
Editing
Christian Tang, MS
Coordinator
IT Analyst
Renell Test
OPS
Animator
Yamilka Then
Specialist
Implementation Support
Essence Thomas
Specialist
Financial Services
Ana Valdes, M.Ed.
Specialist
Implementation Support
Matthew Vonesh
Specialist
Editing
Tia Walton-Walker, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Early Learning Research Scientist – Senior Research
Aliyah Walters
Specialist
Financial Services
Tamara Weber
Specialist
Literacy Project Management
Stephanie West
Specialist
Finance
Betsy Westra
Administrative Specialist
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Brendan Williams
Coordinator
Finance for New Worlds Reading Initiative
Catesby Willis
Senior Specialist
Instructional Design
Paul Wonsavage, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Mathematics Products
Xueer Xia
Specialist
Interactive Media
Kimberly Youmans
Specialist
Literacy Implementation
Steve Zill
Coordinator
Video Production
Affiliate Faculty
Alyson Adams, Ph.D.
Clinical Professor, Associate Director for Teaching and Teacher Education
School of Teaching and Learning
Anthony F. Botelho, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
School of Teaching and Learning
Taryrn Brown, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
School of Teaching and Learning
Chonika Coleman-King, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
School of Teaching and Learning
F. Christopher Curran, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education
Dorothy Espelage, Ph.D.
William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education
University of North Carolina
Anne Corinne Huggins-Manley, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Research and Evaluation Methodology
Associate Director of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education
Fiona King, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
School of Inclusive and Special Education, Dublin City University
Walter Leite, Ph.D.
Professor, Research and Evaluation Methodology Program
School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education
Ashley S. MacSuga-Gage, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor of Special Education and Special Education Program Area Leader
School of Special Education, School Psychology and Early Childhood Studies
Kathrin Maki, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies
Rob Moore, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Educational Technology, School of Teaching and Learning
Nigel Newbutt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Advanced Learning Technologies;
Director of the Equitable Learning Technology Lab (ELTL), Institute for Advanced Learning Technologies
Matthew Ohlson, Ph.D.
Dir Taylor Leadership Inst | Associate Professor
Taylor Leadership Institute | Academic Affairs Division
University of North Florida
Yuxi Qiu, Ph.D.
Florida International University
Seyedahmad (Ahmad) Rahimi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Educational Technology, School of Teaching and Learning
Chad Rose, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Special Education at the University of Missouri, and the Director of the Mizzou Ed Bully Prevention Lab
Jinnie Shin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Research and Evaluation Methodology Program
School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education
Wanli Xing, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Teaching and Learning
Pengfei Zhao, Ph.D.
McGill University, Montreal