Lastinger Center for Learning Logo

Our Team

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.

Join our team!

We’re always seeking talented professionals to work with us.

Director

A headshot of Phil Poekert
Phil Poekert, Ph.D.

Center Director

Executive Leadership

A headshot of Tyran Butler
Tyran W. Butler, Ph.D.

Director & Research Scientist
Literacy & Early Learning

A headshot of Cathy Cavanaugh
Cathy Cavanaugh, Ph.D.

Assistant Center Director

a heashot of Zandra de Araujo
Zandra de Araujo, Ph.D.

Director & Research Scientist
Mathematics

Shaunte Duggins headshot
Shaunté Duggins, Ph.D.

Director of State Initiatives

A headshot of Julie<br />
Henderson
Julie Henderson

Interim Associate Director
Communications, Marketing, Creative

A headshot of Leland Hill
Leland Hill, M.I.B.

Associate Director
Business Operations

A headshot of Ginno Kelley
Ginno Kelley, Ed.D.

Interim Associate Director
Product Operations

A headshot of Lisa Sutter
Lisa Sutter

Interim Associate Director
Organizational Excellence

Management Team

A headshot of Pam Alfaro
Pam Alfaro. M. Ed.

Manager
Literacy Implementation

A headshot of Mary Bratsch-Hines
Mary Bratsch-Hines, Ph.D.

Senior Manager
Research and Evaluation

A headshot of Maya Brown
Maya Brown

Manager, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Pam Chalfant
Pamela Chalfant, Ph.D.

Assistant Director
Academics

A headshot of Jose De Leon Alejandro
José De León Alejandro, Ph.D.

Manager
Mathematics Content & Implementtion

A headshot of Erika Fritz-Ochs
Erika Fritz-Ochs, M.Ed.

Manager, Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative 

A headshot of Luiz Franco Giovanini
Luiz Franco Giovanini, Ph.D.

Manager, Data & Reporting
New Worlds Reading Initiative

 

A headshot of Angie Gomez
Angie Gomez, M.Ed.

Manager
Learning Experience Design

A headshot of Brittany Gonzalez
Brittany Gonzalez, MBA

Manager
Administrative Services

A headshot of John-Michael Gonzales
John-Michael Gonzales, MPH

Manager
External Affairs and Communications 

A headshot of Robin Gregory
Robin Gregory, MSM

Interim Assistant Director
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of John Houder
John Houder

Manager
Interaction & Graphic Design

A headshot of Bryn Humphrey
Bryn Humphrey, M.B.A.

Senior Manager
Product Development and Marketing

A headshot of Nadeige King
Nadeige King

Senior Manager
Finance

A headshot of Jordon Koziol
Jordan Koziol

Manager
Communications

A headshot of Bryan Lutz
Bryan Lutz

Senior Manager
Technology

A headshot of Y. Michelle McGriff
Y. Michelle McGriff, MBA

Manager, Regional Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Tim Mosunich
Tim Mosunich, M.Ed.

Manager
Learner Support & Advising

A headshot of Joe Nicholson
Joe Nicholson, MA

Senior Manager
Special Projects

Susan Phan headshot
Susan Phan

Manager
Vendors & Contracts

A headshot of Alex Prinstein
Alex Prinstein, M.Ed.

Senior Manager
Product Development

A headshot of Kyra Purvis
Kyra Purvis, Ed.S.

Manager, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading 

A headshot of Jennifer
Shana Rafalski, Ed.D.

Assistant Director
Florida Tutoring Advantage

A headshot of Jessica Richards
Jessica Richards, M.Ed.

Manager
Language & Literacy Partnerships

A headshot of Spencer Still
Jesse Steif

Manager
Literacy Implementation

A headshot of Spencer Still
Spencer Still

Manager
AV Production

A headshot of Tiffany Taylor-Jones
Tiffany Taylor-Jones, M.Ed.

Manager, Content & Implementation
Early Learning

A headshot of Ron Viafore
Ron Viafore, Ed.S.

Manager
Network Support

A headshot of Amanda Wilson
Amanda Wilson, MA

Manager
Literacy Content

A headshot of Ellen Zinzeleta
Mallori Wojcik

Manager, Learning Services

Associates

A headshot of Eva Andrade
Sasha Abreu

Specialist
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Eva Andrade
Kristen Alves

Specialist
Implementation Support

A headshot of Eva Andrade
Brandon Amirin

Specialist
Learning Support

A headshot of Eva Andrade
Eva Andrade

Specialist, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Eva Andrade
Rachael Aming-Attai, Ph.D.

Specialist
Math Content and Implementation

A headshot of Whitney Augustine
Whitney Augustine

Specialist
Literacy Implementation

Taylor Bainter headshot
Taylor Bainter, Ph.D.

Coordinator
Mathematics Content

A headshot of Marissa Balbuena
Marissa Balbuena, MS

Senior Specialist
Graphic Design

A headshot of Julianna Banks
Julianna Banks, Ph.D.

Coordinator
Research & Program Evaluation

A headshot of Leah Benn
Mary Beth Yokomi

Product Coordinator
Enrollment Management

A headshot of Leah Benn
Leah Benn, MS

Senior Specialist, Operations
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Leah Benn
Amanda Bloyen

Specialist
Events

A headshot of Melissa Brown
Melissa Brown

Coordinator
Product Development

A headshot of Melissa Brown
Priscilla Brown

Specialist
Literacy Support

A headshot of Shaneh Brown
Shaneh Brown

Coordinator
Finance in State Appropriations

A headshot of David Bryant
David Bryant

Development Director
New Worlds Reading Initiative 

A headshot of David Bryant
Kenneth Buchanan, M.Ed.

Coordinator
Early Learning Partnerships

A headshot of Juliana Bunn
Juliana Bunn, MSM

Senior Coordinator
Data Analysis

A headshot of Adrienne Campbell
Adrienne Campbell

Coordinator, Operations
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Jennifer Cao
Sarah Carmichael

Specialist
Animation

A headshot of Rachel Chastain-Gross
Jennifer Cao, MS

OPS
Learning Services

A headshot of Rachel Chastain-Gross
Rachel Chastain-Gross

Senior Specialist
Early Learning Content Development

A headshot of Jennifer Cao
James CiChewicz

Specialist
Finance Data Management

A headshot of Anna Clark
Anna Clark

Senior Coordinator
Graphic Design

A headshot of Cheryl Cook
Cheryl Cook

Senior Specialist
Financial Services

A headshot of Cheryl Cook
Ashlyn Comiskey

Specialist
Web Development

A headshot of Rosa Cortez
Rosa Cortez

Senior Specialist
Motion Graphics

A headshot of Stephani Cugini
Stephanie Cugini, M.Ed.

Director
Development

A headshot of Stephani Cugini
Jameson Cunningham

Specialist
Early Learning Project Planning

A headshot of Stephani Cugini
Jeanine Davis, M.Div

Specialist, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Nasseeka Denis
Nasseeka S. Denis

Coordinator, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Nasseeka Denis
Lee Delaino, PhD

Manager
Tutoring Operations

A headshot of Nasseeka Denis
Kayla Deschamps, CMP

Specialist, Operations
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Dulcy Dillinger
Dulcy Dillinger

Specialist
Learning Services

A headshot of Evan Dolsak
Evan Dolsak

Specialist
Video Content

A headshot of Ana Lantigua Pascual
Ana Lantigua Pascual, M.Ed.

Specialist
Implementation Support

A headshot of Brittany Duquaine
Brittany Duquaine

Specialist
Literacy Implementation

A headshot of Christopher Engledowl
Christine Ellis, M. Ed.

Specialist
Learning Services

A headshot of Christopher Engledowl
Chris Engledowl, Ph.D.

Coordinator
Mathematics Research

A headshot of Diane Evans
Diane Evans, MS

Specialist
Human Resources

A headshot of Ronnie Evans
Ronnie Evans

Senior Coordinator
Financial Services & Stipends Processing

A headshot of Kendra Fields
Kendra Fields

Specialist
Literacy Content

A headshot of Kendra Fields
Kara Fedd

Specialist
Human Resources

A headshot of Megan Fields
Megan Fields

Coordinator
Communications
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Fernando Franco Crespo
Christina Flake, M. Ed.

Coordinator
Literacy Implementation

A headshot of Fernando Franco Crespo
Fernando Franco Crespo

Senior Specialist
Help Desk

A headshot of Deza Free
Deza Free

Specialist
Learning Services

A headshot of Dayna Galganski
Dayna Galganski, M.A.

Coordinator
eLearning Design

A headshot of Maggie Gardener
Maggie Gardner, Ed.D.

Senior Coordinator
Coaching

A headshot of Hannah Goble
Hannah Goble

Senior Coordinator
Early Learning Product Development

A headshot of Rebecca Gonzalez
Rebecca Gonzales

Specialist
Advanced Literacy Support

A headshot of Luciana Grasso
Lucianna Grasso, MS

Senior Coordinator
Learning Services

A headshot of Jamie Greenspan
Fatima Greene

Specialist
Helpdesk Support

A headshot of Jamie Greenspan
Jamie Greenspan

Senior Coordinator
Graphic Design

A headshot of Matthew Griffin
Matthew Griffin

Senior Coordinator 
Processing

Matthew Griffin headshot
Estelle Gyimah

Specialist
Success Enablement 

A headshot of Deborah Habora
Deborah Habora

Specialist
Processing

A headshot of Shanita Hairston
Shanita Hairston

Coordinator, Regional Partners Program
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of James Hamlin
James Hamlin

Specialist
Studio & Editor

A headshot of Lindsey Harker
Lindsey Harker, M. Ed.

Senior Specialist
Literacy Course Implementation

A headshot of Jamie Harmon
Jamie Harmon

Specialist, Course Implementation Support
Early Learning

A headshot of Alexander Kirkpatrick
Preksha Jagtap

Coordinator
Workflow Application Development

A headshot of Alexander Kirkpatrick
Michele James

Specialist
Vendor

A headshot of Alexander Kirkpatrick
Rosie John-Baptiste

Specialist, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Alexander Kirkpatrick
Amanda Kelecy

Specialist
Office Management

A headshot of Alexander Kirkpatrick
Alexander Kirkpatrick

Specialist
Editing

A headshot of Liza Leonard
Janette Labrador, M.A.

Specialist
Instructional Design

A headshot of Liza Leonard
Liza Leonard, MSW, LCSW

Coordinator, Community of Practice & Coaching Implementation
Early Learning

A headshot of Gabriel Lipartito
Gabriel Lipartito, MS

Coordinator
Database & Systems

A headshot of Savina Lipartito
Savina Lipartito, M.Ed

Specialist
Literacy Content 

A headshot of Theresa Loch
Theresa Loch, M.Ed.

Specialist
Implementation Support

A headshot of Erica Lopez
Angelica Long-Diaz, MS

Specialist
English Language Learner Content

A headshot of Erica Lopez
Erica Lopez

Coordinator
Human Resources

A headshot of Zach Lukasik
Zach Lukasik

Specialist
Studio

A headshot of Nemir Matos-Cintron
Nemir Matos-Cintron, Ed.D.

Coordinator
Instructional Design

A headshot of Elizabeth McConney
Elizabeth McConney

Specialist, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative 

A headshot of Danielle McMaster
Danielle McMaster

Coordinator, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Nick Mendez
Nick Mendez

Specialist
Data Analyst

A headshot of Eris Meredith
Eris Meredith

Specialist
Editing

A headshot of Karen Molinario
Karen Molinario

Coordinator
Implementation Support

A headshot of Mel Moller
Mel Moller

Specialist
Social Media

A headshot of Marianela Moran
Marianela Morán, M.Ed.

Coordinator
Content Design

A headshot of Laura Morton
Laura Morton, MS

Specialist, Literacy Content
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Emily Moya
Erin Mowry

Specialist
Research Data Management

A headshot of Emily Moya
Emily Moya

Specialist
Finance Data Management

A headshot of Ben Murphy
Benjamin(Ben) Murphy

Specialist 
Purchasing & Processing

A headshot of Anthony Nappi
Christina Myers

Specialist
Administrative

A headshot of Anthony Nappi
Anthony Nappi

Specialist 
Instructional Design

A headshot of Shalah Newsome
Logan Neser, M.A.

Specialist
Technology

A headshot of Shalah Newsome
Shalah Newsome

Specialist, Events
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Monica Odea
Monica O’Dea, M.Ed.

Senior Coordinator
Literacy Implementation 

A headshot of Karen Osarenkhoe
Karen Osarenkhoe

Specialist
Implementation Support

A headshot of Amanda Pate
Amanda Pate, Ed.D.

Coordinator
Literacy Navigator

A headshot of Hema Patel
Hema Patel

Senior Coordinator
Finance

A headshot of Shelli Payne
Brie Patterson

Manager
Office

A headshot of Shelli Payne
Shelli Payne

Specialist, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Alyssa Pearson
Alyssa Pearson

Specialist
Web Design

Tammy Perez-Njezic headshot
Jennifer Perez

Coordinator, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading

A headshot of Ryan Perez
Ryan J. Perez

Senior Specialist
Events

A headshot of Tammy Perez-Njezic
Tammy Perez-Njezic

Senior Specialist
Learning Services

A headshot of Danielle Pico
Danielle Pico, Ph.D.

Research Coordinator
Early Learning

A headshot of Kerry Pirrone
Kerry Pirrone

Coordinator, Regional Partners Program
New Worlds Reading Inititive

A headshot of Hannah Puckett
Hannah Puckett

Specialist
Literacy Product Development

A headshot of Mireya Ramirez
Mireya Ramirez

Specialist
Graphic Design

A headshot of Jennifer
Jennifer Reed

Senior Specialist
Processing

A headshot of Lexi Reyes
Lexi Reyes

Specialist
Interactive Media

A headshot of Matthew Richmond
Matthew Richmond

Senior Coordinator
Learning Content Design

A headshot of Michele (Shell) Romano
Michele (Shell) Romano

Research Administrator
College of Education Post Award Services

A headshot of Mercedes Ryan
Mercedes Ryan

Specialist, Family & Community Engagement
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Christine Salama
Christine Salama, M.Ed.

Coordinator
Project Management

A headshot of Lourdes Santiago Poventud
Anna Sansbury

Specialist
Interactive Media

A headshot of Lourdes Santiago Poventud
Lourdes Santiago-Poventud, Ph.D.

Coordinator
Literacy Content Design

A headshot of Lourdes Santiago Poventud
Karmen Santiago

Specialist
Email Marketing & Recruitment

Person Not Pictured
Amy, Scott, M.A.

Specialist
Implementation Support

Person Not Pictured
Nick Sessions

Specialist
Financial Services

Person Not Pictured
America El Sheikh

Graduate Assistant
IES Goal 2 DIAL

A headshot of Donny Shrum
Donny Shrum, MS

Senior Coordinator
Data Sciences

A headshot of Courtney Smith
Emily Simmons

Specialist
Literacy Project Management

A headshot of Courtney Smith
Courtney Smith

Coordinator
Vendors

A headshot of Stephany Snidarich
John Smith

Specialist
IT

A headshot of Stephany Snidarich
Stephanie Snidarich, Ph.D.

Senior Coordinator
Research

A headshot of Stephany Snidarich
Amy Shockley, M.Ed.

Specialist
Advanced Literacy Support

A headshot of Jesse Sullivan
Jesse Sullivan

Specialist
Editing

A headshot of Christian Tang
Christian Tang, MS

Coordinator
IT Analyst

A headshot of Christian Tang
Renell Test

OPS
Animator

A headshot of Ana Valdes
Yamilka Then

Specialist
Implementation Support

A headshot of Ana Valdes
Essence Thomas

Specialist
Financial Services

A headshot of Ana Valdes
Ana Valdes, M.Ed.

Specialist
Implementation Support

A headshot of Matthew Vonesh
Matthew Vonesh

Specialist
Editing

A headshot of Aliyah Waters
Tia Walton-Walker, Ph.D.

Coordinator
Early Learning Research Scientist – Senior Research

A headshot of Aliyah Waters
Aliyah Walters

Specialist
Financial Services

A headshot of Tamara Weber
Tamara Weber

Specialist
Literacy Project Management

A headshot of Betsy Westra
Stephanie West

Specialist
Finance

A headshot of Betsy Westra
Betsy Westra

Administrative Specialist
New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Brendan Williams
Brendan Williams

Coordinator
Finance for New Worlds Reading Initiative

A headshot of Catesby Willis
Catesby Willis

Senior Specialist
Instructional Design

A headshot of Paul Wonsavage
Paul Wonsavage, Ph.D.

Coordinator
Mathematics Products

A headshot of Kimberly Youmans
Xueer Xia

Specialist
Interactive Media

A headshot of Kimberly Youmans
Kimberly Youmans

Specialist
Literacy Implementation

A headshot of Steve Zill
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

Person Not Pictured
Anthony F. Botelho, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
School of Teaching and Learning

Taryn Brown
Taryrn Brown, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor
School of Teaching and Learning

Chonika Coleman-King
Chonika Coleman-King, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
School of Teaching and Learning

Christopher Curran
F. Christopher Curran, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education

Christopher Curran
Dorothy Espelage, Ph.D.

William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education
University of North Carolina

Corinne Huggins-Manley
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 headshot
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 MacSuga-Gage
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
Rob Moore, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Educational Technology, School of Teaching and Learning

Rob Moore headshot<br />
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 Rahimi headshot<br />
Seyedahmad (Ahmad) Rahimi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Educational Technology, School of Teaching and Learning

Seyedahmad Rahimi headshot<br />
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

Person Not Pictured
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