Stephanie Cugini, M.Ed.

Development Coordinator

352.273.4103 • scugini@coe.ufl.edu

Stephanie serves as the Development Coordinator at the Lastinger Center for Learning. In this role, Stephanie leads the Center’s philanthropic fundraising efforts in partnership with the executive leadership team to carry out its mission to build and scale innovative and impactful teaching and learning programs.

Beginning her career in the marketing industry, Stephanie was drawn to the field of education and the opportunity to invest in the next generation. She transitioned into the K-12 education system as a secondary mathematics teacher, where she had the opportunity to hone her skills and knowledge in implementing research-based, engaging instructional practices, understand the critical role that connection and community play in learning, and becoming acutely aware of the challenges that children and teachers face within the current educational system.

Her desire to enact sustained, significant change in the field of education led her to join the Lastinger Center in 2014. During her tenure, Stephanie has held a number of roles that include overseeing marketing and communications, external affairs, product development, and philanthropic development, contributing to the securing of $250M+ in public and private funding to support the development, implementation, and scaling of the Center’s flagship programs, including Math Nation, New Worlds Reading, and Early Learning Florida.

A double graduate of the University of North Florida, Stephanie holds a B.S. in Marketing and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. Stephanie resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Avid Floridians, Stephanie and her family enjoy being outside.