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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.

Director & Assistant Director

Phil Poekert, Ph.D.

Center Director

Contact
352-273-4103

A headshot of Cathy Cavanaugh

Tyran W. Butler, Ph.D.

Assistant Center Director

Contact
352-273-4103

Executive Leadership

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Kristi Cheyney-Collante, Ph.D.

Director & Research Scientist, Literacy & Early Learning

Joining July 2025

Contact
352-273-4103

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Zandra de Araujo, Ph.D.

Director & Research Scientist, Mathematics

Contact
352-273-4103

A headshot of Shaunte Duggins

Shaunté Duggins, Ph.D.

Director & Research Scientist, State Initiatives

Contact
352-273-4103

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Julie Henderson

Associate Director, Communications, Marketing & Creative

Contact
352-273-4103

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Product Operations

Contact
352-273-4103

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Lisa Sutter

Associate Director, Organizational Excellence

Contact
352-273-4103

Advancement

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Jessica Long

Manager, New Worlds Reading Advancement

Contact
352-273-4103

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David Bryant

Coordinator, New Worlds Reading Advancement

Contact
352-273-4103

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Stephanie Cugini, M.Ed.

Coordinator, Lastinger Center Advancement

Contact
352-273-4103

Advisory Board

The Lastinger Center Advisory Board provides thought leadership in key areas of the Center’s work and makes recommendations to the Director and Executive Team in the areas of academics; fundraising; media and communications; policy and advocacy; technology; and administration/management.

Affiliate Faculty

The Lastinger Center Advisory Board provides thought leadership in key areas of the Center’s work and makes recommendations to the Director and Executive Team in the areas of academics; fundraising; media and communications; policy and advocacy; technology; and administration/management.

Awards

At the UF Lastinger Center for Learning, our success is driven by the passion, dedication, and expertise of our incredible team. We know that transformative learning experiences wouldn’t be possible without our employees, which is why we celebrate their outstanding contributions through our Director’s Achievement Award and Great Gator Awards.