New Faculty RECEPTION
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Order of Ceremony KICKOFF & WELCOME
Karen Hogans, Vice President of Academic Affairs
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
John Temple, President
FACULTY MARSHAL MESSAGE
Nora Rackley, Senior Librarian
LIGHTING OF THE FLAME OF KNOWLEDGE NEW FACULTY INTRODUCTIONS Nursing
Dr. Colleen Carter, Dean of AS Nursing
Mathematics
Dr. Megan Cavanah, Dean of Mathematics
Science
Dr. Justin Greathouse, Interim Dean of Science
Workforce Programs
Dr. Gregory Johnson, Dean of Workforce Programs
CLOSING MESSAGE
Karen Hogans, Vice President of Academic Affairs
New Faculty SARAH BARRIENTOS
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, MATHEMATICS Sarah Barrientos joins the Mathematics Department as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics on the Leesburg Campus after serving as an adjunct faculty member at Lake-Sumter State College since 2024. She holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Mathematics from Clayton State University in Georgia. She has primarily taught Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra and will expand her teaching portfolio to include additional STEM pathway courses, including Trigonometry and Calculus I. Her academic interests include combinatorics and graph theory, areas that explore mathematical structures, relationships, and problemsolving techniques. She supports student learning across the mathematics curriculum while contributing to the instructional mission of the Mathematics Department and the College.
ROSMIN BLACKSHEAR
INSTRUCTOR, AS NURSING
Rosmin Blackshear joins the Nursing Program as a Lake-Sumter State College alumna who has completed both her Associate in Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the College. She later earned a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership. Rosmin brings clinical, leadership, and educational experience to the classroom. Her professional background includes emergency nursing, where she has served in leadership roles including relief
New Faculty charge nurse and Assistant Nurse Manager with AdventHealth. As both a nursing educator and LSSC graduate, she offers students a unique perspective on the academic and professional pathways available within the nursing profession. She draws on her clinical expertise and leadership experience to help prepare the next generation of nurses while supporting student success throughout the program.
TRACY BOOKER
INSTRUCTOR, AS NURSING Tracy Booker joins the Nursing Program as a Lake-Sumter alumna who earned her Associate in Science in Nursing from Lake-Sumter Community College in 2006 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lake-Sumter State College in 2024. In 2026, she completed a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization from South University. She brings extensive clinical and instructional experience to the classroom. Throughout her nursing career, she has worked in critical care, cardiac care, cardiac catheterization services, home health, hospice, and oncology. In addition to her clinical practice, she served for eight years as a full-time Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) instructor at Tavares High School. Drawing on her diverse healthcare experience and background in nursing education, Tracy helps students connect classroom learning with clinical practice while developing the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment required for success in the nursing profession.
New Faculty DR. AUDREY BROXTON
INSTRUCTOR & PROGRAM MANAGER, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Dr. Audrey Broxton joins Lake-Sumter State College with 20 years of experience in higher education and expertise in Business Administration. She brings a passion for inspiring students and fostering academic and professional growth. She is transitioning into a full-time role after serving as an adjunct faculty member. Dr. Broxton’s motivation for teaching stems from a commitment to helping students translate ideas into knowledge, skills, and meaningful opportunities. By connecting business concepts to realworld challenges, she encourages students to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, ethical leadership, and lifelong learning.
DAWN CUMMINGS
INSTRUCTOR, BIOLOGY
Dawn Cummings joins the faculty with a background in wildlife research and science education. She holds a Master of Science in Zoology and spent several years conducting field research on wildlife populations, including studies of Yellowbilled Loons in the Arctic and Brown Kiwi in New Zealand. For the past 15 years, she has focused on teaching and supporting student success in the sciences. Drawing on her research experience, she helps students connect scientific concepts to real-world applications and the process of scientific discovery. Her instructional approach emphasizes active engagement, inquiry, and hands-on learning opportunities that encourage students to think critically and
New Faculty apply scientific methods. Dawn is particularly interested in project-based learning as a way to help students develop confidence in their abilities, strengthen problem-solving skills, and gain experience applying scientific knowledge.
DR. MICHAEL HALL
INSTRUCTOR, ACCOUNTING
Dr. Michael Hall joins Lake-Sumter State College with experience in higher education instruction and the accounting profession. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy from Stetson University, as well as a Doctor of Business Administration with a specialization in Advanced Accounting from National University. Before joining the College full-time, Dr. Hall served as an adjunct faculty member. His professional experience includes roles in public accounting and corporate finance, including service as an audit manager with KPMG and as chief financial officer for a large citrus production company. In his teaching, Dr. Hall draws on his academic background and industry experience to support student learning and connect accounting concepts to professional practice.
New Faculty JARED FULLERTON
INSTRUCTOR & PROGRAM MANAGER, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT Jared Fullerton joins Lake-Sumter State College with 25 years of experience in the construction industry and education. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and a Master of Science in Management from the University of Florida. Before transitioning to education, he spent 16 years as a construction project manager, overseeing major developments throughout Central Florida, including projects for nationally recognized theme park destinations. For the past eight years, he has taught construction trades at the high school level and served as an adjunct instructor in Lake-Sumter State College’s Construction Management program. Drawing on extensive industry experience, he integrates real-world construction practices and project management concepts into the classroom, helping students develop the technical knowledge and professional skills needed for success in the construction field.
DR. DEEP KUNDU
INSTRUCTOR, MATHEMATICS Dr. Deep Kundu recently transitioned from Lecturer of Mathematics to Instructor of Mathematics at Lake-Sumter State College. Since joining the College in 2025, he has taught mathematics courses within the STEM pathway, supporting students as they develop the quantitative skills needed for academic and career success. Dr. Kundu earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics from the
New Faculty University of Florida. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he has contributed to curriculum discussions and participated in departmental and institutional workgroups. His work supports ongoing academic initiatives within the Mathematics Department and the College.
SARAH JO LAYLAND
INSTRUCTOR, NURSING SKILLS LAB Sarah Jo Layland joins the Nursing Program with experience across clinical nursing, healthcare research, and nursing education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida Honors College, graduating cum laude in 2013, and later completed a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in AdultGerontology Primary Care at the University of South Florida in 2021. Sarah Jo’s professional experience includes emergency nursing, telephone triage, and coordination of a Phase III industry-sponsored clinical drug trial. She has previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Lake-Sumter State College. Drawing on her broad healthcare experience, Sarah Jo helps students connect nursing theory, evidence-based practice, and patient care. Her teaching emphasizes the development of clinical knowledge, critical thinking, and professional confidence, preparing students for the demands of contemporary healthcare environments.
New Faculty SHARON MEISBERGER
LECTURER, MATHEMATICS
Sharon Meisberger joins the Mathematics Department as a Lecturer on the South Lake Campus. She brings more than 33 years of experience in mathematics education and holds a Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences from the University of West Florida and a Master of Science in Instructional Design from Saint Leo University. Throughout her career, she has taught a range of mathematics courses and supported student learning at multiple educational levels. In her role at Lake-Sumter State College, she contributes to mathematics instruction and supports the academic mission of the Mathematics Department and the College.
SHEREE NICOL
INSTRUCTOR, AS NURSING Sheree Nicol joins the Nursing Program with experience in both clinical practice and nursing education. She earned an Associate of Science in Nursing from Broward Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nova Southeastern University, and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Western Governors University. She is also certified as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse. Professor Nicol’s clinical background includes service as a staff nurse and preceptor at Broward General Hospital in Fort Lauderdale and at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, where she also served as a Neonatal Resuscitation Instructor. Her experience in nursing
New Faculty education includes roles as an adjunct clinical faculty member at Roseman University and a clinical instructor at the College of Southern Nevada. Drawing on her extensive clinical and instructional experience, she helps students connect nursing theory with real-world healthcare practice. She emphasizes active learning, professional communication, and clinical application, creating opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for success in the nursing profession.
HENRY OSIAS
INSTRUCTOR, NURSING SKILLS LAB Henry Osias joins the Nursing Program as an alumnus, having earned both his Associate in Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. Henry brings a background in healthcare, education, and leadership. His nursing experience includes emergency department practice and nursing laboratory instruction. Prior to entering the nursing profession, he worked as a high school substitute teacher and served in non-healthcare leadership roles. Drawing on his experiences across multiple fields, Henry helps students develop the clinical knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and professional skills required for success in nursing.
New Faculty MICHELLE TORTORELLI
INSTRUCTOR, BIOLOGY
Michelle Tortorelli joins the faculty with experience teaching at both the secondary and collegiate levels. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Science Education from St. John’s University and a Master of Science in Molecular Biology. Throughout her career, she has taught a variety of science courses, including Anatomy and Physiology, AP Biology, general biology, and middle school science, serving students across multiple stages of their educational journeys. Michelle’s instructional experience includes positions at Ocean County College and Monmouth University. Drawing on her background in science education and molecular biology, she helps students develop a strong foundation in biological sciences while connecting complex scientific concepts to real-world applications and career pathways. In the classroom, she emphasizes student engagement, scientific inquiry, and academic confidence. She works to create learning environments that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and active participation.
New Faculty DR. JENNIFER WILLIAMS
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, AS NURSING
Dr. Jennifer Williams joins the Nursing Program with 16 years of experience in nursing education. She previously served for eight years as a full-time nursing faculty member in the Associate Degree Nursing program at Seminole State College, where she taught classroom, laboratory, and clinical courses, including complex medical-surgical nursing. Prior to that, she spent eight years as an adjunct nursing faculty member at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Williams earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Education from Arkansas State University in 2025 and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Central Florida. She is also certified as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her career, Dr. Williams has been committed to preparing future nurses through classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction. Her teaching emphasizes the development of clinical knowledge, critical thinking, and professional practice skills that support student success and quality patient care. Her doctoral research explored the use of mindfulness meditation to reduce stress among nursing students, reflecting an interest in strategies that promote student well-being, resilience, and academic success.
New Faculty DR. KRISTINE ZIKMANIS
INSTRUCTOR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Dr. Kristine Zikmanis joins Lake-Sumter State College with a strong background in biological research and higher education instruction. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Biology from Florida International University in 2025. Her doctoral research examined the effects of altered freshwater flow on juvenile bull shark habitat use and distribution within nearshore nursery environments. Following completion of her doctorate, she continued her research as a postdoctoral scholar, studying the impacts of Hurricane Ian on juvenile bull shark populations. While serving as a postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Zikmanis also taught as an adjunct professor at Lake-Sumter State College. Her experience as both a researcher and educator allows her to bring current scientific discoveries, field research methods, and realworld applications into the classroom. She encourages scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and evidence-based problem solving while providing students with insights into the research process and career opportunities within the biological sciences.
Welcome
& thank you for your commitment to our students!
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