UF Academy Applications
Applications for the 2026-2027 UF Academy Cohort are now closed. Participant selection will be finalized by mid-June and notifications will be sent via email to all applicants.
The UF Leadership Academy is a robust and rigorous leadership development experience, tailored for faculty and professional staff. With 22 years of experience, this program focuses on immersing participants in our institutional culture, structure and governance so they will lead with impact.
“This is a unique opportunity to not only learn but to hear first-hand from leaders with various backgrounds. The length of the program, assignments, discussions and your time investment with your cohort is invaluable.”
Eligibility
Candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Two years in a supervisory or decision-making role at UF (not required for Assistant Directors and faculty/clinicians)
- Support from immediate supervisor with protected time for full program participation, satisfactory performance reviews, and attendance
- Willingness to adjust personal and professional schedules to attend all bi-monthly meetings and leadership development trainings
Curriculum Highlights
- Program structure focuses on UF’s key leadership competencies for success
- Individual 360-degree assessment for personalized development
- Interview-style discussions with top UF leaders
- Opportunity to job shadow a UF leader
Participation Fee
Upon acceptance into the UF Academy program, a $500 participation fee covers materials, including a 360-degree assessment. There is no need for travel if you live and work in Gainesville.
Key Information
- Applications will be considered by the UF Leadership Development Selection Committee.
- This program meets twice a month for approximately 2 hours, over the course of the academic year, beginning September 2026 through May 2027.
2026-2027 Program Schedule
All meetings will be held on the following Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 am and the format will be in-person.
| Month | Days |
| September | 8, 15, 22 |
| October | 6, 20 |
| November* | 3, 17 |
| December | 1, 15 |
| January | 12, 26 |
| February | 9, 23 |
| March** | 9, 23 |
| April | 6, 20 |
| May | 4, 18 |
The graduation celebration is scheduled for Thursday, May 27th, 2027, from 8:00-10:00 am.
*November will include an additional date TBD for our full day trip to Tallahassee.
**Job shadowing to be completed during the month of March.
Selection Committee
- Frank Bova – Past Chair, UF Faculty Senate
- Melissa Curry – Vice President for Human Resources
- Chris Hass – Associate Provost
- Melissa Long – Executive Director of Human Resources
Past UF Academy Participants
- Alexandra Bitton-Bailey, Director, Center for Teaching Excellence
- Paloma Carton de Grammont, Assistant Director, UF Water Institute
- Kate Fogarty, Associate Professor, Family, Youth & Community Sciences
- Angie Hingson, Associate Director of Admissions, Enrollment Management, Office of Admissions
- Jodi Lane, Professor, Sociology and Criminology & Law
- Amanda Myers, Interior Designer, Planning, Design & Construction
- Steve Neal, Assistant Director, Procurement Data and Technology, UF Procurement Services
- Martin Noguera, Assistant Director, Research Administration, Anesthesiology
- Chris Pinkoson, Senior Instructional Designer, UFIT Center for Instructional Technology and Training
- Malisa Sarntinoranont, Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
- Kate Wieland, Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Specialist, UF/IFAS Human Resources
- Alexandra Avelino, Director of Marketing and Communications; George A. Smathers Libraries
- Garrett Beatty, Director & Instructional Associate Professor; Applied Physiology & Kinesiology; College of Health & Human Performance
- Brigit Dermott, Project Manager; Office of the Chief Diversity Officer
- Domenic Durante, Instructional Design Manager; College of Education/ETC
- Jennifer Gove-Cooper, Assistant Director; Undergraduate Student Affairs, College of Engineering
- Amy Gunnett, Manager, Clinical Research; Anesthesiology; College of Medicine
- Kyle Hartig, Assistant Professor; Materials Science and Engineering
- Patrick Keegan, Assistant Provost; Office of the Provost
- Rachel Mandell, Senior Campus Planner; UF Planning, Design & Construction
- Talline Martins, Director, Office of Graduate Professional Development; Graduate School
- Kyla McMullen, Associate Professor; Computer and Information Science and Engineering
- Florencia Otegui, HR Project Manager II; UF Human Resources
- Kristy Sasser, Captain; UF Police
- Tobin Shorey, Director, Curriculum and Academic Policy; Office of Undergraduate Affairs, Provost’s Office
- Assel Aitkaliyeva, Assistant Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
- Samesha Barnes Ivey, Director UF Thrive Center & McNair Scholars Program
- Kevin Coulson, Communications Manager, College of Education
- Julio Duarte, Assistant Professor, Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research
- David Fox, Assistant Director UFHR
- Jody Green, Assistant to the Director, Special Projects Manager, Harn Museum of Art
- Harrison Hove, Associate Chair and Lecturer, College of Journalism and Communication
- Nekia Jones, Administrative Support Assistant, Materials Science & Engineering
- Tanja Magoc, Assistant Director, Integrated Data Repository, Clinical and Translational Research
- Gailine McCaslin, Senior Project Manager, College of Medicine, Office of the Dean
- Kimberly Morabito, Director, CLAS Shared Services Center
- Lesa Phillips, Administrative Specialist III, Office of the Provost
- Marianne Preisler, IT Professional I, UF Procurement
- Leah Reznikov, Assistant Professor, Physiological Sciences
- Kyle Allen, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Sarah Eberhart, Director of Assessment and Student Services, HHP
- Antonio Faciola, Assistant Professor, Animal Sciences
- Hugh Fan, Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
- Sarah Fazenbaker, Assistant Director, Digital Engagement, Florida Museum
- Colleen Flage, Director Executive Events, Office of the President
- Andrea Kim, Associate Director, Academic Advising International Business
- Teresa Mutahi, Sr. Lecturer & Undergraduate Coordinator, Biology
- Francisco Oquendo, Assistant Director Construction, Business Affairs
- Zully Rivera Ramos, Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling & Wellness Center
- Richard Taylor, Police Captain, University Police
- Michael Tonks, Associate Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
- Briana Vargas-Gonzalez, Assistant Director, Enrollment Management
- Francine Vincent, Assistant Director, Emergency Management
- Kenya Williams, Assistant Director, UFHR Benefits
- Josephine Allen, Associate Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
- Elizabeth Eslick, Director, CLAS Research Office
- Sterling Garcia, Director of Development, Materials Science & Engineering
- Carrie Geiger, Principal, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School
- Phillip Herr-Klepacki, Director, Distance Learning College of the Arts
- Dale Johnson, Project Manager, Florida Museum Exhibits & Public Programs
- Lacie Klann, Director of Development, College of Medicine
- Susan Lukowe, Manager, Finance, UF International Center
- Augusto Soledade, Associate Professor, School of Theater & Dance
- Cherie Stabler, Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Patrick Thompson, Operations Manager, Whitney Laboratory
- Judith Traveis, Assistant Dean, UF Graduate School
- Daniel Whitcraft, Assistant Director, Health Science Center Operations
- Max Williams, Manager, Administrative Services, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
- Damon Woodard, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Andrew Carey – Systems Admin/Programmer IV, IFAS Information Technology
- Kimberly Blackburn – Associate Director, Business Analysis and Process, UF Advancement
- Michelle Cardel – Assistant Professor of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, Pediatrics, COM
- Nicole Duffy, State Specialized Agent II and Program Coordinator, Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Robert Leeman, Associate Professor, Health Education and Behavior
- Hannah Norton, Associate University Librarian, Health Science Center Libraries
- Kevin Otto, Professor, J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Sebastian Rodriguez Natali, Manager, Purchasing, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Margarita Vargas-Betancourt, Latin American & Caribbean Special Collections Librarian, Smathers Libraries
- Elizabeth Deely, Associate Director of Strategy & Project Management, UF Advancement
- Andreas Enqvist, Associate professor, Director Nuclear Engineering Program
- Lily Lewis, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Academic Communications
- Crystal Marull, Coordinator of Online Spanish Program, Dept. Spanish and Portuguese
- Cami Stincer, Assistant Director for Athletics, O’Connell Center
- Amber Allen-Ingram, Financial Analyst II, CFO Office/University Budget Office
- Karen Dooley, Director of Communications, College of Medicine
- Kyriaki Kaplanidou, Associate Professor, Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management
- Leela Kumaran, Research Coordinator II, School of Teaching & Learning, College of Education
- Bobby Lee, Assistant Director, Operations UF Small Animal Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Cydney McGlothlin, Project Manager III, Planning, Design and Construction
- Cynthia Mendoza, HR Manager UF Human Resources
- Kiran Motaparthi, Assistant Professor and Associate Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology
- Carree Musgrove, Assistant Director, Administrative Services Extension Administration, Business Services
- Laura Quintana, Academic Program Specialist II, Department of Physical Therapy
- Ying Zhang, Application Developer Analyst 4, UFIT Research Computing
- Jennifer Andrew; Assistant Professor; Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Brian Ausgood; Sergeant; University of Florida Police Department
- Brian Danforth; Director of Development and Alumni Affairs; College of Education
- Martie Gillen; Assistant Professor; Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Keith Gouin; Director of Finance; UF/IFAS Extension Administration
- Miyuki Hall; IT Analyst III, Enterprise Systems; UFIT
- Nicola Heredia; Assistant Director; Procurement Services
- Carol McAuliffe; Associate University Librarian; University Libraries
- Alisha Mitchell-Roberts; Associate Director, Research Administration; CTSI-SECIM
- Caryn Plummer; Associate Professor; Small Animal Clinical Sciences
- Janette Rawls; Employee Relations Specialist III; Housing and Residence Education
- Dustin Stephany; Sustainable Building Coordinator; Planning, Design & Construction
- Allison Vitt; Communications Coordinator; Office of Sustainability
- Katherine Vogel Anderson; Clinical Assistant Professor; UF College of Pharmacy
- Sheila Austin; Administrative Coordinator, IRB03
- Ines Aviles-Spadoni; Research Coordinator III, Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering
- Tammy Bleeker; Pediatric Medical Education Manager, College of Medicine
- Melissa Allen; Director, UF Online Enrollment Services, Enrollment Management
- Roland Estrella; Manager, Clinical Research, Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Medicine
- Cynthia Futral; Associate Director, Accounting; College of Law
- Hal Grieb; Emergency Management Coordinator, Emergency Management
- David Jennings; iDigBio Project Manager, Florida Museum of National History (NH-Ichthyology)
- Keisha Jones; Employee Relations Manager, Human Resource Services
- Briton Summers; Law Enforcement Lieutenant, UF Police
- Stacey Willenborg; Director of Corporate Relations, Warrington College of Business
- Sandra Gonzalez; Assistant Professor Medical Director CSC, Anesthesiology
- Trysh Travis; Associate Professor, Women’s Studies, CLAS
- Mike Barsaleau; Director of Facilities; Office of Development and Alumni Affairs
- Cathy Carr; Director, Alumni and Career Services (Asst In); Dean’s Office; College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Amy Jo Coffey; Associate Professor; Telecommunication; College of Journalism and Communications
- Jason Ferrell; Professor (ASO CHAIR & PROF); Agronomy – IFAS
- Krista Fields; Director of Faculty and Academic Support; Faculty and Academic Support; College of Law
- Audrey Geoffroy; Senior Director of Data Services (UFF Employee); Office of Development & Alumni Affairs
- Julie Henderson; Director of Technology, Communications, International Relations; P.K. Yonge; College of Education
- Ann Horgas; Associate Professor; Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science; College of Nursing
- Jack Judy; Director and Professor; Nanoscience Institute for Medical and Engineering Technology
- David Lucier; Assistant Director; O’Connell Center; Business Affairs
- William McGinn; Assistant Director; Business Services Division; Business Affairs
- Barbara Sedesse; Associate IT Director; UFIT
- Keith Stanfill; Engineer and Director, IPPD Program; Engineering Innovation Institute; College of Engineering
- Nicole Stedman; Associate Professor; Agricultural Education and Communication; IFAS
- William Strnad; Coordinator, Budget & Finance; Office of the Vice President, Business Affairs
- Brijesh Thapa; Professor; Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management; College of Health and Human Performance
- Alicia Turner; Business Relationship Manager; Enterprise Systems; UFIT
- Alvin Woodbury; IT Manager; TSS, UFIT
- Kent Berg; Assistant Professor; Department of Anesthesiology; College of Medicine
- Melissa Blouin; Director of News and Publications; UF Health Communications
- Angela Brown; Communications Manager, Human Resource Services
- Ronnie Cooper; Coordinator 3; IFAS Facilities Planning
- Stacy Ellis; Associate Director; Baby Gator
- Chris Hass; Associate Professor; Applied Physiology and Kinesiology; College of Health and Human Performance
- Cindy Heesacker; Administrative Services Coordinator 1; Department of Psychology; College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Amanda House; Clinical Associate Professor; Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department; College of Veterinary Medicine
- Kelly Jordan; Assistant Professor and Director; UF Training Reactor; Materials Science and Engineering; College of Engineering
- Thomas Livoti; Director; Network Services; UFIT
- Joseli Macedo; Chair and Associate Professor; Department of Urban and Regional Planning; College of Design, Construction and Planning
- Juan Nino; Professor; Materials Science and Engineering; College of Engineering
- Daniel Sanetz; Coordinator 2, Administrative Services; College of Veterinary Medicine
- Aimee Struk; Clinical Research Coordinator (Coordinator 3); Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation; College of Medicine
- Stephen Anton, Assistant Professor and Interim Chief, Aging and Geriatric Research, College of Medicine
- Shalon Buchs, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Physician Assistant Studies, College of Medicine
- Craig DeGarmo, Division Administrator; Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation; College of Medicine
- Luisa Echeto, Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry
- Anne-Marie Hollingshead, Senior Accountant, UF Libraries
- Nicole Iovine, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Medicine, College of Medicine
- Kelly Jacoby, Research Administrator, Division of Sponsored Research
- Michele Manuel, Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
- Cathy Martyniak, Audiovisual Archivist, Special Collections, UF Libraries
- Shane Massey, IT Senior/Application Support Manager, Enterprise Systems, UFIT
- Charles Nelson, Assistant Director of Data Management, Institutional Planning and Research
- Julie Neubig, Benefits Manager, Human Resource Services
- Victoria Peprah-Asante, Coordinator 3, Accounting, Payroll and Tax Services, Finance and Accounting
- Philip Pharr, Executive Director, Gator Boosters, University Athletic Association
- Eric Segal, Education Curator of Academic Programs, Harn Museum of Art
- Rasa Williamson, Manager, Continuing Medical Education, Faculty Group Practice, College of Medicine
- Brian Berryman, Coordinator 3, Administrative Affairs, College of Medicine
- Rhondafay Brazil-James, Assistant University Registrar, University Registrar
- Elayne Colon, Assistant Scholar, Director of Assessment and Accreditation, College of Education
- Chelsea Dinsmore, Assistant University Librarian, International Documents, UF Libraries
- Todd Fraser, Associate Director, Medical/Health Admin, College of Nursing
- Dieter Haager, Coordinator 3, Accounting, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Sheri Holloway, Assistant Director, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Iskande Larkin, Research Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Aquatic Animal Health
- Terry Moore, Coordinator 4, Accounting, College of Engineering
- Stephanie Nielsen, Coordinator 2, Budget, Office of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- Irina Olsen, Assistant Director, Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Medicine
- William Smith, Coordinator 4, Senior Project Manager, UF Facilities Planning and Construction
- Bradley Spatz, IT Senior, Enterprise Data Services Manager, Enterprise Systems, UF IT
- Patricia Xirau-Probert, Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Dentistry
- Scott Blades, myUFL Training Manager, Training & Organizational Development, Human Resource Services
- Mallori Cain, Coordinator of Records and Degrees, Office of the University Registrar
- David Christie, Associate Controller, University of Florida Foundation
- Pam Hightower, Coordinator, Administrative Services, Department of Recreational Sports
- Bart Knowles, Police Lieutenant, University Police Department
- Ruth Mckoy Lowery, Associate Professor, School of Teaching and Learning, College of Education
- Scot Matusz, IT Director, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- John McGrath, Director of Development, Warrington College of Business Administration
- Daniel Miller, Coordinator, UF Computing and Networking Services
- Tracey Phillips, Business Manager, College of Health and Human Performance
- Shari Robinson, Assistant Director/Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling and Wellness Center
- Jeremy Sibiski, Assistant Director, Administration, Department of Medicine
- Evelyn Straka, Exchange Coordinator, UF International Center
- Brandon Vega, Business Applications Manager, Housing and Residence Education
- Amber Wuertz, Recruiting Coordinator, Recruitment and Staffing, Human Resource Services
- Cindy Belknap, Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, UF Foundation
- Adam Boudreaux, Assistant Director, Facilities Planning & Operations, IFAS
- Pamela Dickrell, Director UF EDGE and Assistant Engineer, College of Engineering
- Jodi Geiger, Assistant Director, Medical/Health Adm, College of Dentistry
- Micaela Gibbs, Director, Division of Community Based Programs, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science
- Brenda Harrell, Accounting Coordinator 3, Controller’s Office, Finance and Accounting
- Susanne Hill, Executive Director, UF International Center
- Lauren Garber Lake, Associate Professor, Assistant Director, Graduate Coordinator, School of Art and Art History
- Laura Ling, Accounting Coordinator 3, Treasury Management
- Allen Masters, Manager, Central Stores and Receiving, Physical Plant Division
- Pamela Pallas, Director, Baby Gator Child Development and Research Center
- Jonathan Peine, Accounting Coordinator 3, University Registrar
- Dawn Riedy, Budgeting Coordinator, Provost and Sr. VP Office
- John Sun, Recruitment and Staffing Manager, Human Resource Services
- Dianna Brook Covington, Accounting Coordinator, Purchasing and Disbursement Services
- Lauren Pasquarella Daley, Associate Director for Career Development, Career Resource Center/Student Affairs
- Christopher Easley, ERP Infrastructure Manager, Computing and Networking Services
- Lynda Fender Hayes, University School Professor, PK Yonge Developmental Research School
- Joseph Mandernach, Director of Development, IFAS Development Office
- Brook Mercier, Director of Employee Relations, Human Resource Services
- Michael Richards, Assistant Director, College of Medicine, Dean’s Office
- Uma Sethuram, Accounting Coordinator, Office of the VP for Research
- Grace Strawn, Accounting Coordinator, Smathers Libraries
- Julie (Xiaohui) Wang, Budget Coordinator, CFO’s Office
- James Webb, Assistant Director, Medical/Health Admin, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Michael Weigold, Professor, Advertising, College of Journalism
- Alan West, Controller, UF Foundation
- Chris John Whitehurst, Accounting Coordinator, Physical Plant Division
- Aigi Adesogan, Employee Relations Manager, Human Resource Services
- Kenneth Allen, Emergency Management Coordinator, Environmental Health and Safety
- Kathy Bergsma, UF Information Security Manager, Computing and Networking Services
- Hui Bian, Data Manager and Research Director, Addictive and Health Behaviors Research Institute
- Jacob Burks, Assistant Center Director, Oral Biology, Dentistry
- Steven Carrico, Chair, Acquisitions and Licensing Department, Smathers Library
- Lauren Dukes, Account Executive, College of Journalism—WRUF
- Dorothy (Dolly) Haertling, Coordinator, Retirement, Human Resource Services
- Andrea Huisden, Assistant Director, Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate— Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies
- James Lennon, Coordinator, Administrative Services, Chemistry
- Connie Nicklin, Assistant Director, Research/Service Programs, Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research
- Melissa Orth, Director, University Relations, Office of the VP for University Relations
- Tiffany Schmidt, Assistant Director, Research, Engineering Contracts and Grants
- Tracy Brown Wright, Director, Public Relations and Communications, College of Nursing
- Vernon Wright, Outreach Financial Aid Coordinator, Student Financial Affairs
- Darren Baxley, Lieutenant (Coordinator), University Police Department
- Florida Bridgewater-Alford, Director, Community Relations, University Relations
- Araceli Castaneda, Coordinator, PURC
- Gina Tonogbanua Custer, Business Manager, Epidemiology & Health Policy Research
- Caroel DeBose, Privacy Analyst (Coordinator), VPHA/Privacy
- Fran Fiorello, Business Intelligence and Database Lead (IT Senior), UF Bridges
- Edwin Harvey, Coordinator, Florida Sea Grant
- Henry Robert Kolb, Coordinator, College of Medicine-Clinical Research Center
- Angela Lindner, Associate Professor, Environmental Engineering Sciences
- Melissa Long, Human Resources Administrator (Coordinator), Dentistry
- Karen Navitsky, Coordinator, Training & Org. Development, Human Resource Services
- Brent Ransom, Assistant Director, IFAS Human Resources
- David Segura, Coordinator, Finance and Accounting
- Brian Sevier, Assistant Director, IFAS Sponsored Programs
- Kim Sheffield, Coordinator, Fine Arts
- Marilyn Velez, Manager of Advisory Services (Sr. Auditor), Audit and Compliance Review