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Community Colleges Personnel

Office of the Chancellor | Office of Academic Affairs and Student Success | Office of Financial Policy

Office of the Chancellor

Dr. Willis N. Holcombe

Chancellor
Division of Community Colleges
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Phone: (850) 245-9449
Fax: (850) 245-9454
E-mail:

Dr. Willis Holcombe is Chancellor for Florida’s Community College System. Dr. Holcombe has more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership and collegiate administration.
Complete Bio

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Alice Bassett

Executive Assistant II
Division of Community Colleges
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Phone:(850) 245-9449
Fax: (850) 245-9454
E-mail:

Alice is the Executive Assistant to the Chancellor. Alice provides executive and administrative support to the Chancellor and works very closely with the staffs of the Division of Community Colleges and the State Board of Education.

Alice Bassett holds an Associate in Arts degree from Jones Business College. She has more than 30 years of experience with the State of Florida, including 14 years with the Florida Legislature.

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Barbara Strunk

Staff Assistant to Alice Bassett
Division of Community Colleges
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Phone:(850) 245-9458
Fax: (850) 245-9454
E-mail:

Barbara assists Alice Bassett, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, providing office and administrative support for the Chancellor’s Office.

Barbara has 30 years of experience in the Department of Education, with 26 years working for the Division of Community Colleges. Prior to joining the Chancellor’s Office, Barbara worked for the Division in the Bureau of Research and Information Systems as a senior clerk.

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Judy Green

President
Foundation for Florida’s
Community Colleges
Division of Community Colleges
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Phone:(850) 245-9494
Fax: (850) 245-9454
E-mail:

Judy Green serves as the President for The Foundation for Florida’s Community Colleges. In this role, she assists the Chancellor of the Division of Community Colleges and the Chairman of The Foundation in developing partnerships with public, private and philanthropic organizations. She is responsible for the budgeting, accounting, and reporting for a foundation with over $19 million in assets.

Green also assists with Division of Community College special projects such as leadership development and student recognition events, scholarship programs, sponsorship development, and communications.

Ms. Green received her AA degree from Edison College before obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Florida State University.

Pam Posey

Pam Posey is the Budget Manager for the Division of Community Colleges. She handles the Division’s operating budget and all Personnel issues for the Division.

Pam brings a wealth of information to the Division. She has worked in the Department for 14 years with 11 of those years in the Comptroller’s Office. Her experience is with accounts payable, contracts, insurance claims and payments, leasing, and working with FEMA. Pam received her AA degree from Riley College in Dothan, AL.

Kasongo Butler

As Assistant Chancellor, Kasongo Butler is responsible for governmental relations, external affairs, communications and outreach, Best Practices, and student recognition for Florida’s 28 community colleges.

Kasongo also provides support to the Chancellor in Cabinet and legislative matters, policy development, and leadership development. She works closely with the DOE Governmental Relations Office, and represents the Chancellor on issues relating to the State Board of Education, Florida’s Community College System, and the Legislature. She is a liaison to other DOE divisions, and state and federal agencies concerning the Division’s responsibilities and assignments.

Kasongo brings fifteen years of experience in public affairs to the Division. Previously, she was Assistant Executive Director for the DOE’s Commission for Independent Education, where she was responsible for conducting programs needs assessments and site reviews, staff development, presenting agency rules and monitoring legislative issues, consulting with accrediting agencies, and supervising staff.

Kasongo has worked as a governmental consultant for Thornton Williams and Associates, legal program manager for the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, planning manager for the Governor’s Task Force on Domestic Violence, legislative analyst for the Florida House of Representatives and analyst for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budgeting.

Kasongo holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law and a Bachelor’s degree in political science/public administration from Florida A&M University.

Bethany Gwaltney

Bethany provides administrative support to Kasongo Butler, Assistant Chancellor for the Division of Community Colleges. She also assists with external affairs issues, such as planning special events and professional development activities, writing the monthly Chancellor’s Newsletter and managing legislative-related tasks.

Bethany recently earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations at Florida State University. She holds an Associate of Arts degree from Chipola College.

Andrew Myers

Andrew Myers is Communications Director for the Division of Community Colleges.

Andrew has over 15 years experience in education and has held various positions within State government, most recently as the Consumer and Compliance Services Manager for the Commission for Independent Education. In that position, Andrew managed a team which investigated compliance issues and rooted out fraudulent enterprises such as diploma mills. He also answered press inquiries and aligned his onsite evaluator teams with accrediting agencies to ensure high standards.

Prior to that, Andrew worked as a Systems Analyst for the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA), designing websites and databases for Florida’s veterans. He also assisted in communications and special projects for the Executive Director.

Andrew earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of South Florida, a Master’s degree in Education from Florida State University, and pursued further Doctoral work in International Development Education at Florida State.

Lesley Hafford

Lesley Hafford is the Florida College System’s CorrFlow liaison and ombudsperson. She handles correspondence regarding College System issues submitted to the Commissioner of Education and Governor of Florida. She also oversees the Chancellor’s Best Practice Awards, Phi Theta Kappa, Chancellor’s Leadership Seminar and contributes to the newsletter.

Lesley has held internships at the NBC Universal London Bureau, the Florida Department of Education, WFSU and WCTV (CBS) - Tallahassee. She has also worked as a teaching assistant at Florida State University in the Department of Communication. Lesley earned a bachelor of arts degree in Mass Media Studies from Florida State University.

Office of Academic Affairs and Student Success

Dr. Judith Bilsky, Ed. D.

As Executive Vice Chancellor, Dr. Judith Bilsky serves as Chief Academic and Student Affairs officer for Florida’s Community Colleges, and also provides oversight for the administrative responsibilities of the Division of Community Colleges. Those responsibilities include supervising policy development, implementing student achievement initiatives, articulation, curriculum, access, outreach, accountability, and Division personnel and budget.

Dr. Bilsky was instrumental in creating a new strategic plan for Florida’s Community College System, helping to frame and define Florida’s "Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees", and was active in developing Educator Preparation Institutes for our state’s Community Colleges.

Dr. Bilsky has been a Florida educator for more than 35 years, holding positions in both teaching and administration which span all sectors of K-20. She has taught students at every level from pre-K through graduate. Prior to joining the Division in 2003, Dr. Bilsky served in various administrative capacities, including Associate Vice President and Dean at Brevard Community College.

Dr. Bilsky, who began her postsecondary education at Brevard Junior College, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Florida State University. She holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and a doctorate in higher education administration with an emphasis in community college leadership from the University of Florida. In January 2007, Dr. Bilsky was honored with the Outstanding Graduate Award by the University of Florida's Institute of Higher Education.

Mayra Lashley

Mayra provides administrative support and coordinates duties for Dr. Bilsky and the Office of Student & Academic Success (OSAS).

Prior to joining the Division in 2006, Mayra worked as a paralegal handling worker’s compensation claims for a Tallahassee law firm. She has also worked as an administrative assistant for the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program at the Leon County Department of Health.

Mayra holds an Associate of Arts degree in paralegal studies from Keiser College.

Sarah Culbreth

Sarah acts as the receptionist and provides administrative support to Judith Bilsky, Vice Chancellor for the Division of Community Colleges. She also assists other staff in the Division with the execution of conferences and professional development events.

Dr. Kathyrine Scheuch

Dr. Kathyrine Scheuch is the Director of Academic Programs and Teacher Preparation. Her primary responsibilities include overseeing policy recommendations and providing technical assistance on academic issues including Community College Baccalaureate Degrees and Educator Preparation Institutes (EPI’s).

Kathyrine began her education at Okaloosa-Walton Community College and later earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities from the University of West Florida. She also holds a master’s degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma and a doctorate in higher education administration from Florida State University. Kathyrine has worked in a wide range of higher education settings and organizations, including The City Colleges of Chicago, Tallahassee Community College, Florida State University, Association for Institutional Research (AIR), and with the U.S. military personnel in the United Kingdom.

Judy Dial

Judy’s primary responsibilities include common course prerequisites, and articulation issues. She works with staff at Florida’s 28 community colleges, the DOE Office of Articulation and the Board of Governors/State University System to address student articulation issues.

Judy has 23 years of experience with community colleges issues, and holds a M.S. in Education Administration /Leadership as well as a B.A. from Florida State University (FSU). Since coming to the Division, she has worked in the areas of academic programs as well as workforce education, public information, and financial and business services.

Patricia "Pat" Frohe

Pat serves as liaison with the Office of Articulation and the Board of Governors/State University System. Her primary responsibilities include access and articulation issues, common course prerequisites, and community college Bachelor’s degree program coordination. Pat also provides input for Division and DOE publications, research projects and addresses college staff and student concerns.

Pat has more than 30 years experience in education, including more than 20 years in various capacities at the Department of Education and two years at a Florida public school district. Before moving to Tallahassee, Pat worked as a teacher in New York.

Pat holds a bachelor of science degree in education from the State University of New York, College at Buffalo and a master’s in education from SUNY at Buffalo.

Sandra Burkholder

Sandra serves as liaison for teacher education programs at Florida’s Community Colleges. She is responsible for teacher preparation programs including Educator Preparation Institutes (EPIs) and Education Bachelor’s Degree programs. Sandra is responsible for international and developmental education issues, and serves as liaison to the Executive Board of the Florida Developmental Education Association.

Over the past 15 years, Sandra has worked as program specialist with previous assignments in several divisions here at the Department of Education. Sandra has served in various capacities as an educator, ranging from K-12 classroom teacher to community college adjunct instructor.

Sandra holds a bachelor of arts degree in English and a master’s degree in education with emphasis in reading from Florida State University. She is a Certified Public Manager through FSU’s Florida Center for Public Management and maintains teacher certifications in both English and reading.

Julie Alexander

Julie Alexander is the Director of Educational Services and Articulation. Her primary responsibilities include admissions-related issues, articulation, dual enrollment, residency, bill analysis and policy recommendation and interpretation.

Julie holds a Master’s degree in Education in Instructional Technology from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Art Education from University of North Texas. Previously, she has served as Bureau Chief of Special Projects in the Division of Workforce Education; Policy Analyst in Planning and Institutional Research on the Board of Governors; Assistant Administrator of the Statewide Course Numbering System, and as an art teacher in Texas and Botswana, Africa.

Carla Campbell

Carla is a Staff Assistant who provides support in the Office of Student and Academic Success in the Division of Community Colleges. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from Lake-Sumter Community College, and completed her Junior year majoring in Journalism at the University of Central Florida.

Carla has more than 20 years' experience as an Executive Administrative Assistant in the private sector, including jobs with an Health Management Organization (HMO), an economic research company, and an insurance firm. She also was a co-owner and officer of a computer software firm in Tallahassee.

Amy Albee

Amy Albee manages access and accountability for students with disabilities, and oversees outreach programs and services for underserved student populations. She also assists in the areas of college readiness, admissions, financial aid, transfer and articulation. Amy is the statewide coordinator for Florida’s College Goal Sunday, an event that helps first generation in college, low-income and minority students with the financial aid application process.

Amy has eight years of experience working with students and policy issues related to college students. Prior to joining the Division, Amy was assistant director of Florida State University’s Student Disability Resource Center. She has also held graduate internships at Florida State University, Learning Systems Institute and with the Florida Senate.

Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Florida State University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational policy, planning and analysis at FSU.

Office of Financial Policy

Edward L. Cisek

Ed has been in his current role as Vice Chancellor for Financial Policy of the Florida Community College System since 1990. He provides policy direction for the budget request, the distribution of state funds, business and personnel issues, and management information systems. The Florida Community College System is composed of 28 individually governed colleges, which consists of 61 campuses and serves over 800,000 students. Ed is also responsible for providing policy direction and supervision to the College Center for Library Automation. He chairs the Community College Funding Formula Committee for the Council of Presidents.

Prior to his current position, Ed was the Chief Financial Officer for the State Board of Education in Idaho. Before embarking on his career move out West, he was the chief education advisor to the Florida Senate President. The development of state graduation requirements (the RAISE Bill), and the creation of the College Reach Out Program were two major accomplishments during these two years in the Senate. From 1981 to 1983, Ed was the Education Policy Coordinator for the Governor of Florida. Previous employment includes working as a fiscal analyst in the Florida Senate Ways and Means Committee developing appropriations for public schools, community colleges, and educational facilities. His experience with Florida Community Colleges began in 1973 as a member of the Governor’s Budget Office.

Ed Cisek served as a board member of the Florida Prepaid College Program Board for 15 years. He has served on the Accounting Principles Committee and the Community College Committee of the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Ed earned a BS degree in Finance from the Ohio State University and a MBA degree from Florida State University. Ed achieved the rank of First Lieutenant in the United States Army.

He is the founder of the not-so-famous performing group “Eddie and the Auditors”. Their greatest hits include, “I Can’t Get No Performance Funding”, “The Ballad of Workforce Funding” and “Wasting Away Again in Retirementville.”

LaKeisha Coleman

LaKeisha is the Administrative Assistant to Ed Cisek, Vice Chancellor for Financial Policy. LaKeisha provides administrative, technical, and legislative support to the Vice Chancellor, as well as other professional staff.

LaKeisha has been with the Florida Department of Education since 2003. Before joining our division, she previously worked with the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program in the Office of Student Financial Assistance. She also worked with the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) for five years, prior to joining the Department.

Lisa Cook

Lisa is the Deputy Director of Facilities Planning and Budgeting in the Office of Financial Policy.

Prior to joining the Division, Lisa served St. Petersburg College for ten years as a Facilities Planner. She is a current board member and past president of the Florida Educational Facilities Planners’ Association, Inc.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Florida A & M University and an Associate of Arts degree from Florida State University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Florida Gulf Coast University.