As the Director of New Student Programs, Dr. Andrew Cinoman is responsible for providing leadership and oversight of the programs and services offered by our office, while working with the Vice President for Student Services on the strategic planning, development, and assessment of student success initiatives that focus on students in transition at the University.  In addition to these duties, Andy serves on the First Year Council, supports the First Year Summer Reading Project, and serves as a liaison to faculty and other service units who collaborate to establish first-year initiatives University wide.

Born in Michigan and raised in Maryland, Andy earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland in 1985 before heading to Columbus, Ohio to pursue a Doctoral Degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University, which he completed in 1993.  While studying lifespan human development, he accepted an assistantship as an academic advisor in the former University College unit at OSU, and discovered a perfect way to apply his understanding of how people change and grow...and a careere in student affairs was born!

After completing his Ph.D., Andy joined the University College staff at Ohio University (not to be confused with The Ohio State University), where he served as an Academic Counselor, providing advising and other services for students undecided in their major.  He eventually took on the roles of Assistant Director of Precollege Orientation and the Director of the Precollege program, before leaving OU in 2000 to become an Assistant Director of Admissions and the Director of Orientation Services at the University of Iowa, where he was employed until joining the NSP staff in January 2010.

Andy enjoys following most sports, but his first love is swimming; having competed on various levels over the past three decades, he is looking forward to taking advantage of the ability to swim outdoors all year round.  He also enjoys camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities, reading, taking in the occasional movie, and getting in some beach time when he can.  

Associate Director
New Student Programs
First Year Advising
Email: amusolin@fgcu.edu

As an FGCU alumnus, Adam Musolino brings enthusiasm for meeting student needs to the management of the First Year Advising Team and within his contributions to the unit which also includes Orientation and Parent Programs. Originally from Illinois, Adam holds a BA in Psychology and earned his FGCU MA in Counselor Education.  Adam began his employment with FGCU in 1998 serving as a research assistant in the COE, assistant in Career Services and then became FGCU's first GA resident counselor working for the counseling center in conjunction with residence life  from 1998-2000.  Adam joined our department in 2000 as an academic counselor and advanced his leadership to the unit as assistant director and was promoted to associate director in 2007.  Adam taught freshmen seminar from 2000-2006 and Effective Learning through the Migrant Summer Institute.  He also serves on the First Year Summer Reading Project Committee, is vice-chair of the Academic Advising Council and contributes to a data subcommittee of the Enrollment/Retention Management Committee.     

Adam oversees the facilitation of the peer advisor training for our orientation leaders and peer advisors.  Adam serves as the chapter advisor to Kappa Alpha and the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society.  As a frequent presenter at NACADA, Adam enjoys contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the advising profession.  His interests include promoting service excellence, staff, development, team building, operational innovation and website development to enhance student service delivery. Adam specializes in major exploration for deciding students and is the organizer of the Annual FGCU Major Fair. Adam is the web author/developer for First Year Advising and strives to provide progressive utilization of technology to supplement the advisement   of FGCU students. Adam enjoys kayaking, swimming, and motorcycle touring.     

Valerie Garcia, M.Ed.
Assistant Director
New Student Programs
Eagle View Orientation and Family Programs
Email: vgarcia@fgcu.edu

As the Assistant Director of New Student Programs, Valerie Garcia, is responsible for managing the overall design, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all new student and family programs including Eagle View Orientation and Eagle Family Weekend.

Born in California and raised in New Mexico, Valerie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of New Mexico. It was at UNM that Valerie learned she had a passion for assisting college students and decided she wanted to remain working in the college environment. After completing her degree she moved to College Station, Texas and worked at Texas A&M University in the Department of Student Activities and the Department of Residence Life. Knowing she wanted to pursue a career in student affairs, Valerie moved to Burlington, Vermont to obtain her Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont. While at UVM Valerie served as the Graduate Assistant for Fraternity and Sorority Life and was also the Parent and Family Program Coordinator for New Student Orientation. Valerie received her Master’s Degree in May 2010 and joined the Office of New Student Programs in August 2010. 

Valerie enjoys exploring Southwest Florida, going to the beach, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.  

 Ed Burton, M.Ed.
Academic Counselor
New Student Programs
First Year Advising
Email: eburton@fgcu.edu  

Ed Burton is from Illinois where he earned a B.A.  from the University of Illinois in Anthropology in May 2008.  After graduation he moved to Germany to learn German, travel, and obtain a Masters Degree in International Management from Schiller International University in Heidelberg. While studying in Germany, Ed also worked as a University Services Assistant and advised students from 36 countries. Upon completion of his professional endeavors in Germany he traveled back to the United States to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he completed a Masters Degree in Education and Counseling. He currently resides in Fort Myers with his Fiancé, Alexis, and their dog, Ebba.  He enjoys spending time with friends and family, cycling, kayaking and going to the beach.  

Thomas “Jake” Stresen-Reuter, B.A.
Graduate Assistant 
Email: tstresen-reuter@fgcu.edu

Jake Stresen-Reuter, Graduate Assistant for New Student Programs, was born and raised in Naples, Florida.  He attended FGCU for his entire undergraduate career and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2009.   Jake enjoyed getting involved on campus during this time by participating in intramural sports, and attending many campus events such as Eaglepalooza and socials.  His advice for new students would be to start finding things they enjoy doing with people that have similar interests as early as possible. 

Jake is currently pursuing a Masters at FGCU in the Mental Health Counseling Program and is expected to complete the three year program in 2012.  Upon graduation from the program, Jake hopes to get a job in higher education counseling and eventually become a Marriage and Family Therapist.  Jake is thankful for his family and the friendships he has made during his time at FGCU and values these relationships above all. 

During his free time, you can usually find Jake at Gulf Coast Town Center hanging out having a good time or seeing a movie; as he is a self-proclaimed “movie buff.”  In fact, he would like to end his bio with a quote from his personal favorite movie, The Departed: “I don’t wanna be a product of my environment; I want my environment to be a product of me .... no one gives it to you. You have to take it.”   

Natasha Taylor, though her friends call her Tasha, graduated in May 2010 with a Bacholars of Arts in Communication and minors in Creative Writing and Interdisciplinary Studies. Tasha is now pursuing a Master's degree in School Counseling here at Florida Gulf Coast University. Her goal is to become an Academic Advisor in Higher Education and a motivational speaker.

Tasha was raised in Naples, Florida, where she graduated from Golden Gate High School; Class of 2006. As an undergraduate she was involved in Resident Housing Association, Student Support Services, and the Black Student Alliance.  Tasha volunteers her time to the Shelter for Abused Women and Children of Collier County.  She is also affiliated with Big Brother Big Sister's of Collier County, because she has had a wonderful mentor for the past 14 years through this excellent program.

 Jeff Ballou was born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Florida and attended Boca Ciega High School, in the medical professions program. Sports are a huge part of his life. He played baseball, football, track & field, and golf during high school. He has been playing baseball since he was 5 years old. After high school Jeff attended Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, to play baseball and major in biology. Jeff went there for his freshmen year and soon transferred to FGCU as a sophomore.

He is a junior now majoring in Business Management with the concentraion in sports management. He is dual minoring in marketing and real estate. Also, he is interested in going into the fire department as a paramedic once he graduates college. He is involved with Eagle View Orientation, intramural sports, the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and the Lamda Zeta chapter here at FGCU. He is also a Florida Gulf Coast University Eagle Ambassador in the international services department. He has a dog named Diesel that is 1 1/2 years old who is an American Bulldog.

 Jeff enjoys working out at "The Training Box" in Estero, relaxing with his brothers, friends, family, going to the beach, and playing xbox 360.    

  

 

 

 

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 Kaitlyn Dorsett

Student Assistant

Email: kdorsett@fgcu.edu

 

Kaitlyn Dorsett is a junior majoring in Secondary Social Science Education.  She was born and raised in Venice, FL, and graduated from Venice High School in 2008.  Kaitlyn graduated from the State College of Florida with an Associate in Arts degree and transferred to FGCU in August 2010.  Kaitlyn worked with therapy horses for six years at InStride Therapy in Nokomis, FL. Instride is a therapeutic facility that specializes in hippotherapy.  Kaitlyn worked with the horses, physical and occupational therapists, people with special needs, and volunteers.  In 2006, Kaitlyn traveled to China as a student ambassador for the People to People Student Ambassador Program.  She was in China for three weeks, and traveled across the East coast and Hong Kong. Kaitlyn visited schools and families, attended banquets, and visited sites such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City and the Terra Cotta Warriors. She wants to go back to China someday, and intends to visit other countries as well.  Kaitlyn has a younger brother and sister, three dogs, two cats, and goes back to Venice to visit her family often.  She loves to work with animals and currently volunteers at the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Fort Myers.  Kaitlyn is a pop culture fanatic, and loves to watch TV shows and movies, listen to music, read when she can find the time.  

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