Meet the Staff of
Freshman Academic Advising Services
Deborah "Mikki" Minney
Assistant Provost & Director
Deborah joined the FAU family in 1983. From 1983 to 1990, she served as Director of Minority Student Services. In 1990, she moved from Student Affairs to Academic Affairs, where she established Freshman Programs which later became what is now the Freshman Academic Advising Services office. Mikki, the name by which she is best known, earned a Bachelor's of Science in Education from Bethune-Cookman College, where she was a diehard "Wildcat." She earned her Masters at Florida State University, which makes her a 'Nole, and she is currently pursuing her Doctorate at Florida International University.
Liz Kennedy
Associate Director of Retention & Information Systems
Liz was born and raised in western Pennsylvania and came to FAU via northern New York. She has seven years of experience in higher education and six years of experience in community mental health. She holds two master degrees: Student Affairs in Higher Education and Counseling Psychology. In her spare time, Liz enjoys photography, traveling, and cooking. Liz is the liaison to the Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.
Hyacinth Wideman
Assistant Director of the University Scholars Program
Assistant Director of The University Scholars Program: The Honors Program at the Boca Raton Campus, has over twenty-five years of experience in the education system. Previously, she served as the Academic Advisor and Assistant to the Dean of the College of Social Science at FAU, and joined the Freshman Academic Advising Services office in 1996. She received her degree from Westminster College in London, England. She has one son, Bryan. Hyacinth is the liaison to the College of Nursing. In her spare time she enjoys mentorship, gardening and spending time with her family.
Kirk Hammond
Assistant Director of Information Technology, Academic Support Services
Kirk started working for the Freshman Academic Advising Services office part-time since 1989, while pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Business Management and Master's Degree in Business Administration at FAU. Kirk is currently an Assistant Director of Information Technology for the Freshman Academic Advising Services. He is commonly known as the "office computer guru" for any software and hardware issues. His hobbies include traveling, computers, web designing, and involvement within the community through local non-profit organizations, and especially spending time with his wife and family of four daughters and one son. Kirk is the liaison to the Schmidt College of Science.
Merideth Dee, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Academic Support Services
Merideth is an Assistant Director of Academic Support Services and works as the liaison to the College of Design and Social Inquiry. Merideth received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida State University and worked for the Office of Freshman Academic Advising as a graduate advisor in 2006 while pursuing her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology at FAU before becoming a full time staff member. Merideth graduated with her Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership: Adult Community Education from FAU in 2011, and you may recognize her as "the voice" from the Registration Tutorial.
Michele Rios
Coordinator, Academic Programs
Michele is a Coordinator of Academic Programs and serves as the liaison for the College of Education. Before joining the FAAS team, she worked in the Office of Admissions, Housing and Residential Life, and was an Orientation Leader. Michele earned her Bachelor's of Arts in Public Communications with a Certificate in Women Studies, and also received her Master's of Education in Higher Education here at FAU. Michele enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Stephanie Gordon
Coordinator, Academic Programs
Stephanie is a Coordinator of Academic Programs and works with students who have an Undecided major. Before joining the FAAS team, she was an Adjunct Professor at Palm Beach State College and taught Strategies for College Success and Career Development. Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Policy Studies at Syracuse University and a Master’s of Education in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. Stephanie has two boys, Dylan and Jayden and a one girl, Emma. She enjoys spending her free time exercising, reading, and doing fun activities with her family.
Kristen Robbins
Coordinator,
Academic Programs
Kristen is a Coordinator of Academic Programs and works with students from all majors, but specializes in special programs such as Early Admission, Gateway, and Intellectual Foundation Program reviews. Kristen received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in School Counseling from Florida Atlantic University. Before becoming a Coordinator, Kristen worked in Freshman Academic Advising as a graduate assistant while pursuing her Master’s Degree. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and reading.
Jason Aloise
Coordinator,
Academic Programs
Jason is a Coordinator of Academic Programs and works as a liaison to Student Athletes and the College of Business. Prior to coming FAU, Jason spent almost three years at FIU where he worked as an Advisor in the Student Athlete Academic Center where he worked mostly with the Football team. Jason earned his Bachelor’s Degree from USF and his Master’s Degree from Nova Southeastern University. Recently married in March 2012, he and his wife Jessica reside in Lake Worth.
