Speaking Center Staff & Consultants

Cynthia Carrico, MSE, MA
Director

Cynde Carrico holds two Masters Degrees, one of which is a MA in Communication from FAU where she focused on Southern identity and culture within community cookbooks. Current research encompasses several areas of pop culture and rhetorical criticism, ranging the gamut of Multicultural Discourse in Children’s Literature to Authentic Digital Connectivity in the 21st Century. With over 25 years in educational leadership, Cynde has led multiple teams in supplemental services always focusing on motivating, monitoring and managing student success. Her most recent faculty position was at Florida International University where she served as the Lambda Pi Eta honor society advisor. In her limited spare time, she is active with yoga, creative mix media artwork, digital photography, competitive jigsaw puzzling and childrens theater. She is excited to return to FAU and begin her journey with the Speaking Center.

Eleni Webster
Assistant Director

Eleni Webster is a graduate student in Communication Studies. She has over a decade of experience in public speaking and performance. She is now a Graduate Teaching Assistant instructing a university Public Speaking course. Eleni has taken a variety of courses regarding Multicultural Discourses, Social Media, and Architecture. She has spent several years tutoring, fundraising, and executing quality customer service. She is pursuing a career related to Public Speaking & Interpersonal/Social Skills Coaching. Furthermore, her passion lies in the realm of Multiculturalism to achieve effective and authentic efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. In her spare time, she writes music, dances, and spends time with friends at the beach. Eleni is looking forward to helping students achieve their full potential as enthusiastic and powerful public speakers!

Vito Borio
Center Coordinator

Vito is a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the School of Communications and Multimedia Studies, with a scholarly focus in rhetoric and artificial intelligence. Being recognized as FAU’s “Outstanding Student in Communication Studies” during his undergraduate career, he possesses a thorough understanding of public speaking and rhetorical techniques. Alongside this, Vito has a great deal of experience when it comes to performances, given that his speaking abilities are coupled with a wide array of performances in musical theatre and as a soloist. He also has professional experience in direct sales and social media, as well as a Master of Ceremonies for several events. Overall, Vito’s primary goal as a consultant is to assist students in fostering competence while presenting; which will hopefully instill a genuine fondness toward any opportunity to speak publicly. 

Amanda Ciocca 
Center Coordinator 

Amanda is a first year MA student in the Women's Studies program. She is a General Teaching Assistant at FAU and also works for the Texas Debate Collective (a non-profit debate collective based in Austin, TX). Amanda wants to continue making contributions to collegiate academia by becoming a professor in the foreseeable future. Outside of academia, she loves Studio Ghibli movies, reading (whether it be fiction or nonfiction), and loves the outdoors.

Kashine Johnson
Consultant

Kashine is a Florida born native; she is a current Speaking Consultant and Instructor at FAU who also juggles the role of being a graduate student. As a realtor she is heavily involved with her community and finds passion in helping others. She plans to become a motivational speaker and travel internationally—introducing new ideas and offering different methods of effective discourse. She believes that by changing the way we have conversations, we can leave a positive impact upon our society.

Abigaelle Michel
Consultant

Hello, my name is Abigaelle Michel. I am a new graduate of Florida Atlantic University, where I received my degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Law. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Communications and Multimedia studies, and I aspire to get into the realm of Public Relations and go to Law School. I love to volunteer, dance, and remain active in everything I do.

Djery "D" Clem
Consultant

Djery "D" Clem is a military veteran who holds a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University. He was also a student athlete at FAU. He has been a member of the Accounting Scholars Program, Beta Alpha Psi, and Accounting Student Association. His most recent roles include serving as a facilitator at the FAU Challenge Course, Young Men’s Activities Leader for a local church, and Vice-Chairman of the Military and Veteran Alumni Network. In his spare time, D fancies organizing, reading, and outdoor recreational activities, his favorite being skydiving.

Shayna Farhin Shimu
Consultant

Shayna Farhin is an international graduate student who works as Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) of Communication and Multimedia Studies of FAU. She has experience as a Communication Specialist; Broadcast Journalist and as an academia. In her home country, she worked as a professor of Journalism, Media, and Communication at a reputed private university. Furthermore, she worked for a couple of years in the corporate sector. Now she is focusing on her academic career. She enjoys spending her time practicing public speaking, theater, event management, and at cultural organizations. Her favorite quote is "We have one life, make it count."

Skylar Salamone 
Consultant

Skylar relocated to South Florida to pursue her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies, along with a minor in Public Relations. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree, she made the decision to continue her academic journey by enrolling in graduate school. While also furthering her education, she is working in the Speaking Center to help students build confidence in themselves. Overall, her goal is to empower students to speak confidently in public settings, helping them manage anxiety and fostering a sense of comfortability.

Rebecca Piriz
Consultant

Rebecca is a first-year MA student in Communication Studies. She is also a General Teaching Assistant here at FAU for public speaking. She holds experience in public speaking, newswriting/on-camera reporting, and social media management through her undergrad degree in Media-Communication Studies at FSU. While studying at FAU she will also be available to students seeking help in the Speaking Center. Overall, Rebecca is excited to pursue her higher education in hopes of working in social media marketing field.

Ava Giacchi
Consultant 

Ava is a dedicated sophomore at Florida Atlantic University majoring in Communication Studies, bringing a wealth of experience to her role as a public speaking consultant. Having been immersed in the acting industry since the age of five, Ava’s background has provided her with a strong foundation in effective communication and performance. Her passion for public speaking stems from these early experiences, and she is eager to share her skills to help others enhance their own speaking abilities. Looking ahead, Ava aspires to combine her love for broadcasting and acting by pursuing a career as a sports broadcaster while continuing to develop her acting career. Ava’s unique blend of experience and enthusiasm makes her a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their public speaking skills.

Eva Sorokorensky  
Consultant

Eva Sorokorensky is a freshman at FAU, majoring in Business Management. She has a passion for teaching and previously taught kids how to ride and care for horses. She participates in contact sports such as Taekwondo and Wrestling, both of which have strengthened her confidence and resilience. These experiences have taught her the importance of staying composed under pressure, a skill she is eager to pass on to other students as they work on improving their public speaking.

Reese Crosby
Consultant

Reese is a Sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Criminal Justice; with an overall plan to pursue a career in Forensic Psychology. Additionally, Reese encompasses a wide array of both prior and current professional experience in roles including: Pharmacy Technician, Secretary of the Criminal Justice Club, Undergraduate Research Assistant, and Micro-influencer Content Creator. Upon joining her high school’s Speech & Debate team, she has loved the art of communication and has continued to hone her skills in the field ever since. That said, she is eager to share her knowledge and experience with her peers.

Margaret Dethloff
Consultant

Margaret Dethloff is a graduate student in Communication Studies working as a GTA at FAU, teaching public speaking and consulting in the Speaking Center. She graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, with a Bachelor’s in strategic communication and minors in coastal environmental science and digital media production & journalism. After spending time at a small school on the Atlantic coast, Dethloff wanted to continue her studies improving communication strategies across various industries near the ocean. She loves music, the environment and helping students find confidence in their public speaking skills.

Kaila Palmer
Consultant

Kaila Palmer is a recent Florida Atlantic University graduate pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Communication. She is active on campus, serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, Senator in Student Government, and Vice President of Membership for Alpha Kappa Psi. Her most recent roles include serving as the President of the Black Student Union and the Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship House. Kaila enjoys reading, bowling, designing graphics and social media content in her spare time, and playing video games.

Sarah Hamel
Consultant

Sarah is a sophomore at FAU majoring in Criminal Justice. With a Criminal Justice degree, she hopes to go into Law Enforcement to become a police officer, and then later extend her career to investigative. She is a member of the Criminal Justice Club, and a police explorer with the Boca Raton Police Department. Ultimately, she is excited to be a consultant and help students with their speeches! 

Jake Dalessio
Consultant 

Jake Dalessio is a Freshman at FAU, majoring in Business Management. Having built up his speaking confidence and skills through a multitude of public speeches, while also having many years of tutoring under his belt, he's now well-experienced and passionate about helping others with their public speaking pursuits.

Ronica Deshmukh
Consultant 

Ronica Deshmukh is an Undergraduate student studying Marketing here at FAU. With extensive public speaking experience through Girl Scouts and having competed in many public speaking club competitions she is well versed in many types of public speaking. Outside of school she enjoys baking, jewelry making, and acting! She can not wait to meet everyone and help them improve their public speaking skills!