Speaking Center Staff & Consultants

Cynthia Carrico, MSE, MA
Director

Cynde Carrico brings exceptional academic credentials to the Speaking Center, holding two Masters Degrees including an MA in Communication from FAU where she conducted analytical research on regional communication patterns in traditional American publications. Her research portfolio centers primarily on communication apprehension, where she has developed evidence-based methodologies to help professionals overcome public speaking anxiety and performance barriers in high-stakes environments. Her work extends to rhetorical analysis across various media platforms, communication effectiveness in professional settings, and techniques for maintaining authentic interpersonal connections in digital environments.

With over 25 years in educational leadership, Professor Carrico has established a track record of excellence in guiding teams toward measurable performance outcomes and implementing structured accountability systems that drive results. She brings this commitment to continuous improvement and technical precision to her role at the Speaking Center, where she looks forward to applying her comprehensive communication expertise at FAU.

In her spare time, she is active with yoga practice, mixed media artistic expression, digital photography, competitive jigsaw puzzling, and children's theatrical direction. 

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 Communication Analysis, 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.  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.

Duha Mabchour
Consultant

Duha Mabchour is an Undergraduate studying political science here at Florida Atlantic University with a passion for public speaking and helping others find their voice. With a background in speech and debate competitions, Duha has developed strong rhetorical skills and enjoys guiding students to develop confidence in their communication abilities. She has volunteered extensively, tutoring and mentoring young students in public speaking, fostering both personal growth and effective expression. Beyond academics, Duha is actively involved in research and has interest in exploring the intersections of law, politics, and government. When not consulting, she enjoys playing competitive basketball, exploring new food places, and traveling, always seeking new experiences and perspectives to bring into their work at the FAU Speaking Center.

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 Giacchi is a junior at Florida Atlantic University, majoring in Communication Studies. With a background in acting since age five, she brings performance and confidence to her role as a Public Speaking Consultant and Leadership Engagement Specialist for Alpha Delta Pi. She aspires to combine her passions for broadcasting and acting while continuing to grow her career in both fields.

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.

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.

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.

Amanda Scholze
Consultant

Amanda is a junior at FAU majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Disaster Management. Her plan is to get her master’s in Criminology at FAU with career aspirations of going into federal law enforcement such as the FBI or U.S. Marshals. She loves sports, such as football and soccer, and plays on the women’s club soccer team at FAU. Amanda’s favorite place to be is the beach, especially at sunrise. She is excited to help students with their speeches!

Bella Lucido
Consultant

Bella is a senior at Florida Atlantic University majoring in Biological Sciences and planning to attend pharmacy school. She works as a licensed immunizing pharmacy technician, where she’s gained a solid foundation in patient care and communication that she hopes to build upon as a consultant. When she’s not at school or work, you can usually find her at a concert or music festival somewhere in the country, combining her love for music and travel.

Jose Perez
Consultant/Owlnouncers

Jose Perez is a Junior majoring in Communications and minoring in Public Relations. With a background in theater and music, he has learned how important delivery and body language is important in Public Speaking, from the front of a class to standing on a stage. He is also a part of Owlnouncers, an outreach program visiting various elementary schools in the area to teach young students public speaking skills through Readers Theater. Outside of the center, he loves discovering new music, collecting vinyl and cassettes, and practicing and performing around the area with his band. He hopes to help each and every student in any way possible, in pursuit of becoming a public speaker.

Colin Adams
Webdesign/Owlnouncers

Colin is a senior at FAU studying for a Bachelor's in Communications Studies. He has experience with photo manipulation software, customer service, and public speaking. Colin's most recent roles include a sales associate role at Lowe's Home Improvement, an Internship with the FAU Owlnouncers as their website redsign, and as a teacher with Senior Tech LLC. In his spare time, Colin likes to practice guitar, spend time with his parents, go to the gym, and work on his computers.

Kayla Lorenz
Consultant

Kayla Rose brings a blend of education, coaching, and communication experience to her work as a Public Speaking Consultant. She has spent three years as a professional nanny with one of Florida’s top childcare companies, supporting childhood development and early language acquisition. Her academic path began in Psychology and later shifted to English with a concentration in Professional and Creative Writing at Florida Atlantic University. 

Kayla is a certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and studies Dialectical Behavior Skills at Nova Southeastern University. She also has hands on experience in camp counseling, tutoring, one on one coaching, and coaches rock climbing on the weekends. These roles have strengthened her ability to guide others with patience, clarity, and encouragement.

In her free time, she enjoys running, writing poetry, and spending time with family. She looks forward to empowering students in both writing and public speaking while providing a safe and supportive space for growth.

Mia Scalia
Consultant

Mia Scalia is an undergraduate student at FAU majoring in Biomedical Science and a passionate public speaker. She’s extroverted and loves helping students embrace their communication skills and grow their confidence by helping them get comfortable with public speaking. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, reading, listening to music, and meeting new people. 

Kimberly Casey
Consultant

Kim Casey, originally from West Chester, Pennsylvania, is a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia Journalism and double-minored in Sports Studies and Communications Studies. She is now in the Communications Studies graduate program at FAU and works as a consultant in the Speaking Center and teaches public speaking to undergraduate students. She is also very active on campus outside of the graduate school as she serves as Owl TV's Marketing Director and is the Social Media Marketing Manager, Assistant Director of Communications and Outreach Officer for the FAU Ice Hockey Club. Outside of being involved on campus, she enjoys reading, watching sports, golfing and going to the beach. She is looking forward to helping students overcome speech apprehension and become confident public speakers!