Meet the University Honors Program Team

Dr. Mary Ann Gosser Esquilín
Assistant Dean, Honors and Scholars Program
Office: GS 211F
Phone: 561.297.0612
Email: gosser@fau.edu

About Mary Ann

Dr. Mary Ann Gosser Esquilín, Assistant Dean for Honors and Scholars Program, is also a Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature. From Bryn Mawr College, she received an A.B. in French with Honors after completing a thesis project on a late 19th-century French playwright and composer. She completed her doctorate in Comparative Literature at Yale University and taught at Rutgers University before joining Florida Atlantic University. At FAU, she has been involved in Honors education since 1991 teaching Caribbean literature courses for the University Honors Program. She joined the Honors College in Jupiter when it opened its doors in 1999 after having spent the 1998-99 academic year as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. After her transfer to the Boca Raton Campus, she was invited to join the University Honors Council and soon thereafter was selected as the University Honors Director.
Her teaching awards at Florida Atlantic University include the Alumni Association Faculty Talon Award, the Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the Award for Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Advising, and the FAU Division of Student Affairs Vice President’s Diamond Award for a Faculty’s Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs (2018).
She is President of Florida Atlantic University's Chapter 128, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and a faculty member of FAU’s Spanish Honor Society (Sigma Delta Pi) and French Honor Society (Pi Delta Phi).

Mary Downing Patterson
Director, Honors and Scholars Advising
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064
Email: mpatterson@fau.edu

About MD

Mary Downing Patterson (you can call her MD) is the Director for Honors and Scholars Advising within University Advising Services. She advises all UHP students through completion of the Honors Program. MD also promotes the UHP through Admissions events, assists in creating the Honors schedule, helps facilitate the large group Common Hour, and more. MD has worked at FAU since 2013 and is proud to be an OWL. Before joining the OWL Family, she has worked in various areas of Higher Education, such as: Financial Aid, Work Study, Residence Life, Student Development, and as an Adjunct Instructor.
MD is a South Florida native, but went out-of-state for her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. She earned a BS in Accounting from Belhaven University in 2006 and an MA in Higher Education from Geneva College in 2012. Even though she has lived in South Florida more than half her life, she is not a beach person, but would happily head to a theme park any day of the week. MD has a wonderful husband and 4 amazing children with whom she spends most of her time. Her house is a loud and boisterous place, but she would not have it any other way.

Heather Smith
Assistant Director
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064
Email: smithh@fau.edu

About Heather

Heather Smith is an Assistant Director for the University Honors Program within University Advising Services and joined the UHP team in September 2018 serving as the engagement coordinator for first-year programming and assists with academic advising when needed. She oversees the peer coaching program integrated into SLS1501-Intro into Honors Academic Life, the UHP first-year seminar. The peer coaching program consists of UHP upperclassman or graduates who work with first-year UHP students to assist with the transition from high school to honors at FAU.

A Midwestern native, Smith earned her master’s degree in Sport Management from Eastern Michigan University in 2013 and her bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration from Ball State University in 2011. In her personal life, Heather is a proud cat mom, loves spending time with her family and friends and spoiling her niece and nephew. She enjoys kayaking, backpacking, hiking new trails in new places, and spending time in nature whenever possible.

Jenna Abram
Academic Advisor III
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064
Email: abramj@fau.edu

About Jenna

Jenna Abram is an Academic Advisor in University Advising Services and joined the University Honors Program (UHP) team in June 2025 as the primary advisor for College of Business students. In this role, she supports and transitions UHP students into the College of Business. Jenna has been with Florida Atlantic University since January 2023. Prior to that, she worked in college athletics, holding roles in coaching, game operations, and student development.

A South Florida native, Jenna earned her B.S. in Sports, Entertainment and Event Management from Johnson & Wales University in 2016. While beginning her career as a collegiate soccer coach at Valdosta State University, she completed her M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership in 2019. Jenna and her husband have two children and enjoy spending time outdoors as a family, whether it’s at the beach, exploring local parks, or searching for the best ice cream spots.

Kereisha Mash
UHP Graduate Teaching Assistant
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064

About Kereisha

Kereisha Mash is a graduate student in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). She joined the FAU community as an undergraduate student, earning her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with a minor in Criminal Justice. Kereisha is passionate about advocacy, equity, and supporting underserved communities through social work.

Originally from Fort Lauderdale, FL, Kereisha is committed to making a meaningful impact in both clinical and community-based settings. Her academic and professional interests include criminal justice reform, mental health, and youth empowerment.

In her free time, Kereisha enjoys volunteering, spending time with family, and going to the beach. She looks forward to continuing her journey in the field of social work with purpose and compassion.

Maryann Blane
University Honors Program Coordinator
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064
Email: honorsboca@fau.edu