Dean’s Leadership Academy (DLA)

Prior to her 2019 appointment as Interim Dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University and subsequent appointment as Dean in 2020, Naelys Luna, PhD, MSW, served for three years as a professor and director of the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. She earned her MSW and PhD in Social Work from Fordham University in New York and her BA from Seton Hall University in New Jersey. As a licensed Social Worker (NY and NJ), Dr. Luna helped develop ADHD and PTSD programs in a child and adolescent outpatient psychiatric hospital. She has provided clinical social work services to children, adolescents, and their families in outpatient units, partial care programs, and private practice. Dr. Luna’s research interests and multiple publications in national and international journals are in the areas of substance use disorders, mood disorders, spirituality, parental roles, mental health outcomes in minorities (especially Hispanics) and psychosocial functioning. She is also the former president of the Florida Association of Deans and Directors (FADD), a board member for the National Association of Deans and Directors (NADD), a board member for the Association of Latino/Latina Social Work Educators (ALLSWE), an editorial board member for the Journal of Concurrent Disorders, and a Trustee for the Palm Health Foundation. Dr. Luna received one of the highly coveted spots as a 2023-24 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow and was named a 2022 South Florida Hispanic Woman of Distinction, one of the nation’s largest celebrations of Latina leaders. She is also active in the international community with collaborations at the Universidad de Valparaiso in Chile, Universidad Complutense in Spain, and Universidad del Quindio in Colombia.

Tony Andenoro, PhD, brings more than two decades of experience in leadership education and development to the role of Director of Community Engagement and Programming for the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University. He is charged with creating a strategic vision and initiatives aligning with the college’s mission of building relationships and creating impact for our learners, stakeholders, and communities. His research includes the development of moral decision-making in leadership learners, the impact of cognitive diversity and active learning strategies on engagement and neuroplasticity in leadership environments, and applying behavioral economics principles to address complex problems and foster sustainability in under-resourced communities. He has published 78 refereed and invited scholarly works, presented more than 100 refereed and invited conference papers, and secured more than $15 million in gift, contract, and grant funding to advance programmatic, teaching, and research initiatives. Dr. Andenoro holds a BA in Communication from the University of Toledo, an MS in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Counseling & Psychotherapy from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership Education from Texas A&M University.

Actively involved in Leadership Education and Development, Dr. Andenoro contributes to professional associations, including the International Leadership Association, the Association for Leadership Educators, the Academy of Management, the Inter-Association Leadership Education Collaborative, and the American Association of Creativity. He serves as the Project Lead for the National Leadership Education Research Agenda. As a learning and leadership consultant, Dr. Andenoro has enhanced organizational dynamics, efficiency, and performance for diverse organizations, collaborating with entities such as the United States Army, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Nationwide Insurance, The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His expertise extends to being an invited TED Speaker.

Rachael Schmidt is a mindfulness-based educator, coach, and founder of Common Sixth, a lifestyle company devoted to supporting deep connection and authentic living. With over two decades of experience in spiritual development and mindful self-discovery, Rachael provides others with accessible, real-world practices that bring clarity, calm, and meaning to the complexity of the human experience. Her work is rooted in compassion and curiosity, supporting individuals and groups, including leaders, students and private clients, as they reconnect with their inner wisdom and navigate life with greater intention. Rachael’s work as the inaugural Community Fellow at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice creates a space that offers mindfulness education and integration for faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students, bridging contemplative practice with academic and professional life.

Shawn Backer is a retired Deputy Chief of Police for the Coral Springs Police Department with more than 26 years of law enforcement experience. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy's 266th session, the country’s preeminent leadership school for police executives. As a member of the Coral Springs Police Department, Mr. Backer served as a patrol officer, field training officer, burglary detective, crimes against persons detective and was a sniper on the SWAT team. He held a variety of progressively higher supervisory roles, including serving as one of the Department’s two Deputy Chiefs for more than nine years. Mr. Backer was also a first responder at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas (MSD) tragedy in 2018. He testified before the MSD Commission and has presented on the events and lessons learned multiple times. Mr. Backer has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida State University (1994) and a Master of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University (2017). He teaches Crime Analysis - a Quality Matters (QM) certified course - and Criminal Justice Systems.

In addition to teaching at the FAU School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Dr. Anita N. Blowers is an Assoc. Professor Emeritus in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She received her Ph.D. in criminal justice from the University at Albany, State University of New York. Her current research focuses on elder abuse and neglect, older offenders and the criminal justice system, sentencing, and criminal justice policy. In addition to her scholarship in the field of criminal justice, she conducts research on topics such as student retention and assessment of student learning. Dr. Blowers has published in numerous criminal justice and law review journals and has written several book chapters.

• B.A University of Florida 1979
• JD Nova Southeastern University Law School 1983
• Public Defenders Office 1984-2018 Retired Chief Assistant Public Defender
• Adjunct Professor Florida Atlantic University 1994- Present
• Highlighted in Floridatrend.com May 2014 for Stand Your Ground Litigation.
• Created Stand Your Ground Course at FAU
• Created Immigration and the Criminal Justice System Course at FAU QM Certification
• Created Death Penalty course at FAU Q.M. Certification
• Awarded Outstanding FAU Adjunct Faculty McArthur Campus 2010-2011
• Married to Jodi Tice de la Torre 37 years
• Children Nicholas and Danielle de la Torre

Sandra holds a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Temple University, where she was a first-generation college student. She joined the advising staff in the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice after working at FAU for 18 years in Alumni and Community Engagement, The Mentoring Project and The Career Center. Before rejoining FAU, Sandra worked at Palm Beach State College in Student Development/Advising. She advised students in choosing a career pathway and transfer institution. Sandra advises the SOAR in 4 students as well as Criminal Justice and Social Work majors. She is passionate about helping students navigate their academic journey and achieve their career goals.

Danile Jerome, MSW, RCSWI, is a master’s level Social Worker who earned her MSW and certificate in Leadership in Executive and Administrative Development at Florida State University. She has 7+ years’ experience in the human services field in both educational and nonprofit settings and has cultivated a passion for higher education and community-focused, macro-level work. She feels most energized when using her social work skills to support programmatic growth and build community partnerships. As a social worker, she has provided counseling services, program management, grant management, and case management, serving underserved and marginalized populations.

Tootie Martin joins Florida Atlantic from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, where he served as Director of Development for the Morrison Family College of Health, overseeing all fundraising efforts in the School of Social Work, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, the Department of Health & Exercise Science and the Susan S. Morrison School of Nursing. He also served on the University Advancement team at Concordia University in St. Paul for 10 years. As Director of Development at Concordia, Mr. Martin managed a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and supervised Concordia’s major gift fundraisers. He has a proven record of success in fundraising, regularly exceeding individual and team goals.

Mr. Martin uses his unique skills, career, and life experiences to advance human flourishing and well-being through collaboration and partnerships in the community. He is a Florida native, born and raised in Panama City and is excited to be back in his home state. In his free time, Mr. Martin enjoys spending time with his college sweetheart and wife of 16 years, their 11-year-old son, weight training, hiking, exploring nature, and serving in the community.

Fabio Leon Rojas Valencia was born in Colombia S.A. arriving in the United States as a teenager. Having learned a new language (English) he graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Sociology with emphasis/concentrations in Education & Media. Soon after graduating out of a sense of duty he joins the USA Army-National Guard where he served for 12 years rising to Squad Leader and the rank of Sergeant. Fabio completed all coursework in the Master’s of Higher Education Administration at Barry University (Comps. Pending). His career experience spans from working with State and Private institutions of higher education as an Admissions Officer, Assistant Registrar, Career Counseling and for most of his tenure what he feels is in his-calling Academic Support Services. Most recent at FAU as Coordinator of Academic Programs/Academic Advisor. Fabio also worked as an Adjunct-instructor at Miami-Dade College. He is currently the Lead Advisor for the BSW Program, Soar-in-4 Scholars Program and Student Organization-Newman Club Advisor. Fabio is bilingual (fluent in English & Spanish), he also serves in several committees throughout Florida Atlantic University.

Mrs. Sigal Rubin is the Undergraduate Coordinator, Student Success Coordinator, and a Senior Instructor for the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University. Her instructional background includes work with special needs students in several subjects, such as math, science, history, and criminology. While teaching full time, Mrs. Rubin completed her Master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University. Subsequently, she worked as an adjunct and was promoted to a full-time instructor. In this role, she has served as the undergraduate and graduate degree program coordinators. She also organizes the Criminal Justice Summer Camp each year targeted at recruiting top-level high school students to consider Florida Atlantic University for their college career. Mrs. Rubin teaches courses in Law, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System, Women and Criminal Justice, Violence in Relationships, and Ethics and the Justice System. She has developed three fully online courses for the school, all of which have been given the Quality Matters certification. Additionally, Professor Rubin is the Internship Coordinator for the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Professor Rubin is passionate about generating awareness, especially amongst her students, concerning survivors of all forms of domestic abuse.