Jody Conway is the Director for the Transitional Advising Center and FYE Curriculum Programs at the University of South Florida. Dr. Conway has been at USF since 2000. While at USF she has also served as the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions in the College of Nursing. She worked in similar positions at the Saint Leo University, Creighton University and the University of South Dakota. In addition to her current position, she is an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education and Undergraduate Studies.
Dr. Conway graduated with her B.A. in Communications and her M.A. in Educational Administration both from the University of South Dakota. She received her Doctorate in Education and Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
She is active in several professional associations and has delivered presentations both at the regional and national level. Her experience in both Academic Affairs and Student Affairs speaks to her love of students and her passion to support students as they strive to reach their academic goals.
Mildred Abreu
Mildred earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1993. Also, she earned her Master of Arts degree in education administration from Northeastern Illinois University in 2001.
Mildred is new to the TRAC center; she worked previously at Hillsborough Community College as an Academic Advisor. Prior to HCC, she worked at USF for the English Language Institute as an Admissions/International Student Advisor.
Zoraya Betancourt
Home town: I currently reside in Oldsmar, Florida but consider Miami, Florida home. This is where I was raised since the age of six after my family migrated from Bogota, Colombia.
Education:
- B.A. in Psychology, Florida International University
- M.Ed. College Student Affairs, University of South Florida
Professional background: I have been working as a professional academic advisor in the TRAC office (formerly the Center for Academic Advising) since April of 2004. Prior to this time I was a Graduate student advisor in the Center for Advising from May 2002 through April 2004. Before coming to the University of South Florida I worked in Miami's State Attorneys office in the Child Support Enforcement department. In addition, I have worked with both the Hispanic and African American GLBT communities as an Outreach Coordinator on AIDS education.
Special skills and interests: I speak fluent Spanish and pride myself in working with individuals of all different types of backgrounds. I was a member of USF's Safe Zone from 2002 - 2004 and continue to be an ally.
Advises:
- Undeclared/undecided First Time In College Students
- Pre-Architecture majors
- Students in transition (those who are in the process of switching from one major to another due to academic difficulty)
About your advisor: I love books, music and spending time with my son (ask me all about the higglytown heroes).
Gwen Hewitt
Gwen Hewitt graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. She continued her education at Florida A&M University receiving a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling.
Ms. Hewitt has worked as an Academic Advisor at USF for 20 years. Prior to her time at USF, she was a Counselor at Hillsborough Community College. Ms. Hewitt also has previous experience as a District Intake Counselor at Florida Health Rehabilitative Services and as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the State of Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Cathy Jewel
Cathy Jewel graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She continued her education at USF receiving a Master in Arts in Guidance and Counseling.
Ms. Jewel has worked as an Academic Advisor at USF for 16 years, receiving the Outstanding Undergraduate Advising award in 1993 and 2003. Prior to her time at USF, she was an Academic Advisor and the Coordinator of Continuing Education at Pasco-Hernando Community College.
Jessica McCarty
Jessica McCarty graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Florida in 1999. After graduation, she moved to Tampa and started working in student services at Saint Leo University, coordinating graduation and testing functions. She began advising students in 2005. Ms. McCarty also obtained her Master of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo University in 2006.
Currently, Ms. McCarty advises students in the Transitional Advising Center (TRAC) at USF. Her focus centers on students in the Bachelor of Applied Science degree program which has thirteen concentrations. She also advises students in the Hospitality Management and Information Technology degree programs.
Melissa Rathburn
Melissa Rathburn joined the Transitional Advising Center team in February 2007. Prior to that, she was an Academic Advisor at Hillsborough Community College. Her earlier work history includes the Test Center and Office of Adult & Transfer Student Services at USF, as well as an internship with the Counseling department at Hillsborough Community College and a student assistant position in the Career Resource Center at Manatee Community College.
Melissa earned her master's degree in College Student Affairs from USF's College of Education in May 2006. While an undergraduate, she attended Manatee Community College and USF's Sarasota campus before relocating to Tampa. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in Marketing from USF's College of Business in May 2002.
Melissa is a Bull through-and-through. In addition to her two degrees and work experience in three departments at USF, both of her parents have both worked for USF, and her sister currently works at the Sarasota campus. Her husband will soon begin his upper-level coursework for a bachelor's degree in Political Science. Melissa looks forward to a long and satisfying career at USF!
