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By Advisor Training and Development | October 5, 2021 (updated 12/10/21)


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The Student Success and Advising (SSA) Certificate provides a structured professional development curriculum for the UCF advising community, formally recognizing individuals who continue to advance their knowledge and skills. Programs included in the SSA Certificate are facilitated by the Advisor Training and Development team, members of the advising community, and partners across the UCF campus. Participants complete a core of required courses and have the flexibility to select restricted electives based on their interests, skillset, and current roles and responsibilities. The certificate includes three levels of completion, requiring a minimum of 17 training sessions plus participation in at least 3 professional development activities.

Student Success and Advising Certificate

Certificate Completion

The following individuals completed all three levels of the Student Success and Advising Certificate.

Jennifer Farran

School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy
Academic Advisor Track
Completed December 2021

Lana Gidusko

School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy
Student Support Track
Completed June 2021

Nina Leonard

College of Business Administration
Academic Advisor Track
Completed December 2021

Jennifer Gonzalez

UCF Online
Student Support Track
Completed August 2021

Certificate Progress

The following individuals have completed either the Bronze or Silver levels of the respective Student Success and Advising Certificate tracks.

Advisor Track – Silver Completion

  • Emel Bihorac, Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center
  • Anna Canlon, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Gianna Cifredo, College of Arts and Humanities
  • Cynthia Contreras, College of Medicine
  • Jessica Fasano, College of Nursing
  • Jinessa Fasnacht, College of Community Innovation and Education
  • Erin Grainger, Department of Psychology
  • Stephania Hayes, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Jessica Matos, UCF Connect- Direct Connect
  • Gail Raymond, College of Health Professions and Sciences
  • Elizabeth Tammaro, College of Arts and Humanities
  • Katy Weilant, College of Community Innovation and Education
  • Jacqueline West-Lee, UCF Connect- Direct Connect
  • Savanna Williams, Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center

Advisor Track – Bronze Completion

  • *Summer Bernini, College of Sciences
  • Deborah Bradford, UCF Connect- Direct Connect
  • Sierra Cater, Nicholson School of Communication and Media
  • *Latasha Cherry, College of Arts and Humanities
  • *Lorine Cisch-Taylor, College of Community Innovation and Education
  • Chloe Condo, Academic Services for Student-Athletes
  • *Ashley Crawford, College of Health Professions and Sciences
  • Brittany Cunnien, Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising
  • *Kimberly Dhanraj, College of Sciences
  • Karen Dlhosh, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Jessica Dorfman, School of Visual Arts and Design
  • *Shelanda Duncan, Academic Services for Student-Athletes
  • Ashley Duprat, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • *Sara Dye, Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center
  • *Lorie Elrod, College of Arts and Humanities
  • Renee Finnemore, School of Social Work
  • Samantha Fox, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
  • Vanessa Gonzalez, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
  • *Rickie Herrera, School of Public Administration
  • Emily Icenogle, Academic Services for Student-Athletes
  • *Kassidy  James, College of Business Administration
  • Bethany Larson, UCF Connect- Direct Connect
  • *Luz (Lucy) Leon, College of Community Innovation and Education
  • *Roger Ly, College of Nursing
  • Moises Melendez, College of Health Professions and Sciences
  • *Allison Molina, College of Medicine
  • *Melissa Morency, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • *Lauren Murray-Lemon, College of Medicine
  • Carly Place, Academic Services for Student-Athletes
  • *Armando Prieto, School of Global Health Management and Informatics
  • *Laura Rogers, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Jenna Schmidt, Department of Biology
  • *Mary Smith, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering
  • *Monica Smith, College of Health Professions and Sciences
  • *Garrett Spurlin, College of Sciences
  • *Lorenzo Stefko, College of Sciences
  • *Stephanie Talbert, College of Sciences

* Bronze Level earned through the completion of the New Advisor Training Curriculum

Student Support Track – Silver Completion

  • Richard Cortez-Satterlee, UCF Connect
  • Margo Johnsen, Downtown Student Services
  • Elexis Ritz, Department of Criminal Justice

Student Support Track – Bronze Completion

  • Kimberly Aldana Ortiz, UCF Connect
  • Gladys Cabrera, Department of Housing and Residence Life
  • Catherine Cash, School of Social Work
  • Sandra Drummonds, SDES TRiO Center
  • Edlira Dursun, School of Public Administration
  • Marva Ellington, Department of Criminal Justice
  • Troy Hahr, College of Business Administration
  • Nicole Inclan, UCF Global
  • Kristen O’Brien, UCF Connect
  • Saima Owens, UCF Online
  • Jama Riley, UCF Online
  • Gary Smith, School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs
  • Tiffany Vanphravong, SDES TRiO Center


Individuals recognized above completed the SSA Certificate Completion form by December 1 and were verified to meet requirements by the ATD team. If you reach a new level, submit your certificate progress by April 1, 2022 for recognition at the April 2022 AEP program.