About Us

Our Staff

 

Leadership

 

Leslie Tod, Director
tod@usf.edu
Leslie has worked at the University of South Florida since 2000 and in Undergraduate Studies for the Office of Academic Advocacy since 2013. She earned her undergraduate degree at Eastern Illinois University in Speech Communication and her M.A. degree from the University of South Florida in Communication. While at USF she has taught as an adjunct instructor for the Communication Department and served as an Academic Advisor and Lead Advisor in the College of Arts & Sciences. Prior to working at USF she spent several years in Higher Education in the UK at the Manchester Metropolitan University in the Centre for Human Communication, where she was a senior instructor and course manager.

Dr. Michelle Bombaugh, Assistant Director
bombaugh@usf.edu
Michelle has been at the University of South Florida since 2005 and with the Office of Academic Advocacy since 2014. She has worked in Undergraduate Admissions and served as a Lead Advisor in the College of Arts & Sciences. She currently serves as an adjunct instructor for Academic Foundations and the Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising. Michelle holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration as well as graduate certificates in Career Counseling and Leadership in Higher Education from the University of South Florida.

Kim Williams, Administrative Officer
kimwilliams@usf.edu
Kim has been at the University of South Florida for 30 years and has extensive experience in academic advising, graduation certification, academic regulations and university policy. She has worked in Financial Aid and University Computing and was with the College of Arts and Sciences since its formation 23 years ago. Kim moved to Undergraduate Studies when the Office of Academic Advocacy was formed.  

 

 

 

First Year Persistence Advocates

 

Ashley Dees
dees@usf.edu
Prior to joining the Academic Advocacy team in 2016, Ashley served as an Academic Advisor at the University of South Florida for four years. Ashley holds a M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Higher Education from USF.

 

Zulmaly Ramírez
zramirez@usf.edu
Zulmaly has been with the University of South Florida since 2015 and has extensive background in areas of advising, counseling, student and academic services, admissions, and financial aid. She also serves as an adjunct instructor for Academic Foundations. Zulmaly holds a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University.
 

 

 

Progression to Graduation Advocates

  

Michael Callender
mcallender@usf.edu
Michael has worked at the University of South Florida as an undergraduate studies academic advisor and Academic Foundations instructor for over a decade. Michael holds a M.A. in Counseling Education and a Master's in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University as well as a graduate certificate in Higher Education from the University of South Florida.

Ginny Shepherd
shepherd3@usf.edu
Ginny joined the University of South Florida in her current role with the Academic Advocacy team 2016. Previously, she worked with transition programs, mental health counseling, and study abroad. Ginny holds a M.Ed. in Counselor Education from North Carolina State University.                                                                          

Anna Vest
nalitova@usf.edu
Anna has been with the University of South Florida since 2014, during which she served as an Academic Advisor for international students at INTO USF, prior to joining the Academic Advocacy team in 2016. She is also an adjunct instructor for Academic Foundations Seminar courses. Her background is in academic advising and program development for underserved student populations. Anna holds a M.S. in Counseling with specialization in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University. 

Sarah Wray
swray@usf.edu
Sarah has worked at the University of South Florida as an Academic Advisor for more than six years before joining the Office of Academic Advocacy in 2016. Sarah is a proud alumna of the University of South Florida, where she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in English. In her prior role, Sarah worked with students at the University of South Carolina's School of Medicine.

 

 

Transfer Student Transitions Advocates

 

Anthea Henderson
ahenderson1@usf.edu 
Anthea's professional experience of 30+ years includes student leadership development, school counseling, mental health counseling, program evaluation, teaching, clinical supervision, consulting, and training. She is an adjunct instructor for the Counseling and Human Services Program at Hillsborough Community College and a Certified Program Evaluator. Anthea holds a M.A. in Psychology from Washington University and is a Doctoral Candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision Program at the University of South Florida.

Andrew Mason
asmason@usf.edu
Andrew's professional advising and teaching experience includes work in secondary public schools, college admissions, and university academic advising. Andrew is re-joining the USF family, previously serving as an Academic Advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences and adjunct instructor for Academic Foundations. Andrew completed his undergraduate work in Secondary Education at The Florida State University ('09), and holds a M. Ed. in College Student Affairs from the University of South Florida ('14).

Carly Walters
cjwalters@usf.edu
Prior to joining the Academic Advocacy team in 2018, Carly's roles included Coordinator of Retention and Counseling Services at Pasco-Hernando State College and Program Manager for Florida State University's Center for Success Coaching. Her background focuses extensively on student persistence and success. She holds a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Florida State University.

 

 

Exploratory Curriculum Major Advisor

 

Shane Combs
shanecombs@usf.edu  
Shane is dedicated to helping students make their own decisions regarding academic plans, career goals, and most importantly their major of choice. In his prior role with the Collier Student Success Center in the USF Muma College of Business, Shane helped students obtain internships and careers with companies like Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Raymond James, Goldman Sachs, Disney, and more. Shane is a proud alumnus of the University of South Florida, where he earned a Master of Business Administration and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration.

 

 

INTAKE COORDINATORS

 

Pedro Henry
phenry2@usf.edu
Pedro is a proud University of South Florida alumnus and holds a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to his current role, he worked at Florida International University's Center for Leadership and Service department.

 

Taylor Mihocik - Graduate Assistant
Taylor is an alumna of the University of South Florida where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Literary Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at the University of South Florida

 

Cesar Cruz Benítez - Graduate Assistant
Originally from Westbury, New York, Cesar is a recent graduate from Swarthmore College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Educational Studies. Cesar is pursuing a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in College Student Affairs, at the University of South Florida.