Moderator: Andres Salinas (B.S. ’15), South Florida Regional Director, FSU Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network
Andres was born and raised in Miami, Florida to Peruvian parents. He graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in 2015. Throughout his time at FSU, he was active with several organizations seeking to build relationships and create unique experiences for students. He served as the President of the Peruvian Student Association in the 2013-14 school year creating diverse events that allow students to experience the richness of Peruvian culture and community involvement. In collaboration with the Hispanic Latino Student Union, he has helped promote events that promote diversity and inclusion. In addition, he served as the Treasurer of Connecting Experimental Lab and Life Sciences (CELLS) securing finances for the organization to help members learn more about student research opportunities and how to get involved. He also served as Treasurer for the Japanese Animation Club of Tallahassee in 2014 promoting the diversity of Japanese culture through animation and film.
Recently, Andres completed a different specialty at Florida International University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science in 2019 and currently working on his Master’s in Computer Science at FIU. He currently works as a Software Engineer at Florida Power and Light. As South Florida Regional Director, he seeks to provide a sense of community outside of campus and extending “La Familia” tradition after graduation.
Panelist: Dr. Frank Campos, Student Support Services-SCOPE Director, FSU CARE
Dr. Frank Campos is the current CARE TRiO SSS-SCOPE Program Director at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. He is from San Juan, Puerto Rico. He came to the Mainland US as an English language student. He has a degree in Electronics from the University of Puerto Rico, an Engineering Technology degree from USF, and MBA from Webster University. In 2018, Dr. Campos finished his doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University Sarasota. He worked in the entertainment corporate field at Bush Gardens-Tampa and The Walt Disney Company for over 25 years. His last position at Disney was as an International Production Manager where he had the opportunity to travel around the world taking the Disney characters.
After leaving the corporate world, he found that working in higher education is a gratifying way to giving back to our new generation of emerging and future leaders. Today, he is engaged with the Florida TRiO Association Executive Board. He enjoys his free time with his wife antiquing, providing community service, walking, playing pickleball, trying to keep up with his golf game, and spending time with their blended family of 7 adult kids and 11 grand kids. His main motto is: “every morning when you are up, it is a new day and a new opportunity to make things better than yesterday.”
Panelist: Kyra Duffey, Career Liaison to CARE & First-Generation Students
Kyra Duffey currently serves as one of the Assistant Directors on the Career Advising and Counseling team at the FSU Career Center and also serves as the Career Center Liaison to CARE & First-Generation Students. Originally from Texas, she received both her degrees there with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Master of Education degree in Counseling from Texas Tech University. Kyra enjoys working in higher education in career services where she is able to get multiple opportunities to advise and counsel students in their career development needs, helping them along their career development journey, and arriving at what success looks like for them.
Panelist: Christy Mantzanas (B.S. ’99), Senior Assistant Director of Employer Relations, FSU Career Center
Christy began her career as an innovative higher education leader in 2001 and has continued to serve students and her community for over 20 years. As a Senior Assistant Director of Employer Relations, Christy leads a team of Career Liaisons to provide career advising & workforce readiness opportunities for Florida State University students while focusing on employer outreach and engagement. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Colleges and Employers and volunteers regularly. She is a passionate Florida State University Alumnus, cool mom and all-around awesome human.
Panelist: Li Pon (B.A. ’09, M.A. ’11), Senior Assistant Director of Experiential Learning, FSU Career Center
Li serves as a Senior Assistant Director of Experiential Learning at Florida State University (FSU) and has been connecting college students with real-world work experiences since 2010 and now manages high-impact engagement programs at Florida State University. Her portfolio includes InternFSU, a paid on-campus internship program, the Internship Fund and the Student Employee of the Year Award Ceremony. Additionally, she also serves as the Liaison to the Center for Global Engagement and International Programs. She is a two-time graduate of Florida State University.
Panelist: Stephanie Urbina (B.S. ’18, M.S. ’20), College Life Coach, FSU CARE
Stephanie Urbina is a College Life Coach at Florida State University. She is a two-time FSU alum, with a BS in Intl Affairs and an MS in Higher Ed. Born in Los Angeles, CA but raised in Miami, FL, she is passionate about helping her communities move forward in any way she can. In her spare time, she enjoys binge watching the latest pop culture movies and shows, getting outside, hanging with loved ones, and playing with her dog!