US Student Fulbright Award Winner and COPS Outstanding Alumna

Bessie Reina earned her BA in International Studies, Political Science/Pre-Law from UWF in December of 2007. She continued at UWF and earned her MSA in Public Administration in August of 2010.

She is currently working on a second master’s at Florida State University (FSU) in Urban and Regional Planning. “During my course of study at the UWF College of Professional Studies, Dr. Tankersley helped me obtain an internship at the West Florida Regional Planning Council,” said Reina. This internship experience gave her a broad overview of the many factors involved in transportation planning, and reaffirmed her desire to enter the field of urban and regional planning. “Many urban planning jobs are in the public sector, so the courses I took in public administration at UWF pair well with my urban planning courses.”

Reina highly recommends that UWF students pursue multiple and varied internships. “Not only will this lead to more references and a stronger resume,” she relates, “but having these experiences will also allow students to get more out of their coursework and explore the different subsets of their chosen field.”

In spring of 2011, Reina attended workshops held by the FSU Department of Graduate Fellowships. She then developed her proposal and personal statement over the summer, and spent two weeks in the southeastern European country of Bulgaria. “Walking around the streets of [the capital city of] Sofia,” Reina recalls, “I was impressed by how pedestrian-friendly the city is and how it seems to be designed around the metro, buses, and trollies.”

Growing up near the Naval Aviation Station in Pensacola developed Reina’s desire to travel at an early age. “I grew up listening to people reminisce about the various ports they visited while they were serving abroad. These stories kindled my desire to see the world.”

In March of 2012, Reina was notified that she had been selected for a US Student Fulbright award for research in Bulgaria. This prestigious honor will afford Reina the opportunity to study the sustainable and innovative practices that have been implemented in Bulgaria. “While in Sofia, I noticed many of the ideal transit planning practices and technologies I had studied in my classes,” said Reina, “however, Sofia is under-appreciated for its success in these areas.” With the Fulbright grant, she hopes not only to develop her academic and professional career, but also to bring back and share with others what she has learned abroad. In May of 2012, Reina was awarded an Outstanding Alumni Award by the UWF College of Professional Studies based on her outstanding academic accomplishments.

To learn more about the MSA program at UWF, please visit the MSA Web page.

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COPS Mock Trial Team Gave UWF Alumna a Real Advantage

Heather Kennedy graduated magna cum laude from the University of West Florida in 2007 with a dual degree in Legal Studies and Communication Arts. While at UWF she received the faculty award for Excellence in Legal Studies in 2006 and the Outstanding Legal Studies Graduate in 2007.

She then went on to the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia where she was honored with the Faculty Legal Writing Award and served on law review. She graduated with honors in May 2011, and then passed the Florida Bar exam. The Panama City firm of Harrison Sale McCloy hired Kennedy where she now specializes in real estate law, public education law, and local government law.

"There were so many times during the first year of law school when I reflected on how much of an advantage I had when I started because of the legal studies curriculum at UWF," said Kennedy. She credits the substantive courses she attended in the Department of Justice Studies at UWF with providing her an understanding of core legal concepts that made her transition into law school less intimidating than it otherwise would have been. "While most of my classmates had never even heard of a reporter or written a case brief, I had knowledge and experience with both of these, as well as with the Socratic method that all law school classes use."

"In particular, the areas of study where I most noticed the advantage were in legal research and writing," Kennedy shared. While she admits that, at the time, they were "no one’s favorite courses," she was grateful for them once she realized how important these skills are to the study and practice of law. "I was leaps and bounds ahead of my classmates when it came to those key components. Fortunately, our professors held us to high standards at UWF and made us learn the basics from the beginning."

Kennedy was also an active member of the UWF Mock Trial Team. "We worked really hard and spent a lot of hours at the school long after everyone else had gone home," Kennedy recalls, "but it all paid off when we got our chance to go to competitions and showcase what we had practiced and do well in competitions." Kennedy also participated in projects that helped fund the creation of the mock trial courtroom while she was at UWF. "It was still a distant dream when I was there, and I would love to come and see it now."

For current and future students of Justice studies, Kennedy offers this advice: "Take advantage of your legal research and writing training.  I know they require the most work and they can be arduous, but time invested in those classes at UWF will pay off ten–fold when you get to law school." She also whole–heartedly recommends getting involved with the Mock Trial Team. "My experiences there taught me practical lessons and an understanding of evidentiary rules and trial strategy that I could not have gained anywhere else."

For more information on the programs available in the Department of Justice Studies, please visit uwf.edu/cops.

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UWF graduate living his dream as leader of Milton High School

Mike Thorpe graduated from the University of West Florida in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle School Education and then again in 2006 with a Master's of Education in Educational Leadership. He chose UWF because growing up in Santa Rosa County provided him with the opportunity to know many teachers and administrators who had graduated from UWF.

"Some of the professionals I admired the most were UWF grads," said Thorpe. Among the faculty who continue to be great influences on his career, Mr. Thorpe named Dr. David Stout, Dr. Robin Largue, Dr. Pete Payton, and Dr. Pam Northrup.

Upon graduating in 1991, he began his career teaching math at Holley-Navarre Middle School. A few years later he started serving as a technology resource teacher, a position which took him out of the classroom setting.

"While not in the classroom on a daily basis, I was still given the opportunity to deliver technology-based lessons across various curriculums and grade levels," he said.

He eventually transferred from the middle school level to the high school level so that he could chase his dream of coaching, and after several years of doing that, he began serving as a dean. After gaining three years of experience in that position, he applied for and received and administrative opportunity at Milton High School as Assistant Principal, serving in three different departments including Student Services, Curriculum, and Facilities. Just three years later, he became Principal of Milton High School.

"This is now my second year as Principal, and although I did not start in education with the intention of becoming a principal, I feel like I am doing what I was born to do," said Thorpe.

Mr. Thorpe has accomplished a lot in just two years as principal. When he started his new job, Milton High School was a "D" school, and now it's an "A" school. Thorpe says this was accomplished by expecting the best from the students and staff of MHS.

"There was no secret formula or easy fix. It was a team effort from the custodians, community, parents, students, teachers, non-instructional staff, and administration to EXPECT THE BEST at Milton High School. I could list twenty or so strategies used by our school, but basically we left no stone unturned and I trusted the teachers to do their jobs. They far exceeded my expectations," he said.

In the midst of all the changes happening at MHS, Thorpe was approached by Santa Rosa County superintendent of schools Tim Wyrosdick to bring an aviation academy to the students of Milton High School in conjunction with the STEM program at the school. Soon after, he was drawing up plans for the classroom, and with supporters from Whiting Field, the aviation academy opened its doors to students interested in science and math in the fall of 2010.

Currently, Milton High School is the only high school in both Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties with this type of program, which teaches students through tools such as flight simulators and a mock air traffic control tower.

This year, Mr. Thorpe was named Santa Rosa County's Instructional Technology Leader of the Year and was also named finalist for the state award. In Santa Rosa County, one receives this award from his peers, and Mr. Thorpe was extremely honored.

"I also realized this was only possible because of the strong innovative reputation that the legacy of administrators in Santa Rosa County had laid before me," he said.

Mike Thorpe is excited about continuing that legacy and his vision for excellence at Milton High School.

"In 2015, MHS will celebrate our centennial. It is my goal that by that year, we will also be considered one of the top schools in America," said Thorpe.

 

 

 

UWF gives graduate the tools to succeed in law school

Brian Jones was a police officer when he began his studies at UWF. "I chose UWF because of its strong criminal justice program and highly qualified faculty," said Jones. Graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Public Administration in 2005, he went on to receive a Master of Science in Administration from UWF in 2007 before being accepted to Vermont Law School.

"My time at UWF helped shape my career by not only providing a theoretical understanding of important issues, but comprehension of its practical application," he said. Independent research projects allowed him to work closely with his professors to explore specific areas of interest, and broadened his knowledge of important public policy considerations. "These projects facilitated my ability to critically analyze important factors,” said Jones. He adds, “These characteristics of my education are attractive to employers and bolstered my ability to succeed in law school."

Now a recent law school graduate, Brian is currently working as an Admissions Recruiter for Vermont Law School. In the future, he hopes to engage in public service and social justice advocacy for a government agency or non-profit organization.

For Brian, graduating from law school was his greatest accomplishment since graduating from UWF. "UWF prepared me for law school by challenging me to engage in critical thinking, providing supportive faculty members, and offering a substantive curriculum," he said.

He advises current students to take advantage of experiential learning opportunities offered by their departments at UWF. "More than ever, employers want to know that graduates can hit the ground running, which makes internships and volunteerism that much more important," said Jones. "Students must now do more than simply sit in a classroom and earn a degree. Students must proactively engage in experiences that make them marketable."

 

 

Dr. Bill Paulchek: Student, businessman, teacher

In 1976, Bill Paulchek earned a Bachelors of Science in Management and in 1980 completed his MBA from the University of West Florida. He chose UWF because of its location, affordability and smaller class size. Years later, he knows he made the right choice.

“The MBA allowed advancement within my chosen field of Accounting and Finance and the lessons learned at UWF are still applicable in my current career. In the MBA program, along with ample technical education, I learned how to set goals and execute plans to accomplish those goals,” said Dr. Paulchek.

His successful career includes time at large corporations such as CBS and Westinghouse, but today he enjoys his position as Controller at Alpha Data Corporation, a small minority owned business in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

“Working with a small business allows involvement in all aspects of a business and involves daily unique challenges. It allows me to make a difference, at least locally.”

Part of his desire to make a difference included his decision to go back to school at the age of 51 to pursue his Doctorate of Education. With the support of his wife, Lynette and his children, he became a graduate of UWF for the third time with his Ed.D in 2001. Today, he still enjoys spending time on campus; not as a student, but as an adjunct instructor teaching courses including Contract Administration and Government Cost and Price Analysis.

When asked about his advice to current students preparing to enter the workforce today, he said, “Choose a career that you enjoy. If you're doing something that you enjoy, it doesn't feel like work.”

 

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Do you know a College of Professional Studies graduate who is doing great things? Email his or her information to us and we'll make contact for a future Alumni spotlight!

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