Alumni Spotlights

Irvine, T., Labarta, A., & Emelianchik-Key, K. (2021). Using a Relational-Cultural and Adlerian framework to enhance multicultural pedagogy. The Professional Counselor, 11(2), 233–247. https://doi.org/10.15241/ti.11.2.233

Book Chapters:

Irvine, T. J., Labarta, A. C., & Demezier, D. (2022). Examining multicultural pedagogy in counselor programs: Recommendations for enhanced clinical competency. In K. Johnson, N. M. Sparkman-Key, A. Meca, & S. Z. Tarver (Eds.), Developing anti-racist practices in the helping professions: Inclusive theory, pedagogy, and application (pp. 225–250). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95451-2_12

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

Ed.S. in Leadership and Administration, General, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

M.Ed. in Special Education, Florida International University, Miami, FL

B.S. in Communication, New York Institute of Technology

OCCUPATION:

Currently, Cheryl Proctor is the Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and School Communities for the Portland Public School system. Prior to this role, she was PPS’s Chief Academic Officer providing leadership to the Office of Teaching & Learning.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Cheryl Proctor’s background includes leadership roles in two large urban school district settings. She served the students and families of the School District of Philadelphia as Assistant Superintendent, supporting high school principals to drive academic achievement through instructional improvement. As Deputy Chief of Schools, she led and guided school leaders in planning and implementing programs geared toward increasing student achievement. Before her time in Philadelphia, Proctor enjoyed a 17-year career with Broward County Public Schools, where she served in school leadership roles for more than 10 years. Proctor began her career in education as a special education teacher, an exceptional student education specialist, and as a literacy specialist. Growing in leadership skill and curricular expertise, she was promoted to assistant principal and later principal.  

Cheryl Shields Proctor, Ph.D. '17, FAU College of Education, was recently selected as a 2022 FAU Distinguished Alum.

THOUGHTS TO SHARE:

Proctor maintains a belief that “teachers are at the heart of learning, and principals create the conditions for a safe and engaging learning environment for both teachers and students to thrive.”

Florida Atlantic University

MS, CCC-SLP (Masters of Science, Speech-Language Pathology) 2002

OCCUPATION:

Certified Tennis Professional

Speech-Language Pathologist

Founder & CEO
Love Serving Autism Love Serving Autism | Serving Autism On and Off the Tennis Court

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix is a Speech-Language Pathologist in the field of autism and special needs, and for 18 years she specialized in the evaluation and treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. But she’s also a USPTA and PTR Elite Certified Professional (she was a top-ranked junior in Florida and nationally, and played tennis at Duke University and the University of Florida).

Following her collegiate career, she was sidelined from WTA tournaments due to a back injury. During her time off, she began to envision making a difference in the sport of tennis.

After working with children for six years as a Florida program director for ACEing Autism, Pugliese-LaCroix was inspired to develop her own nonprofit, from the viewpoint and perspective of a speech-language pathologist. Now, merging her two passions, Love Serving Autism provides a therapeutic experience for adaptive athletes on the tennis court with an adaptive tennis pathway, integrating speech, occupational, physical and behavioral therapists into the programs.

In 2018, Pugliese-LaCroix received the USTA Florida Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award and was selected as the Adaptive Tennis Champion of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry Magazine. She also was selected by USPTA Florida and USPTA National for the STAR Award. Pugliese-LaCroix says her proudest moment as a coach was in 2019 when she ran onto Stadium Court 17 at the US Open with 21 Love Serving Autism children from Florida for a USTA Net Generation On-Court Experience. Her organization raised $28,000 for the families to fly to New York to participate in the event.

In 2020, Love Serving Autism, Love Serving Autism | Serving Autism On and Off the Tennis Court , was selected as an adaptive tennis partner with USTA Florida and began opening additional programs in the state, designed to reach 800 children and adults with special needs through tennis by 2024. Plans for 2021-2022 include LSA tennis programs in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and Illinois.

THOUGHTS TO SHARE:

Love Serving Autism’s mission is to expand life skills, especially functional communication, through specialized therapeutic tennis instruction to increase community inclusion and independence for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental challenges. Our goal is for participants to apply these newly learned skills throughout the community, including in school, in the workplace, in social/recreational gatherings and in home settings. For tennis coaching professionals, we provide education and training for an adaptive tennis specialization in the industry.

Our vision is to better serve individuals with ASD and developmental challenges to promote self-love and functional independence within the community, as well as to promote inclusive opportunities for children and adults with special needs.

Florida Atlantic University

Ph.D., Counselor Education – Rehabilitation Counseling, May 2019

Florida International University

Master of Arts in Comparative Sociology, April 2007

Florida Memorial University

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, April 2005

OCCUPATION:

Executive Director/Founder

Pathway Family Resource Center, Inc.   

Adjunct Professor                                                                                             

Lynn University

Teaches in the Clinical Mental Health Program

Adjunct Professor

Florida Atlantic University

Teaches in the Department of Counselor Education

Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation                                 

Interim Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor

Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Drug Free Youth in Town

Manager of Evaluation and Quality Improvement

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Counseling, Community Engagement and Grant Writing: Supported over 500 youth in Miami and Broward counties in drug prevention measures and conducted all data analysis reliant to the continuity of grant funding for programmatic objectives.

Presentation, Disability Career Counseling and Mentor:  Aided over 300 persons with disabilities, obtain and maintain employment.

Emergency Management, Spiritual Guidance and Project Implementation: Supported over 100 faith-based institutions in providing natural disaster continuity strategies. Over 10 years of spiritual, faith-based counseling to individuals, couples, families, teens and children.

Distance Learning Teaching and Higher Education Instructor: Focused on disseminating counseling/sociological and research content base on empirical theories and evidence-based techniques, to graduate and undergraduate students.

THOUGHTS TO SHARE:

There is much responsibility that comes with achievement. I take my roles very seriously and with great care and commitment I serve others. Whether I am teaching, counseling, or providing spiritual guidance I see myself as a conduit for a bigger purpose, bigger than me. This approach keeps me grounded, humble and ever learning.

Ph. D in Curriculum & Instruction, Florida Atlantic University
Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction, Florida Gulf Coast University

 OCCUPATION:

Adjunct: FAU Department of Curriculum, Culture and Educational Inquiry

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Deborah King McEwan’s research interests include Black male students, the role of the Black Church in public education, the school-to-prison pipeline, and culturally relevant pedagogy. As a career changer, she possesses over twenty years of banking/auditing experience and occupied the position of vice-chair of a diversity committee for one of her former employers, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. She has been an educational leader in her church for over 25 years. In addition, she has independently published and coauthored publications and presented at local, state, and national conferences. She is also a former Holmes Scholar and McKnight Fellowship recipient.

THOUGHTS TO SHARE:

Do not limit yourself. You are never “too” anything to achieve anything, and perseverance is the key to success. 

E.D. in Exceptional Student Education, FAU
Master's in Leadership, Nova Southeastern University

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS AT FAU:

Holmes National Research Coordinator; Past President of the Student Achievement Council for College of Education; Past Vice-President of Kappa Delta Pi

ONE THING EVERY FAU STUDENT SHOULD EXPERIENCE:

Every student at FAU should attend i-Lead as an opportunity to learn how to generalize the knowledge they are learning in the classroom to their field.

ADVICE FOR STUDENTS:

Get involved. Joining clubs and serving in various positions is not only an excellent social opportunity but a learning experience that will support you as transition to your career.

OCCUPATION:

Faculty at Columbus State, GA.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Kalynn Hall Pistorio was previously a teacher in a Title 1 elementary school working in a classroom for children with intellectual disabilities and she has worked as a preschool teacher. She has published multiple papers in a variety of journals and has done more than 25 presentations at national and international conferences.

B.A. in Women’s Studies, University of Rochester
M.Ed – Curriculum & Instruction, FAU
Ph.D. – Curriculum & Instruction, FAU

OCCUPATION:

Founded RJAE Consulting, Intl. to provide planning, evaluation, and other consulting services to schools, school districts, correctional facilities, and organizations focusing on restorative justice or art education. Lead Instructor for Simon Fraser University’s Continuing Studies Restorative Justice Certificate Program, facilitates learning for adult students in Canada, United States, Australia, Africa, and other countries worldwide. Accomplished performer and professional musician.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Adjunct: FAU College of Education dept. of Educational Research & Methodology
Lead Instructor: Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies, Certificate in Restorative Justice
Author: Creating Restorative Schools: Setting Schools Up to Succeed
Workshops, presentations and peer-reviewed articles on Circles in Evaluation.

Palm Beach Junior College and Florida Atlantic University (Bachelor and Masters)

OCCUPATION:

Currently Mr. Shaw is the School Board Chairman for the School Board of Palm Beach School District.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Very early on Chuck was called upon in leadership roles and worked to become a school administrator. His first assignment was at North Grade Elementary as Assistant Principal and then Principal of Westward Elementary two years later. He also served as Principal at both Northboro and Liberty Park Elementary and Okeeheelee Middle School. He was given the honor of serving at the district level where he was an Area Superintendent, Department Head, and Director of Governmental Relations. Chuck’s areas of success included adult and community education, effective lobbying at the state and federal levels, development programs and partnerships throughout the community, and extensive community service.

Chuck is also a leader in developing outstanding youth sports programs and coaching. In 2006, he was nominated and inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Shaw also served many community organizations in leadership positions and has been an advocate for volunteerism and ethics in public service. His involvement includes 18 years of service as a City Councilman and Deputy Mayor in the Town of Greenacres, Florida. Chuck was re-elected to the School Board of Palm Beach County in November 2016 and is currently serving as Board Chairman. Most recently, Chuck was a finalist for the Council of City Schools Green Garner Awards.