Meet the UHP Staff

Dr. Mary Ann Gosser Esquilín
University Honors Director
Office: GS 211F
Phone: 561.297.0612
Email: gosser@fau.edu

About Mary Ann

Dr. Mary Ann Gosser Esquilín, University Honors Director, is also a Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature. From Bryn Mawr College, she received an A.B. in French with Honors after completing a thesis project on a late 19th-century French playwright and composer. She completed her doctorate in Comparative Literature at Yale University and taught at Rutgers University before joining Florida Atlantic University. At FAU, she has been involved in Honors education since 1991 teaching Caribbean literature courses for the University Honors Program. She joined the Honors College in Jupiter when it opened its doors in 1999 after having spent the 1998-99 academic year as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. After her transfer to the Boca Raton Campus, she was invited to join the University Honors Council and soon thereafter was selected as the University Honors Director.
Her teaching awards at Florida Atlantic University include the Alumni Association Faculty Talon Award, the Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the Award for Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Advising, and the FAU Division of Student Affairs Vice President’s Diamond Award for a Faculty’s Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs (2018).
She is President of Florida Atlantic University's Chapter 128, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and a faculty member of FAU’s Spanish Honor Society (Sigma Delta Pi) and French Honor Society (Pi Delta Phi).

Mary Downing Patterson
Associate Director/Advising
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064
Email: mpatterson@fau.edu

About Mary

Mary Downing Patterson (you can call her MD) is an Associate Director for the University Honors Program within University Advising Services. She advises all UHP students through completion of the Honors Program. MD also promotes the UHP through Admissions events, assists in creating the Honors schedule, helps facilitate the large group Common Hour, and more. MD has worked at FAU since 2013 and is proud to be an OWL. Before joining the OWL Family, she has worked in various areas of Higher Education, such as: Financial Aid, Work Study, Residence Life, Student Development, and as an Adjunct Instructor.
MD is a South Florida native, but went out-of-state for her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. She earned a BS in Accounting from Belhaven University in 2006 and an MA in Higher Education from Geneva College in 2012. Even though she has lived in South Florida more than half her life, she is not a beach person, but would happily head to a theme park any day of the week. MD has a wonderful husband and 4 amazing children with whom she spends most of her time. Her house is a loud and boisterous place, but she would not have it any other way.

Heather Smith
Assistant Director/Advising
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064
Email: smithh@fau.edu

About Heather

Heather Smith is an Assistant Director for the University Honors Program within University Advising Services and joined the UHP team in September 2018 serving as the engagement coordinator for first-year programming and assists with academic advising when needed. She oversees the peer coaching program integrated into SLS1501-Intro into Honors Academic Life, the UHP first-year seminar. The peer coaching program consists of UHP upperclassman or graduates who work with first-year UHP students to assist with the transition from high school to honors at FAU.

A Midwestern native, Smith earned her master’s degree in Sport Management from Eastern Michigan University in 2013 and her bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration from Ball State University in 2011. In her personal life, Heather is a proud cat mom, loves spending time with her family and friends and spoiling her niece and nephew. She enjoys kayaking, backpacking, hiking new trails in new places, and spending time in nature whenever possible.

Awele Enwemnwa
UHP Graduate Teaching Assistant
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064

About Awele

Awele Enwemnwa is a dynamic professional making notable contributions to the academic and professional spheres. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Awele plays a key role in the university's advising services, providing Peer Academic Coach support, organizing the Professional Development Series, and assisting with Common Hour and UHP logistics. She joined the UHP team in September 2023, bringing with her a deep passion for education and a commitment to positively impacting those around her.

Originally from southern Nigeria, Awele is an international student who embarked on her educational journey with unwavering determination. She earned her bachelor's degree in Health Education from the University of Benin in 2021, showcasing her dedication to academic excellence. Driven by a passion for education and technology, she is now pursuing a master's degree in Instructional Technology at FAU. Her enrollment in this program reflects her belief in the transformative power of education and the evolving nature of instructional technology.

Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Awele is a multifaceted individual with a zest for life. She enjoys learning new things, reflecting her curiosity and open-mindedness, and values the meaningful moments spent with loved ones, cherishing the relationships that enrich her life.

Maryann Blane
University Honors Program Coordinator
Office: SU 80, Room 201
Phone: 561.297.3064
Email: honorsboca@fau.edu