Meet Your Instructors

 

First Year Directions (FYD) instructors are faculty and staff members from across the University of Miami who serve as your instructors and mentors during your first year. Coming from departments all over campus—including Housing & Residential Life, the Center for Academic Navigation & Success (yes, this includes your Transitional Advisor and Cane Navigator!), the Toppel Career Center, the Camner Center for Academic Resources, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, Study Abroad, and more—FYD instructors bring diverse perspectives and real‑world experience into the classroom. They lead engaging discussions, connect you with key resources and departments, and help you understand what it truly means to be a ’Cane. Along the way, they’ll talk you through common first‑year missteps and share lessons learned from their own professional and observed experiences to help you navigate your transition to UM with confidence.

Renee Dickens Callan

 

"There are several skills that students gain from taking FYD but the ability to find and create community and gain confidence in navigating your first year at UM is important. These are competencies that students can take with them to any new situation or experience."

Renee Dickens Callan
Assistant Vice Provost, Student Life

 

Coach L"I truly enjoyed teaching FYD this last year—it was a very rewarding experience. The students were outstanding: engaged, attentive, and eager to participate in every aspect of the course. Together, we focused on developing essential life skills—habits and principles that will serve them not just in college but throughout their lives."

Coach James Larrañaga ("Coach L")
Senior Advisor, Community Outreach & Engagement

   

2026 Instructors by School and College

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  • School of Architecture

    FYD Instructor UM Department Instructor Role/Title
    Ana Regalado School of Architecture Associate Dean, Student Development Programs

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    FYD Instructor UM Department Instructor Role/Title
    Catie Hitzigrath Center for Academic Navigation and Success Asst. Director, Cane Navigation
    Christopher Campbell Center for Academic Navigation and Success Cane Navigator
    Daniel Gonzalez Jr Center for Academic Navigation and Success Cane Navigator
    Delaney Stersic Center for Academic Navigation and Success Asst. Director, Cane Navigation
    Gema Perez Mendez Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator
    Ginie Hofmann Enrollment Management Asst. Director, Admissions
    Gisett Taveras Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator
    Heather Stevens Office of Vice President for Student Affairs Asst. to the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs
    Jacqueline Frechette Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator
    Julie Glodich Department of Wellness & Recreation Asst. Director, Instructional Programs
    Kimberly McGrath Moreira Department of Writing Studies Sr. Lecturer, Department of Writing Studies
    Krista Lyons Office of Study Abroad Director, Study Abroad Outreach & Technology
    Leah Quinones Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator
    Marilyn Vazquez-Aparicio Frost School of Music Sr. Classroom Planning & Scheduling Analyst 
    Marlisa Mendoza-Quinn Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator 
    Martha Medina Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator 
    Matthew Mccabe Housing and Residential Life Assoc. Director, Residential Education
    Megan Ritchie Department of Writing Studies Lecturer
    Melissa Hew-Tarradath Center for Academic Navigation and Success Assoc. Director, Cane Navigation
    Michael Stokes Center for Academic Navigation and Success Exec. Director for Student Success and Navigation
    Michael Baumhardt Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement  Sr. Director, Orientation & Student Involvement Programs and Divisional Assessment Efforts
    Monica Revell Office of the Provost Sr. Manager, Administrative Operations
    Oscar Diaz Center for Academic Navigation and Success Asst. Director, Cane Navigation 
    Renée Dickens Callan Student Affairs Asst. VP, Student Life
    Tenecia Bradley-Cousins Department of Writing Studies Lecturer
    Thomas Terrill Office of Academic Enhancement Assoc. Director, Programs
    Tony Williams Multicultural Student Affairs Director, Multicultural Programs
    Tyra Marrs Wellness and Recreation Asst. Director, Health & Well-Being
    Victor Rios Multicultural Student Affairs Asst. Director, Student Affairs Program

  • School of Communication

    FYD Instructor UM Department Instructor Role/Title
    Anna Grinfeder Center for Academic Navigation and Success Exec. Director, Student Success and Transitions
    Caolanny Melo Housing and Residential Life Asst. Director, Housing Accommodations and Customer Care
    Devika Milner Office of Study Abroad Exec. Director, Study Abroad Programs
    Elsy Ayoub Center for Academic Navigation and Success Asst. Director, Student Retention & Programs
    Jessica Klauer Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator
    Kayla Cardona Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator
    Mariano Copello Enrollment Management Manager, Broadcast Production Services 
    Shardonay Davis Housing and Residential Life Asst. Director, Residential Life

  • School of Education and Human Development

    FYD Instructor UM Department Instructor Role/Title
    Christopher Cunningham Center for Academic Navigation and Success Cane Navigator
    Ellen McPhillip School of Education and Human Development Assoc. Dean, Programs
    Frances Bazan Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors Manager, Business Operations
    James Larranaga School of Education and Human Development Sr. Advisor, Community Outreach and Engagement
    Joba Odediran Toppel Career Center Assoc. Director, Career Readiness
    Lisa Reid Department of Writing Studies Lecturer
    Soyeon Ahn School of Education and Human Development Sr. Vice Dean, Academic and Faculty Affairs; Vice Dean, Research

  • College of Engineering

    FYD Instructor UM Department Instructor Role/Title
    Andrew Roberts Housing and Residential Life Residential Life Coordinator
    Barbara Hoffmann Department of Writing Studies Lecturer, Department of Writing Studies
    Brandi Taylor-Lopez Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Transitional Guide
    Dacia Simpson Office of Classroom Management Exec. Director, Audio-Visual Infrastructure & Classroom Management
    Douglas Neese Toppel Career Center Director, Employer Engagement
    James Johnson Housing and Residential Life Director, Housing Operations & Facilities
    Jennifer Delgado Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator
    Kesha Merritt Center for Ethics and Public Service Sr. Manager, Programs
    Lindsey Goldstein Butler Center for Service and Leadership Assoc. Director, Butler Center
    Monica Aaron Center for Academic Navigation and Success Assoc. Director, Cane Navigation
    Renee Evans UM Information Technology (UMIT)  Sr. Instructional Designer
    Shane McFarlane Department of Writing Studies Lecturer

  • Frost School of Music

    FYD Instructor UM Department Instructor Role/Title
    Eva Alonso Center for Academic Navigation and Success Director, Student Support Services
    Natalee Bell Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator 

  • School of Nursing and Health Studies

    FYD Instructor UM Department Instructor Role/Title
    Ana Pereira Office of the Provost Manager of Administration
    Ashley Eschbach Housing and Residential Life Residential Life Coordinator
    Erika Velarde Center for Academic Navigation and Success Sr. Cane Navigator
    Gabbie Frekot Housing and Residential Life Asst. Director, Residential Operations
    Jon Baldessari Dean of Students Office Director, Veterans Resource Center
    Kimberly Moncada Williams Butler Center for Service and Leadership Director, Butler Center
    Mykel Mangrum Billups Camner Center for Academic Resources Asst. Dean and Exec. Director, Academic Resource Center
    Raphael Walters Student Affairs and Alumni Relations Sr. Director, Engagement
    Tomas Alvarez Perez Toppel Career Center Asst. Director, Employer Relations
    Vanessa Barbieri Office of the Provost Program Director, Cane Commitment

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