ebone amos
School of Dance, College of Fine Arts
Eboné Amos is a 3rd year MFA candidate in the FSU School of Dance. As a Memphis, TN native, her life was palpably molded into the creative that she is today, melding both her passions for performance and arts education. Her performance career spans from musicals like Hairspray, Mary Poppins and A Chorus Line to concert stages, performing in works choreographed by Millicent Johnnie, Jawole Zollar and Debbie Allen. After graduating with her BS in Dance Education, she went on to pilot the dance program at Hickory Ridge Middle School for 3 years. She also launched her non-profit organization, Arts Alive, which provides free dance attire and lessons to Title l elementary and middle schools. After returning to pursue her masters at FSU, she has been able to teach non-majors classes in Jazz and Contemporary dance. She is excited to be a PIE Associate and ready to learn and serve her department!
vivianne asturizaga
Musicology, College of Music
Vivianne Asturizaga, a versatile soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician, has performed with The National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, El Alto Orchestra, Philharmonic of Bolivia, the Orchestra of the Andean Countries under Gustavo Dudamel, and the BePhil under Simon Rattle. She has also performed with the Raines Ensemble, Traverso Colore, Omnimusica, Saudade, Ecosound, and has premiered new flute works as a performing member of the Flute New Music Consortium. She is a founding member of several chamber groups, including Silver Lining Flutes, the Auster Quintet, LAtrio, and Osaky-Asturizaga. Ms. Asturizaga graduated from the National Conservatory of Music of Bolivia. She earned a MM in Flute Performance and Ethnomusicology and holds MA degrees in Arts Administration and Spanish Linguistics. She is currently a student for a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology at Florida State University (FSU). Quote: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”
J.T. Bandzuh
Geography, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Originally from Portage, PA, J.T. received his B.A. in Geography and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and his M.S. at Virginia Tech. J.T. is currently a third year Ph.D. student teaching World Geography and Geography of Wine. J.T. has a passion for teaching and thinks this craft is a way to spread positive change around the world.
jason barlow
Physics, College of Arts and Sciences
Jason is a third year Ph.D student in Nuclear Hadronic Physics studying photoproduction of exotic mesons at GlueX. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics and received his Master’s degree from University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Applied Physics with a focus in Optics. He has taught introductory physics labs both calculus-based and non-calculus based for introductory mechanics and electricity and magnetism. He also taught recitation sections in introductory mechanics. His future goals include pursuing a post-doc and either transitioning to industry or academia.
maribel borger
Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Arts & Sciences
A native North Carolinian, Maribel Borger received her B.A in Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill and is a student in the Ph.D. program for Chemistry and Biochemistry at FSU. Her research interest is in organic chemistry and she is currently a Teaching Assistant as an instructor for Organic Chemistry 1 recitation. She is excited to serve as the PIE Associate for her department!
jeffrey conley
Economics, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Jeffrey Conley is a fifth year student in the Ph.D. program for Economics here at FSU. He has passed the preliminary examinations, finished coursework, and is preparing his prospectus. His area of interest is macroeconomics with a focus on economic growth and human capital. He has been the instructor of record for a variety of courses including: introduction to economics, principles of microeconomics, principles of microeconomics, and intermediate microeconomics. Jeff believes that students learn to appreciate economics when they relate it to their everyday lives and they learn to love it when they realize that the depth and nuance make it a field with endless opportunities for exploration.
ryan donovan
Religion, College of Arts and Sciences
Ryan Donovan is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Religion. His dissertation seeks to present the twentieth-century philosopher Hannah Arendt as a critic of religious ethics in general and Christian ethics in particular. He currently teaches Religious Ethics and Moral Problems (REL 3170), and he has also taught Multicultural Film (HUM 3321) in the Humanities Department. A native of Massachusetts, Ryan earned a BA in Philosophy from Vassar College and a MA in Philosophy of Religion from Yale University before coming to Tallahassee.
benjamin dowd-arrow
Sociology, College of Social Sciences & Public Policy
Benjamin Dowd-Arrow is a fifth year doctoral student in the Department of Sociology at Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science by dual majoring in Sociology and Women’s Studies as well as a Master of Science in Sociology. His doctoral research examines how Christian Nationalism fuels support for pro-gun policies and gun ownership. Benjamin specializes in teaching political sociology, sociological research methods, sociological theory, and race & ethnicity. Benjamin is committed to providing quality and innovative instruction and mentorship to diverse student populations. Benjamin is currently pioneering a brand new course for the Sociology Department called "Guns in Society" where students will explore topics such as: gun culture, gun case law, and micro- and macro-factors related to identity construction and social movement activity.
julianna edmonds
English, College of Arts and Sciences
Julianna Edmonds is a PhD candidate in English: Rhetoric and Composition at Florida State University. She received her BA degrees in English and Latin, as well as her MA in English: Rhetoric and Writing, from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Her research interests include writing program administration, feminist composition pedagogy, first-year composition, feminist rhetorical theory, and community writing. Before assuming the position of PIE Teaching Associate, Julianna served a two-year term as Assistant to the Director of the College Composition Program, working with the Director to train incoming TAs in composition pedagogy and aiding in curricular development for the program. Julianna looks forward to working with colleagues across other disciplines to continue cultivating her interest in pedagogical training.
allyson gates
History, College of Arts and Sciences
Allyson Gates is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of History, in the process of completing a dissertation on interservice rivalry in the Second World War, titled "Bickering Brass: Interservice Rivalry, Defense Unification, and the Pacific War." Allyson has focused on teaching US and US Military history surveys for the past three years, but has previously worked in the Institute at World War II and the Human Experience here at Florida State and the United States Marine Corps Archives and Special Collections in Quantico, Virginia. Allyson will be finishing up her dissertation this year and, hopefully, entering the academic job market.
kate hill
Biological Science, College of Arts and Sciences
After earning her BS in Biology at Stanford University, Kate worked with Teach For America for three years as a middle school science teacher in Houston, Texas. Kate’s passion for science and teaching has led her to FSU to pursue her PhD. Her professional goal is to become a teaching faculty and to develop programs that support first generation college students in their transition to undergraduate coursework, particularly in the sciences. At FSU, Kate has assisted in developing the new Biology 2 Laboratory, which incorporates inquiry-based learning methods, and has taught Biology for Non-majors. She has also served as a TA for Conservation Biology and Marine Biology. Kate is a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolution and has enjoyed sharing her research experience by mentoring undergraduates. Kate hopes to continue refining her teaching practice and looks forward to serving the Biology Department and the graduate teaching assistant community in her role as a PIE Associate.
jennifer kellet
Modern Languages and Linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences
Originally from central Florida, Jennifer Kellett is a second year Master’s student, studying French literature, at Florida State University. She has taught French 1, FRE1120, and will be teaching French 2, FRE1121, in the fall. During her undergraduate studies at FSU she received her Bachelor of Arts Degrees in both French and Theatre Studies in 2016. Her undergraduate thesis, entitled “Sam Shepard and Objects: Site-Specific Immersive Theatre,” focused on her interest in immersive and site-specific theatre. Jennifer loves incorporating theatre and interdisciplinary studies into her classroom, as she believes teaching language is also about teaching culture. She is excited to serve as her department’s PIE associate and continue to improve her teaching methods!
amanda kowalsky
Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Amanda Kowalsky is working on her PhD in Cognitive Psychology in the Psychology Department as FSU. She works in the labs of Dr, Michael Kaschak and Dr. Colleen Ganley. Her research focuses on examining malleable factors related to math learning and math performance in children and adults. Amanda holds a BA is Psychology from Elizabethtown College and a MS from FSU in Cognitive Psychology. She is a teaching assistant in the Psychology Department and has taught Sensation & Perception labs, as well as, General Psychology. She looks forward to teaching Child Psychology in Fall 2018.
joshua tanis
Music Theory and composition, college of music
Josh is a third-year Ph.D. student in music theory. He received master’s degrees in music theory and collaborative piano from CUNY – Hunter College, and bachelor’s degrees in music and biology at the University at Albany. His research interests include harmonic function and expressivity in the texted music of Richard Strauss, musical portrayals of mad characters in Italian Bel Canto opera, and music and disability studies. Courses taught at FSU include Music Theory I–IV and Aural Skills III–IV. Josh looks forward to teaching 18th-Century Counterpoint this fall where he will continue to assist students in making meaningful connections between the study of music theory and its realization in performance. Josh also works as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach for singers on the performance rosters of the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, La Teatro alla Scala, and elsewhere. His non-musical hobbies include collecting orchids from around the world and sailing.
spencer youngberg
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY, COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES
Spencer Youngberg is a second year Doctoral student in the Human Development and Family Science department here at FSU. He has completed his coursework and is currently preparing for his preliminary examinations. His doctoral research includes clinical process research with a focus on couple change in therapy. Spencer’s passion to teach and mentor led him to the PIE program. He taught Family Policy in the in the fall of 2017 and is currently teaching the Family Relationships course online. Spencer strives to perfect his skills as a teacher in theory and practice and is excited to serve as a PIE Associate for his department.