Bob Bishop
Department of Philosophy
Bob Bishop is a fourth-year PhD student in the philosophy department, specializing in Action Theory and Ethics. Prior to attending FSU, he studied philosophy and English at Carson-Newman University. Most days you can find him walking his dog, reading in Dodd, or playing pickup on MCF.
Britney Cotton
Department of Sociology
Britney Cotton is a fifth-year doctoral student in the Department of Sociology. Her research and teaching interests focus on inequality, particularly in rural areas. Her dissertation is focused on the experiences and educational outcomes of students of color in rural schools. After earning her B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Inequality and Social Justice from the University of Montana, she began her graduate education at FSU, where she earned her M.S. in Sociology in 2019. She has taught Methods of Social Research and Social Problems and has served as a teaching assistant for a variety of other sociology courses. This year, she hopes to support colleagues in her department with their teaching through her role as a PIE Associate and is looking forward to expanding her knowledge to better serve her students as an instructor.
EMily EuBanks
College of Music
Emily Eubanks is a third-year PhD student in Musicology at FSU, where she completed a MM in Musicology in 2019. She received a BMA in Flute Performance from Oklahoma Baptist University and an MM in Flute Performance from Oklahoma City University. Emily’s dissertation examines the Biedermeier music salon of Karoline Pichler and the sonic and social characteristics of these gatherings and their networks. In her research, Emily has also enjoyed looking at various intersections of gender and music, including patronage, music management, domestic music-making, and nineteenth-century salon culture more broadly. Emily currently teaches undergraduate musicology courses as well as FSU’s Renaissance Instrumental Ensemble (Collegium Musicum).
Hannah Fazio
School of Theatre
Hannah Fazio is a fourth-year PhD student in Theatre Studies. She holds a master's degree in drama therapy from New York University and a bachelor's degree in theatre and Hispanic studies from Hamilton College. Hannah is a professional, trauma-informed yoga instructor with over a decade of experience. She has led yoga classes in parks, studios, private homes, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, jails, and domestic violence shelters. Hannah also writes, directs, and performs. Her work has been featured on stages throughout Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, and Tallahassee. Currently Hannah serves as the Graduate Student Representative for the Association for Theatre in Higher Education's Women & Theatre Program. Hannah recently founded her own non-profit called Whole & Healthy Wellness, which does arts-based sexuality education for students. This work will also be the focus of her dissertation.
Yashika Garg
Department of Biological Sciences
Yashika Garg (she/her/hers) is a third-year PhD student in the Cell and Molecular Biology program of Department of Biological Sciences. Before coming to US, she was an instructor and research assistant in Virchow pharmaceuticals, India. She has done her bachelor's and master's in biotechnology from India. For her doctoral degree, she is working on directed evolution and elucidating structural aspects of a protein related to sulfur reduction in bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bacillus subtilis. She enjoys exploring and connecting with people through open dialogue and loves teaching. She has been into teaching since her school days. Her mother is a professor in India which is why she believes her affection towards teaching is in her blood. After coming to FSU, she has been a teaching assistant for undergraduate and graduate courses. Being an immigrant, she has strong interest in improving and promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM which she believes start with making cultural changes at institutional level, particularly through even-handed teaching practices. She is looking forward to providing support to her colleagues in her department.
CEra Hsu
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Cera Hsu is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the FSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. After receiving her B.S. in chemistry at Valdosta State University, Cera made the move to FSU to pursue her graduate studies. In Spring of 2020, Cera became a Ph.D. candidate and earned her M.S. degree in materials chemistry. Her research interests focus on microwave studies of heterogeneous reactions and catalysis, in addition to being the lab supervisor of her group. Cera focuses her spare time serving as the President of Graduate Women in STEM at FSU, helping to improve the support of women in STEM during their time at FSU. Cera’s teaching career started at Valdosta State University, where she assisted introductory chemistry courses. She was able to continue this work at FSU through the various general chemistry recitations and labs that she has taught over the years. Creating a fun and engaging learning environment for students in chemistry courses is Cera’s true passion. We all know that chemistry is not the easiest of courses and typically is dreaded by most students, however Cera hopes to change that!
Jordan Lenchitz
College of Music
Jordan Lenchitz is a fourth-year PhD student in music theory. He received concurrent bachelor's degrees in French, mathematics, and music composition from Indiana University. His research interests include computational music cognition, experimental musics and sounding arts since 1970, just intonation and extended just intonation, pedagogy beyond the postmodern, and Stephen Sondheim. At FSU, he has previously taught Music Theory I–IV and Aural Skills I–II from the core curriculum for music majors and minors and will teach Aural Skills III as well as the upper-division elective 18th-Century Counterpoint in Fall 2021. As a PIE associate, Jordan looks forward to having the opportunity to share best practices for teaching with colleagues across the university.
Jack Maguschak
Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics
Jack Maguschak is a second-year master’s student in Italian Studies at FSU. He received his B.S. in International Affairs from FSU in 2017. Prior to pursuing his master’s in Italian Studies, Jack taught high school English conversation and grammar at the Istituto Tecnico Economico e Tecnologico di Parabiago “ITET G. Maggiolini," in Parabiago, Milan, and worked as a native English teacher of academic writing and English conversation at Gwangyang Jecheol “Gwangcheol” High School in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. Jack loves teaching and learning more about different cultures and strives to help students express themselves and find their passions through language learning, and he is both humbled and excited to represent the Italian Program and Modern Languages and Linguistics as a PIE Teaching Associate this academic year. Jack is currently a Graduate Assistant in Teaching within the Italian Program, teaching Italian to FSU students.
Emmanuel Manhiri
College of Health and Human Sciences
Emmanuel Manhiri is a doctoral student in the College of Health and Human Sciences, studying Human Development and Family Sciences. Prior to attending FSU, Emmanuel completed his MBA at Florida A&M University, majoring in Management. His research interests are centered around self-identity, self-esteem, and conflict resolution. Emmanuel has been a Teaching Assistant for a number of courses in the College of Health and Human Sciences and is an instructor of record for the Family Relationships course. Emmanuel’s teaching philosophy is that students should not only firmly grasp the class content but enjoy a great learning experience that ignites passion and interest in the subject matter. As a PIE Associate, Emmanuel is honored to have the opportunity to serve College of Health and Human Sciences and collaborate with other associates.
Amory Orchard
Department of English
Amory Orchard is a third-year PhD student in the Department of English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition. Her research interests include non-tenured faculty, accessibility, and activism within writing programs. Additionally, she serves as Assistant Director of the Reading-Writing Center and Digital Studios. She teaches College Composition, Peer Tutoring, and a variety of courses in the Editing, Writing & Media major. Amory is passionate about mentoring new TAs (especially master’s students) as they navigate the next phase of their lives in higher ed. She looks forward to helping all TAs learn how to foster educational environments where underrepresented voices in academia — due to their races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, abilities, statuses, and classes, etc.— can have their ideas heard and implemented.
Jay Pension
Department of Art Education
Jay Pension is currently completing a PhD in Art Education with a concentration of Arts Administration in the Department of Art Education. He is thrilled to be working this year with PIE and is excited to support TAs both in his department and across the university. Jay is the co-author of the forthcoming monograph How to Market the Arts published by Oxford University Press, and the textbook Business Issues in the Arts published by Routledge. Over the past 15 years, Jay has worked as a producer on over 100 theatre productions in Boston and New York City for both regional theatres and off-Broadway. Jay worked for Boston Children’s Theatre from 2010-2017. In 2014, he became the first producing artistic director of Stage 284 in Hamilton, MA. From 2014 – 2019, Jay served as the summer artistic director for Island Theatre Workshop, Martha's Vineyard. As an educator, Jay has taught courses in both theatre and arts administration. In 2019, Jay was awarded an Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, and in 2020, he received first place in the Graduate School’s Masters in 4 competition. He holds a BFA from Salem State University and an MFA from Florida State University. Jay would like to thank the professors in the Art Education Department for their consistent support, and the Graduate School for providing the opportunity to serve as a PIE Associate.
Darius Robinson
College of Education
Darius Robinson is a PhD student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University, with academic focuses in educational studies and writing & rhetoric. Before attending graduate school, Darius worked for City Year Los Angeles, working as a mentor, tutor, and role model for kids in the Watts neighborhood. He also worked for the Episcopal Service Corps, rebuilding homes on Staten Island after Hurricane Sandy. After working with these organizations, Darius received his master’s degree in college student affairs at Rutgers University – New Brunswick. Prior to coming to FSU, he worked full-time at the University of Nevada, Reno. There, he worked with residential hall student government, large scale programming, and community development. Darius’ research focus is on the impact of leadership on students of color, with an emphasis on black male leadership. He is a graduate teaching assistant with the Leadership Learning Research Center (LLRC), working with classes on leadership theory, leadership & change, and black male leadership. He is passionate about using teaching and leadership as a vehicle to empower students to create change in the world through service.
James W. Waters
Department of Religion
James W. Waters is a fourth-year PhD Candidate in Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy. He holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and Philosophy, a M.A. in Theology, and a Master of Theological Studies degree from Vanderbilt University. His research foci include American Indian Ethics and Religions, Religion and Ecology, and Religious Discourses of Social Activism. James is entering his third year as an instructor for REL 3170: Religious Ethics and Moral Problems. The first half of his course aims to introduce students to the religious-ethical foundations of Western thought, while the latter half surveys the myriad ways modern religious and non-religious groups address the social issues of race, gender, and sexuality; violence and war; and climate change. A recipient of FSU’s 2020–2021 Outstanding Teaching Award, he finds working with students to be the most rewarding part of his program. When not researching or prepping for lecture, he enjoys spoiling his Chug (half Chihuahua, half Pug) Friedrich, playing music, and viewing thoughtful documentaries and films.