Marcela Moyano

I decided to join the Doctoral Program of Educational Leadership at St. Thomas University for three main reasons. First, I was aware of the need of leadership training in the 21st century, which faces continuous change. Second, I knew St. Thomas University was going to grant me personalized and moral based education in my formation as a leader. Third, I could continue exploring my field of expertise in Communication Arts, through selecting a cognate area in Electronic Media Arts.
One of my most memorable experiences in the doctoral program was when I started investigating 21st century leadership theories such as servant leadership, social capital and emotional intelligence. These approaches of leadership became part of my life as an educator and artist. I started developing an academic curriculum for a high school summer program, which main aim is to educate leaders for life. In my second year being enrolled in the program, I have had the fortune of being able to apply all my new knowledge to the Minaici Family Lead Now Summer Institute at St. Thomas University.
Upon graduation of the program, I plan to continue exploring leadership from the educational and media settings. Finally, one of my major scholarly interests is to expand the Miniaci Family Lead Now Summer Institute to unprivileged youth anywhere in the world.

Toshiba Mitchell

Over the course of the Instructional Technology Program at St. Thomas University (STU), Toshiba Mitchell credits her amazing professors who helped shape her career into what it is now. Starting out as a Director of Distance Learning at Florida Memorial University, she fondly recalls her time at STU making new friends, network and collaboration opportunities and getting great career advice from professors.

“In addition to IT skills, I learned the importance of teamwork and organizational skills that prepared me for my current job. The program gave me the foundation of Instructional Technology which exposed me to other ideas and gave me a chance to develop my instructional technology knowledge base. STU gave me the skills and experience needed to immediately transition into the workplace and add value. The projects at STU were not just theoretical; they gave us a sense of the reality of the working world. I was able to bring that knowledge and apply it immediately to real life experiences.”

Toshiba credits STU with setting her up with the skills and passion she needed to have a successful career. “The way the education was delivered conveyed the passion of Instructional Technology which helps me a lot, as I am using that passion on a day-to-day basis. The passion that I learned is not just for Instructional Technology. My STU education also gave me a passion for life-long learning; there’s so much that can be done, it’s great to go back and learn something new – that’s what I got from STU!”

Jocelyn Jinks

My dream finally came true in May of 2007 when I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from St. Thomas University. It was long awaited for as I did not have the opportunity to attend college in Lebanon where I was born and raised.

Having had teaching experience in Lebanon, I decided that teaching would be the best career for me. I really enjoyed teaching even though I can say it is one of the most challenging jobs one could ever do. I started as a Prekindergarten teacher in a small school in Miami Beach. From there I moved to teach 4th grade in a different school as the previous one had to close down. I did not have any college transcripts and teaching in America was completely different from what I was used to in Lebanon. A year after I had my first son, Daniel I decided to attend college and complete a degree in Education. I had the opportunity to attend college and teach at the same time although it was extremely stressful having to raise a child, become pregnant a second time, and raise another beautiful boy named Andrew. May of 2007 came really fast and I finally walked head high to receive my diploma with honors. I could say this was one of the proudest days of my life.

Right before I graduated, I was completing one of my last courses, Computers in Education, opening my eyes to integration of technology in the classroom. My plans were to start a master's degree immediately after graduating in education with a specialization in reading. However, in the computer class I realized how education has been navigating slowly but surely away from traditional learning methods to learning through technology. My professor at the time, Dr. Qian, told me that she would be starting a new program for a master's degree with concentration in Instructional Technology when she heard my wish to complete a degree in that particular field. I was really pleased and started my higher degree with the same determination I had during my undergraduate years at St. Thomas University.

I have enjoyed every course and step of the Instructional Technology program. My professor and creator of the IT program at St. Thomas University, Dr. Qian, made my journey the most enjoyable and fulfilling. She is a truly devoted and helpful instructor and dedicates most of her time to her students and her classes. My hat off to you Dr. Qian. Throughout my journey at St. Thomas University, I have come across many wonderful professors. So if you ever decide to attend my college, these are some of the professors from whom I learned the most: Professor Pat. Ryan, Dr. Antonio Fernandez, Mr. David Masters, Dr. Conley, Dr. Arango, Mr. Taj, and Dr. Gillig. Thank you all but mostly Dr. Qian for giving me a great education!

Marcela Moyano

I decided to join the Doctoral Program of Educational Leadership at St. Thomas University for three main reasons. First, I was aware of the need of leadership training in the 21st century, which faces continuous change. Second, I knew St. Thomas University was going to grant me personalized and moral based education in my formation as a leader. Third, I could continue exploring my field of expertise in Communication Arts, through selecting a cognate area in Electronic Media Arts.
One of my most memorable experiences in the doctoral program was when I started investigating 21st century leadership theories such as servant leadership, social capital and emotional intelligence. These approaches of leadership became part of my life as an educator and artist. I started developing an academic curriculum for a high school summer program, which main aim is to educate leaders for life. In my second year being enrolled in the program, I have had the fortune of being able to apply all my new knowledge to the Minaici Family Lead Now Summer Institute at St. Thomas University.
Upon graduation of the program, I plan to continue exploring leadership from the educational and media settings. Finally, one of my major scholarly interests is to expand the Miniaci Family Lead Now Summer Institute to unprivileged youth anywhere in the world.

Toshiba Mitchell

Over the course of the Instructional Technology Program at St. Thomas University (STU), Toshiba Mitchell credits her amazing professors who helped shape her career into what it is now. Starting out as a Director of Distance Learning at Florida Memorial University, she fondly recalls her time at STU making new friends, network and collaboration opportunities and getting great career advice from professors.

“In addition to IT skills, I learned the importance of teamwork and organizational skills that prepared me for my current job. The program gave me the foundation of Instructional Technology which exposed me to other ideas and gave me a chance to develop my instructional technology knowledge base. STU gave me the skills and experience needed to immediately transition into the workplace and add value. The projects at STU were not just theoretical; they gave us a sense of the reality of the working world. I was able to bring that knowledge and apply it immediately to real life experiences.”

Toshiba credits STU with setting her up with the skills and passion she needed to have a successful career. “The way the education was delivered conveyed the passion of Instructional Technology which helps me a lot, as I am using that passion on a day-to-day basis. The passion that I learned is not just for Instructional Technology. My STU education also gave me a passion for life-long learning; there’s so much that can be done, it’s great to go back and learn something new – that’s what I got from STU!”

Jocelyn Jinks

My dream finally came true in May of 2007 when I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from St. Thomas University. It was long awaited for as I did not have the opportunity to attend college in Lebanon where I was born and raised.

Having had teaching experience in Lebanon, I decided that teaching would be the best career for me. I really enjoyed teaching even though I can say it is one of the most challenging jobs one could ever do. I started as a Prekindergarten teacher in a small school in Miami Beach. From there I moved to teach 4th grade in a different school as the previous one had to close down. I did not have any college transcripts and teaching in America was completely different from what I was used to in Lebanon. A year after I had my first son, Daniel I decided to attend college and complete a degree in Education. I had the opportunity to attend college and teach at the same time although it was extremely stressful having to raise a child, become pregnant a second time, and raise another beautiful boy named Andrew. May of 2007 came really fast and I finally walked head high to receive my diploma with honors. I could say this was one of the proudest days of my life.

Right before I graduated, I was completing one of my last courses, Computers in Education, opening my eyes to integration of technology in the classroom. My plans were to start a master's degree immediately after graduating in education with a specialization in reading. However, in the computer class I realized how education has been navigating slowly but surely away from traditional learning methods to learning through technology. My professor at the time, Dr. Qian, told me that she would be starting a new program for a master's degree with concentration in Instructional Technology when she heard my wish to complete a degree in that particular field. I was really pleased and started my higher degree with the same determination I had during my undergraduate years at St. Thomas University.

I have enjoyed every course and step of the Instructional Technology program. My professor and creator of the IT program at St. Thomas University, Dr. Qian, made my journey the most enjoyable and fulfilling. She is a truly devoted and helpful instructor and dedicates most of her time to her students and her classes. My hat off to you Dr. Qian. Throughout my journey at St. Thomas University, I have come across many wonderful professors. So if you ever decide to attend my college, these are some of the professors from whom I learned the most: Professor Pat. Ryan, Dr. Antonio Fernandez, Mr. David Masters, Dr. Conley, Dr. Arango, Mr. Taj, and Dr. Gillig. Thank you all but mostly Dr. Qian for giving me a great education!