Staff

Director

Dr. Kristin Joys is the Director for the Young Entrepreneurs for Leadership & Sustainability High School Summer Program at UF. In 2005 she brought Social Entrepreneurship to UF and co-founded and now directs the Social Impact & Sustainability Initiative in the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Kristin is a UF graduate, earning her bachelors degree in Psychology with minors in Sociology, Religion, and Women’s & Gender Studies. In 2003 she graduated with a Ph.D. in Sociology & a graduate certificate from the Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research. Her research interests center around youth & emerging adulthood, social entrepreneurship, sustainability, community service and creating positive social change. Kristin is passionate about teaching students to use the skills & strategies of business to create innovative & sustainable solutions to social, environmental, and economic problems locally and around the world. From 2003–2006 she served as the Coordinator of Admissions & Student Activities for the Honors Program at UF. In 2006 Kristin was named Service Learning Professor of the Year at UF, because of the community service she requires her students to do. In fact, in 2012 her students completed more than 10,000 hours of service totaling more than 1/2 of President’s Goal of 1 Million minutes of service for all UF students. For the 2011–2012 academic year, Kristin served as a Sustainability Fellow and in 2013 she won the UF Champions of Change Sustainable Solutions Award for her academic work (aka Sustainability Professor of the Year Award). Kristin believes education is a life-long endeavor. In November 2012, Kristin was one of 36 students from 22 countries selected to participate in the International Social Entrepreneurship Programme at INSEAD. In July 2013 she graduated from the AACSB PostDoc Bridge Program and was awarded Academic Scholar status. In March 2014 she was awarded a 75% scholarship to attend the Stanford Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship along with 50 other students from 23 countries around the world. Most recently, in May 2014 she earned a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship, sponsored by USASBE and the Kauffman Foundation. In addition to running YELS, Kristin is passionate about creating opportunities for students to learn about Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainability.

Instructors

SYG2010 - Social Problems & Solutions- Dr. Kristin Joys

ENT4934 - Exploring Entrepreneurship - Professor Christopher Pryor

2016 Staff

Entrepreneurship Professor Dr. Christopher Pryor

Dr. Christopher Pryor is a lecturer in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center at the University of Florida. He joined UF in August 2015. Before coming to Florida, Pryor was an assistant professor of entrepreneurship at High Point University in North Carolina, where he led the effort to launch an entrepreneurship major. His primary interest is in entrepreneurship research, particularly in examining the intersection of individual entrepreneurs and social norms, rules, and laws. His work has been published in a number of journals, including Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal. He is also the co-author of a book, Entrepreneurship as Experience: How Events Create Ventures and Ventures Create Entrepreneurs. He obtained his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in 2014.

Program Leader

Rebekah Foster is an environmental educator who graduated from UF in the Spring of 2015. This is her third year working for YELS. She was the RA for Girls in 2014, the Service-Learning Coordinator in 2015 and is now the Program Leader. As an undergraduate she studied Sustainability Studies & Women's Studies and was involved in social entrepreneurship, sustainability and positive sexuality initiatives on campus. In the past year she has led middle school kids on week-long backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, has taught forest ecology at a nature center in the North Georgia Mountains and traveled through Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In the Fall, Rebekah will move to San Francisco to teach in an elementary school garden. Rebekah loves to share meals with friends on her porch, try new vegetarian recipes and do yoga.

RAs for Guys

Danny Gallagher is entering his fourth year at UF, studying Environmental Engineering with a minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. He is from the small south Florida town Coconut Creek and graduated from Pompano Beach High School in 2013 with a magnet diploma in information technology. At UF, he works as the Training Specialist for the Academic Technology labs, where he trains the new hirees in lab procedures, and in computer hardware and software use. He is also an active member in both the co-ed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega (APO), and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon. While in APO, Danny has had the opportunity to volunteer with many different organizations, including the Humane Society, Salvation Army, and Boys and Girls Club. He has a passion for the environment and sustainability. Danny loves to hike in nature trails, eat Chipotle, and volunteer.

Miles Marrero is a third year Chemical Engineering major pursuing a minor in Biomolecular Engineering. He is interested in renewable energy production and reducing solid waste through more sustainable packaging methods. As a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, he enjoys doing community service with many local organizations, from the Repurpose Project to Keep Alachua County Beautiful and the Boys and Girls club. He is interested in the outdoors, plants, fitness, health, cooking and eating well, and all that has a positive impact on our world. He is concerned about exploitation of Earth's resources and beauty for short term profit. He is originally from Orlando, and went to Olympia High School, where he participated in wrestling. He enjoys traveling, and has traveled to Costa Rica, Cuba, and Colombia. He wants to continue traveling as often as he can to see all the beauty that the planet has to offer.

RAs for Girls

Rachel Cook is a 2nd year student majoring in Finance and minoring in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance from Windermere, FL. She is a part of the International Scholars Program and Peace Corps Prep. She is involved with many organizations on campus such as Kappa Delta, served as a UF Student Senator for Beaty Towers on the Judiciary Committee, AD for Gators Going Green, AD of Sales for Gator Growl, Model United Nations, Outdoor Adventure Recreation, AD for Gator Day with Florida Blue Key, Director of External Affairs for Enactus, and Outreach Chair for Greeks for Gainesville. She interned with Projects for Haiti as their Finance Intern this past fall and is currently employed with O'Connell Center. She also serves as a volunteer for VITA, where she does tax returns for low-income families. Upon graduation, she plans to work for the Peace Corps and then continue a career with the Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer.

Brooke Kaplan (and Social Media Coordinator) participated in YELS 2014 as a rising senior at the Emery/Weiner High School in Houston, Texas. Now, as a rising second year student with a Public Relations major and a minor in Disabilities Studies, Brooke is perusing a career in non-profit or corporate realm. While at UF she has had the privilege to work on Gator Growl, and has started a club on campus that focuses on Disability inclusion. Being from Texas, Brooke has enjoyed living in Florida for the first time this past year and being apart of the Gator Nation. In her free time, she loves to play sports, read E! News, and of course watch Netflix. She is so excited to be on staff this year and cannot wait meet all the empowering students at YELS this summer.

Activities Leaders

Alex Morrison (Field Trips & Speakers Coordinator) recently graduated with a degree in Sustainability and the Built Environment with a minor in Urban and Regional Planning. He attended West Broward High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida graduating in 2010. He has research published in the Journal of Sustainable cities and Society, serves on a citizen advisory board for the city of Gainesville, and has writing featured in local publications "The Fine Print" and "Architrave". Also, he will be starting graduate school in the fall but likes to spend his free time reading, writing, and loitering in coffee shops.

Irving Chan-Gomez (Sustainability Coordinator) is a recent University of Florida graduate (2016) with a Masters degree in Sustainable Development Practice, a minor in Organizational Leadership for Nonprofits and a minor in Entrepreneurship. During his time at the Universityof Florida, Irving engaged in several sustainability initiatives locally and internationally. He is focusing onhis career in business sustainability and is eager to help businesses find their role in sustainable development by improving their positive impact in the environment and society. Additionally, he works as a research and extension assistant with the UF department of Environmental Horticulture, where he manages hydroponic research and outreach services to producers in Latin America and Sub Saharan Africa. Irving enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures, swimming and running, and reading historic novels. After YELS, he expects to move to NYC to work with a sustainability consulting group.

Jasmine Silas (Mentors Coordinator) is entering her second year as a transfer to the University of Florida. Before attending UF, she was dually enrolled in Florida State College at Jacksonville and Jean Ribault Senior High. After graduating from both institutions, she decided to change the world and chose UF to be her training grounds. By pursuing a major in Psychology and minoring in a language, she hopes to spread positivity among a multitude of people- which she strongly believes can precipitate change. Often regarded as optimistic, hard-working and humble, she involves herself in community activities that foster this notion. One noteworthy service activity she takes pride in is mentoring and tutoring a high school student through MycroSchool of Gainesville. In the future, she hopes to become Dr. Silas, a youth psychologist, helping troubled youth become more beneficial versions of themselves.

Sammy Felman (Service Coordinator) graduated this May with a degree in Sustainability Studies and Political Science. She attended Beachwood High School, in Beachwood, Ohio. At UF, Sammy was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, co-ed community service fraternity, and a TRiP leader for the Travel and Recreation Program (TRiP). Sammy spent this past summer studying non-profit management and international development in India, and the previous summer working on a farm on the Big Island of Hawaii. She enjoys being outside, vegetables, reading, backpacking, volunteering, and burritos.

Teaching Assistants

Brandon Fantozzi is currently enrolled as a student at the University of Florida in the Innovation Academy. While majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Innovation, he enjoys taking courses in variety of subjects. Prior to attending the University of Florida, he attended Cardinal Gibbons High School, class of 2013, in Fort Lauderdale Florida. He has been working at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation as a Teaching Assistant for Dr. Chris Pryor for a year now in his Principles of Entrepreneurship class ENT3003 and will continue until graduation and hopefully even afterwards. He is planning on graduating in 2017. After graduation, he will pursue an MBA at UF and focus on Entrepreneurship. One day, he will even pursue a PhD in Entrepreneurship in order to complete his life's aspiration to become a college professor and to be successfully recognized through his future research. Brandon has Taed for Professor Pryor all year and is excited to serve as his TA for the ENT4934 course this summer.

Heejin Ahn received a BA in Political Science with minors in African Studies and French. She is currently a program assistant for Sahel Research Group (SRG) at UF. During her undergraduate years, she has interned for the Enough Project, a nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C. In Summer of 2014, she received Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) grant to travel to Kenya to conduct field research on alternative business financing options for women groups. She is a firm believer in creating positive changes through social entrepreneurship and innovation. She will pursue a MA in International Development in the fall and her eventual goal is to become a project manager to evaluate and monitor international human relief and development programs by international agencies and organizations. Heejin attended Spruce Creek High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. Heejin was the TA for SYG2010 in YELS 2015 and is excited to return again this summer.

Registration Coordinator

Emma Stetter is in her second year at the University of Florida majoring in Telecommunications with a concentration in production and a minor in innovation. She has been working with YELS for about 2 years. Emma loves traveling and will be completing her second study abroad this summer in Australia and Fiji taking classes with a focus on sustainability. She graduated from the Academy of Entrepreneurship at Buchholz High School in 2014.

Volunteers

Laura Melendez attended Lake Highland Preperatory School in Orlando, Florida. She is going into her third year and is majoring in Nutritional Sciences and minoring in Sustainability Studies at the University of Florida. On campus she volunteers with the School Health Interdisciplinary Program where she helps teach young children about health and fitness. She recently returned from studying abroad in Costa Rica where she studied Spanish, Sustainability, and Environmental Science. She is also a ballet dancer and has been training since she was four years old.

2015 Staff

ENT4934 - Exploring Entrepreneurship - Professor William Rossi

William Rossi is the Associate Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Florida, and a Wells Fargo Faculty Fellow. He has extensive experience in finance, general business, sales and operations management, and has held several senior level positions with Ford, Goodrich, and Picker International. Since relocating to Florida in 1986, Professor Rossi has worked in executive management positions in smaller entrepreneurial companies. He served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Applied Digital Technology, Inc., a Florida corporation that provides turnkey solutions for the compression, storage, editing, transmission, and broadcasting of digital audio and video information. Professor Rossi holds an MS degree in Operations Research from the University of Massachusetts and an undergraduate degree in Mechanical and Industrial & Systems Engineering from Ohio University. Professor Rossi manages GatorNest, the Centerʼs experiential learning program. Professor Rossi teaches “Principles of Entrepreneurship”, “Venture Analysis”, “Venture Finance”, and “Entrepreneurial Finance”. Professor Rossi is an award winning Lecturer on campus, his classes are legendary and he regularly receives outstanding faculty awards.

Program Leaders

Regan Murray is a third year Business Administration major with a specialization in Event Planning and Tourism. This fall she will be pursuing her Masters in International Business from the University of Florida with plans to finish her degree at a foreign University in the spring. During her time at the University of Florida, Regan has interned with the City of Gainesville. Here, she has assisted in planning many events, such as the Downtown Festival and Art Show, a nationally recognized juried fine arts show. She also found a passion for learning about and caring for the natural world when she interned at SeaWorld, Orlando where she was an exhibit educator and camp counselor. Additionally, she is a teaching assistant for Principles of Marketing and has a special interest in entrepreneurship and creative business marketing. She enjoys going to the gym, riding her horse, and traveling and hopes to live abroad after graduation. Regan graduated from Steinbrenner High School in Tampa, Florida.

Alex Gentile is a recent University of Florida graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree in Materials Science & Enginnering, a specialization in Electronic Materials, and a Minor in Electrical Engineering. Prior to entering college, Alex served as a camp counselor for Camp Highlander, a sleep-away camp in the mountains of North Carolina. Here, Alex learned the value of sustainability, and saw first hand the ramifications of a lack of social awareness and stewardship on the environment. On campus, Alex was an executive board member for the Student Honors Organization, while maintaining an active involvement in Greek life. Alex grew up in Weston, Florida, where he was noted for activity within the community, as well as within his school. Participating in a local area government program, and organizing community service events, Alex was honored to become one of a handful of Weston's Rotary Club Students of the Month. Now, following his graduation, Alex has started a business of his own, as well as being a member of the founding team for a tech start-up. He looks forward to reaching out to the community, and helping others gain the confidence needed to take the oftentimes difficult step in solidifying their own vision, and forming a business.

Residence Assistants

Synclair Henry is a 4th Year combined degree student at the University of Florida, simultaneously pursuing her Bachelors in Business Management and Master's in Entrepreneurship. During her time at UF, Synclair has been blessed to be involved in organizations within the Black Student Union and the Business college, partake in individual community service, and serve in a number of leadership roles, including Chapter President of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She hopes one day to utilize her skills to become the premier Event Services/ Catering Company in South Florida, as well as travel and spend as much time as possible with friends and family.

Ian Siljestrom is a recent University of Florida graduate and currently is teaching 5th grade science in Jacksonville, Florida. He is excited to have the summer off from teaching, and be able to come back to Gainesville to work with YELS. He was a fourth year Sustainability and the Built Environment major. He also completed minors in Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture. He held several different community positions, including an intern for the City of Newberry’s Planning Department and the University of Florida’s Physical Plant Energy Division. Ian is an avid traveller and has worked abroad in Canada, Belgium, and England. Aside from academic and professional pursuits he also participated on UF’s club swimming and water polo teams. Ian is planning to return to the classroom after another wonderful YELS experience!

Assistant RA & Activities Leader

Daniela Gomez is a third year Architecture student in the UF College of Design Construction and Planning. She is involved in NOMAS, a club for minority architecture students and is currently working on a design competition for them. She has also been involved with HAS, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, and has worked with HSA also as part of a mentor program with high school students who are currently in ESOL (a program that helps students who do not primarily speak english). When she graduates, she wants to design and improve communities in both a sustainable and economical way. She attended Lyman High School in Longwood Florida.