Questions? Email Your Chair!
Doctoral: jallenjr@fsu.edu Master’s: dmf22@fsu.edu
Doctoral Chair
Johnnie Allen Jr.
Johnnie Allen Jr. is a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. His research interests focus on the leadership experiences and development of students of color in higher education, with an emphasis on Black college men's masculinities and their participation in leadership learning, education, and mentorship programs as a way to increase social equity. Born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana, he is a proud two-time alum of Indiana University. He has his B.S. in Community Health and Public Health ‘20 and M.S.Ed. and certificate in College Pedagogy from the Indiana University Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Program ‘22. He is a recipient of the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship 2022-2023 cohort from the Florida Education Fund. While at the Leadership Learning Research Center, Johnnie conducts research and teaches courses in the undergraduate leadership certificate program. Johnnie is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He enjoys reality TV, video games, traveling, college Basketball, and spending time with family and friends.
Master’s Chair
Dylan Fields
Dylan is a first year M.Ed. student in the Higher Education Program here at Florida State University (FSU). He currently works are the Graduate Assistant for Conflict Resolution in the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards here on campus, where he co-advises the Student Conduct Board and helps guide students through the student conduct process. His favorite FSU memories so far have been attending Visiting Days & attending drag shows with his cohort!
Born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains, Dylan graduated from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) with a B.S. in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health. Working in the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life at ETSU completely changed his direction in life and sparked an interest in working in the field of fraternity and sorority advising and support. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (GOMAB!) and crossed the Alpha Xi Alpha chapter at ETSU. As for selfcare, Dylan enjoys throwing down in the kitchen, binging most reality tv shows, spending too much money, forming friendships with his cohort member, and taking care of all of his plants.
Administrative Chair
Gabrielle Haggins
Gabrielle Haggins is a 2nd year Doctoral student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. She currently serves as the Graduate Assistant & Instructor for CARE’s Bridge to Graduate School and as a Research Assistant with Dr. Tamara Bertrand Jones.
Gabrielle grew up and graduated in Tifton, Ga. In 2014, she pursued her undergraduate education in Albany, GA at Albany State University and received her A.AS in Health Sciences and A.A in Foreign Language. She then transferred to Valdosta, Ga at Valdosta State University, where she graduated with a B.A of Spanish, World and Culture Emphasis. After taking a “gap year,” she pursued and graduated with her Master’s in Higher Education Administration at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. Gabrielle is a proud McKnight Doctoral Fellow 2022-2023 cohort from the Florida Education Fund. Through her experience studying abroad in Cadiz, Spain, her research interest aligns with increasing global education, cultural and communicative barriers to educational equity. her second strain of research is the focus on Black Doctoral women, in reference to the influence of intersections and socialization of Black women in academia in their graduate education and early professional career
In her free time, Gabrielle loves to travel and being a plant mom!
Finance Chair
Zac Collins
Zac is a second year masters student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University where he is currently working as the Graduate Assistant in the Office of Retention. He grew up in Marion, OH before moving to Columbus, OH where he attended Otterbein University earning a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music with Minors in Educational Studies and Race & Ethnic Studies. For fun Zac enjoys watching reality TV and going on walks at many of the amazing parks around Tallahassee!
Social Justice & Inclusion Coordinator
Ta’lia Gordon
Master's Events and Visiting Days Coordinator
Payton Krumholz
Payton Krumholz is a 2nd year Masters student in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. She currently serves as the Graduate Assistant for FSU’s long-standing student programming board and Student Union entertainment venue, Club Downunder.
Payton grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and moved to Southwest Florida during her sophomore year of high school. In 2022, Payton graduated with a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management, with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Through her experience studying abroad in London and working in the University of Tennessee’s Programs Abroad office during her time as an undergraduate student, Payton has developed an interest in international education and global engagement. In her free time, Payton loves trivia nights, traveling, and cheering on the Vols and Noles!
Master's Events and Visiting Days Coordinator
Matt Anderson
Matt (he/they) is a second-year master’s student in the Higher Education Administration program here at Florida State University (FSU). He currently works as the Graduate Assistant for Homecoming and Traditions in the Student Organizations and Involvement office here on campus. In this position, he co-advises the Homecoming Council members and is responsible for the Garnet and Gold Tailgates on campus.
Matt graduated from the University of North Alabama (UNA) with a B.B.A in Professional Management with a concentration in Accommodations and Service Industry Management and a minor in Communication Studies. Working in Student Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Orientation, Housing and Residence Life, Admissions, and Alumni Association as an undergraduate student, he was able to gain an interest in higher education. This summer, he served as a NODA Intern for Missouri State University’s (MSU) New Student Orientation and Family Programs office. This semester, Matt is interning as a Teaching Assistant for the Leadership, Learning, and Research Center’s Undergraduate Leadership Studies Certificate. Outside of campus work, Matt loves to be outside, go on walks/workout, read, listen to music, and cook.
Doctoral Events Coordinator
Jessica Griffin
Master’s First-Year Representative
Patrick Marshall
Doctoral First-Year Representative
Cat Metcalfe