About Us
Professional Staff
The COMPASS Student Experience Department consists of the Pinellas Pinellas Access to Higher Education (PATHe) Program, New Student Experience, Orientation, and Campus Visitation.
Director
Carolina Nutt, Director COMPASS Student Experience
Email: carolinanutt@usf.edu
Education: M.Ed., University of South Carolina, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration
B.A., Florida State University, Political Science and Sociology
Hometown: Orlando, FL / Bogota, Colombia
Fun Fact: I enjoy cooking and baking, as well as exploring new cities.
Pinellas Access to Higher Education (PATHe)
Tia Gomez Zeller, Assistant Director of PATHe
Hablo Español
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Email: gomezzellert@usf.edu
Education: Associate of Science Transfer Degree, Portland Community College
B.S. Psychology, Portland State University
M.S. Education, Leadership & Policy, Portland State University
Hometown: Cadiz, Spain
Favorite part of being part of PATHe: As a first-generation student, new to the U.S. I didn’t understand post-secondary education in the U.S. and how I could afford it. I love to be able to help the Pinellas County Community to understand their options, resources, and the different paths to achieve their goals.
Sam Fiore, PATHe Advisor for Opportunity and Access
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Email: fiores@usf.edu
Education: B.A., University of South Florida St. Petersburg, Political Science
MPA, University of South Florida, Public Administration
Hometown: Tamarac, FL
Favorite part of being part of PATHe: I love inspiring Pinellas County residents to pursue their educational and professional dreams. Anything is possible with some planning and preparing!
Vacant, PATHe Advisor for Transfer Student Support
Pronouns:
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Education:
Hometown:
Favorite part of being part of PATHe:
Brenae Hillard, PATHe Advisor for Pre College
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: bhillard@usf.edu
Education: B.A., Psychology, University of South Florida
M.Ed., University of South Florida, Curriculum & Instruction – College Student Affairs
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Favorite part of PATHe: My favorite part of PATHe is helping students navigate their options-from learning about their interests to finding a path that aligns with their goals! There’s an abundance of information available and I really enjoy helping them make sense of it all.
New Student Experience
Vacant, Assistant Director - New Student Experience/ Parent & Family Engagement
Email:
Education:
Hometown:
Fun Fact:
Macy Thurler, First & Second Year Programs Coordinator
Email: macyt@usf.edu
Education: Master of Science, Minnesota State University Mankato, Communication Studies
B.A., University of Wisconsin Oshkosh & Texas State University, Communication Studies
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Fun Fact: I love playing UNO! My friends and I have an UNO leaderboard and have played 115 games so far!
Kevin Jimenez, Transfer Programs Coordinator
Email: kjimenez2@usf.edu
Education: M.A., George Mason University, Higher Education and Student Development
B.S., University of South Florida St. Pete, Biology
Hometown: Coral Springs, FL
Fun Fact: I love music! I like everything from pop, rock, country, house, disco and more!
Orientation and Campus Visitation
Lindsey Owen, Assistant Director of Orientation
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: lowen2@usf.edu
Phone: (727) 873-4436
Education:
Graduate Certificate, University of South Florida, Higher Education Administration
M.Ed., University of West Florida, Educational Leadership
B.S. St. Petersburg College, Elementary Education
Hometown: Dunedin, FL
Fun Fact: I love paddle boarding, biking, reading, traveling and spending time with friends, family and my two doodles!
Vacant, Coordinator for Orientation
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Phone: (727) 873-4849
Education:
Hometown:
Favorite part of Orientation and Campus Visitation:
Vacant, Coordinator for Campus Visitation
Pronouns:
Email:
Phone: (727) 873-4449
Education:
Hometown:
Favorite part of Campus Visitation:
Belle Jones, Graduate Assistant for Orientation and Campus Visitation