Mildred Coyne, Jeff Cross, Judith Marty, Troy Stefano, Sharon Taylor-Ellis, Kristin Whitaker, and Burton “Tra” Williams III were appointed to the Commission for Independent Education today by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Mildred Coyne, PhD
Coyne, of Cocoa, is Broward College’s Senior Vice President. She is the founder and co-chair of the Council of Workforce Education of the Florida College System, a board member of CareerSource Broward, and a member of the National Association of Community Colleges. Coyne received her bachelor’s degree in communication from Point Park University, as well as her master’s and doctorate degrees in higher education administration and leadership from Capella University.
Jeff Cross
Cross, of Orlando, is Herzing University’s Senior Vice President of Online. He has nearly 25 years of experience in higher education. Cross graduated from California State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and Webster University with a master’s degree in business administration.
Judith Marty
Marty, of Miami, is the President of Doral College. She was previously named a Breakthrough Principal by the National Association of School Administrators and served as the former Board Chair of Pinecrest Charter Schools. Marty graduated from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education from the University of Miami.
Troy Stefano, PhD
Stefano, of Wellington, is an Associate Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. He belongs to the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities. Stefano holds a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Thomas University, a master’s degree in history of Christianity, and a doctorate in history of Christianity and systemic theology from the University of Notre Dame, as well as a professional certification program in artificial intelligence from Stanford University.
Sharon Taylor-Ellis
Taylor-Ellis, of St. Cloud, is Universal Technical Institute’s Vice President of Advanced Training and Campus President of the Orlando campus. She is a member of the Career Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission. Wake Forest University awarded Taylor-Ellis a bachelor’s degree in history and Asian studies.
Kristin Whitaker
Whitaker, of Tallahassee, is Mercury, LLC’s Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. She previously served as the State University System of Florida’s Vice Chancellor of Public Policy and Advocacy, and she currently serves on the board of the Florida Education Foundation. Whitaker graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and a master’s degree in elementary education.
Burton “Tra” Williams III
Williams, of Lakewood Ranch, is the President and Owner of FleetForce Truck Driving School. He belongs to the International Franchise Association as well as the Florida Trucking Association. Williams graduated from Georgetown University’s Franchise Management Program after earning a bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine at the University of Georgia.
These appointments is subject to the approval of the Florida Senate.