Directory

Brian Schriner
Dean
schriner@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-3176
Office: MMC – PCA 285

Brian Schriner was appointed Dean of the College of Architecture + The Arts in 2010. Upon the integration of the FIU School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the college was renamed to the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA) in 2016.

Under Dean Schriner’s leadership — and the hard work of the college’s faculty, professional staff, students, alumni, donors, board members, and partners all of whom are united in support of CARTA’s mission to prepare career-ready professionals with global perspectives through applied learning, research, and creative activities — CARTA has established a reputation as one of the nation’s most innovative and forward-thinking colleges. Once again ranked #14 in 2024 as the Most Innovative US Public College in the United States by World Universities Ranking Innovation (WURI), the third consecutive year CARTA has been recognized in the Top 15: #FIUCARTACreativeForcesAtWork!

Marilys Nepomechie
Associate Dean of Faculty + Program Development
nepomech@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-1887
Office: MMC – PCA 283B

Coordination of the hiring, development, assessment and assignment of the College’s faculty and the coordination of the assessment of the College’s academic programs. Marilys R. Nepomechie, FAIA, is also a Professor, practicing architect and 2015-16 President of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. Her professional and academic projects – focused on urban resilience and on the design of sustainable, affordable housing and infrastructure – are included in the archives of the National Building Museum. Funded by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts and the CINTAS Foundation, her work has been honored with over 40 design and research awards, national and international exhibition, and wide publication.

John Stuart
Associate Dean of Cultural and Community Engagement
stuartj@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-535-1460
Office: MBUS 447

Administration, oversight, growth, promotion, and financial sustainability of CARTA | MBUS. John Stuart, AIA, is the Director of Miami Beach Urban Studios, and Professor, is a practicing registered architect in the State of Florida. He is also an architectural historian and a visual artist developing collaborative research projects on complexity, community, identity, technology, the environment and public space with funding from Van Alen Institute, The National Endowment for the Arts, The National Science Foundation, The National Endowment for the Humanities, and The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts.

Octavio J. Visiedo
Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives
ovisiedo@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-2897
Office: MMC – PCA 281A

Octavio J. Visiedo has many years of experience in both public and private sectors. He has served in many capacities within the university, namely on CARTA’s K-12 Taskforce and a Faculty/Research Associate in CARTA’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator. He is a lifelong educator and had the honor of being the first Cuban American Superintendent of Schools in the history of Miami Dade County Public Schools. Mr. Visiedo holds his B.A. in Political Science and M.S. in Education.

Maria Claverie
Associate Director of Alumni Relations
mgclaver@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-1805
Office: MMC – PCA 361A

Maria G. Claverie holds a master’s degree in International Development Education from FIU. She has worked in higher education for more than 15 years and joined the CARTA team in 2011. Maria oversees the planning of alumni events, serves as the CARTA Alumni Liaison to the central Alumni Office, and engages alumni in the life of the College. She is also responsible for identifying prospective alumni donors and matching their philanthropic priorities with the College’s needs and their engagement with the Annual Fund. Maria also identifies, manages, and processes sponsorships for CARTA.

Robert “B.J.” Duncan
Director of Operations; Liaison to the Dean
robert.duncan5@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-1353
Office: MMC – PCA 284A

Robert “B.J.” Duncan has proudly served Florida International University and CARTA in a multitude of capacities since 2012. He began his career at FIU in the Department of Theatre as a Production Specialist, then Theatre Facilities Manager, followed by his current roles as Director of CARTA Facilities and Liaison to the Dean. B.J. is a very proud two-time FIU alumnus (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, 2009; Master of Public Administration, 2017) and also holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Idaho. Beyond FIU, B.J. is a two-term elected Council Member serving the Town of Cutler Bay, as well as a Technical Theatre Director and Production Consultant for Zoetic Stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts.

Oliver Ionita
Senior Director of Development
oliver.ionita@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-0045
Cell: 312-330-1483
Office: MMC – MARC 533

Mr. Ionita has more than 20 years of fundraising experience, working for prestigious organizations including Jazz at Lincoln Center, the New York Philharmonic, Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Architecture, Design & the Arts.  He has also served as a panelist for the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

He holds a Bachelor in Music Performance from The Juilliard School and a Masters of Arts in Performing Arts Administration from New York University (NYU).
Mr. Ionita partners with Dean Schriner and CARTA faculty and staff to identify strategic priorities and generate philanthropic support for the College.

Robert Jaross
Student Media Director
xjarossr@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-6993
Office: VH 242

Robert Jaross has taught advertising and public relations courses at FIU for the past 18 years, while working in Student Affairs as director for Student Media. Jaross has taught all courses in the advertising tract and currently focuses on teaching the capstone course. Prior to FIU, Jaross was a faculty member at Southern Illinois University where he taught advertising courses, including the capstone advertising course as well as serving as general manager to the Daily Egyptian daily student newspaper. Earlier in his professional career Mr. Jaross worked for an advertising agency; a magazine, as advertising director; two newspapers, as advertising directors; and at a media corporation as president.

Karla Kennedy 
Director of Online Learning
kkennedy@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-919-4029
Office: BBC – AC2 311

Dr. Karla D. Kennedy is a Florida native who has been involved in student speech and publications since her days in junior high school. Kennedy, a strong advocate for the freedoms and rights of students and student journalists, has advised various high school media for 19 years in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She served as the first Scholastic Journalism Outreach Coordinator for the University of Oregon at the George S. Turnbull Center located in downtown Portland, as well as the Executive Director of the Northwest Scholastic Press Association from 2012 to 2015. While at UO, she was honored with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Award in Equity and Inclusion. In 2007, the Florida Scholastic Press Association recognized Kennedy as the Morty Schaap Florida Journalism Teacher of the Year. She has taught Writing for Mass Communications, Writing Strategies, Multimedia Production, Media Law and Ethics, and Public Speaking. She wrote the curriculum and taught the Summer Journalism Institute at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami as well as advised the museum’s student publication, the MOCA’Zine.

Jacek J. Kolasinski
Director of the Ratcliffe Arts + Design Incubator
kolasins@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-3362
Office: MBUS 441

Administration and oversight of the Ratcliffe Arts + Design Incubator. Jacek J. Kolasinski is also a New-Media artist, Associate Professor of Visual Arts at the Art + Art History Department at Florida International University. He came to the United States from Poland where he studied history and philosophy at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations. Kolasinski received his MFA and BFA from Florida International University in Miami.

Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver
Director of The Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center For The Advancement of Women in Communication
lillian.kopenhaver@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-919-4065
Office: BBC – AC2 235A

Dr. Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver is also dean emeritus and professor of the SJMC. She was named the Outstanding Woman in Journalism and Mass Communication Education for 2009 by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. A nationally known expert and researcher on the First Amendment, the scholastic and collegiate press, and the role and status of women in communication, she is the author of more than 115 scholarly articles, monographs and books.

She is past president of AEJMC, College Media Advisers, the Student Press Law Center, and the Community College Journalism Association. She holds the Wells Memorial Key from the Society of Professional Journalists, only the second woman in the history of the organization to win that award at that time, the CMA Distinguished Service Award, the AEJMC Newspaper Division Distinguished Service Award, the AEJMC Outstanding Leadership Award, the FIU Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Torch Award and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Rowan University. In 2011 she was awarded FIU’s Distinguished University Service Medallion for her outstanding contributions to FIU, as well as her distinguished service to the profession and the community.

Shahin Vassigh
Director of Technology Research Development
svassigh@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-3032
Office: MMC – PCA 373A

Shahin Vassigh has a Master of Architecture, Master of Urban Planning, and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University at Buffalo, the State University of New York. She has considerable professional experience through her work at various consulting engineering firms ranging from bridge design/analysis to large-scale building construction and design. She has built a nationally recognized body of research work focused on improving structures and technology education by developing alternative teaching pedagogies that utilize digital media.

Lillian Abreu
Assistant Director and Research Associate
labreu@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-919-4095
Office: BBC – AC2 252A

Lillian Anne Abreu is the Assistant Director and Research Associate at the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication at Florida International University (FIU). She holds a doctoral degree in Social Welfare from the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work at FIU, with her research focusing on social and economic mobility among Hispanic women in the United States. Abreu also earned a Master of Science in Fundraising Management and Nonprofit Administration from Columbia University, a Master of Science in Social Work from Loyola University, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Florida State University.

Daisy Chiong Delgado
Office Specialist
dchiongd@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-2540
Office: MMC – PCA 272

Daisy Chiong Delgado has over 35 years of Higher Education experience. Before joining FIU she worked at the University of Miami for 25 years in Office Management and Sponsored Research at both the Coral Gables and Medical Campuses. Daisy joined CARTA in 2014 as the Secretary for School of Music Graduate Director and has since then worked for the college in the areas office assistance , student assistance and facilities administration.

Anna Sanchez
Administrative Assistant
annsanch@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-7500
Office: MMC – PCA 272

Anna Sanchez, Administrative Assistant, provides support to the Associate Dean of Faculty + Program Development. Anna also provides administrative support to the Robotics Academy Team. Anna joins FIU with many years of customer service and administrative experience in the health industry.

Jessica Szmuler
Executive Assistant 
jszmuler@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-3175
Office: MMC – PCA 274A

Jessica Szmuler, Executive Assistant, provides support to the Dean, and Office of the Dean staff. Her role involves management of scheduling, day-to-day operations of the college, working with the Student Success team and assisting in organizing college events.
Jessica joined FIU in 2018, with over 25 years of administrative and customer service experience, including 16 years of working for non-profit organizations. Jessica is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Karen Baer
Assistant Director of Finance
baerk@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-919-4581
Office: BBC – AC2 230

Karen Baer, is the Assistant Director of Finance overseeing financial matters for CARTA programs at the Biscayne Bay Campus. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Adminsitration from FIU and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Karen has worked at FIU since 2004.

Robert Brown
Financial Analyst II
rlbrown@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-919-4022
Office: ACII-231A

Robert Brown is a Financial Analyst II within the CARTA Dean’s Office. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Business and has worked with FIU since 2010. He uses accounting concepts, methods, and techniques to assist with the preparation of the annual budget for all departmental funding sources at both MMC & BBC campuses.  Maintains and analyzes accounts, budget data, and prepares reports as needed. Provides assistance in the development, implementation and maintenance of internal fiscal systems and procedures.

Madeleine Manzano-Barrera
Financial Analyst
mmanzano@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-8130
Office: MMC – PCA 274A

Madeleine Manzano-Barrera is an accomplished administrative professional with over twenty-five years of experience. Madeleine has provided high-level support in a variety of industries and across multiple functional areas, including the education system for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), before joining The College of Communication, Architecture + the Arts (CARTA) at Florida International University.

Evelyn Martinez
Financial Analyst
emartine@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-6268
Office: MMC – PCA 274A

Evelyn Martinez is the financial analyst for the Art + Art History Department. Evelyn is the coordinator of the department budget and contracts. She received a Masters in Public Administration from FIU.

Paulette Rivera
Senior Financial Analyst
priver@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-2895

Paulette Rivera received her M.B.A with an emphasis in management from FIU and double majored in business administration and international business at FIU. She works closely with the chairperson in the areas of purchasing, accounts payable, and preparation of a variety of reports. Her work is primarily computer-based, using online record-keeping systems, word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications. Furthermore, Paulette has been an integrative component of the operations of a retail store for the past for years.

Rashida Taylor
Associate Director of Finance
rltaylor@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-2286
Office: MMC – PCA 281A

Rashida Taylor, Assistant Director of Finance, is responsible for the development of annual budgets, salary forecasts, financial statements, and expense approvals for the departments on the MMC campus . She graduated from FIU with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting in 2011, later obtaining a Master of Accounting from FIU’s Graduate School of Accounting in 2012. She began working at FIU in 2008 as a student and then working full time within the CARTA Dean’s Office in 2012.

Sharon Spallone
Assistant Director of Human Resources
sspallon@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-7995

Sharon Spallone, Assistant Director of Human Resources for the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts, served in the U.S Army for 10 years and has over 20 years of experience in Executive Administration and Office Management. She has a Bachelor of Public Administration from Florida International University. She began working for FIU in 2015 as an Administrative Assistant for CARTA Dean’s Office. Sharon now manages the day to day operations of CARTA Human Resources recruitment process for full time benefit earning and temporary employees. She serves as the Human Resources Liaison for CARTA.

Hansel de Haro
Web Project Manager
hdeharo@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-3699
Office: MMC – PCA 280A

Hansel de Haro, Web Project Manager, is responsible for designing and managing the College’s websites. Hansel has a master’s degree in Architecture from FIU and stayed within the CARTA family after graduating.

Jackie Ikem
Account Manager, School of Architecture
jikem@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-3181
Office: MMC – PCA 280A

Jacqueline Ikem, a Miami native, earned a master’s degree in Global Strategic Communications from Florida International University in partnership with Miami Ad School. Collaborating closely with the Special Events Manager, she curates content and promotes upcoming events to keep the community informed and engaged. Through strategic use of social media platforms, Jacqueline is dedicated to elevating the school’s branding by showcasing student and faculty achievements and fostering meaningful connections across FIU’s academic and professional communities.

Zion Sealy
Marketing and Communications Manager
zsealy@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-7500
Office: MMC – PCA 280A

Zion Sealy, Account Manager for the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts, oversees and assists with CARTA’s overall brand, and marketing/communication initiatives. An FIU alum, Zion graduated with his B.B.A. in Marketing with a specialization in Marketing Research and Analytics. He also received his masters in Global Strategic Communications Management. 

Carla Zensen
Program Coordinator, Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication
czensen@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-919-4065

Carla Zensen is a dynamic marketing and program coordination professional with 18 years of experience in education, stakeholder engagement, and digital communication. She currently serves as the Program Coordinator at the Kopenhaver Center, where she plays a pivotal role in programming, marketing, and mentorship initiatives. Zenen holds a Master of Science in Marketing with a specialization in social media from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a focus on Business Administration. Carla first joined FIU’s MBA program as a Program Assistant in 2005 before returning in 2019 to support the Kopenhaver Center’s mission.

Michael Delgado
Senior Special Events Manager
michdelg@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-0045
Office: MMC – PCA 275A

Michael Delgado comes from a hospitality background and has collaborated alongside Marriott International, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Accor, and others in F&B brand consultation and various event activations. Michael is also a Florida International University alumnus and holds a Master of Science in Hospitality Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with his family.

Cory Fairfield
Associate Director Academic Advising Services
cfairfie@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-2219
Office: MMC – PCA 272

Cory Fairfield joined the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts in November 2017, initially working at FIU OneStop Enrollment Services. With a background in advising students for Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture + Environmental and Urban Design, Cory was honored as FIU’s Academic Advisor of the Year in 2019. Having earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from FIU, he is currently pursuing an Ed.D in Adult Education and Human Resource Development. Presently, Cory serves as Assistant Director of Academic Advising Services for the School of Architecture, School of Music, Department of Theatre, and Department of Art + Art History. Additionally, he finds fulfillment in teaching SLS 1501 to first-year students, engaging with FIU Embrace as a mentor, and providing training to new instructors through FIU Safe Zone.

Linda Lara
Associate Director Academic Advising Services
Linda.Lara@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-919-4066
Office: BBC – AC2 230

Linda Lara serves as the Assistant Director of Academic Advising Services for the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA). She has devoted the past 17 years to student services in the field of higher education. She began her career in academic advising at Miami Dade College. She then transitioned to FIU’s College of Arts & Sciences in 2008 as an Academic Advisor and was later promoted to Assistant Director of Advising Services at the Biscayne Bay Campus in 2010.

Clotilde M. Picart-Laguer
Career Specialist
cpicartl@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-3007
Office: MMC – PCA 271B

Clotilde M. Picart-Laguer is a Career Specialist with more than 20 years of experience in labor law. Ms. Picart-Laguer holds a bachelor’s degree in Systems of Justice from Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in Puerto Rico, a master’s in Labor Relations, and a Juris Doctor from Interamerican University. She served as an administrative judge in labor matters and represented the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in labor and torts disputes and real estate endeavors. In addition, she was a solo-practitioner in family and labor matters representing the interests of marginalized individuals before the judicial court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

David Telleria
Career Specialist
dtelleri@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-0552
Office: MMC – PCA 280B

David Telleria is a Career Specialist with an extensive background in facilitating students’ academic and career success. David holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from Rollins College and a master’s degree in Mass Communication from Florida International University. Previous roles include Director of Student Services, eServices Coordinator, and Career Center Specialist.

Recently, David found his passion as an educator in the classroom, teaching Public Speaking and Speech and Writing for Business, among others. With experience and expertise in advising, academic support services, and teaching, David understands the student experience. He considers thoughtful self-analysis combined with strategic career exploration fundamental to achieving long-term and rewarding career success.

Linda Woolfson
Student Services Office Manager
lwoolfso@fiu.edu
Ph: 305-348-3176
Office: MMC – PCA 387A

Linda Woolfson, joined FIU in 2017 as the assistant to Dean Brian Schriner. She then joined the CARTA Communication and Marketing team as the communications and events manager. In this role, she worked closely with the Division of Strategic Communications, Government and External Affairs and the CARTA dean on account management, overseeing collateral materials, videos, FIU News stories and more. She also provided counsel to units within CARTA regarding event protocol and supported the logistics of strategic events within the college. Linda joins the CARTA Student Success team with years of experience in project managment and event planning. She will support the Assistant Dean of Students and work closely with the student services team to ensures projects are kept on task, deadlilines are met and initiatives are executed and in alignment with the university’s goals of student success, workforce development and community engagement. Linda has more than 30 years of experience working for both profit and non-profit organizations.