Sam DeZerga (she/her)
Director
[email protected]
(850) 201-7810

Sam has over a decade of higher education experience helping students succeed at every step in their education – from admission to college to walking across the stage at graduation. Sam is a two-time graduate of Florida State University, earning a B.S. in Psychology and Humanities and an M.S. in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies. Outside of work, Sam is a nature photographer, collector of vintage Pyrex, and a movie buff.

Danny Hawke (he/him, they/them)
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(850) 201-7804

Danny has over a decade of higher education experience in tutoring, teaching, and assisting students to become successful independent learners. He has a B.A. in Mathematics from California State University of San Bernardino and is currently working on a M.S. in Higher Education Administration at Southern New Hampshire University. His hobbies include playing D&D with his family, video games, and reading. He is also a published fantasy author.

Jorlyse Dickens
Academic Success Coach
[email protected]
(850) 201-7837

Jorlyse is a South Florida native. She has a Bachelor's in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University. She has over five years of coaching and mentoring experience working with a diverse range of students. In her free time, Jorlyse loves going to the beach, dancing, and women empowerment.

Jonathas Petit
Math Specialist
[email protected]
(850) 201-8239

Jonathas has an Associate of Arts leading to Mathematics Education, a Bachelor of Science in Business, and he is currently enrolled in a Mathematics Education Master’s program. He taught high school mathematics for more than a decade and has been tutoring college math for over five years. Jonathas’ passion is to help students succeed and achieve their goals. He also likes to travel and take long drives. All five of his children like mathematics.  

John Salter
Math Specialist
[email protected]
(850) 201-7803

John has over a decade in education, including tutoring, teaching, coaching, and assisting students to become successful. He has an Associate of Arts, a Bachelor of Science (Secondary Mathematics Education), and a Master's in Business Administration. His passions include spending time with family and preparing young people for life after graduation.

Mat Danuff (he/him)
Math Specialist
[email protected]
(850) 201-8199 

Mat has been tutoring for 3 years in the TSC Learning Commons and 5 more years of other teaching and tutoring experience. He is CRLA Level 3 certified and the first completer of the TSC Learning Commons Emerging Leader program. He has a B.S. in Statistics from Florida State University and hopes to start working on his Master's soon. He enjoys 3D CAD modeling, working on his Star Wars legion, and watching FSU football. He also has a cat named Grayson.

Vera Mayes (she/her)
Math Specialist
Math Department Liaison
[email protected]
(850) 201-8122

Vera has an Associate of Arts, Bachelors of Science (Business Administration), and a Master of Arts (Mathematics). Vera has been in education for many years, both teaching and tutoring. She loves helping students achieve the “aha” moment and have some fun with math. Vera likes to paint, make jewelry, and travel. She has a husband, two dogs, two cats, and ten chickens.

Chris McDonald
Science Specialist
Sciences Department Liaison
[email protected]
(850) 201-7805

Chris is a Tally Native, a Salsa and Latin Dancer, and enjoys running and trail biking. He is also an Adjunct Faculty at TSC, with a B.S. in Neurobiological Science from the University of Florida, and a M.S. in Medical Science with a concentration in Anatomy from USF.

Naseer Ali
Science Specialist
[email protected] 
(850) 201-7811

Naseer likes to read science books and articles related to chemistry, and he enjoys watching documentary movies and traveling. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at TSC, with a B.S. in Biology from the University of New Mexico (UNM) and an M.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Fluorinated Organic Molecules from New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU).

Jessie Clayton
Technology Specialist
College Success (SLS) Liaison
[email protected]
(850) 201-8267

Jessie has a B.S. degree from Auburn University in Information Systems. He has worked at Tallahassee State College for over 17 years. Jessie holds orientations, tutors students, and works directly with IT Personnel in troubleshooting hardware and software computer issues. He ensures that technology is coordinated with the classrooms. Jessie is also a member of the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC).

Greg Schaberg (he/him)
Writing Specialist
English Department Liaison
[email protected]
(850) 201-8270

Greg has been assisting TSC students since 1998. He received his A.A. from Valencia College in Orlando, his B.A. in Spanish and Linguistics from FSU, and his Master’s in Multilingual/Multicultural Education from FSU. Before attending college, Greg worked as a costume character at Sea World, appearing as Baby Shamu and Pete Penguin – as well as several other adorable sea creatures.

Dr. Jerrie M. Del Vecchio
Writing & Humanities Specialist
Humanities Department Liaison
[email protected]
(850) 201-7847

Dr. Del Vecchio has been with TSC since 2013 as a Learning Specialist in Communication. Previously, she was employed with FSU as an assistant researcher and teaching assistant while pursuing her doctorate in Interdisciplinary Humanities. Her research interests include but are not limited to: Women's Studies, History, Geography, and International Affairs.

Shekitta Allen
Writing & Reading Specialist
Transitional Studies Division Liaison
[email protected]
(850) 201-7813

Shekitta received her B.A. in English from Valdosta State University and continued with her education and received an M.A. in English, with a focus on 18th-century Gothic Literature. She is a Communications Specialist in the Learning Commons, going on ten years. Shekitta also teaches classes at TSC and Flagler, TSC’s university partner. She enjoys anything Star Wars: Canon and/or Legends.

Steph Austin (they/them)
Writing Specialist
[email protected] 
(850) 201-6651

Steph has been a part of the TSC community as tutor and adjunct professor for five years and counting. They earned their Master of Arts in Literature at Florida State University. They attended Flagler College for their bachelor's program, earning degrees in English and Philosophy & Religion. In their free time, Steph loves bird watching and frequenting coffee shops, always with a novel or sketchbook in tow.