Dr. Willis Holcombe is Chancellor for Florida’s Community College System. Dr. Holcombe has more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership and collegiate administration.

Complete Bio

Alice is the Executive Assistant to the Chancellor. Alice provides executive and administrative support to the Chancellor and works very closely with the staffs of the Division of Community Colleges and the State Board of Education.

Alice Bassett holds an Associate in Arts degree from Jones Business College. She has more than 30 years of experience with the State of Florida, including 14 years with the Florida Legislature.

Barbara assists Alice Bassett, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, providing office and administrative support for the Chancellor’s Office.

Barbara has 30 years of experience in the Department of Education, with 26 years working for the Division of Community Colleges. Prior to joining the Chancellor’s Office, Barbara worked for the Division in the Bureau of Research and Information Systems as a senior clerk.

As Assistant Chancellor, Kasongo Butler is responsible for governmental relations, external affairs, communications and outreach, Best Practices, and student recognition for Florida’s 28 community colleges.

Kasongo also provides support to the Chancellor in Cabinet and legislative matters, policy development, and leadership development. She works closely with the DOE Governmental Relations Office, and represents the Chancellor on issues relating to the State Board of Education, Florida’s Community College System, and the Legislature. She is a liaison to other DOE divisions, and state and federal agencies concerning the Division’s responsibilities and assignments.

Kasongo brings fifteen years of experience in public affairs to the Division. Previously, she was Assistant Executive Director for the DOE’s Commission for Independent Education, where she was responsible for conducting programs needs assessments and site reviews, staff development, presenting agency rules and monitoring legislative issues, consulting with accrediting agencies, and supervising staff.

Kasongo has worked as a governmental consultant for Thornton Williams and Associates, legal program manager for the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, planning manager for the Governor’s Task Force on Domestic Violence, legislative analyst for the Florida House of Representatives and analyst for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budgeting.

Kasongo holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law and a Bachelor’s degree in political science/public administration from Florida A&M University.

Marilyn is an Educational Consultant for the Division of Community Colleges. She provides technical assistance in the Division’s internal and external communications, the Division Website, databases, and other special projects and assignments.

Marilyn provides technical assistance in the Division’s internal and external communications, the Division Web site, databases and special projects. Marilyn joined the Division in 1989 after teaching elementary school in New York and Miami. Marilyn has also worked as a correspondence secretary for an Atlanta insurance company, an office manager in CompuServe’s Research & Development division, and as art supervisor for Teissedre Designs (Tucson, AZ).

Marilyn is a graduate of Fredonia State University of New York, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Art.

As Executive Vice Chancellor, Dr. Judith Bilsky serves as Chief Academic and Student Affairs officer for Florida’s Community Colleges, and also provides oversight for the administrative responsibilities of the Division of Community Colleges. Those responsibilities include supervising policy development, implementing student achievement initiatives, articulation, curriculum, access, outreach, accountability, and Division personnel and budget.

Dr. Bilsky was instrumental in creating a new strategic plan for Florida’s Community College System, helping to frame and define Florida’s "Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees", and was active in developing Educator Preparation Institutes for our state’s Community Colleges.

Dr. Bilsky has been a Florida educator for more than 35 years, holding positions in both teaching and administration which span all sectors of K-20. She has taught students at every level from pre-K through graduate. Prior to joining the Division in 2003, Dr. Bilsky served in various administrative capacities, including Associate Vice President and Dean at Brevard Community College.

Dr. Bilsky, who began her postsecondary education at Brevard Junior College, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Florida State University. She holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and a doctorate in higher education administration with an emphasis in community college leadership from the University of Florida. In January 2007, Dr. Bilsky was honored with the Outstanding Graduate Award by the University of Florida's Institute of Higher Education.

Mayra provides administrative support and coordinates duties for Dr. Bilsky and the Office of Student & Academic Success (OSAS).

Prior to joining the Division in 2006, Mayra worked as a paralegal handling worker’s compensation claims for a Tallahassee law firm. She has also worked as an administrative assistant for the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program at the Leon County Department of Health.

Mayra holds an Associate of Arts degree in paralegal studies from Keiser College.

Amy Albee manages access and accountability for students with disabilities, and oversees outreach programs and services for underserved student populations. She also assists in the areas of college readiness, admissions, financial aid, transfer and articulation. Amy is the statewide coordinator for Florida’s College Goal Sunday, an event that helps first generation in college, low-income and minority students with the financial aid application process.

Amy has eight years of experience working with students and policy issues related to college students. Prior to joining the Division, Amy was assistant director of Florida State University’s Student Disability Resource Center. She has also held graduate internships at Florida State University, Learning Systems Institute and with the Florida Senate.

Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Florida State University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational policy, planning and analysis at FSU.

Dr. Kathyrine Scheuch is the Director of Academic Programs and Teacher Preparation. Her primary responsibilities include overseeing policy recommendations and providing technical assistance on academic issues including Community College Baccalaureate Degrees and Educator Preparation Institutes (EPI’s).

Kathyrine began her education at Okaloosa-Walton Community College and later earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities from the University of West Florida. She also holds a master’s degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma and a doctorate in higher education administration from Florida State University. Kathyrine has worked in a wide range of higher education settings and organizations, including The City Colleges of Chicago, Tallahassee Community College, Florida State University, Association for Institutional Research (AIR), and with the U.S. military personnel in the United Kingdom.

Pat serves as liaison with the Office of Articulation and the Board of Governors/State University System. Her primary responsibilities include access and articulation issues, common course prerequisites, and community college Bachelor’s degree program coordination. Pat also provides input for Division and DOE publications, research projects and addresses college staff and student concerns.

Pat has more than 30 years experience in education, including more than 20 years in various capacities at the Department of Education and two years at a Florida public school district. Before moving to Tallahassee, Pat worked as a teacher in New York.

Pat holds a bachelor of science degree in education from the State University of New York, College at Buffalo and a master’s in education from SUNY at Buffalo.

Sandra serves as liaison for teacher education programs at Florida’s Community Colleges. She is responsible for teacher preparation programs including Educator Preparation Institutes (EPIs) and Education Bachelor’s Degree programs. Sandra is responsible for international and developmental education issues, and serves as liaison to the Executive Board of the Florida Developmental Education Association.

Over the past 15 years, Sandra has worked as program specialist with previous assignments in several divisions here at the Department of Education. Sandra has served in various capacities as an educator, ranging from K-12 classroom teacher to community college adjunct instructor.

Sandra holds a bachelor of arts degree in English and a master’s degree in education with emphasis in reading from Florida State University. She is a Certified Public Manager through FSU’s Florida Center for Public Management and maintains teacher certifications in both English and reading.

Pat oversees accountability, program review and research for the Division of Community Colleges. She is also responsible for the Community College Fast Facts and Data Trends posted at http://fldoe.org/cc/Data_Reports/default.asp

She has more than 25 years of experience in the Florida Community College System, having worked at Tallahassee Community College before joining the Division.

Dr. Windham holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Birmingham-Southern College, a master's and Ph.D. from Florida State University in statistics and educational research and testing, respectively.

Nancy Copa manages research projects for the Division of Community Colleges, including Data Trends, Fast Facts and Program Reviews. She has more than five years of experience in educational research.

Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from College of Charleston (SC), a master’s in political science and post-master’s certification in institutional research from Florida State University.

Jo Conte is primarily responsible for research projects related to data and reporting efforts of the Division of Community Colleges.

Jo has 30 years of experience in education. She has been an instructor at both Tallahassee Community College and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Jo has also worked in various staff roles here at the Florida Department of Education.

Jo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Stetson University and a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from Florida State University.

Julie Alexander is the Director of Educational Services and Articulation. Her primary responsibilities include admissions-related issues, articulation, dual enrollment, residency, bill analysis and policy recommendation and interpretation.

Julie holds a Master’s degree in Education in Instructional Technology from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Art Education from University of North Texas. Previously, she has served as Bureau Chief of Special Projects in the Division of Workforce Education; Policy Analyst in Planning and Institutional Research on the Board of Governors; Assistant Administrator of the Statewide Course Numbering System, and as an art teacher in Texas and Botswana, Africa.

Carla is a Staff Assistant who provides support in the Office of Student and Academic Success in the Division of Community Colleges. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from Lake-Sumter Community College, and completed her Junior year majoring in Journalism at the University of Central Florida.

Carla has more than 20 years' experience as an Executive Administrative Assistant in the private sector, including jobs with an Health Management Organization (HMO), an economic research company, and an insurance firm. She also was a co-owner and officer of a computer software firm in Tallahassee.

Judy serves as Community College Ombudsman. She responds to academic issues coming into the Department of Education and the Commissioner's Office from the Governor's Office, the Legislature, the general public, and handles telephone complaints on community college issues.

Judy Dial earned a B.A. from Florida State University and an M.S. in Vocational Education Administration from Florida State University as well. Since coming to the Division in 1985, she has worked in the areas of financial and business services, academic programs.

Ed has been in his current role as Vice Chancellor for Financial Policy of the Florida Community College System since 1990. He provides policy direction for the budget request, the distribution of state funds, business and personnel issues, and management information systems. The Florida Community College System is composed of 28 individually governed colleges, which consists of 61 campuses and serves over 800,000 students. Ed is also responsible for providing policy direction and supervision to the College Center for Library Automation. He chairs the Community College Funding Formula Committee for the Council of Presidents.

Prior to his current position, Ed was the Chief Financial Officer for the State Board of Education in Idaho. Before embarking on his career move out West, he was the chief education advisor to the Florida Senate President. The development of state graduation requirements (the RAISE Bill), and the creation of the College Reach Out Program were two major accomplishments during these two years in the Senate. From 1981 to 1983, Ed was the Education Policy Coordinator for the Governor of Florida. Previous employment includes working as a fiscal analyst in the Florida Senate Ways and Means Committee developing appropriations for public schools, community colleges, and educational facilities. His experience with Florida Community Colleges began in 1973 as a member of the Governor’s Budget Office.

Ed Cisek served as a board member of the Florida Prepaid College Program Board for 15 years. He has served on the Accounting Principles Committee and the Community College Committee of the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Ed earned a BS degree in Finance from the Ohio State University and a MBA degree from Florida State University. Ed achieved the rank of First Lieutenant in the United States Army.

He is the founder of the not-so-famous performing group “Eddie and the Auditors”. Their greatest hits include, “I Can’t Get No Performance Funding”, “The Ballad of Workforce Funding” and “Wasting Away Again in Retirementville.”

Ron is the Director of Facilities Planning and Budgeting in the Office of Financial Policy. The primary functions of this office are facilities planning, budgeting, and technical assistance, as well as, administration of the Facilities Enhancement Challenge Grant Program and college site designations. His primary responsibility includes the successful completion of the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO), Budget for the Community College System and the Department with timely and accurate responses for all customers. The Facilities Planning and Budgeting Office provides technical assistance and information to the Department of Education, the Florida Community College Facility Directors, Business Officers, and Presidents and their staffs. Additionally, the office provides information and assistance to all other customers, including, but not limited to: Governor’s Office, legislative staff, and public inquiries.

Ron Fahs holds a Master of Science in Geography, a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education and Geography, and a Certificate in Public Administration, all from Florida State University. He has 15 years of experience working with the Florida Community College System. Previously, Ron worked in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budgeting for 9 years and in the Department of Administration for 10 years where he was the Director of Intergovernmental Coordination.