Training & Organizational Development

• Ph.D., Religious Studies, Boston University
• Master of Divinity, Yale University
• B.A., Northwestern University

As assistant vice president for organizational culture and performance and senior director of Training and Organizational Development (T&OD), Bob Parks works with his team and colleagues across HR and campus to continuously improve and strengthen UF’s culture and elevate performance. In his role as Sr. Director, Dr. Parks has focused on building UF’s leadership, organizational, and professional development programs and create a significant competitive advantage for UF. He has worked at UF as a trainer, leadership development specialist, and OD consultant for 20 years. Before joining UF, he taught or trained in both university and corporate environments for more than five years.

Dr. Parks earned his bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University, his master’s degree at Yale University, and his doctorate at Boston University. He is a certified executive coach and executive coach master trainer and certified to facilitate several leadership and professional development programs.

• M.S. Ed., Learning Design and Technology, Purdue University
• B.A., Theatrical Design, New Mexico State University

Gwynn brings extensive creative design experience to the role of Assistant Director. Starting her career as a costume designer and then a graphic designer, Gwynn transitioned into the world of education to assist low performing schools with improving their data and teaching systems.

Gwynn worked as a training consultant for several Florida school districts and the Florida Department of Education developing performance tools, coaching teachers and school leaders, and implementing continuous improvement systems.

At UF, she has played a key role in elevating the GBAS (Gator Business Administrator Services) program, training employees in Lean methodology process improvement, and implementing strategic goal initiatives in key areas including onboarding and fiscal responsibility.

In her current role, Gwynn will lead the instructional design team in partnering with campus to create training, learning and growth resources, and professional development events that promote individual excellence, team effectiveness, and great leadership.

Originally from New Mexico, she has a passion for dancing, outdoor activities, and climbing mountains in the western US and around the world.

Becky joined the Training and Organizational Development team as a Leadership Development Specialist in January, 2019. In this role, she leads several formal leadership development programs, facilitates learning sessions, and provides individual leadership coaching. Prior to this, she was a program coordinator for leadership development as well as a school- based administrator and educator with Pasco County Schools for 17 years.

Becky works collaboratively with stakeholders across the system to elevate leadership through the development of robust and inclusive learning pathways for all. She believes in the value each individual person brings to the organization and she demonstrates this by providing feedback and personalized growth opportunities in an honest and supportive manner. Becky attended Saint Leo University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She enjoys spending time with her family including her husband, three children and two grandbabies!

• B.S., Graphic Design, University of Florida

Tricia is Senior Leadership and Organizational Development Specialist for the T&OD team. She has experience in strategic planning and assessment, organizational and team development, and leadership strategies. With more than 30 years of experience in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, she recently moved back to Gainesville after being gone for eight years to work as an executive for a national youth development organization.

She has lived in Connecticut, Tennessee, Nevada, Missouri, and Philadelphia. Tricia has successfully launched two children who are confident, joyful, and well-adjusted adults.

• M.B.A., Human Resources, George Washington University
• B.A., Economics and French, Wellesley College

Irma recently returned to HRS to support the Training and Organizational Development team as facilitator and trainer. Her human resources experience includes ten years as a generalist with involvement in recruitment, compensation, benefits and training. Irma moved to Gainesville from Washington, DC where she was employed by the Meridian International Center, Unisys Corporation and the Inter-American Development Bank. She first joined HRS in 1993 as a member of the Employee Relations staff at both the IFAS and PPD Satellite Offices. Irma is an active community volunteer and currently serves on the Board of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra.

• B.A., Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Sarah is an Instructional Designer on the Training and Organizational Development Team. In this role, her primary responsibility includes working with the core offices on campus to develop training for the Campus-wide Modernization Program to Advance Student Services (COMPASS) project. She also works with the team to develop and update a variety of the online and instructor-led classes offered by T&OD. She has over 14 years of experience in the areas of teaching, instructional design, and training program coordination and implementation. In her previous role as an Education and Training Specialist and Education Coordinator at the Physical Plant Division, she was responsible for coordinating the Career Progression Program, assisting employees with career advancement, and designing and delivering a variety of training classes including New Employee Orientation, New Supervisor Training, and Customer Service Training. She has also worked as an Instructional Designer in a non-profit setting and as a classroom teacher prior to joining UF.

Sarah is passionate about creating interactive and engaging learning experiences to help employees improve their skills and advance their careers. Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, especially her twin girls. She also enjoys DIY projects, crafts, sewing, and spending time at the beach.

• M.Ed., University of North Florida
• B.A., Liberal Studies, Thomas Edison State College

With more than 12 years of technology and professional development training experience, Ronda is an accomplished trainer in the arena of higher education with a passion for educational technology and distance learning development. Ronda works with the e-learning program, assists with organizational and professional development initiatives throughout campus, and facilitates several instructor-led courses on leadership and communication. Ronda lives in the Alachua area with her husband and two young sons.

• B.A., History, University of Florida

Courtney is a professional skills trainer for the Training and Organizational Development team. In her role, she is responsible for the development and facilitation of business communication and management skills training. Courtney also serves as an organizational development consultant, is certified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and is a 7 Habits of Highly Effective People instructor.

Prior to joining T&OD, she was a human resource manager with a Fortune 500 company. Courtney is a native Floridian and alumna of the University of Florida.

• B.AS., Organizational Management with focus on Human Resources, Santa Fe College

Verlissa is the Education and Awards Coordinator for the T&OD team. She brings more than 20 years expertise in Customer Service, Leadership, and Training and Development. In her current role, Verlissa coordinates the Employee Education Program (EEP), the Higher Education Opportunity (HEO), Meritorious Service Awards, Service Recognition Program, and teaches Business Communication classes.

Verlissa is motivated by helping others to grow personally and professionally. She developed a passion for Human Resources and supporting professional and personal development while working in the corporate sector. Her background includes public speaking, management, and training and development. She attended Santa Fe College, where she earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management with focus on Human Resources.

Originally from Gainesville, Verlissa enjoys spending time outdoors, visiting national parks, gardening, Gator games, and road trips with her husband and two dogs.

• B.A., American Studies, French, and Women’s and Gender Studies, Eckerd College

Shannon is an Instructional Designer on the Training and Organizational Development team. She brings a strategic vision for managing special training initiatives and creating innovative solutions. Prior to joining the University of Florida, Shannon was the Learning & Development Manager for Coalfire Systems in Westminster, Colorado. During her tenure at Coalfire, she established and formalized the learning and development program where no formal training systems previously existed. Earlier in her career, she held teaching positions at the University of Colorado, as well as, at several public and private high schools. Most recently, Shannon directed Operations at a financial firm providing in-depth talent management expertise to Company principals through leadership and strategic planning initiatives.

Although originally from the Gainesville area, her father was in the military, so Shannon grew up in multiple locations, the longest stint being Seoul, South Korea. She recently returned to the area with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, running, spending time at the beach, cooking, and traveling with her family.

• M.S., Instructional Design and Technology, Full Sail University
• B.S., Advertising, University of Florida

Nicole A. Harris joins the Training and Organizational Development team as an Instructional Designer. Prior to her time at UF, she was a high school educator for eight years where she was awarded as her school’s Teacher of the Year in 2017 and named Alachua County’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. During her career, she taught four levels of English and honors African/African-American History in a class she called Africa and Its Diaspora, which explored the presence and contributions of African peoples all over the world. Her background includes public speaking, designing and facilitating professional development workshops, brand management in the music and non-profit industries, and youth arts programming. She has a vested interest in teaching corporations and organizations how everyday principles from the K-12 classroom can apply to adult learning theories that lead to gains in staff effectiveness and an increase in human performance. Outside of work, Nicole is excited by her faith, Jamaican culture, the arts, health, watching PBS, and jumping on her trampoline.

• M.Ed., Technology, Innovation, and Education, Harvard University
• B.A., English; Film and Media, University of Florida

Karina Kolb is an Instructional Designer on the Training and Organizational Development Team. Via her role as Instructional Designer she is interested in exploring new ways to connect people through education while leveraging technology and media.

Karina has six years of experience working in Educational Technology at the University of Florida, and during that time she has seen how technology has changed the way that we tell stories. She specializes in harnessing digital narratives for learning and teaching, and creating content that not only informs, but engages and inspires learners.

When not at work, you might find her exploring all of Gainesville’s trails and green spaces, reading books and comics, playing RPGs, and going to the movies with her friends.

• M.S., Leadership Development, University of Florida
• B.A., Stage Management, University of Central Florida

Brandon is an Instructional Designer on the Training and Organizational Development Team. He has over 6 years of experience at the University of Florida in the Instructional Technology space and more than 5 years of experience as an instructor. In addition, Brandon has worked as an event manager for festivals, conferences, concerts, and storytelling events throughout Gainesville.

Brandon strives to help people grow through understanding and developing their stories, personally and professionally. He combines his experience in communication with a hands-on mentoring approach to work with people and organizations to achieve their goals.

• M.S., Management , University of Florida
• B.S., Advertising/Concentration Business, University of Florida

Kandice is a graduate of the University of Florida receiving a master’s and bachelor’s degree. She joins the Training and Organizational Development team as an Education and Training Specialist. She has built a successful career within higher education and customer service. She is a proven leader with a strong record of exceeding goals and expectations with special expertise in human resources. In her current role, Kandice coordinates scheduling of trainings, assist in training initiatives, organizes training materials, keeps track of learner participation, conducts myTraining troubleshooting for learners and collaborates with the instructional design team on special projects. Kandice also instructs Business Communication classes.

Kandice is a Gainesville Native, she enjoys trying new foods, traveling, yoga and spending time with her husband.

• M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Florida Atlantic University
• B.S., Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida

With over 17 years of experience developing training programs, managing projects, and conducting needs assessments, Jenny excels in building and strengthening customer relationships and creating learning deliverables for various audiences. As the HR Systems Administrator, her passion for tinkering with technology blends well with streamlining processes to improve the customer experience.

When not at work, you might find her visiting local stores searching for a perfect cup of coffee and dark chocolate bar, spending time outside with friends, and reading mystery books.