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Statue of Henry Flagler in front of Ponce de Leon Hall

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Office of Institutional Advancement

Physical Address
170 Malaga Street

Mailing Address
74 King Street, P.O. Box 1027
St. Augustine, FL 32085-1027

Phone
(904) 819-6437

Kristy Myers

Kristina Myers

Vice President of Institutional Advancement
(904) 819-6290 ofc
(334) 750-9710 cell
KMyers@flagler.edu

Kristy received her BA in Psychology/Secondary Social Science Education from Auburn University in 1993. As a student at Auburn, Kristy was tasked with providing leadership to the phonathon program as the first phonathon director (1991-1993), and this is where she realized her passion for higher education fundraising. Upon graduation in 1993, she was promoted to director of annual giving. Her successful tenure in that position prepared her well for the easy transition one year later into major gifts fundraising, where she served as the director of development for the College of Sciences and Mathematics from 1994-2000. Kristy briefly left Auburn in 2000 to pursue a career in corporate sales where she served as an award-winning Senior Executive Sales Representative for Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals. She returned to Auburn in 2006 to continue her fundraising career as the managing director of development for the College of Human Sciences. Kristy retired from a distinguished 23-year fundraising career at Auburn to join the Flagler team in November 2018. She has been warmly embraced into the Flagler family and looks forward to building on the long-standing tradition of excellence for which Flagler College is known.

Jody Hamilton

Jody Hamilton

Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement
(904) 819-6437
JHamilton@flagler.edu

Jody joined the department in January 2016 after moving to St. Augustine from Oklahoma. Before moving to Florida, she worked as the Administrative Assistant for the Academic Deans of Western Oklahoma State College; was the event coordinator for the Oklahoma River Cruises; owned/managed Gelato & More in Las Vegas, and was the Systems Analyst at Sun Oil Co. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with minors in Computer Information Systems and Management. She is grateful to be part of such a great team and an amazing college.

Jeff Davitt '07

Jeff Davitt

Senior Director of Development
(904) 819-6489 ofc
(954) 802-4621 cell
JDavitt@flagler.edu 

Jeff graduated with a sport management and business administration degree, coordinated part of the volunteer effort for Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville (2005), and then worked in the community relations office of the Miami Dolphins. He returned to Flagler College in 2008 to coordinate the annual giving initiative, in 2012 he became a Development Officer and in 2018 he was promoted to Director of Development. Jeff earned an MBA degree from the University of North Florida in 2012 and became a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in 2013. In 2016 he served as the President for the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and currently sits on the board as the VP for Communications.

MERCEDES ARENSBERG

Mercedes Arensberg

Director of Development and Family Engagement
(904) 819-6240
MArensberg@Flagler.edu

Director of Development and Family Engagement Mercedes Arensberg begins her tenure on January 23, 2023. With more than 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, as well as extensive experience in sales and marketing in the for-profit sector, Ms. Arensberg has led multiple fundraising campaigns for organizations such as The Black Rock Art Center in Bridgeport, CT and the Center for Creative Education in West Palm Beach, Florida. Ms. Arensberg’s track record is one of success contributing to the growth and financial health of these organizations, as well as reaching top performer status in her sales and marketing roles. Being a practicing artist herself and having taught art both in the classroom and outside, Ms. Arensberg has great passion for the School of the Arts and Letters at Flagler College.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Visual Arts at Columbia University in the City of New York and her master’s degree in art history at the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de San Carlos in Buenos, Aires Argentina.

Ms. Arensberg grew up in the Diplomatic circle due to her father’s work, bringing an international worldview and diverse background to the Institutional Advancement team. Her mother was from Havana Cuba, and she has lived in several countries. She is fluent in five languages and is closely familiar with the Visual and Performing Arts.

Nicole Pece

Nicole Pece

Director, Development & Gift Planning
(904) 819-6406
NPece@flagler.edu

Nicole initially started working at Flagler College in 1996 as the Director of Student Housing.  She subsequently moved into Institutional Advancement, where she held positions including Director of Annual Giving, Capital Giving Officer, and Assistant Director of Development.  It was through these experiences that she developed her passion for fundraising while creating opportunities to make a positive impact in students’ lives. Having served the college for 16 years, she left to pursue a position as Director of Development at the University of North Florida for the Carpenter Library and the College of Education and Human Services. Most recently Nicole served as the Development Director for the Betty Griffin Center (Safety Shelter of St. Johns County).   In 2019 she returned to the Flagler College team as Director of Major and Planned Gifts.   Nicole holds a BA in psychology from Boston College and a MAT in elementary education from Jacksonville University. 

SUSAN CONNOR

Susan Connor

Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Office: (904) 819-6386
Cell: (904) 540-4001
SConnor@Flagler.edu

Susan joined Flagler College in December 2021, picking up on a career in university fundraising that began as a student at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, and continued in progressively responsible positions at the University of Richmond (VA), the University of Southern California, and Stetson University. Susan moved to St. Augustine with her family in 2005, and has been an active member of the community ever since, serving as a Founding Board Member of the tag! Children's Museum of St. Augustine, in PTO leadership roles at R.B. Hunt Elementary, Sebastian Middle, and St. Augustine High Schools, and as an Elder at Memorial Presbyterian Church. Susan holds a BA in English from the College of William & Mary and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. She is excited to be part of the Flagler family, contributing to the forward momentum at an exciting time in the College's history.

SHANNON MURRAY '08

Shannon Murray

Director of Women of Vision
(904) 819-6332
SMurray@Flagler.edu

CHERYL GRAHAM

Cheryl Graham

Development Coordinator
(904) 826-8735
SGraham@Flagler.edu

Cheryl is originally from Long Island, and holds a B.A. in Education and a B.S. in Alternative Medicine. Her experiences in both fields ultimately provided opportunities that led her into a career in Event Management. After spending 13 years traveling around the country as an Event Manager for Fortune 500 Companies, she decided to settle down and grow some roots, and be closer to family. Cheryl is blessed to be able to utilize her background and experience in supporting her Institutional Advancement Team here at Flagler College.

Annual Giving

SHELIA-MARIE STACY

Shelia-Marie Stacy

Director of Annual Giving
(904) 819-6384 ofc
SStacy@Flagler.edu

Shelia-Marie relocated from Chattanooga to join the Office of Institutional Advancement in May of 2022. With a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Lindsey Wilson College (’16) and an MA in Public Relations from Ball State University (’18), experiences at both institutions laid the groundwork for her career in higher education fundraising. Shelia-Marie’s excited to join the Flagler College family during such a pivotal time in their growth as an institution and to advance their annual giving initiatives

Advancement Services

Jay Kelly ‘12

Jay Kelly

Senior Director of Advancement Services and Campaign Strategy
(904) 819-6477
JKelly@flagler.edu

A 2012 graduate of Flagler College, Jay, earned degrees in English and philosophy. He initially worked with the Office of Institutional Advancement through Flagler's work-study grant during his three-year enrollment at the College and joined our department in 2013.

Josephine Garcia

Josephine Garcia

Director, Advancement Services
(904) 819-6444
JGarcia@flagler.edu

Josephine joined the Office of Institutional Advancement in December 2017 after relocating from Williamsburg, VA. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting from Saint Leo University. She worked at the Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations/AidData – a research lab for international development at the College of William and Mary as Financial and Business Analytics Manager for grants and contracts and previously worked for Northrop Grumman Corporation as Program Cost Control Analyst at Fort Eustis, VA. She is thrilled to have joined another institution that makes a difference in society.

Erin Hutchins '17

Erin Rice

Associate Director, Advancement Services
(904) 819-6364
ERice@flagler.edu

Originally from Denver, CO Erin attended Flagler College and earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Upon graduating in 2017, she decided to stay in St. Augustine, and in May of 2018 joined the Office of Institutional Advancement team as a Database Specialist. As an alumna, Erin is excited to be a part of her alma mater and is looking forward to working with the College.

Emily Stenger '17

Assistant Director, Research & Relationship Management
(904) 819-6377
EStenger@flagler.edu

A 2017 graduate of Flagler College, Emily earned a degree in Art History, with minors in History and Films Studies. During her time at Flagler College, she interned at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum and in the Flagler College Archives. She joined Institutional Advancement in 2019.

BECKY SHORT '15

Becky Short

Donor Stewardship Coordinator
(904) 819-6407
BShort@Flagler.edu

Originally from Massachusetts, Becky attended Flagler College and graduated in 2015 with a major in English and a minor in Art History. She went on to get her Masters in English at Oxford University. Upon graduating from Oxford, she worked as a flight attendant for five years and had the matchless opportunity to travel the world. Becky returned to Flagler in 2021 as an adjunct in the English Department and to join the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Office of Alumni Engagement

Whitney Shafer '07

Whitney Shafer

Director, Alumni Engagement
(904) 819-6480
WShafer@flagler.edu

Whitney graduated from Flagler in 2007 with a degree in Theatre Arts. During her time as a student, Whitney was a tour guide at Flagler’s Legacy and, upon graduating, became a member of the College Relations team. Whitney spent the last five years in New York City working in luxury hospitality as a Concierge. She is thrilled to be back at her alma mater as Director of Alumni Engagement and looks forward to serving the college and its alumni.

TARRAH ELLRODT

Tarrah Ellrodt

Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement
(904) 819-6474 ofc
TEllrodt@Flagler.edu

A Florida-born native, Tarrah graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Hospitality Management in 2014. She moved to St. Augustine directly after graduation to pursue the hospitality world in St. Augustine's beautiful historic downtown. Tarrah worked at the Casa Monica Resort & Spa for several years as the concierge. The rich history inspired her to obtain a Graduate Certificate in Destination Management & Marketing. Tarrah is delighted to join the Flagler staff and have the opportunity to enrich the alumni community.

EMILY VOGEL ‘18

Emily Vogel

Alumni Engagement & Events Coordinator
(904) 826-8614
EVogel@Flagler.edu

Emily grew up in the small town of Live Oak, Florida, and relocated to Saint Augustine in 2015 to attend Flagler College. She graduated from Flagler in 2018 with a degree in Fine Arts and minors in Graphic Design and Illustration. She has spent the prior ten years working in the hospitality industry and restaurant management. Emily is ecstatic to be back at her alma mater and to be a part of the Alumni Engagement team!

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EVENTS

Stephanie Burgess '07

Stephanie Burgess

Senior Director of Special Events
(904) 826-8572
SBurgess@flagler.edu

A 2007 graduate of Flagler College, Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. As a student, she worked in the Office of College Relations through Flagler's work-study grant program. After graduation she went on to work with a small, local, non-profit for low-income, high-risk youth. She also served two years in AmeriCorps. In May 2012 she returned to Flagler’s College Relations team where she has served as Director of Special Events since May 2018.

Carice Schuster

Carice Parker

Associate Director of Special Events
(904) 826-8677
CSchuster@flagler.edu

As a Florida native and alumnae of The University of Alabama, Carice is delighted to be planning events in her hometown of St. Augustine. While in Tuscaloosa, Carice had the opportunity to gain experience in both sports and special events. Upon graduation she moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to continue working in the hospitality industry with the South Carolina Stingrays hockey team. In 2015 she transitioned to the wedding industry, continuing the work of event execution. Carice joined the Flagler family in 2018 and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Special Events. She loves collaborating to create meaningful events on campus.

ANNA GILBERT

Anna Gilbert

Associate Director of Special Events
(904) 826-8716
AGilbert@Flagler.edu

Anna initially started working at Flagler College in March of 2020 as the Special Events and Scheduling Coordinator. After just over two years at Flagler, Anna went on to pursue a position as Cruise and Excursion Director with American Cruise Lines and travel. Anna is thrilled to return to Flagler College in 2023, as Associate Director of Special Events. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication with a minor in Sociology from State University of New York at Geneseo.

ANDREW NORDELUS '18

Associate Director of Event Technology
ANordelus@Flagler.edu

Andrew attended Flagler College as a Theatre Major from 2014-2018. After graduating with a B.A. from Flagler, he began his career at Flagler College first as the Multimedia Event Manager and then later promoted to his current position as the Associate Director of Event Technology. In coordination with multiple departments on campus, Andrew takes part in the planning and execution of all Flagler events and as the engineer for a number of the Flagler events.

JOSEPH MIRET ‘19

Multimedia Events Technician
(904) 826-8585
JMiret@Flagler.edu

HANNAH FLAKE ‘10

Director of Event Rentals & Campus Scheduling
(904) 819-6215
HFlake@Flagler.edu

As a Flagler Alum, Hannah offers a great deal of knowledge and care that comes into servicing events on campus. She first began her hospitality career at St. Augustine’s own Casa Monica before traveling to Georgia with her husband where she furthered her experience in Catering Sales, Audio Visual Technology, and Wedding Coordination at Sea Island and King & Prince Resorts. They moved back home to Saint Augustine when they started a family. Hannah’s career also includes Conference Services Manager at Hammock Beach Resort, servicing large multi-day conferences such as Coca-Cola & Waste Connections.

Hannah’s role as Facility Rental Manager at Flagler College began in 2020. She oversees the College’s contractual agreements with publicly rented spaces on campus such as Weddings & Social Gatherings, Parking Lot Rentals, Lewis Auditorium, Filming & Photography Permitting, Residential Stays, and more. Working with the Special Events team, Hannah capitalizes on the best ways to showcase and offer Flagler College’s historic campus in to generate diverse revenue streams that support the college community.

Kourtney Wray

Kourtney Wray

Special Events and Scheduling Coordinator
(904) 826-8617
KWray@Flagler.edu

Originally from Tacoma, Washington Kourtney attended Pierce College with her AA in Art (’18) and relocated to the University of North Texas to obtain her BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management (’21). As her studies continued, Kourtney learned that she loved using her creative side to create memorable experiences to make people happy. After graduation Kourtney has gained experience working in events with corporate officials, business owners, and has delegated full venue buy outs.