Meet the Staff

 

I’Riel is a recent graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University. She received a degree in Psychology. She is a dedicated individual who enjoys helping others and making sure that she excels in all that she does. I’Riel works for Continuing Education as the Internet Marketing Specialist. I’Riel brings a warming personality to any environment and is highly skilled in customer service and leadership skills. She brings a variety of skills that are expressed through her maturity and practical experience.

 

In free time, she enjoys listening to music, cooking, writing and spending time with her dogs, family, and friends. She also volunteers with a local rescue Paws Crossed Inc. as their Adoption/Volunteer Coordinator.

Dr. Peterson has over 30 years’ experience in training managers and supervisors of several major Fortune 500 companies as well as numerous medium and smaller-sized firms.  Additionally, he has over twenty years of full-time university and college level teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, nine years working in the marketing department of a Fortune 250 company, and over 3 years’ experience as the Training Manager at a plant of a major US automotive manufacturing company.

 

Dr. Peterson has over twenty years of leading Six Sigma certification for all facets of business, including manufacturing, health care, government, education, and service.  He recently completed Six Sigma training for the Lee County Emergency Medical Service.  He holds a PhD in Organizational Development from Southern Illinois University.  Dr. Peterson is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt and was trained in Six Sigma by General Electric.

Melissa is a graduate of St. Petersburg College and the University of South Florida and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in History at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is a Florida native reigning from Clearwater (claiming world’s most beautiful beach!)  She is the Lead Navigator for the FGCU Complete program which assists students who have returned to complete a baccalaureate degree. Melissa brings a strong sense of empathy and guidance and has the ability to work with any age, any background. She finds it very fulfilling to help others attain a college degree as she has a keen sense of how obtaining a higher degree can change one’s life.

 

Melissa is immersing herself in all the great outdoor activities that Southwest Florida has to offer and has become involved in volunteering for CREW Land Management and loves to hike all the great trails.  

Kiley Barnett joined the Innovative Education and Partnerships team as an FGCU Complete Student Navigator in fall 2021. Prior to becoming a navigator, Kiley was an academic advisor at FGCU, Kansas State University, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  

 

Kiley earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Health and Human Performance and Secondary Education from Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS) and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership: College Student Development from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK). During college she competed as a collegiate athlete on the women’s golf team, participated in her sorority and other student life activities, which all led her to a career in higher education. Her professional background includes experience with student programming, orientation, and academic advising. She is committed to helping student grow, learn, and thrive during their time in school. 

 

Kiley and her husband, Reid, have a young daughter and dog. Reid also works at FGCU as a strength and conditioning coach. Both Midwest natives, they enjoy college football, traveling, Disney World, and family time.  

Ashley Bowers serves as a Complete Student Navigator in Innovative Education and Partnerships at Florida Gulf Coast University. She joined the team in spring 2022. As an individual born and raised in Southwest Florida Ashley has a commitment to the success of our community. She strongly believes that education leads to opportunity and that this access should be available to all that commit to personal achievement.

 

Ashley earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Management along with a Master of Education with specializations in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of South Florida. Following college, Ashley worked as a Traveling Leadership Consultant for Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity.  During her graduate education Ashley served as the Graduate Assistant for Academic Initiatives in Residence Life and was an intern at the University of Utah developing a residential curriculum program.  Ashley worked for many years at Champions For Learning a not-for-profit organization in Collier County that focuses on providing lifelong learning experiences for every student.  Prior to working at Champions For Learning Ashley was a professional at Florida Gulf Coast University as an Academic Retention Coordinator in the Center for Academic Achievement and at the University of South Carolina as a Residence Life Coordinator for the Capstone Scholars housing community.

 

Ashley and her husband, Jamie, have a young daughter and black lab. Jamie teaches 4th grade at Spring Creek Elementary in Bonita Springs, FL. They live on Fort Myers Beach and enjoy Florida outdoor adventures, home improvement projects, Disney World, traveling, and most importantly spending time with loved ones.