Seminole State announces new academic and athletic leaders

Seminole State College of Florida continues to expand its commitment to student achievement, workforce readiness and community engagement with the addition of new appointments across the College.

Bringing experience in athletics, business, entrepreneurship and student development, the newest additions reflect Seminole State’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible education while preparing students to succeed in an evolving workforce and global economy.

Cruz Casiano, Ed.D. 

Deputy Associate Vice President of Faculty & Workforce Success

Dr. Casiano brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, workforce development and student success to Seminole State. In this newly created role, she serves as a key leader within Academic Affairs, leading initiatives that strengthen teaching excellence, faculty development and curriculum relevance.

Prior to joining the College, she served as director of the Career and Applied Technology Division at Lone Star College, where she led workforce programs, strengthened industry partnerships and expanded opportunities for students through scholarships, mentorships, internships and other work-based learning experiences. 

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Casiano has also led multi-institution student success initiatives, developed innovative academic pathways and earned recognition for her leadership in workforce education at the local, state and national levels. 

Dr. Casiano holds a Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership from the University of Houston, a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences from Texas State University.

Steven Smith, Ph.D.

Academic Dean of Business, Legal Studies and Entrepreneurship

Dr. Steven Smith recently joined Seminole State College as academic dean of business, legal studies and entrepreneurship, bringing extensive experience in higher education leadership, workforce-focused programming and strategic business development.

Prior to joining Seminole State, Smith served in faculty and leadership roles at institutions including Florida Atlantic University, Southern Connecticut State University, the University of New Orleans and the University of Olivet, along with visiting appointments at Columbia University, Rutgers University and the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil. 

His professional background also includes engineering and management positions with PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble, providing firsthand experience in corporate operations and organizational strategy.

Smith approaches education through a multidisciplinary lens that integrates business, entrepreneurship and global strategy. He is co-founder of the Institute for Applied Geopolitics and founder of Vegan Fine Foods. He holds a Doctor of Management in strategy and international business, a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Rutgers University.

Diana Couch

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Couch joins Seminole State as the athletic director, bringing more than 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics leadership, coaching, recruitment and student-athlete development. 

Most recently, she served as director of intercollegiate athletics at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois, where she led academic growth, competitive success and expanded campus engagement among student-athletes.

Under her leadership, Lincoln Land Community College achieved its two highest cumulative GPAs in program history while increasing student-athlete participation in leadership and academic organizations, including TRIO and Phi Theta Kappa. Couch emphasized a holistic student-athlete experience focused on retention, graduation and advancement, with numerous graduates continuing to compete at four-year institutions.

She holds a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University-Irvine, a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a minor in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida and associate degrees from Daytona Beach Institute of Photographic Technology and Eastern Florida State College.