Seminole State College Speaker Series
Aligning with the College's new strategy, Seminole State is Your Learning Partner for Career Success, The 2024-25 Speaker Series will feature Seminole State alumni, who will highlight their career paths and how the College influenced their journey on that path.
All events are free and open to the public. To request accessibility accommodations, please email Disability Support Services
The views expressed by these speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Seminole State College of Florida, its Board of Trustees, employees, students, alumni or partners.
Roberto Lugo, award-winning artist, poet and educator
- When: Tuesday, April 15, at 12:30 p.m.
- Where: Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Library (building UP) or watch live via streaming video
- Topic: Fireside Chat with Seminole State Alumnus Roberto Lugo
Roberto Lugo started his career at Seminole State College as a student in the studio art program and served as art club president. During his time in the College's Center for Fine and Performing Arts, he discovered his love for pottery, which propelled him to be one of the world’s leading potters. Now an award-winning artist, master of ceramics, poet and educator, Lugo's work has been featured in exhibitions at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, among others. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including a 2023 Heinz Award, a Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures award, a 2019 Pew Fellowship, a Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon Polsky Rome Prize, and a US Artist Award. His work is found in the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The High Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Brooklyn Museum, the Walters Art Museum and more.
After studying at Seminole State, Lugo earned a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from Penn State. He has remained connected to Seminole State, returning to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts as a special guest artist and as a judge for the 50th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit. Join us as Lugo shares how Seminole State provided a foundation for his education and renowned career in the arts and how he's using his passion to inspire others.
Healthcare Alumni Panel
- When: Thursday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m.
- Where: Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Building C or watch live via streaming video
- Topic: Career Success in Healthcare: Seminole State Alumni Panel
As Seminole State continues to share the stories of successful alumni, the Speaker Series is pleased to welcome alumni from our healthcare programs to highlight how their experience at Seminole State prepared them for career success. As you hear where they started and where they are now, we invite you to consider how Seminole State can support your journey to GO Far in college and in your career. Maybe you are Seminole State's next success story.
The presentation will conclude with a Q&A period. A reception will immediately follow the presentation.
About the Panelists
Dr. Raji Akileh
Co-Founder and CEO of MedEd Cloud
Dr. Raji Akileh, DO, is a physician, entrepreneur and visionary leader passionate about transforming the healthcare industry. As the co-founder and CEO of MedEd Cloud, Dr. Akileh leads a groundbreaking initiative to redefine healthcare education and training on a global scale. His innovative approach leverages advanced analytics to deliver personalized, adaptive learning experiences for medical students and professionals, addressing gaps in traditional medical education and preparing future healthcare leaders.
Dr. Akileh, a graduate of Seminole State, UCF and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, redirected his career to prioritize revolutionizing medical education and driving healthcare innovation over traditional clinical training. His commitment to advancing healthcare is evident in his role as a Key Opinion Leader at The American College of Regenerative Medicine, a path inspired by his passion for biological systems and processes, nurtured under the mentorship of Dr. Laila Nimri, distinguished professor of biological science at Seminole State.
Dr. Akileh’s journey into medicine and innovation was deeply influenced by his personal experiences with cancer in his family. This shaped his commitment to enhancing patient outcomes and developing forward-thinking healthcare delivery models.
Vicki Dominguez, CPhT, RPhT, M.A. (candidate)
Adjunct Professor, Pharmacy Technician Program at Seminole State
As an alumna of Seminole State College of Florida, Vicki Dominquez is proud to have built her academic and professional foundation at an "institution that fostered my passion for healthcare and education," she says. Earning her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Seminole State marked the beginning of an enriching career in pharmacy and education, enabling her to return as an educator to inspire and mentor future pharmacy technicians. With over a decade of diverse experience in the pharmacy sector, her career spans retail, hospital and pharmacy IT settings. She combines her expertise with her passion for teaching, currently teaching and mentoring aspiring pharmacy technicians at Seminole State.
As a lifelong learner, Dominguez is pursuing a master’s in healthcare administration at Western Governors University and is committed to advancing pharmacy education and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
David J. Gonzalez
Facility Administrator, Davita Kidney Care, Inc.
Born and raised in Orlando, David Gonzalez is a proud alumnus of Seminole State College, having earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences (BSHS) in 2021. Following in his parents’ footsteps in healthcare, Gonzalez has dedicated his career to improving patient care and developing innovative programs that bridge the gap between education and workforce opportunities. After graduating from Seminole State, David climbed the career ladder at Orlando Health. Within a five-year period, he obtained a leadership role in Radiation Oncology and Developmental Pediatrics, allowing him to make strategic and visionary contributions. In November 2024, he was offered an opportunity to manage a 25-bed dialysis clinic as facility administrator for Davita Kidney Care, Inc., where he plans to make the same impact.
Gonzalez’s accomplishments include spearheading the Orlando Health Cancer Institute and Seminole State College Capstone Internship Program, contributing to emergency planning for infrastructure failure at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, and serving as an alumni member of Seminole State’s BSHS Program Board Committee. His innovative work includes creating a ‘Points of Care’ clinic layout that significantly improved the patient experience, with Press Ganey survey results rising from 77% to 100% within just 30 days. As he pursues his master’s in public health at the University of Florida, Gonzalez’s future goals include expanding educational opportunities in healthcare for students across Central Florida and returning to teach in the BSHS program at Seminole State, ensuring the next generation of healthcare professionals is equipped for success.
Teresa Rogers, MMS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych
Assistant Professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Physician Assistant (PA) Program
Teresa Rogers is a highly experienced Physician Assistant specializing in psychiatry. Since studying at Seminole State and earning her Master of Medical Science (MMS) from Nova Southeastern University’s PA program in 2015, Rogers has provided evidence-based care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She began her career in Orlando, where she treated children and adults at a community behavioral health clinic and a private outpatient practice. During this time, she also served as a preceptor for PA students and earned her Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Psychiatry from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Following her family’s relocation to Baltimore, Rogers became the first physician assistant in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. In this role, she focused on treating patients with co-occurring disorders on the acute psychiatric unit while mentoring PA students and collaborating in educational activities with medical residents and fellows. Her excellence in clinical practice and teaching earned her the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Chester W. Schmidt Jr. Teaching Award and the Miller Coulson Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Clinical Excellence Award.
In addition to teaching students at University of Maryland, Rogers maintains an active clinical practice in psychiatry, working with Johns Hopkins outpatient programs and providing care to underserved populations at Helping Up Mission, a women’s shelter in Baltimore City.
Isa Adney, award-winning writer and documentary producer
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at 5 p.m.
- Where: Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Building C or watch live via streaming video
- Topic: Fireside Chat with Seminole State Alumna Isa Adney
Seminole State Alumna Isa Adney ('07) is an award-winning writer and documentary producer with an MFA in writing who is deeply curious about all people, but especially those who take big risks, survive life’s losses, do brave things and create from the heart.
As a prolific profile writer and senior storyteller for Kit (formerly ConvertKit), she’s conducted over 200 interviews and written 80+ long-form feature profiles and counting, featuring many Oscar and Emmy-winning creatives, artists and dreamers who’ve worked on projects such as Stranger Things, Frozen, Chef’s Table and Hamilton.
During her presentation, Adney will share her journey to success and how her time at the Seminole State helped her along the way. As a student, Adney was accepted into the Grindle Honors Institute and was the second honors student from Seminole State to earn the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship to continue her studies at a four-year college or university.
While pursuing her passion as a writer, Adney returned to Seminole State in 2009 to work as a Student Life coordinator and was recognized by the White House as a “Community College Superstar” for her mentorship efforts. "I never would have expected or planned everything that I’ve achieved, but I can name the people at Seminole State who had a hand in my success," Adney shared in a 2012 interview with the College.
Adney has since written three books and her fourth book, The Little Book of Big Dreams, is available now. Copies of the book will be given away to the first 30 students who attend her presentation at Seminole State. The presentation will conclude with a book signing. A reception will immediately follow.
Construction and Interior Design Alumni Panel
Visionary Sponsor: TRANE®
- When: Wednesday, Oct. 3o, 2024, at 5 p.m.
- Where: Heathrow Campus Atrium or watch live via streaming video
- Topic: Construction and Interior Design: Seminole State Alumni Panel
As Seminole State celebrates Careers in Construction Month, the Speaker Series invites you to join us for an inspiring panel discussion with four talented alumni who are now thriving in their careers in construction and interior design. They will share their career journeys and how Seminole State provided the foundation for success in their respective industries. From their stories, you will learn how Seminole State can be "Your Learning Partner for Career Success."
The presentation will conclude with a Q&A period. A reception will immediately follow the presentation.
About the Panelists
Kali Fuller, Universal Creative Assistant Facility Design Manager
Kail Fuller is a 2020 graduate of Seminole State's interior design program and a 2023 graduate of UCF’s Themed Experience master’s program. Her experience spans multiple design disciplines, from interiors and graphics to lighting and show set design. She is proficient in software such as AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max, Revit, SketchUp, Vray, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite, all of which support my mission to tell compelling stories through design.
As a facility design manager at Universal Creative, Kali specializes in bringing imaginative themed experiences to life, blending technical expertise with creative on the fly design and a passion for storytelling. She has led complex design projects, including Universal’s Epic Universe, specifically Dark Universe, where she successfully manages cross-functional teams and collaborates with external vendors to achieve creative goals.
Dominic Gundacker, PCL Construction Operations Lead, Special Projects
Dominic Gundacker graduated from Seminole State College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction. Even while completing his degree, Dominic began his professional journey at PCL Construction Services, Inc., laying the foundation for a distinguished career in the industry. Starting as a field engineer and advancing to assistant superintendent and superintendent, today, Dominic serves as the Operations Lead for the Special Projects group at PCL.
Dominic maintains a strong connection with his alma mater. He is an active member of the Foundation Board and serves on the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) College Committee, which supports the University of Central Florida and Seminole State Student Chapters. His continued involvement in educational initiatives underscores his commitment to fostering the next generation of construction professionals.
Jorge Martinez, Dimit Architects Senior Interior Architect and Designer
Jorge Martinez is an architect and interior designer with 10 years of experience inside and outside the United States. His professional career has been related to the production of construction documents, schematic design, design development and construction administration. After moving to U.S., he started studying interior design, earning a bachelor's degree in the discipline. During these 10 years, he has developed strong skills in multiple software (Autocad, 3D Studio Max, Revit, Vray, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects and others) that allow him to effectively communicate his design ideas.
Tim Smith, Wharton-Smith, Inc. President/CEO
In 1984, at age 16, Tim Smith joined Wharton-Smith, starting at the bottom and learning his way up the ladder through college, earning full-time employment in 1991. During nearly 40 years of incredible growth and change, Tim has served the company in many roles — Cleaning Crew, Field Engineer, Estimator, Project Engineer, Project Manager, Project Executive, Quality Control Director, Vice President and President. He has advanced the company’s goal of being the Construction Group of Choice in each of these roles. As President and CEO, Tim aids the company’s growth through his servant leadership abilities, robust engineering and operations background, and dedication to Wharton-Smith’s core value of continuous improvement.
Tim is a Professional Engineer and a licensed General Contractor. Tim is committed to the Central Florida community. He actively supports Kids House, Leadership Seminole, Habitat for Humanity, Seminole State College, the University of Central Florida, and the Central Florida Zoo. In addition, Tim has been recognized with a Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering achievement award from the University of Central Florida and a Distinguished Alumni Award from Seminole State College.