NSU Horizons Spring 2014

Gale J. Allen , D.B.A. (’02), is deputy chief scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administra- tion (NASA), where she serves as adviser to the NASA administrator, provides oversight in the areas of life and microgravity science research, and works with Congress and the Office of the President on science matters. Mark A. Blais , Psy.D. (’91), is the associate chief of psychology at Massachusetts General Hospital/ Harvard Medical School. (See profile on page 31.) Polly Bowes-Howell , Ed.D. (’00), is the regional dean for the International University of the Caribbean, where she is responsible for coordinating the Early Childhood Diploma program for students, the Bachelor of Education program for primary school teachers, and the Bachelor of Arts in Counseling for both primary and secondary schoolteachers. Sandra L. Brown , B.S. (’91), and J.D., is the owner of the Law Offices of Sandra L. Brown, P.C., a boutique law firm in Atlanta. With her 18 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Brown represents a diverse clientele of multiplatinum talent in all areas of entertainment, including music, publishing, television, movies, and new media. Jessica Castellanos , M.S. (’13), has spent the past eight years working with individuals from 2 to 22 years old who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. She became interested in this field while working for an applied behavior analysis company after high school. Today, Castellanos works at The Slomin Family Center for Autism in Delray Beach, Florida. Osmel Delgado , Pharm.D. (’02), is the administra- tive director of clinical operations for Cleveland Clinic of Florida. (See profile on page 33.) Helen Ewing , D.H.Sc. (’04), is director of the Doctor of Health Sciences program at A.T. Still University in Arizona, where she oversees all aspects of program development and maintenance including hiring and mentoring faculty and staff members; dealing with student issues; and planning academic programs and curriculum development. Ewing also is dedicated to working in resource-poor countries and has provided nursing services in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Cambodia. Ann Forgione , B.S.N. (’08) and M.S.N. (’11), is the director of nursing for the General Surgery/Trauma Unit and Transportation Department at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, Florida. She oversees a $2.7-million budget and the daily operations of a 30-bed nursing unit with 54 employees. Robert Kelley , J.D. (’81), a founding partner of the Kelley Uustal law firm in Fort Lauderdale, has won more than 25 multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in a variety of cases, including obtaining the largest product liability award in the country in 2009. Kelley has been continually included in the publications Best Lawyers in America , Florida Super Lawyers , and South Florida’s Best Lawyers . When marriage and family therapist Michele Liscio, B.S. (’00), M.S. (’03), and D.M.F.T. (’07), returned to school while working as a Montessori teacher, the flexi- bility NSU offered was a natural fit. What she didn’t know is how her career would take rewarding twists combining her love of teaching with helping others—and a bit of international travel. “I went into childhood education, and [because of that] I was answering questions on parenting and couples issues. That led me to think that the next avenue could be in counseling,” she said. Pursuing master’s and doc- torates in family therapy positioned her perfectly for her next opportunity. After she received her degrees, a friend told her about a job working with military personnel and their families at worldwide installations. “It was solution-focused, helping in the moment with issues like deployment, behavior, communication, and other individual and family issues,” she said. During the next four years, with assignments up to three-months long, Liscio worked with day-care centers, schools, individuals, and couples at military installations. “I was able to give back to my country and do a job I love,” she said. And it combined her years of experience working with children and families with her education in family therapy. Today, Liscio is the first to hold the designation of marriage and family therapist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in West Palm Beach, where she provides clinical assessment and treatment. This includes indi- vidual, couple and family therapy; crisis intervention; and coordination with other VA or community service providers. “There’s opportunity for growth as far as seeing what the need will be. Veterans typically have been an older population, but we are starting to see younger couples and families,” she said. Liscio also is a volunteer for the Red Cross of Broward County and State Emergency Responders and Volunteers of Florida (ServFla). She was named Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student of the Year in 2006. Liscio has received honors from many of the military instal- lations where she worked. Michele Liscio 32 HORIZONS