Ahavah Davis
Graduate Assistant
Ahavah is currently pursuing her PhD in Counseling and School Psychology. She was born and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland and went to Towson University in Baltimore to receive her bachelor's degree in Athletic Training. After undergrad, she moved to Tallahassee to get her Master's in Sport Psychology. During her master's program, she worked at Florida A&M University as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for four sports teams and served more than 60 athletes. Ahavah's career goals are to become a sport psychologist and to continue advocating for underrepresented populations. She is now a Graduate Assistant in the Center and oversees Engage TLH. In her free time she enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants in the area, and watching movies. If you want to find new places to try in the Tallahassee area, follow @havieatz !
Bridgid Shannon
Assistant Director, Community Engagement
Bridgid Shannon has moved over 35 times and lived in nine states. Constants have been marathon dialogues, building relationships, noting social-ecological dynamics, and fostering community-driven, positive, sustainable social change by engaging stakeholder voices across difference through art, literature, and storytelling. English and Intergenerational Studies were Brie’s focus at Rollins College, followed by graduate studies in Children's and Young Adult Literature and Creative Writing at Hollins University (M.A. & M.F.A.). Brie's work in education stretches from 3-year-olds to senior citizens. Most immediately, she taught AP English, Journalism, and Engaged Citizenship through Service-Learning at Pine View School for the Gifted in Sarasota, where she was actively involved in professional development, shaping service-leadership curricula, and the PeaceJam family for more than 10 years. Through her role as the assistant director for community engagement, Brie coordinates the Moellership program and PeaceJam Southeast. When Brie's not serving with students, you can find her reading, researching, writing, or on an adventure with loved ones—camera in hand.
Emily Raines
Administrative Specialist
Emily Raines is a Tallahassee native. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in public relations. Emily has worked in a local preschool with 3- and 4-year-olds and also at the Florida Center for Reading Research, where she tested and conducted reading interventions with elementary-age students in North Florida and South Georgia. Emily and her husband have three children, Amelia, Benjamin and Samantha. Emily is birder and has a life list of 161 species, including her favorite bird—the Swallow-tailed Kite—which can be seen gliding around campus in the spring and summer. Emily loves the smoky Mountains, Emerald Coast beaches, reading and eating good food.
Gen Ramirez
Leadership Programs Coordinator
Gen currently serves as the Leadership Programs Coordinator at the Center. She works with our student leadership programs such as Service Scholars, LeaderShape, Leadership LOGIC and others. Aside from programming, Gen develops and facilitates leadership presentations and training sessions upon request. She also currently serves as a co-advisor for the Omicron Delta Kappa FSU Circle. Aside from her general duties, she voluntarily serves as the current advisor for the NeuroUnity Alliance Society here at FSU, whose mission is centered on fostering a space for neurodiverse individuals. You can catch this Tallahassee local and two-time FSU alum (B.S. in Psychology, M.S. in Higher Education) writing poetry and hanging out with her little family at the park.
Joi Phillips, Ph.D.
Director
Dr. Joi N. Phillips currently serves as the director of the center. Dr. Phillips is a very proud alumna of the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and got her start at the center as a graduate assistant at the then-Center for Civic Education and Service. After completing her master’s degree, Dr. Phillips became the coordinator for the Center’s America Reads Mentoring Program while completing doctoral work in the Educational Policy and Evaluation program in the College of Education. Dr. Phillips’ work centers on the relationship between policy and civic participation. Her work is focused on how communities and higher education institutions develop and sustain partnerships. Dr. Phillips is a proud wife and mother of two who enjoys reading fiction novels and trying new recipes and kitchen gadgets. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Maria McIntyre
Community Engagement Coordinator
Maria-Paula McIntyre serves as the Program Coordinator for EngageTLH and the Community Ambassador Program. She enjoys building relationships that support developing community-led initiatives. During her time at the center, she has been dedicated to many programs, starting with youth mentoring and currently partnering with non-profit organizations across Tallahassee. Maria-Paula was born in Cali, Colombia and loves growing in her identity as a Latina in the United States. She commits to embracing her roots, and in her free time enjoys practicing mindfulness, learning new languages, searching for music from other countries, reading Igbo literature, and drinking tea.
Mary Mangan
Graduate Assistant
Mary serves as a graduate assistant with the Community Ambassador Program. She moved to Tallahassee from the Fort Lauderdale area in 2003 to earn a bachelor’s in psychology from Florida State. She opened a babysitting agency, Seminole Sitters, just before graduating and continues operating it today. Mary has served on the board of directors for several local nonprofits and recently returned to Florida State to pursue a master’s in social work. She is interested in becoming an LCSW to offer individual and family therapy and hopes to further the services she can provide to nonprofits. Living in Tallahassee has deepened her love for the outdoors. As a certified Activity Leader with the Florida Trail Association, she loves introducing others to her favorite state parks and hikes. Tallahassee also introduced her to the joys of geocaching and contra dancing, pastimes that have gifted her with community and adventure for years. She is working toward fluency in American Sign Language and always seeking conversation partners.
Paige Rentz
Marketing manager
Paige Rentz grew up just down the road in Sneads, Florida. After years working as a journalist in several states, she turned her passion for community and storytelling to the center. Paige works with a team of students to tell the stories of the people and programs of the center working to make the world a better place. In addition to her communications role, Paige also works with TEDxFSU and storytelling initiatives on campus. She is a proud alumna of Chipola College, Sarah Lawrence College, and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. In her free time, you can find Paige searching for the perfect photo lighting, reading, playing video games, or walking her dogs, Frankie and Johnny.
Vanessa Solomon
Business Manager
Vanessa Solomon is a native Georgia Peach who hails from Albany, just a few miles away from Tallahassee, Florida. Over the course of her two-decade career here at Florida State University, she has served in many roles across departments. She is very passionate about the Center for Leadership & Service, where she serves as the Business Manager. Vanessa earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Tallahassee Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Flagler College – Tallahassee Campus. When not serving at FSU, Vanessa enjoys family, concerts, taking selfies with her daughter – Danielle and her dog Remy. She is a die-hard lover of chocolates, cheese, salty chips and road adventures. Her aim is to own a small local business in Tallahassee, Florida.
