Marianne Vernetson is the Director of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and an associate instructional professor in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. She leads the Graham Center’s academic programs, manages faculty and staff, develops relationships with internal and external donors, and shapes the program’s strategic direction and priorities. Vernetson holds a master’s in public administration in public policy from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a bachelor’s …

Timothy Karis (Ph.D. University of California, San Diego, 2013) is the undergraduate coordinator for the Bob Graham Center, and a lecturer in the International Studies Program at the University of Florida. As undergraduate coordinator, Karis will help integrate the Center's focus on civic engagement, public leadership, and public service with the International Studies program and curriculum. International Studies offers a vibrant, dynamic undergraduate program with approximately 275 students who pursue careers in government service, with …

Teresa Cornacchione, PhD, possess nearly 20 years of teaching experience at both the secondary and the postsecondary levels. She is excited to serve as the Center's Civic Engagement Coordinator, overseeing student voting efforts. She earned her doctorate in political science from Florida State University in 2018. Her research focuses primarily on legislative behavior of women, and on radical and anti-establishment political parties. She has publications in The Journal of Women, Politics, and Policy and Political …

Kevin Bird, Ph.D., serves as the Center's Experiential Learning Coordinator and Lecturer. He selects and works with students in the local CiviGators internship, the Tallahassee Internship, and the Washington Internship programs. Dr. Bird has guided students’ experiential learning as a part of his advising and student support in UF's Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering, and the Warrington Professional MBA programs. He has also taught for multiple departments at Santa Fe College and …

Onursal Erol is the international experiential learning coordinator and a lecturer focused on the Middle East and North Africa. He graduated with a doctoral degree in political science from the University of Chicago in 2020. Prior to joining the Bob Graham Center, he taught for three years at the University of Southern California’s Department of Middle East Studies. His research and teaching interests include the Middle East and North Africa, social movements, urban and environmental …

Rebecca Burton is the program coordinator for the University of Florida Gulf Scholars Program, which supports Gulf of Mexico region colleges and universities in preparing undergraduate students as the next generation to address critical challenges in the region related to the focus areas of the Gulf Research Program – community health and resilience, environmental protection and stewardship, and offshore energy safety. Participating schools engage students from across the sciences, engineering, medicine, humanities, arts, and beyond …

Formerly the communications director of the Florida Sea Grant College Program, Dorothy Zimmerman has been a communications professional at the University of Florida since 1999. Her professional and personal accomplishments demonstrate an enduring interest in advancing citizens’ awareness of issues, increasing their ability to make knowledgeable decisions and engage with their community. She led one of the national Sea Grant network’s most impactful communications programs, consistently recognized for its innovation and cost-effectiveness. She has also …

Sarah Williams serves as the Administrative Specialist for the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, where she supports the Center’s mission of promoting civic engagement, public leadership, and public service. In her role, she serves as the bridge between the programmatic and the administrative. A proud double Gator, Sarah earned both her Bachelor’s degree in English and her Master’s degree in English Education from the University of Florida. She brings more than 16 years of …

Sanay is a fourth-year political science and international studies student. With the Graham Center, Sanay works alongside Dr. Onursal Erol to facilitate student engagement in international experiential learning, including through the Global Interns Fellowship and the 2025 UF in Istanbul study abroad program. Having grown up in Istanbul, she is particularly passionate about the complex intersection between the Middle East and the West. She is also a John V. Lombardi Scholar and a Foreign Language …

Elena Ashburn graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies (Europe) in May 2026. She also completed minors in Philosophy, African Studies, and Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. At the Center, she assists with event photography, as well as website and social media content. During her time at UF, Elena was a Florida Cicerone, an ambassador for the Center for African Studies, and actively involved …

Lizet Mejia is a graduate of the University of Florida who majored in political science and finance. At the Bob Graham Center, she works alongside Dr. Kevin Bird as an Experiential Learning Assistant, working with students selected for the CiviGators, Tallahassee, and Washington DC Internship Programs. Lizet currently serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Political Affairs at the Hispanic-Latine Student Association and has previously held roles at the American Political Science Association …

Ava Minor is a senior at the University of Florida majoring in English with minors in Public Service and the Sociology of Social Justice and Policy. At the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, she works alongside Dr. Cornacchione and Dr. Karis to support the Center's research initiatives, as well as the International Studies major and Public Service minor. As a first-generation college student, Ava is passionate about addressing social inequities and advancing opportunities through …

Jacob Kaplan is a junior political science and economics major with minors in history, geography, and public service. At the Graham Center, he works with Dorothy Zimmerman to research the Center’s founding and history. He also assists with legacy projects, research initiatives, social media, and civic engagement programs. Jacob is particularly interested in the intersection of American politics and public policy. Outside of his role with the Graham Center, he serves as president of Gator …

Madeline Prummer is a senior studying political science and criminology with a minor in environmental justice and policy and a certificate in international relations. As the undergraduate student assistant for the Gulf Scholars Program, she works closely with Program Coordinator Becca Burton to support the development of experiential learning opportunities focused on Gulf-related challenges. Madeline is currently pursuing the Gulf Scholars Medallion herself, which first introduced her to the Bob Graham Center. After participating in …

Emma Foreman is a second-year student majoring in Nutritional Sciences on the Pre-Dental track. At the Center, she assists with event photography, as well as website and social media content. Emma is an alumna of the Freshman Leadership Council, a team member on the western team with the UF Equestrian Club, an ambassador for the Center for Undergraduate Research, and a member of Delta Delta Sigma, the Pre-Dental Honor Society. Outside of campus, she owns …

Kiley is a senior majoring in economics and political science with a minor in communication studies. As the Experiential Learning Assistant at the Bob Graham Center, she works alongside Dr. Kevin Bird to support students participating in the CiviGators, Tallahassee, and Washington, D.C. Internship Programs. Driven by her interest in government and the law, Kiley has completed internships with FL State Representative Hillary Cassel, U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, U.S. Representative John Rutherford, the State Attorney’s …