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Kate Ashmore joined the Honors Advising Team in Spring 2024. They will be primarily advising for the JGHC Scholars Programs: Wilcox Scholars Program, First-Generation Brad and Terry Holcombe Scholarship, George W. Jenkins Scholarship, and Ableidinger Scholarship.

Kate graduated from ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏin May 2016 with a BA in German Studies and with Honors College distinction. The 2016-2017 academic year saw them work as the Honors LLC Program Assistant before moving to Germany to complete their Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.

After living Germany, Kate finished their Master of Arts in German at the University of Georgia in May 2021. They then stayed on as a German language instructor for the 2021-2022 school year before taking on an unexpected opportunity to work with a trucking company as a key account manager. They’ve now returned to their passion – higher education and working with students.

Kate is passionate about language and global education. They’re thrilled to return to ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏand work with university students navigating their college journeys and deciding on the next steps for their futures.

Dr. Banke joined the Judy Genshaft Honors College in January 2015, after serving as an academic advisor in ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏEngineering for three years. Before that, she was a first-year enrichment and study skills instructor and success coach at Rochester Institute of Technology. She advises computer science, humanities, and exploratory majors. Dr. Banke has taught English in the United States and Mexico. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Guilford College, a Master of Science degree in Education with a concentration in TESOL at Nazareth College, and a doctoral degree in English Rhetoric and Composition at USF. She loves helping people make their dreams come true.

Megan Braunstein graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and Chinese from the University of Florida in May 2013. She earned her Master of Education degree in college student affairs from ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏin May 2016, and is currently a doctoral student through the University of Minnesota's Leadership for International and Intercultural Education program. As part of Northeastern University’s N.U.in Program, she led a STEM study abroad program to University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland; then returned home to the Judy Genshaft Honors College. She advises College of Business, College of Education, and pre-law social science students. She also serves as coordinator of international programs and Secretary of the Eta of Florida Phi Beta Kappa chapter at USF.

Carter Harbert earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational leadership from Maryville University of St. Louis in 2014 before moving to Tampa. There, he pursued his Master of Education Degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in college student affairs at the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ. During his two years of graduate study, he worked as the graduate assistant for Living Learning Communities in Residential Life and Education, served on the University Conduct Board with Student Rights and Responsibilities, and interned at Boston College, benchmarking their residential ministry program with other Jesuit and Catholic institutions. Carter also had the privilege of serving as a representative on the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Committee at ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏthat was tasked with reviewing and selecting a private housing development partner and plans for the new residential village completed in 2019. He completed his degree and joined the Judy Genshaft Honors College as an academic advisor for pre-health majors in Spring 2016. He loves dogs, Star Wars, and video games.

Dr. Kevin Lee (he/him) earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Arts in educational administration with an emphasis in student affairs from the University of the Pacific, and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ.

Dr. Lee has over 10 years of experience in higher education, including roles in academic advising, residential life, student conduct, fraternity and sorority programs, first-year experience, study abroad, and more. As a first-generation college student and immigrant from South Korea, Dr. Lee is passionate about advocating for others and helping them discover their authentic selves.

Originally from the Chicagoland area, he is excited to call the Tampa Bay area home.

Arnaldo (Arnie) Mejias serves as director of advising. Until recently, he served as coordinator of the Judy Genshaft Honors College's articulated pre-health programs, including 7-Year BS/MD, 7-Year BS/PharmD, and Early Acceptance Programs (EAPs) with LECOM. After seven years as an advisor at SUNY New Paltz, Mr. Mejias joined the Honors staff in 2005 and has since served a variety of roles. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology, with a minor in philosophy, from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. A lifelong learner, Arnie completed advanced graduate work in student development at the University of Rhode Island, earned a Master of Arts Degree in adult education at USF, and completed a graduate certificate in biomedical ethics through the Morsani College of Medicine

Dan Nguyen (he/him) earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of South Florida in 2017. From 2017 to 2024, he served as the academic program specialist for the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Department at USF. As a first-generation college student and a Vietnamese American, Dan is passionate about advocating for community and providing guidance and support to help students realize their full potential.

With a deep love for student engagement, Dan is thrilled to return to ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏand work closely with students as they navigate their academic paths and shape their futures. Prior to his current role in the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Dan worked for New Student Connections and INTO USF. He currently advises all Honors students majoring in engineering, mathematics & statistics, and physics.

Kirsten Park Lisenbery joined the Honors College in July 2025. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social sciences, with a concentration in anthropology and geography and a minor in environmental science and policy. She is currently working on her graduate degree certificate in academic advising with plans to pursue USF's M.Ed. program in college student affairs.

Kirsten is passionate about guiding students during their academic journey, setting them up for success in their future endeavors, and sharing her love for USF.

When not working, you may find Kirsten taking a nature walk or exploring the outdoors. She also loves animals, and even had a past job as a zookeeper!