Southern Scholarship Foundation
Through rent-free housing and cooperative living, Southern Scholarship Foundation supports students who lack financial resources, demonstrate excellent academic merit, and exemplify good character attend institutions of higher education.
For more than 60 years, SSF has helped students achieve their dreams of attending their choice university through our partnerships at Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Florida, Santa Fe College, Florida State University, Flagler College – Tallahassee, Florida A & M University, and Tallahassee Community College. While SSF does not provide monetary based scholarships, we offer rent-free homes located near our partner institutions. We currently have 25 homes statewide and serve 450 students. Check out information about each specific house here.
More than a Scholarship… an Education for Life!
SSF Board of Directors

Officers
Mary Bedford
Chair of the Board
President, Emergent Design and Development, Inc.
R. Scott Vedder
Immediate Past-Chair
Certified Financial Planner
Rhoda Glasco Foderingham, J.D. (alumna),
Chair-Elect/Governance & Nominations Chair
Retired Attorney
Ryan Tucker
Finance Chair/Treasurer
CPA – Purvis Gray & Company
Jim Davis
Development Chair
Executive Director, Sustainable Tallahassee
Paula DeBoles-Johnson
Student Affairs Chair
Employment Engagement and Performance Manager, Leon County Government
Charlotte Edenfield (alumna)
Secretary
Firm Administrator, Anderson & Hart P.A
James “Jay” Newman, Jr.
At-Large
Linda Jenkins
At- Large
Retired Educator
Board Members
Alix Alexis
Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Bill Rutherford
Owner/Architect – Clemons Rutherford
Christine Lloyd, Ph.D.
Director of Human Resources, University of Florida
Elizabeth Boyette
F. James Wylie, Jr.
President/Owner – Professional Consultant, LLC
Fanchon F. Funk, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita – FSU College of Education
John “Jack” Jenkins
Retired Educator
Joseph Briggs (alumnus)
Kathy Bell (alumna)
COO, Coloney Bell Engineering
Kelly Sleeper (alumna)
Stay-at-Home Mom
Lady Dhyana Ziegler, Ph.D.
Interim President/CEO, Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
Nicholas Appelo (alumnus)
Investment Banking Analyst, Evercore
Pamela Davis (alumna)
Retired Executive Director/CEO – Kids Inc. of the Big Bend
Patricia Green-Powell, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Education FAMU
Sheila Dickison, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Academic
Programs at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service
Herby Zephir
Student Board Representative
Staff

With years of experience directing scholarship programs and student housing, I am thrilled to be SSF’s President/CEO. Our residents inspire me to elevate the foundation’s profile and attract new supporters to our cause. When not at SSF, I spend time with my wife and two teenagers—and together we occasionally travel to far-flung places to visit friends and family.
Shawn J. Woodin, Ed.D.
President/CEO
swoodin@southernscholarship.org

Hi, I’m Teresa and I am the Director of Student Affairs for our Central Florida Campus! In my role I am lucky enough to meet our students during the interview process and hear their powerful stories. But the real joy comes in watching them grow into these highly productive adults who are out there every day achieving their dreams. My time with SSF goes beyond the word rewarding because the impact our residents have made on me is something I will always carry with me.
Teresa Turner
Director of Student Affairs – C. FL
tturner@southernscholarship.org

Hi! My name is Ben Stecker and I am the Student Affairs Coordinator for Central Florida. I am a senior majoring in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences at the University of Florida. As an SSF resident, I know firsthand that this organization’s work is extremely significant and impactful. It is an honor to be able to give back to our SSF community through my position. From the leadership experiences I have gained to the family I have made here, SSF has helped shape me into who I am today.
Ben Stecker
Student Affairs Coordinator – C. FL
bstecker@southernscholarship.org

Hello, my name is Dale and I’m the Maintenance Director for Central FL. I look after all the resident houses in Gainesville and Ft. Myers. I have been doing maintenance for over 25 years and I really enjoy helping people.
Dale Dixon
Director of Maintenance – C. FL
ddixon@southernscholarship.org

Hello, I’m Liovani – Director of Student Affairs for our North Florida campuses! I love getting to work so closely with all of our students and am excited for this journey with SSF. When not at the office you can find me spending time with my daughter or at Booya Cabooya Fitness – a personal training business I started!
Liovani Nazario, Ph.D.
Director of Student Affairs – N. FL
lnazario@southernscholarship.org

Hello, my name is Akira Hung. At work, numbers are my partner. Loyal, dependable and organization are my friends. Being a crazy cat lady and mother of two, I love to snuggle and take naps with my family.
Akira Hung
Staff Accountant
ahung@southernscholarship.org

Hi, I’m Norman! As the Director of Maintenance for our North Florida Homes my job centers on keeping all 17 of them up and running. Even though it can be a daunting task at times, I do get the privilege to meet and learn a little about our incredible residents along the way. After almost 12 years I have seen many students come and go, and I look forward to meeting the future residents of SSF.
Norman Moore
Director of Maintenance – N. FL
nmoore@southernscholarship.org

Hi, I’m John Stewart! As a maintenance technician for over 15 years now, I am excited to join Southern Scholarship Foundation. I look forward to starting this new career and meeting so many great people along the way!
John Stewart
Senior Maintenance Technician – N. FL
jstewart@southernscholarship.org

Hi! I’m Ellyn. I’m thrilled to join the SSF team! As Development Associate, I work with the Director of Development and SSF Board of Directors to increase fundraising efforts. With a background in Higher Education, I am passionate about helping students achieve their dream. My prior positions include work in academic affairs, student affairs, and nonprofit development. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, taking photographs, traveling to far-off places, and spending time with my son.
Ellyn Scanlan, Ed.D.
Development Associate
escanlan@southernscholarship.org

Hi! I’m Kristie! As the Director of Development for SSF, I want to learn and share the amazing success stories of our residents to inspire existing and new donors to help even more students reach their greatest potential. I am ecstatic to be a part of the SSF team. Outside of work you might find me taking photos, watching football or on an adventure with my husband and my two extraordinary children.
Kristie Teal
Director of Development
kteal@southernscholarship.org

Hey, I’m Troy, the Communications Specialist! As an alum and former House Manager of Knight House, I am passionate about showing the world how incredible this organization is, and providing students the opportunity to seek an “Education for Life”!
Troy Townsend
Communications Specialist
ttownsend@southernscholarship.org

Hi, I’m Becky! I’ve been a passionate supporter of SSF for 20 years as a Board member and House Champion. After 30 years in hotel management and sales, I’m excited to contribute even more as a member of the SSF Development Team. When not at SSF, you might find me on a plane to Pittsburgh to see my grandsons.
Becky Hunt
Development Officer
bhunt@southernscholarship.org

Hi I’m Joqsán, and I’m one of the assistants to the Director of Student Affairs. I help manage and plan events and help the Director of Student Affairs with anything she might need. I’m double majoring in Political Science and Criminology and I am grateful for the opportunity to be apart of SSF and give back to one of the organizations that make attending Florida State University possible.
Joqsán Nakor Albaladejo-Soler
Student Affairs Assistant – N. FL

Hi, I am one of the Assistants to the Director of Student Affairs for North Florida. I am currently a freshman at Florida State University double-majoring in Psychology and Criminology, and a resident of SSF. This program has made a major impact on my college experience already with all of the wonderful people I have met, and I’m glad I have the opportunity to give back in my position here at the office.
Caitlyn Mann
Student Affairs Assistant – N. FL
Our Impact


Financials & Governance
Southern Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (click here for Determination Letter) that is operated by a dedicated staff and governed by a Board of Directors. We believe in transparency and invite you to view our audited financials and 990s.
Downloads
“A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.”