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 65 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 453 students. Check out information about each specific house here.
More than a Scholarship… an Education for Life!
SSF Board of Directors
Officers
Jim Davis
Chair of the Board
Retired CPA
Rhoda Glasco Foderingham, J.D. (alumna)
Immediate Past-Chair
Retired Attorney
Sheila K. Dickison, Ph.D.
Chair-Elect/Governance & Nominations Chair
Associate Director for Academic
Programs at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service (Retired)
Ryan Tucker
Finance Chair/Treasurer
CPA – Purvis Gray & Company
Alix Alexis
Development Chair
Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Kelly Sleeper
Student Affairs Chair
Human Resources Professional
Paula DeBoles-Johnson
Secretary
Employment Engagement and Performance Manager, Leon County Government
Anne Toulouse (alumna)
At-Large
Founder and Managing Director, Pleiades Partners LLC
David Ashburn
At-Large
Attorney, Greenberg Traurig
Board Members
Mary Bedford
President, Emergent Design and Development, Inc.
Fanchon F. Funk, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita – FSU College of Education
Gayla Parks
Insurance Agent, State Farm
Jim Wylie, Jr.
Retired
John “Jack” Jenkins
Retired Educator
Jill W. Varnes, Ed.D.
Professor Emerita, UF College of Health & Human Performance
Kathryn Bell (alumna)
Retired
Lady Dhyana Ziegler, Ph.D.
President/CEO, ZCreators
LaShondia Kendrick
Vice President of Strategy and Operations, Comcast Central Division
Kiana Peters
Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Linda Jenkins
Retired Educator
Lynn H. Leverty, Ph.D.
Lecturer, University of Florida
Nicholas Appelo (alumnus)
Investment Analyst, Capco Asset Management
Pamela Paulk (alumna)
Retired President – Johns Hopkins Medicine International
Zhishan Liang
Student Board Representative, Gresham-Kite Pilot Scholarship House (FGCU)
Tamara Sonera Serrano
Student Board Representative, Malthouse Scholarship House (Tallahassee)
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, 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

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

Kassandra “Kassi” Starrine
Director of Student Affairs – N. FL

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 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

With 19 years of fundraising experience, I am so excited to support and help provide higher education opportunities to deserving students building their futures! When I’m not working I enjoy the simple things in life… spending time with my family and friends. Most of all being a mom to my sweet girl and a wife to my husband. We enjoy spending time at the beach or finding new places to travel together.
Lisa Heil
Director of Development
lheil@southernscholarship.org

Hi, I’m Alexa! As Communications Specialist, I assist with the organization’s marketing, communications, and branding. I am a graduate of the Florida State University, with degrees in English and Italian. As an alumna of the Southern Scholarship Foundation (Lastinger House 2018-2022), I am grateful and delighted to work with the Foundation that shaped me into the young woman I am today.
Alexa Kellenberger
Communications Specialist
akellenberger@southernscholarship.org
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.”