Flagler welcomes new directors

Flagler College has appointed two new directors, Jay Szczepanski, Director of the Learning Resource Center, and Lynn Francisco, Director of Disability Services, according to an announcement received by Historic City News recently.

Szczepanski is a 2001 graduate of the college and had been serving as a visiting professor for the English Department. While managing the Learning Resource Center, he teaches several courses in the English Department.

Szczepanski hopes to bring a new level of learning and understanding to students. “I’m a firm believer that improvement of any skill requires practice with it,” he said. “Learning resource centers are ideal places outside of the classroom that give students the opportunity to study and receive assistance from peers in a low-stress setting.”

Before coming to Flagler, Szczepanski earned dual master’s degrees in America and Florida Studies and Composition and Rhetoric from Florida State University. He is also in the process of earning his Ph.D. in Southern Literature.

Francisco was the director of Special Education and Coordinator of Special Services for the Slippery Rock School District from 1997-2010.

Francisco has supervised and coordinated many programs including special education, gifted education, 504 Rehabilitation Services, English as a second language, nursing services, crisis management and alternative education.

“I have taught special education for 10 years at all levels and with students with various disabilities,” she said. “Just recently, I have been involved in working with adults and helping them to obtain their GEDs. Getting back to teaching again has been rewarding.”

Francisco holds a master’s of education from Slippery Rock University.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer