April served in the Air Force National Guard from 2002-2016 as a Personnel Specialist. She has exciting memories of traveling around the United States and overseas to Okinawa, Japan, and Ballad, Iraq (during the Operation Iraqi Freedom War). She completed her service as a Technical Sergeant (E-6: Non-Commissioned Officer).

Before beginning her journey at CFK, April taught high school English at Boiling Spring High School (SC), Adult Education in the Monroe County School District (FL), and abroad in China during the summer of 2014. She volunteered to teach Chinese teachers how to teach English Language Arts to their high school students in Shijiazhuang and Handan, China. April enjoys teaching Introduction to the Teaching Profession, English Composition I, English Composition II, and Short Fiction at CFK.

Kelly Conklin-Penwell holds a BS in Marketing from Bentley University, an MBA from SUNY Empire State, an MSEd from Dowling College, and a graduate certificate in forensic accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. Dr. Conklin-Penwell completed her doctoral studies at Touro University Worldwide in 2023. Her research interests include ethics, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship. In 2014, Kelly Conklin-Penwell's research was awarded an innovation in practice grant by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for her work related to student-athletes and access to internships. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys travel (especially to see her daughter, who lives in London, UK), reading, cooking, and upcycling.

Laura Cox has worked in Critical Care and Emergency Nursing since graduating from Florida Keys Community College in 2011. She went on to obtain an RN-BSN and a Master's in Nursing Education from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is certified as an Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (CCRN-K) and is a member of the National League of Nursing (NLN).

Dr. Echenique’s formal education includes a doctorate in Education (Florida Atlantic University), an MBA (University of Georgia), a master's in Mathematics (University of Texas at Arlington) and a bachelor's in Applied Mathematics (Auburn University). In addition to formal education, attending workshops and conferences contribute to his pursuit of education as a life-long learner.

Dr. Echenique has extensive experience teaching a wide range of mathematics and education courses ranging from developmental courses to differential equations. Other courses include statistics and math methods for teachers. In addition, Dr. Echenique has worked outside academia for multiple companies as an engineer, computer programmer, systems analyst and consultant. 

 

Dr. Graham holds a terminal degree, (Doctor of Nursing Practice [DNP]) from Abilene Christian University in 2018, where his studies focused on Executive Nursing Leadership. He also earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN-Ed.) in 2015 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN with honors) in 2013; both degrees were earned from Grand Canyon University. Earlier academic endeavors comprised of an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree earned from Gloucester County College in 1988, which began a professional nursing career. Additionally, he earned an Associate in General Studies from the Community College of Philadelphia obtained in 1987 after he completed a Practical Nursing diploma from the Presbyterian University of Pennsylvania Medical Center School of Practical Nursing in 1984. Very soon, Dr. Graham will celebrate four decades in nursing. Dr. Graham is also a Ph.D. candidate at Barry University in Miami Shores, FL. He is working towards a second terminal degree, a Doctor of Philosophy degree in qualitative nursing research.

Stephan fell into a cooking maze as a child and hasn’t found his way out yet. While in school he designed catering events on the side and was appointed Head Chef of a kitchen at age 17. A NY Times review gave him two stars at age 19. From this, at 22 the Grateful Dead made him their national tour chef. Chef Juliusburger turned to the hotel industry, designing and developing food concepts in executive positions with Marriott, Westin, and Sonesta Hotels, Cable Beach Resorts, and Baha Mar, rising to the level of Corporate Director, holding positions in New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, Bermuda, Argentina and The Bahamas. Stephan holds the Le Cordon Bleu Masters in Gastronomy; he will be published in 2023 as an author of Culture & Cuisine - A Food History of the Caribbean.

Alex Ledgerwood is an Assistant Professor of English at CFK and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in English at the University of Miami. He completed his dissertation in 2021 while working as a full-time faculty member at Pensacola State College in Florida’s Panhandle. He is originally from Southwestern Virginia and completed his B.A. in English at Bluefield State College in Bluefield, WV. Dr. Ledgerwood was the recipient of a Teaching Excellence award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) in 2022 and has been working with students in Florida from all backgrounds for nearly a decade now.