Hello everyone! My name is Kaleah Gonzalez, and I currently live in Homestead, Florida. This is my first semester at Florida State University, and I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Information Technology. I recently graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from UCF. After completing this program, I am debating getting my PhD. I have an interest in artificial intelligence and hope to delve a little deeper into it. I want to pursue a career in software development, creating and maintaining user needs.
My Doberman Copper: Beach Edition
Outside of class, I enjoy multiple hobbies, such as reading, photography, and going to the beach. A fun fact about me is that I read 120 books last year. My favorite genres to read are romance and fantasy. Although I am fond of a hardcover here and there, most books I read are on my Kindle. I got into photography in 2023. I started to travel more and wanted to capture all those moments in a quality higher than an iPhone; I currently have a Canon G7X Mark III. I have been thinking about getting a film camera, but I’m indecisive about which one. So if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
I am excited about this class and learning different tools to create digital media projects. Effectively learning how to edit or design digital images, audio, and video elements is a nice addition to my growing passion for photography. I feel everyone can benefit from learning even the basics of digital media.
Hi everyone! My name is Jaleen Bedminster and this will be my first time ever taking a media, sound concept and editing course. I was born and raised on the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands until the age of 12. Living there gave me a deep appreciation and connection to the ocean. It also gave me a love of vibrant, close-knit communities where everyone looks out for one another. At 12, I moved to Orlando, Florida, where I completed my schooling and eventually earned my bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Florida State University (FSU).
Prior to graduating with my MIS degree, I planned to get my bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, as I was drawn to risk management and the insurance industry. However, over time, I realized that my passion wasn’t in numbers alone. Through meaningful connections and strong networking, I found a new path and I now work as an Office Administrator for the Information Technology Services department at FSU. Before accepting my current position, I considered moving to Rhode Island to work as a Claims Adjuster for an insurance company. However, my heart was still at FSU, where I could further my education without the burden of heavy financial costs with professors that loves what they do!
Currently, I’m in my second semester of the Master’s of Information Technology program at FSU, focusing on Information Architecture and User Design. While I’ve had some hands-on experience with manipulating software to create prototypes, I’m eager to expand my skills in media editing and digital production. This class I feel will challenge me in a great way to aid in my focus of media analysis, production and integrating digital elements like image, sound and video. I hope to use this knowledge to sharpen my creativity skills and produce engaging digital content that compliments me, my career and studies.
In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga, hot yoga, journaling, meditating, and spending time in nature to ground myself. I also love taking retreats around the world and reconnecting with my deep sense of connectivity, love, and self. Recently, I visited St. Lucia to see my family, where I created new experiences and strengthened my bond with my family. Spending quality time with loved ones brings me so much joy and fulfillment. This is a bit of me, thank you for allowing me to share and I’m looking forward to learning and collaborating with everyone in this class. We’re going to make it a great semester!
Hello, everyone! My name’s Sinbad Adjuik, and I’m here to take you on a quick trip through my journey from Ghana to Florida State University (FSU). Let’s call it “Byte-Sized Beginnings” because my story is rooted in technology and personal growth, and it’s not been without its challenges. I spent a few years at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana as a Data Manager and IT Assistant. You know those jobs that make you wear a ton of hats? That was mine. From managing databases to troubleshooting tech glitches, I was always at the forefront of solving problems. That hands-on experience made me fall in love with user-focused tech solutions. It ignited a passion that continues to drive me today. Fast forward to today, I’ve landed in Tallahassee, pursuing my MS in IT at FSU. It’s been a shift from campus in Ghana to the sunny streets of Florida(which is a relief because I can’t stand the cold). Still, my passion has stayed the same: finding ways to bridge the gap between people’s needs and what technology can offer. At Strozier Library, where I’m a Graduate Assistant, I’m sharpening my digital skills by diving into fascinating research projects. Libraries are like tech hubs in disguise, aren’t they? Beyond work and school, I recharge with hobbies that keep my creativity flowing. I love 3D modeling there’s something magical about bringing digital designs to life. This hobby sharpens my technical skills and allows me to express my creativity. Gaming is another outlet, especially action RPGs (think strategy meets adventure). This helps me develop my problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Oh, and if there’s a documentary on it, I’m watching it. The topic doesn’t matter; I’m always curious to learn something new. Fun fact: I wanted to be a vet as a kid due to my love for animals, but that gradually changed. I am still wondering why, but My ultimate goal is to combine all these interests, tech, creativity, and storytelling, and build digital experiences that connect with people. Whether coding a project, creating digital content, or sharing what I’ve learned, I want to inspire and engage diverse audiences. I plan to achieve this by continuously learning, growing, and collaborating with like-minded individuals who share my passion for technology and creativity. I’m thrilled and honored to be in this class with you all. I’m excited to see how we each bring unique stories and skills. Feel free to reach out on Instagram for a peek into my hobbies or on LinkedIn if you want to connect professionally. Here’s to learning, sharing, and growing together!
My name is Breanna. I’m originally from a small town in Texas. I lived in California for 20 years before moving to Monticello, FL, a few years ago. I am a former English/History high school teacher with a BA in English literature (UC Santa Cruz) and a master’s in education (University of La Verne). I am studying for my master’s in information at FSU and am thrilled about all the new things I’ve learned and will learn. So far, my favorite writing assignments have been about UAVs, Bigfoot, and my extensive nail polish collection.
I work as a dedicated caregiver for my husband, a disabled veteran. We have our American bully, Stryder, who is the best of boys and a true brand ambassador. People always ask to pet him and take pictures with him. We adopted him from the Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee, FL. They do good work there and are a credit to their cause.
In my spare time, I enjoy creating cosplays, which my former students got a kick out of – their favorite was Black Widow. I also play D&D on Sundays with an online group, using Fantasy Grounds as our platform.
I am a passionate hobbyist photographer, so I look forward to this class to hone my skills and learn new ones in digital media.
My name is Sarah Perkins (Quijada) and I live in Jacksonville, Florida. I believe heavily in the saying “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” but I also believe Elle from Legally Blonde when she says “Books with tattered covers (or boring books) stay on the shelves.” So I hope you find the cover to my book interesting enough for a read. I am newly married with a young step-son, as well as a dog and a pet turtle. I am an Alumni of UNF with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Ed. and a Florida State Staff Credential in Early Childhood Ed. I am currently a VPK teacher to 4 and 5 year olds at the UNF Preschool , but I have taught in many other schools and many other grades. I have been teaching for about 7 years, but unfortunately the system has taken it’s toll on me and I will be leaving the profession very soon. I am currently studying Library sciences here at FSU with the intent of becoming a children’s librarian (hey, I can’t be expected to give up working with kids forever!). As far as hobbies go, I love to cook and bake with friends and family and I like trying my hand at making my own versions of my family’s favorite foods (Oreos, fruit snacks, birria tacos, bread, etc). I also am a ballroom dancer with Monarch Ballroom here in Jacksonville. Some of my favorite dances include; Salsa, Bachata, Swing, Waltz, Cha Cha, and Rumba. Finally, I also have a love for all things books, reading, and learning! While I love the feel of a physical book in my hands, I have come to appreciate the use of eBooks and audio books- I am a big fan of Audible! This concludes the “summary” on my personal book cover. I hope you enjoyed the brief glimpse of me- I can’t wait to get to work with and get to know you all.
Hi all, my name is Katie Kimberly. I was born in Panama City, Florida, but I grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and I have lived here for over 20 years. In 2021, I graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in drawing. I am at the halfway point in the MSIT program. Currently I work in desktop support as an IT Support Specialist at FSU Libraries. I work with seven awesome men who somehow manage to turn everyday into a field day full of shenanigans. However, I am still trying to figure out where I want to take my IT career in the future.
I chose to take this class because I wanted to take something that allowed me to continue to work on my tech skills while also building upon my art-based skills as well. I love digital art, photo editing and video editing, which is why I want to continue to learn about different software and how to use it. I have experience in using Shotcut, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Snapseed, SketchUp, TinkerCad, and Adobe Premiere Rush. I am excited to have a chance to get to use the creative side of my brain because I have not had the time to really create during graduate school and prior to that I was going through artist burnout but now I am ready to create again.
Outside of working in IT and graduate school, in the very little free time that I have I take part in my hobbies and interests. I have an ever-growing list of hobbies and interests which are cosplay, prop building, lightsaber spinning, Star Wars, Disney, creating art, art history, content creation, animation, tech, and spending time with my dogs Jax and Honey. A fun fact about me is that I stutter (speech impediment).
I want to share an image of the drawing that was displayed in the FSU Libraries Summer 2024 Exhibition titled, “The Artists of FSU Libraries.” This piece is made of up of different patterns and designs which are called Zentangles.
Greeting my fellow scholars and seekers of knowledge! My name is Connor Skaryd. I was born in West Palm Beach, Florida and I spent most of my childhood and teenage years growing up in Martin County, Florida. After high school I decided that I was tired of the warm tropical weather and moved up to the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota to attend the University of North Dakota for my Bachelor’s Degree. Having survived sub-zero winters for my undergraduate degree and learning the feeling of your breath freezing in your mouth from the cold weather, I returned to Florida and through a long and complex series of events, I started working for the Martin County Library System. I currently work as the senior Library Specialist for the Palm City Library where I am functionally the assistant manager of the branch.
Outside of work one of my great passions is playing tabletop role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, Call of Cthulhu, and Lancer. I have routinely fallen into the role of a “forever GM” and I find deep satisfaction running games and creating amazing stories with friends that we can enjoy together. I am excited for this class since learning about the use of digital media will be a huge boon for me since I work with digital media in both my professional and personal life. I want to learn the tools and systems that would help me advance my career and the gaming experience I give to my players.
Who am I? My name is Alexander Bowman, I am a born and raised Tallahassee native (go Noles!). Currently, I am in my last semester, pursuing a Master’s in Information Technology (IT), here at FSU; before that I was completing my undergrad also in IT. I am currently working as an IT Technician at TMH, however I am hopeful to break into IT Auditing, after I graduate come May. This semester is going to be especially busy for me, as I attempt to finish my degree ahead of schedule and balance working full-time.
When I’m not at work or school, I’m often out for a run. I am training for the Tallahassee Half Marathon in February, which I will be running with my Father. This will be my first time participating in a race that is over 13 miles, so I am very excited to complete it. I also enjoy other outside activities like Tennis, and Pickleball. One of my favorite places to go here in town, is the ForestMeadows tennis complex off of Meridian road.
I am excited to learn more about Digital Media, both personal and professional throughout the course of this semester. I am especially excited to create these weekly posts, and to see what other’s will have to share. Here’s to an amazing Spring semester!
I often think that introductions are the worst part of being in community. I’d rather not be perceived at all. Can we just pretend to know each other and jump right in? No. Okay, let’s start over.
Greetings! I’m Jenn White and I live in Palm Coast, FL. I share a house with my dog, Sky, my bestie, her daughter, our cats, and Rosie the Tarantula. We have a peaceful home full of things that bring us joy and the more than occasional sassy attitude. At night we like to have a drink on our porch and watch the sky for possible UFOs (those can’t all be planes and planets and stars, right?). During the day I’m a middle school science teacher. I started as an Early Elementary Montessori Teacher 12 years ago. About 6 years ago I was offered a position teaching science in middle school. I earned my professional teaching certification through the Florida Department of Education and now I teach at a public school. 7th grade curriculum is my favorite because natural history and ecology are my favorite. There are a few hobbies that I wish would take up more of my time. I like to read about herbalism, the evolution of life on Earth, and whatever sci/fi or fantasy book I can find. I enjoy being on the water and meet up with friends to paddleboard in the summer. I am fascinated by Thanatology and learning about the different ways cultures view death and dying. I’ve been learning how to nålbind socks, which is a cozy winter hobby. When stressed, I like to be in my kitchen–baking is usually my go to. Sometimes I make beautiful and delicious loaves of bread but other times they’re just delicious. Music is life and lately I’ve been listening to Colour Me Wednesday, Camp Cope, and Amyl and The Sniffers.
I’ve always been a wanderer–moving from one opportunity to the next. A collector of experiences, never living in one place longer than 3-5 years. I graduated with my BFA in Fine Art in 2007. I thought about joining Peace Corps but became an AmeriCorps VISTA member instead. Which was fun. I’ve been an environmental educator, a youth case manager, a vegan baker, a milker and herder of goats, a bartender, and a teacher. Despite the fun, I can’t say that I’ve ever felt a sense of purpose. How do people know what they want and then also make it happen? I don’t know. Somewhere along the way, I got really lost. I stopped collecting experiences and just coasted; kind of frozen. I became a sort of hermit but I wasn’t always a snail hiding in her shell. Life can lead us in some interesting directions I suppose. Anyway, it finally happened for me, like a spark lit in my spirit. I want to be a librarian. Who doesn’t love the smell of an old book? The thrill of having access to artifacts, specimens, and special collections? Over the years, even my classroom and house have morphed into a library and natural history museum. A path and purpose became clear for me and I decided to set two goals for myself. One is more short term and it’s to work in service to my community as school librarian. The second is my dream job and that would be to become a librarian at the The National Museum of Natural History.
And now I’m here, with you. I’m excited to be here, nervous about socializing, but happy to have found a new community. I’m taking a page from younger me, putting fear and overwhelm aside to live in the moment. I look forward to being in community and leaning into creativity. Thanks for reading. This wasn’t so bad.
Hi everyone! My name is Akerke Kuanysh, and I’m so excited to be part of this class. I’m an international graduate student from Kazakhstan, currently studying Information Technology at Florida State University. This is my first year at FSU and also my first year living in the USA. It’s been such an exciting and challenging journey!
Before coming to the USA, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and worked in IT. My work was mostly focused on technical tasks like programming and managing systems. I thought I would stay in IT forever, but life had other plans after I had my daughter. In Kazakhstan, maternity leave lasts up to three years (yes, three years!). I was planning to take a long break, but when my daughter was seven months old, something unexpected happened.
The company I used to work for—an educational organization that prepared students for international exams—was facing an emergency. All their salespeople were unavailable just before the start of a big flow of new groups. One salesperson went on maternity leave, another had a family emergency, and others faced serious health issues. Suddenly, they needed help, and even though I did not have experience in sales, I decided to give it a try. At least, I thought it was not so serious. I would be here for just a few days until they found a professional sales team.
The first day, I was nervous and only made three calls—but two people signed up! By the second day, six more students joined. I realized how much I loved talking to people, helping them find what they needed, and making a difference. Over time, I became a Sales Manager, and eventually, I was promoted to Sales Director. Within nine months, I helped the company increase sales by 155%. I also used my IT background to make processes more efficient, which taught me how much I enjoy combining IT and business.
That’s why, I decided to return to IT with another purpose since I wanted to bring together my technical skills and my passion for business. FSU’s IT program is perfect for me because it focuses on how technology can be applied to improve real-world challenges, like efficiency and customer satisfaction.
One class I’m particularly excited about is Digital Media: Concepts and Production. I hope to learn how to create engaging and effective digital content, which will help me in my current project: sharing information about studying in the USA with people back home in Kazakhstan. You can take a look at my content on Instagram. My goal for this course is learning how to create engaging and professional digital media content. A few days ago, I uploaded my first long video about my apartment in Tallahassee.
I’m really looking forward to learning from everyone in this class and sharing ideas. Let’s make this semester a great one!
