Student Posts

Hi! My name is Grace and I live in Tallahassee, FL. I am in the Master of Science in Information Technology program. I work in the Information Technology department at Florida State University. A fun hobby that I have been getting into over the past few months is pottery! I have been taking beginner wheel classes at the union.

I am interested in learning about media production in this class. I have little to no prior experience in media production beyond directing my Tik Toks, so I hope to gain new knowledge and skills in this field.

Hi everyone! My name is Leslie and I’m currently based out of Tampa, Florida. I’m working on my MSI at FSU while also working full-time at USF. I’m also, apparently, a fan of acronyms. I’ve lived in Florida for the majority of my life, and one of the things I just can’t get over is how great the weather is here year round (excluding the few weeks in July and August where the state cosplays as the surface of the sun). When i’m not working or studying, I try to get outside as much as possible. I enjoy kayaking, reading in the shade, or taking my dog Zoe on long walks. I enjoy reading sci-fi and fantasy books, and have a personal reading goal of 75 books this year.

I adopted Zoe in 2020 from ADORE Pet Rescue , and it was easily the best decision of my life. She is such a spunky, happy, loving little lady, and has brought so much joy into my life. She very much lives up to her namesake, Zoe Washburn (one of my favorite sci-fi heroines). I’m unsure of what her breed is (I suspect she’s some sort of bully mix though) but I usually tell people she’s a 100% pure-bred good girl.

I have absolutely no background in media production whatsoever, but I am curious to learn more. It amazes me how people can take raw footage and craft it into beautiful visual storytelling; I’m excited to have the opportunity to peek behind the curtain and learn how the “magic” actually works.

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.

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!

Hello All!

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.