About Us
Meet the Staff

Rick Garcia
Coordinator
Rick serves as a Coordinator of New Student Connections. He earned his Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University and his Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida. While earning his master’s degree, Rick worked as a graduate assistant for student organizations and major events, responsible for advising student organizations and student leaders while also planning student and family programs. Additional areas of higher education Rick has worked in include orientation and transition programs as well as multicultural affairs. Outside of work, you can find Rick staying creative by drawing or crocheting and spending quality time with friends and family.


Communications & Marketing Specialist

Taylor Turner
Program Coordinator
Taylor will serve as the Visiting Program Coordinator for New Student Connections
and will focus on serving USF’s 2nd-year student population. Taylor attended Florida
Gulf Coast University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
She recently graduated from the University of Florida where she received her master’s
degree in Student Personnel in Higher Education. She is a proud first-generation college
graduate and loves spending time with her dog – Ivy!
USF St. Petersburg Campus
Meet the COMPASS Student Experience team who provide programs and services to students enrolled on the St. Petersburg campus,
and their families.
USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus
Meet the Department of Student Support team who provides programs and services to students enrolled on the Sarasota-Manatee campus,
and their families.