Mike joined the Student Services team as our Student Life Specialist overseeing all student activities in October 2009. He enjoys playing and watching football, hiking, camping, fishing, and going to the beach with his fiancé, Jordan, and their dog, Bailey. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice from SUNY Potsdam in NY and earned a Professional Teaching Certificate from Manatee Community College.

Favorite Quote: “If at first you don’t succeed; you are running about average.” - M.H. Alderson

Barbara and her husband, Robert, were both born and raised in Fort Myers, FL and have a daughter, son, and three granddaughters who live in Sarasota.  She enjoys spending time with her family (many of whom still live in Fort Myers), traveling, reading, and watching live theater.  Barbara began her career at Edison in April 2003 as a Student Services Specialist in Admissions/Registration.  A short time later, she transitioned to Staff Assistant to the Campus President where she focused on marketing and public relations for the Charlotte Campus.  In 2009, Barbara returned to her roots in Student Services and plays an integral role in the daily operations of Student Services.

Favorite Quote: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” - Anonymous

Janice joined the Edison team in January 2004 as our Career Specialist.  In January 2008, she was promoted to Coordinator, Academic Success Center.  Janice currently oversees career services, tutoring, developmental learning assistance, and the Student Opportunities for Achievement and Rewards (SOAR) program on the Charlotte Campus.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University.  She has three children and one grandchild and enjoys golfing, reading, and family activities.

Favorite Quote: “Life isn’t about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw

Ann Fritsch
Financial Aid Coordinator
   afritsch@edison.edu

Ann is originally from central New York and has lived in Buffalo, Syracuse, Dayton, Washington DC, Seattle, Fort Myers, and Punta Gorda.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York at Buffalo and her Master of Science from Wright State University.  Ann joined the Student Services team in January 2006.

Favorite Quote: “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” – James A Michener

Christy joined the Student Services team in July 1999 as a Student Services Specialist and has held various positions throughout the College including Paraprofessional, Peer Tutoring Center; Information and Recruitment Specialist; and Academic Advising Specialist.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rollins College and her Master of Science in Educational Psychology from Capella University.  She lives with her husband and two children, Tommy and Amaleigh, in North Port.  In her free time, she is working towards her Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Psychology and enjoys family activities and reading Jonathan Kellerman and James Patterson novels. 

Favorite Quote: “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. “ – Charles R. Swindoll

Mary originally joined the Edison team in August of 1990 as an adjunct faculty member in Early Childhood Education.  In January 1992, she began her career as an Academic Advisor and continued to teach part-time.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Keuka College, her Master of Science in Education from Elmira College, and her Doctorate of Philosophy from Syracuse University.  Mary has one son and a grandbaby who live in New York and enjoys gardening.

Favorite Quote: “Aim for the impossible.” – Mercer Mayer

Brenda earned her bachelor's degree from Valdosta State College in Valdosta, Georgia. She joined the Student Services team in July 2009 as a Clerk Specialist at the Information Desk. Brenda married her college sweetheart, John, in 1972. They have three children: Charles who lives in Punta Gorda, Ashley who lives in St. Augustine, and Trey who lives in Bradenton. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, Elise and Evan, reading (her favorite authors are James Patterson, Nora Roberts, and Nicholas Sparks), and doing yard work. Brenda and John are also long time supporters of Young Life.

Favorite Quote: “It's not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters.” – Mother Teresa

Andrae graduated from Edison State College with his Associate in Arts in 2003 and transferred to the University of South Florida in Tampa.  After graduating from USF with his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2005, he joined the Student Services team as a Student Services Specialist.  He transitioned from Admissions & Registration to Academic Advising in August 2007.  In July 2008, Andrae was promoted to the position of Coordinator, Student Services and oversees the daily operations of all services related to student enrollment.

Favorite Quote: “If you hang with the chickens, you will never soar with the eagles.” – Fred Morgan

Taryn lives in Punta Gorda with her husband.  They have one son who lives in Portland, Oregon and a large extended family from California to China.  She earned her BS in Education from the University of Oregon.  She joined the Student Services team in September 2008 as a Paraprofessional developing and overseeing the Peer Tutorial Program.  All Edison State College students are eligible for free peer tutoring, and Taryn is responsible for matching students with well qualified, trained peer tutors.  When she is not assisting students in the Academic Success Center, she likes to read, travel, garden, swim and spend time with her family and friends.

Favorite Quote: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be.  Now put foundations under them.” – Henry David Thoreau

Ginny joined the Edison Team in February 2008 as a Paraprofessional working in the Academic Success Center.  Ginny graduated from Ohio Dominican College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.  After a six year teaching experience in elementary school, she joined the business world working for AT&T.  In 2002, after a successful and fulfilling 23 years with the phone business in various departments, Ginny took early retirement with her husband, Dave.  After cruising through the southeast in a camper looking for a new place to call home, they found Punta Gorda. They packed up all their Ohio belongings and officially moved to Florida in 2003.  Ginny and Dave have no children, but Ginny has 10 brothers and sisters, and 17 nieces and nephews spread out over the whole country.  Ginny and Dave spend their summers on their 37 foot sailboat “Zephyr” on Lake Erie!

Favorite Quote: “Do more than belong: participate.  Do more than care: help.  Do more than believe: practice.  Do more than be fair: be kind.  Do more than forgive: forget.  Do more than dream: work.” - William Arthur Ward

Penny became a part of the Edison Student Services team in July 2008.  She started at the Information Desk greeting students and visitors with her warm, friendly smile.  In May 2009, Penny transitioned to the admissions and registration department.  When she is not helping students, she enjoys spending time with her family of three daughters, one son, and granddaughter.  She also enjoys crafts, cooking, and shopping.

Favorite Quote: “The more a man knows, the more he forgives.” – Catherine the Great

Cindy received her bachelor’s degree from Townson University, her master’s from Johns Hopkins University, and her Maryland State Teaching Certificate from Loyola College of Maryland.  She joined the Student Services team in October 2007 as a Student Development Specialist.  In July 2008, Cindy transitioned from student activities to student recruitment.  She coordinates all aspects of new student recruitment including the Student Ambassador Program.  She also serves as a co-advisor to Project HOPE. Cindy enjoys exercising, reading, going to the beach, and exploring what Florida has to offer with her husband, Tony, and son, Christopher.

Favorite Quote: “In a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have.” – Lee Iacocca

Patti started with Edison State College as a part-time Clerk Specialist in the Faculty Office and moved over to Student Services full-time in July 2008 as a Student Services Specialist.  Patti holds Certificates in both Computer Technology and Medical Terminology.  She has been married to her husband, John, for over 20 years and has two children, John and Chelsea, who attend Charlotte High School.  She actively volunteers with the Boy Scouts and likes to walk, canoe, swim, and shop.

Favorite Quote: “The greatest achievements were at first and for a time dreams. “ – James Allen

Steve is an instructional assistant in math in our Academic Success Center. He assists students with all levels of math from college preparatory math to calculus. He joined the Edison team after retiring from teaching high school math in the Lee County school system for 29 years. He enjoys fly fishing and playing tennis and golf. He is married to his beautiful wife, Laurie, who is a nurse at Lee Memorial and currently pursuing her master’s degree in nursing so she can teach at the college level. Steve graduated with his BS in Math from Ohio State University.

Favorite Quote: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”   - Albert Einstein

Charmaine joined the Student Services team from Broward Community College in November 2007 as a Student Services Specialist.  In March 2008, she transitioned to Testing Specialist and oversees all placement and eLearning testing.  She also manages our dual enrollment program as a liason with local high school guidance counselors.

Favorite Quote: “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”   - Ronald E. Osborn