Staff
Jen Katz
Fitness Center Teaching Lab Manager
407-582-2299
Faculty and Staff
Judi Addelston, Ph.D.
Psychology Discipline Coordinator
(407) 299-2286
jaddelston@valenciacollege.edu
BA, Brooklyn College
M A, City University of New York
M A, Stetson University
Ph D, City University of New York
Judi Addelston, Ph.D., LMFT has been a professor of psychology at the East Campus
of Valencia College since 2001. She received her Ph.D. in Social and Personality Psychology
from The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York
in 1996. She also received a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Stetson University
in 2000. Dr. Judi teaches several courses at Valencia College including General Psychology,
Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology,and Human Sexuality and Drugs and Addiction.
Additionally, she has been an advisor to Phi Theta Kappa on the East Campus, as well
as the Psychology Club. Currently, she is a co-coordinator for the Psychological Sciences
and is an active member of the Peace and Justice Initiative.
Dr. Diana Ciesko
Professor, Psychology, Education and Student Success
dciesko@valenciacollege.edu
B.A., Towson University
M.Ed., Loyola College
Diana Ciesko, Ph.D. has been a professor on East Campus for 12 years. She received
her Bachelor's Degree from Towson University, Master's from Loyola University-Maryland
and Ph.D. from Capella University. Dr. Ciesko teaches General Psychology, Developmental
Psychology, and Honors courses in those two areas. In addition she has taught Abnormal
Psychology and developed a Survey of Forensic Psychology course.
Dr. Ciesko developed and continues to edit the LifeMap Faculty Guide and Planner and
is on the committee for the Student Handbook. She has served on many committees campus-wide,
was co-chair for Psychological Sciences and has been an advisor for PTK, the Psychology
Club and faculty advisor to HOST, working with international students. She has also
worked as an academic advisor part time, giving her a unique insight into the students
we serve.
She was awarded Professor of the Semester by PTK and most recently honored by the
Honors Advisory Committee for dedication as a faculty member and continued support
of students in the Honors program.
Prof. Carl Creasman
History, Discipline Coordinator
ccreasman@valenciacollege.edu
Professor Carl E. Creasman Jr. has been teaching at Valencia since 2002, initially
as a Dual Enrollment professor on Jones High School, then later at Evans High School
and Colonial High School. He has served as the Discipline Chair for History since
2009. He teaches all four of the History classes (AMH 2010, AMH 2020, EUH 2000, EUH
2001) as well as offering some special topics courses such as The History of World
War 2. In 2013, Creasman was the Faculty Senate President for East Campus, and then
served as the President of the Collegewide Faculty Association for 2014-2015. Professor
Creasman has been selected as the Association of Florida Colleges Distinguished Professor,
Rouche Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Valencia Faculty Association Aware
for Excellence in Teaching. In 2017 Creasman was selected by the Aspen Institute as
a Wye Faculty Fellow to participate in a weeklong seminar on “Citizenship in the American
and Global Polity.” At Valencia, Professor Creasman has participated as a speaker
and mentor with various student clubs included PTK, Student Development, SGA and InterVarsity.
Prof. Debbie Drobney
Sign Language Discipline Coordinator
ddrobney@valenciacollege.edu
B A, University of Central Florida
M A, University of Central Florida
Dr. Linda Freeman
Psychology
Dr. Freeman has been part of the Valencia College Psychology Department for over 19 years. In addition, she is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addictions Professional. After treating individuals with addictive related disorders, she made a full transition to academia, where she now focuses on how to bring Positive Psychology into the lives of students. She is also an avid meditator and teaches faculty members how to bring mindfulness into the classroom. Dr. Freeman is also noted for her work with students as a former advisor to the Psychology Club and Psychology Forum. Exposing students to “real world experiences” in the field of psychology is at the heart of her work and defines how she teaches. Dr. Freeman is the co-host of the Valencia Radio show “The Anxious Potato” and teaches Positive Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and General Psychology.
Dr. Paul Labedz
Political Science
plabedz@valenciacollege.edu
B A, State University of New York
M Phil, George Washington University
Ph D, George Washington University
Dr. Labedz teaches courses on American Government and International Politics. His
areas of academic expertise include: International Relations Theory, Political Psychology,
Political Ideologies, American Foreign Policy, U.S.-Latin American Relations, Political
Theory and Diplomatic History. Dr. Labedz also serves as one of the collegewide internship
supervisors for Political Science. Prior to coming to Valencia College in 1999, Dr.
Labedz was employed as a University Teaching Fellow at the George Washington University,
where he earned his Ph.D. in Political Science. A native of Buffalo, New York, he
enjoys playing tennis, golf, and basketball.
Prof. Mark Logas
Political Science
mlogas@valenciacollege.edu
B A, University of Central Florida
M A, University of Central Florida
Professor Mark Logas is a native Central Floridian, married, and has two children.
A tenured Political Science faculty member, he’s been “Professor of the Semester”,
recipient of the NISOD Excellence Award, Coordinator of Valencia’s nationally recognized
Civic Leadership Program and East Campus Veterans Group. Elected officials and academic
leaders have recognized his efforts to help pass the statewide Civics Literacy Requirement.
Professor Logas currently serves as the President of the Florida Political Science
Association. Prior to Valencia College, Mark spent 25 years in broadcast radio and
television covering government and coordinating election coverage. He's earned the
"Best TV Newscast Award", the "Associated Press Best TV News Story Award", and was nominated
for an Emmy. Professor Logas provides election coverage for WFLA FM93.1 in Orlando.
Prof. Joe Marek
Physical Education
jmarek@valenciacollege.edu
B A, University of Central Florida
M A, University of Central Florida
Dr. Bonnie Oliver
Economics
boliver@valenciacollege.edu
BS BA., University of Central Florida
MBA, University of Central Florida
MA, University of Central Florida
Ph.D., Argosy University
Mr. Tony Philcox
Psychology
Professor Tony Philcox has been teaching at Valencia since 2005 which started at the Winter Park Campus after a 33 year career in criminal justice serving on both the State and Federal level ultimately culminating in retirement from the Federal Courts, U.S. Probation Office in downtown Orlando. Professor Philcox has been a trainer/educator with the University of South Carolina, Jacksonville Community College, United States Probation Office, DUI Programs, Department of Motor Vehicles and Highway Safety, and Valencia College for Professional Development. Professor Philcox teaches General Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Forensic Psychology. He is a former advisor to the Psychology Club and Psychology Speakers Forum. He is known for both his work in Service Learning at the Coalition for the Homeless and directing the Internship programs at the Coalition and Advent Health, Celebration.
Prof. Alvin (AJ) Quackenbush
Political Science Discipline Coordinator
aquackenbush@valenciacollege.edu
B.A., Indiana University
M.A., Ball State University
My name is AJ Quackenbush and I am a professor of Political Science on the East Campus
of Valencia College. My academic background includes an undergraduate education at
Indiana University as a political science major. Next, I attended Ball State University
for my MA in Political Science and continued my graduate studies in Political Science
at Binghamton University. My graduate examination fields were in both American Politics
and International Relations. My teaching experience includes over a decade in a college
classroom. I started teaching at Binghamton University while doing my graduate work
and then as a visiting professor at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. I
have been at Valencia College for over 10 years and have experience teaching a wide
range of courses including: US Government, International Relations, State and Local
Government, and other special topics courses in Political Science. As an advocate
of distance learning, my classes are typically offered in traditional, mixed mode,
and online formats. As a result of the teaching and learning culture of Valencia
College, a large portion of my research focuses on teaching and learning Political
Science and I regularly present at the American Political Science Association Teaching
and Learning Conference. I believe in having an active learning-centered teaching
strategy and do my best to promote diversity and support various learning styles to
foster student success. On campus, I serve as the Chairperson for the Department of
Political Science, I am very involved in the Peace and Justice initiative, and supervise
interns as part of our Civil Leadership Internship Program.
Dr. Tammy Sabourin
Physical Education, Health/Fitness & PE Discipline Chair
Dr. Tammy Sabourin has been a Professor of Health and Fitness at Valencia College since 1997 and is also the Discipline Chair for the Health and Fitness and Physical Education Department. She received her Doctorate Degree from the University of Central Florida, Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University, and her Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University where she was also on the Women’s Basketball and Track teams. She also coached Women’s Basketball at the college level for several years.
Dr. Sabourin teaches several courses at Valencia including Personal Health, Personal Fitness and Wellness, Strength Training, and Basketball. Dr. Sabourin strives to empower her students and provide the skills they need to improve their physical, mental, and emotional health through movement and making healthy lifestyle choices.
Prof. Darryl Thorne
Economics, Discipline Coordinator
dthorne@valenciacollege.edu
B.A., Pace University
M.A., New School for Social Research
Prof. Adrienne Trier-Bieniek
Sociology, Discipline Coordinator
atrierbieniek@valenciacollege.edu
Adrienne Trier-Bieniek, Ph.D. has been teaching sociology at Valencia College since 2011. In addition to Introductory Sociology, Dr. Trier-Bieniek has taught Social Problems, Marriage and the Family, and Sex & Gender. She also serves as the advisor for the Feminist Association, and she serves as the chair for sociology and anthropology. Dr. Trier-Bieniek is the editor of several books focused on gender and culture including The Politics of Gender (Brill, 2018), The Beyoncé Effect (McFarland Press, 2016), Feminist Theory and Pop Culture (Sense, 2015), and is the author of Sing Us a Song, Piano Woman: Female Fans and the Music of Tori Amos (Scarecrow, 2013). Dr. Trier-Bieniek has been interviewed by NBC News, NPR, Reuters, USA Today, The Tampa Bay Times, and the Orlando Sentinel on topics such as violence against women, gender and music, health, and popular culture. She can be reached at www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.