Dr. Valarie King

Director

Education:

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, American University, Washington D.C. M.S., North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina. B.A., Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia.

Bio Summary:

She has accumulated over 25 years of service as an educator and mental health professional. Three of these years were spent as an active duty Captain in the United States Army. Dr. King began her professional career at Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida where she held various teaching and administrative positions. Prior to coming to UCF in 1989 she was the Director of Intercultural Education and Minority Student Affairs and Coordinator of Retention at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. She received faculty grants to study in several countries throughout Eastern Europe and West Africa. She is genuinely committed to multiculturalism as a philosophy and as a way of life and believes that information and communication are essential elements of any viable diversity process. Dr King is a 2001 graduate of the HERS Leadership Institute for Women at Bryn Mawr College, PA.

Barbara Thompson

Assistant Director and Training Coordinator

Bio Summary:

Barbara is the Assistant Director of Diversity Education and Faculty Engagement in the Office of Diversity Initiatives at the University of Central Florida. She has more than 20 years of experience as a coordinator, curriculum developer, and instructor. Ms. Thompson holds a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and is a published author in the fields of human memory and concept development. She is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida and is state certified to teach Business Education and Psychology in the public schools. Barbara is a recipient of the Walt Disney World Teacherrific award and a two-time recipient of The Outstanding Educator Award in Business & Industry Services.

Carmen Afonso

Executive Secretary

Bio Summary:

Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico Was moved to New Jersey at 3, then to the South Bronx where she was raised. She lived in Okinawa for 2 ½ years, lived most of her adult life in Bayside, Queens, moved to New Jersey, lived there for 7 seven years (too long!) then moved to Florida in '97 (where she wanted to live since she visited here the first time in the '70's).

Katie Pomp

Administrative Assistant

Bio Summary:

Katie Pomp joined the Office of Diversity Initiatives in April 2007, as the Administrative Assistant to the Director. She started her career at UCF in October 2003 as a receptionist. Within one year she had been promoted to office manager and within two years was named Employee of the Year for the College of Health and Public Affairs. Katie’s professional background includes over 20 years management experience.

Dayanara Hudson

Program Assistant

Education:

M.A., Publications Design, University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
B.A., Communication Arts, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY

Bio Summary:

Originally from New York City, Dayanara made her way down the East Coast, via the University of Baltimore, followed by a Walt Disney World Resort (WDW) internship that brought her down to sunny Florida. With a background in many things creative, Dayanara has leant her skills to both photography and print work, not only with WDW, but environmental/building companies in Maryland, and a non-profit in New York City.