(Left to right) Alex Gregory, Robert Palmer and Alyson Watson (Photo by Amy Floyd)
The addition of three new staff members in recent months will bolster the UCF Center for Community School’s capabilities in areas of health care, education and university-assistance program management.
Alyson Watson, MPH, joined the center in November 2019 as a technical assistance program manager. She is responsible for working with schools that have been awarded planning grants to implement the Community Partnership School™ model.
Watson previously worked for Healthy Schools, partnering with school districts throughout Florida to provide in-school health services, and for the University of Miami at the KiDZ Neuroscience Center in the Miller School of Medicine, focusing on pediatric concussion prevention programs.
Born and raised in Orlando, Watson earned her Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University and Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida.
Alexandra Gregory, M.Ed., also has joined the center as a technical assistance program manager. She arrived in December 2019 and is responsible for working with schools throughout Florida that have implemented the Community Partnership School™ model.
Prior to joining center, Gregory worked for Hilton Grand Vacations as a training specialist, a grades 6-8 English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum and instruction specialist for Duval County Public Schools, and a grades 6-8 ELA and reading teacher.
Gregory was born in Puerto Rico and raised on military bases, and she has been in Florida since 2001. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from UCF and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University.
Robert Palmer, M.Ed., arrived in January 2020 as the center’s university assistance coordinator. He is responsible for connecting university resources to Community Partnership Schools and for coordinating university assistance statewide.
Palmer previously worked for Orange County Public Schools, where he held the position of college and career specialist supporting students in developing their post-secondary plans. He also worked for OCPS as a guidance counselor and teacher.
Palmer was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. He earned his bachelor's degree in social science education from Florida State University and his Master of Education in Counselor Education from UCF.
“I’m thrilled to welcome this talented group of professionals to the center,” said Director Amy Ellis. “They’ve already been a huge benefit to the sites across the state by providing support for Community Partnership School development.”