About Us
History and Mission
The idea for organizing developmental educators around the State of Florida began with Reginald Touchton of then Florida Junior College at Jacksonville. In the spring of 1977, he met with a group of other teachers and administrators involved with developmental courses, all of whom were interested in forming a state-wide grassroots group to help faculty, counselors and learning lab staff share information, ideas and success stories. Administrators were invited to provide an insight into the larger political, fiscal and structural issues associated with developmental education. Based on this perceived interest in establishing a formal group, an Executive Board of volunteers was established to plan a state-wide conference. Members of that initial planning board were as following:
- Reginald Touchton – President
- Shelby Lee – Vice-President and Program Chair
- Elaine Greenwood – Secretary and Site Chair
- Dora Mae O’Brien – Treasurer
The Division of Community Colleges heard about the organizers and sent Dr. Stafford Thompson, then working for the Division, to meet with the group, to help them form, and to test their reactions to some of the Division’s plans for developmental education efforts. Stafford met with the Executive Committee for several years and was one of the guiding influences in FDEA’s formation.
The first statewide FASS conference was held in March 1978. Annual conventions have been held most every year since, with panel discussions, presentations, and seminars covering topics in reading, English, mathematics, study skills, counseling, and political issues.
During the 26th national conference of the National Association for Developmental Education, held in Louisville, Kentucky in March, 2001, FASS was presented the Curtis Miles Award to an Outstanding Established Chapter. This prestigious award recognized the commitment and involvement of FASS members in local and regional initiatives that serve and benefit college preparatory programs in all of Florida’s community colleges.
Florida Association for Student Success, Inc. is a non-profit corporation (Document #767314) registered in the state of Florida. Our FEI number is 36-4660672.
Purpose of the Florida Association for Student Success
The Florida Association for Student Success is committed to improve the professional capabilities of educators, the programs designed to prepare educators, and the practice, theory, and delivery of education to the students of the State of Florida.
Responsibilities, offices, and organizational structure are detailed in the FASS Handbook*.
* Update in process
FASS goals are to:
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Identify practitioners in developmental education through print and electronic directories.
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Sponsor an annual conference for sharing effective methods and materials in education.
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Maintain a liaison with appropriate state agencies to increase awareness of the significant contributions being made in education programs throughout Florida colleges.
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Promote a liaison between secondary and post-secondary institutions to enhance college readiness.
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Publish and distribute a newsletter.
Award Programs
In an effort to encourage and promote efforts in developmental education, five awards are presented annually by the FASS.
Administration
Susan Wessner
PresidentProfessor Susan Wessner serves as a full-time faculty member for Developmental Mathematics at Tallahassee Community College and has served the College in various ways since 1987. Susan is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Mathematics Education. With over 33 years of teaching, she is passionate about teaching students who need to “brush up” on their math skills before they can tackle college level courses. During her time at TCC, she has served as an adjunct instructor, assistant professor, served on numerous committees, and has been a mentor in four different mentoring programs. Additionally, she wrote/compiled the last two MAT0018 student notebooks for the lower level developmental math classes. She was a NISOD Excellence award winner in 2011, and in 2012, was ranked as the #12 highest rated college professor in the country by the Ratemyprofessors.com website. Susan won the 2020 FASS Developmental Educator of the Year Award at the FASS Fall Conference. Susan loves teaching math and turning her students into her “Math Nerd Army.”
Jean Marshall
SecretaryJean is the recently elected secretary for Florida Association for Student Success (FASS) and a member of (NOSS) National Association for Student Success. She enjoys teaching Developmental Reading at Tallahassee Community College. A lifelong learner, a graduate of Florida Memorial University (BS), and a graduate of North-Central University (M.S), Jean enjoys the opportunity of teaching students in Developmental Reading. In the Developmental classes at the college, students are given maximum opportunities to improve, and to excel in Reading and Writing. The Florida Association for Student Success provides professional opportunities for colleagues from various parts of the state to convene and discuss trends and Professional Development. During her time away from the classroom, she enjoys family outings, fishing, reading, and traveling.
Elaina Lommason
President-ElectDr. Elaina Lommason is a Professor of English at Florida State College at Jacksonville. She has been teaching Developmental English at FSCJ for eleven years and has been actively involved in the developmental education program in the areas of research and curriculum development. She brings to FASS an enthusiasm for the success of her students, especially for those students benefiting from the reading, writing, and mathematical skills they attain in a developmental education classroom.
Paul Nolting
TreasurerBio coming soon…
Our Purpose
The Florida Association for Student Success is committed to improve the professional capabilities of educators, the programs designed to prepare educators, and the practice, theory, and delivery of education to the students of the State of Florida.
Learn MoreStay in the Loop about FASS
Non-Profit corporation registered in the state of Florida. FEI - 36-4660672.