top of page
NS Headshot.jpg
NATALIE SOYSTER | PRESIDENT

Nashville, TN​

​

Natalie Soyster was an on-campus Kosove Scholar from 2013-2017 and graduated from USF in 2017 with degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology and Psychology. During her time at USF, she served as a USF Ambassador and as president of the Student Alumni Association. She was awarded the Golden Bull Award and was the Spring 2017 Outstanding Graduate for the Tampa campus. She served on the Kosove Alumni Society Board last year as a member at large. She is a pediatrician and loves helping to make children healthier and happier. She is grateful for her time as an on-campus Kosove Scholar and the opportunities she had to volunteer in the Tampa Community as well as internationally. She valued learning from the diverse members of the organization and having the support of the alumni. She continues to appreciate the family like atmosphere of the society and hopes to contribute to the success of the scholars and the organization during her time as president.

IMG_1778.jpg
Kramer Kaplan | vice PRESIDENT

Clearwater, FL

​

Kramer is the newly elected Vice President serving on the Kosove Alumni Board. He grew up in Huntington, West Virginia, and was inducted in 2011 with the goal of pursuing his major in Marine Biology. During his time at USF, Kramerserved in leadership roles as an on-campus scholar, and also volunteered his time assisting in education and animal husbandry with sea turtles, sharks, and rays at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. After graduating in 2015, Kramer was hired by the aquarium as a staff biologist and marine educator, until he moved later that summer back home to West Virginia to pursue his Master's degree in Zoology, Ecology, and Evolution at Marshall University, in his hometown of Huntington. After graduating with his Master's Degree in 2017, Kramer began working as a substitute science teacher for the public school system in West Virginia, and got his first full-time teaching job in high school Biology at the Linsly School in Wheeling, WV (about 45 minutes from Pittsburgh) in 2018. Two years later, Kramer moved back down to Florida, as he had accepted a new teaching position at Saint Paul's - Clearwater's Independent School teaching 6th Grade Marine Science, 7th Grade Biology, and he teaches an Ornithology elective. Kramerhas an infectious passion for nature and education, and he brings such positive energy to the classroom, and into the field with his students. Kramer has continued to serve with Kosove in the Alumni Group, as he served as the Board's Secretary from 2019-2021, and then on the Selection Committee in 2021-2022. Kramer is so excited to be serving on the Board again in the role of Vice President! 

Justin.jpg
JUSTIN GEISLER | TREASURER

Tampa, FL

​

​Justin Geisler is Senior Vice President for Citibank where he manages multiple teams. He has spent the last 15 years working in banking operations, risk and controls, and project management.  He graduated from USF with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Economics.  Justin went on to obtain his MBA from USF specializing in Advanced Management, Entrepreneurship, and International Business. He was an on-campus Kosove Scholar from 2002-2004 where he held the position of Treasurer. During his time at USF Justin was a placekicker for the USF football team from 2000-2004. Since graduating, Justin has served as the President and Treasurer of the Kosove Alumni Society for multiple years.  He also has served on the USF Alumni Board of Directors from 2017-2021 and currently is a member of the Finance Committee.  Justin is passionate about USF, community service, coaching soccer, and being a Dad. He is grateful for the Kosove Society for all the opportunities it has allowed him to become engaged at USF as well as make an positive impact on the local and global communities.

Rachel Piotrowski | secretary

Forth Worth, TX

Andrew Schwartz | member at-large

Ocala, FL

Nidhi Chander | member at-large

Orlando, FL

Maggie Rubens | member at-large recent graduate

Tampa, FL

Sean Varguese | member at-large recent graduate

Tampa, FL

SBLUE.jpeg
Sheneka Blu| diversity committee chair

Miami, FL

​

Sheneka Blue is the principal of “Outstanding” Oriole Elementary and has worked with the Lauderdale Lakes community for the past eight years.   This year marks her twenty-second year as an educator in the Broward County Public School system.  â€¯ After graduating from USF in 2002 with a B.S. in Elementary Education, she had varied experiences as a teacher, Literacy Coach, Assistant Principal, and currently Elementary School Principal.   In 2006, she received a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.   During the first eight years of her career, she served at the elementary level teaching a variety of grades and the next six years as the Assistant Principal at Wilton Manors Elementary.   Always willing to help, over the years, Ms. Blue has been tapped to support many schools in transition as “Acting Principal” and mentored both new and veteran administrators in the areas of school culture, data analysis, and instructional leadership.   

 

For the past ten years, Sheneka has served as the  National Youth President and the Assistant General Secretary of her church ministry. She is an active member of the ministry’s youth team, praise team, and homeless outreach ministry.  She has organized many community events, youth outings, dramatic plays, and volunteer experiences that have served as a true blessing to the community.   

 

Currently she is completing her PhD in Educational Leadership at Florida Atlantic University.   Sheneka’s life experiences have added to her perceptions as a leader and continue to enhance her professional and personal beliefs. But, more than anything, her passion for educating others drives her to push towards improving educational experiences for all and empowering others to push beyond barriers and soar to higher heights. 

Monise Marie Harris | selection committee

Tampa, FL

Xavier Prado | selection committee

Tampa, FL

bottom of page