Maria Mayora

Maria Mayora was born and raised in Venezuela and moved to Miami, Florida, at the age of 15. Her passion for international issues began in Venezuela and grew as she embraced the multicultural environment of Miami. Inspired by the global perspectives around her, she pursued a B.A. in International Studies at the University of Florida, graduating in May 2024. Before becoming the Administrative Assistant at the International Center, Maria worked as a Student Assistant at the same institution.

Mckensie Cowart

Mckensie was born in raised in Gainesville, FL. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University in 2022. She is currently earning her M.S. in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University. After graduating with her Master’s degree, she plans to earn her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, focusing on Law. Growing up, Mckensie spent much of her time attending UF sporting events and supporting the Gators. Outside work and school, she enjoys traveling, reading, and working out.

Victoria Dolce

Victoria is a South Florida native who earned

Tikia Brown

Tikia joined UFIC in June 2022 as an F-1 ISS Advisor. As an Army brat, she grew up in Maryland and Germany. She calls Georgia her home and has a B.A. in Mass Communication from The “unsinkable” Albany State University. After graduation she spent time producing commercials at a local television station. She holds an M.S. in Higher Education Administration. She has a passion for helping students that are the low-income first generation to expand their goals and aspirations beyond their perceived limits. She enjoys anime, k-dramas, hanging with her Husky mix, and fishing in her free time.

Alvin Johnson Jr.

Alvin joined UFIC in November 2021 as an F-1 ISS Advisor. Transitioning from the University Bursar, his seven-year tenure there afforded him a resilient experience in servicing students of various backgrounds. Alvin was born and raised in Williston (FL). He obtained a B.A. in Music Education from Florida A&M University. Upon graduating, he taught for 8 years in Alachua and Levy counties'schools. In his spare time, Alvin enjoys playing sax with various local cover bands, cooking, and traveling with friends and family.

Danielle Black

Danielle is a native of Brazil. She holds a law degree from Mackenzie University in Sao Paulo and a Masters of Law (LL.M.) from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Prior to moving to Florida in 2019, Danielle worked as a corporate attorney in Sao Paulo. After expanding her knowledge by taking American Immigration Law classes at UF, and with a great desire to help other foreign nationals, Danielle worked in an immigration law firm and in a consulting firm assisting prospective students with F-1 and J-1 visa applications.

Yu Aoyagi

Yu Aoyagi ("Yagi") joined the International Student Services team in 2021 as an international student advisor (DSO). He received a B.A. in Communication from Central Connecticut State University and a B.A. in Business Administration from Aoyama Gakuin University (Tokyo, Japan). Before joining the UFIC team, he supported F-1 international students at the University of South Carolina and West Texas A&M University.

Chris Connolly

Chris is a United States Coast Guard veteran of Marine Safety Office Valdez Alaska. He has a zero casualty record as a communications operator for search and rescue cases while stationed at MSO Valdez. He was born in Gainesville and raised in north Alabama. He enjoys a variety of hobbies including comic book collecting, automotive engineering, and vacationing on quiet beaches.

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Martine J. Angrand

Martine graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Psychology. Prior to graduating from UF, she worked as a student assistant in the University of Florida International Center where she enjoyed interacting with the international students, learning about different cultures and customs.

Candice N. DeBose-Tyson

Candice DeBose-Tyson is an International Student Advisor at the University of Florida International Center (UFIC). She advises F1 degree-seeking students with surnames beginning with M, P, and Q. Candice began working at UF in 2003, specifically at UFIC in 2006.

Candice has always been a Gator, born and raised in Gainesville, Florida. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a Minor in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration.