Meet Our Staff

Marisa M Hightower (she/her) 

A  s s o c i a t e   D i r e c t o r 

mhightower@miami.edu 

Marisa Hightower is the Associate Director in the Office of Civic and Community Engagement (CCE), at the University of Miami, providing strategic and administrative leadership, which includes partnering with faculty, students, staff and community partners to promote collaboration that addresses the goals and missions of CCE. In addition to over 20 years in program management, Marisa Hightower holds a B.A. in English and a Master’s in Communication Studies, which included original research on territorial behavior in public green spaces. Prior to joining the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, she was the Senior Program Manager at the SEEDS (A SEED for Success) program, which was previously funded by an NSF-ADVANCE Award. For seven years, Marisa worked closely with Kathryn Tosney, Ph.D., SEEDS Director and Professor of Biology, to foster an interactive and highly effective community that helped to create a climate of diversity and inclusion for faculty across all disciplines.

Marisa serves on the Executive Board of the Women’s Commission at the University of Miami. Since 1971, the Women’s Commission works to create possible sustainable change for the status of women on the University campus. She also serves on the ACE Women's Network Florida Steering Committee.  She volunteers as an Assistant Scoutmaster during her free time.

Camila Zablah (she/her) 

Senior Program Manager

czablah@miami.edu 

Camila is an urban planner with a background in traditional architecture. She moved from her native El Salvador to the United States to obtain an architecture degree. After working as an architectural designer in Chicago, she moved to Miami and transitioned into urban planning. The introduction to urbanism during her architecture studies made her realize how much of a broader impact there is at a larger scale, focusing on all the elements that make up a city rather than just its buildings. She recognized the potential of working with communities to understand their unique challenges and enhancing cities through thoughtful planning. Having recently pursued a master's degree in Urban Sustainability and Resilience at the University of Miami, Camila looks forward to working on the mitigation of risks and adaptation to the current and future climate-related challenges that our communities face. 

Noah Garcia (he/him)  

D a t a   A n a l y s t 

nxg266@miami.edu 

Noah Garcia is an educator, registered architect, multidisciplinary designer, and researcher focused on issues relating to the environment and technology—working across scales, from the body to the city. He is an Adjunct Professor at New World School of the Arts College in affiliation with Miami Dade College where he teaches Web Development. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, and a multidisciplinary Master’s degree from the University of Michigan concentrating on Human-Computer Interaction and Urban Informatics. When he is not caught up with ambitious endeavors, he finds fulfillment in observing his breathing, creating artwork, and hiking. After volunteering to restore a portion of the Appalachian Trail during his freshman year of college, he has gradually hiked sections of the trail and threatens to complete the journey one day.

Chelsea Lafrance (she/they) 

R e s e a r c h   C o n s u l t a n t 

clafrance@miami.edu 

Chelsea Lafranceis from Miami Springs, Florida. Chelsea joined the Office of Civic and Community Engagement in 2019 as an AmeriCorps VISTA Inclusive Communities Coordinator. Since completing her VISTA year of service, Chelsea has worked with CCE as a research consultant on a number of affordable housing and data analysis initiatives. Chelsea graduated from Brandeis University, double majoring in Biology and Anthropology. She also minored in HSSP: Health, Science, Society, and Policy. During her time at Brandeis, Chelsea was elected as a QPoCC: Queer People of Color Coalition coordinator for three consecutive semesters on the Brandeis Triskelion executive board. She became a member of Legal Services of Greater Miami’s Young Professionals Council in 2021.

Monique Mahabir (she/her)

G r a d u a t e    A s s i s t a n t  

mxm193684@miami.edu 

Monique is a Ph.D. student in the Community Well-Being program at the University of Miami. Graduating from Lynn University with a B.S. and M.S. in Psychology, she has experience working in quantitative, qualitative, participatory action, and program evaluation research. Monique’s research interests center around advocating for K-12 public school students. She aims to investigate and dismantle the oppressive structures preventing students from gaining resources, opportunities, and mental health support. These aims intersect with her role as a Graduate Assistant working on the Public Housing and Community Development project with the CCE, consulting Miami-Dade County on affordable housing and community development projects. In addition to her role with the CCE, Monique is a member of the Engagement, Power, and Social Action (EPSA) research team, an associate of Collaborators Consulting Group, an editor of Collaborations: A Journal of Community-based Research and Practice, and assists in mapping local networks of organizations addressing climate and heat-related issues in Miami with the Training in Heat-Related Equity and Disparities (THREAD) Research Collaborative. 

Marah Selim (she/her)

G r a d u a t e    A s s i s t a n t  

marahselim@miami.edu 

Marah Selim is a second-year PhD student in Counseling Psychology. Marah’s academic journey has been driven by a commitment to enhancing human well-being and fostering positive change. With a deep-rooted interest in understanding cultural nuances, she focuses her research on defining and promoting human flourishing across diverse contexts.  

Her passion for mental health promotion and prevention has been a constant driver in her academic and extracurricular pursuits. In her efforts to address mental health at its root, her past experiences included working at the Ithaca Free Clinic where she supported efforts for healthcare affordability. She also actively propelled mental health awareness as part of the Mental Health Campus Leaders initiative at Cornell University which involved outreach to students and the local community. Marah looks forward to addressing pressing environmental and social challenges through her work on the Climate Gentrification project, and finding community-driven solutions that amplify voices and inspire lasting change.   

Cameron Shaw (she/her) 

G r a d u a t e   A s s i s t a n t 

cxs1813@miami.edu 

Cameron Shaw is a Ph.D. student at the University of Miami pursuing a degree in Teaching and Learning with a specialization in Language & Literacy Learning in Multilingual Settings. Before reaching this milestone, she received her Master of Professional Science degree from the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, working towards her goal of being a marine conservationist with a focus on education, outreach, community engagement, and DEIA in the STEM field. Continuing her work with the university and expanding her focus to nearby Latin American countries, Cameron hopes to enhance marine science education and inspire young students within under-resourced communities to believe in their potential and help them understand that their dreams are achievable and supported. As a Doctoral Graduate Research Assistant, Cameron is joining CCE’s ULINK Climate Gentrification project, analyzing how climate change and displacement affect community stability and neighborhood dynamics throughout Miami. If you can’t find Cameron around campus, you can find her scuba diving for shark teeth, cheering on the Chicago Cubs, snuggling with her 200lb Saint Bernard, or making a mean charcuterie board. 

Daniel Hocking (he/him) 

G r a d u a t e   A s s i s t a n t 

dhocking@miami.edu

Daniel Hocking is currently a graduate student at the University of Miami in the Latin American Studies Program. He holds a Master’s in Security and Safety Leadership from George Washington University and is seeking to focus his security research further in Latin America.
Daniel retired from the U.S. Air Force last year after 21 years of service, during which he served in multiple roles working on aircraft avionics systems, inspecting specialized aircraft, building international partnerships, interpreting, and as a guest speaker on regional security threats. He has also worked at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy in San Antonio, TX with international military students from 21 Latin American countries. Daniel has been engaged in military missions in every continent and has always been passionate about contributing to
positive social change.

Juan Chaves (he/him) 

G r a d u a t e   A s s i s t a n t 

jsc@miami.edu 

Juan Chaves is an accomplished composer, conductor, and educator known for his unique fusion of pop, jazz, and Latin American elements.

He has participated in numerous projects across various styles, both in the U.S. and internationally, demonstrating a passion for music that transcends genre boundaries.

Currently, Juan serves as the Graduate Assistant for the High School Partnership at the University of Miami’s Office of Civic and Community Engagement (CCE), where he is a first-year doctoral student in Jazz Composition. With over five years of teaching experience, he is dedicated to bridging the gap between education and community, supporting meaningful connections for student success.

Nina Lee (she/her) 

G r a d u a t e   A s s i s t a n t 

nina.lee@miami.edu

Nina Lee is the Project Coordinator for the Carnegie Foundation Classification in Community Engagement. Her hometown is Jacksonville, Florida, and currently lives in Miami to attend the University of Miami. She is a Ph.D. student in the Literary, Cultural, and Linguistic Studies Program studying social dances and how their movements reflect larger iterations of movement in migration, identity, and cultural production. Her academic interests also include coloniality and decoloniality, gender, race, and how the threads of identity are entangled in personal, social, and cultural consciousness. Previously, she received her M.A. in English and Comparative Literature at the American University in Cairo, where she was a Literary and Writing Fellow and Dean’s Award recipient. In addition to her experience in academia, Nina has worked in local government and administration settings through her time with United States Senate, where she connected with numerous members of her city and district, and with her undergraduate alma mater’s Student Government, where she served as Senate President. Outside of work, Nina enjoys practicing and teaching Latin dance and over-analyzing her favorite books, films, and shows.

Clay Tobin (he/him) 

Americorps VISTA

cxt1065@miami.edu 

Clay is a recent graduate from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor's degree in statistics and a passion for data analytics. Clay will be assisting our office in preparing graphs and charts using data from Miami Housing Solutions Lab to support the development of the Miami community, as well as integrating new data into CCE's public resources. 

Jillian Thornton (she/her)

Environmental Equity Coordinator | VISTA

jxt2700@miami.edu

Jillian is an environmental advocate with a passion for sustainability and creative problem-solving. She is currently completing her studies in Sustainability at Florida International University, where she focuses on understanding the intersection of environmental conservation and social equity. Her studies have deepened her understanding of the complex relationship between human welfare and environmental health. With a keen interest in protecting natural ecosystems and helping communities thrive, Jillian has consistently sought after opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Jillian is particularly interested in climate resilience and is dedicated to addressing environmental challenges through innovative, solution-based approaches that prioritize both ecological health and human well-being. Her commitment to finding real-world solutions has driven her to engage with various projects that promote sustainable practices and raise awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship. Her diverse experience and dedication to sustainability reflects her belief that positive change happens at the intersection of creativity, collaboration, and action. Her goals are to develop programs that ensure equitable access to sustainable resources and foster more inclusive resilient communities. In addition to her focus on environmental solutions, Jillian is a creative thinker with an eye for design and innovation in sustainable fashion. She is dedicated to integrating principles of sustainability into all areas of her life and work, believing that small changes at both individual and systemic levels can create lasting, meaningful impacts. Jillian aspires to continue empowering communities and individuals to build a more sustainable, equitable future for all.