Staff
Professor Schwarzmueller (a.k.a. "Dr. S.") is a developmental psychologist and a professor of Human Development at Eckerd College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wake Forest University in 1991, her Master of Arts in Psychology from Emory University in 1993, and her Ph.D. in Cognitive and Developmental Psychology in 1997. She has been part of the Eckerd College faculty for over 22 years, and she earned the Robert A. Staub Distinguished Teacher Award in 2013.
Dr. Schwarzmueller's specialty areas include Adolescent & Emerging Adult Development and Group Dynamics, so LSDP is a terrific combination of her interests and expertise. Working with students is, without question, her favorite part of her job. Dr. S. believes strongly that students' learning experiences outside the classroom can be as critically important as those within the classroom. Therefore, she particularly enjoys the opportunity to work with first-year students through the Leadership and Self Discovery Practicum to help them find their niche in the Eckerd College community and discovery ways to share their strengths and talents.
Dr. S.'s personal interests include savoring time with her family, enjoying the beautiful city of St. Petersburg, exploring local markets and art galleries, and traveling.
Sally Hayes, M.Ed.
Assistant Director
Sally graduated from Eckerd College in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Minor in Women’s Studies. After graduation, Sally attended the University of South Florida (USF) where she received her Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, College Student Affairs. She participated in LSDP as a first year student in 1999, and has been involved in facilitating and developing the course ever since. She now serves as the Assistant Director and as an Adjunct Professor at Eckerd College for LSDP.
Professionally, she worked with USF students in Student Activities and as a Career Counselor/Employer Relations Specialist at the USF Career Center. She was a recruiter for an international management recruitment firm. As a creative and high-energy entrepreneur, she has created several successful businesses, and she helps students learn specific skills that will serve them in the business world. She has taught various leadership and psychology courses to undergraduate students. Presently, she is the President of Federal Eastern International, Inc., a local company in St. Petersburg.
Katarzyna "Kasia" Nowacki, M.S.
Adjunct Instructor
Kasia Nowacki '17, graduated from Eckerd College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and then completed her Masters of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in 2019. She served as a program assistant for the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) at Eckerd College before becomming program manager for the Lead4Excellence Experience (L4E) with the Center for Creative Leadership. While a student at Eckerd College, Kasia participated in LSDP as a first-year student and then served as a facilitator for the program as an upper-level student.
Facilitators
A select group of upper-level students are chosen to help facilitate LSDP. The majority of the facilitators have taken LSDP. They represent most majors and clubs that Eckerd has to offer. They are leaders on campus and are thrilled by the opportunity to build relationships and make connections with LSDP students.