Hazing Prevention Team

Michael Rafo serves as the Coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life. Michael is the advisor for the Panhellenic Association and the co-advisor for the National Pan-Hellenic Council. He also serves as the chapter liaison for 12 chapters from all 4 councils. Michael has been at FGCU since 2020 and is affiliated with Delta Sigma Phi.

Michael is originally from Windsor, Canada but grew up in Southeast Michigan. He attended Eastern Michigan University for his bachelor's, and Central Michigan University for his Master's in Higher Education Administration and served as the Fraternity & Sorority Life Graduate Assistant. In his spare time, Michael enjoys going to the beach, and crossing new places off of his travel list. Michael's favorite part about working with the Hazing Prevention Team is being able to shape students' perspectives on the issue of hazing and turn the students from bystanders into active citizens.

Nikki’s hometown is Cape Coral, Florida. She received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2008 and an M.A in School Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2012. Nikki began her journey with Prevention and Wellness as a Graduate Assistant in 2010 and served as the Peer Education Coordinator from 2012-2019. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Director and enjoys collaborating with other offices, specifically on large-scale and event programming. She manages the Wellness Warrior Initiative, a cross-promotional project highlights events from other offices (in addition to Prevention and Wellness) that focus on the 8 dimensions of wellness.

Nikki is a certified trainer for the TIPS alcohol intervention program, the “One Love Escalation Workshop” for interpersonal relationship violence, and for the “SafeTALK” suicide prevention program. She enjoys presenting and loves educating students, which is her favorite part about being on the Hazing Prevention Team. Serving as a member allows her to connect with students about an important topic and engage in meaningful discussion to change the campus culture surrounding hazing. Nikki is an adamant enthusiast of all things Disney, Legend of Zelda, pirates, and her nieces.

Waneka McFarlane is a long time Human Resources (HR) professional with over thirteen years of recruiting and HR experience. Eight of those years was spent in the HR department at Florida Gulf Coast University. While serving as a Recruiter she was instrumental in providing recruitment solutions, training, and consultation to the campus community.

Her experience in Human Resources led her to The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC). In OIEC, she is responsible for assisting with facilitating the success of under-represented students and employees. She is also responsible for designing, planning, implementing workshops, training sessions, and activities that provide learning opportunities to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion within the campus community. She currently sits on the following committees/associations: Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Title IX Committee, Black Faculty and Staff Association, Hazing Prevention Team, FutureMaker Equity Action Team and the Fort Myers Mayor's DEI Advisory Committee.

Sgt. Myles Kittleson is a former alumni of FGCU earned his Bachelor's of Science in 2009 and his Master of Arts in 2013, and is a recipient of the FGCU Student Hall of Fame. Sgt. Kittleson takes pride in the campus and the students. Sgt. Kittleson wants all the students to enjoy the campus life and all that comes with it but in a safe manner.

Sgt. Kittleson’s favorite part of being on the Hazing Prevention Team is interacting with all the different students whether it is fraternities, sororities, club sports or other student organizations. Sgt. Kittleson takes pride in seeing students succeed.

Mason Sims has been at FGCU for almost two years now, serving with the Office of Housing and Residence Life and working with both first year and returning housing students. He is currently in the Resident Director role with North Lake Village for returning housing students and he works with the Resident Assistants as their supervisor.

Mason's responsibilities include creating and maintaining a comfortable and safe environment for students to live on campus in. His favorite part of being on the Hazing Prevention Team is that he gets to meet students from all different facets of the university and interact with them more than ever before.

Keira De Oliveira holds a B.A. in Communication and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida Gulf Coast University. Keira has several years of experience in higher education at FGCU. As a student, Keira worked as a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, and First Year Advising Assistant.

After graduation, Keira worked for the Office of Records and Registration, while pursuing her master’s degree. Keira collaborated with different University departments to meet federal and state guidelines for enrollment reporting and worked closely with students to assist in processing all registration functions.

Prior to joining OIEC, Keira was a middle and elementary school teacher. While teaching, Keira became an Instruction through Digital Innovation (IDI) teacher and led the way in incorporating technology into classroom lessons. She used positive behavior support to build a classroom community and provide a safe learning environment where all students can excel.

Currently, Keira works for The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance. In the OIEC, Keira is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing strategies for controlling risk exposure related to compliance for the university. She analyzes current compliance legislation and regulations that impact higher education and remains updated on relevant topics regarding compliance. Keira is also an adjunct instructor in the Department of Integrated Studies where she teaches Foundations of Civic Engagement. Keira’s favorite part of being on the Hazing Prevention Team is interacting with the FGCU students!

Jessica Matthews has been practicing mental health therapy for over ten years, including working as a mental health clinician at FGCU's Counseling and Psychological Services since October 2019. Before moving to Florida in 2019, she lived in Illinois and practiced community mental health for five years, and then worked as a mental health counselor at Eastern Illinois University for nearly five years.

Jessica's current role at CAPS allows her to practice individual therapy with FGCU students, as well as facilitate two groups for psychoeducation and support for students. Jessica's favorite part of being on the Hazing Prevention Team is learning more about the hazing epidemic and what can be done to protect and educate students. She loves being able to interact with FGCU students and share such important information that can save lives.

Zachary McMahon started at FGCU as a Sport Programs Intern in July of 2019 before being hired as the Sport Programs Coordinator in March of 2020. As the Sport Programs Coordinator, Zach facilitates intramural programming which includes the hiring and training of student officials and supervisors and scheduling games and tournaments for each sport Campus Recreation offer. Zach also works with the sport clubs to assist them in multiple capacities, whether it’s advice for fundraising, how to schedule competitions with opponents, and ideas for community service. 

Zach enjoys working with the Hazing Prevention Team because it allows him the opportunity to interact with the student body in a capacity that encourages safety and inclusion. Zach believes every student has a place on this campus whether it’s with a club, participating in an event, or social circles in the dorms, and it is up to the staff and students to ensure that safety and inclusion are practiced.  Wings Up, Go Eagles!

Kelsey O’Brien has been working at FGCU since July 2019 and is currently the Coordinator for Student Programming in the Office of Student Involvement. She is the advisor for Programming Board, which is a student-led organization that is dedicated to providing fun, enriching, and free events to FGCU students! She is also the advisor for the Homecoming Council who is responsible for planning and hosting FGCU’s Homecoming, a celebration for FGCU students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

Kelsey’s favorite part of being on the Hazing Prevention Team is working with and meeting new students from across campus and being able to share valuable information with them!

April Palmer has been at FGCU since July of 2020. April currently serves as the Assistant Dean/Director of Student Conduct where her job is to ensure that the students continue to be respectful, lead with integrity, and abide by the code of conduct.

April's favorite part about being on the Hazing Prevention Team is being able to be proactive and intentional in educating students about awareness and prevention of hazing within the FGCU community.

Mike Estes is responsible for daily oversight of athletics communications, marketing, facilities and operations and sports medicine. Additionally, he is the primary sport coordinator for baseball and the secondary sport coordinator for men’s basketball.  He serves as a member of the department’s senior staff and is the Athletics Healthcare Administrator (AHCA) as designated by the NCAA.

Estes was promoted to Associate AD for Administration following three years as the Assistant AD for Health Performance and Head Athletic Trainer. In addition, he served on the department's executive staff and has served as the sports coordinator for men’s soccer, men and women’s tennis and men and women's Golf.

Estes joined FGCU in July 2001 through a partnership with Naples Community Hospital where he served as their athletic training coordinator, providing oversight of the NCH Sports Medicine Outreach Program in the Collier County Public Schools while providing early care for FGCU student-athletes. In addition to establishing the sports medicine/health care delivery system for FGCU student-athletes, he takes great pride in being one of the early pioneers of FGCU Athletics.

Prior to joining FGCU and Naples Community Hospital, Estes served as the director of sports medicine services at inMotion Rehabilitation in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He has served as the head athletic trainer at the University of South Florida, Manatee High School and Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he was the athletic trainer for the NCAA Division II national champion men’s basketball team in 1990. 

In addition to his collegiate athletic training experience, Estes was a member of the host committee for the 1999 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four, the 1999 Outback Bowl and the 1998 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball South Regional. He was named the College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year in the state of Florida for 1999 by the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida. Estes was awarded the “Backbone Award” from the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida in 1997.

Estes is a graduate of Wright State University and received his master’s degree in athletic training from Indiana State University. 

Estes and his wife Tracey have two children - Monica, who is an FGCU graduate and current staff member, and Dylan, who is a soon to be FGCU graduate.