ABOUT US

Dr. Colleen Rua (she/hers) is Acting Associate Dean of Research and Strategic Initiatives for the College of the Arts and Associate Professor of Theatre Studies in the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Florida. She is also Affiliate Faculty in the Center for Latin American Studies, the Center for Arts in Medicine, and the Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship. Her research interests include Latinx Theatre/Contemporary Puerto Rican Theatre, Immersive Theatre, the American Musical, and Theatre for Youth.

Megan joined COTA as the Finance and Grants Accountant II at the beginning of 2022. Megan enjoys learning about the different projects and research PIs are working on and looks forward to collaborating to expand COTA’s research portfolio.

Lisa received her BFA from College of Fine Arts in 2010. She has since worked in the realms of ideas and budgets on film sets and later in the College of Medicine. She is excited about change that is happening in the College of the Arts, with our growing involvement and in arts research and broadening our understanding of what arts research means. She has particular interest in how this functions in Florida and the south and how we can adapt to current challenges and shape our future building on our collective diverse traditions. 

Jenny Hill is the Grants Development Manager for College of the Arts at the University of Florida, supporting faculty in finding and securing grant funding and forming collaborative partnerships to further their creative arts research. She provides trainings for faculty on grant seeking, project/budget planning, and proposal writing, as well as 1:1 support in preparing a grant application. Jenny’s career includes work in legal research, human resources management, and education, including instruction in theater, dance, creative writing, language arts, and yoga.

Genesis is a graduate student in the Museum Studies program in the COTA School of Art + Art History. She has served as a docent at the Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, AL. Genesis is interested in artistic mental health practices and creating creative spaces for underrepresented marginalized communities.