Mentors + Guides + Interns

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a sleeveless black top, sitting at a table with a red and white chair, in front of colorful ribbons hanging on a curtain in the background.

    Vanessa K. Harper

    Cuba Scholar in Residence, Jacksonville University &
    Executive Producer, TigerLily

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Asheville, North Carolina

    CONTRIBUTION

    The Cuba Project Creator & Tour Leader

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    Playing dominoes, drinking rum and dancing at Perfecto’s! Connecting students with Cuba.

    FUTURE GOALS

    To keep dreaming BIG!

  • A woman and a man standing outdoors with a large wooden mortar and pestle, with the woman holding the pestle and the man smiling.

    Dr. Julie Brannon

    Professor of English & Chair of the English Department,
    Jacksonville University

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Daytona Beach, Florida

    CONTRIBUTION

    Co-wrote EPIC grant, supervised internship for JU students

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    Too many to list! Top three: visiting Finca Marta, meeting Perfecto's family in Soroa, seeing all the beautiful artwork.

    FUTURE GOALS

    To travel back to Cuba!

  • A man with a gray beard kneeling down, taking a photograph of another man who is using a rake on a cracked concrete surface outdoors in a rural area with green trees and mountains in the background.

    Andrew Fallon

    Creative Director & Partner,
    TigerLily

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    San Diego, California

    CONTRIBUTION

    Creative direction and mentorship to the students

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    It being completely different than my first trip ;) Amazing memories!

    FUTURE GOALS

    To be remembered!

  • Group of people in a backyard garden, taking photos and observing plants, with lush green trees and a small building in the background.

    Andrea Labous

    Director of Photography

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Florida (sort of)

    CONTRIBUTION

    Cameraman/Uncle

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    Rum. Actually, the whole week in Cuba was an experience and will be a lasting memory

    FUTURE GOALS

    One day at a time!

  • A man with sunglasses on his head, wearing a maroon shirt and beige shorts, is standing next to a black pole with a blue and white striped cloth, in a colorful alley with murals and two women nearby. One woman is wearing a blue top and black skirt, looking at the man, while the other woman is partially visible.

    Alejandro Berroa

    Cuban Tour Guide & Translator

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Havana, Cuba

    CONTRIBUTION

    Co-designed the itinerary, guided the tour, and translated.

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    Interviewing Cary Cruz at FANJ. It was fun to be a part of the film production crew!

    FUTURE GOALS

    To be a part of the continuing change in Cuba!

  • A woman with curly hair, wearing a black t-shirt and light blue shorts, is standing inside by large windows, taking a photograph with a camera.

    Hannah C. Shami

    Intern, Communications Major (2019)
    Jacksonville University

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Jacksonville, Florida

    CONTRIBUTION

    Post-production, editing videos, website design

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    The herbalist, Olmaida, whipping together an herbal remedy for my head cold. Pure magic.

    FUTURE GOALS

    To work at TigerLily!

  • A young woman wearing a green cap, red shirt, and denim shorts taking a photograph of trees in a tropical forest with a camera.

    Anna Tripp

    Intern, Marine Science Major & Photography Minor,
    Jacksonville University (2020)

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Quito, Ecuador

    CONTRIBUTION

    Photography, video editing, and website design

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    Salsa dancing all night at 1830 at the end of El Malecón with locals.

    FUTURE GOALS

    To be a National Geographic photographer!

  • A woman is using a shovel to spread small dark seeds or beans on a concrete surface outdoors, with three other people observing and photographing the activity.

    D'Ayn Sayre

    Intern, English Major & Writing Minor,
    Jacksonville University (2020)

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Umatilla, Florida

    CONTRIBUTION

    Content developer and copy editor

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    All of it, but especially Juanito's farm and getting my hands on the coffee.

    FUTURE GOALS

    No idea. Life is about the journey!

  • A girl with curly hair smiling and squinting joyfully while holding a small white puppy with brown spots outside on green grass.

    Victoria Domogala

    Intern, Sustainability & Geography Major,
    Jacksonville University (2019)

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Indianapolis, Indiana

    CONTRIBUTION

    Insight on agriculture and sustainability within the context of Cuba.

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    Touring Fernando’s farm, Finca Marta and dancing at the Yellow Submarine.

    FUTURE GOALS

    To be a champion for sustainability!

  • A group of people, some with cameras, visiting an archaeological site of a small Mayan pyramid with a step well, surrounded by green trees and grass, under a cloudy sky.

    Mike Galski

    Intern, Film Major,
    Jacksonville University (2019)

    WHERE AM I FROM?

    Germany

    CONTRIBUTION

    Videography

    FAVORITE MEMORY FROM CUBA

    Meeting with Carmen and Rey’s the cancer kids and spending the day filming and getting to know them

    FUTURE GOALS

    Be a filmmaker!