Career Pathways

Cynthia Mariani Gonzalez

Career and Workforce Education, Manager, Career Pathways

Cynthia is the Career Pathways Manager in Career and Workforce Education at Valencia College. With over 20 years of experience in education, she has served in roles ranging from classroom teacher to district resource, with a strong focus on Career and Technical Education at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. Cynthia holds a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Elementary Education. She is a passionate advocate for student success, championing career pathways and real-world learning experiences that help students discover their strengths, achieve their goals, and thrive in their chosen career.

Anita Gentz

Career Pathways, Career Pathways Coach

Anita joined the Tech Express team in 2016. In her role as Tech Express Coach, Anita is able to utilize her 38 years of experience with Orange County Public Schools at Valencia as she continues to strengthen the consortium partnership while using her knowledge to assist technical program graduates transition to Valencia. Anita believes that transitioning these students to an articulated A.S degree program at Valencia prepares them for success and prosperity in their chosen career field. Along with her professional, instructional, and administrative experience, Anita has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education from the University of Central Florida.

Nory Maldonado-Lutz

Career Pathways Coach

Nory joined Valencia’s team in 2022; currently serves as a Tech Express Coach. Nory is a proud Puma Alumni with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and currently pursuing her Masters in Career & Workforce Education at UCF. She has over 30 years of experience in career development and a diverse HR background Nory’s extensive background also includes significant contributions at Andrews International, Flagler Construction Equipment, Publix Supermarkets, Universal Parks & Resorts and others where she excelled in HR development, talent acquisition, talent management, and organizational support. Her skills in communication, troubleshooting, and customer service have been honed through diverse roles, making her a versatile and dedicated professional in her field.

William Bedics Lopez

Specialist, Career Pathways

William is the Career Pathways Specialist at Valencia College. He joined Valencia in 2022 as a Learning Assistant while also teaching mathematics with Orange County Public Schools, where he spent five years. William holds a bachelor’s degree in Statistics and a master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Central Florida. He is passionate about expanding access to education and empowering students to reach their goals by making learning meaningful, approachable, and aligned with their career aspirations.

Felesha Watson

Career and Workforce Education

Felesha joined the Valencia College team in 2022 and became a part of the Career and Workforce Education team in April 2025. She believes that empowering others through education and wellness is key to building stronger communities. She completed her A.A. degree at Valencia College and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Central Florida. Felesha hopes to use her education and experience to support students in achieving their personal, academic, and career goals, especially in finding the confidence in themselves and guiding them toward careers they truly love.