Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025

By Nichole Nikolic

"I feel privileged to help others accomplish their dreams, if only in one class on their academic journey," shares Jackie Zuromski, professor, English.

Jackie, a Valencia College alumna, is very familiar with the impact professors can have on a student's belief that they can accomplish their dreams. "I knew I would be an English teacher, but I was thinking I'd teach at a middle school. My professors at Valencia convinced me that Valencia was where I needed to be," shares Jackie.

Joining the college in 2005 as a part-time English faculty member, Jackie "inherited" the role of adviser for Phoenix — the college's art and literary magazine — in 2007 and has served as the chair of the English department on West Campus for the last nine years. "I got to learn about creative writing from Diane Orsini, professor, English and my work appears in old issues of the magazine, so my adviser role feels like I have come full circle," reflects Jackie. 

Nicholas Bekas, dean, School of Writing and Literature, believes Jaquelyn "exemplifies" what it means to be a professor at Valencia College:

“She is dedicated to her students and is a passionate advocate for them and works tirelessly to ensure their academic success. She has been the faculty advisor to Valencia's national award-winning student literary magazine, Phoenix. Through her work with Phoenix, she has provided students with a creative outlet for expressing their ideas and sharing them with fellow students. Without her dedication to Phoenix, our students would not have such an opportunity. She is a great colleague and mentor who enriches the lives of all around her. Valencia would be a less bright place without her.” — Nicholas Bekas, Dean, School of Writing and Literature

Nicholas is right. The Phoenix has won a long list of honors and awards during Jackie's tenure as advisor to the Phoenix, including winning the Associated College Press Magazine Pacemaker award seven times, winning first place in the Southern Region for two years in the Community College Humanities Association, Literary Magazine Completion and placing first place for seven years in the Florida College System Activities Association Publications, General Excellence award. 

In addition, Jackie was awarded the Abe and Tess Weiss Endowed Chair in the Study of the Shoah in 2019. 

To Jackie, Valencia College signifies "a better place to start" to the Central Florida community. "I was non-traditional, married with three small daughters, and working. I came to know quickly that I could be successful at college if I wanted to be, and I sure did…I learned how to learn at Valencia, which was much different from my high school experience, and I went on to UCF with full confidence," explains Jackie.

Before joining the college, Jackie worked at Walt Disney World's Victoria and Albert's restaurant for 12 years. "I loved being a server there, and I learned so much about food, wine and top-shelf guest service. I think I do bring that same excitement into my teaching practice, and I know that I am 'serving' my students in much the same way," shares Jackie. 

Jackie holds a Master of Arts in English Literature and a Bachelor of Science in English Language Arts Education, both from the University of Central Florida.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, yoga and spending time in her yard, which she finds "therapeutic".

Please contact Employee_News@valenciacollege.edu with any questions.