Michael Preston, Ed. D.

Executive Director — Connect on LinkedIn

As of December  2023, Michael Preston, Ed. D. has left the Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities to take the new role of Associate Vice President of Student Success at Texas State University. Michael leaves behind an incredible legacy of student success initiatives and workforce innovations during his eight impactful years of leadership at the Florida Consortium. For immediate questions about the Florida Consortium please contact Scott Mauro or Darlene Durham. You can reach Michael at his new Texas State email address: michael.preston@txstate.edu. 

He served as Executive Director of the Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities from July 2015 to December 2023 where he worked with Florida International University, The University of Central Florida, and The University of South Florida on collaborative projects designed to increase retention, improve graduation rates, and ensure graduates are career ready.

Scott Mauro

Associate Director of Strategy — Connect on LinkedIn

Scott Mauro is currently leading the Florida Consortium team and has been in the associate director role since June of 2021. He specializes in higher education communication, social media content development, earned media placement, growing brand awareness, impactful collaboration, and partnership building. Scott previously worked in student affairs for a decade at the UCF Recreation and Wellness Center, developing marketing and communication strategies to promote well-being and healthy lifestyles.  Scott is a faculty member at the LEAD Scholars Academy, where he teaches Foundations of Leadership and the Social Change Model.

Before his student affairs career began, Scott worked as a Television News Producer, Sports Producer, and Executive Producer in four of the country’s top 70 markets (Las Vegas, NV, Green Bay, WI, Fort Myers-Naples, FL, and Orlando, FL). During his 13 years in television, Scott produced live sports events and shows, breaking news coverage of major national and local events, election specials, a digital conversion FCC Special in 2008, and launched two newscasts. Scott is a two-time graduate of the University of Central Florida. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television (1994) and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (2019). Scott is a multiple-time presenter at regional and national student affairs and marketing conferences.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Scott grew up in Sarasota, Florida. In his spare time, Scott is a basketball official at the Junior College and High School level. He also enjoys running, golfing, working out (especially F45 classes), volunteering around Central Florida, family game and movie nights, listening to 80’s music, and enjoying Central Florida with his wife, Jenna, son Austin, daughter, Sophia, and their dog, Trixie. Scott bleeds black and gold and is a passionate fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins, Steelers, and UCF Knights.

Darlene Durham

Contracts & Grants Specialist — Connect on LinkedIn

Darlene Durham joined the Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities in October 2021 where her duties entail coordinating, administering, and identifying sources of future grants. She has performed purchasing, contracting, international student support, and organizational management within municipalities, public transit, and higher education.

Darlene brings with her 21 years of experience in higher education from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. Darlene is a native Texan, grew up in Lubbock, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Lubbock Christian University. Since moving to Orlando, she enjoys spending time traveling and exploring the many sites and experiences The City Beautiful has to offer.