Board of Directors, Community of Hillsborough Animal and Agricultural Response Team (CHAART) – current member of the CHAART Board of Directors.

Public Relations Officer, Toastmasters – former Public Relations officer of STAR Toastmasters, Largo, FL and achieved the Competent Toastmaster award (CTM).

President, Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority – former President, Treasurer and Fundraising Chair of the Delta Phi Epsilon Beta Upsilon Chapter.

Lara Westphal is Director, Creative Services & Instructional Innovation for the Office of Educational Affairs at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. She utilizes her skills as an Instructional Designer, Creative Designer and Multimedia Programmer to support USF COM courses and select department publications, including the Office of Educational Affairs web site.

Lara has over 15 years experience in distance education and training. Past projects include directing distance learning videos at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), designing/programming web-based training courses produced for the Navy and U.S. Special Forces, as well as being part of the team that created the first FAA approved airport security certification computer-based training course. She received a B.S. in Film/Video from RIT in 1995 and is currently pursuing an MSPH in Public Health Education here at USF. Her primary research interests are infectious disease prevention, bioterrorism preparedness and disaster preparedness.

Lara is excited to have the opportunity to use her skills and experience to contribute to the growth and success of the COM Office of Educational Affairs and COM educational programs.