Amanda Thistle earned her Bachelor of Science with a double major in Communication for Business and Sociology and earned her Master of Science in Integrated Marketing and Management Communication, both from Florida State University.  While at Florida State University she taught Public Speaking and worked for the College of Communication graduate program.  Before joining USF Sarasota-Manatee, she worked at the FSU-Ringling Museum of Art as an Events and Fundraising Coordinator for two years.