March 29, 2024

Higher Ed

Eyes on the prize: New leaders at Florida universities

Across Florida, five public universities and a handful of state colleges — along with a number of private schools — installed new presidents over the past year or two.

| 5/27/2015
Florida A&M University

Last year, Elmira Mangum became the 11th president of Florida A&M University. A longtime college administrator, Mangum previously was vice president for planning and budget at Cornell University. She has a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University, two master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from the University of Buffalo. Former FAMU President James Ammons left in mid-2012 amid controversy over the hazing death of a member of the school’s famed marching band and administrative problems.

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Cynthia Bioteau says she has worked to rebuild community trust after becoming the fifth president of Florida State College at Jacksonville last year. She replaced Steven Wallace, whose contract was terminated after a series of controversies involving spending, operational problems and Wallace’s use of compensatory time. Bioteau previously was president of Salt Lake Community College in Utah.

Daytona State College

In January, Thomas LoBasso was named interim president at Daytona State College. LoBasso had been the college’s COO and provost. The previous president, Carol Eaton, stepped down after her contract was not renewed in November.

Gulf Coast State College

John Holdnak became president at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City last year. Holdnak, who replaced retiring Jim Kerley, previously was executive vice chancellor of the Florida College System. Holdnak had worked at the college from 1982-2008 until leaving to go to Tallahassee.

Pasco-Hernando State College

In July, Timothy Beard will become the fourth president at Pasco-Hernando State College, replacing Katherine Johnson, who’s retiring. Beard has been vice president of student development and enrollment management since 2007.

Palm Beach State College

In April, Ava Parker was named the fifth president at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth. She plans to start in July and will succeed Dennis Gallon, who is retiring after 18 years as president. Parker will join the college from Florida Polytechnic University, where she led the development of the state’s 12th public university as COO.

Chipola College

Last year, Jason Hurst took the helm at Chipola College in Marianna, replacing Gene Prough, who retired. Hurst had been the college’s executive vice president for the two preceding years and had worked at Pensacola State College and schools in Alabama, including a stint as a machine tool instructor, before coming to Florida.\

Tags: Education, Higher Education

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