Palm Beach State College new Leader Promises “Great Things Together”
By CRA News Service
The Palm Beach State College Board of Trustees has unanimously chosen Ava L. Parker, a former Jacksonville lawyer and chairwoman of the state university system, to become the next president of the college.
Parker, who is executive vice president and chief operating officer at Florida Polytechnic University, will succeed Dennis Gallon, who is retiring June 30 after 19 years the college’s fourth president.
“The quality of the programs and the commitment of the academic and administrative teams are apparent in the success of this institution,” said Parker, who will become the college’s first female president. “The College is poised for innovative strategies that support economic development, it is located in a growing, diverse region, and it is expanding its footprint. We will do great things together.”
A third-generation Floridian, Parker earned a journalism degree and a law degree from the University of Florida. She practiced law with the Jacksonville-based law firm Lawrence & Parker and one of her clients was Edward Waters College. In 2010, Parker became the chairwoman of the state university system. Two years later, joined the newly founded Florida Polytechnic University and currently serves as the university’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, the university’s first executive. She reported directly to the board and carried out most of the president-type responsibilities until Randy Avent became the first president.
“Through her vision and leadership, Ms. Parker has left an indelible mark on Florida Polytechnic University,” Avent said in an email to the Lakeland Ledger. “I have no doubt that Ms. Parker will continue her legacy of excellence in higher education as president of Palm Beach State College. As a friend and colleague, I wish her the very best in this new endeavor.”
Established April 20, 2012, Florida Poly is the state’s only public university for engineering and technology dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It was created to be both a rigorous academic institution and a powerful resource for high-tech industries, according to the university’s website.
Parker said her experience at the three-year-old Lakeland university and many others prepared her for the transition to a college president. Parker said she was attracted to applying to Palm Beach because the college has “a rich history of success” and “a great diversity within the community.”
Becoming the first female president “feels historic,” Parker said.
“I feel like I have a great opportunity to mentor women who are interested in leadership,” she told the newspaper. “Women have been so involved in higher education that I’m surprised that I’m serving as the first female, but I’m excited.”
Carolyn L. Williams, trustee and co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee, said interest in the position was intense, with 161 applications received from throughout the United States and abroad. The 15-member committee narrowed the pool to four finalists, including Parker.
“From the earliest stages of the search, we recognized that there would be many outstanding candidates,” Williams said. “Our goal was to identify that individual whose experience and qualifications most closely met the needs of the College and the communities it serves. We believe that Dr. Parker’s background, skills and passion for student success make her uniquely qualified to lead the College, and we are looking forward to working with her.”
Contract negotiations have begun, and Parker is expected to start on July 1.
Parker promises to do a lot of listening in her first few months on the job. She wants to learn how officials would like to expand the college. Parker will immediately have her hands full as she will be asked to lead the college’s construction of a fifth campus in Loxahatchee Groves.
