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Dr. C. Edward Meadows, President of Pensacola State College
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) and the Florida College System Council of Presidents (COP) announce their new leadership. The AFC has secured Tony Carvajal to serve as its CEO and executive director, and voted Pensacola State President Dr. C. Edward Meadows as chair of the COP. The COP is also recognizing Pasco-Hernando State College President Dr. Timothy Beard as honorary chair until his retirement.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected to lead the Association of Florida Colleges. Florida leads the nation in higher education,” said Association of Florida Colleges CEO and Executive Director Tony Carvajal. “Our state and community colleges are truly changing the lives of students and the communities that they serve. I look forward to working with our college presidents and education partners to lead this association”
Carvajal has a long history in public policy and organizational leadership. Before joining AFC, he served as an executive vice president at Florida TaxWatch in Tallahassee, Fla. He has also held leadership positions with distinguished organizations including The Able Trust, Florida Chamber Foundation, and Collins Center for Public Policy. Tony has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and communication from Florida State University. He also holds a master’s in public administration from Florida International University.
Meadows is the sixth president for Pensacola State College and was selected following a national search in June 2008. He is a past chair of the COP and has been gracious in accepting to serve in the role again following President Beard’s retirement.
“The Governor, legislature, and State Board of Education have worked together to award the Florida College System with an infusion of much-needed new funding to enable our colleges to begin implementing our plan to Accelerate Florida with the goal of creating new pathways for academic success and career attainment for our students in the great state of Florida,” said Dr. C. Edward Meadows, President of Pensacola State College. “The Council of Presidents look forward to this coming year to continue to work with all stakeholders to further implement Accelerate Florida.”
Beard became president of PHSC in 2015, after serving for years as its vice president. Before arriving at PHSC, Beard worked at institutions including Florida A&M University, Florida State University, and University of Southern Alabama. Under Beard’s leadership, PHSC has expanded greatly, with an operating budget increase of 40 percent. During his presidential term, PHSC opened a state-of-the-art performing arts center at its Wesley Chapel location. Additionally, plans are underway to construct a fire academy and a business school.
“I believe you have to serve if you want to lead, and after serving as the council’s policy and advocacy chair this past year, I am honored to be selected to work with the Association of Florida Colleges’ new executive director and lead my fellow presidents as this year’s honorary chair,” said Dr. Timothy Beard, President of Pasco-Hernando State College. “Each day, I’m proud of the work our 28 institutions do to go above and beyond for our students, communities, and workforce partners. Thanks to our college presidents, state’s elected leaders, and partners at the Florida Department of Education, we will continue to lead the nation in higher education.”
To learn more about the FCS Council of Presidents, visit www.FCSCouncils.org.
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About the Association of Florida Colleges
The Association of Florida Colleges represents all employees, presidents, and trustees associated within the Florida College System. It has become the most inclusive higher education organization serving any college system in the nation. Today, all 28 of the state’s colleges support the work of the Association through institutional dues as do nearly 7,000 regular and retired members through the sharing of their talents, time, and energy.
About the Florida College System Council of Presidents
The Florida College System Council of Presidents is the collective body on issues and matters of concern to Florida’s public college system and will provide information, as it deems appropriate, to the State and Federal Executive and Legislative branches and to the Chancellor of the Florida College System, the Commissioner of Education, the State Board of Education and other public and private entities and individuals as appropriate.
About Pasco Hernando State College
Established in 1967, Pasco-Hernando State College combines high-tech educational facilities and state-of-the-art programs with a focus on teaching for student success. PHSC provides training for more than 30 high demand careers in business, health, industry and technology, and public service. PHSC has 70+ degree programs and campuses in six locations: Brooksville, Dade City, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, and Wesley Chapel.
About Pensacola State College
Pensacola State College is a public, comprehensive community college that was founded as Pensacola Junior College in 1948. As the oldest and largest college in the Panhandle, PSC serves traditional and non-traditional students in Northwest Florida and Southern Alabama.