Northwest Florida State College’s loss is Florida Polytechnic University’s gain.
G. Devin Stephenson, 71, NWFSC’s president, was chosen as Florida Poly’s new president, its board of trustees announced late Monday afternoon. His appointment and final contract require approval by the board of governors, which oversees Florida’s 12 public universities.
“I’m proud to announce the successful culmination of our presidential search. Through diligent effort and collaborative engagement, we have identified Dr. G. Devin Stephenson as the candidate who best embodies Florida Poly’s vision and values,” board Chairman Cliff Otto said in a press release. “His exceptional qualifications, unwavering dedication to education, and visionary leadership make him the perfect fit for our institution. I’m confident that under Stephenson’s guidance, Florida Poly will continue to thrive, empowering students in STEM disciplines and shaping a promising future for generations to come.”
Stephenson was one of five finalists selected by the university’s Presidential Search Committee. They visited campus recently for interviews with the Board of Trustees and forums with students and employees.
In an email to LkldNow, Stephenson wrote that he is honored and thanked the search committee and Board of Trustees for an extensive and thorough review and selection process.
“I am excited about the potential to lead such a dynamic institution and I am committed to continuing Florida Poly’s great tradition of excellence,” Stephenson wrote. “I want to extend my gratitude to the entire university community and all stakeholders for their active engagement and support throughout the search. I look forward to building relationships, advancing the mission, and strengthening the institution in every aspect.”
According to The Ledger, five of 13 board members had a preference for the second top pick, H. Keith Moo-Young, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. The final vote for Stephenson was 7-6.
Fundraising expertise, but no STEM background
Stephenson holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama. He has extensive experience in community college executive administration, including:
- President of Northwest Florida State College from 2017 to present.
- President of Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, from 2015-2016.
- President of Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, from 2009-2014.
- Vice President of external affairs at Bevill State Community College in Sumiton, Alabama, from 1992-2002 and 2006-2008.
- Dean of students at Walker State Technical College, also in Sumiton, from 1976-1992.
But The Ledger reported that some were concerned that Stephenson has no science, technology, engineering or mathematics background, worrisome to some because Florida Poly is the only STEM university in the state system.
According to a story in the Northwest Florida Daily News, Stephenson’s inspiration to work as a college administrator stemmed from his work in the financial aid office, saying he “loved making a difference in the lives of college students. I’ve never lost that passion. We do it one student and one opportunity at a time.”
He added that his parents “instilled in my sister and I a really strong set of values, including being honest, being people of integrity, respecting people from all walks of life and having a strong work ethic.”
During Stephenson’s tenure at Northwest Florida State College, the Foundation’s assets increased to more than $63 million, grant acquisitions surpassed $66 million, and enhanced legislative appropriations exceeded $40 million.
Stephenson served on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Board of Trustees, chaired the SACSCOC Compliance and Reports Committee, and currently serves as a visiting committee chair. He currently serves as Florida’s representative on the Southern Regional Education Board’s Executive Council, having been appointed in 2022.
Florida Poly officials said Stephenson is a noted speaker on leadership, organizational change, and professional and personal development. In 2022, he was awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. In 2023, The University of Alabama College of Education honored him with their Harold Bishop Alumni Leadership Award.
Next steps
The next phase of the process is the salary and benefits negotiation between the university and Stephenson. His appointment and final contract require approval by the board of governors, which oversees Florida’s 12 public universities. Both the selection and the contract will be presented to the state board for consideration during its May 8 or June 27 meeting.
If approved, Stephenson will become the second Florida Poly president. Randy Avent, 65, led the university since its founding. He announced in July that he was stepping down at the end of the 2023-24 academic year, saying he planned to take a “brief sabbatical” and then return as a faculty member.
Florida Poly announced last month that Avent had been selected as a 2024-2025 recipient of a Fulbright-Schuman Innovation Award, with plans to do research in Spain at the University of Barcelona. He plans to study the role of academic research in driving economic development.
According to an accountability report, in October 2022, Florida Poly had 1,531 undergraduate students and graduate 62 students — just under 1,600 total, up from 1,236 in 2017.
Last year, applications increased 31% over 2021 and 101% over 2019.
Between July 2021 and June 2022, FPU awarded 252 bachelor or master’s degrees. The accountability report shows that out of a cohort of 459 students in 2016, 142 graduated within four years, with another 75 completing the program in five or six years.
The university’s academic offerings have expanded over the past decade from six undergraduate degree programs to 10, and from two graduate degree programs to four. It was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in 2017 and four of its degree programs earned ABET accreditation in 2019.
Florida Poly employs 74 full-time professors and 19 part-time instructors.
Its 2024-25 funding includes:
- $5.7 million for the preliminary design stage of the new Student Achievement Center.
- $3 million increase to the university’s operating budget.
- $3 million allocated for STEM program enhancements.
A timeline of Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Poly has experienced both controversy and success since it opened its doors.
1988 — Originally developed as a branch campus of the University of South Florida.
2009 — Renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava was tapped to design the campus’ first building, the Innovation, Science and Technology building. The roof expands and contracts to shield those inside from direct sunlight. See a video here.
2011 — Former Florida Senator J.D. Alexander moved to make Florida Poly an independent university.
2012 — The Florida Board of Governors approved a measure to gradually grant its independence, but Alexander introduced a new budget for the state universities in 2012 that included immediate independence from USF, which passed the state legislature. It became the state’s only science, technology, engineering and mathematics university.
2015 — Florida Poly bought Avent a $975,000 home in the Grasslands neighborhood — the benefit of a home is afforded to all Florida university presidents.
2016 — Florida Poly missed its original accreditation deadline. The same year it built new dorms and a larger cafeteria and the university’s board approved three buildings at a cost of $66 million.
2017 — In January, the university graduated its first class of 18 students. An autonomous cars course was offered that same month. In June, the university received its accreditation, allowing the school to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
2018 — In June, auditors said Florida Poly kept poor records on spending of $2 million in state funds to work with a contractor on the design of a statewide anti-hazing course for college freshmen, which was ultimately taken by only 184 students.
That same month, the university laid off its only mental health counselor. In July, a student committed suicide.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, by the end of the spring 2018 semester, the university had laid off a string of employees, citing organizational changes. But faculty union members insisted “the cuts largely target employees who’ve spoken up about ethical issues and other problems.” In September, faculty union members held a rally to voice their concerns about various issues on campus.
The cities of Lakeland and Auburndale agreed to partner that year to create a research hub near the university, a place where graduates and newcomers could obtain high-paying jobs.
2019 — Florida Turnpike Enterprise’s $42 million SunTrax autonomous vehicle testing site was announced, to be built across the Polk Parkway from Florida Poly.
2019 — The university formalized an agreement with Australian-American Fulbright Commission to host graduate students and faculty from Australia. It already had partnerships with Canada, Belgium and Luxembourg, and had hosted Fulbright scholars from Germany. That same year, the university announced construction of a Research Center.
2020 — The university fought off a legislative effort to fold it into the University of Florida. It also grappled with $3 million in budget cuts during the COVID pandemic.
2022 — In August, the university opened its second building — the $47 million Applied Research Center. In October, Florida Poly partnered with International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., a Fortune 500 company specializing in taste and smell research, to open a Citrus Innovation Center.
2023 — In June, Randy Avent announced his departure as president. In September, Florida Poly was ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News & World Report for the second consecutive year. In October, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed four new politically conservative trustees to Florida Poly’s board.
In December, the Lakeland City Commission approved a massive solar farm on 1,400 acres south of campus. That same month, Lakeland and Auburndale clashed after Auburndale approved warehouse near Florida Poly.
latest news
Loading...
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.