People

Dr. Tunjarnika Coleman-Ferrell, dean of academic affairs at Palm Beach State College in Boca Raton, will officially step into her new role as president of the Association of Florida Colleges Jan. 1.

Coleman-Ferrell took the oath of office during AFC’s Annual Meeting and Conference Nov. 1-3 in Palm Harbor, Fla. She is only the fourth College employee to lead the more than 7,000-member organization since its establishment in 1949.

During her inauguration speech, Coleman-Ferrell unveiled her presidency year theme, “Navigating the Future: Mission Possible,” and she said her goals are to increase AFC awareness, launch an advocacy campaign, increase membership by 10 percent, and increase the number of high quality professional development opportunities for members.

She noted budget cuts and other challenges facing the Florida College System. She said the Florida College System and other entities within the system, including the Council of Presidents, Council for Instructional Affairs and the Council for Student Affairs, must work together to overcome those challenges and continue to strengthen the system that serves 800,000 students.

“United we are strong. Despite our obstacles, if we band together, I know and believe that navigating the future is indeed mission possible. Power up, and let’s make it happen,’’ she said.

Coleman-Ferrell has over 18 years of instructional and administrative experience in higher education, including professor, department chair and associate dean in education. She has been a member of AFC since 1998 and has served in various roles such as PBSC AFC chapter president and chair of the Administration Commission. She served as vice president—elect for commissions this year, but she stepped down from that role on the executive board to pursue an unexpired term as president-elect.

She is one of two PBSC employees who will serve on the executive committee for 2018. Ray Coulter, the outgoing chair of the AFC Facilities Commission, will serve as vice president- elect for regions and chapters, which means he will automatically move into that role in 2019.

In addition to Coleman-Ferrell, other employees who have served as AFC president include Jeff Peters (2005), a former counselor, and PBSC Presidents, the late John I. Leonard (1952) and the late Harold Manor (1959).

The Association of Florida Colleges, Inc. is the professional association of Florida’s 28 public member institutions of the Florida College System, their boards, employees, retirees and associates, and the employees of the Division of Florida Colleges. The mission of the Association is to actively promote, represent, and support members and institutions as they provide their students and the citizens of Florida with a world-class college system.