People

Palm Beach State College President Ava L. Parker, J.D., hosted her first business meeting this month as the new chair of the Council of Presidents.

The Council of Presidents includes the leaders of the 28 state and community colleges comprising the Florida College System, which serves more than 800,000 students. Parker was passed the gavel for the top leadership role for the 2018-2019 year after serving one year as chair of the COP’s Policy and Advocacy Committee. For her first meeting held on the Palm Beach Gardens campus Oct. 4-5, she secured time with Gubernatorial candidates Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis for open conversations about priorities relating to the Florida College System, which is seeking more than $220 million in additional funding for the 2019 legislative session.

“It’s such an honor to have this opportunity to serve my colleagues, the Florida College System and our students in this capacity,’’ she said. “Ultimately, we want to continue to raise awareness and ensure that the public and our legislators understand the tremendous role that our system plays in providing paths for anyone who desires to attain a credential in higher education or workforce training.”

As chair, Parker presides over all meetings, serves as spokesperson of the Council of Presidents, appoints members to serve on the Council of Presidents committees and is liaison to the Chancellor of the Florida College System, the Commissioner of Education and State Board of Education.

“It is a tremendous task to lead the Council, and I’m thankful to have the support of my colleagues who elected me to this role.”

Parker became Palm Beach State College’s fifth president and first female at the helm in July 2015.