People

Barbara Cipriano has been selected as the new provost of Palm Beach State College’s Lake Worth campus effective Tuesday, Aug. 16. Cipriano has served as PBSC’s associate dean of Public Safety since 2007 and will continue in her oversight of Public Safety until an interim is appointed.

She is an experienced leader with more than 27 years in education. She has worked in both public and private sector organizations, including the City of Hollywood, Fla., Broward College and Fortunoff in N.Y. Her strong background in economic development incorporates business expertise with academics and campus operations.

Cipriano joined PBSC in 2005 as associate dean of Corporate and Continuing Education. She is actively engaged with community partners and stakeholders to support the success of students by identifying opportunities for collaboration through internships, sponsorships, scholarships and donations. She works to provide the most emergent technologies to create environments that are flexible and responsive to the needs of the workforce.

“Barbara has a positive can-do attitude, a great sense of humor and thrives in a challenging environment,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “She has been an outstanding leader who has shown great commitment to the success and growth of the College, and we congratulate her on her new role.”

Cipriano is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, Leadership Palms West, and the Chair Academy. As a certified program planner, she has been selected to serve on many projects. Barbara is the PBSC liaison working with the School District of Palm Beach County to align pathways, enhance efficiency, and identify opportunities in this partnership.

Cipriano is also involved in community organizations and chambers supporting the College, and has served as the United Way College representative, West Palm Beach Education Advisory committee member, Boca Raton Police Foundation Board of Trustees member, ACE Women’s Network representative, and on the Fire Diversity Committee of Palm Beach County. She has also served as the chair for Leadership Palm Beach County Public Safety Day and was nominated for the Giraffe Award by the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County. The award recognizes women who have “stuck their necks out” for other women in the community. 

Born in Poland and fluent in Polish, Cipriano grew up in New Jersey and is a first-generation college graduate. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Peter’s University, a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration from Barry University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership at Florida Atlantic University. Cipriano also earned a Certificate in Emergency Management from Palm Beach State.