People

Tunjarnika Coleman-Ferrell, Ed.D., vice president of academic affairs at Palm Beach State College, has been named the 2022 Woman of the Year by the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.

The award was announced at the Woman of the Year Luncheon, sponsored by Nova Southeastern University and The Markarian Group, on Oct. 28 at the Wyndham Grand Jupiter. It is presented annually to a woman who demonstrates business leadership and a commitment to the Palm Beach North community. Coleman-Ferrell was selected from among 25 nominees, which was narrowed to 10 finalists.

“I am truly humbled as I was always taught that serving the community, mentoring and helping others is expected not exceptional. My late grandmother, who was a housekeeper on Singer Island, taught me to love all people for who they are. In my soul, I am reminded this award is not about me, I am just a vessel,’’ Coleman-Ferrell said.

Palm Beach North Chamber President and CEO Noel Martinez said Coleman-Ferrell truly embodies the qualities of Woman of the Year.  “From her extensive community involvement to her contributions toward the Florida education system, she is incredibly deserving of this great honor.”

In addition to serving on a host of committees at the K-12, college and university levels, Coleman-Ferrell has been actively involved in the community and with the Chamber for years. She was elected to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors Executive Committee, its policy-making body. She also represents PBSC on the Executive Trustee Council for its top tier membership level and served as chair of the Chamber’s Logistics Task Force Committee. Through her Chamber work, she has helped foster collaboration between local businesses and the school district to enhance the workforce and expand career pathway options to ensure a thriving and prosperous community. She led an inaugural initiative in which the College began offering courses for its Business Specialist College Credit Certificate in 2020 at the city’s Public Works Center to enhance access to short-term and educational training for the city’s residents and employees. It resulted in promotions or employment growth opportunities for some of the participants.

Among her other community service, Coleman-Ferrell serves on the boards of the Max M. Fisher Boys and Girls Club and Girl Scouts Southeast Florida. She also is a graduate of the 2021 Palm Beach County Leadership Engage Class.

Coleman-Ferrell, a native of Riviera Beach, has 30 years of academic, student services and administrative experience in higher education. She joined the College in 1998 as a professor of teacher education at the Boca Raton campus and worked her way through the ranks to become department chair, associate dean of STEM and dean of academic affairs. In fall 2018, she was appointed provost and dean of student services at the Palm Beach Gardens campus before being named PBSC’s vice president of academic affairs in 2021. Earlier this year, she was one of 31 leaders selected by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program for the 2022-23 class of the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship.

The Chamber award is the latest of many awards and recognitions she has received.