Timothy Beard has been selected to become Pasco-Hernando State College’s fourth president.
The PHSC District Board of Trustees announced its choice at the conclusion of its presidential search, on March 18.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)
Beard, vice president of student development and enrollment management at PHSC in New Port Richey, was among a field of four finalists. The other finalists worked at Klamath Community College in Klamath Falls, Oregon; West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Parkersburg, West Virginia; and, St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg.
They decided to promote Beard to replace Katherine Johnson, who is retiring on June 30.
Beard’s appointment becomes effective July 1, pending the successful outcome of contract negotiations.
“We are pleased to extend an offer for the presidential position to Dr. Beard,” Ed Blommel, PHSC District Board of Trustees and presidential search committee chair, said in a release. “As a senior administrator at PHSC for the past eight years, he is already familiar with the college and has an understanding of its strategic goals and mission.”
Beard is delighted to be stepping into the college’s leadership role.
“This is a surreal opportunity,” said Beard, who has worked for the college since 2007 and expects to build on the good work that has been accomplished there.
Before joining PHSC, Beard was vice president and dean of student affairs at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, and director of student affairs and enrollment management at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
He earned his doctoral degree in rehabilitation counseling, with a special emphasis in higher education administration, from Florida State University in Tallahassee. He also has a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from FSU.
Pasco-Hernando State College has more than 15,000 students and about 700 employees, including adjunct faculty.
Pasco-Hernando State College awards certificates, diplomas, associate degrees and baccalaureate degrees.
The college has campuses in Dade City, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Spring Hill and Brooksville.
Beard said he plans to pursue an initiative that would enlist the help of faith communities and other organizations to help support students, through scholarships and in other ways.
He is looking forward to strengthening the ties between PHSC and the communities it serves.
“I really want to bring the community into the college and the college into the community,” Beard said.
Published March 25, 2015
