Dr. Stan Giannet, the founding provost at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, has been promoted to a vice president’s post at the college.
Giannet wrapped up his last day at the Porter Campus on Jan. 15. He assumed his new role, based at the college’s West Campus in New Port Richey, on Jan. 19.
(File Photo)
The new vice president is eager to embrace the challenges of his new role, but said he will miss the staff, students and community at the campus he has led since its beginning.
Previously the provost at the college’s North Campus in Brooksville, he took over the leadership role at the Porter Campus in July of 2013.
Giannet selected the campus’ inaugural staff, and directed the school’s opening and subsequent growth.
“For this term, our full-time enrollment, we are up 4.5 percent,” he said.
“We continue to have strong programs. We continue to have classes from 8 o’clock in the morning until 9:40 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and a vigorous selection of classes on Fridays, from 8 (a.m.) to 4:30 (p.m.),” he said. “Almost all of those classes are full.”
Giannet has been named the college’s new vice president of academic affairs and faculty development/college provost.
“This will give me an opportunity to work closely with the president and the faculty to strengthen our existing programs and academic activities,” he said.
The role involves strengthening communication and collaboration among the departments, and developing the faculty, he said.
Previously, the provosts reported to the president, but now they will report to Giannet. Academic deans also will report to Giannet.
The new structure will foster opportunities for closer collaboration, Giannet said.
He said he will be striving for consistency across the college’s campuses.
He also wants to be sure the college is listening to students, supporting the faculty and serving the community.
“There’s going to be a heavy focus on community initiatives,” said Giannet, who was deeply involved in that type of work at the Porter Campus.
“What makes this a truly extraordinary place of learning and work is the family, the people we have here,” Giannet said.
He said he knows the campus is positioned well to continue to thrive.
“I’m leaving behind a solid foundation of people, who do outstanding work,” Giannet said.
He also expects continued partnerships, as the community grows.
The campus gave Giannet a send-off, which he characterized as “deeply touching, deeply moving.”
Dr. Bonnie Clark, who has been named vice president of distance learning and provost of Porter Campus, is Giannet’s successor.
Published January 20, 2016
