(Photo courtesy of Alexander Cartwright)

1 Alexander Cartwright

President, University of Central Florida

Alexander Cartwright, president of the University of Central Florida, is a living example of the role education can play in a person’s success. He came to his UCF in April 2020 from his post as president of the University of Missouri-Columbia. More importantly, Cartwright was the first in his family to receive a college education. He is passionate about paving the way to success for those who are willing to get down to business. “Universities continue to find new ways to expand our ability to serve our communities beyond education to foster economic prosperity through innovation, partnerships and discoveries that impact society. As an educator, Cartwright finds no significant reason to fight for more than education for all. “It can have a generational effect. By providing every student with opportunities to learn and grow, our focus is on removing barriers and increasing achievement so that more individuals can reach their potential. We can help you get the most out of it,” he says. Downtime is rare in an educator position. But when Cartwright finds the odd free moment, he prefers to spend it with his family, which includes his wife Melinda and his dog Artemis.

(Roberto Gonzales)

2 Teresa Jacobs

Orange County Public School Superintendent

Teresa Jacobs began serving her community long before she ran for public office. She was a member of transportation boards such as the Greater She Orlando Air Authority and the Metroplan She Orlando. Her active involvement in her PTA of her four children and on the school’s advisory board has brought the importance of her education into focus. As such, Jacobs, who served her two terms as mayor of Orange County, was appointed chairman of the Orange County Board of Education in 2018.

She believes that the most important thing children need today to be successful is to think adaptively and critically. Because it’s changing, students will need these skills to stay relevant in the workplace and find opportunities in all the changes,” says Jacobs.

Critical to that, she says, is adequate funding for public schools. “Public schools need sufficient funding to guarantee wages that motivate people to enter and stay in teaching. I need sufficient funds to pay foodservice providers to transport them to and from school and prepare healthy meals for the thousands of children who can only eat healthy meals at school. continues to advocate for additional funding from the state.”

(Roberto Gonzales)

3 Dr. Kathleen Prinsky

President of the University of Valencia

Dr. Kathleen Prinsky adopted the phrase “never stop learning” and built an entire career on it. After attending the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and receiving a full-ride scholarship to attend Indiana University, Dr. Plinske realized the gift he had been given and used his talents to give others the same opportunity. I wanted to advocate giving. In her native McHenry County, Illinois, where she started her career at her college, she advocated that her education was for everyone. Dr. Prinske, who has been appointed Rector of her College of Valencia in July 2021, is surrounded by bright minds learning to shape the future. Her career advice is to be conscious of maintaining her humility. She does not have a monopoly on wisdom. Let her practice being a good listener. And never stop learning. These are wise words to follow.

(Photo courtesy of Dr. Georgia Lorenz)

4 Dr. Georgia Lorenz

President, Seminole State University, Florida

Georgia Lorenz, the third president to lead Seminole State University for more than 50 years, is a firm believer in the successful combination of academics and talent development in higher education. Lorenz is committed to expanding the programs students need to find employment in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity. Working closely with Seminole County Public Schools was a priority for Lorenz. “It is so that every student can find a path to success.” . The college has been named one of her 25 semi-finalists for her 2023 Aspen Community College Excellence Award of $1 Million. Lorenz said the school has a mission to work with students who have underserved communities and jobs. “If most students have to work at least part-time while attending college, Seminole State will work on organizational changes to create the best conditions for those students to succeed.”

(Photo courtesy of GARRY JONES)

5 Garry Jones

President of Full Sail University

In 1978, Gary Jones packed a 1974 Pinto wagon and drove 330 miles from Virginia to Ohio. Jones signed up for a month-long workshop at the recording studio on engineering, and along the way accepted an offer from owner John Phelps to become an assistant sound engineer. Gig paid $9,000 a year.

It was literally a great move.

Phelps, who became one of Jones’ closest friends, eventually set up Full Sail Productions in Orlando in 1979, accompanied by his associates. Renamed Full Sail University, this for-profit private school moved to its current campus in Winter Park in 1989. and emerging technology.

Jones, 69, has been Principal of Full Sail since 1999. “From the beginning, we told our students that if you take your dreams seriously, we take your dreams seriously. I think.”

(Roberto Gonzales)

6 Dr. Deborah German

Vice President, UCF Health Affairs, Founding Dean, UCF College of Medicine

Dr. Deborah German is a physician, educator, and administrator. She works with students, faculty, and the community to build a medical school and advance her UCF mission at Lake Nona. Dr. German went back to the beginning of her career to present a wonderful gift to her 41 students in the first class of her School of Medicine at UCF. “I was given a scholarship like that, so it was a way of giving my students what I was given,” she says.Dr. I say it is possible. “I consider everyone I meet to be my teacher,” she says.

(Photo courtesy of Wendy Brandon)

7 Wendy Brandon

CEO, UCF Lake Nona Medical Center

When HCA Florida Healthcare broke ground on UCF Lake Nona Medical Center in 2018, company officials could not have predicted that a new teaching hospital would open in the midst of a pandemic. But in March 2021, with Wendy Brandon at the helm, it happened. The executive brings over 20 years of work experience, including his 10 years as CEO of his 221-bed HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, and vision for innovative healthcare. “Even after going through her year-long challenges brought on by the global pandemic, we have been very fortunate to have inspired over 300 professionals to join our team,” she said. say. “Our hospital was selected as HCA Healthcare’s first Innovation Hub, where we are building the future of healthcare by integrating clinically-driven technology into care to produce better outcomes and efficiency. “I can’t thank my parents, Ann and Jerry, for their faith.” It has given me the confidence to share, sacrifice for my education and go out into the world to pursue my dreams.”

(Photo credit: Dr. Cornwell)

8 Dr. Grant Cornwell

President of Rollins College

Gorgeous architecture, home to world-class orchestras and choirs, and the only museum in the area to display Old Master paintings. I am, of course, talking about Rollins College in Winter Park, which is presided over by Dr. Grant Cornwell. Within the walls of Rollins’ Spanish-Mediterranean Revival, we find an interdisciplinary approach to education that emphasizes experience. Rollins’ 15th president oversees a faculty that prioritizes critical thinking. Cornwell, who holds a doctorate in philosophy, said: “But the role of higher education is even deeper. Since our Founding Fathers, we have built our nation on the insight that democracy only works with informed and educated citizens.” he says. Cornwell, who has led Rollins since 2015, is an avid sailor and New York St. He studied arts as a double-major undergraduate at Lawrence University. He seemed a perfect fit for Rollins, whose mascot is the sailor Taa. (Yes, I searched on Google.)

Home | Val Demings | Politics & Government | Business | Entertainment, Sports & Arts | Philanthropy & Community Voices | education | | Ones to Watch