AVA PARKER

PRESIDENT, PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE, LAKE WORTH

With 40,000 students and 160 programs of study, PBSC is the largest institution of higher education in Palm Beach County and is a major contributor to the county’s economic growth. It was established in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college. Since Parker became its first female president in 2015, the college has opened a fifth campus, improved student success rates, increased enrollment and is expanding facilities for health and technology programs.

EDUCATION:
University of Florida (BA, JD)

FIRST JOB: My first job out of law school was as an assistant public defender in the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I would like to lead a foundation at an advanced technology company like Microsoft, Google or Amazon.

NONPROFIT PASSION: I’ve been involved with RISE Coleman Park for five years as I am passionate about its commitment to ending intergenerational poverty. It supports the revitalization of the historic Coleman Park neighborhood in West Palm Beach. Through a gift from Stephen Ross, chairman and founder of Related Cos., PBSC created the Stephen M. Ross Emerging Scholars program, which provides scholarships and early college admissions for students from Coleman Park and surrounding neighborhoods.

INDUSTRY TREND: Within the Florida College system, we are seeing a strong emphasis on applied science and careers and technical education.