DEVIN STEPHENSON

PRESIDENT, FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, LAKELAND

Stephenson was selected as Florida Poly’s second president earlier this year after leading Northwest Florida State College for eight years. During his tenure at NFSC, he led legislative initiatives resulting in $66 million of state appropriations over the last four years for construction, renovation and general operations, and led the college to seven consecutive semesters of increased enrollment. Before joining NFSC, he served in various community college executive administration roles in Alabama, Missouri and Kentucky for more than 15 years.

EDUCATION: Walker Junior College (AS), Birmingham-Southern College (BA), University of Alabama (MA, Ed.D.)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: In the same manner as Gov. DeSantis, I would prioritize higher education, aiming to make Florida the leading state in workforce development, catering to high-demand and high-wage jobs, thereby reinforcing Florida’s economic strength, innovation and intellectual prowess. Further, I would challenge all academic leaders to streamline their educational process, making it less complicated for students to enroll and complete their program.

INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: Sen. Doug Broxson is a source of inspiration due to his principled approach to leadership, reflecting values akin to the Rotary Club’s emphasis on fairness and consideration. Known for what I like to call his 'geometric viewpoint,' he evaluates every aspect of an issue before deciding, ensuring his actions benefit all involved. His wisdom, moral integrity, timely judgment and deliberate decision-making inspire others to act rightly.