Stephenson named president of Northwest Florida State College

Dr. Devin Stephenson was named president of Northwest Florida State College on Saturday, November 5.

Stephenson has served as president of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) since June 2015. He will assume the role of president of Northwest Florida State College in January 2017.

This was one of the most difficult decisions we have ever made, said Stephenson. Eastern Kentucky has embraced our family, and we have made life-long friends and memories here.

Stephenson, a Sumiton, Alabama native, said he did not seek another position but that the success of BSCTC and its role in regional transformation made him a vetted candidate for vacancies across the nation.

The position at Northwest Florida was intriguing, and after thoughtful consideration and prayer, I decided to apply, he continued. Once we started developing initiatives and advancing the college, I began to receive calls from search firms almost weekly. Any opportunity had to be very attractive for us to decide to leave Big Sandy and the wonderful people in eastern Kentucky.

One of the deciding factors for Stephenson and his wife, Judy, were to be closer to their family in Alabama. The Stephensons have two adult children, Jon and JuliAnne.

During Stephensons time at BSCTC, he has led an effort of regional transformation. Through his efforts, the college was awarded $3.2 million through an Economic Development Agency grant for the construction of Kentuckys first Advanced Technology Center. The project also received $500,000 apiece from a Community Development Block Grant and the Appalachian Regional Commission. The college brought on new programs in Electronics Technology. Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Health Science Technology, Broadband Technology, and new certificate programs in Fiber Optics and Dental Assisting.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College is much bigger than me or any one employee, said Stephenson. It is about a group of dedicated individuals committed to impacting our region one student, one opportunity at a time. I have no doubt that this college will continue to excel and remain one of the premiere community and technical colleges in the country.