User:NormStephens

Norman L. Stephens, Jr., Ed.D., President Emeritus, South Florida State College

An Illinois native now residing in the State of Washington, but a long-time Florida resident, Dr. Norm Stephens was appointed as the third president of South Florida State College and assumed this position in September of 2002. He retired in July of 2013 and was honored as President Emeritus of the college. In his 45 years in higher education, he held positions in community and state colleges in Florida, Illinois, and Michigan. He began his career at St. Petersburg College as a faculty member teaching chemistry and other science and mathematics courses. During his years at that college, he also held various administrative positions including director of educational planning and research, dean of college systems, and acting vice president, educational and student services. After leaving St. Petersburg College, Dr. Stephens served as the first provost of the then newly established Brandon Campus of Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida. He then returned to Illinois where he became president of Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield serving that college for ten years. Before coming back to Florida and SFCC, Dr. Stephens also served as president of the Auburn Hills Campus of Oakland Community College in Michigan.

After graduating from Fort Lauderdale High School, Dr. Stephens pursued his higher education at the University of Florida where he earned bachelor of science and masters degrees and was awarded a doctoral fellowship to pursue his doctorate in interdisciplinary science education in a program intended to prepare people to teach in community colleges, He earned his Doctor of Education degree in June of 1971.

Dr. Stephens is married to Laurie Stephens, a retired elementary school teacher, and has one grandson, and four grown children all of whom attended community colleges and universities completing baccalaureate and additional professional and graduate degrees. Dr. Stephens has been actively involved in the communities where he's lived serving in leadership roles in many service organizations.