Education

JEFFERY S. ALLBRITTEN President Florida SouthWestern State College

Jeffery S. Allbritten returned to Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in 2012, becoming the fourth president in the college’s 50-year history. He brought an extensive background that included leading Pines Center at Broward College, Edison State College (now FSW) Collier County campus, and Macon State College in Georgia. During his tenure, Allbritten has guided FSW to full accreditation and through a name change, resurrected a robust sports program, and added international studies programs.

EDUCATION: Middle Tennessee State University (DA) WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I fell in love with higher education. As a student, I found my calling was to become a professor. FIRST JOB: Busboy at a Holiday Inn restaurant SECRET TO SUCCESS: Hire people that are smarter than you and get out of their way. FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I played lead guitar in a rock band. HOBBIES: Travel and music FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Bavarian Alps ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Don’t take yourself so seriously. Relax, and just let it happen. CHRISTOPHER P. ICE President Ave Maria University Christopher P. Ice was named president of Ave Maria University on January 1, 2020. His first year has been one of major challenges with the onset of COVID-19, the move of his family from Kansas to Florida, and the death of his wife of 32 years. Nonetheless, Ice effectively led the only Catholic university in Southwest Florida to open its campus in the fall with its second-highest enrollment in history. Prior to Ave Maria University, Ice was the CEO for Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, following a 28-year career in commercial insurance and higher education. KEVIN CIEPLY President and Dean Ave Maria School of Law

Prior to Ave Maria School of Law, Kevin Cieply was an associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Cieply served for more than 22 years in the U.S. Army and Wyoming Army National Guard, and as a Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) officer, retiring with the rank of colonel. He is admitted to practice in six states, the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

EDUCATION: University of Notre Dame (JD), The Judge Advocate General’s School, U.S. Army (LLM) WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I was never a good student until college. But when the light finally turned on, I couldn’t get enough of it. To me, there is nothing more satisfying than working with a team to help others better their station in life and help them become leaders in our society. LESSON LEARNED: First you make your habits, then your habits make you.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Give nothing less than your very best each and every day.

EDUCATION: Franciscan University of Steubenville (MBA) HOMETOWN: Lawrence, Kansas HIDDEN TALENT: Played college baseball and still hold the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics career batting average record at .480 FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: Traveling in western Kansas, a [passing] truckload of cattle left an unpleasant mess on my windshield in 90-degree weather, and there was no car wash for 30 miles. SECRET TO SUCCESS: Realizing God is in control. Keep moving forward, one step at a time and keep the faith knowing great things will happen. MIKE MARTIN President Florida Gulf Coast University

The fourth president of Florida Gulf Coast University, Mike Martin arrived in 2017 from the Colorado State University System, where he served as chancellor emeritus, senior fellow, and chancellor. Prior, he was chancellor of Louisiana State University; president of New Mexico State University; vice president for agriculture and natural resources at University of Florida; and vice president for agricultural policy at University of Minnesota. He also served 15 years on the Oregon State University faculty.

EDUCATION: University of Minnesota (PhD) NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT: Graduation from college and earning three degrees, which was unique for my family FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I was part of the polio epidemic of 1952 and 1953 when I was 5 years old. My parents were very young, and seeing their concern and love for me in the hospital for four months had a profound impact on my life. ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Have an adventure, and don’t over-plan. BUCKET LIST: Visit Iceland

SUSAN MCMANUS President Champions For Learning

Susan McManus taught elementary school for four years after moving to Naples in 1976. She joined the founding board of directors of The Education Foundation, now Champions For Learning, becoming executive director in 1993. Growing up with familial role models who were teachers and an entrepreneurial father, McManus enjoys working with both educators and business leaders in the community. The nonprofit foundation has invested $3 million in education, impacted 32,000 students, and engaged 900 educators.

EDUCATION: University of South Florida (MEd) HOMETOWN: Brockville, Ontario, Canada MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My sister has cared for many family members who have been ill with the greatest sense of humor and love. She has been a hero to everyone in our family. ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Take advantage of all the opportunities you have to further your education along with work experience that builds foundational skills. FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Keewaydin/Key Island and the beautiful beaches south of Naples BUCKET LIST: Finish my doctorate degree and spend time with my grandchildren KAMELA PATTON Superintendent Collier County Public Schools Kamela Patton is guiding Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) through the COVID-19 pandemic. When Florida school campuses closed in March 2020, CCPS was one of the first counties in the state to teach with a virtual learning model and later reopened campuses with multiple instructional options. These circumstances accelerated implementation of Collier Connect, providing every student in prekindergarten through 12th grade with a district-issued laptop or iPad. Under her direction, CCPS has improved its district ranking to tie for fifth in the state, while improving the graduation rate to 91.9 percent—up 19.4 percentage points since 2011. JOHN MEYER President Hodges University

While in his 30s, John Meyer was an automotive technician when he returned to college and began teaching automotive technology. He was bitten by the education bug and went on to earn his doctorate before turning 50. With more than 20 years of public and private education experience, Meyer was named president of Hodges in 2017. He has introduced new workforce-credentialed programs, launched a

EDUCATION: Hodges University (MBA), Argosy University (DBA) HOMETOWN: The Jersey Shore FIRST JOB: Janitor, age 15 SECRET TO SUCCESS: I have always felt that I’m successful when I figure something out that I hadn’t ever had to before. In short, always believe nothing is out of reach or can’t be done. FAVORITE BOOKS: John Sandford’s Prey series, James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux series ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Don’t plan for a specific day, such as graduation day, as if it were an end point. Treat it as a starting point and plan for every day after that. FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Barefoot Beach FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Fernandez the Bull

rebranding program, and spearheaded the new health sciences building.

EDUCATION: University of Miami (PhD) NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In addition to overall academic accomplishments, providing equity opportunities, such as engineering/entrepreneurship in all middle and high schools, as well as Cambridge programs in all schools TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: In the spring of 2020, when schools across Florida closed, CCPS quickly pivoted to online learning and made sure all families had at least one device and internet access in order to minimize learning gaps. In September 2017, CCPS opened 28 shelters in 29 hours for Hurricane Irma and ultimately sheltered 17,000 community members despite originally having supplies and training for 10 shelters. NOEMI Y. PEREZ President and CEO The Immokalee Foundation

Immokalee native Noemi Y. Perez began working for The Immokalee Foundation in 2008 after earning her bachelor’s degree. She was promoted to executive director in 2018, and CEO in 2019. Perez is a member of the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce, Immokalee Technical College Advisory Board, and Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce Leadership Collier Foundation Alumni Association. Perez was selected for a Harvard Club of Naples scholarship to study leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.

EDUCATION: Hodges University FIRST JOB: Working at a produce stand at the Immokalee Farmer’s Market HOBBIES: Reading and cycling on my Peloton bike ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: It’s OK to make mistakes. Learn from them; they will help define who you are in the future. FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Beach FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: California Pizza Kitchen BUCKET LIST: Travel to Tuscany, Italy