Finalists and Semifinalists

July 21, 2020

Video recordings for virtual open forums are now available:

Dr. Christina Hart: Wednesday, July 15

Dr. Timothy Moore: Thursday, July 16

Dr. Towuanna "Porter" Brannon: Monday, July 20

Dr. Ian Neuhard: Tuesday, July 21

July 14, 2020; updated July 16, 2020

At today’s special meeting of the Indian River State College (IRSC) District Board of Trustees, board members voted to expand the pool of final candidates for the IRSC presidency to include Dr. Towuanna “Porter” Brannon and Dr. Ian Neuhard. The decision brings the finalist pool to four. Virtual open forums and interviews with the finalists begin tomorrow and continue into next week:

Wednesday, July 15: Dr. Christina Hart, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., via Zoom
Thursday, July 16: Dr. Timothy Moore, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., via Zoom
Monday, July 20: Dr. Towuanna “Porter” Brannon, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., via Zoom
Tuesday, July 21: Dr. Ian Neuhard, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., via Zoom

The decision was reached after thorough deliberation about the search process spurred by yesterday’s withdrawal by Mr. Frank Brogan. Brannon and Neuhard were among the eight semi-finalist candidates interviewed by the Presidential Search Committee.

More about the candidates (listed in alphabetical order):

Dr. Towuanna “Porter” Brannon, Vice President for Student Services at Mitchell Community College

Brannon joined Mitchell Community College in Statesville, North Carolina, in 2016. Prior to that she spent nearly two decades serving higher education institutions in the New York City area, chiefly in student-focused administrative roles, and most recently as Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, at LaGuardia Community College (CUNY) in Queens.

Brannon earned a Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership, Administration and Policy from Fordham University. She has a M.S in Education and a B.S. in Human Services from St. John’s University. She is a Community College Presidential Fellow with the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence.

Dr. Christina Hart, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services at Indian River State College (IRSC)

Hart, an IRSC alumna, started her career in higher education at Brevard Community College before joining IRSC in 1981 as Men’s and Women’s Springboard Diving Coach, Student Activities Coordinator, and Associate Professor. In 2000, she moved into college administration as Director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, becoming Associate Dean/Associate Vice President of the department in 2003 and Vice President in 2009. Hart led that office until 2016, when she was named Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services, the position she holds today.

Hart has a Doctor of Education/Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Florida Atlantic University, where she also earned a Master of Education in Counselor Education. She earned a B.S. in Social Work from Florida State University. Hart earned her Associate in Arts Degree at Indian River Community College.

Dr. Timothy Moore, Chief Science Officer at MagPlasma and Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Probaxstra Inc.

Moore has a 35-year career in higher education, federal, commercial, military and start-up sectors. His roles in higher education include service as Vice President for Research at Florida A&M University; Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Research Program Development/Assistant Professor at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, Alabama; Director of Federal Research Program Development at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Director of Federal Research Program Development at the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center at Kansas State University.

Moore has a Ph.D. in Kinesiology-Exercise Physiology from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama; a M.L.S. in Biology/Microbiology from NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina; and a B.S. in Biology from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Mr. Ian Neuhard, Associate Provost of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Florida State College in Jacksonville (FSCJ)

Neuhard has been with FSCJ since 2014, holding roles that included Campus President of South Campus, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Campus President of Kent Campus and the Cecil Aviation Center. Prior to joining FSCJ, he served as Dean of Baccalaureate Programs at Indian River State College for seven years. Before that he was Statewide Director of Academic Programs and Teacher Preparation for the Florida Department of Education Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education.

Neuhard earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from University of Florida; and Master of Professional Studies in Human Services Administration from Alfred University; a B.S. in English Language Arts Education from University of Central Florida; and an A.A. in General Education from Valencia Community College.

July 8, 2020; updated July 13, 2020

Dates have been set for virtual open forums with the finalists for the Indian River State College presidency. The forums provide an opportunity for members of the College community and other stakeholders to hear from the candidates and ask questions about their leadership experience and philosophy.

Virtual open forums with IRSC presidential finalists will begin with opening statements by the candidates. After, questions will be taken from conference participants. To accommodate as many questions as possible during the virtual open forums, up to one minute will be allotted to ask the question. Two minutes will be allowed for the candidate's response.
- Zoom meeting participants using computers should use the "raise hand" functionality to indicate that they would like to ask a question.
- Those joining the meeting by phone should use the Chat feature to indicate that they have a question.
Forums with IRSC Faculty will take place from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. on each of the three interview days. Per request of the Indian River State College chapter of AAUP, three representatives—Dr. Sarah Mallonee, Dr. Bill Tyler, and Dr. Teena White—will lead off the question and answer portions of the Faculty virtual open forums. The question sessions will open to all participants at 9:30 a.m.

July 14: Mr. Frank Brogan, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., via ZoomCANCELLED: CANDIDATE HAS WITHDRAWN

July 15: Dr. Christina Hart, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., via Zoom

View the July 15 open forum and interview schedule for instructions on joining the Zoom events with Dr. Hart. Events will be recorded.

July 16: Dr. Timothy Moore, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., via Zoom

View the July 16 open forum and interview schedule for instructions on joining the Zoom events with Dr. Moore. Events will be recorded.

June 26, 2020

Indian River State College narrowed its presidential search to three final candidates. The selections were made by the Presidential Search Committee following a series of interviews with eight semifinalists.

The finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:

Mr. Frank Brogan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education for Elementary and Secondary Education

A former Commissioner of Education and Lieutenant Governor for the State of Florida, Brogan has also served as Chancellor for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and for the State University System of Florida. His four-decade career in education includes experiences that range from elementary school teacher in Port Salerno to Superintendent of Schools in Martin County to President of Florida Atlantic University.

Brogan earned a Master of Education in Administration/Supervision from Florida Atlantic University and a B.S. in Education from University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

Dr. Christina Hart, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services at Indian River State College (IRSC)

Dr. Timothy Moore, Chief Science Officer at MagPlasma and Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Probaxstra Inc.

June 2, 2020

The Indian River State College Presidential Search Committee has selected a diverse group of eight semifinalists to move forward with the presidential search process.

The semifinalists are (listed in alphabetical order):

	Dr. Towuanna “Porter” Brannon is Vice President for Student Services at Mitchell Community College in Statesville, North Carolina. Brannon joined the College in 2016. Prior to her appointment to Mitchell Community College, Brannon spent nearly two decades serving higher education institutions in the New York City area, chiefly in student-focused administrative roles, and most recently as Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, at LaGuardia Community College (CUNY) in Queens. Brannon earned a Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership, Administration and Policy from Fordham University. She has a M.S in Education and a B.S. in Human Services from St. John’s University. She is a Community College Presidential Fellow with the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence.
	Mr. Frank Brogan, a former Commissioner of Education and Lieutenant Governor for the State of Florida, currently serves as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education for Elementary and Secondary Education. He has been Chancellor for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and for the State University System of Florida. His four-decade career in education includes experiences that range from elementary school teacher in Port Salerno to Superintendent of Schools in Martin County to President of Florida Atlantic University. Brogan earned a Master of Education in Administration/Supervision from Florida Atlantic University and a B.S. in Education from University of Cincinnati in Ohio.
	Dr. Christina Hart is Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services at Indian River State College (IRSC). Hart, an IRSC alumna, started her career in higher education at Brevard Community College before joining IRSC in 1981 as Men’s and Women’s Springboard Diving Coach, Student Activities Coordinator, and Associate Professor. In 2000, she moved into College administration as Director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, becoming Associate Dean/Associate Vice President of the department in 2003 and Vice President in 2009. Hart led that office until 2016, when she was named Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services, the position she holds today. Hart has a Doctor of Education/Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Florida Atlantic University, where she also earned a Master of Education in Counselor Education. She earned a B.S. in Social Work from Florida State University. Hart earned her Associate in Arts Degree at Indian River Community College.
	Dr. Robert Laurine is Vice Chancellor/Chief Information Officer at the University System of Georgia (USG) and a Professor of Engineering at The George Washington University. Prior to joining USG, Laurine served as Chief Technology Officer with Hewlett-Packard, and in a variety of senior leadership roles, including Chief Information Officer, Senior Executive Service, in his more than three-decade career with National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Laurine earned a Senior Manager in Government from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; a D.Sc. in Engineering Management and an M.S. in Computer Science from The George Washington University; and a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Geology from the University of Maryland.
	Dr. Charles “Chuck” Lepper is Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at Salt Lake City Community College. His more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education also includes administrative roles with Tidewater Community College (Norfolk, Virginia) and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Lepper also served as an adjunct faculty member at community colleges, comprehensive regional universities, and research-intensive universities. Lepper earned a Certificate of Completion from the Institute for Educational Management at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education; a Doctor of Philosophy with emphasis on Educational Administration from Indiana State University; a Master of Education from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan; and an B.A. in Human Resources and Personnel Management from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
	Dr. Timothy “Tim” Moore has a 35-year career in higher education, federal, commercial, military and start-up sectors and currently serves as Chief Science Officer at MagPlasma and as Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Probaxstra Inc. His roles in higher education include service as Vice President for Research at Florida A&M University; Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Research Program Development/Assistant Professor at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, Alabama; Director of Federal Research Program Development at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Director of Federal Research Program Development at the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center at Kansas State University. Moore has a Ph.D. in Kinesiology-Exercise Physiology from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama; a MLS in Biology/Microbiology from NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina; and a B.S. in Biology from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
	Dr. Ian Neuhard, Associate Provost of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been with Florida State College in Jacksonville (FSCJ), Florida since 2014, holding roles that included Campus President of South Campus, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Campus President of Kent Campus and the Cecil Aviation Center. Prior to joining FSCJ, Neuhard served as Dean of Baccalaureate Programs at Indian River State College for seven years. Before that he was Statewide Director of Academic Programs and Teacher Preparation for the Florida Department of Education Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education. Neuhard earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from University of Florida; and Master of Professional Studies in Human Services Administration from Alfred University; a B.S. in English Language Arts Education from University of Central Florida; and an A.A. in General Education from Valencia Community College.
	Dr. David Potash is presently President of Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, Illinois. His experience includes roles as Chief Academic Officer at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts, and as Associate Provost/Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hunter College, the City University of New York. Potash has also held administrative positions at Baruch College and New York University. He has additionally served as Professor in the Department of History and Politics at Curry College and as an adjunct faculty member at Baruch College and New York University. Potash earned a Ph.D. in History from Cambridge University; an M.A. in History from New York University; and a B.A. in History and Philosophy from Rice University.