Northwest Florida State College’s District Board of Trustees announced Tuesday night their selection of Commissioner Mel Ponder as the institution’s next president.
- The appointment is contingent upon approval of an employment agreement at the board’s November 19 meeting.
Ponder, who currently serves as Association Executive for the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and Okaloosa County Commissioner for District 5, was chosen following candidate forums and interviews held November 4 and 5.
His public service experience includes terms as Destin’s mayor, city councilman, and state representative, where he served as Vice Chair of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. The Florida State University graduate was previously honored as Florida College System Council of Presidents Legislator of the Year.
The selection came after a comprehensive search process that involved input from students, faculty, staff, donors, and community members through forums and surveys. Ponder emerged as the chosen candidate from a field of four finalists.
- The college thanked all finalist candidates who participated in the campus visits and interviews, including retired Brigadier General R. Gwyn Armfield, Dr. James Walter Ross, and Dr. Mark F. Strickland, Jr.
Further information about Ponder’s background and the presidential search process remains available at www.nwfsc.edu/presidential-search.
