Former FSU president to lead search for new leader at Daytona State College

Florida State University President Emeritus T.K. Wetherell has been named to head a search committee that will seek a new president for Daytona State College. Kent Sharples, the college’s president for the past 11 years, announced his resignation on Nov. 18.

“When you look at Daytona State College, it’s one of the signature institutions in the state, and nationally it’s recognized as one of the best community colleges around,” said Wetherell, himself a former vice president at the school when it was known as Daytona Beach Community College. “I look forward to helping the college identify a new leader who can move it even further along in the coming years.”

Wetherell served as president of Florida State for seven years before stepping down in January 2010. He is currently a tenured professor in FSU’s College of Education, where he recently launched a new research center, the Center for Higher Education Research, Teaching & Innovation (CHERTI). Among other things, CHERTI will work to help state colleges and universities with some of the changes that occur as more two-year schools such as Daytona State College move toward adding four-year degrees.

Wetherell said he formed the center with the express purpose of promoting best practices and scholarly research in the area of higher-education administration. He added that CHERTI will provide graduate students statewide with research opportunities as well as a program for faculty and students to take online courses in education, policy and leadership.

“What we are looking for is cutting-edge research,” Wetherell said.

The center will work to secure grants and assist researchers in collecting data in areas of higher-education administration. Short-term fellowships will also be available. The center also will partner with community organizations.

Click here to read more about Wetherell’s plans for CHERTI.

Of the presidential search he’s heading up at Daytona State College, Wetherell cautioned against moving too quickly to fill such a critical position.

“It’s more important that you hire the right person than looking at a timeline,” he said. “Daytona State College has earned its reputation as a fine institution of higher learning, and I expect that many talented candidates will be interested in the presidency. We just have to make sure that we select a candidate whose skills and experience most closely align with the needs of the college.”