FHTCC ADDS PCC President Eileen Holden to its Roster of High Tech Leaders
Heathrow, Fla. (September
24, 2007) – The Florida High Tech Corridor Council
(FHTCC) today announced the addition of Dr. Eileen Holden,
president of Polk Community College (PCC), to its roster of
high tech leaders and economic development partners.
Holden, who earlier this month was inaugurated as PCC’s
fourth president in the school’s 40-year history, was appointed
by Council co-chair and University of South Florida President
Dr. Judy Genshaft. She holds a bachelor's degree from Utica
College, master’s degree from University of Houston in
education and a doctorate in higher education administration
from Nova Southeastern University.
In her role on the Council, Holden will use her 23 years of
community college experience as an instructor and administrator
to help guide FHTCC in its mission to attract, retain and grow
high tech industry and the workforce to support those industries
in the 23-county Corridor. Currently she serves on the
board of directors for PolkWorks, Central Florida Development
Council, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Central
Florida. Holden replaces Dr. Sarah Pappas, who will retire
as president of Manatee Community College in June 2008.
Prior to coming to PCC, Holden served as the vice president
for academic affairs and technical education at Broward Community
College. From 1987 to 2001, she worked at Palm Beach Community
College as a program manager, division chair and dean for academic
affairs.
A partnership involving more than 20 local and regional economic
development organizations (EDOs) and 14 community colleges, the
Council is co-chaired by the presidents of the University of
Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University
of Florida.
The Council includes the presidents of two of the community colleges,
the president of Florida Institute of Technology and representatives
of high tech industry. The unique partnership has resulted
in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that
involves matching funds research, workforce development and a
marketing program leveraging governmental, EDO and corporate
budgets on a regional rather than local basis.
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