John Avendano

John Avendano is an American academic administrator who is currently serving as the sixth president of Florida State College at Jacksonville, beginning in 2019. Avendano previously served as the president and CEO of Kankakee Community College in Illinois and held leadership positions within educational and community organizations.

Early life and education Avendano was born in Aurora, Illinois. He received his associate degree from Waubonsee Community College, his bachelor's degree in exercise physiology and master's degree in adult continuing education from Northern Illinois University, and his doctorate in educational administration and foundations from Illinois State University.

Career Avendano began his career in community college administration at Kankakee Community College in Illinois. He held various administrative roles before being appointed as the president and CEO in 2009.

Avendano previously served as the president of the Illinois Council of Public Community College Presidents and as the chair of the South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium President's Council in Illinois.

Avendano was a board member and chair for the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, the Grundy-Livingston-Kankakee Workforce Investment Board, Cornerstone Services, and the Riverside Medical Center Board. He also co-chaired United Way of Kankakee County in 2014–15. Additionally, Avendano was the presidents' liaison for the Illinois region of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).

In 2019, he became president and CEO of Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Personal life He is married to Janet Avendano and has three children.