Norman L. Stephens, Jr.

Norman L. Stephens Jr. (Norm Stephens) (born August 3, 1943) is an American educator and academic administrator who served as the third president of South Florida State College (formerly South Florida Community College) from 2002 to 2013. Following his retirement, he was unanimously named President Emeritus by the college's Board of Trustees.

Before leading South Florida State College, Stephens held senior academic and administrative positions at St. Petersburg Junior College, Hillsborough Community College, Lincoln Land Community College, and Oakland Community College, including serving as president of Lincoln Land Community College from 1992 to 1999.

Early life and education He spent his childhood in Downers Grove and Hinsdale before moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a teenager. While pursuing doctoral studies, he received a National Defense Education Act (NDEA) Title IV Doctoral Fellowship.

Career Stephens began his academic career in 1968 at St. Petersburg Junior College (now St. Petersburg College) as a faculty member in science and mathematics. During the following two decades, he held progressively senior administrative positions, including Coordinator of Planning, Programming and Budgeting Systems, Director of Educational Planning and Research, Dean of College Systems, Assistant Vice President for Educational and Student Services, and Acting Vice President for Educational and Student Services.

Following his tenure in Illinois, Stephens served as President of the Auburn Hills Campus of Oakland Community College in Michigan from 1999 to 2002 before accepting the presidency of South Florida Community College.

Presidency of South Florida State College Stephens became president of South Florida Community College in 2002. During his eleven-year presidency, the institution underwent academic and physical expansion. During his tenure, the college established the DeSoto and Hardee campuses, opened the Theatre for the Performing Arts, developed the Health and Science Education Center and Dental Education Facility, and introduced bachelor's degree programs following changes to the Florida College System. During his presidency he served on the Capital Task Force for the Illinois Community College Board and the Vision 2000 Strategic Plan for the Illinois Community College System.

Stephens retired on June 30, 2013. At its June 26, 2013 meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing his career achievements and naming him President Emeritus, citing his leadership in institutional growth, academic quality, and community engagement.

Other works He served as Chair of the Florida College System Risk Management Consortium from 2008 to 2013, Chair of the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Take Stock in Children Leadership Council, Chair of the Florida Hospital Heartland Division Foundation, and Campaign Chair for the United Way of Central Florida in Highlands County. He also served on numerous boards, including the Florida College System Council of Presidents, the Florida Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors, Heartland Workforce, and the South Florida State College Foundation.

Other honors include the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities (2013), Citizen of the Year from United Way of Central Florida (2012), Employee Choice Award from South Florida State College (2012), board member of the Year from the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce (2005), Distinguished Service Award from the Phi Theta Kappa Florida Region (2004), and Faculty Member of the Year at St. Petersburg Junior College's Tarpon Springs Center (1984). Upon his retirement, the South Florida State College Board of Trustees honored Stephens by naming its Health & Science Education Center the Dr. Norman L. Stephens, Jr. Health & Science Education Center, recognizing his contributions to the institution and to health sciences education.

Legacy Stephens' presidency is associated with a period of institutional expansion and modernization at South Florida State College. During his tenure, the college broadened its academic mission by introducing bachelor's degree programs, expanded its regional presence through new campuses, strengthened professional and health sciences education, and enhanced community partnerships across central Florida. Editorials published upon his retirement described his administration as transformative for both the institution and the surrounding region.

Personal life Stephens has been married to Esther Laurale Stephens since 1976. They have four children and one grandson.