Pensacola State College President Joins FSU InSPIRE Advisory Board
The Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research & Education (InSPIRE) at Florida State University today announced the appointment of C. “Ed” Edward Meadows to the InSPIRE Advisory Council.
“Dr. Meadows plays a vital role in our education community and is a visionary leader with an impressive history of results including expansive developments at Pensacola State College,” said Florida State University Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson. “As we continue to work with regional colleges to build a collaborative and dynamic approach to workforce development in Northwest Florida, we know Dr. Meadows’s transformational capabilities will help us best position our local students for long-term success.”
President of PSC since 2008, Meadows is currently overseeing PSC’s new 25,000 square foot facility being built at Pensacola International Airport, which will house a new Associate of Science program in Airframe and Powerplant tech, and an on-campus facility with LIFT Technologies that will expand advanced manufacturing, technology, and research opportunities for students.
FSU Panama City Dean Randy Hanna, co-chair of the Advisory Council added, “While currently headquartered at FSU PC with facilities being built at the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, InSPIRE is truly a regional effort and maintains a clear focus on positively impacting all counties within Northwest Florida. Our agreement with the colleges reflects FSU’s commitment to creating partnerships and programs that can vastly improve the economic welfare of the entire community. We welcome Dr. Meadows to the Advisory Council knowing he comes to the table ready to provide actionable opportunities for us all.”
FSU is working closely with colleges in the region through InSPIRE to help develop the local workforce. An agreement between Pensacola State College (PSC), Northwest Florida State College, Gulf Coast State College, Chipola College, and Tallahassee State College ensures successful transitions of interested students to FSU for continued learning. Career pathways and educational programs that meet evolving industry needs are being actively planned and created across Northwest Florida.
“The five public colleges of the Florida College System look forward to a meaningful partnership with Florida State University to advance our local workforce in the three technical sectors of aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and health care through our work on the InSPIRE Advisory Council,” Meadows said. “Applying research findings from the various curriculum and program developments that are taking place at our colleges lends incredible value to our overall mission. We all look forward to the InSPIRE initiative helping establish our region as leading-edge when it comes to technological advances and expanding and stabilizing workforce preparation.”
Meadows is also the immediate past chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents and the current chair of the HCA Florida West Hospital Board of Trustees. He serves on the board of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and Florida’s Great Northwest and is a member of the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance and the Achieve Escambia Leadership Council.
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About FSU InSPIRE
The Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, and Education launched with an initial grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. InSPIRE is helping Florida State University fuel the regional innovation economy that serves as a beacon to attract investment and opportunity to the region. The InSPIRE initiative includes not only applied research, advanced manufacturing and aerospace testing and prototyping facilities but also funds dedicated to increasing the number of engineering graduates. InSPIRE is committed to STEM outreach and development of K-20 students and teachers to build the workforce talent needed to serve the high-speed aerodynamics and advanced manufacturing industries. Learn more at inspire.fsu.edu.
About Pensacola State College
Pensacola State College is widely recognized as a premier, student-friendly college that competes with the best – offering more than 100 programs, state-of-the-art resources, and a stellar faculty. Nationally ranked in the Top One Percent in affordable tuition, Pensacola State College is a smart move toward a bachelor’s degree or a high-tech career. Offerings include Bachelor of Applied Science in Administration and Supervision, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and career-oriented certificate programs. Learn more at Pensacolastate.edu.