SFCC President Receives Glowing Evaluation

AVON PARK - Given the chance both confidentially and in a public meeting to critique Norman Stephens' performance as president of South Florida Community College, no one on the Board of Trustees had anything negative to say.

As part of Stephens' contract, he is subject to annual performance reviews by the board members, which are completed confidentially, as per Florida law.

Andrew Jackson, attorney for the board, said he received written evaluations of the president from most of the board members. The evaluations asked open-ended questions about president's direction of the college.

"All the evaluations were very complimentary," Jackson said. "There were no negative comments at all."

The board unanimously approved at Wednesday's meeting renewing Stephens' contract through June 30, 2012, with annual performance reviews. His annual salary of $189,836 makes Stephens the top paid public official in the county.

Board member Tami Cullens said Stephens is always thinking ahead and she has enjoyed working with him in her year and a half on the board.

"Dr. Stephens is not only a wonderful president but he is committed to the entire community as well as the college," Cullens said.

Louis Kirschner, chair of the board, said he thinks Stephens has performed well as president.

"I think we should definitely keep this guy around for a while," Kirschner said.
Although Stephens said he appreciates the approval, he continues to strive for excellence.
"I think there are always ways to improve," Stephens said.

Stephens met individually with each of the board members to discuss his performance and talk about the college's direction for the future.

"We talked extensively about the current projects of the college and the projects on the horizon," Stephens said. "We reviewed everything that is going on at the college and what the plans are for the future."

Stephens started as president in September 2002, replacing Catherine Cornelius, who served as president for 18 years.

Stephens has 40 years experience in higher education and started as a faculty member teaching chemistry at St. Petersburg College. He has held positions in community colleges in Florida, Illinois and Michigan.