NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) has announced four finalists in its presidential search, with campus interviews scheduled for November 4 and 5.
Following a vote on October 25, 2024, by the Presidential Search Committee, the candidates chosen to advance to interviews include a retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General, an Okaloosa County Commissioner, and two other experienced leaders.
The four finalists, in alphabetical order, are Brigadier General (retired) Gwyn Armfield, Okaloosa County Commissioner Melvin P. “Mel” Ponder, James Walter Ross, and Mark F. Strickland, Jr.
The finalists are scheduled to participate in interviews with the Board of Trustees on Monday and Tuesday at the Niceville campus, where they will engage in various campus activities.
The resume for each finalist and the schedule of finalist interviews are available for review at https://www.nwfsc.edu/presidential-search/finalists/.
According to NWFSC Trustee Rhea Goff, who chairs the Presidential Search Committee, the pool of candidates was robust, reflecting the college’s reputation and role in the community.
Goff extended thanks to the committee, which collaborated with Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting throughout the selection process.
Lori Kelley, Chair of the Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to the semifinalist candidates for their participation and highlighted the significance of selecting the next college president.
“Selecting the next president of our College is a responsibility we do not take lightly. I look forward to meeting each of the finalists in November as we aim to select a candidate to serve our students, faculty, staff, and community,” said Ms Kelley.
