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Dr. Willis N. Holcombe, Chancellor

Dr. Willis N. Holcombe, Chancellor
Florida’s Community College System

(850) 245-9449

Dr. Will Holcombe is Chancellor for Florida’s Community College System. Dr. Holcombe has more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership and collegiate administration.

Holcombe, who completed his undergraduate studies at Baldwin-Wallace College, earned both his Master’s in Education and Ph.D. in College Administration from the University of Florida. A former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, Dr. Holcombe began his teaching career at Ford Junior High School in Brook Park, Ohio. Holcombe later joined Florida's Community College System, serving as an English professor at Santa Fe Community College and Broward Community College, where he eventually became president in 1987. Holcombe has also served as Vice President of Brevard Community College, provost and academic dean for Broward's Central Campus and assistant to the President for Broward Community College.

Since Florida’s Community Colleges are the primary access point to higher education in the state for more than 800,000 students, one of Chancellor Holcombe’s highest priorities is facilitating and maintaining postsecondary opportunities for our students. Florida’s community colleges provide the state’s broadest range of educational options, including adult continuing education, recreation and leisure programs, certificate training, Associate’s degrees which provide university parallel and/or career technical preparation, and Baccalaureate degrees in areas of critical workforce need. As he has throughout his career, Dr. Holcombe continues to be a strong advocate for student success, seamless articulation and economic development. As Chancellor, Holcombe works to build consensus with other stakeholders in higher education including K-12, workforce development entities, and public and private four-year institutions.

Dr. Holcombe's array of leadership roles include: FACTS Board Chairman, member of Florida Department of Education's Articulation Coordinating Committee, lifetime member of Florida Association of Community Colleges’ Foundation Board, Board Member for the Florida Distance Learning Institute, Chairman for Community College of the Air Force's Board of Visitors and President of the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Workforce Development Board, chairman for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Committee on Criteria and Reports and Chairman of Accreditation Visiting Committees for thirteen colleges in the Southeast.

A highly sought after speaker and presenter, Dr. Holcombe has represented Florida's Community Colleges at various state and national conventions. He has also provided consulting services to colleges throughout the country.

Dr. Judith Bilsky, Ed. D. - Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Student Success

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Student Success
Division of Community Colleges
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Phone:850.245.9452
Suncom: 205.9452
Fax: 850.245.9454
Email:

As Executive Vice Chancellor, Dr. Judith Bilsky serves as Chief Academic and Student Affairs officer for Florida’s Community Colleges, and also provides oversight for the administrative responsibilities of the Division of Community Colleges. Those responsibilities include supervising policy development, implementing student achievement initiatives, articulation, curriculum, access, outreach, accountability, and Division personnel and budget.

Dr. Bilsky was instrumental in creating a new strategic plan for Florida’s Community College System, helping to frame and define Florida’s "Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees", and was active in developing Educator Preparation Institutes for our state’s Community Colleges.

Dr. Bilsky has been a Florida educator for more than 35 years, holding positions in both teaching and administration which span all sectors of K-20. She has taught students at every level from pre-K through graduate. Prior to joining the Division in 2003, Dr. Bilsky served in various administrative capacities, including Associate Vice President and Dean at Brevard Community College.

Dr. Bilsky, who began her postsecondary education at Brevard Junior College, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Florida State University. She holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and a doctorate in higher education administration with an emphasis in community college leadership from the University of Florida. In January 2007, Dr. Bilsky was honored with the Outstanding Graduate Award by the University of Florida's Institute of Higher Education.