The Division of Community Colleges, through the Achieving the Dream initiative, presents Connections. This year's focus is Using Evidence-Based Culture to Accelerate Student Success.

Keynote Speaker

Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp

Florida’s 17th Lieutenant Governor, Jeff Kottkamp, started his college career at Edison College in Southwest Florida where he served as editor of the student government newspaper. He received an Associate of Arts degree in 1982. He then attended Florida State University where he was also active in student government. Lt. Governor Kottkamp received his B.S. degree in Political Science from FSU in 1984. He then attended the University of Florida College of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1987. Lt. Governor Kottkamp was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000 and subsequently re-elected in 2002 and 2004.

During his service as a member of the House of Representatives, Lt. Governor Kottkamp received many honors and awards including the "Legislator of the Year Award" from numerous organizations, the "Champion of Business" Award from Associated Industries, the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers "Outstanding Representative Award," the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association Leadership Award, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce "A" Honor Roll for five consecutive years.

Featured Guest Speakers

Robert H. McCabe

Robert H. McCabe earned the doctorate in community college leadership from the University of Texas in 1963. He has honorary doctorates from the University of Miami, Barry University and Florida International University.

He came to Miami-Dade Community College in 1963, the third year of operation. He served in several roles and retired in 1995 after 10 years as Executive Vice President and the final 16 years as District President. Among honors and recognitions are: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowship; The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education; The College Board Medal for Distinguished Service to Education; the American Association of Community Colleges National Leadership Award; Distinguished Fellow of the Educational Commission of the States; and the Spirit of Excellence Award for Contributions to South Florida. There have been over 50 awards and membership in more than 70 commissions and boards.

Dr. McCabe is President Emeritus, Miami-Dade Community College and is currently Senior Fellow, the League for Innovation in the Community College and Executive Director of the National Alliance of Community and Technical Colleges. Since retirement from Miami-Dade his publications include: The Community College: Nexus for Workforce Development; Developmental Education: A Social and Economic Imperative; Planning the Virtual Campus; Sewing a Seamless Education System; No One To Waste - the report of the National Study of Community College Remedial Education; Sewing a Seamless Educational System: Yes We Can: a Guide for Community College Services for Underprepared Americans: What Should Trustees Know About Serving Underprepared Students (video and CD). Current activities include serving on the board, the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, Chair, The Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free Community, Director of the Bridge Partnership and Executive Director of the National Alliance of Community and Technical Colleges.

Mark David Milliron

Dr. Mark David Milliron, President and CEO of Catalyze Learning International, is an award-winning leader, author, speaker, and consultant best known for exploring leadership development, future trends, learning strategies, and the human side of technology change. Dr. Milliron works with universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, corporations, associations, and government agencies across the country and around the world. He serves as Board Chair for the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education and as a Trustee for Western Governors University. He is also the founder and CEO of the private consulting and service group, Catalyze Learning International (CLI).

Dr. Milliron previously served as an Endowed Fellow, Senior Lecturer, and Director of the National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin; Vice President for Education and Medical Practice with SAS , the world's largest private software company; President and CEO of the international education association the League for Innovation; and as Vice President for Academic and Student Services at Mayland Community College (NC). He has also appeared as the keynote speaker at 12 Florida community colleges.

In 2007, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) presented Dr. Milliron with its National Leadership Award for his outstanding accomplishments, contributions, and leadership.

Achieving the Dream (Florida) • Achieving Dream (National) Broward Community College • Hillsborough Community College Tallahassee Community College • Valencia Community College