Before retiring in January 2024, Dr. Linda Herlocker served as vice president for student services at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), during which time FSCJ engaged and achieved leader college status with Achieving the Dream. Before FSCJ, she served at Valencia College in Orlando — the first Aspen Award winner for community colleges and one of ATD’s original leader colleges. Throughout her 30+ year career, Dr. Herlocker held a variety of leadership roles in both public and private institutions, two-year and four-year schools, and in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Moreover, her higher ed experience extends beyond student affairs. She has been a dean of academic affairs, taught as an adjunct faculty member at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and had several unique professional opportunities, including opening a campus, closing a campus, and constructing a new student services building in a national historic district. Before coming to higher ed, she served as a naval officer for 11 years on active duty and nine years as a reservist, retiring with the rank of commander. Dr. Herlocker earned her Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of South Florida, an MBA from National University, and a B.A. from Penn State.
Education:
Ed.D. (Educational Leadership) | University of South Florida
MBA | National University
B.A. | Pennsylvania State University
Past Experience:
Vice President of Student Services | Florida State College at Jacksonville
Registrar and Assoc Vice President of Admissions, Records, Registration, and Graduation | Valencia College
Dean of Student Services | Valencia College, West Campus
Interim Dean of Academic Affairs | Hillsborough Community College, Ybor City Campus
Dean of Student Services | Hillsborough Community College, Ybor City Campus
How has education changed your life/your family?
In my family, education taught us to be open to new ideas, to be curious, to be creative, to be brave, to be empathetic, to be self-aware and to be aware of others. My grandmother taught K–12 in a one-room schoolhouse. She knew that education provided both a lens for seeing the world and a pathway for exploring it. I began my journey in the Pennsylvania version of a state community college system and there, discovered my passion for a profession that has the power to change the future trajectories of entire families. Education is magical!