Seminole State President Selected As Chair Of Florida College System Council Of Presidents

The Florida College System Council of Presidents (COP) announces new leadership for the upcoming year. During the June business meeting hosted at Daytona State College, the Council voted Seminole State College of Florida President Dr. Georgia Lorenz as chair, South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins as vice chair and Valencia College President Dr. Kathleen Plinske as vice chair elect. 
 
“I am honored and humbled to be selected to chair the Florida College System Council of Presidents. Florida leads the nation in higher education,” said Seminole State President and COP Chair Dr. Georgia Lorenz. “Our state and colleges are truly changing the lives of students and the communities that they serve. I look forward to working with my fellow college presidents and education partners to lead the council this year.”
 
Dr. Lorenz is the third president of Seminole State College bringing extensive experience in higher education to the college. Under Dr. Lorenz’s leadership, Seminole State was named among the top 10 community and state colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute. Dr. Lorenz was honored as one of Orlando Magazine's 2025 Women of the Year and 50 Most Powerful People in Education, as well as Orlando Business Journal's 2023 Women Who Mean Business. Her dedication to education and transformative leadership continues to inspire her colleagues and students alike.
 
“Our colleges remain the cornerstone of innovation and opportunity in Florida's higher education landscape,” said South Florida State College President and COP Vice Chair Fred Hawkins. “I am committed to collaborating with my fellow leaders to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has access to quality education and the tools necessary to build a successful future.”
 
President Hawkins is the fifth president of South Florida State College. He formerly served in the Florida House of Representatives for Osceola and Orange counties as the vice chair of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee and the whip of all education committees. He was also the president and CEO of the Osceola County Education Foundation. His extensive leadership experience continues to shape his commitment to advancing educational opportunities for all students.
 
To learn more about the FCS Council of Presidents, please visit www.FCSCouncils.org.  
 
# # # 
 
About the Florida College System Council of Presidents 
The Florida College System Council of Presidents is the collective body on issues and matters of concern to Florida’s public college system. They provide information, when appropriate, to the State and Federal Executive and Legislative branches and to the Chancellor of the Florida College System, the Commissioner of Education, the State Board of Education and other public and private entities and individuals as appropriate. 
 
About Seminole State College
Seminole State College of Florida, established in 1965, serves more than 22,000 students across six sites in Central Florida. A full-service education provider, Seminole State has thrived by adapting to and meeting the needs of an ever-changing, vibrant community. Seminole State offers 11 bachelor’s degrees in high-demand, high-growth fields; two-year associate degrees; specialized certificates; continuing professional education; adult education and guaranteed admission via DirectConnect to UCF® to the University of Central Florida for Associate in Arts (A.A.) graduates. By offering flexible, affordable, high-quality educational programs and services, the College continues to help students learn, succeed and GO Far. For more about Seminole State, visit seminolestate.edu.
 
About South Florida State College
South Florida State College (SFSC) is a public college offering a variety of educational opportunities to residents of DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties, Florida. Founded in 1965, it is part of the Florida College System.