Pasco-Hernando State College appoints interim president with ties to DeSantis.

Pasco-Hernando State College has appointed Eric Hall, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, as its interim president following the controversial resignation of former president Jesse Pisors. This decision was made during a board meeting on Tuesday and was characterized by a notable transition in leadership amid ongoing discussions about enrollment challenges and administrative practices at the college.

Eric Hall has been a prominent figure in Florida’s educational landscape, having been appointed to his previous role by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021. Hall’s career includes a tenure as Florida’s first senior chancellor at the Department of Education, where he oversaw the Florida College System from 2019 to 2021. His background positions him among a growing list of administrators with direct connections to Tallahassee, as seen in recent appointments at other state universities.

Hall was among four finalists for the presidential position during the college’s search process in 2023 that ultimately led to Pisors’ appointment. Notably, the college board is expected to vote on whether to make Hall’s interim title permanent at its next meeting, indicating a desire for stability following a period of administrative turmoil.

The recent changes in leadership come in the wake of Pisors’ resignation, which was largely attributed to criticisms stemming from an enrollment analysis deemed problematic by some stakeholders. Monica Mills, a member of the college’s foundation board, expressed concerns regarding the validity of the report that allegedly classified the institution as experiencing a significant decline in student enrollment. The report, which reportedly triggered pressure for Pisors to step down, has been criticized for its unclear authorship and methodology.

In contrast to the report’s claims, data indicates that Pasco-Hernando State College has seen a 6% increase in degree-seeking student enrollment over the past two years, despite claims that it faced the second largest decline among Florida’s public colleges. The college’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Chris Bibbo, noted a substantial 16% uptick in enrollment for the upcoming academic year, well above the state average.

Amidst these developments, concerns have been raised regarding the treatment of faculty who spoke out against administrative practices. The termination of Jessica White, a dean who publicly addressed the board, has heightened anxieties about potential retaliation against staff members advocating for transparency and accountability.

As the college community adapts to its new leadership, stakeholders are hopeful that Hall’s experience and approach will help navigate the institution through its current challenges and towards a more stable and prosperous future.