November 20, 2024
Reposted from Northwest Florida Daily News | Collin Bestor
NICEVILLE — The district board of trustees for Northwest Florida State College unanimously selected Mel Ponder as the school’s next president during its Nov. 19 meeting.
Ponder, a former Okaloosa County commissioner, will assume the role on Jan. 2, becoming the fifth president in the college’s history. His selection follows a six-month search that drew more than 100 applicants and produced four finalists.
“Thank you to the Board of Trustees for their time, energy, and effort throughout the summer and fall as we completed our rigorous presidential search process. This Board carried out its core responsibility of stewarding the College’s success by selecting a new president,” said Lori Kelley, NWFSC board chair. “I look forward to working with President-Elect Ponder when he starts in the Spring Semester as we begin an exciting new chapter in the College’s history. The Board will continue to support him as he shapes the future of Northwest Florida State College.”
Ponder, 56, brings a diverse background in public service. He completed his term as an Okaloosa County commissioner on Nov. 19 and previously served as mayor of Destin, a Destin City Council member and a representative in the Florida House. While in the legislature, he was recognized as the Florida College System Council of Presidents Legislator of the Year.
Most recently, Ponder served as the association executive for the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and as president of Business Empowered. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to the CareerSource Florida board of directors in 2022 and reappointed him in 2023.
A third-generation Floridian, Ponder was born in Ocala but has long called Okaloosa County home. He and his wife of 33 years, Mona, have three children.
“I express my sincere thanks to the Board of Trustees for entrusting me with the honor of serving as the next President of Northwest Florida State College,” Ponder said in a written statement. “This College has a rich legacy in our community, and I am excited to hit the ground running to build on the College’s reputation of serving its students, faculty, staff, and community. It will be a privilege to expand on the College’s work throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties as we transform lives and meet the workforce demand in our service area.”
