JOE WARD
FACULTY
PROFILE
PROFESSOR , LAWYER , NOVELIST
Joe Ward , Assistant Professor of English at PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel , always wanted to be a writer . With this in mind , he began his college education studying English . Ward thought he might go into teaching while building a writing career . He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida , and like many college students , switched gears . He transferred to Florida State University to pursue a career in law . Ward graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1998 .
He spent the next 14 years in the profession — as a clerk with a Palm Beach County appellate judge working in criminal and civil law , an attorney with Holland & Knight focusing on commercial litigation , and then six years as assistant general counsel at Southwest Florida Water Management District ( SFWMD ), in Brooksville .
While living in Palm Beach County , Ward began a Master ’ s in English literature program at Florida Atlantic University . He transferred to USF when he took his position at SFWMD . “ After six years at Southwest Florida Water Management District , the political landscape was changing fast and I felt it was time to think about my future ,” said Ward .
Ward became an adjunct instructor at PHSC ’ s North Campus . Then , upon leaving SFWMD , accepted a full-time position at the College . He moved to his current location at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch when it opened in 2014 .
Ward teaches a variety of courses including English Comp I and II , creative writing , world cinema , and developmental writing . He is the faculty advisor of the Creative Arts Club on Porter Campus . “ Each year , the Club focuses on something different , depending on student interest , whether it ’ s writing , drawing , painting , etc . We also host a signature event and participate in a community service project ,” said Ward .
Assistant Professor Joe Ward relaxes in his office at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch .
He helped launch a Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society at PHSC . “ We graduated our first inductees last spring . I am hoping to expand to other campuses in the near future ,” said Ward . He also used his expertise in law to develop a Law and Literature course for PHSC , which may be offered in a future semester .
Between his roles at PHSC , being a husband and father of three boys , ages 9 , 11 , and 14 , Ward finds time for his passion — writing non-fiction novels . “ My studies in law honed my research skills , ultimately preparing me for my writing career . I spent a full year researching my first novel ,” said Ward , who writes under a pen name and has hopes of finishing his seventh novel this summer . He remains a member of the Florida Bar , keeping him connected to the legal field – and well versed in a profession that certainly must prove useful in developing future novels .
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