LEADERSHIP
PROFILES
Profiles in Leadership
In 50 years , PHSC has thrived under the leadership of four strong presidents . Though each leader is a product of a unique generation and culture , the presidents share much in common — including a humble , background , a strong work ethic , determination to succeed and fidelity to the College ’ s open door mission — to provide accessible , quality higher education and workforce training opportunities to the students of our district .
This feature summarizes factors that shaped the lives of each president — and the course of PHSC history . Contributing writer and editor Camine Bell , Ph . D ., PHSC professor emerita .
Timothy L . Beard , Ph . D ., current president ; Katherine M . Johnson , Ed . D ., third president ; the late Robert W . Judson , Jr ., Ed . D ., second president ; Milton O . Jones , Ph . D ., founding president
Milton O . Jones , Ph . D .
Founding President 1972-1994
In 1938 , when Milt Jones was around five years old , the Jones family left a comfortable , two-story cracker-style home in Largo , Florida , to manage a family-owned dirt farm in Damascus , Georgia . The dilapidated “ two-mule ” farm lacked electricity , indoor plumbing and modern farm equipment . The hardscrabble life took its toll , and young Milt developed a medical condition , acidosis , stemming from malnutrition . A local doctor advised Milt ’ s mother that his health would not improve if he stayed on the farm , so after two years in Georgia , the Jones family returned to Largo and happier times . Milt , small for his age and underweight , took up bodybuilding to increase his strength and physical confidence . As he grew stronger , the bullies at school backed off .
With a determination that would serve him well throughout his life , Milt learned practical skills at his father ’ s lumberyard , excelled academically , won blue ribbons for a prized cow at the state fair and developed a passion for music . After a two-year tour in the Army , Jones enjoyed a long career in the Army Reserves , retiring as a colonel — experiences that influenced his leadership style . He earned advanced degrees , eventually accepting a position as Dean of Students at St . Petersburg Junior College ( SPJC ) in Clearwater . He also completed a post-doctoral Ford Foundation fellowship that provided him with special training in managing multi-campus colleges .
While still at SPJC , Jones learned that the final college in the Florida System of Community Colleges would soon be organized in Pasco and Hernando counties . Captivated by the opportunity to establish a new college , he accepted the job of the College ’ s president at a $ 5,000 pay cut . The $ 17,500 salary offered by the College ’ s newly appointed District Board of Trustees was reported in the press .
Embarrassed by the meager sum , the board voted to match Jones ’ salary at SPJC . In the next day ’ s newspaper ,
With single-minded determination , founding President Milt Jones offered classes in temporary quarters that he helped build himself , literally , thanks to his experience in construction work .
Jones read about his appointment as president of the new college — and that he had already received his first raise .
With relentless ambition , his soft southern drawl and Andy Griffith-style charm , Jones ’ mix of talents and resolve led to accomplishments that surpassed the board ’ s wildest dreams . In the first year of operation , despite a lack of resources and facilities , Pasco-Hernando Community College , or as Jones called it , “ the College without Walls ,” taught 490 full-time equivalent students — 90 more than allocated in the state budget . Enrollment would continue to climb as campuses in Dade City , New Port Richey and Brooksville were established .
Milt Jones ’ mission was to put PHCC on the map . His resolve , work ethic and hands-on management style made him the right man for the job .
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