LEADERSHIP
PROFILES
Timothy L . Beard , Ph . D .
Current President 2015-Present
The sixth of eight children born to Roosevelt and Dorothy Beard in 1962 , Timothy Beard grew up in the Florida panhandle town of Port St . Joe . Impoverished and living in a twobedroom “ shotgun ” style home , young Tim envisioned a prosperous future .
Exhibiting an early passion for learning , Tim attempted to enter first grade at five years old despite the minimum age six requirement at the time . Timothy ’ s mother did not approve of his self-enrollment efforts , and physical discipline followed , but Timothy was undeterred .
Prior to full integration of Florida ’ s public schools in 1970 , Tim attended first and second grades at the former Washington High-Elementary School . Used books , typically provided by predominantly white schools , were not allowed to leave school buildings .
On his first day of school , Timothy wore a baseball uniform provided by an adoring aunt , who recognized his competitive drive and will to succeed . His perfect attendance and excellent grades inspired a white teacher at his nearly all-Black school to visit Tim ’ s mom , imploring her to do “ whatever it takes ” to send her son to college .
To read the latest sports news , the baseball and football stand-out athlete walked for miles to buy newspapers , purchased with change earned by returning used soda bottles . He graduated as a top honor student and an allregion athlete from Port St . Joe High School in 1980 . Beard enrolled at Florida A & M ( FAMU ), graduating in 1984 with a degree in physical therapy . He earned a master ’ s degree ( 1986 ) and a Ph . D . ( 1998 ) from Florida State University ( FSU ). He served in staff , faculty and administrative positions at both FAMU and FSU . After 22 years in Tallahassee and earning FAMU ’ s Teacher of the Year award in 2002 , he accepted a post as Dean of Student Affairs ( later Acting Vice President ) at the University of South Alabama in Mobile , the first African American senior administrator in the university ’ s history .
PHSC President Dr . Tim Beard shares a moment with student veterans .
In 2006 , PHCC ’ s third President , Katherine M . Johnson Ed . D ., offered him a position as the College ’ s VP of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management . Beard accepted . In 2015 , after a national search and more than 100 applicants , the DBOT appointed Beard as the College ’ s fourth president . The inauguration theme —“ It ’ s a Whole New Ballgame ”— resonated with the president ’ s lifelong conviction that new
The young Tim Beard was an honor student and a stand-out athlete at Port St . Joe High .
opportunities continually arise , and one should stay in the game for the benefit of self and teammates .
“ The PHSC presidency has allowed me to support expanded higher education and workforce prospects for the community ,” said Beard . “ Witnessing the advancement of students , faculty and staff – and providing opportunities to the residents of our district has been among the most rewarding experiences of my life .”
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