Education
State Commerce Secretary Named Pensacola State College President Finalist
Pensacola State College trustees have named Florida Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly as the sole finalist for the college presidency. Kelly succeeds retiring president Dr. Edward Meadows, with public campus forums scheduled before the board holds a final confirmation vote.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Pensacola State College has selected Florida Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly as the sole finalist to become the institution’s next president. Trustees announced the decision on August 31, 2026. Kelly will succeed long-serving president Dr. Edward “Ed” Meadows, who is retiring after guiding the institution through decades of growth.
Leadership Transition in the Pensacola State College Presidential Search
The PSC Presidential Search Committee formally recommended Kelly on August 29, 2026. The committee, composed of members of the college’s District Board of Trustees, conducted a national search before advancing Kelly as their choice.
Zack Smith, who chairs both the District Board of Trustees and the search committee, praised Kelly’s administrative background and strategic outlook.
“Alex distinguished himself throughout this process as a thoughtful, diligent and highly capable leader with a clear vision for the future of Pensacola State College,” Smith stated. “We believe he brings the experience, character and leadership needed to guide PSC into its next chapter and strengthen the College’s role in preparing students for the workforce needs of our region and to become productive citizens.”
Community Forums and Next Steps for the PSC President Finalist
Kelly will visit the college in late September 2026 for a series of public forums and meetings. During this visit, he will interact directly with faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. Following these engagement sessions, the PSC District Board of Trustees will convene to hold a final vote on his formal appointment.
Why it matters here
Pensacola State College serves as a primary driver of education, technical training, and economic mobility across Escambia County and Santa Rosa County. Area employers consistently depend on the college to prepare skilled graduates for high-demand local industries. Because of this, college leadership directly affects regional business development and taxpayer investments in higher education.
Kelly currently directs statewide economic, workforce, and community initiatives at the Florida Department of Commerce. Therefore, his selection brings high-level state agency experience directly to Northwest Florida. Local education advocates and business leaders will look to his background to align college programs with the region’s workforce needs.
Background and Career of J. Alex Kelly
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Kelly as Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce in June 2023. In this executive role, Kelly oversees state workforce policies and economic development programs.
Before taking charge of the Commerce Department, Kelly served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. DeSantis beginning in April 2021. Furthermore, Kelly previously served as Chief of Staff to former Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. He also worked as Vice President for the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd).
Earlier in his career, Kelly held the post of Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. He also worked as a legislative policy analyst within the Florida Legislature. Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania and earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida.
Looking Ahead to the Transition
Dr. Edward Meadows leaves a notable legacy at Pensacola State College, having expanded workforce training and regional campus facilities throughout his tenure. The college now prepares for its next phase of executive leadership. Community members across Northwest Florida will have the chance to hear Kelly’s vision firsthand during the upcoming campus forums before trustees cast their final confirmation vote.
Sources
- https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/09/01/another-florida-college-taps-desantis-appointee-presidential-finalist
- https://pensacolastate.edu/news
- https://wusf.org
- https://ricksblog.biz
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
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