FORT PIERCE — In recognition of his exceptional leadership, vision,and strong record of accomplishments, Dr. Edwin R. Massey, President of Indian River State College, has been selected as the 2013 Southern Regional Chief Executive Officer by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT.)
Dr. Massey will be presented with the award at the National ACCT Leadership Conference in Seattle on Oct. 4, after already having been recognized “at home” for this honor by the College’s Board of Trustees, faculty, and administration at IRSC’s Endowed Teaching Chair Convocation at the IRSC Main Campus.
“A hallmark of Dr. Massey’s presidency is his intense commitment to community needs and building numerous collaborative partnerships at the local, state, and national level to foster economic and workforce development,” said Werner Bols, Chairman of the IRSC District Board of Trustees.
“Under his leadership, IRSC has become a nationally respected, high-performing institution with far-reaching benefits for the Treasure Coast and our students. In recognition of Dr. Massey’s many contributions, dedication to excellence, and world-class results, the IRSC Board commends and congratulates him for receiving this well-deserved national honor,” Bols added.
Dr. Massey was appointed IRSC’s third President and CEO in 1988, and his tenure in office has been marked by a legacy of exceptional accomplishments. Examples include:
Expanding enrollment by 300% in over 100 Degree and Certificate programs.
Significantly expanding the college’s five campuses to include over 700 acres and 1,500,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities.
Leading the college’s transition from Indian River Community College to Indian River State College, expanding the college mission to become a Baccalaureate degree-granting institution, and establishing 20 new Bachelor’s Degree programs linked directly to regional workforce needs.
Achieving national rankings for IRSC as the 10th best college in the Southern Region by U.S. News & World Report and 4th most affordable college by the U.S. Department of Education.
Increasing Foundation assets by more than 900 percent and raising funds to support student scholarship awards of $3.3 million annually.
Securing more than $90 million in local, state, and national grant awards over the past ten years for projects ranging from the highly successful Regional Center for Nuclear Education and Training to the new Lasers and Fiber Optics Education Center.
Supporting high-quality instruction as evidenced by the fact that IRSC consistently ranks Number 1 among the 28 colleges in the Florida College System (FCS) in the percent of budget dedicated directly to instruction, and lowest among FCS institutions in administrative costs.
Ensuring an exemplary fiscal audit history for over 25 years.
A prominent Indian River County resident for 40 years, Dr. Massey was first employed by the college as a biology professor in 1973 and promoted to several administrative positions prior to becoming President in 1988.
He serves on many local, state, and national boards and is frequently called upon to represent higher education at national conferences and forums, including a meeting of prominent educational and industry leaders at the White House in Washington D.C. last year.
