Santa Fe College selects Southerland as first official provost since 2021
Santa Fe College announced Wednesday that J. Nathaniel “Nate” Southerland will serve as the college's provost and president for academic affairs.
Southerland, currently the assistant vice president for workforce development at St. Johns River State College in Palatka, will begin his new position on March 11.
“Dr. Southerland’s vast experience in leadership positions throughout academic affairs and his experience working with university and community partners will advance our mission and bolster our academic enterprise,” SF President Paul Broadie II said in a news release. “He will be an advocate for Santa Fe as we launch our new innovative semiconductor program, build our Automotive Technology Training Center, and prepare for the opening of the Cellon Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Technology.”
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In his current role at St. Johns River State College, Southerland oversees the nursing, allied health, criminal justice, and computer information systems programs as well as community and corporate education.
Prior to his roll at St. Johns, Southerland spent four years as provost at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, Arizona, and in multiple leadership positions during a nearly 10-year long stint at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City. He also has more than 20 years of classroom teaching experience.
“I am thrilled to be joining Santa Fe College at this pivotal moment and look forward to working alongside President Broadie and the faculty and staff as we continue Santa Fe's long tradition of excellence while growing in our capacity to meet the needs of our students and community stakeholders,” Southerland said in the release.
Southerland was one of two finalists announced for the provost position that visited the campus in January. Southerland made his visit on Jan. 25, while the other finalist, Alice Murillo, visited on Jan. 19. Murillo currently serves as the associated provost at Bunker Hill Community College’s Chelsea campus in Massachusetts.
“I want to thank our Provost Search Committee, led by Vice President Liam McClay and Chair of the Center for Emerging Technology Dr. Mary El-Semarani for their leadership, the entire Human Resources team, led by Director Lela Frye for coordinating the logistics for the entire process, and the college community who participated in the forums and provided vital feedback in the decision-making process," Broadie wrote in email to faculty, staff and students.
Southerland will be the first SF provost since 2021 to serve in the position without the "interim" tag. Lisa Armour took over the position in 2021 after Edward Bonahue left to become president of Suffolk County Community College in New York. Armour served in the position before returning last summer to her previous position at the college. SF then hired Mercedes Quiroga until a permanent provost could be found.
That search concluded in spring 2023 with the hiring of longtime SF professor and administrator Jodi Long. The position was later amended, however, due to its ever-expanding scope of work, and a new vice provost position was created, to which Long was appointed.
SF's most recent provost search in which Southerland was selected kicked off in September.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Santa Fe College in Gainesville Florida names new provost
