Michael P. Shannon
On September 30, the Florida Board of Governors unanimously confirmed Dr. Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida, effective January 4, 2027. Shannon, currently president of the University of North Georgia since 2023, previously held several executive leadership roles at Georgia Tech, including interim executive vice president of Administration & Finance, interim chief business officer and vice president and deputy chief business officer. He served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army for 20 years. Shannon holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and a master's degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also holds a master's degree in health physics and a Ph.D. in nuclear and radiological engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
J. Alex Kelly
J. Alex Kelly was appointed as the seventh president of Pensacola State College on September 21, 2026. Kelly previously served as Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce. Prior to his appointment, Kelly held the deputy chief of staff role in the Governor’s Office since April 2021. He also served as the vice president of the Foundation for Excellence in Education and the chief of staff to then-Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran in 2019. Kelly earned both a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida.
Estella Castillo-Garrison
Estella Castillo-Garrison assumed office as superintendent/president of Palo Verde College on September 9, 2026. Estella Castillo-Garrison, Ed.D., previously served as vice president of Academic Affairs at Sheridan College (WY). Prior to that, Dr. Castillo-Garrison served as dean of Community Education, Emeritus Institute, and K-12 Partnerships/director of Community Education at Saddleback College (CA). Dr. Castillo-Garrison earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Pepperdine University; a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Instruction from Central Michigan University; a Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology from Park University; and an Associate of Arts in Social Science from Barstow Community College.
