PHSC Appoints New Administrators

From Pasco Hernando State College:

Pasco-Hernando State College recently named Kevin O’Farrell, Ph.D., provost, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch; Patricia Campbell, Ph.D., dean of arts and sciences; Billie Gabbard, RN, dean of nursing and health programs; and Sonia Thorn, associate dean of academic affairs and institutional accreditation.

Kevin O’Farrell, Ph.D., PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch Provost

Kevin O’Farrell, Ph.D., began his role as provost at the Porter Campus on October 10. Most recently, he served PHSC as the associate dean of academic affairs and institutional accreditation in addition to concurrently holding the position of interim dean of arts and sciences from May through August, 2016. Initially, O’Farrell joined PHSC in February 2014 as the assistant dean of instructional services. Previously, he was the assistant vice president for communications and marketing at Trinity College of Florida from July 2008 to February 2014, and director of community relations and marketing from January 2007 to June 2008. He was also an adjunct instructor of political science at PHSC and Trinity College.

O'Farrell holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of South Florida, a Master of Arts in political science and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Central Florida, and a Bachelor of Science in interpersonal and organizational communication from Toccoa Falls College, Ga. Patricia Campbell, Ph.D., Dean of Arts and Sciences

Patricia Campbell, Ph.D., joined PHSC as the dean of arts and sciences in August 2016. Previously, she served six years as associate dean of academic affairs at Broward College in Davie, Fla. Campbell was the Lake Sumter State College department chair for English, communication, reading and foreign languages from 2008 to 2011 and an associate professor from 2005 to 2008. She was also an assistant professor at Beacon College in Leesburg, Fla.

Campbell holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Florida, and a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in English from Slippery Rock University, Pa.

Billie Gabbard, RN, Dean of Nursing and Health Programs

Billie Gabbard, RN, began serving as dean of nursing and health programs in August 2016. Previously, she was an assistant professor of nursing at Indian River State College, Fla. Prior, Gabbard served as the dean of nursing at Fortis Institute, and the associate dean of nursing at PHSC from 2009 to 2014. She was a department chair and program chair at Ivy Tech State College in Indiana, where she was also a nursing department faculty member from 2000 to 2009. Gabbard also is an adjunct BSN faculty member at Grand Canyon University, where she has taught since 2005.

Gabbard holds a Master of Science in nursing from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Indiana University, Richmond, and an Associate of Science in nursing from Ivy Tech State College, Ind. Gabbard expects to earn her doctorate in higher education leadership in February 2017. She holds nursing licenses in Florida, Indiana and Arizona.

Sonia Thorn, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Institutional Accreditation

Sonia Thorn has been appointed as the new associate dean of academic affairs and institutional accreditation, effective November 7. Currently she is associate dean of academic affairs and retention services at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, and until recently, Thorn simultaneously took on the interim provost role. Previously, Thorn was the associate dean of the PHSC North Campus from August 2011 to October 2013, assistant dean of student development of the West Campus from May 2008 to August 2011, and PHSC’s information center coordinator from January 2003 to May 2008. She began her employment at PHSC in 1994 and also taught at the college as an adjunct faculty member from 2006 to 2011 and as a continuing education instructor from 2004 to 2006.

Thorn holds a Master of Science in management and Bachelor of Science in management from Hodges University; an Associate in Science in legal assisting; Associate in Science in office systems technology and an Associate in Arts, all from PHSC.

For more information about PHSC, visit www.phsc.edu .

Photo caption 1: Kevin O’Farrell, Ph.D., PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch provost

Photo caption 2: Patricia Campbell, Ph.D., PHSC dean of arts and sciences

Photo caption 3: Billie Gabbard, RN, PHSC dean of nursing and health programs

Photo caption 4: Sonia Thorn, PHSC associate dean of academic affairs and institutional accreditation

Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) serves the educational needs and interests of its community by awarding certificates, diplomas, associate and baccalaureate degrees. As a comprehensive, multicampus learning-centered institution, PHSC utilizes various instructional modalities and support services. PHSC provides an accessible, diverse teaching and learning environment rich with opportunities for students to achieve academic success and cultural growth in a global society.

Photo Courtesy of PHSC