FSU names Steve Leach interim dean for Panama City campus

FSU Interim Provost Sally McRorie announced on Thursday, May 22, the appointment of Dr. Stephen P. Leach as interim dean for FSU Panama City.

Leach, who currently serves as associate dean, succeeds Dr. Ken Shaw, who leaves to become the president of Southwestern Adventist University. Leach will begin serving as interim dean July 1. 

“It has been my pleasure to work with Dr. Shaw for the past eight years,” Leach said. “His leadership and vision have seen FSU Panama City through some challenging times. I am honored to be asked to serve as interim dean and will strive to continue in the path that has been set by Dr. Shaw. I will rely on the support and guidance of our development board as we push forward in making FSU Panama City responsive to the needs of our community.”

Shaw recommended Leach for the position. “I am pleased with the announcement,” Shaw said. “Dr. Leach's leadership will provide a quality continuum of services to the faculty, staff, students and the community. I know he will do a great job.”

“FSU Panama City is very fortunate to have Dr. Steve Leach serve as interim dean,” said Barbara Robinson, associate dean for undergraduate studies at FSU Panama City. “His knowledge and experience in all aspects of FSU and the Panama City campus, from teaching to working with students, faculty, administration and the community, are invaluable. He will do a great job leading. One of the qualities that I appreciate most is his sense of humor. It will be fun to have him in this role, and I look forward to it.”

Leach has been a member of the Panama City campus faculty and administration since 2006, and a member of the FSU faculty in the Department of Computer Science since 1984. His degrees in computer science (Ph.D.) and mathematics (1972, 1970) are from FSU. He was designated a Woodrow Wilson Fellow in 1970 and has received many honors, including the University Distinguished Teaching Professor Award and the University Advising Award.

Before entering academia, Leach served as special consultant to the Florida House Select Committee on Reapportionment, the Florida Public Service Commission and the Florida Department of Corrections.

He is a retired major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

“There will be a search for a new dean in the coming months,” McRorie said. “In the meantime, we wish Ken Shaw great success in his new role and are confident in the success of Stephen Leach as he assumes the role of interim dean.”