State College of Florida President Gregory’s Vision for the Future

By Jamie Smith | April 2025

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) inaugurated only its seventh President in the college’s 68-year history on Friday, February 7, 2025. Former Florida House Representative and USAF Ret. Lt. Col. Tommy Gregory, who also holds a Juris Doctor degree, officially took the mace during an inauguration ceremony attended by more than 350 that included friends, family members, peers, colleagues and the SCF college community.

It’s no wonder President Gregory, an avid reader, fan of history and someone who believes we should take “pride” in our work, chose “Honoring Excellence” and “Serving Proudly” as the proverb for the day. His inauguration address included many popular quotes from inspiring leaders throughout history. 

When speaking of excellence, President Gregory referenced General Daniel S. “Chappie” James, an Air Force fighter pilot who, in 1975, became the first African American to reach the rank of 4-star General, and who first demonstrated and then explained that “The power of excellence is overwhelming.  It is always in demand, and nobody cares about its color.”

He shared with the crowd that we should celebrate SCF excellence in all the ways its already achieved it and set the bar even higher. President Gregory said, “Setting the bar higher doesn’t just give people a target, it tells them that you believe they can achieve it!”

He also acknowledged the strong foundation of the Florida College System and of SCF. The newly installed president referenced how over the years, the college is repeatedly acknowledged for its ability to expand program offerings, onboard prestigious faculty, and for forty-seven years of the SCF baseball team’s history, Major League Baseball teams have drafted players.

More than 62,000 community members have graduated from the state college and more than 25,000 alumni remain local. SCF affords graduates associate and bachelor’s degrees as well as certificates. Approximately 75% of SCF’s graduates continue to earn their bachelor’s degrees and 25% enter the workforce immediately. 

Tuition at SCF has not been raised in 14 years and it has grown to three campuses with a fourth campus in Parrish currently pending the final installment of legislative funds to be built. Phase one of the Parrish campus will feature a 40,000-square-foot building with admissions services, multi-use offices, classrooms, and labs. Students can dually enroll or take general education and STEM courses while completing signature SCF programs, such as nursing, which is rated among the top three in the state. 

In addition to its reputation for affordability, SCF stands as the region’s only open-access institution, helping to eliminate barriers to higher education for community members. The SCF Foundation awards more than $2 million dollars in scholarships each year to deserving students while raising funds for initiatives, including SCF Parrish.

The work of SCF and key to achieving excellence according to President Gregory, is “serving proudly.” During his speech, he also cited Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall, who later became Secretary of State and Secretary Defense, who said, ‘There is no limit to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.’  

“SCF employees embody this principle every day. They are recognized experts and authors, conduct peer-reviews, serve and lead local organizations, and help each other and our students in countless ways.  And because they are serving proudly, SCF students are graduating and pursuing careers in business, education, technology, health sciences and more,” shared SCF President Gregory.

He believes in a “PRIDE” model whereby everyone should take “personal responsibility in daily effort,” and that means providing the best academic advice and needed services, embracing student-centered approaches in degree planning and Guided Pathways, offering flexible course schedules, and continuing to build SCF’s already strong relationship with university leaders.

As President Gregory emphasized, the impact of SCF extends beyond academic achievement. By graduating more students, SCF enriches not just individuals, but also families and the broader community. In addition to the economic impact in the millions of dollars, SCF serves as a safe and collaborative space, arts and culture venue, local employer, and educational hub for the entire community. It’s been their tradition and legacy! As they like to say, “At SCF, we meet you where you are. We’re Everyone’s College.”

President Gregory invites the community to join him in this exciting journey by challenging themselves and each other to help the college graduate more students, faster, and with the excellence that has defined SCF for nearly seven decades. “Together, we can continue to strengthen the tradition of service, pride, and academic success.”

To learn how you can support SCF and its students, visit State College of Florida Foundation at scf-foundation.org.