The Economic Club of Florida presents President Fred Hawkins, Dr. Jim Murdaugh, and Tony Carvajal

Please join The Economic Club of Florida for our monthly distinguished speaker luncheon featuring Beyond the Classroom: How State Colleges Are Powering Florida’s Workforce and Economy: Panel Discussion with President Fred Hawkins, Dr. Jim Murdaugh, and Tony Carvajal as Moderator. 

Fred Hawkins became the president of South Florida State College (SFSC) in July 2023. He brought a wealth of public service experience to his role as a dedicated advocate for education in the state of Florida. 

Prior to arriving at SFSC, Hawkins served as the president and CEO of the Osceola County Education Foundation. In 2020, Hawkins became a state representative serving Osceola County's 400,000 residents where he successfully procured over $60 million in appropriations funding for his constituents. He served as vice chair of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee and whip of all education committees. Hawkins also championed several crucial pieces of legislation, notably HB157, which mandates CPR training for every Florida high school student in ninth and 11th grade, displaying his commitment to youth and public safety. 

Beyond his legislative endeavors, Hawkins has a history of community engagement, serving on numerous boards and organizations, including the Osceola County Planning Commission, Osceola County Charter Review Commission, and the Greater Osceola Partnership for Economic Prosperity (GOPEP), among others. He received the Legislator of the Year award from the Florida Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, Legislative Champion recognition from the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), and the Florida Freedom Champion designation from Americans for Prosperity.

Before his tenure in the Florida legislature, Hawkins served three terms on the Osceola Board of County Commissioners, beginning in 2008, and served as the chairman in 2010, 2014, and 2016. 

A graduate of the University of Akron with a bachelor's degree in Pre-Law and Political Science, Fred Hawkins resides in Sebring with his wife Tiffany and daughter Kendrie.

Dr. Jim Murdaugh is a nationally recognized higher education leader and workforce innovator, and the president of Tallahassee State College, one of the nation’s leading institutions for student success and workforce advancement.

Since becoming president in 2010, Dr. Murdaugh has led the College through a period of transformational growth and national distinction. Under his leadership, Tallahassee State College has been recognized among the Aspen Prize Top 10 community colleges in the nation, named one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges multiple times, and honored as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation. The College has also earned multiple National Innovation of the Year awards from the League for Innovation in the Community College for groundbreaking student success and workforce initiatives.

Dr. Murdaugh has helped position Tallahassee State College as the number one transfer institution to both Florida State University and Florida A&M University, creating nationally recognized pathways that expand access, improve completion rates, and strengthen economic mobility for students across Florida.

In recognition of his forward-thinking leadership and commitment to innovation, Dr. Murdaugh was named Entrepreneurial President of the Year by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship. He has also been recognized multiple times by Florida Trend’s Florida 500 as one of the state’s most influential business leaders and was named to the News Service of Florida’s 50 Over 50 list honoring accomplished leaders making a lasting impact across the state.

In his newly released book, Choose What You Want to Regret, Dr. Murdaugh shares insights on leadership, decision-making, and embracing meaningful challenges in times of change. His perspective on innovation, workforce readiness, and student success has made him a respected voice in conversations shaping the future of education and leadership.

Register HERE.

If you cannot attend in person register to view live online here. 

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