COMMUNITY & PEOPLE
GETTING TO KNOW
JOHN GYLLIN, ED.D. Vice President, Resource and Economic Development Executive Director, Foundation for Seminole State College of Florida, Inc. B Y P E R L A B. C R O S B Y
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y Sanford Magazine sat down with John Gyllin Ed.D., Vice President, Resource and Economic Development Executive Director, Foundation for Seminole State College of Florida, Inc. to discuss the Foundation for Seminole Sate College.
Please start by introducing yourself and tell us about your background?
I am a proud native Floridian. I was born and raised on the east coast of Florida, in Cape Canaveral. I grew up in Merritt Island and graduated from Cocoa High School. My family moved from New York to Florida in the late 1960s. My dad started a fishing-rod manufacturing company, and we sold rods and tackle all over the state. Growing up, I would travel with my dad to tackle shops all over the coastal communities of Florida, selling rods. I fell in love with Florida, travel, and the coast. I was a big sports kid in my youth. I played all sports and as I grew older, and bigger, I gave football a try, which opened the door to my higher ed journey. I was the first in my family to graduate from college, a small school in Arkansas, to play football. That changed my life. While in Arkansas, I got really involved in all aspects of college life, student activities, Greek life, and sports. When I graduated, I didn’t know what to do, but was offered two assistantships to stay in school, get a master’s degree, and work on campus. That changed my whole life trajectory, and I knew I wanted to work in higher education. I have been in higher education for about 25 years and have worked at five different schools. I also completed my doctorate during that time. I moved back to Florida and Seminole State in 2011 and have been home ever since.
John Gyllin, ED.D.
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I am an example of the power of education. My family had no understanding of higher edification or the impact of what a college degree or post-secondary education could do for one’s life. The opportunity to go to college changed my entire life and provided opportunity that I never thought could happen. When I hear stories of students who have had a life like mine, who have a chance to change and become something larger than what they envisioned, that motivates me. It’s generational. We change lives and generations of lives, just by opening opportunities for people to better themselves and change their path. I lead a group of volunteer community leaders to identify and secure support for Seminole State College. Institutions like Seminole State are the backbone of the workforce in Florida. We are not funded at the level that is needed to do all the things to make a difference. The foundation supports these key
JP PHOTOGRAPHY
For years you have been coordinating and generating funds and support from donors for nonprofit organizations. What has motivated or inspired you to pursue philanthropy as your profession?
