DR. HEATHER BIGARD

SEVENTH PRESIDENT OF LAKE-SUMTER STATE COLLEGE

Dr. Heather Bigard is the seventh president of Lake-Sumter State College, and the first female to hold the role. As president, Dr. Bigard is focused on improving student success outcomes and maximizing higher education opportunities for our community. She plans to build on the College’s past successes to create a new shared vision of the future of higher education locally that embraces the evolving needs of our communities.

Bigard brings over 25 years of experience from a wide portfolio of higher education leadership to this role. As a first-generation college student who worked on campus to help fund her undergraduate education, she understands first-hand the realities that students face when enrolling in college.

Dr. Bigard joined Lake-Sumter State College in 2016 and in her role as Executive Vice President oversaw the implementation of several significant projects including the expansion of academic programs, development of a five-year strategic plan, technology and service improvements, and a new resource allocation process. These changes paved the way for strategic investments across the institution, including an updated salary and compensation model for faculty and staff, information technology enhancements, facilities and capital improvement, and student support services.

In 2021, Dr. Bigard was chosen to participate in the prestigious and highly selective Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship through the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. This fellowship prepares the next generation of community college presidents to transform institutions to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success.

Dr. Bigard received her doctoral degree in higher education and organizational change and a master’s degree from Benedictine University and her bachelor’s degree from Lambuth University.

Dr. Bigard resides in the Clermont area with her husband, Phil, and has two children, Alexis & Dylan, who are both currently enrolled at the college.