January 2019 Spotlight – Dr. Linda Herlocker, Vice President for Student Services

 

Dr. Linda Herlocker came to FSCJ from Valencia College where she served for six years in two different leadership roles. In fact, she brings more than 20 years of higher education experience, serving in the student services and academic affairs areas for public and private institutions, in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Linda’s higher education experience extends beyond student affairs. She has been a Dean of Academic Affairs, has taught as an adjunct faculty member at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and has had several unique professional opportunities including opening a campus, closing a campus and constructing a new student services building in a national historic district.

Before coming to higher education, Linda served as a Naval Officer for 11 years on active duty and nine years as a Reservist, retiring with the rank of Commander. Her many military roles included classified material custodian, public relations officer, operations officer in charge of the port in Guam, commanding officer of a weapons station unit and historian for Special Operations Command.

She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from USF, an MBA from National University and a bachelor’s from Penn State. When not at work, she enjoys international travel and “safe” adventures like scaling rock walls or doing tree-top obstacle courses. She also has achieved Level 2 certification as a wine sommelier. Linda believes that her wide variety of interests, coupled with her “checkered past,” provides her with a unique perspective on student issues and professional challenges.

In addition to working at FSCJ, she volunteers as Board of Trustees Chairman for a nursing college.