CF Welcomes Henningsen as New President

Oct. 25, 2011

The College of Central Florida has announced that James Henningsen, Ed.D, will become the next college president. Henningsen, who has more than two decades of experience with the Florida College System, was selected after a national search which involved college staff, faculty, students and community members.

“The District Board of Trustees is excited about its selection of Dr. Henningsen as the next leader of College of Central Florida,” said Cory Pool, chair of the board. “He is well qualified to assume the legacy of former president Charles Dassance and take it to the next level.”

The search for a new president began in May after the retirement of Dassance, who served the college for 15 years. Henningsen was the unanimous choice of the board, which approved the selection at today’s meeting.

“I am very pleased to have Dr. Henningsen come on board as the next president of the college,” said Dr. James Harvey, interim president. “He has exceptional qualifications and a passion for education that will benefit CF.”

Henningsen, who is currently vice president for academic affairs/chief academic officer at Seminole State College of Florida, will begin his service to CF in January.

“Central Florida has got a great reputation in the state of Florida. It has a great faculty and staff,” Henningsen said. “In terms of the quality of programs, the reach into the community, and the support you have from the community in developing programs and in philanthropy, it is extremely exciting to be able to work with a group that has that kind of passion to help our students.”

The College of Central Florida was founded in 1957 and serves Marion, Citrus and Levy counties.