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Dr. Devin Stephenson ’75
and
Dr. Steve Echols MPPM ’02
, whose leadership paths were shaped by
BSC, have embarked upon new college presidencies.
Stephenson was appointed the fourth president of Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) after
serving as president of Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonburg, Ky., since 2015.
Echols became the 17th president of Brewton-Parker College after serving as president of Tennessee
Temple University in Chattanooga for nearly four years.
Stephenson and Echols are two of four known BSC alumni who are currently college presidents. The
others are
Dr. Robert Glenn ’75
(Athens State University) and
Dr. Jay Simmons ’85
(Simpson College).
Stephenson began his tenure at
NWFSC in January. NWFSC, a college in
Niceville Fla., which is part of the Florida
College System, has an enrollment of
more than 11,500 students.
He has more than 40 years of
experience in higher education, including
as vice president of external affairs
and dean of students at Bevill State
Community College, CEO of Snead
State Community College, and dean of
students at Walker State Technical College.
A Sumiton, Ala., native, Stephenson
attended community college himself
before receiving his bachelor’s degree
in business from BSC. He earned both
master’s and doctoral degrees in higher
education administration from the
University of Alabama.
“My BSC experience was invaluable in helping me actualize the reality that through will,
determination, and the education I obtained, I could accomplish anything,” Stephenson said. “The
college laid the foundation for me to pursue my master’s and doctorate, and it has played a critical part
in my successes as a college president/CEO.”
Echols began his tenure in 2015. Brewton-Parker, a private four-year college in Mt. Vernon, Ga., has
an enrollment of more than 900 students and is affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention. He was
a faculty member and dean for 11 years for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Echols also
served as a pastor for more than 30 years at churches in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia.
He graduated from Mercer University with a bachelor’s degree in religion and earned his divinity and
Ph.D. degrees from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also holds a Doctor of Ministry
degree from Beeson Divinity School.
“Being in the MPPM program was the best possible preparation for being president at Tennessee
Temple and now at Brewton-Parker,” said Echols. “I received the training and skill development that
proved to be of the upmost value in the real world of leading a large organization.”
Two BSC alumni land
college presidencies
Stephenson
Echols
Leaders in academia