50 Most Powerful People Of 2026 In Orlando: Education
Here are your most powerful leaders in education in Orlando.
- Dr. Maria Vazquez | Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools
- Dr. Alexander Cartwright | President, University of Central Florida
- Dr. Kathleen Plinske | President, Valencia College
- Dr. Georgia Lorenz | President, Seminole State College
- Garry Jones | President, Full Sail University
- Dr. Christopher F. Roellke | President, Stetson University
- Brooke Barnett | President, Rollins College
- Dr. Deborah German | Founding Dean, UCF College of Medicine
1. Dr. Maria Vazquez | Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools
Dr. Maria Vazquez is entering her final school year as superintendent of Orange County Public Schools during what she describes as a moment of crisis for public education.
Shrinking enrollment, lower birthrates, housing costs, immigration enforcement and school vouchers are placing pressure on community schools. Vazquez believes the response should be greater investment in teachers and the public-school choices families increasingly expect.
“On a state level, we need our legislators to understand that nine out of 10 Florida families are choosing public schools, and that their investment should reflect this,” Vazquez said.
OCPS offers magnet programs, scholastic academies, career and technical education, advanced studies and microschools. Open enrollment allows families to select campuses across Orange County, while homeschool and voucher students can participate in individual classes.
Despite the challenges, OCPS earned an “A” rating from the state for a third consecutive year. A total of 101 traditional schools received an “A,” and none earned a D or F. Vazquez pointed to Catalina Elementary, which earned an “A” after years of targeted assistance, as evidence of the district’s commitment.
“We never give up on any child or any school, because every learner matters and can succeed,” she said.
Vazquez also highlighted OCPS’ collaboration with Lift Orlando to transform Orange Center Elementary into Orange County STEAM Academy. The charter-school model emphasizes place-based learning, community engagement and wraparound services. Vazquez believes it could eventually be replicated elsewhere.
Her most difficult decision was recommending the consolidation of seven under-enrolled schools. The experience, she said, reinforced the importance of guiding communities through change with compassion.
As she prepares to conclude her tenure, Vazquez remains optimistic because of the resilience she sees in classrooms.
“Our students bring fresh ideas, genuine care for others, and a willingness to take on difficult challenges,” she said. “This generation is amazing.”
2. Dr. Alexander Cartwright | President, University of Central Florida
Dr. Alexander Cartwright is strengthening UCF’s role as a place where education, research and public-private partnerships produce practical results for Florida.
In 2026, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement relocated its Orlando toxicology laboratory to UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona. The laboratory processes approximately 10,000 cases annually and will give students greater access to internships, forensic experts and career opportunities while connecting FDLE with university researchers developing new drug-detection methods and analytical tools.
“This partnership reflects what UCF was built to do — bring talent, technology and applied research together in service to Florida,” Cartwright said.
UCF also welcomed Orlando Health’s Strategic Innovations group to its main campus in 2026. The collaboration brings clinicians together with faculty and students to develop solutions involving cancer research, digital health, artificial intelligence and orthopedic care.
“Orlando can continue to create an environment that further strengthens connections between academia and industry as we collectively drive innovation and the growth of our economy.”
Those partnerships reflect Cartwright’s broader strategy of placing employers and government agencies closer to UCF’s talent and research infrastructure.
“Orlando can continue to create an environment that further strengthens connections between academia and industry as we collectively drive innovation and the growth of our economy,” he said.
3. Dr. Kathleen Plinske ED. D., PHIL. D. | President, Valencia College
At a time when the rising cost of higher education dominates national conversations, Valencia College President dr. Kathleen Plinske remains focused on keeping college within reach. More than 43 percent of Valencia students pay nothing out of pocket for tuition and fees, an achievement she considers among the institution’s most meaningful.
Valencia’s Board of Trustees has not increased tuition in more than a decade, while the Valencia College Foundation raises scholarship funds and the college develops tuition-sponsorship programs with area employers. Osceola Prosper, launched by the Osceola County Commission in 2022, also allows graduating high school seniors to attend Valencia or Osceola Technical College without paying tuition and fees out of pocket.
“The cost of college should not be a barrier” for those seeking an education and the opportunity to pursue the American dream, Plinske says.
Her vision extends beyond affordability. Over the past year, Valencia partnered with the Institute for the Future, with support from the Universal Orlando Foundation, to explore how emerging technology, changing employer expectations and evolving career pathways could reshape Central Florida’s workforce.
The findings reinforced the importance of pairing technical expertise with abilities artificial intelligence cannot easily replace, including communication, collaboration, adaptability, ethical judgment, creativity and leadership. Plinske believes educators and employers must work together to incorporate internships, mentorships and applied-learning projects into degree programs, identify emerging skill gaps and give students experience solving real-world problems.
Her optimism comes from Valencia students, many of whom balance jobs, families and financial obligations while pursuing an education. Plinske sees a generation that is curious, adaptable and comfortable with change. By helping students build expertise, relationships, confidence and leadership skills, Valencia can prepare graduates not merely to adjust to Central Florida’s future, but to shape it.
4. Dr. Georgia Lorenz | President, Seminole State College
For Dr. Georgia Lorenz, president of Seminole State College, strengthening Central Florida’s future begins with connecting education, workforce development and career opportunities.
As Orlando grows, employers need skilled workers in health care, engineering, technology, advanced manufacturing and the trades. Colleges must respond while keeping education accessible and affordable.
“The impact of postsecondary education extends beyond the classroom,” Lorenz said.
Seminole State generates more than $1.3 billion in added income for the regional economy, an impact equivalent to supporting 14,615 jobs. A $2.8 million Florida Job Growth Grant will help expand programs in engineering technology, data analytics, welding, HVAC, airframe maintenance and electrical training.
“The impact of postsecondary education extends beyond the classroom.”
Lorenz also launched Impact 2030, Seminole State’s strategic plan focused on student success, employee development and regional partnerships. The college received $10 million in state funding toward a Workforce, Science and Technology Center at its Altamonte Springs campus, allowing it to double the size of its nursing program.
The college is also helping students overcome challenges outside the classroom. Created with Heart of Florida United Way, the Raider C.A.R.E. Village connects students with nonprofit and social services. A CareerSource Central Florida campus hub provides employment resources while helping businesses find qualified workers.
Lorenz said employers can strengthen education through advisory boards, internships and investments in training facilities. A $2 million gift from the Wharton-Smith Foundation supported renovations to Seminole State’s workforce trades center.
Despite limited resources and rising costs, Lorenz remains guided by what will benefit the greatest number of students.
“They are resilient,” she said. “What I enjoy most is watching them discover what’s possible for themselves.”
5. Garry Jones | President, Full Sail University
Full Sail University President Garry Jones sees Central Florida’s expanding technology sector as an opportunity to strengthen both Central Florida’s workforce and its economy.
Preparing students for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — particularly artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and technology-supported health sciences — will be critical over the next five years, Jones said. Orlando’s position as one of the nation’s fastest-growing markets for technology jobs makes that work especially important.
“Companies go where talent is available,” Jones said. “And where companies go, the livelihood and quality of life of the population improves.”
Jones believes Full Sail and other Central Florida universities have helped establish the region as a destination for technology talent. Continuing to align education with emerging industry needs, he said, will make the area more attractive to companies seeking skilled employees in an era of rapid innovation.
Full Sail recently advanced that mission by launching the Full Sail University IBM Cyber Defense Range, powered by Amazon Web Services and Cloud Range. The 1,400-square-foot, enterprise-grade training center allows students to participate in realistic cyberattack and defense scenarios before entering the workforce.
The facility, which Full Sail says is the first of its kind in the Southeast, gives students access to training traditionally reserved for Fortune 500 cybersecurity teams. Students gain practical experience in areas such as threat hunting, malware analysis, incident response and the protection of enterprise networks.
“It represents the redesign of cybersecurity education,” Jones said.
For Jones, the project illustrates what educational institutions can accomplish when they respond directly to the needs of employers and their communities — while preparing graduates to succeed in fields where qualified talent remains in high demand.
6. Dr. Christopher F. Roellke | President, Stetson University
For Stetson University President dr. Christopher F. Roellke, strengthening education in Central Florida begins with building meaningful relationships among colleges, employers, nonprofit organizations and civic leaders.
Roellke envisions an integrated regional talent ecosystem that combines strong academics with internships, mentorship, community engagement and clearly defined career pathways. “At Stetson, we believe education is most transformative when it is relationship-rich and purpose-driven,” he said.
That philosophy guides FORWARD TOGETHER, Stetson’s strategic plan through 2030. Developed with trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners, the plan seeks to move Stetson from a “Florida gem to a national treasure” through investments in academic excellence, student well-being, experiential learning and institutional sustainability.
One example is LAW READY, a new program for undergraduates pursuing pre-law studies on Stetson’s DeLand campus. The initiative builds on the national reputation of Stetson University College of Law and creates a stronger pathway for students considering legal careers.
Stetson’s influence also extends beyond academics. The university was named the Central Florida Pledge’s 2026
Education Leader of the Year for its collaboration with the Ginsburg Family Foundation. The effort encourages people to treat one another with dignity and respect, particularly when they disagree about politics, religion or other difficult issues.
As higher education faces shifting demands, Roellke believes student success must remain at the center of decisions about investments, resources and institutional priorities. He also has learned that challenging decisions are improved when those affected feel heard, respected and included.
Roellke draws optimism from the students he teaches each fall through his Presidential Fellows program. The course gives first-year students an inside look at how a university operates while providing him with their observations and ideas. “Listening to their insights and suggestions makes me a better president and makes Stetson stronger,” he said.
7. Brooke Barnett | President, Rollins College
As the newly elected president of Rollins College, Brooke Barnett sees higher education’s greatest value not in preparing students for one specific job, but in developing the intellectual flexibility to thrive through continual change.
Technical skills can quickly become outdated, she said, but critical thinking, communication and the ability to solve unfamiliar problems endure. Barnett believes Central Florida educators can strengthen that foundation by combining academic learning with internships, research and community engagement.
Rollins recently introduced a certificate program that helps students develop artificial intelligence skills within their disciplines. The transcript-visible credential will show employers that graduates are prepared to apply AI in fields ranging from business and communications to the arts and social sciences. Barnett said the program allows Rollins to respond to a changing workplace while remaining grounded in its liberal arts mission.
“At Rollins, we pride ourselves on educating students who can think critically, communicate, lead and adapt to change.”
The college is also expanding its regional influence through the Innovation Triangle: The Alfond Inn, Rollins Museum of Art and Rick Goings Institute for Management & Executive Leadership. Now under construction in Winter Park, the institute will bring together educators, executives, artists, philanthropists and community leaders.
Through Rollins Gateway, the college also partners with regional employers to provide internships, service projects and research opportunities addressing real-world challenges. Programs including the Pre-Med Observership and Women in Finance initiatives further connect academic learning with professional experience.
For Barnett, preparing students for productive careers is only part of the mission. Rollins also seeks to develop curious, lifelong learners committed to meaningful lives and service to others.
8. Dr. Deborah German | Founding Dean, UCF College of Medicine
Dr. Deborah German is concluding a transformative 20-year tenure as founding dean of the UCF College of Medicine.
German arrived in 2006 as the medical school’s only employee. Under her leadership, it became the academic anchor of Lake Nona’s Medical City, graduating more than 1,300 physicians and building residency and fellowship programs that now train more than 720 doctors across Florida.
The college achieved a 99 percent residency placement rate in 2026, exceeding the national average. German also helped establish UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Center, launch clinical trials and create an aerospace medicine program connecting space health research with care on Earth.
Her influence extends beyond facilities and programs. German has instilled a culture of professionalism rooted in “putting the needs of the other before the needs of the self.” She also championed closer collaboration among UCF’s medical, nursing and health sciences students, preparing future professionals to communicate and work effectively across disciplines.
“My goal in coming to UCF was to create the academic anchor of a new Medical City,” German said. “That foundation is now fully in place.”
After her successor is selected, German will spend one year advising UCF’s president and provost, helping guide the next chapter of the health sciences campus she helped build.
