After retiring as President of the North Campus and the Nassau Center of Florida State College at Jacksonville, Dr. Barbara Darby released her personal account of her leadership odyssey, intended to benefit aspiring and beginning leaders.  The wisdom she has gained and shares within these pages, will hopefully inspire, encourage, affirm, teach, guide, shape or simply confirm what the reader may already know – leadership is a journey with highs and lows, challenges as well as tremendous rewards.  When grounded in purpose, it is one of the most satisfying personal, intellectual, and spiritual development opportunities.  The chapters of this book highlight internal, external, known and unknown factors that influence leaders, their teams and the goals they achieve. 

 

Dr. Darby served in the role of Campus President from 1998 until 2015.  Prior to her appointment as Campus President, she served as Dean of Instruction/Campus Dean for Health Services Programs (1994-1998), Assistant Instructional Dean, Nursing/Nursing Related Programs (1989-1994) and Instructional Program Manager, Nursing/Nursing Related Programs (1988-1989).  During her administration, there was strong enrollment growth, program expansion and new program development to provide health care and other professionals for Northeast Florida. Her professional career spanned forty-five years.

 

She is the recipient of numerous achievement awards and recognition for her leadership accomplishments and community engagement from a variety of organizations.  She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serving two terms as chapter president.  She currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband John.