From community college student to leading statewide initiatives, Sfiropoulos guides students toward their dreams

 

As a student at the Boca Raton campus of Palm Beach State College in the late 1990s, alumnus Dr. Mike Sfiropoulos was like many of his fellow classmates who chose to take the community college route after high school because they weren’t ready to make that big university leap.

His decision would turn out to be one of the best he has ever made. Not only did he thrive at PBSC as a student, but he later returned to the college to become an award-winning tenured professor, the department chair of the English for Academic Purposes Program, and an associate dean.

Today, his career spans over two decades, during which he has held various significant positions and made notable contributions to the Florida College System including in his current role as the associate vice chancellor of academic and student affairs.

His journey in higher education began at PBSC, where he learned to play the classical guitar and speak Spanish under the guidance of two of his most memorable professors, Dr. Juan Gonzales and Dr. Robert Geraldi, respectively.

“Both professors instilled in me the importance of discipline, dedication, determination, and hard work and set a strong foundation for me to apply those attributes to all aspects of my life,” said Sfiropoulos, who graduated in 1998 with an associate in arts degree.

After Palm Beach State, he earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in Spanish and one in Linguistics, from Florida Atlantic University. His love of languages even led him to study abroad and live in Puerto Rico and Spain.

While studying for his master’s in linguistics at FAU, he was offered a full-time academic advising position at Broward College where he later would also become an adjunct English instructor for three years.

While at Broward, an opportunity arose to go back to PBSC and teach English. Not wanting to pass up the chance to return and give back to his alma mater, Sfiropoulos would spend the next 15 years at PBSC.

A highlight of his time at PBSC was when he was awarded the prestigious Stewart Distinguished Teaching Award and the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) Instructional Innovation Award, both for innovative teaching using technology.

Sfiropoulos was honored for a series of lessons titled “Edutainment: Learning English through Television” for his Advanced English course. The lessons were designed to promote more engaging and entertaining ways to deliver instruction and connect the content to student lives, while at the same time encouraging students to think critically about the usage of the English language they are exposed to through television or other electronic media.

Today, as associate vice chancellor, Sfiropoulos provides leadership for directing, planning, organizing, and monitoring academic programs and student services for the 28 Florida College System institutions. On the Academic Affairs side, his areas of responsibility range from dual enrollment programs to workforce baccalaureate degrees and everything in between, and on the Student Affairs side, his areas of experience range from admissions to graduation and everything in between.

“I am proud to be a product of a community college, and I am honored to now be in a position to positively impact institutions and students statewide.”

Sfiropoulos sat down to answer a few more questions about the guidance he gives to others.

What advice would you give to students in general?
What you choose to study now will be a lifelong commitment. Find a balance between what you’re passionate about and what will afford you a living. Be studious yet enjoy your educational journey.

What advice would you give to students considering your field?
If you want to make a difference in someone’s life, then there is no greater satisfaction and gratification than positively contributing to someone’s education and future.

In addition to studying foreign languages and playing classical guitar, Sfiropoulos enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.