By Robert Barrington, Entertainment Editor
The Lions’ Pride Newspaper would like to pay tribute to faculty and staff for playing a key role in making Saint Leo University’s environment a great place to learn. This week’s spotlight is on Dr. David Persky who is Assistant to the President at Saint Leo University and is also currently acting as the Saint Leo University’s Board of Governors’ General Counsel until a new General Counsel comes in on September 26, 2011. Dr. Persky earned his B.A. in social science from Southern Methodist University, his M.S. in personnel counseling from Miami University in Ohio, his Ph.D. in higher education from Florida State University, and his J.D. from Stetson University College of law.
Before coming to Saint Leo University in 1999, Dr. Persky had spent 10 years in the practice of law and was also the Assistant County Attorney for the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office. Dr. Persky jokes, “it was an early midlife crisis that sent me to law school.” At the time he was a Dean at the University of Southern Florida and decided to attend Stetson University’s Law program and earn his J.D.
At Saint Leo University, Dr. Persky was an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and a Dean for the School of Continuing Education. At the time, The School of Continuing Education did not include The Center for Online Learning but did include Continuing Education Centers in Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. Before taking on the position of Assistant to the President, Dr. Persky helped plant the seeds to expand Continuing Education Centers into California.
Dr. Persky credits the success of Saint Leo University to Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. who was appointed President of the university on January 6, 1997. According to Dr. Persky, it was Dr. Kirk’s great vision and strategic planning that has brought Saint Leo University to what it is now. In 1998, the Center for Online Learning was added to the university’s program and had a slow but steady beginning. In 2008, Saint Leo University decided to leave their strategic partner and take the Center for Online Learning in-house and started handling their own affairs. According to Dr. Persky, there was a little dip in growth after leaving their strategic partner, but the Center for Online Learning is currently where it should be and continues to grow. When Dr. Persky talks about Saint Leo University, one senses how proud he is as he praises the accomplishments that Saint Leo University has made. While speaking with Dr. Persky, one can feel the aura of excitement that surrounds him.
“Saint Leo is a great University, and people are always surprised at the growth. It has been a very exciting time,” said Persky.
Since 1998, enrollment rates at Saint Leo University have doubled, and graduation rates have significantly increased. Many buildings have been completely renovated. Seven new buildings were constructed, and seven more were purchased. New construction seems to be a continuous occurrence at Saint Leo University. Additionally, new technology is being implemented in all parts of the university teaching environment, and every campus residential student is issued a new laptop computer.
“Dr. Kirk came in with a great vision, stayed true to his vision with his strategic plan, and here we are today,” said Dr. Persky.
Dr. Persky talked about the rapid growth that Saint Leo University has taken,
“We just finished the Business Building, we have two more Residence Halls underway, and we start on a new parking structure in Fall; these are exciting times,” said Persky.
