Bowen elected to lead FSBA

Georgia “Joy” Bowen, a FAMU alumna, is the new president of the Florida School Board Association.

“I thought, oh my gosh, what an awesome responsibility. And how very fortunate I am to find my colleagues and my peers in the covered state of Florida to think enough of me and my skills that they would want to have me serve as President of the Florida School Board Association,” Bowen told WCTV-6.

Bowen, a native of Marianna, received her associate of arts degree from Jackson Junior College in 1964 then went on to earn two degrees from FAMU: a bachelor of science in sociology and a master of education.

Her educational leadership career began in 1970 when she became dean of women at Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. After served in that position for three years, she returned to Florida to accept a position as the coordinator of student activities and organizations at Florida State University. From there, she received numerous promotions. She retired in 2006 as executive assistant to the vice president for student affairs.

In 1998, Bowen was elected to her first term as a member of the Leon County School Board in Tallahassee, Florida. She currently chairs that body.

The FSBA’s mission is “to support and assist school boards in shaping and improving student achievement in Florida by impacting legislation and providing proactive leadership and training through a network of services and information.”