Dr. Heather Bigard was unanimously chosen as the seventh president of Lake-Sumter State College, and she’s making history as the first female to hold the position.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the College,” says Dr. Bigard, who has been at LSSC since 2016. As president, she wants to increase access to higher education for all adult students to have equal opportunities for success, including underserved populations, such as first-generation college students. 

“We look at our work as the bridge to the future. Students come to us with a future in mind and we’re here to get them started,” says Dr. Bigard. “Sometimes we are a destination and sometimes we are a launching point.”

LSSC is now in its 60th year of providing higher education in Lake and Sumter Counties. Over the years, donors to the LSSC Foundation have helped countless students pursue their education. “Last year we gave out almost $1 million in scholarships and we couldn’t do that without the support of our local community.”

Incoming President / Lake-Sumter State College

352.787.3747 / 9501 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg / lssc.edu