SFSC Names Interim Director for the Lake Placid Center

SFSC named Asena Mott, director of SFSC’s DeSoto Campus, as the interim director of SFSC’s Lake Placid Center due to the retirement of Randall Paeplow after 32 years of service to the College.

“As we congratulate Randy Paeplow on his 31 years of service to SFSC, we would like to announce the appointment of Asena Mott as interim director of the Lake Placid Center in addition to her role as director of the DeSoto Campus,” said Dr. Michele Heston, vice president for academic affairs and student services at SFSC. “Asena’s leadership will be key to ensuring a seamless transition during this time. We appreciate Asena and the dedicated staff at the Lake Placid Center as we bid Randy a wonderful and well-deserved retirement.”

Mott became the DeSoto Campus director in 2016 after 11 years in school administration and 10 years in teaching elementary school. In 2018, she was elected to the DeSoto County School Board and currently serves as School Board chair. She routinely participates in the Florida School Board Association training and is involved with Leadership DeSoto and the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce. Mott’s volunteer work includes serving as a child advocate for the Guardian ad Litem program, working with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, mentoring through Take Stock in Children, and sponsoring the Interact Club to encourage “service above self” for high school students.

“Even with my short tenure as president, I have quickly recognized Asena’s leadership skills and her obvious potential to take on this new role,” said Fred Hawkins, president of SFSC. “She puts students first and we needed someone to fill this position who would offer students the same attention and service that Randy did.”

“Our Lake Placid Center has been an important part of the community for decades, and I am honored to be a part of the Center’s next steps toward success,” said Mott.