The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) elected a new chair and vice chair for the 2017-2018 academic year at its July 18 board meeting, held at the college’s West Campus in New Port Richey. Trustee Rao Musunuru, M.D., was elected to serve as chair, succeeding Edward Blommel, and Trustee Robin Schneider was elected to serve as vice chair, a post previously held by John Dougherty.
Musunuru, of New Port Richey, Fla., a practicing board certified cardiologist, in Pasco County since 1981, has served as chief of medicine, chief of staff, chairman of continuing medical education and chair of the board of trustees at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson. He has been an active American Heart Association volunteer since 1979 and is a past recipient of the AHA National Chairman’s Award, National Physician of the Year, and National Volunteer Advocate of the Year Award. In 2012, he received the state of Florida Education Commissioners’ Business Recognition Award and in 2013 he was honored with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Southern Region Trustee Leadership Award.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Musunuru as chair of the PHSC District Board of Trustees once again,” said Timothy Beard, Ph.D., PHSC president. “As a dedicated trustee since 1999 who has served as a chair of the board three times, he is an accomplished board leader and is very knowledgeable about the college. As a philanthropist, he has also been very supportive of the PHSC Foundation, and his scholarships have supported the ambitions of many deserving students. His leadership and influence has had an immeasurable impact on the college and will continue to do so in the future.”
Schneider, of Spring Hill, Fla., is marketing coordinator at Medical Center of Trinity. She previously served as the president of the Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central and is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Pasco and a 2003 graduate of Leadership Hernando. Schneider has more than 16 years of experience in health care marketing and has served on the board of directors of the American Cancer Society. “Ms. Schneider, a strong proponent of higher education and the college’s workforce degree programs, has served on the board since June 2014,” said Beard. “We are very pleased that she has accepted this important post and look forward to her leadership.”
Edward Blommel, outgoing chair, was recognized for his exemplary leadership throughout his 2016-17 term. Blommel has served as a trustee since 2013.
Each July, the board elects new leaders and reviews meeting and event dates for the upcoming academic year.
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) serves the educational needs and interests of its community by awarding certificates, diplomas, associate and baccalaureate degrees. As a comprehensive, multicampus learning-centered institution, PHSC utilizes various instructional modalities and support services. PHSC provides an accessible, diverse teaching and learning environment rich with opportunities for students to achieve academic success and cultural growth in a global society.