Dr. Heather Bigard
Dr. Heather Bigard is the seventh president of Lake-Sumter State College, and the first female to hold the role. Under President Bigard’s transformational leadership, the College is on a bold journey to become the community’s college of choice for quality education and career training. The College will transform how it connects and educates our students while embracing our rich history of high-quality education and personalized student support services.
In the first year of her presidency, President Bigard has overseen a dramatic campus revitalization to better serve students today and into the future. Leading the development of a 2026 strategic plan, Dr. Bigard has established priorities for the institution, including increased access to higher education, workforce development, and student learning and success.
Additionally, during this time, the College has seen increased student enrollment, significant expansion of high-demand programs, including nursing and allied health, and the creation of the LakeWorks pathway partnership program with Lake Technical College.
President Bigard was proud to oversee the opening of the College’s first new campus location in 24 years, which is located in the Four Corners area of Lake County. The College also received $17.5 million dollars in state funding in 2023 to build an innovative Workforce Development Center on the Leesburg Campus.
Dr. Bigard is a first-generation college student and worked an on-campus job to help fund her own undergraduate education. She understands the realities that students face when enrolling in college and brings a commitment to a truly student-centered approach to higher education.
Dr. Bigard brings over 25 years of experience across a wide portfolio of higher education leadership to her role at Lake-Sumter State College.
Dr. Bigard received her doctoral degree in higher education and organizational change and a master’s degree from Benedictine University, in addition to her bachelor’s degree from Lambuth University.
Dr. Bigard resides in the Clermont area with her husband, Phil, and has two children, who are both currently enrolled at the college.
Latest News
- Teamont Cafe opens on South Lake Campus in Cooper Memorial Library
- Lake-Sumter State College celebrates the start of an exciting academic year
- Introducing LakeWorks, Transforming Career Pathways
- From Uncertainty to Clarity: LSSC’s BAS-SL Internship Unlocks Career Potential for Joshua Frisby
- Record-breaking state funding propels Lake-Sumter State College toward an exciting academic year
Contact the Office of the President
Physical Location
Student Services Building, Suite 207
Leesburg Campus
Mailing Address
Lake-Sumter State College
Attn: Office of the President
9501 U.S. Highway 441
Leesburg, FL 34788
Contact Email
OfficeofthePresident@lssc.edu
Office of the President Staff
Kailyn Wurm
Executive Assistant to the President
(352) 365-3523