Hawat Named Senior Vice President for Operations and Global Initiatives

MELBOURNE, FLA.— Gaby Hawat has been appointed to the position of Senior Vice President for Operations and Global Initiatives and Professor of Education and Interdisciplinary Science at Florida Institute of Technology.

Hawat has served in progressively responsible positions at Valencia College in Orlando for nearly three decades, most recently as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Executive for Strategic Initiatives and Economic Development since 2008. In that role, he was responsible for new markets, partnerships and missions for the college, with extensive experience in building global relationships. His previous positions included Dean of Architecture, Engineering and Technology as well as Department Chair of Business, Computer Technology, Engineering and Public Services.

“Dr. Hawat has a range of experience that will serve our university well,” said T. Dwayne McCay, Florida Tech President and CEO. “He’s also very familiar with Florida Tech, having earned two degrees from here. I have high expectations for his skills and abilities as we move Florida Tech forward.”

In addition to having been a tenured professor at Valencia and a recipient of several state and federal grants, Hawat has served with a number of boards and professional organizations, including as Director of the Engineering Technology Council for the American Society for Engineering Education, Florida High Tech Corridor Core Team Member, the Orlando Science Center Board and the Florida Innovation Caucus.

“I have dedicated my career to service in the higher education field even though many opportunities for positions in the engineering private sector were available to me over the years,” Hawat said. “I sincerely believe that education is the best ticket to a better life, as it was to me, and I feel the need and desire to contribute back to the same source that supported my life goals and beliefs. I look forward to the work ahead at Florida Tech.”

Hawat holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Florida Tech, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Florida Tech, a Doctor of Education with Specialization in Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University, and is a graduate of the Management Development Program from the Harvard Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.

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