Palm Beach Gardens Lving - January 2026

A Shared Commitment to Education COVER FEATURE PROFILES OF LEADERSHIP - By Dean Glorioso - - Photos by Carol McDonald - W hat better way to start a new year than to be inspired? With the myriad of leaders of industry impacting Palm Beach County, look no further than our own backyard for hometown inspiration and vision for a healthier, wealthier community. Celebrating its third annual Emerald Torch Awards Gala in November 2025, Palm Beach State College brought the community together to benefit students and scholarships while demonstrating its emergence as a leader for innovation in education, with President Ava L. Parker, J.D. , at the helm now for the past ten years. Welcoming nearly 400 guests to SoFi Center at the College’s Palm Beach Gardens campus, President Parker offeredamessageof gratitude and purpose. “It’s partners like you that allow us to make a difference in the community,” reaffirming the College’s role for students, families, and business partners as an engine of opportunity for innovation, impact, and leadership. The College’s signature event recognized two pillars of the community with Lifetime Achievement Awards in their respective fields: PGA TOUR golfer Gary Player and celebrated civic leader Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler. The first African American woman appointed to theMiami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners in 1979 by Governor Bob Graham, Dr. Carey-Shuler gained notoriety for her strong advocacy on urban transit, historic preservation, and affordable housing. Instrumental in establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a local holiday before it became recognized nationally, she has received numerous accolades, including the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joseph R. Biden. Beyond public office, Dr. Carey- Shuler’s philanthropic work has shaped communities across South Florida. A longtime advocate for educational equity, Dr. Carey-Shuler 6 PA L M B E A C H G A R D E N S L I V I N G | J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 6 Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler and PBSC President Ava Parker