Five Questions with… New SPC Foundation Board Chair Johnny Boykins
5/12/2025
By Foundation staff
What initially led you to serve on the SPC Foundation Board of Directors?
I became involved with the SPC Foundation through Jesse Turtle, a fellow Eckerd College alum, who was familiar with my service on the Pinellas Education Foundation. He recognized a natural synergy between my commitment to educational equity and the mission of the SPC Foundation. His invitation offered me a meaningful opportunity to support an institution that is vital to our region’s workforce development and student success.
What do you hope to see the SPC Foundation Board accomplish during your tenure as Chair?
During my tenure as Chair, I hope to see the SPC Foundation Board deepen its strategic impact through both increased fundraising capacity and meaningful board member engagement. I want to ensure that each board member feels empowered, informed, and inspired to serve not only as ambassadors for the College, but as active contributors to our mission. That means creating more opportunities for board members to connect directly with students, faculty, and college leadership; facilitating committee work that taps into their professional expertise; and encouraging a culture of shared accountability and pride in our collective outcomes. We have a real opportunity to grow our donor base by leveraging the personal and professional networks of our board members. By making board engagement more purposeful and aligned with individual strengths, we can elevate both the visibility and sustainability of the Foundation. Ultimately, I want this board to be known for its leadership, diversity of thought, and unwavering commitment to institutional and student success.
What role has St. Petersburg College played in your life?
While I did not attend SPC, the College has played a significant role in my life through the people it has empowered — friends, family, colleagues, and employees—whose lives have been transformed by the education they received here. SPC is a cornerstone of our community, and I have long admired its accessibility, innovation, and impact. Supporting the College is both a personal and civic responsibility I am proud to carry.
How excited are you to be the Chair during the 100th anniversary of St. Petersburg College?
It’s an incredible honor to serve as Chair during such a historic milestone. The 100th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past, but a launching point for the next century of impact. I’m excited to help lead efforts that recognize the College’s legacy while laying the groundwork for a bold and innovative future that meets the needs of our community.
What is your message to alumni, donors, and friends as we prepare for the centennial?
This centennial is a powerful moment of reflection and recommitment. Every alum, donor, and friend of St. Petersburg College has played a role in shaping its legacy—and your continued engagement is essential to its future. As we mark 100 years of academic excellence and community impact, I invite you to join us in investing in the next generation of students and the next century of service.
Your support helps create better jobs by fueling the programs, scholarships, and training opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers. It builds better lives by ensuring access to education regardless of background or circumstance. And it strengthens better communities by elevating the workforce, fostering innovation, and breaking cycles of poverty through learning.
Together, let’s honor SPC’s past by boldly building its future. Your time, talents, and treasure have never been more important. Let’s make this centennial not just a celebration—but a catalyst.
