Patrick Heaton

Patrick Heaton is a business leader with nearly two decades of experience in areas of change facilitation, strategic planning, and project coordination in the field of education. He began his career as an on-call counselor and graduate assistant with the University of South Carolina (USC) Career Center, and later as a house advisor at Vassar College. Patrick Heaton joined Florida State University (FSU) in 2002 as assistant director of career placement and liaison to the College of Engineering before advancing to the position of assistant director for orientation in the dean of students department.

He spent his final eight years with the school as assistant dean of students and director for new student and family programs. More recently, Patrick Heaton functioned as director for orientation, new student, and family programs for a private research university in the Northeast.

Dr. Heaton studied education as an undergraduate at FSU in Tallahassee. After receiving a master of education in higher education from USC in Columbia, he returned to FSU to complete his doctor of education. His doctoral thesis at FSU highlighted the influences of non-residential learning communities on academic achievement and institutional persistence.

When he has spare time, Dr. Heaton enjoys beach camping and follows baseball and college football.