Dr. Deborah Ford began her role as UW-Parkside's sixth chancellor on August 3, 2009. Previously, she was vice president of student affairs at University of West Florida. Leading the division of student affairs, she managed strategic planning, budgeting, and assessment, and managed a variety of functions including intercollegiate athletics and residence life. Dr. Ford also led the campus process to finance, design, construct, and operate new on-campus housing. She developed and implemented a five-year strategic plan for the university and appointed a student success task force to develop recommendations for enhancing retention and student success. In addition, Dr. Ford led the Student Affairs division and department of Environmental Health and Safety in the preparation for and recovery from devastating hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.