The University of North Florida opened the doors of the newest addition to Florida's research facilities for public policy in March 2001. Located in the University Center on UNF's campus, the Florida Center for Public Policy and Leadership is a fully functional research facility geared to inform, advise and participate in public policy development at the local, state and national level.

Dr. Adam Herbert, former chancellor of the Florida State University System and past president of UNF, was appointed by Dr. Anne Hopkins, UNF president, as the executive director of the center. Herbert began his career as a full-time professor of political science at the University of Southern California in 1969. Since then, Herbert has served on the faculties of Virginia Technical University, Florida International University and UNF. Herbert said he has many goals set for the Center.

"First, I hope to shape the Florida Center into one of the nation's most outstanding campus-based public policy research enterprises. Second, I want to grow the center into the primary in-state source of data and policy analysis, which informs Florida policy makers and citizens within the scope of our areas of inquiry," Herbert said.

According to Herbert, the initial responsibility of the executive director is to define and shape the scope and research directions of the Center.

"The conceptualization of a long-term research strategy and the development of related databases is yet another major responsibility," Herbert said. As executive director, Herbert will be responsible for the hiring of the center's core staff and securing grants and contracts that advocate the center's policy research agenda. Herbert has significant experience in the policy-making arena. Serving as the SUS chancellor, he was able to develop a strong network of policy makers in the Florida state legislature and the members of the federal congressional delegation. "After spending several years in Tallahassee, I also have a much clearer sense of the major problems and policy issues confronting Florida which demand research and analysis," Herbert said.

"My academic experiences provide the methodological background and intellectual perspectives needed to lead efforts that fulfill the Florida Center's mission," Herbert said.