ORANGE PARK – Just 10 months ago, Dr. Daniel Ray held a shiny corporate title as the Vice President and Senior Project Management Lead at Citi Bank in Jacksonville. However, he felt a persistent calling elsewhere. So, when St. Johns River State College was looking for a Director of Community and Corporate Education, he took a leap of faith in another direction.

Ray was interviewed in January by Chief Academic Officer Melanie Brown, Director of Organizational Management Karen Balcanoff and Full-Time Professor of Business Summer Garrett. To his pleasant surprise, he was hired.

Ray has transitioned out of his full-time role in the corporate world. Just seven months into his new gig, he’s already earned a promotion. Like all teachers, he didn’t apply for the job for the salary. He applied because he yearned to share his wealth of knowledge that would give students the tools needed to foster connections and find success.

The professor has overseen educational programs that serve the local community and corporate partners, developing curriculum for classes, coordinating faculty, fostering community partnerships and facilitating non-credit-based programs. The busy course load he manages cultivates leadership, customer service, human resources management, legal and ethical reasoning.

Some community and corporate education classes provide practical expertise in QuickBook Accounting, Insurance, CDL and HVAC licensing, Heavy Equipment, Fitness, Culinary, Zumba and Basic Life Support.

Ray earned a doctorate in philosophy and organizational management from Liberty University in September and a master’s in science and data analytics from Western Governors University in May. And he’s far from being finished. Next year, he will add a business communications course to his responsibilities, and he hopes to teach data analytics in an upcoming semester.

“I have credentials in (several areas), but I haven’t been asked to teach (some subjects) yet,” he said. “I would teach 10 classes a semester if they’d let me.”

Ray left his high-paying corporate job to follow this passion, guiding others to academic and career success. His unique approach bridges the gap between the academic and professional areas.

“We (as educators) need to meet the needs of our workforce not just globally or (throughout) the United States, but within the immediate community. ‘What do our Gordon Chevrolet’s need? What do our manufacturers need?’ Being able to make those connections is what attracted me to the job.”

Inspired by past educators, Ray is dedicated to creating lifelong, self-determined leaders. He finds deep intrinsic satisfaction in watching his students learn. More than anything, Ray loves engaging with his students.

SJR State offers the opportunity to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, organizational management and nursing. The college offers the opportunity to earn a two-year associate degree, which grants students transfer to other post-secondary institutions in the state. Continuing education is a key tenet of SJR State, which offers classes toward technical certificates in various professional fields for students of all ages and backgrounds.

“When I was a (child), you could go to the high school at night, pay six dollars, and take a class in wood shop or karate or learn how to dance,” he said.

Part of his role is returning that “good old” community feeling.

SJR hosts career services throughout the year for students, alumni and community members – a career fair is scheduled at the Palatka campus on Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – to bridge the gap between academic curriculum and career connection.

The college has announced that the scholarship application for the 2023-24 academic year is open. Last year, more than $163K in scholarships provided the financial assistance necessary to aid students in completing their degrees and becoming skilled members of the workforce. The scholarship application closes on April 1, 2024.

A wave of local business owners eagerly surges to campus to teach elective and non-credit classes at SJR State. This, along with a strong outreach to the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, promises exciting growth at the college and in the community.

“These people are applying what they have learned in the real world to students. There’s a drive towards that (style of teaching),” he said. 

It all comes down to one principle:

“How can we bring the college back to the community, and how can we bring the community back to the college?” Ray asked.

For more information, visit sjrstate.edu/continuinged.