Lynn Lisenby

Growing Success

Lynn Lisenby
Biology and Ecology Professor, Downtown Campus

Lynn Lisenby’s interest in biology blossomed on her farm, as did her innovative nature. For 10 years, she grew hybrid orchids and sold them across the U.S. and internationally. She owned the flourishing business with her father, a biology illustrator. Growing the delicate tropical plants takes patience and great care, qualities that Professor Lisenby now calls upon to nurture student success in her biology and ecology classes on the Downtown Campus.

Born in Miami, Lisenby and her sister were raised by their grandmother. “I attribute who I became to my grandmother. She was a very strong woman who instilled in me the notion that hard work paid off.”

Lisenby’s career path did not immediately lead her to education. She worked with BellSouth for 27 years, retiring as a regional sales and customer service manager in the business sector. Corporate life prepared and motivated Lisenby for what would become her second career. “I loved seeing my people grow and develop through training and thought it would be really neat to be able to teach a subject I was very interested in to college students,” says Lisenby, who is married and has two children.

That meant returning to school. With a nearly finished associate in arts degree, she completed her A.A. at Florida Community College. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Florida and then her M.S.T. from the University of Florida. Lisenby started working at the College in 1992 and joined the faculty five years ago. In teaching biological sciences, Lisenby encourages her students to “see connections in the world around us.”

Many of her biology majors stay in touch after they leave. Several graduated from the University of Florida this year. “I was able to get internships for two of those students at a local environmental services company here in Jacksonville. One student is now a project scientist at that company,” she said.

When encouraging her students to accept challenges and succeed, Lisenby can speak from experience. A few years ago, she asked to be involved in the planning and start-up of a cutting-edge program at the Advanced Technology Center. Her extraordinary efforts over a two-year period resulted in the introduction of a biotechnology associate’s degree program at Florida Community College and her winning the Innovative Faculty Technology Award for 2003-04.

In a second successful career, Professor Lisenby is sharing the childhood lessons instilled in her by her grandmother, motivating students to work hard and achieve. “The greatest challenge I face is from students thinking they cannot pass the course, or trying to help displaced homemakers believe that they truly can be successful. I provide constant encouragement in class, letting students know they can be successful if they choose.”

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