Contact Us: Community Engagement

Matthew Lenihan

Director, Business and Community Relations

Phone: 561-868-3139

Email: lenihanm@palmbeachstate.edu

Matt received his bachelor’s degree in 2005 from Siena College, a liberal arts college in upstate New York. He then worked in the private business sector in New York City where he gained knowledge about the importance of talent pipeline management in high-demand industries. 

After moving to Florida in 2014, his career took a turn toward higher education, and helping to connect businesses with the workforce pipeline as well as assisting companies with incumbent worker training. As a member of the Division of Workforce Education/Corporate College at Polk State College for five years, Matt worked with internal and external partners to promote customized workforce training for new and existing employees. He was active on key College committees such as the accreditation self-study and served as a volunteer announcer for athletic games. 

In 2019, Matt received his Master of Arts degree in Career and Technical Education at USF, where he gained expertise in both the theory and practice of workforce education as it relates to the overall mission of higher education in Florida. 

In 2020, Matt joined Saint Leo University as the Assistant Director of the Tampa Education Center and was quickly promoted to the Director of the Saint Leo East Pasco Education Center in 2021. At Saint Leo, Matt expanded corporate partnerships and worked with faculty to promote recruitment and retention efforts in bachelor and master’s degree programs. He was part of the University team that proactively addressed recruitment, enrollment and retention efforts related to the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. Additionally, Matt served on the University Strategic Planning Committee. 

In 2022, Matt joined Palm Beach State College as the Director of Business and Community Relations. He is responsible for identifying, developing, cultivating, and maintaining relationships with external community organizations and internal programs of study. His role is to establish and foster relationships and partnerships in support of the College’s presence in Palm Beach County. 

 

Susan del Portal

External Affairs Manager

Phone: 561-207-5422

Email: delports@palmbeachstate.edu

Susan is a native Floridian, born in West Palm Beach. She received an Associate in Science degree in paralegal studies from Palm Beach State College and built a career as a corporate/real estate paralegal, working in private law firms for over 20 years. Susan then accepted a position with the Wild Dolphin Project, a local Jupiter-based nonprofit, where she spearheaded fundraising research efforts. 

In 2000, Susan and her family moved to West Hartford, Connecticut, in connection with the United Technologies/Pratt & Whitney relocation. She then decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications and community relations at the University of Hartford.  

While pursuing her degree, Susan was offered a recruiting position for the nursing program at St. Joseph’s University in West Hartford. This is where she gained exposure to higher education, and her passion grew for academia.

In 2011, Susan and her family had an opportunity to return to Palm Beach County and moved to Palm Beach Gardens. She continued her career in academia by accepting a position at her alma mater—PBSC—as a special projects coordinator at the Palm Beach Gardens campus. She has been with the College for over 10 years and currently holds the position of external affairs manager.  

Active on many key College committees, Susan is also co-chair for the Palm Beach North Education Committee and a Steering Committee member for the Lake Park Diversity and Inclusion Council. She is a liaison for the campus and the College, promoting educational advancement and showcasing all that Palm Beach State has to offer.