Associate Professor of Sociology; Social Sciences Division, Office SS109, (850) 769-1551, Ext. 4817 

rpenton@gulfcoast.edu

Professor Penton has been an employee of Gulf Coast Community College since 1989, first as Counselor in Student Support Services, and Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work. He was recruited and hired as full-time faculty in January 1990. Since that time he has taught a wide variety of courses in the areas of Psychology, Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to Social Work,  Social Problems and Marriage and Family Life. He recently co-authored the Everyday Sociology Textbook currently in its 5th Edition. In addition he co-authored the Workbook/Study guide to accompany the main text, now in it's 3rd Edition.
Professor Penton was Selected as Outstanding Professor of the Year for 1993.

In addition to teaching, he manages the Sociology and Social Work Programs of Social Sciences, and advises those majors. His initial effort was instrumental in bringing the Bachelor's and subsequent Master's of Social Work Programs to Florida State University's Panama City Campus. Professor Penton has been tenured since 1993, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1996. 
He holds two Associate Degrees from Los Angeles Community College and the University of Maryland. He was awarded his Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Maryland in 1975 and  Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management and Sociology from Pepperdine University in 1981. His Doctoral course work was in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. His current status is AbD. His major area of concentration for the doctorate is Multicultural Diversity.