A.A. South Florida State College
B.A. Florida Gulf Coast University
Ed.M. University of South Florida
Asena Mott is a sixth-generation DeSoto County resident and has lived in DeSoto her entire life. She holds a Florida Educator’s Certification in social science, elementary education, exceptional student education, English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), school principal, and educational leadership. Mrs. Mott is also a certified instructor for The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and 5G, a soft-skills certification program, and is nearing completion of a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Florida Southern College.
Mott taught elementary school for 10 years before moving into school administration. As a school principal, she led her school to Lighthouse status, a coveted level of achievement given for positive schoolwide culture and leadership. After nearly 11 years as a school administrator, she transferred into the field of higher education and is currently at the DeSoto Campus of South Florida State College, supporting the community as its campus director since 2016.
In 2018, Mott was elected to the DeSoto County School Board and currently serves as School Board Chair. She routinely participates in the Florida School Board Association training and conferences and has earned the recognition of a certified board member of distinction. Throughout the years, Mott has maintained involvement in her church, First Baptist of Fort Ogden, where she enjoys teaching Sunday School.
Investing in the community is important for Mott, which can be noted by her participation in Leadership DeSoto and the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce, volunteer work as a child advocate for the Guardian ad Litem program, working with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-level Reading, mentoring through Take Stock in Children, and sponsoring the Interact Club to encourage “service above self” to high school students.
In 2017, Mott was asked to join the Economic Development Advisory Committee, and since then has worked with various community leaders to develop guidelines for development in DeSoto. As a Rotary member and Youth Services Director, she leads community efforts in areas such as literacy development and facilitation of the foreign exchange program. Her efforts are continued through the United Way Suncoast board, where Mott serves to guide funds and projects to support community improvement through non-profit organizations.
At South Florida State College, Mott serves on (and/or chairs) several collegewide committees. Most recently, she has worked with United Way to fund a summer bridge program for graduating seniors to earn college credit, learn real-world financial skills, and build soft skills. In 2017 and 2022, Mott earned the South Florida State College Administrator of the Year award.
Mott has been married to her husband, Royce, since 1992, and they have three children.
