Steve Floyd, deputy director of the state Department of Higher Education, is retiring after 12 years with the department.

Floyd is officially retiring June 30, but Friday was his last day at work, according to a department news release.

The release quotes Floyd as saying, “I’ve got a lot of outside interests I intend to pursue and I’ve got my beautiful grandchildren to keep me busy. I think I’ll have plenty to do.”

A 1969 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Floyd served as principal of Sallie Cone Elementary School in Conway from 1973-1976. After receiving his doctorate in education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1981, Floyd served as assistant superintendent of the Russellville School District for six years and as superintendent of the Lakeside School District in Hot Springs for seven years.

In 1994, Floyd was named coordinator and teacher at the Arkansas Tech University Center at Westark Community College (now the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith), where he served until being named deputy director of the state Department of Higher Education in 1997.

Floyd has served twice as interim director of the department, following the departure of Lu Hardin prior to the appointment of Linda Beene to the director’s position, and again two years ago following Beene’s departure and the appointment of the current director, Jim Purcell.

“Having Steve here to help guide me through the process during my first legislative session was truly a great help to me,” Purcell said. “It made all the difference in the world. I hate to see him leave now, but Steve is at a time in his life where he has given years of himself to the cause of education in Arkansas and now he wants to give himself completely to his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.”

Gov. Mike Beebe also praised Floyd for his service.

“Steve has always answered the call to serve Arkansas, and his contributions to higher education will endure well beyond his retirement,” Beebe said. “I thank Steve for his unwavering dedication to education and to Arkansas on behalf of all our citizens.”