June 2017
IN THIS ISSUE
Spotlights
The Florida College System Welcomes New College Presidents, Dr. Angela Falconetti, Polk State College and Dr. Tonjua Williams, St. Petersburg College
New student summer orientation at Gulf Coast State College
Message from Chancellor Madeline Pumariega
Now that spring graduation has passed, many of our high school graduates will be choosing to enroll this fall into a Florida College System (FCS) institution. The FCS serves as a major access point to higher education as two thirds of our high school graduates will enroll in an FCS institution, representing over 62,000 high school graduates.

Across the country, many college-intending students, particularly those from low-income and first-generation backgrounds, fail to enroll in college the fall after graduation. Issues such as cost, anxiety about leaving home, and difficulty understanding all the college forms and requirements are among the most common reasons that students drop out of the college track over the summer. Researchers have determined that these students are at risk of a phenomenon called "summer melt" when students who leave high school with college plans never make it to campus in the fall. Discouraging summer melt is important because a college education is necessary to have since 63% of jobs being created nationally require a postsecondary credential.  Ensuring students have a path to college is a priority for all of our Florida Colleges.  

Although awareness of summer melt is growing, efforts to address it are still too isolated and not reaching enough low-income and students of color . Within the state of Florida, six out of ten public school students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Supporting students in their transition to college is a vital component to raising our state's attainment rate.

In an effort to decrease summer melt issues and establish newly enrolled students toward guided pathways, our colleges have experimented with programs ranging from school mentors to early college orientation. For example, staff at Gulf Coast State College have created a Navigator Program  that utilizes advisors to help guide students who are unsure of their next steps after graduation. First generation students are targeted in this process and workshops are offered for both students and parents to familiarize them with college processes including the filling out of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Seminole State College of Florida's First Generation Freshmen Program   is another powerful means to help students transition successfully. The mission of this initiative is to provide first-generation, first-time-in-college students with the support and skills needed to be successful in college and complete a degree. Staff provide personalized academic advising and coaching, financial aid assistance, and regular communication and invitations to attend free campus events and workshops.

A great success story from one of our programs is Velencia Duvra.  Ms. Duvra  experienced family hardships while in high school. She was declared a homeless, unaccompanied youth, but was determined to continue her education after high school. She was put in touch with Seminole State College of Florida staff after taking part in Decision Day prior to her high school graduation. The First Generation Success staff maintained constant contact with Velencia and provided her a means to apply for scholarship opportunities. Velencia credits much of her persistence to the authentic support she received from day one. She is now a successful graduate working toward her Bachelor's Degree.
 
As the summer months take hold, I applaud the great work of our institutions as they continue reaching out to recent high school graduates and fostering positive connections that lead to clear college pathways.  Through each of these collective efforts, we will be that much closer to providing the necessary support mechanisms for our students and increasing attainment in our state.

With great appreciation,


Madeline Pumariega
Chancellor
Utilizing Navigators for Recruitment and Enrollment
Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) has recently focused on improving ways to connect with K-12 students in the community. Feedback from high schools have revealed the need for additional resources to be provided to students in helping communicate college going information. To assist with this effort, GCSC created a Navigator program to embed on-site communication within each high school in the college's service district.  The Navigator program utilizes advisors to help guide students who are unsure of their next steps after graduation. The Navigator position provides an opportunity to assist parents and students with post-secondary education advice and options. 

Workshops are held for both students and parents to familiarize them with college processes including the filling out of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  First generation college students are targeted in this process. Such a program has been in effect for one year and has conducted over 27 events and campus tours, with more than 775 students and 117 parents. For district seniors, GCSC waived the application fee and more than $33,000 was awarded to Navigator nominated students. 
The Florida College System Welcomes New College Presidents
Dr. Tonjua Williams selected as next St. Petersburg College President
She may be new to the job, but she is a familiar face at St. Petersburg College.  Dr. Tonjua Williams will take the helm as the 7th President of St. Petersburg College. Longtime President Dr. Bill Law announced he would be retiring at the end of June 2017.  Williams is the college's first female and African-American to serve as President. 

The 30 year veteran of the college has held roles as Provost of the Tarpon Springs Campus, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, and since 2013, Sr. Vice President of Student Services. Williams earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Barry University, a master's degree in Counselor Education from University of South Florida, and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Humanities from Clearwater Christian College. 

The Board voted unanimously to offer Dr. Williams the position.  Trustee Nathan Stonecipher said, "She didn't have to sell me on St. Petersburg College. I am more excited to be part of this institution after hearing her speak about it than I have been in maybe the past few years.  She is passionate about St. Petersburg College."
Dr. Angela Falconetti selected as next Polk State College President
Polk State College is also welcoming a new President this summer. Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti is moving from Roanoke, VA, where she has been the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Virginia Western Community College since 2012.  But she is no stranger to the Florida College System, Dr. Falconetti was Vice President of Planning, Development, and Institutional Effectiveness and the Dean of Transitional and Institutional Effectiveness Services for Daytona State College before moving to  Washington, D.C. to join the US Department of Education in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. 

Dr. Falconetti holds a Master of Education degree and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida and a Bachelor in Arts with specializations in Communications and Education Cognate from New York University. Greg Littleton, chairman of the College's District Board of Trustees said about the selection, "We are thrilled to have found someone who truly understands and exemplifies the College's values and who has shown through her experience, her commitment to fulfilling the College's mission. We are very excited for what the future holds."
Chipola College Engineering Technology Program 
More than 3 dozen new engineers are ready for work this summer thanks to Chipola College.  Forty engineering students graduated this spring with training in advanced manufacturing, industrial maintenance, site development, and surveying from the new engineering program (s) at the college. Chipola College worked with a local employer, Rex Lumber, to establish a scholarship program benefiting students in the Engineering Technology program. Rex Lumber provided a generous scholarship of more than $80,000 to the college.  The college and Rex Lumber worked hand in hand to develop the program that would benefit students and create a talent pipeline for the company. Qualifying students receive scholarships while working on the skills needed to be a productive member of the Rex Lumber Company. Several students have already started their careers with the local employer as well as other companies such as Mowrey Elevators, Formwork Engineering and Broad Spectrum. Bravo to the first class of Engineering graduates from Chipola College! For more information on the programs, please visit their website here.
Gonzalo Gutierrez is June's Chancellor's Clark Maxwell Scholar Student of the Month.

Gutierrez is a first-generation Mexican-American student with big dreams. Gutierrez began at Polk State College (PSC) in 2013, as a student at Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School. Two years later, he graduated with both his high school diploma and Associate in Arts degree. Now, he is studying toward his Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree, with a concentration in Business Administration. After graduating from PSC, he plans to pursue a master's degree and ultimately open his own business selling nutritional supplements. Currently, he serves as the President of the Winter Haven Student Government Association where he is a tireless advocate for PSC students and the greater Polk County community.

"We are so proud of Gonzalo and all that he has accomplished," said PSC President, Dr. Eileen Holden. "Gonzalo has represented the College during trips to the State Capitol, and has impressed me with his ability to present the students' position on legislative issues to state legislators. His enthusiasm and passion for the College is infectious, and he has been an exemplary representative for Polk State College. Gonzalo consistently exceeds expectations and has the drive to achieve his goals through education and service to his community."

Gonzalo Gutierrez, has been named a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow. Campus Compact, a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has announced the 273 students who will make up the organization's 2017 cohort of Fellows.
Faculty and Administrators: Nominate a Student to be the Chancellor's Clark Maxwell Scholar Student of the Month
In honor of the late Chancellor Clark Maxwell Jr., each month a student is selected to represent the Florida College System. Nominations for the Student of the Month are accepted on a rolling basis. If you know a student who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills, academic success, and/or commitment to community service through their involvement in the Florida College System, nominate them today!
Lake-Sumter State College's Line Worker Training Field
The Sumter Campus continues to respond to its community needs with its Electrical Distribution Technology associate degree program and Line Worker certificate program, complete with an outdoor training field.

Only a few of our institutions offer this program, but if you are willing to work in extreme weather conditions, enjoy rigorous physical work, comfortable using tools, and are detail oriented you could earn up to $60,000 annually.  According to the Department of Economic Opportunity there are 1,353 job openings in our state for linemen and supervisors.  Lake- Sumter's program is ready to train future workers.  More than two dozen students each year earn a degree from one of these programs that leads to a high demand- high paying career.