September 2018
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Spotlights
Twenty-One Florida College System Students Named as Siemens Technical Scholars

Pasco-Hernando State College Student Designs Weather-Resistant 'Hurricane Plane' That Can Land on Debris-Filled Water

Gulf Coast State College's Cybersecurity Program Wins Award from National CyberWatch Center

Hillsborough Community College Receives $1 Million Gift for Allied Health Building
Message from Chancellor Madeline Pumariega
A recent  NPR article  highlighted a trend that we, in the Florida College System  (FCS) ,  know  to be true - college students today are far from "traditional." Nontraditional students come in all shapes and sizes. They may have children or other dependents and serve as caregivers. Many of them do not enter our doors with a traditional high school diploma or straight out of high school. Most of them attend college part time and many of them do so while working full-time jobs.   

The F CS  annually serves nearly 750,000 students who represent a diversity of backgrounds, life circumstances, skills and talent. On average, F CS  students are 25 years of age, 65 percent enroll part-time and 59 percent identify as a minority by race/ethnicity. By focusing on access, the F CS  ensures that students from all walks of life have a pathway to the American Dream through our high-quality programs that meet students where they are.  

Florida's apprenticeship program model provides students the opportunity to earn money while participating in on-the-job training and receive related instruction through the college or an employer. More than 2,800 students were enrolled in an apprenticeship program in the FCS during the 2017-18 academic year  across n ine  FCS institutions. The highest enrolled apprenticeship programs were Electrician (n=1,393), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (n=441), and Fire Sprinkler Systems Technology (n=342).   

Certificate programs prepare students directly for the workforce and can also be used as a stackable credential, allowing students to leave higher education for a job and then return  at a later time  with their credits earned counting toward the next certificate or degree. In the F CS , Business Specialist (n=4,049) college credit certificate, Florida Law Enforcement Academy (n=3,244) career certificate, and Business Operations (n=2,307) college credit certificate were the highest enrolled programs in 2017-18.  

The associate in arts degree enrolls the most students annually -  nearly   32 5 , 350  - and provides  a  successful path to a high-quality credential at one of the 12 public state universities or an FCS institution. The associate in science and associate in applied science degrees  prepare students for employment and provide opportunities for transfer to related baccalaureate degree programs. In 2017-18, the highest enrolled programs were Nursing R.N. (n=13,282), Business Administration (n=12,418) and Health Services Management (n=4,297).  

Baccalaureate degrees in the F CS  expand access to meet Florida's economic development needs. Organizational Management (n=15,097), Nursing (n=6,133) and Business Administratio n (n=2,126) are the programs with highest enrollments in 2017-18. Currently, 76 programs across 27 colleges are offered at no more than $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses for students. The average full-time (30 credit hours) tuition and fees for a workforce baccalaureate degree in the FCS was $3,647 in 2017-18.  

By analyzing student demographic data and characteristics, our institutions  are able to  offer programs   and services - such as weekend college, online tutoring or virtual advising hours - that adapt to student needs. Across all programs, our 28 colleges are proud to serve all students who enter our doors. 

With great appreciation,


Madeline Pumariega 
Chancellor

Increasing Student Enrollment at South Florida State College  
In an effort to increase student enrollment, South Florida State College (SFSC) established a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Team. Since inception, the SEM Team has been instrumental in developing solutions to streamline the student enrollment process from registration to graduation. With a focus on student success and educational attainment, the team has achieved results that exceed SFSC's initial expectations.

Working collaboratively to align college departments using a data-driven, evidence-based methodology, the SEM Team formulated an institutional team approach to reduce enrollment hurdles so students can enter, maintain enrollment and earn a degree or postsecondary credential leading to employment or further education beyond SFSC. Team members were carefully chosen by identifying key players throughout the institution, including Student Services, Business Office, Academics and Marketing, who were front-line leaders familiar with their individual processes.

Meeting on a weekly basis, the SEM Team was able to identify areas of duplication and inefficiency by engaging cross-campus internal stakeholders in analyzing processes. Creating and implementing a consistent, well-defined and clearly-communicated enrollment process continues to improve enrollment and retention numbers and guide the work of the SEM Team. 

The SEM Team successfully achieved the goal of increasing enrollment proven through the 3.5 percent increase in student enrollment each term for the past several years. Student graduation rates also increased to the point that SFSC now conducts two commencements each spring. Student attainment of industry-recognized certifications has increased by 103 percent, and the number of new students orientated has increased by 9.4 percent. The College's Adult Education program mirrored the SEM Team's process and experienced a 14 percent increase in enrollment. Additionally, the SEM Team introduced a 13-week "Flex C" term, allowing students who missed enrollment in the regular 16-week term to enroll in a shortened, 13-week semester just three weeks later rather than having to wait until the following semester. Each of these changes has contributed to the overall success of SFSC in helping students achieve their educational goals.
Florida Student Success Center's Mathematics Pathways Re-Design Initiative 
Hosted at St. Petersburg College's Seminole Campus Conference Center, more than 80 mathematics and statistics faculty,  administrators and key stakeholders from Florida's K-12 system, the Florida College System (FCS), and the State Univers ity System recently convened to kick-off mathematics pathways re-design and content alignment. Removing mathematics barriers to increase student success rates is a primary initiative of the Florida Student Success Center over the next year. 

"Mathematics is the foundation for every profession," said Chancellor Madeline Pumariega. "It gives us the critical ability to learn, think logically, problem solve and be creative, which is why we must focus on the importance of re-designing mathematics pathways for students to better prepare them with the skills needed to enter the workforce."

Florida Mathematics Re-Design Workgroups were established as three inter-connected workgroups charged with exploring complex issues surrounding mathematics pathways that prepare students for mathematics success across our educational systems. The wor k officially kicked off this month and will continue through milestones of exploration and identification of solutions and recommendations, culminating in June 2019 with a mathematics institute to share identified best practices and policy recommendations around mathematics re-design. Workgroups will be led by  Northwest Florida State College Professor Cynthia McGinnis, chair of the high school to postsecondary alignment workgroup, Dr. Julie Phelps of Valencia College, chair of the FCS mathematics sequences workgroup, and Dr. Tommy Minton of Seminole State College of Florida, chair of the FCS to university alignment workgroup.

 
To frame the work ahead, workgroup chairs shared the results of a pre-meeting survey on defining the challenges to implementing mathematics pathways with colleagues. Survey results found frequency around advising placement, misalignment, no alternatives to algebra, sequencing, prerequisites, and miscommunication as common challenges across education systems impacting mathematics pathways.

"The communication with students will improve if we communicate better amongst ourselves," stated Dr. Minton.

After sharing survey results, workgroup members spent time discussing and re-evaluating the top challenges for their workgroups, as well as determining the challenges they wish to prioritize and tackle in the coming months. As the work continues, each workgroup is charged with gathering information on the factors contributing to the challenges identified, brainstorming and evaluating potential solutions, and making formal recommendations.

We invite you to learn more about the Florida Mathematics Re-Design Workgroups by participating in a webinar on November 1, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. (EDT).
Florida College System Institutions Designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Two-Year Education 
As our technology continues to advance, the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to increase. To meet Florida's industry needs, our 28 colleges continue to engage with community and industry partners to ensure students are obtaining the skills employers are looking for and strengthen the pipeline for cybersecurity professionals.

Recently, Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) and Indian River State College (IRSC) have been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Two-Year Education (CAE-2Y), joining two other previously designated Florida College System (FCS) institutions, Daytona State College and Valencia College. This designation is awarded through a partnership between the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security whose goal is to reduce vulnerability in national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise. Both FSCJ and IRSC will carry the designation through 2023.

CAE-2Y designated institutions play an integral role in developing the next generation of cybersecurity experts in science, technology, engineering, math, language and analysis. They also advance science through research and innovation that benefits the country even beyond NSA's need to apply emerging technologies to their mission.

"This recognition by National Security Agency validates years of hard work by the College and its industry partners in launching and maturing IRSC's cybersecurity program," said IRSC Dean of Advanced Technology Dr. Kevin Cooper. "IRSC's two-year cyber graduates will now receive a certification recognized by the NSA, which will open new opportunities in exciting venues, such as national labs, the Department of Defense, and national cyber firms."

By receiving this designation, IRSC and FSCJ students will benefit from the seamless program articulation options with other CAE universities that are now available. Program participants will also have the opportunity to collaborate alongside other CAE-2Y and CAE institutions. FCS institutions demonstrate commitment to ensuring programs offered to students are in line with industry standards and are dedicated to bridging education with exploration, providing an environment that fosters applied research in cybersecurity while focusing on innovation and learning. 
   
In 2017-18, the Florida College System (FCS) enrolled nearly 750,000 students across the 28 institutions. Among students enrolled in a program toward a lower-division degree or certificate, the majority of students were enrolled in the associate in arts degree program (more than 325,000 students in 2017-18), which prepares students to transfer into a baccalaureate-level program. The figure above indicates the six programs of study that observed the highest lower-division enrollments across the FCS in 2017-18. The top five programs of study are all associate in science (A.S.) degrees, while the last program is a College Credit Certificate (CCC).
Jennifer Ojeda - Pensacola State College

Twenty-three years after graduating high school, Jennifer Ojeda has returned to further her postsecondary education at Pensacola State College (PSC). Ojeda is a senior at PSC pursuing a bachelor's degree in human resource management. Ojeda's passion for helping and serving others led her to decide to seek a career path in human resources. She feels there could be no greater reward in life than to help others achieve their own passions and dreams.

Ojeda's strengths include facilitating classes formed around development and inspirational growth principles. She makes a point of constantly gathering, organizing and sharing necessary information that is essential to her role as manager at Honey Baked Ham.

In 2017, Ojeda completed her Associate in Science in Business Administration at PSC, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She matriculated directly into PSC's human resource focus of the Bachelors of Arts in Business where she maintained a 4.0 GPA. Ojeda was recently inducted into Sigma Beta Delta, the National Honor Society recognizing strong academic achievement in business, management and administration. She is also enrolled in the Robinson Honors Program at PSC. Just recently, Ojeda went on a leadership and service-learning trip to Puerto Rico with several of her peers in the Honors Program. Not only is Ojeda involved in numerous organizations on campus, but she is also deeply rooted in her community, volunteering in various capacities. Her drive motivates her to make a difference at home, her job and at school.
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!
New Student Success Center at St. Petersburg College 
St. Petersburg College (SPC) recently celebrated a "Topping Off" Ceremony, a construction site tradition involving the placement of a building's highest structural element, for its new Joseph H. Lang Sr. Student Success Center located at the College's Gibbs Campus. The new center is named in memory of Joseph Lang, a longtime supporter of students and former chairman and emeritus member of the Florida College System Foundation Board of Directors where he provided the leadership and expertise necessary to assist the foundation in achieving its goals. Lang's career is marked by the highest standards of integrity, devotion and assisting those in need. He ensured that students had all the resources they needed to help them achieve their dreams and succeed.

At SPC's new center, students will be able to receive services and support that helps them move forward on their journey whether that be through continued postsecondary education or entering the workforce. The first floor will be a one-stop shop for students for testing, advising, financial aid and tuition/fee payment in the business office, and getting identification badges from the security office. Also on the first floor will be services office where students with disabilities can seek assistance, as well as the Career Hub/Center where students can obtain information on careers and jobs.

The second floor will house instructional space, tutoring services, conference rooms and the Gibbs Campus' Women on the Way (WOW) program. WOW provides students with scholarship assistance; workshops and seminars on topics such as time management, parenting, and success strategies; a textbook lending library; and access to additional resources and referral information for social services. The program also provides scholarships, administered by the SPC Foundation, to students who demonstrate financial needs and run a boutique to provide women with appropriate clothing, toiletries and small household items.  The third floor will host additional conference rooms available for student, staff and community use to conduct seminars, hold student sessions and more.