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Message from Commissioner Pam Stewart
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The Florida College System (FCS) is an integral component of Florida's public education system, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to address you through the FCS Newsletter.
With the holiday season underway, many of us have had the time to reflect upon the past year and the many things for which we can feel enormous gratitude. Each year brings challenges, but also triumphs, and this year has been no different. At the top of my thankful-for list sits the ability to work alongside you, Florida's students, educators and education partners throughout the state who share my passion for ensuring that all Floridians have access to a world-class education.
Thanks to our collective efforts, Floridians of all ages have continued making strides. These are just some of the recent education accomplishments we have achieved together:
- Florida's high school and middle school students earned almost 100,000 Career and Professional Education certifications in 2016-17;
- Florida's high school graduation rate rose to 82.3 percent, an increase of 23.1 percentage points since 2003-04 and 1.6 percentage points over last year;
- For the fifth consecutive award cycle, Florida had multiple colleges recognized as winners or finalists in the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, and Florida was again named the number one state for postsecondary education; and
- More Floridians with disabilities than ever gained employment through vocational rehabilitation and blind services.
Unfortunately, 2018 will also be remembered as a year of immense loss for Florida. In February, we grieved the loss of 17 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students and faculty. Then, just last month, Hurricane Michael caused unprecedented devastation in the Panhandle, with Gulf Coast State and Chipola colleges among the hardest hit. It will be an extraordinarily difficult holiday season for these families and communities, and they remain in my thoughts. As my team and I visited these and many other areas of the state over the past year, I also witnessed remarkable resilience, caring and leadership, attributes that Floridians exercise every day and why we continue to accomplish so much. I am especially proud of our students, faculty and administrators who have persevered, returned to campus and will finish this semester and, in some cases, even graduate on time.
As Chancellor Pumariega has resigned from her post effective December 3, we thank her for her service and all of the good work she has done for our students and colleges. To ensure continuity, I have asked Chief of Staff Kathy Hebda to serve as acting FCS chancellor. This is a role she has filled during previous periods of transition and she will serve with our Division of Florida Colleges team to continue supporting student success.
We are committed to remaining on the positive trajectory that has afforded countless students and their families greater opportunity through the highest quality education options. I look forward to the ongoing collaboration that has contributed so greatly to our students' success.
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Chancellor Recognizes Four Colleges for Innovation and Excellence
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Every year, the Chancellor's Best Practice Awards recognize institutions in the FCS that established innovative practices or enhanced existing programs. Best practices are defined as strategies, activities or approaches that have been shown through research and evaluation to be effective. Chancellor Madeline Pumariega recently recognized Florida Gateway College, North Florida Community College, Pensacola State College and Polk State College with the
2018 Chancellor's Best Practice Awards at the Association of Florida College's
69th Annual Meeting and Conference.
Florida Gateway College (FGC) received the award for its
Second-Chance Pell Pilot Program, a
first-of-its-kind partnership between FGC and the Florida Department of Corrections that allows certain inmates
to pursue postsecondary education that will help them enter the workforce to provide for their
families and themselves.
"We are excited to be recognized for being a part of this important initiative," said Dr. Lawrence Barrett, president of FGC. "We hope our experience and sharing information with others about the Second-Chance Pell Pilot Program is helpful to our Florida College System institutions that may be considering this type of program."
 North Florida Community College (NFCC) was honored for leveraging emerging video conferencing technology to improve the educational access for dual enrollment students scattered throughout rural areas in the region through its
Dual Enrollment Video Conferencing Model. Through the new model, dual enrollment students have access to flexible course offerings and scheduling, state-of-the-art technology, synchronous meetings from their high school with NFCC instructors and support.
"I am extremely proud of all the North Florida Community College faculty and staff and our district K-12 school partners who make this invaluable videoconferencing classroom experience available to area dual enrollment students," said NFCC President John Grosskopf. "This is the correct and appropriate use of technology, not to replace teachers or excellent teaching, but to create a classroom that bridges the access gap and addresses the difficulties of serving a geographically large, rural district."
 Pensacola State College (PSC) was recognized for its award winning
Virtual Tutoring Program. Serving more than 1,000 students per year who otherwise might not have access to traditional tutoring methods, this program has introduced an innovative, cost-effective practice focused on student achievement. The program offers individualized tutoring services from any location or device with an internet connection, including late-night and weekend sessions.
"We are so very honored to receive this recognition," said PSC President Ed Meadows. "Our goal through this interactive virtual tutoring program has been to increase access to academic support for time bound and place bound students to help them successfully complete STEM and gateway courses leading to the completion of their respective plan of study."
 Polk State College received the award for working to fill the increasing demand for qualified educators in Florida by partnering with Polk County Public Schools through the college's
Establishing Leaders in Teacher Education (ELITE) Program. Launched this year, the program received national attention for providing a seamless pathway from high school to college to employment for aspiring teachers, helping students meet local workforce demands through an affordable, fast-track pipeline to a baccalaureate degree.
"Polk State College is thrilled for this recognition and I am extraordinarily proud of the college's education baccalaureate program," said Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti. "Our faculty and staff continue to take innovative approaches to grow the number of high-quality educators by igniting in students the passion to teach. Through Establishing Leaders in Teacher Education (ELITE), in partnership with Polk County Public Schools, Polk State College will put young teacher candidates on a seamless, affordable and rewarding pathway to becoming successful future leaders of our classrooms."
"I applaud our colleges for their commitment to excellence and innovation in our system," said Chancellor Pumariega. "It is this commitment that keeps the Florida College System in the forefront as a national leader in higher education."
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As veterans return from service to civilian life, an increasing number look to one of Florida's 28 institutions as the most accessible and affordable educational options available. Florida colleges strategically offer programs and entrepreneurial training opportunities to veterans transitioning from the classroom into the workforce.
Nearly one in four active duty service members and veterans want to open and operate their own business. In response, Tallahassee Community College (TCC) has partnered with Veterans Florida to establish a Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program
- one of six partner locations in the state. Called
Ignite, the program is designed to build awareness of the services available to veterans in Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla counties who have chosen to pursue their entrepreneurial passion with a vetted idea or who are already operating their own business for at least one to three years. Ignite equips veterans and active duty service members with the skills to successfully open and operate their own business. Students in the program are offered numerous resources, including information sessions, mentoring activities, workshops and a nine-week intensive program designed to help in fast tracking a business idea or growing an existing business.
The statewide program has generated more than $22 million in revenue by its graduates, opened more than 120 veteran businesses and employed more than 170 participants. Students who would like to continue their education or entrepreneurial pursuits can enroll in the Experienced Entrepreneur 16-week class, as well as seek entry into the
TCC Moore Veterans Leadership Academy. Helping those who have selflessly served our country transition to civilian life and earn their higher education credentials to enter the workforce remains a top priority for the Florida College System.
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In 2017-18, the FCS enrolled 16,590 military veterans, 7,075 eligible dependents of military service members (i.e., spouse or child), 2,572 active duty personnel, and 1,564 active members of the military reserves. The FCS offers out-of-state waivers for military veterans and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as full tuition and fee waivers for Purple Heart recipients. Further, military personnel and veterans are provided support during their college experience through veterans' support centers located at FCS institutions throughout the state. Some FCS institutions also offer entrepreneurial training programs for veterans transitioning from college to the workforce.
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Citlali Gutierrez - Chipola College
Citlali Gutierrez is a student at Chipola College pursuing a degree in bio-chemistry. With a Hispanic background, she is fluent in both Spanish and English, making her a valuable asset to assisting others at the institution. Coming from a small, rural high school, Gutierrez has excelled academically during her time at Chipola. Gutierrez is active not only at the institution, but in her community as well and dedicates her time to serving others. She is a peer tutor for the college's Academic Center for Excellence and a lab assistant for the microbiology lab. Additionally, she serves as the Phi Theta Kappa Treasurer/Secretary, as well as an active member of both the Science Club and Honors Program.
Gutierrez works part-time jobs on campus while taking some of the most rigorous courses, including Organic Chemistry and Calculus III, and maintains a 4.0 GPA. She has received numerous awards for her academic excellence, including being named the Chipola College Robert E. Ringer Science Award winner for the highest GPA in science and math courses, a Bright Futures Scholarship recipient, and a student researcher for the University of Notre Dame where she spent her summer break working on a project to accurately detect the levels of lead in water in low socioeconomic communities. Most recently, Gutierrez has been working on a school supply drive for an elementary school in Mexico. She expects to graduate in May 2019.
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Faculty and Administrators: Nominate a Student to be the Chancellor's Clark Maxwell Scholar Student of the Month
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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!
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Palm Beach State College Holds Grand Opening for New Veterans Success Center
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Palm Beach State College recently held a
grand opening ceremony for the college's new Veterans Success Center on the Lake Worth campus. The event hosted more than 170 attendees, including student veterans, elected officials and business and community leaders. The 2,300-sqaure-foot facility, designed to support veterans and their families who are pursuing postsecondary education, features a lounge for social and recreational activities, study areas, a computer
lab, tutoring, mentoring, academic and career advising, and other services.
With the help of an $800,000 one-time appropriation approved by the Florida Legislature in 2016 and backed by former State Sen. Maria Sachs, the college renovated a Criminal Justice building to establish the new center and create more space to offer comprehensive services for veterans and their families.
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Thank you to the Florida Lottery for continuous support in helping students
pursue postsecondary educational and career goals.
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STAY CONNECTED WITH THE FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM
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