DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE MAGAZINE
DSC STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL
Vol. 7 • No. 1 • SPRING/SUMMER 2021
OPENING FALL 2022
Vol. 7 • No. 1 • SPRING/SUMMER 2021
CONTENTS
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A New Era for Daytona State
Daytona State’s first on-campus residence hall, opening fall 2022, will give students the full college experience.
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Daytona State News
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Commencement 2021
Graduates from 2021 and 2020 were recognized in this year’s commencement ceremonies at the Ocean Center.
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Falcon Sports
A new partnership between Daytona State and A busy spring sports schedule saw the University of North Florida will transform the women’s golf and men’s soccer teams advance to their respective national region’s healthcare training. tournaments.
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Meet the Faculty
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Residence Hall Groundbreaking
A passion for football and an affinity for math laid the groundwork for With golden shovels in the ground, Daytona Marc Campbell’s long career at Daytona State. State celebrated the start of a new chapter in the life of the College.
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Forough B. Hosseini Hall
The new home for the Center for Women and Men honors the legacy of DSC’s former District Board of Trustees Chair.
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Arts and Culture
Even with enhanced safety protocols, DSC students were still able to creatively express themselves through art and music.
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Honoring VCCC President J. Griffen Greene
The impact of Volusia County Community College’s only president is still felt today.
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Alumni Profiles
Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young and local business owner Meghan Hughes are shining examples of successful DSC alumni.
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Student & Faculty Honors
Daytona State adds 16 new members to Hall of Fame and recognizes four long-time faculty and staff for their contributions. (L-R) Louie Mercer, Director of Campus Safety; Dr. Amy Szoka, Chair of the School of Nursing; Marbly Jackson, Maintenance Specialist in Facilities Services; and Kathy Clarke, Manager of Tech Support.
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Foundation Donor Spotlight Susan B. Glass ‘82 creates first endowed scholarship for Accounting.
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Dr. Thomas LoBasso
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s the country continues the return to pre-pandemic life, Daytona State is also preparing for a more normal college environment in the fall. I will never be able to properly say thank you to our faculty and staff for the outstanding work they’ve done to ensure our students had the opportunity to begin, continue, and complete a college education under the most difficult of conditions. It took an extraordinary effort and it re-affirms our commitment to serving our students and local communities. While our resoundingly successful transition to a virtual learning environment last year was necessary given the circumstances, Daytona State was never intended to be a strictly online institution. We are all looking forward to campuses filled with students again, along with the vibrancy of life that brings. Our robust and nationally acclaimed online programs will continue to be offered, as will many hybrid options, but we are also focused on expanding face-to-face opportunities again. The last few months have served to reinforce the value of in-person interactions, with many people feeling isolated in a virtual environment they did not choose. Pursuing a college education is a life-changing decision that opens the door to new possibilities and broadens one’s horizons, and as our students return to campus on a regular basis, they need to know we’re here for them to provide the direct human touch that has too often been absent in recent months. As a parent, I know the amount of “screen time” was already a serious concern for our youth even before the pandemic, and nearly a year and a half of online life has only exacerbated this issue. With that in mind, our goal is to provide a well-rounded college experience, presenting our students with opportunities to engage with faculty and peers beyond the classroom and especially beyond digital displays. We anticipate a full athletic schedule this fall, a complete offering of student life activities including Welcome Back, and exciting special events such as Homecoming, the annual Gala, and the NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship. Once more, thank you to all who have helped us through this difficult time and for fully embracing the College’s mission of providing educational access to everyone. Though we’ve been tested by the events of the last year and a half, Daytona State has emerged stronger than ever, and we could not have accomplished this without the support of our alumni and friends.
DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE MAGAZINE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Randy Howard, Chair Betty J. Holness, Vice Chair Bob Davis Sarah Dougherty Randy Dye Lloyd J. Freckleton Robert Lloyd Garry R. Lubi
___________________________________ DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE STAFF Publisher Dr. Thomas LoBasso Editor Timothy A. Norton Managing Editor Chris Thomes Senior Writer Tim Carpenter Art Director/Graphic Design Lisa Deignan Photographer Aldrin Capulong The Daytona State College Magazine is published for alumni, friends and supporters of Daytona State College and the DSC Foundation.
Join us for
The 28 Annual Gala th
PRESENTED BY
Boots&
Bling Kick up Your Heels for DSC
Thursday, October 21, 2021, 6:00 p.m. Hosseini Center - Daytona Beach Campus The Daytona State College Foundation’s Board of Directors invites you to join us for its 28th Annual Gala – Boots and Bling: Kick Up Your Heels for DSC – on Thursday, October 21, where you can connect with old friends while supporting DSC student scholarships.
Then, make your way to the Hosseini Center at Daytona State’s Daytona Beach Campus where you’ll enjoy great food prepared by Chef Costa and our renowned culinary students, and be inspired with stories from students while enjoying fabulous entertainment.
You’re invited to get all “gussied up” in your finest attire (black tie optional – bolos welcome), bling-it-up (don’t be shy now y’all), and dust off those boots (stilettos welcome, too, ladies).
At the end of the evening, you’ll be feeling wonderful – and kickin’ up your heels – knowing that you are making education affordable for students attending Daytona State College.
For more information call (386) 506-3195 or email Foundation@DaytonaState.edu.
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s this issue of Daytona State Magazine is going to press, we are enjoying the rewards of our collective determination and diligence to do everything possible to end the chaos and uncertainty of the past 15 months and move toward normalcy. The Board of Directors of the Foundation held our most recent meeting in person on the Daytona Beach Campus, and I have to say it was a bit moving to return to a vibrant campus! Here is just some of the information we reviewed and gladly share with you.
Denis Shelley DSC Foundation Board Chair
• The Foundation provided $3,966,731 in scholarship and program support for students, faculty, and staff in 2020. • The Foundation’s core investment portfolio gained 10.36% in 2020 (net of fees). Over the last three years, the Foundation’s return on investments places it in the top 17th percentile for performance among academic institutions across the nation. • The 2020 audited financial statements show the net position of the Foundation increased by $1,585,829 over 2019 with total assets at the end of the year of $35,834,899. • Recorded contributions totaled $1,104,407, plus another $642,857 pledged to established endowed funds that are not reported until received. • The Foundation provided $4.1 million for the Student Residence Hall ($2.9 million reported above in 2020 and another $1.2 million in 2021). You can see more about this exciting project, including a live camera view, at DaytonaState.edu/Housing. All this underscores the commitment of the Foundation to be good stewards of your trust. We are grateful for your continuing support with gifts and by way of your participation in the life of the College. Finally, I hope you will mark your calendar and make plans to join us on October 21st for our 28th Annual Gala – Boots & Bling: Kick Up Your Heels for DSC. We’ll gather with friends, old and new alike, in hopes of raising more than $150,000 for student scholarships.
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Denis Shelley, Chair Zina Grau, Vice Chair Bill Lenssen, Secretary Rufus Johnson, Treasurer Bobby Thigpen, Immediate Past Chair Jeff Abbott Mary Boyd Dan Francati Michele Goeb-Burkett Michael J. Duranceau Dr. Beverly McMurtry-Grissom John Hodgson Dr. Thomas LoBasso, President Frank Molnar David Sacks Louis Seno Gregory Snell Greg Sullivan Maggie Thompson
EMERITUS BOARD Sally Gillespie Cherie Keemar Dirinda Maddy Support the Foundation Donate.DaytonaState.edu (386) 506-3110 Timothy A. Norton
Vice President of Advancement Executive Director, Daytona State College Foundation
Again, thank you for your continuing support.
W. Denis Shelley Chair, Daytona State College Foundation, Inc.
Inserted in this issue is a Pay It Forward envelope. Now would be a great time for you to make a gift in support of student scholarships. Thank you for your support.
1200 W. International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 (386) 506-3195 • DaytonaState.edu
DAYTONA STATE NEWS
Daytona State College and the University of North Florida Create Historic Partnership for Healthcare Training Daytona State College and the University of North Florida have entered into an agreement as part of UNF’s new MedNex initiative. The agreement creates the first university-based, comprehensive medical nexus in the United States and is expected to transform the landscape for medical training in northeast Florida. The initiative supports efforts to supply the region with highly trained healthcare professionals through a university hub planned for Palm Coast. “This collaboration between our two institutions will help develop new educational opportunities for students seeking to enter the healthcare field, while providing enormous long-term benefits for our community,” said Daytona State President Dr. Tom LoBasso. “It’s exciting to be involved in the earliest stages of this endeavor and to think about where it will lead in the future for Daytona State College and our Flagler/Palm Coast Campus.” The training hub is designed to consolidate healthcare disciplines, technology development, research, and analytics
at a location convenient to students from Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam counties. MedNex will support state higher education priorities such as retention of healthcare graduates, partnerships with Florida colleges, and career pathways from high school through graduate programs. Professionals trained at the MedNex hub would then spread out into hospitals, clinics and other facilities throughout the region at a time when there is expected to be a critical need for new practitioners. Daytona State has long been a leader in healthcare education in Volusia and Flagler counties with its nationally recognized nursing program, which is annually ranked among the national leaders in both quality and affordability. Students are able to complete the entire Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at DSC’s Flagler/Palm Coast Campus, a short distance from the planned MedNex hub, and its BSN program is available completely online.
Daytona State College Named as One of the Nation’s Top Teacher Prep Programs Daytona State College’s elementary teacher preparation program has been named among the best in the country by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). Daytona State stood out as one of only 17 elementary programs out of more than 1,000 programs that earned an “A” in both clinical practice and classroom management, and according to the NCTQ, “serves as a model of excellence for others.” “The faculty and staff of the DSC School of Education are honored to be recognized by the NCTQ for our achievement in the areas of clinical practice and classroom management,” said Dr. Amy Ringue, Chair of the DSC School of Education. “With the support of our local school districts, we offer students a first-class education to prepare them as highly effective teachers.” The ratings were released as part of the NCTQ’s 2020 Teacher Prep Review: Clinical Practice and Classroom Management. The nonpartisan, not-for-profit research and policy organization found encouraging progress in teacher preparation programs’ adoption of evidence-based classroom management strategies that are universally effective, regardless of student age or the subject being taught. 6 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Along with the other top-performing programs, Daytona State was recognized for its strong clinical experience requirements, which include calling for candidates to spend ten or more weeks in an experienced teacher’s classroom, and at least four days in the classroom each week. The program also screens potential mentor teachers for mentorship skill and/or instructional effectiveness as measured by student learning. Furthermore, DSC requires program supervisors to give student-teachers written feedback based on observations at least four times during the clinical practice experience. Now in its fourth edition, the Teacher Prep Review assigns a team of experts to evaluate teacher preparation programs on their adherence to evidence-based classroom management strategies and their requirements that support quality clinical practice experiences.
Daytona State College Remains Among the Nation’s Best in 2021 U.S. News & World Report Rankings for Top Online Bachelor’s Programs Daytona State College has once again been recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings for Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs. DSC is also the highest ranked school among Florida’s 28 state colleges, and the only one in U.S. News & World Report’s top-50 that is not a state or private university. The new rankings mark the ninth consecutive year the College has earned a spot among the nation’s best, and in addition to its overall ranking, Daytona State was also recognized as a Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans and its online business degree program. “The annual rankings by U.S. News & World Report are one of the highest standards by which colleges and universities are measured,” said Dr. Tom LoBasso, DSC President. “The fact that Daytona State continues to achieve such high marks, year after year, is a reflection of the hard work put in by our entire staff, and their commitment to providing education at the highest level.”
BEST ONLINE BACHELOR’S FIRST IN THE FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence that include four general categories: engagement (35 percent), services and technologies (25 percent), faculty credentials and training (20 percent) and expert opinion (20 percent). The expert opinion category surveys high-ranking academic officials to help account for intangible factors affecting program quality that are not captured by statistics alone. Daytona State College began offering bachelor’s degrees in 2006 with the Bachelor’s in Applied Science in Supervision and Management. Since then, the College has added bachelor’s programs in Engineering Technology, Information Technology, Elementary Education, Secondary Education (with specializations), Nursing and Accounting, bringing the total number to 12. The BAS in Supervision and Management, BSET, BSIT, and BS in Nursing can be completed entirely online.
S-STARS Scholarship Program Renewed for 2021-22 The S-STARS program has already assisted more than 60 Daytona State students pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines. In addition to covering tuition, fees, books and potential living costs, the grant allows the College to guide students using proven best practices that include:
Daytona State College is pleased to announce the continuation of the S-STARS (Students – Support Through Academic Resources and Services) Scholarship Program, which is part of a $999,552 National Science Foundation grant awarded in 2017. Now in its fourth year, the project was created to provide aid for low-income students in STEM-related associate or bachelor’s degree programs offered by Daytona State. They include Associate of Science degrees in information technology, engineering technology and advanced manufacturing; an Associate of Arts degree that prepares students for transfer to STEM baccalaureate programs; and DSC’s own Bachelor of Science programs in engineering and information technology.
• Assigning faculty mentors from a cross section of STEM disciplines to work with students throughout their programs of study;
• Providing intensive academic advising via a STEM coordinator, who will map student progress and steer them toward appropriate academic and social support services;
• Introducing students to careers in their fields of study through internships with local business and industry;
• Establishing student cohorts and a peer-to-peer support network among participants;
• Adopting innovative methods of using social media to foster student engagement and success.
Prior STEM grants supported by the National Science Foundation enabled the College to build strong partnerships with local industries and provided opportunities for job shadowing, internships and cooperative education experiences. S-STARS enhances these school-to-career experiences by first engaging students in career exploration and development through the DSC Career Services Office. Participants also receive career guidance and participate in other career-related activities such as job site visits and industry-specific job fairs.
DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 7
DAYTONA STATE NEWS
Daytona State Awarded Entrepreneurship, Education & Training Grant Daytona State College has received the Entrepreneurship, Education & Training (EET) Grant from the Florida Department of Education, designed to introduce students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to the mindset required of successful entrepreneurs, while guiding and developing their entrepreneurial skills. The grant also allows the College to partner with local business and development organizations to promote long-term economic growth in Volusia and Flagler counties.
Through CTE programing, the project is designed to deliver relevant instruction and experiential learning, provide individual guidance for students, and offer co-curricular activities in relation to the successful L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneurial Speaker Series. The initiative also includes professional development for CTE faculty and the expansion of a CTE school-based enterprise to provide a skills demonstration site for entrepreneurial capabilities.
“Entrepreneurial mindset training is an essential life skill that amplifies the employability of our students,” said Sherryl Weems, Associate Vice President of the Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education. “The training reinforces our commitment to our business community, to fully embrace the value of providing intentional approaches that ensure our students are competitive and add value in the workplace.” The EET project benefits from broad collaboration and support by several regional organizations who have agreed to participate during the initial grant period and beyond. Participation by these stakeholders ensure “real-world” expertise for student participants, faculty trainers, and facilitators. Those organizations include: • African American Entrepreneurs Association • CareerSource Flagler Volusia • Center for Business & Industry • Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce • Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative • Florida Virtual Entrepreneurial Center • Service Corps of Retired Executives • Small Business Development Center • UCF Business Incubation Program • Volusia County Economic Development DSC has selected CTE programs where student interest in entrepreneurship and business ownership is already strong to participate in the EET project. These programs include Cosmetology/Barbering, Building Trades, Automotive Technology, Photography and Digital/Interactive Media, and Business. Numerous occupations associated with these programs are on the 2020-21 Florida Regional Demand Occupations list for Flagler and Volusia counties.
New Automotive Apprenticeship with Toyota Announced Daytona State College is proud to announce the creation of a new Automotive Apprenticeship program made possible through the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant approved by Governor Ron DeSantis. The College will work in conjunction with Daytona Toyota to develop the curriculum and receive additional support from CareerSource Flagler Volusia. The $73,145 grant provides funding to establish the program, secure equipment and instructional materials, and recruit new students. The apprenticeship is expected to deliver approximately 2,650 hours of employer-based training through a combination of direct on-the-job training and one-on-one mentorship provided by qualified senior employees of Daytona Toyota. Additional training includes Related Technical Instruction (RTI) delivered by Daytona State at its Advanced Technology College. The course work will mirror the content currently presented in DSC’s Automotive Service Technology career certificate program. “This is a fantastic opportunity to partner with a local business that has been so supportive of our programs,” said Frank Snyder, Director of DSC’s Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education. “Funding from this grant will purchase equipment and tools, fund testing certifications and leverage funds from additional sources to support this hybrid apprenticeship model.” 8 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021
The combined program design will enable students to complete the Toyota-based training modules and levels of mastery, complete the required RTI while taking the available ASE certification exams along the way, and obtain multiple stackable certificates throughout the program. The full apprenticeship program is expected to be completed by most participants in two years.
Apprentices will also earn hourly pay, and upon completion of the Maintenance Level Training, receive a standard company issued tool set with a guaranteed 40-hour week job and incentives. The College already offers two apprenticeship programs for electricians and one for plumbers and pipefitters. Nearly 300 students were enrolled in those courses during the 2019-20 academic year, and the Plumbing and Pipefitters Apprenticeship program was further expanded through a Career Pathways Grant in 2020.
Six Daytona State College Students Named to 2021 All-Florida Academic Team Six Daytona State College students earned spots on the 2021 All-Florida Academic Team announced by the Florida College System. The award recognizes outstanding students who are enrolled in associate degree or certificate programs for their academic achievement, leadership and service to the community. Representing Daytona State are Andrew DeZego, Richard Lane Jr., Loran Maacks, Megan Martin, Stephanie Sy and Anna Whitaker. Students are nominated through the All-USA Academic Team competition sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of six semester credit hours of associate degree, college-level coursework at the time of nomination. They must also hold a minimum 3.50 grade point average on all college-level coursework completed in the last five years and be on track to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree. DeZego graduated this spring with his A.A. degree with plans to transfer to Florida Polytechnic University and major in engineering with a career focus in robotics. He is also an active volunteer with local environmental projects, including beach cleanups and events sponsored by the Elks Lodge. Lane, who is PTK’s Vice President of Communications, grew up in a military family and graduated from high school in the Philippines before joining the Navy. After 10 years in the service and more than 20 in the workforce, he returned to school at DSC’s Flagler/Palm Coast Campus and earned an A.S. in Business Administration last fall. He is currently pursuing his B.A.S. at Daytona State.
Maacks is working toward her A.S. in Paralegal Studies and served as PTK President and President of the DSC Student Paralegal Association. She has been volunteering with the Halifax Humane Society and the Volusia County Sharks junior football league, and also organized an Honors in Action project to bring awareness to over-development of local wetlands. Martin recently graduated with her A.A. and plans to attend Stetson University to study Environmental Science, working toward her goal of protecting the planet’s water resources and marine environments through education and science. She’s been active with the Volusia Audubon Society, the Atlantic Center for the Arts, and coordinated marine debris cleanups in her role as PTK Vice President of Service. Sy graduated with her A.S. in Photographic Technology, with plans to transfer to Savannah College of Art & Design. Sy has been a student ambassador at Daytona State for the last two years and through PTK, is working to promote the value of recycling in Deltona by working on proposals that would give its residents and city leaders incentives to begin the new program. After initially attending Daytona State through dual enrollment, Whitaker completed her A.A. this spring with plans to major in History at Stetson University. Whitaker, who would like to become an educator, was selected as the Outstanding A.A. Student for DSC’s DeLand Campus in 2020 and has assisted the Florida Society of Geographers during local events in Melbourne and Orlando.
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DAYTONA STATE SPORTS The 2021 spring sports season marked a return to play for most of the Daytona State athletic teams following an abbreviated spring schedule in 2020 and further postponements that resulted in only the cross-country teams competing last fall. Basketball and volleyball resumed in January, followed by traditional spring sports
baseball, softball and golf in February, with soccer returning to the pitch in April. Despite the later than usual starts, the Falcons put together a strong spring as the golf team earned a runner-up finish in the NJCAA National Championship Tournament, and men’s soccer advanced to the National Tournament as well.
DAYTONA STATE
BASEBALL Baseball Led by Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year Spencer Rich, the Falcons finished with a 16-18 record while averaging exactly seven runs per game and batting .307 as a team. Rich led the state of Florida with his .438 average and had a .518 on-base percentage. The redshirt freshman added 10 home runs and 31 RBI and stole 20 bases in 21 attempts. The Falcons
also got a team-high 32 RBI from freshman Carter Page, and a .362 average, five homers and 30 RBI from sophomore Bobby Sparling. Freshman Bryce Holmes led the team on the mound with a 4-1 record and three saves while posting a 3.83 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 42.1 innings.
Softball The softball team compiled a 25-20 record and placed five players on the All Mid-Florida Conference Team. First team selection Alyssa Kelly went 16-11 with a 2.09 ERA in her debut season, striking out 133 batters in 170.2 innings. Freshman Daisy McQuain had a huge season at the plate with a .310
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batting average, seven doubles, six triples, 12 home runs and 41 RBI, and swiped 13 bases without being caught. Two other freshmen, Destiny Colgate and Anna Margetis, each drove in 30 runs, with Colgate hitting a team-best .370, and freshman Asia Thomas hit .352 with six homers, 29 RBI and 15 steals.
Men’s Basketball Playing more than half their schedule during the final three weeks in March, the Falcons finished 7-12 while featuring NJCAA Second Team All-American Jackson Makoi. The sophomore guard averaged 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game on his way to earning Central Conference
Player of the Year honors. He was joined on the all-conference team by Issa Muhammad, who averaged 15.9 points and 11.1 rebounds, and Brandon Betson, who scored 17.3 points per game and led the state in 3-point field goals per game.
Women’s Basketball The DSC women’s basketball team went 9-10 and had five players named to the All-Central Conference Team, led by sophomores Kianni Westbrook and Janay Turner, who were each first team selections. Westbrook averaged 14.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game to earn first team all-conference honors for the second year in a row and was also named to the
NJCAA All-Region 8 Team. Turner averaged 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists from her guard position. Sophomore Taylor Williams, freshman Blessing Okoh and freshman Shayla Bouie were each All-Central Conference Second Team selections.
Volleyball Under the direction of former assistant coach Laura BookerAnderson, who was promoted to head coach during the spring, the Falcons went 15-8, finished runner-up in the Mid-Florida Conference, earned a spot in the NJCAA Region 8 Tournament and were ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation. A school record
six players made the all-conference team, including freshmen Derionah Abner and Sarah Stratton who were also All-Region. Stratton finished fourth nationally in blocks per set with a 1.35 average. In the classroom, the Falcons also set a program record with a 3.71 team GPA for the year.
DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 11
DAYTONA STATE
SOCCER Women’s Soccer Playing an abbreviated spring season in April and May, the Falcons went 3-4 and advanced to the Region 8 Championship Game for the fourth time in the last five years. Freshman Elena Diaz Trujillo led the team with three goals and one assist and scored the game-winner against Polk State that pushed the
Falcons into the region championship game. Sophomore Megan Sheehan added two goals and two assists. Sophomore goalkeeper Cassandra Bodi posted three shutouts, giving her five in 11 career starts at Daytona State.
DAYTONA STATE
SOCCER Men’s Soccer The Falcons put together an undefeated regular season under head coach Bart Sasnett, finished 8-2-1 overall, and outscored their opponents 41-5. The Falcons defeated USC Lancaster 7-0 in the Southeast District Championship Game to earn a spot in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament for the second time in their five-year history.
Freshman Kevin Kelly scored eight goals with four assists for a team-high 20 points, while freshman Yutaro Tsukada (six goals, five assists), and sophomores Santiago Fonseca (four goals, eight assists) and Pablo Leigh (four goals, six assists) were also among the scoring leaders for the Falcons. Freshmen William Diaz and Marco Tavares split time in goal, combining for seven shutouts, 42 saves and a 0.46 goals against average.
DAYTONA STATE
GOLF Women’s Golf Daytona State added to its impressive list of accomplishments in golf with a runner-up finish at the NJCAA National Championship. It marked the eighth year in a row the Falcons have either won the national title or finished second. Hosting the tournament at Plantation Bay in Ormond Beach, the Falcons had four of the top 12 golfers in the field, led by sophomore 12 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Manon Donche-Gay, who placed third after winning the regional title two weeks earlier. Donche-Gay was a NJCAA First Team All-American, while fellow sophomores Sarah Scott (7th place), Symone Henriques (11th) and Casey Sommer (12th) earned Second Team All-American status.
ARTS & CULTURE
Although things might have looked a little different this year in the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art, our students flourished and let their creativity flow!
DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 13
COMMENCEMENT 2021 Commencement at Daytona State is always a momentous occasion even during normal times, but this year’s event took on even more meaning as the College successfully returned to an in-person presentation of the time-honored tradition. Taking place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, graduation day saw the conferring of nearly 4,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates in three separate ceremonies, with students able to celebrate alongside their families. It was the first large-scale gathering for the College in more than a year and members of the class of 2020 were also invited back to participate in the evening ceremony. As part of his address to the graduates, College President Dr. Tom LoBasso acknowledged some of the unique hardships faced by students during the last year, and praised both the classes of 2020 and 2021 for their resiliency in overcoming those obstacles. “All of us have been deeply affected by the pandemic and all that came from it,” said LoBasso. “There were additional challenges for students, as conventional classrooms, lectures and labs were replaced with their virtual equivalents, and even time-honored social traditions had to be experienced in more creative ways, such as our online commencement ceremony last year.” “But we were also resilient. We adapted to remote learning and remote working, and we learned to use technology in new ways. Faculty, staff and students alike supported each other through every challenge, whether it was a laptop that couldn’t connect to Wi-Fi, slow internet connections at home, online tutoring sessions at odd hours, or making an extra phone call to check on someone.” SGA President Hilton Smith spoke emotionally about the impact the College and its leadership has made on his life. “In 2020 and 2021, we witnessed severe trauma, and we remarkably kept pushing through what we call the storms of life,” Smith said. “As human beings, we always find a way.”
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The College was also honored to have Kathy Hebda, Chancellor of the Division of Florida Colleges, speak to the graduates in the afternoon and evening ceremonies. The Chancellor noted the role in which the pandemic played in the graduates’ college experience, but also reminded them about the power that comes with a degree from Daytona State College. “So many have experienced loss and sorrow, and the challenges seemed greater,” Hebda said in her address. “Some things changed so fast, and some things seemed to slow down into slow motion. But what we found, is while the pandemic may have been the herd of elephants in the room, it was not everything in the room. There was love and light, friendship, and family.” The class of 2021, the 61st in the history of the College, included more than 1,500 Associate of Arts degree graduates and nearly 600 graduates from of Daytona State’s A.S. degree programs. Many of them will be continuing their education in one of DSC’s 12 bachelor’s degree programs, which had 496 graduates this year. There were also more than 800 students who earned certificates through DSC’s various workforce programs, 283 who earned associate degrees or certificates as dual-enrolled students while still attending high school, and 274 adult education graduates. Approximately 1,600 members of this year’s class graduated with honors and among them are 16 new members of the Daytona State College Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor the faculty can bestow upon a student. The College also saw 33 members of this year’s class join Phi Theta Kappa, the only accredited national honor society for two-year colleges in the United States. To be eligible for PTK membership, students must not only excel academically, but be active members of their campus and community. “The motto of this institution is ‘Knowledge is Power,’ and even while the pandemic was raging, you were still searching for knowledge, and learning,” remarked Hebda. “Knowledge goes beyond the facts and figures learned. It includes your experience, your ability to pivot and your ability to innovate. In finding that knowledge, you have found power and human connection.”
Since its founding in 1957 as Florida’s first comprehensive community college, Daytona State has awarded more than 110,000 degrees and certificates.
Dr. Tom LoBasso, DSC President, and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology graduate Stephen Miksits
Kathy Hebda, Division of Florida Colleges Chancellor
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Hilton Smith, Student Government Association President
“For anyone who is about to go to college, I would tell them to never quit, just keep on pushing. It might get hard, but never stop. Daytona State College is awesome and I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.” - Hilton Smith, SGA President
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MEET THE FACULTY
MARC CAMPBELL Marc Campbell laughs when he talks about the career he thought he’d have as a young man growing up in Mobile, Alabama. Although he has been a faculty member at Daytona State College for more than 26 years and chair of the School of Mathematics since 2002, teaching was definitely not on his radar. An exceptional high school athlete who earned 12 varsity letters playing multiple sports at Mattie T. Blount High School, Marc was sure he’d be playing in the NFL, or maybe the NBA, but either way he’d be a professional athlete. His talent landed him a football scholarship to Tennessee Tech, and he admits that’s the only reason he went to college in the first place. But sports weren’t the only thing in which Marc excelled, and though he was hesitant to fully embrace it as a 20-year old student-athlete, mathematics was the key which opened the door to everything he now has. When Marc first arrived at Tennessee Tech in 1986, there was a bit of culture shock. He had come from an all-Black high school in Mobile to attend a college that was almost all white, but there were two things that made the adjustment a little easier. “Football helped because the team was predominantly African-American, so I had a place to fit in. But what made sense through it all, was that I was a pretty good math student. I took calculus my first year and I fit right in.” Even though his focus remained on football, Marc was well-prepared for the rigors of college academic requirements. Tennessee Tech was rated as one of the nation’s top five engineering schools, but Marc had already taken high school math classes led by teachers with master’s degrees in the subject, one of whom also had a doctorate in leadership. “Math was my favorite subject, and I think it’s because my high school teachers did such a good job of making me comfortable with it. Those last three years, when it came to math, I had some of the smartest people I could learn from on a high school level. So when I got to college, the concepts of having to work through problems were easy. I still had to study and apply myself, and I didn’t blaze through it by any means, but I already had a very good foundation.” Marc’s natural affinity for math came into play when the team’s academic advisor informed him that he was required to declare a major. Still convinced he was on his way to the NFL, Marc hadn’t given it much thought. The advisor, knowing Marc had performed well in his high-level math classes, suggested majoring in mathematics. It sounded like a good idea to a kid who just wanted to get back on the field for practice that day and continue his pursuit of an elusive NFL contract.
Like many others before him, however, Marc eventually had to deal with the reality he wasn’t going to be a professional athlete. After a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons (“I wasn’t even close to making it.”), Marc was at a crossroads. He came from a neighborhood where few people went to college, had been away chasing a dream that was no longer possible to fulfill, and didn’t want to go home. Instead, he stayed in Cookeville, Tennessee and began doing maintenance work at a local church. While there, Marc was tutoring a student in math and was noticed by Jeff Norden, a professor in Tennessee Tech’s graduate program in mathematics. Impressed by what he saw, Dr. Norden suggested Marc return to school in order to earn his master’s degree and was able to secure a fellowship that helped make that possible. Even today, as a successful college professor in his own right, Marc is still amazed how it all played out, and as a spiritual person, knows the right people were in his life at exactly the moments they needed to be. “I had people around me who saw something in me that I had yet to see in myself. I give them all the credit.” As he was finishing graduate school, Marc had become interested in teaching. He had developed a passion for it and felt he was led there by developing the potential he never knew he had, but others had already noticed. When he began looking at job opportunities in the Chronicle of Higher Education, there were a handful that caught his attention. One was an opening for a math instructor at Daytona Beach Community College. “I was able to talk to Frank Lombardo and Jack Cvercko (Academic Chair of Mathematics and, Program Manager of College Mathematics, respectively), but when I put my application in, I’d never had any jobs. The only type of reference I could use when it came to my character and leadership skills was the role I had as a student-athlete. Both Frank and Jack had been collegiate student-athletes too, and Jack had even been in the NFL (a fifth-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1963), so there was a kinship.” Marc had four job interviews lined up in the fall of 1992, and DBCC was the first. It was also the last. “Once I came here, I didn’t even bother with the other three. I knew this was where I was supposed to be.”
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DSC RESIDENCE HALL
On campus residence hall is the beginning of a new era for Daytona State College Daytona State College kicked off construction of the new student residence hall with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 15, 2021. Projected to open in August 2022, the facility will be located on the Daytona Beach Campus and will begin a new chapter in the life of the College.
beyond. Those have always been our goals, and by offering affordable housing on-site, just a few steps away from many other important resources, we’re staying true to our mission of providing open access to a college education for everyone, no matter their personal circumstances.”
The four-story hall will provide 52,505 square feet of living, study and recreational space for up to 252 students. For some, having a place to live and study on campus is the deciding factor in where they go to school, and Daytona State will now be on a short list of eight state colleges, out of 28 in Florida, that offer on-campus housing. Approximately 180 student-athletes will make this their new home and the remainder of the spaces will be occupied by full-time, degree-seeking students.
Daytona State is already nationally recognized for its many outstanding degree programs, and the on-campus housing option will become an even larger draw for those wishing to enroll in special programs such as the Associate of Science in Photographic Technology degree and Nursing. Providing affordable housing and a vibrant college community makes DSC even more attractive to potential students from within Central Florida and from outside this region.
“All of our studies and surveys have shown that students would rather live closer together than further apart, not only in relation to each other but to campus,” said Dr. Thomas LoBasso, DSC President. “A more interactive environment with their peers increases their sense of well-being and leads to higher levels of academic and personal achievement. And that’s what has really driven this entire process. It’s about taking care of our students and making sure they have the best chance to thrive in college and
Daytona State will be one of only eight schools in the Florida College System that offers on-campus housing, and aligning with its mission of open access and affordability, the residence hall will be within reach for all students, including those on financial aid and scholarships.
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The modern, state-of-the-art building design will allow residents to enjoy fully furnished rooms with amenities including laundry facilities, study areas and recreation space on each floor.
The first floor will also feature a conference room for group study, as well as additional recreation areas and space for students to relax or spend time with friends. Students responded to surveys early in the process, and administrators met with Student Government Association members to discuss design plans. The building’s location was strategically chosen in order to put students in close proximity to all of the services and amenities the College already offers, including the Academic Support Center, dining hall, library, fitness center and aquatic facility. When combined with the infrastructure already in place, the new residence hall allows DSC to utilize its facilities to their greatest potential while enhancing campus life for students and improving retention. “For many years now, Daytona State has provided off-campus housing a few miles away for scholarship student-athletes, while also assisting many others in finding a place to live while they attend school. It’s worked for us, and the students have been appreciative, but we’ve always wanted to do more, and now we can,” added Dr. Randy Howard, DSC District Board of Trustees Chair. “Having students on campus where they can live and study together provides a much greater sense of community along with more opportunities for social interaction.”
The decision to offer on-campus housing dates back to 2016 when it was an element of a five-year master plan developed by the District Board of Trustees. The plan included iconic new buildings, landscape improvements, a reimagined athletic complex and residence halls. Many of those elements have already come to life, including the stunning L. Gale Lemerand Student Center and the soccer stadium. “Students choose to come here because they know they’re getting a quality education at an affordable cost, and this new residence hall further demonstrates the College’s commitment to both,” said Garry Lubi, DSC District Board of Trustees Member and DSC Housing Corporation Chair. “At a time when there’s been a lot of discussion about the cost of education in the United States, the value of the Florida College System really shines, and that’s even more apparent here at Daytona State. On-campus housing, along with the opportunities that come with it, is another way in which we can significantly reduce the expense for our students and ensure they won’t be priced out of a college degree.” Students have already started contacting Admissions to be notified once the housing application is active. Anyone interested in learning more about the residence hall and living on campus can visit DaytonaState.edu/Housing. DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 21
DSC Residence Hall April 15, 2021
Groundbreaking
Dr. Randy Howard, DSC District Board of Trustees Chair
Dr. LoBasso with Athletics coaching staff and administration
Dr. LoBasso with members of the Women’s Soccer team
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MAY 10–13, 2021 DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 23
J. GRIFFEN GREENE CENTER
Daytona State College Honors
President J. Griffen Greene and Volusia County Community College
As part of the College’s Black History Month celebration, Daytona State College held a ceremony honoring former Volusia County Community College President J. Griffen Greene on February 18, 2021. The ceremony formally re-dedicated the J. Griffen Greene Center on the Daytona Beach Campus and took place outside the building bearing his name. The event also included the unveiling of a 35 foot long timeline mural that will be permanently displayed inside the Greene Center, highlighting his legacy and the history of Volusia County Community College (VCCC). VCCC, established in 1957 as one of Florida’s 12 Black junior colleges, was given priority status because of its proximity to Cape Canaveral and the growing space port. The College opened its doors on September 2, 1958, and later merged with Daytona Beach Junior College in 1965 as a result of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. During that time, James Griffen Greene served as VCCC’s only president and oversaw the expansion of the College from 1,334 students in its first year, to a high of 5,600 in 1964. It was surpassed in size only to Gibbs Junior College in St. Petersburg, and VCCC’s impact on the community confirmed Greene’s central role as a pioneer in higher education in the state of Florida. “President Greene felt that improving the educational standing of Black citizens would lead to improved economic conditions, which was essential to overcoming the ravages of segregation and discrimination,” said Dr. Tom LoBasso, DSC President. 24 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021
“He personally went into the community to recruit students who shared a similar vision, most of whom would have never had an opportunity to attend college if not for his efforts. He was described as calm, quietly forceful, and persistent. All of those traits helped him succeed in building a model community college, one that presented a wide range of educational opportunities for its students, from college degree programs to vocational training.” “The College strives to respect and represent every person who comes through its doors, because everyone is welcome here,” said Betty Holness, Vice Chair of the District Board of Trustees. “Daytona State has always found ways to reach out into the community, just as J. Griffen Greene did many years ago, as he sought to build not just a college, but a true ‘community’ college. He may not have had the resources we have now, but he had the same passion for helping people achieve their dreams, and the belief that everyone, no matter their background, deserved a chance to better themselves with a college education.”
Juleen Daley, DSC School of Nursing faculty and Cultural Diversity Committee Chair, noted that, “Mr. Greene’s dedication to his family and community will be represented at Daytona State College and be forever part of its identity. The mural in this building will offer everyone who walks these halls a rich tapestry of images that will remind us daily how the strength of those before us, in addition to education, have propelled Black people to break glass ceilings.” Following the merger, which ended the region’s segregated community college system, Greene was named Vice President of the Volusia Center where sophomores from VCCC completed their studies during the 1965-66 academic year. He then served as an administrator at DBJC as the Dean of Continuing Education, before teaching in the English and Education departments at then Bethune-Cookman College from 1973-76. As part of its “Great Floridians 2000” program to help celebrate the turn of the century, Greene was recognized by the Florida Department of State for his distinguished service and contributions to the community. “At a time when the nation was badly divided, President Greene helped strengthen this community through the power of education,” remarked Dr. LoBasso. “I hope he would have been proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish so far, and what we’ll be able to do in the future.”
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FOROUGH B. HOSSEINI HALL
Daytona State College Dedicates
Forough B. Hosseini Hall
On January 19, 2021, Daytona State College named Building 130 as the Forough B. Hosseini Hall in honor of the long-time member of the DSC District Board of Trustees. The building, located on the Daytona Beach Campus, was officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Hosseini and her family were recognized for their contributions to the College. “When you consider all Forough has done to support the needs of our students, particularly those who sometimes need additional assistance, it’s easy to see why a place such as this should be named in her honor,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “It’s a place where Daytona State can provide the resources our students need in order to achieve their dream of a college education, even while facing some of life’s most serious challenges.” Forough Hosseini served on the board for 13 years, including six as chair, before stepping down in 2019. During her time as a trustee, she was a strong advocate for students’ needs beyond the classroom, focusing on their social and emotional needs as well. Among the initiatives that came from her leadership was a comprehensive 10-step plan to eradicate hunger and homelessness among DSC students, a plan that is now used as a model by the State Board of Education. She currently serves as a member of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, an appointment made by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2019. 26 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Originally built in 1966, Building 130 served for more than 50 years as the home for student life, the cafeteria, and space for a myriad of other campus activities. In 2019, renovations began on the facility which would house two of Daytona State’s most important student services: The Center for Women and Men, and the Veteran’s Center. The Center for Women and Men is the backbone to the College’s network of support services that are designed to aid at-risk students with a food pantry, free textbooks, free bus passes, free access to medical services, housing assistance, and more. The Veteran’s Center provides targeted services for active-duty or former members of the military and their families who wish to pursue a college degree or further their education. Both offer support to segments of the student population whose needs often extend beyond the scope of other departments on campus, and the services they provide are essential for many who would otherwise be unable to continue their education. “One thing that was very important to me in resolving the various issues they are facing, is that we need to keep in mind the recipient’s dignity,” said Forough. “By bringing all of our resources under one roof, the student who needs various resources can walk
in, check in at the reception desk one time, and be able to receive them without having to go from office to office in different buildings, reiterating their situation.” After extensive renovations, construction crews applied the finishing touches shortly after New Year’s Day, giving the facility a new look that combines the modern aesthetics of the new student center across Echo Plaza with the historical elements that were already in place. “I know there are many students who are grateful for what Daytona State College has provided them, and we are grateful to Forough for helping make so many of those things possible,” said Randy Howard, current District Board of Trustees Chair. The Center for Women and Men opened in 1976 as the result of a vision shared by former faculty members Dot Moore and Ellen O’Shaughnessy. Originally created to help remove barriers to education for women, it was founded on the premise that education and workforce training in a supportive and nurturing environment can lead one out of the binds of poverty and uncertainty into a life of independence, self-sufficiency and purpose. Today, the Center serves the needs of all students who are attempting to navigate the college experience while also dealing with personal hardship. The Veteran’s Center opened in 2012 after the College had seen steady growth in the enrollment numbers of veterans returning from active duty overseas. It’s staffed with experts who help veterans with everything from their application for GI Bill benefits, tutoring and other student services to referrals for other assistance both inside and outside the College.
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Sitting with Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young at department headquarters not far from the main campus of Daytona State College, it’s easy to see why he was promoted to his current post last November. Having completed 20 years with the department, he projects the confidence of a person who was born to lead, and his calm demeanor inspires the same confidence in others. He provides steady, detailed answers and nothing is missed. As the department’s 17th chief since 1919 and its first Black chief, Young leads a force of approximately 240 officers and 60 civilian employees. He’s a graduate of Daytona State’s Law Enforcement Academy but his first experience in the field came as a high school student in Miami Beach. It was there, through a combination of different experiences, that he began to see law enforcement as a future career. “My tenth grade Spanish teacher’s husband was an officer in the Miami Beach Police Department, and she suggested that I do some ride-alongs with him,” said Young. “I was doing that in the late 90s around the time the famous designer Gianni Versace was murdered in South Beach. When that happened, they put all of South Beach on lockdown so I could no longer do ride-alongs, but by then I was already convinced this was the career for me.” Another part of Young’s experience involved being a victim of crime himself. He remembers as a child having his home burglarized, watching the police conduct their investigation, and the profound effect it had on him. “I remember coming home and my house being completely ransacked. There was that feeling of vulnerability when you’re standing outside and the police are inside, dusting for prints, and processing the scene for evidence. So being a victim myself, feeling that vulnerability, wanting to be able to catch the bad guys and provide justice to victims, all of that fueled my desire to go into law enforcement.” Young’s next step along that road brought him to Daytona Beach where he attended Bethune-Cookman University as a criminal justice major. He had satisfied most of his degree requirements but still needed an internship focused on law enforcement. As it turned out, Daytona Beach Community College, as it was then known, offered the perfect solution. Young’s academic advisor at BC-U told him he could enroll in DBCC’s Law Enforcement Academy and it would fulfill his internship component, too. That wasn’t the only good news. Young was also working a part-time job at Olive Garden and one of his co-workers, who was following a similar path, told him about a program offered by the Daytona Beach Police Department that would provide sponsorship and pay his way through the academy. Young applied for the program and was one of 12 chosen during the next round of selections by the very department he would come to lead more than 20 years later.
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“The School of Emergency Services provided me with the state certification I needed to go into law enforcement, and through that experience I developed bonds and friendships that are still in place today,” Young said. “The director of the academy at the time was Louie Mercer, now the Director of Campus Safety at Daytona State, a dear friend and mentor, and someone I would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise.” Since joining the Daytona Beach Police Department in 2001, Young has worked in a variety of operational and administrative capacities, including Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations, Special Response Team, Crisis Intervention Team and the Office of Professional Standards, more commonly known as Internal Affairs. “When you’re a young police officer, you want to do it all. I wanted to delve into law enforcement headfirst and experience everything it had to offer. I ended up taking more of an investigative route, so the majority of my background is there, and I eventually became a homicide investigator.” Many of the challenges Young and his agency face are unique to Daytona Beach, a city with approximately 70,000 residents that can swell to half a million people during major events such as the Daytona 500, Bike Week, Biketoberfest, or spring break. He advises that if young officers are interested in joining the police force in Daytona Beach, they better be prepared to work hard. “Sometimes I refer to us as people movers,” Young says, referring to the sheer volume of pedestrians and traffic the DBPD must handle during those events. “We get a lot of practice with that throughout the year and I feel like we’re the best in the business. But we still have the normal duties and responsibilities when it comes to serving our community from a public safety standpoint, too. So if you’re coming here, you’re going to work, but there should be a sense of great accomplishment by the time you’re done with your shift.” Young has had a full plate since taking over for former Police Chief Craig Capri, another product of Daytona State’s Law Enforcement Academy, who had led the department since 2017 and retired after 30 years of service. Above all else, he’s underscored the need for community engagement and has expanded the “Park and Walk” program to “Park, Walk and Talk,” which further encourages officers to interact with people one-on-one. “If the community only sees us when there’s a problem, then that’s a fail for us. They need to see us when there’s absolutely nothing going on, when we can see if there’s anything we can do for the community. That could be special projects or areas of focus that we may not normally be able to address. I’m trying to weave that type of community policing throughout the entire agency.” Young emphasized that police officers need to recognize that at their core, they are public servants. Yes, there is a lot of power and authority with the position, but they are here to serve the community first and foremost. “You have to have a heart to serve, so if you’re interested in going into law enforcement, hopefully it’s for that reason.”
ALUMNI PROFILE
CHIEF JAKARI YOUNG
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ALUMNI PROFILE
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MEGHAN HUGHES
With an infectious personality and wide array of digital media skills, 2009 Daytona State graduate and local business owner Meghan Hughes has compiled an impressive list of clients who utilize her services to promote their own businesses. The roll call of some of the area’s most recognizable names includes real estate companies, major hotel brands, hospitals, auto dealerships, charitable organizations, insurance agencies and many more. The list is impressive on its own, but even more so considering Meghaphone Marketing really didn’t exist until 2017. That’s when Meghan left a more secure position as social media marketing manager with a group of local car dealerships to start her own company, using her childhood nickname in the title as a clever way to promote her own unique brand. “It really goes hand-in-hand with what I’m doing,” Meghan said. “I’m a little loud, I’m outgoing, and you want your voice to be heard in marketing.” Meghan even has her own customized megaphone of the traditional variety, along with a collection of more advanced tools she uses to produce promotional materials for her many clients. Cameras, computers, lighting equipment, tripods, microphones and a sleek-looking drone are all part of the package, and she’s not afraid to break out the iPhone for an immediate social media post, too. In fact, social media is how Meghan has built her business to the level she has in a relatively short time. She relies less on conventional advertising and more on her own ingenuity along with the best publicity of all – happy customers who spread the word and display her work through their channels. Meghan’s present-day success in marketing is rooted in her early interests in broadcast journalism. She was a member of the news team at Samsula Elementary School and further developed her skills in New Smyrna Beach High School’s multimedia program. It was there, and later in college, where Meghan learned the art of story-telling, and though she’s now behind the camera instead of in front, many of the concepts are the same as she tells the story of her clients through the imagery she produces. Broadcasting wasn’t Meghan’s only passion in high school. She excelled as an athlete, winning the regional tournament as a senior when she was named the Orlando Sentinel Volusia County Girls Golfer-of-the-Year. Admitting she didn’t have much of a plan for college and wasn’t sure where she would go, her big senior year earned her a late scholarship offer from Daytona State golf coach Laura Brown. “After I won the regional tournament, the coaches really started coming after me because I hadn’t made a decision yet. I was going to take a trip to Charleston Southern to see what they had, but there was something about the hometown feel at Daytona State. I wasn’t ready to fully spread my wings yet and the opportunity here was amazing. HELLO!!! I was getting a full scholarship to play for the best NJCAA team in the country and I could still go home for dinner at my parents’ house if I wanted!” The personal connection she felt with Coach Brown was another factor in Meghan’s decision, and during her time with the Falcons, she developed further as a golfer. She capped her junior college career with a top-10 finish at the 2009 NJCAA National Championship before transferring to Jacksonville University where she was one of the top players in the lineup for two seasons and team MVP as a junior.
After graduating from JU in 2011 with a degree in broadcast communications, Meghan landed an internship covering sports for a Jacksonville news station but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. The shocking realization left her adrift after years of pursuing what she thought was her passion, and not knowing what else to do, she moved back to New Smyrna Beach. While working two part-time jobs, Meghan’s boss at Sugar Mill Country Club reminded her she had the potential to do more than just work in the golf course pro shop and urged her to apply for a full-time position with the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce. She was soon hired as an administrative assistant there and her career began moving in the right direction. Just four months after she started, the Chamber lost its marketing director and Meghan was given the chance to fill that role. It was the opportunity she needed, and Meghan was suddenly at the forefront of planning for the biggest events in the region. “That’s when I really started to flourish,” Meghan said. “It got my foot in the door and helped me figure out what I really wanted to do.” While working for the Chamber, Meghan also became involved with the Volusia Young Professionals Group and even after changing jobs in 2016, she continued working with that organization as marketing chair. Her colleagues were so impressed with her videography and how well it was incorporated into what they were doing, they encouraged her to start her own business. “Those people truly brought out the potential in me that I didn’t know I had. They asked why I was just working for one company when I could do this for multiple companies. Why don’t you branch out on your own? I looked at them like they were crazy, but then I thought why not?” Meghan had found her niche with a blend of video production and social media that was exactly what businesses were seeking, and by 2017 she was ready to put it all on the line. Meghaphone Marketing was born, and as the client list continued to grow, so did the awards. Right out of the gate she was the Marine Marketers of America national winner for best social media marketing campaign for her work with Boston Whaler, which came on the heels of two other national awards from car manufacturers Dodge and Alfa Romeo. The Volusia Young Professionals Group named her the 2018 Young Professional of the Year, and in 2019, she collected multiple awards from the American Advertising Association. Meghan said it can be exhausting work but is proud of what she’s accomplished and is eternally grateful for her time at Daytona State, and to Coach Brown. It allowed her to remain close to her family, who gave her the support she needed while she developed into the person she is today. “I made lifelong friends here and didn’t know you could do that with people who were complete strangers at first. I learned the core values of life, too.” As for setting out on her own as a young business owner four years ago, Meghan offered up this advice. “You have to take the risk, or you’re always going to be wondering ‘what if,’ and I didn’t want to be like that. Learn your strengths and weaknesses, go through the ups and downs, and just keep grinding.”
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STUDENT & EMPLOYEE HONORS
Daytona State Honors Students and Employees DSC Students are recognized for their academic, community service and athletic achievements. Among the award winners, 21 were named to the Falcon Engagement Award program and 16 were inducted into the College’s Hall of Fame - the highest honor the faculty can bestow upon a student. ______________________________________________
Induction into the College’s HALL OF FAME is based on the highest standards of excellence in scholarship, leadership and citizenship. The 2021 inductees are: Joana Aebi Derionah Abner Adam Mastrobuono Christine Bochnar Nicole Davis-DiCaprio Ryanne Gouveia Lindsey Hollingsworth Denzell Jones Andrew Marcello Megan Martin Michael Pari Makayla Parsons David Racine Clifton Roby Ahmad Talton Adrianne Toles-Williams ______________________________________________ Selection to the FALCON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AWARD program is based upon academic excellence as well as contributions to the College and the community. Students selected for 2021 are: Derionah Abner Joana Aebi Andrew DeZego Ryanne Gouveia Denzell Jones Richard Lane Angel Limardo Loran Maacks Jessica Malott Andrew Marcello Megan Martin Makayla Parsons Michael Pari Milica Pejovic David Racine Clifton L. Roby Hilton Smith Casey Sommer Stephanie Sy Ryan Taylor Amanda Venable
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES Quanta Megan Martin Dan Stout Award Austin Daghita Outstanding Mathematics Sullivan Hessler Philosophy Igor Kojadinovic Environmental Science Technology Christine Kress Sociology Bryce Erdman Photographic Technology Kayla Kender Digital and Interactive Media Production Hope Hiles Elementary Education - Bachelor of Science Heather Wall Exceptional Education - Bachelor of Science Amber Dieferdorf Wilkes Secondary Biology Education Bachelor of Science Andrew Diaz-Recurt Secondary Mathematics Education Bachelor of Science Hannah Oliver Educators Preparation Institute Taylor Payne Personal Narrative Jarial Holmes Argumentative Category Cassidy Peters Poetry Category Valarie Bush Short Fiction Category Tre Topping General Research Category Abigail Adams Literature Analysis Category Alexandria Simane Multimodal Web Composition Cassidy Peters Music Production Collin Clark Outstanding in Theater Madison Yale Outstanding in Studio Arts 3D Calvin Rapp Outstanding in Studio Arts 2D Hadassah Shores ______________________________________________ COLLEGE BUSINESS, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY Bachelor of Applied Science (Management) Charles Greaves Bachelor of Applied Science (Hospitality Concentration) Riley Oldham Bachelor of Science - Accounting Mathew C. Marquard Culinary Management (AS) Norma Lagger Hospitality Management (AS) Sandra Fabian Culinary Arts (Certificate) John Pate Hospitality Beverage Science James McCloud Baking and Pastry Specialization Hannah Sparling Accounting Technology (AS) Natali Alexandrova Office Administration Paige Dendall Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) Angel Nunn Accounting Technology Management Sara Strock Accounting Technology Operations, Tax Preparation Gina Rivers Office Management Katie Cheyenne Chandler Business Administration Renata Maria Slusarz-Hunter
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Business Management Annalisa Emilia Pereira Project Management Carold Allen-Blanco Industrial Management Technology Ken Stocker Business Operations - Entrepreneurship Shannon Cole Broadcast TV Production (Associate) Justin Manchette Broadcast TV Production (Certificate) Candy McClure Television Studio Production Amber Proulx Drafting and Design Technology (CAD) Lindsey M. Darrow Drafting and Design Technology Lindsey M. Darrow Architectural & Building Technology Dylan Kazaks AutoCAD Foundations (Engineering) Kevin Bell Interior Design Technology Maria Brizio Interior Design Technology (Kitchen & Bath Specialization) Taylor Madison Perry Computer Engineering Technology Mark Jackson Computer Information Technology Robert Anthony Victor Garcia Computer Programming and Analysis (Software Engineering Technology) Chris M. Weaver Electronics Engineering Technology Tara Houser Engineering Technology Luis Moreno Perez Network Systems Technology Timothy Johnson Simulation and Robotics Technology Gabriel Anthony Rios Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics Armand Ansley Web Development Specialist Jose Arocho Guzman Database Technology Juan Rodriguez Information Technology Analysis Emma Hill Network Server Administration John Ryan Dennehy Computer-Aided Design & Drafting Saul Eduardo Orta Web Development Specialist Jose Arocho Guzman Computer Programming Alex Louis Engineering Technology Support Specialist Rossitza V. Kostova Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) Kristian Reed Brown Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Electrical Engineering Technology Concentration Richard Beau Bosman Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) Adam Laalou
DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE FACULTY AND STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS
COLLEGE OF HEALTH & PUBLIC SERVICES Dental Hygiene Jana Fouce Dental Assisting Jessica Armitage Florida Law Enforcement Academy Brianna Doonan Early Childhood Education Katherine Martinez Occupational Therapy Assistant Amber Joy Smith Physical Therapist Assistant Jana Vaclavikova Respiratory Care Christine Bochnar Radiography Kendal L. Watkins Massage Therapy Nathalie Dunning Medical Assisting MiMi Troung Surgical Technology Samantha Struble Bachelor of Science in (BSN) Echo Ewers Diabante Demps Nursing Lori Sager Practical Nursing Lafawn Williams ______________________________________________ MARY KARL COLLEGE OF WORKFORCE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration Technology Gennady Prokopiev Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing Diego Consuelos, Jr. Automotive Service Technology Georgiy Andriyenko Barbering David Munoz Galicia Building Trades and Construction Design Technology Mira Testerman Cosmetology Madison Michele Thames Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Karen Khelawan-Michaud Electrical Apprenticeship - Union Mathew Marques Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship (Union) Charles Edwards CNC Machining Joshua Lima Advanced Welding Perla Vergara Welding Technology- Applied Jeanette Galvin General Education Development Degree Maria McCune English for Speakers of other Languages Javier Carballido ______________________________________________ DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS Men’s Baseball Carter Page Men’s Basketball Brandon Betson Men’s Cross Country Adam Mastrobuono Men’s Soccer Angel Limardo Women’s Basketball Janay Turner Women’s Cross Country Angel Khrino Women’s Golf Symone Henriques Women’s Soccer Courtney Magnan Women’s Softball Kansas Crean Women’s Volleyball Joana Aebi
DIVISION OF STUDENT LIFE Student Government Ahmad Talton Student Publication: Interactive Media - In Motion Denzell Jones Phi Theta Kappa Ryanne Gouveia ______________________________________________ ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND COLLEGE WRITING CENTER Supplemental Instruction Leader of the Year: Science Lindsey Hollingsworth Academic Support Center: Outstanding Tutor Adam Laalou Academic Support Center: Outstanding First Impression Clerk Nicole Davis-DiCaprio Academic Support Center: Outstanding First Impression Clerk/Regional Janaina Warner Writing Center: Peer Tutor- Daytona Jerithza Quinteros Perez Writing Center: Peer Tutor- Virtual Campus John Markham ______________________________________________ ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE Outstanding Service to Campus David Racine ______________________________________________ DELAND CAMPUS Outstanding Service to Campus Lindsey Hollingsworth Nursing Mary Keefer ______________________________________________ DELTONA CAMPUS Associate of Arts Brianna Barrett Dental Hygiene Ashley Penc ______________________________________________ FLAGLER/PALM COAST CAMPUS Associate of Arts Alvin Vyon Deap Nursing Caley Lehan Political Science Adrianne Nicole Toles-Williams ______________________________________________ NEW SMYRNA BEACH/EDGEWATER CAMPUS Associate of Arts Ashlee Marie Nadeau Dual Enrollment Ian Lange Machining Jacob Boucher ______________________________________________ EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN SERVICE LEARNING Pamela Adkins Andrew Hardwick ______________________________________________ EXEMPLARY REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY Deidre-Ann Palmer ______________________________________________ SHINING EXAMPLE OF A SERVICE LEARNER Kelly Estrella
STERLING AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES
Louie Mercer, Director of Campus Safety, began his DSC career in 1999 as the Director of the School of Emergency Services after serving in leadership roles at the Daytona Beach Police Department for 20 years. A Daytona State alum, Louie works with students, faculty, staff and board members in a wide variety of areas, providing excellent service and constant communication. He is also the College’s point of contact with COVID health agencies.
PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Dr. Amy Szoka, Chair of the School of Nursing, is an alumna of Daytona State with nearly 20 years of service to the College. She is described as an innovative educator who consistently finds ways to incorporate active and experiential learning into her courses. Over the past two years, she has worked to expand the ADN program, which now offers the entire program at the Flagler/Palm Coast and Deltona campuses. Additionally, Amy played an integral role in the College and School of Nursing’s COVID response and protocols.
STERLING AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR CAREER EMPLOYEE
Marbly Jackson, Maintenance Specialist in Facilities Services, has been with the College since 1996, and in that time his craftsmanship and attention to detail has not gone unnoticed. Marbly continues to amaze faculty and staff with his impeccable talents, which includes his own interpretation of safety shields and bench protectors which ensured a safe and healthy campus environment in response to COVID-19.
STERLING AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES
Kathy Clarke, Manager of Tech Support, started at the College in 1999 as the only person at the HelpDesk for the IT department. The DSC alumna now oversees all computer hardware and software out in the field. Her efforts were critical during the early weeks of the pandemic when employees telecommuted from home. Kathy continues to work closely with faculty, staff, and students to ensure their technology is up to date and running smoothly.
FOUNDATION DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Susan Glass (r), shown here with DSC’s Director of Alumni Engagement & Development, Kristen Hanson.
Alumna Susan Glass creates first endowed scholarship for Accounting:
THE GLASS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTING Susan Burton Glass, DBCC ’82, has created the first endowed scholarship in support of Daytona State College students in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program, which launched in Fall 2020. A 1980 graduate of Mainland High School, Glass was awarded a full scholarship for high school graduates finishing in the top 10% of their class – today’s Presidential Excellence Scholarship. Upon completion of her A.A., Glass went on to Florida State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree, followed by additional study at Stetson University to meet the requirements for her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. For almost 30 years, Glass has owned and operated Susan B. Glass CPA, a full-service accounting firm serving businesses and individuals. As grateful as she is for a very successful and rewarding career, she is exuberant when describing her husband of 24 years, Gerry Glass, whom she, and son, Justin, lost suddenly in late 2015.
An avid golfer, owner of TG Glass & Associates – a commercial construction company – and “the most wonderful, honorable person with the biggest heart,” says Susan, Gerry was known and loved by many in the community, especially at LPGA International where the family was deeply invested. With the full support of Justin, who lives in New York City, Susan created this scholarship following a conversation with DSC Foundation’s Kristen Hanson. “I have known Kristen for a long time, and after she joined the Foundation staff early last year, it seemed to be the perfect time for me to do what I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” said Glass. The Bachelor of Science in Accounting enrolls students in a cohort model, meaning that students learn together throughout their time in the program. According to Dr. Max Nagiel, Chair of the School of Applied Business, “it’s a model that works to the advantage of our students as they work together and support one another.” At the end of the day, Glass is grateful for her education at the College and, she says, “I hope other alumni will think about giving back to Daytona State like I’m doing with this scholarship.”
For information on establishing a scholarship, contact Kristen Hanson, Director of Alumni Engagement & Development, at (386) 506-4506 or by email to Kristen.Hanson@DaytonaState.edu. 34 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2021
THE L. GALE LEMERAND ENTREPRENEURIAL SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTS...
HARRIS ROSEN
President & COO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts A true All-American success story, iconic hotelier and philanthropist, Harris Rosen overcame humble beginnings growing up in the disadvantaged Bowery section of New York City to now owning seven expansive Orlando hotels that comprise approximately 5 percent of the tourism area’s total guestrooms. A vivid storyteller, Rosen will share various success stories, including his first Orlando hotel purchase in 1974, and why he feels that his company enjoys one of the lowest employee turnover rates in the hospitality industry (around 12 percent vs. the industry average around 70 percent). And closest to his heart, his desire to inspire others to give back through his legacy of philanthropy, which includes a focus on education.
L. Gale Lemerand, Entrepreneur • 1995 Florida Entrepreneur of the Year • Founded more than 100 successful companies “To Win in Business … Bet on the Jockey” is a book about Lemerand’s remarkable life.
Save the date: Wed Wed.,., Nov. 17, 9 a.m. | HosseIni Center DaytonaState.edu/SpeakerSeries
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