Daytona State College receives $3.8 million from state and community partners for nursing education

To support Daytona State College nursing students, the College has received $3.8 million in new funding from state and community partners. The funds are designated for the College’s Bob & Carol Allen School of Nursing to assist students as they prepare to meet the critical need for frontline healthcare professionals across Volusia and Flagler counties.

In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $1.9 million to Daytona State to support scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment acquisition and additional educational support for the College’s nursing program. Halifax Health provided $1 million and AdventHealth provided $900,000 in matching grants, bringing the total to $3.8 million.

is designed to mitigate Florida’s nursing shortage. The $900,000 gift from AdventHealth will create the AdventHealth Endowed Fund for Nursing Student Success, and the $1 million gift from Halifax Health will create the Halifax Health Endowed Fund for Nursing Student Success.

“On behalf of Daytona State College and the Bob and Carol Allen School of Nursing, I would like to thank Governor DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, Halifax Health and AdventHealth for their continued support of the College and our students,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “We share the Governor’s vision of providing world class medical care in Florida and our nursing program has a long-standing reputation of excellence. And thanks to the additional support of our partners AdventHealth and Halifax Health, our nursing students will continue to receive the highest quality nursing education in the state. Together we can build a stronger community.”

The state funding is allocated through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) program, which

The investment income from these permanent endowments will be used to support full-time Nursing Student Success Specialists who will provide classroom instruction and tutoring to ensure that Allen School students are well-supported as they prepare for careers in nursing.

“We have had a long-standing relationship with the Daytona State College of Nursing, and we are thankful we have local nursing education programs and young men and women who feel the calling to be nurses,” said Jeff Feasel, Halifax Health President and CEO. “As a public hospital, investing back into the community to provide educational opportunities, careers and world class healthcare is part of our mission.”

“Over the last three years, AdventHealth has heavily invested in the recruitment and retention of talented nurses, recognizing the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our clinical team members and the crucial need for skilled caregivers,” said Michele Goeb-Burkett, Chief Nursing Officer for AdventHealth’s hospitals in Volusia, Flagler and north Lake counties. “Knowing the breadth of Daytona State graduates who make up our nursing workforce, it’s more important than ever that the region’s health systems do their part in supporting aspiring nurses.”

“Our collective goal is to make a career in nursing a reality for anyone who wants to pursue it,” said Dr. Amy Locklear, Daytona State College Executive Vice President and Provost. “The support from the Governor and our partners will ensure our graduates enter the workforce fully prepared for rewarding careers in public service.”