A Look Inside
20
6
Daytona State News
Highlights from newsworthy events, programs and people.
16 Meet the Faculty
Artist and educator Trent Berning connects with students and the community through his lifelong passion for the arts.
26
Cork & Fork
The 3rd Annual Cork & Fork Tasting Event was an evening of food, wine and fun, all in support of scholarships, programs and the second Residence Hall capital campaign.
The Foundation: 50 Years of Support and Service
For 50 years, dedicated and passionate members of the community have guided the Daytona State College Foundation to new heights only dreamed of at its inception. Pictured on the cover are the current Foundation Board of Directors. From left to right, bottom: John Hodgson, Dr. Beverly Grissom, Kimberly Fulcher, Mary Boyd. Middle: Louis Seno, Daniel Francati, Dr. Tom LoBasso, Greg Sullivan, Zina Grau. Top: Dr. Jeff Abbott, Denis Shelley, Bobby Thigpen, Rufus Johnson. Not shown: Randy Dye, Michele Goeb-Burkett, Bill Lenssen, Nina Hosseini Lockett, David Sacks, Gregory Snell and Maggie Thompson.
Pictured here are guests attending the 1994 Foundation Dinner Dance.
10
Student Life
Students participate in informational and entertaining activities throughout the spring semester.
18 Commencement
Family and friends celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 at the 64th Commencement Exercises.
30
Alumni Spotlights
Alumnae Nicole Hayes, Emily Budzilek, Emilie Schmitz, Andra Harris and Courtney Kolloff are making the world a better place.
12
Athletics
Our student-athletes conclude another exciting year of competition and welcomed a new team—Esports.
24
A Smart Tiny House
Entrepreneurial students, faculty and staff collaborate on a huge idea—a smart tiny house—created at the ATC.
40
Student & Employee Honors
Each Spring the College recognizes our outstanding students, faculty and staff.
President’s Perspective
Dr. Thomas LoBasso
The Daytona State College Foundation was founded 50 years ago with a mission of providing financial assistance to students and supporting critical needs that are beyond the scope of the College’s budget.
Over the years, donations and gifts from our community supporters have helped build and equip classrooms and laboratories, sports complexes, and even our Residence Hall. And the Foundation consistently covers the cost of tuition, books, lab fees and other necessities for students who otherwise may not have been able to pursue their dream of bettering themselves through education.
The Foundation and all of the organizations, businesses, community groups and philanthropists who understand that investing in education equates to investing in our community, have helped make Daytona State the institution it is today.
In that inaugural year of 1974, the new Foundation Board members set their first fundraising goal of $250,000—roughly $1.66 million in today’s dollars. According to archived news clippings from that time, funds were to be directed to develop new programs and expand existing ones in health-related occupations such as “dental curriculum” and “physicians assistants.”
It’s incredible to imagine this group of community volunteers with a shared vision of supporting and nurturing their local institution of higher education.
This issue features profiles of alumni who’ve gone on to become teachers, a celebrity chef, a successful visual effects producer and an HR professional who leads the DSC-based Florida Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FL FAME) program. Each of them demonstrates there is no typical path to success, but that success is achievable for those who persevere.
We are thankful for the ongoing support we’ve received from our alumni, donors, business leaders and the community. We are proud of the good work our alumni are doing in the community. And we are confident the 3,474 students graduating as the Class of 2024 will achieve great things.
Daytona State’s future looks very bright. It is a great time to be a Falcon.
Thomas LoBasso, Ed.D.
DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Randy Howard, Chair
Robert Lloyd, Vice Chair
Randy Dye
Lloyd J. Freckleton
Kelly Parsons Kwiatek
Garry R. Lubi
DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE STAFF
Publisher
Dr. Thomas LoBasso
Editor
Chris Thomes
Contributing Writers
Jim Graham
Tim Norton
Chris Thomes
Graphic Design
Amanda Kanawall
Ren Morrison
Photographers
Ellie Baker
Aldrin Capulong
Brittany Dombrowski
Allie Draper
Olivia Hansen
Amanda Kanawall
Lauren Lewis
Michele Meyers
Ren Morrison
Clo Taylor
Kristina Ziminski
Daytona State College Magazine is published for alumni, friends and supporters of Daytona State College and the Daytona State College Foundation.
Daytona State College Magazine
Thank You for Making Our 2024 Cork & Fork a Tremendous Success
DSC Foundation Board Chair
It is an incredible honor to serve as Chair of the Daytona State College Foundation Board of Directors as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary!
Many of the 3,474 students who graduated in May were able to do so with help from scholarships provided by the Foundation (and made possible by generous support of our donors).
Our 2024 graduates join a family of 126,000 alumni who have come before them. They are our future and many will go on to become leaders in our community. We always encourage our graduates to take advantage of this remarkable network of alumni and, as Dr. LoBasso says, we always welcome them back. The College motto “You belong here” extends to our alumni – for Homecoming, for cultural events, and to cheer on our amazing student-athletes.
This issue of the DSC Magazine is particularly close to my heart because it tells the story of how the Foundation came into existence and the programs and projects it has supported throughout the years. Today we have embarked on our most ambitious project ever – working to raise $15 million to support the construction of a second Student Residence Hall. The first Student Residence Hall has been an incredible success – allowing 256 students to live on campus with quick access to classes, tutors, the library, Student Center, athletic center and so much more.
This issue of the magazine also includes a feature on fellow Board member Maggie Thompson sharing stories about her mother, Jeanne Goddard, who was a founding member of the Foundation Board. Maggie tells of Jeanne going door to door around Daytona Beach, raising money for the “Dollars for Scholars” scholarship program, when we were still Daytona Beach Community College.
We’ve come a long way since then, but one thing that has never changed is the amazing support and encouragement we receive from our community and their belief in the benefit of helping anyone who wants to better themselves and their families through education.
Here’s to another 50 great years!
Board of Directors
Officers
Zina Grau, Chair
Rufus Johnson, Vice Chair
Bill Lenssen, Secretary
Mary Boyd, Treasurer
Denis Shelley, Immediate Past Chair
Bobby Thigpen, Chair, Investment Committee
Jeff Abbott
Randy Dye
Dan Francati
Kim Fulcher
Michele Goeb-Burkett
John Hodgson
Thomas LoBasso
Nina Hosseini Lockett
Beverly McMurtry-Grissom
David Sacks
Lou Seno
Gregory Snell
Greg Sullivan
Maggie Thompson
Emeriti
Sally Gillespie
Cherie Keemar
Dirinda Maddy
Support the Foundation Donate.DaytonaState.edu (386) 506-3407
Kristen Hanson
Interim Executive Director, Daytona State College Foundation
Zina Grau
Zina Grau ‘03
Daytona State News
Student Cybersecurity Team Dominates First Statewide Competition
In a historic win, Daytona State’s FalconSec student cybersecurity team took first place in a statewide competition, beating 18 teams from 13 other Florida state colleges. Students (from left to right) Brian McGrath, Caleb Pintello, Craig Sava and Jess Harness, were coached by Timothy Pintello and Patrick Vilkinofsky, faculty members in the College of Business, Engineering & Technology.
The team competed to solve a phishing attack and a malware analysis and completed the tests with a perfect score in a record-setting time of 1 hour, 15 minutes. FalconSec was the only team in the inaugural Cyber Security Web-Based Team Competition, sponsored by the Florida College System, to complete the challenges within the allotted three hours with a perfect score.
Faculty Earn Lifetime Achievement Recognition
Dr. Linda Miles, Assistant Chair of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The organization bestows this award on only a select few nursing educators.
Dr. Miles has had a longstanding association with ACEN. She has served as a peer and team evaluator for more than two decades, contributed as a member of ACEN’s evaluation review panel and Board of Commissioners, and has provided guidance to the organization as a consultant.
A representative with GBSI, a Pensacola-based IT services firm that has helped organize similar competitions worldwide, said the DSC team resolved the challenges faster and more accurately than any team in any previous competition.
“This was an incredible team effort that included support from DSC’s IT Department and the professors and department chairs for our Cybersecurity classes,” Pintello said. “Completing the challenges in a little over an hour sets a high bar for future competitors, and we fully intend to defend our record.”
Daytona State created The Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense in 2013 through a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program.
In January 2023, the National Security Agency redesignated Daytona State College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2028.
Costa Magoulas, Dean of the Mori Hosseini College of Hospitality & Culinary Management, was awarded Lifetime Emeritus Certifications from the American Culinary Federation for his lifelong dedication to the culinary profession and student education. He received the lifetime awards of Certified Executive Chef, Certified Culinary Educator, and Certified Culinary Administrator.
With more than 50 years in the profession, he is the recipient of
numerous accolades that affirm his leadership and guidance to students and alumni in the culinary profession. Chef Magoulas is also a fellow of the American Academy of Chefs, the honor society of the ACF.
$25,000 Grant from Truist Foundation to Expand Entrepreneurial Education and Training Program
To help expand the College’s already rapidly growing Entrepreneurial Education and Training program, the Truist Foundation presented the Daytona State College Foundation with a $25,000 grant.
This generous grant will allow the Entrepreneurial Education and Training (EET) program to establish a new initiative called Launch to Success. This initiative will help DSC studententrepreneurs bring their ideas to market via a new Makerspace outfitted with prototyping equipment, and Truist teammates will mentor students and help transform their concepts into market-ready products.
The funds will also support outreach and communications, events and student projects, provide new material for DSC’s Entrepreneurial Resource Center, and Truist will become a cosponsor of DSC’s annual Falcon Talks event, where students give
three-minute presentations on aspects of the entrepreneurial empowerment process.
Since its start in 2021, DSC’s EET program has trained 57 faculty members to incorporate entrepreneurial curriculum into their classes. More than 1,600 students have been exposed to entrepreneurial mindset training, design thinking and financial management basics.
Daytona State Consistently Recognized as a Top-Ranked College
By any measure, Daytona State College is one of the most highly respected and innovative institutions of higher education in the nation. These rankings are a testament to the high-quality faculty and staff, in-demand programs, and top-notch facilities.
“Daytona State College is dedicated to making education accessible and affordable to everyone,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “Our faculty and staff are committed to providing the highest level of education to all students, and online courses open the doors of opportunity to many more students. We strive to give every student the best possible college experience and these rankings prove that out.”
• For the 12th straight year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Daytona State College’s Online Bachelor’s Programs among the best in the
nation. And DSC is again the topranked non-university college in the United States, advancing in the overall rankings among all colleges and universities nationwide.
Daytona State placed 28th of all colleges and universities in the country for offering the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, 18th in the nation for the Best Online Bachelor’s Program for Veterans, and 124th in the nation for Best Online Bachelor’s Business Program. Daytona State’s ranking increased in all three categories over the 2023 rankings.
• Nursing Process, a comprehensive online resource for information about nursing education and careers, has recognized DSC as offering one of the best Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs in Florida for 2024’s Top 10 list.
• DSC has again been ranked a Goldlevel Military Friendly educational
“We started this program to help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset and give professors the tools to integrate this training into their curricula,” said Dr. Sherryl Weems, Associate Vice President of the Mary Karl College of Workforce & Continuing Education. “Truist’s support will raise awareness of our entrepreneurial programming and guide the expansion of our reach on campus and in the community.”
institution, as well as receiving the designation as a Military Spouse Friendly School.
• DSC has been ranked 29th nationwide among the Most Affordable Online Colleges of 2024, as recognized by College Consensus.
• Forbes Advisor has recognized Daytona State College as offering one of the best affordable 100% online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) programs for 2024.
• Research.com named Daytona State the best value among state colleges within the Florida College System in its 2023-24 ranking for Best Colleges in Florida.
• DSC has again been named among the best in-person and online colleges nationwide by Intelligent.com in multiple categories.
Daytona State Launching Teacher Apprenticeship Program
Daytona State College is launching a new Teacher Apprenticeship Program in Fall 2024 that will allow select school district employees across Volusia, Flagler, and Brevard counties to pursue a career in teaching while maintaining their current full-time positions.
Upon the completion of an Associate of Arts degree, participants can enroll in this two-year state-approved Bachelor’s program, offering a path to acquire a Florida professional teaching certificate.
Interest from the community has been tremendous and the participating school districts have been fielding hundreds of inquiries from interested staff.
The “Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Program” allows local school districts to tap into a talent pool within their existing workforce and cultivate their own educators, ensuring a seamless transition into the teaching profession.
“Florida is dealing with a shortage of teaching professionals and this program gives qualified school employees a flexible, free option to become fully certified teachers in as little as two years,” said Dr. Tom LoBasso, President of Daytona State. The program is designed to allow employees to balance work, life, and school, and graduates earn the same degree, certifications, and endorsements as those earned by graduates of Daytona State’s School of Education.”
Graduates of this new initiative receive either a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education or a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education, depending on the degree path they select.
The School of Education is collaborating with the school districts to develop the program, curriculum and related technical instruction. DSC School of Education alumni Madison
Miller, Volusia County’s Florida Teacher of the Year and current Assistant Principal, and Shari Goodenough, the kindergarten through fifth grade mathematics specialist for Volusia County, are consulting as content matter experts on the program, and bring the collaboration full circle.
Palm Coast Songwriters Festival Entertains and Donates Funding for Scholarships
The Sixth Annual Palm Coast Songwriters Festival raised $6,000 for the Daytona State College Foundation. The event showcased more than 40 songwriters at DSC’s Flagler/Palm Coast Campus amphitheater, DSC’s News-Journal Center, and other local venues. National radio personality and Festival emcee Sean Parr joined DSC President Tom LoBasso and DSC District Board of Trustees member Garry Lubi with the presentation check.
DSC’s Music Production Technology program hosted a “writers-in-theround” workshop that included two artists participating in the Songwriters Festival: Multi-platinum singer/ songwriter/producer Ira Dean, a founding member of the hit trio “Trick Pony,” and Nashville hitmaker Erik Dylan, who has written songs for Kip Moore, Luke Combs, Eric Paslay, Eli Young Band, Justin Moore, Josh Phillips, Brent Cobb, Riley Green, and the hard rock band Hinder.
The Music Production Technology program at Daytona State’s NewsJournal Center, is part of the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment, & Art School of Digital Media Production.
“The songwriters festival gets better every year and is now attracting
people from around the country,” said Daytona State President Dr. Tom LoBasso. “It has become a showcase of new and established singer/songwriters and raised money for a number of great charitable organizations.”
Shown above from left to right: Sean Parr, national radio personality and emcee of the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival; Garry Lubi, DSC District Board of Trustees; Tom LoBasso, DSC President.
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Every year, members of the community and the College celebrate Women’s History Month, honoring those who have come before and reaffirming the commitment to support, empower and inspire the young women and girls who will grow to become our future leaders.
On March 27, the Student Government Association held an open forum panel discussion which was designed so students could ask the panelists questions ranging from their experiences as women in the workforce to women who made an impact on their lives, and more.
The Women’s History Luncheon was held March 28 with the theme “Women who advocate for Hope, Opportunity, Possibility and Empowerment.” This theme fit especially well with the mission of Daytona State and the Falcon HOPE Center.
Started in 1976 as the Center for Women, the HOPE Center has helped hundreds of students overcome educational challenges by providing a supportive and nurturing environment and teaching skills for self-sufficiency.
The HOPE Center team (known as the HOPE Squad) hosts this event each year to bring attention to the ways students, faculty and staff can all pitch in to help students overcome barriers to create the lives and careers they desire.
This year’s luncheon featured honoree and guest speaker Reverend Gwen Azama-Edwards, a tireless leader in the community who serves in the League of Women Voters of Volusia County, Council on Aging, and the NAACP among many others.
The four student honorees – Sabrina Duty, Brittany West, Melissa Corradi and Christopher Monroe – personified the ideals of Hope, Opportunity, Possibility and Empowerment, and each shared their personal stories of courage and persistence against the odds.
Shown above from left to right: Dr. LaKisha Holmes, Associate Vice President, College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Sherryl Weems, Associate Vice President, Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education; Gael Vitalien, Student Government Association President; Dr. Michelle Goldys, Dean, Enrollment Services; Megan Kane, School of Dental Sciences Adjunct Faculty; and Dr. Margie Hensler, School of Education Faculty.
Shown above: Reverend Gwen Azama-Edwards shares her message of hope and persistence to a packed audience.
Shown above from left to right: Student honorees Sabrina Duty, Christopher Monroe, Brittany West, and Melissa Corradi.
Shown above: Student Ginelle Harvey (left) took top honors in the Creative Contest for Women’s History Month, announced by Rabecka Collins, Director of the Falcon HOPE Center.
Student Life
Photo credit: Mike Kitaif
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Athletics
The Daytona State Women’s Basketball team ended the season 16-14 and were ranked sixth in the newly formed Citrus Conference. They shot 37% from the field, 28% from three, and 68% from the free throw line. Three Falcons averaged double figures in points per game, and one averaged 10 rebounds per game.
The Daytona State Men’s Basketball team had another record-breaking season with a 28-4 record and a trip to the Region VIII/FCSAA State Basketball Tournament in Niceville, Florida, as well as the NJCAA DI National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas for the first time since 1999. The Falcons went 14-2 in the Citrus Conference and were named Co-Conference Champions. They averaged 47% from the field, 36% from three, and 73% from the free throw line. Five Falcons averaged over 10 points per game, and they outscored their opponents 2,591-2,088.
GOLF
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Women’s Golf Team has once again claimed the NJCAA Division I National Championship, securing their 11th title in a record-breaking performance. They set a new national record, marking the first time a team has scored under par in the history of the women’s national tournament. Coach Laura Brown was also honored as the Coach of the Tournament. Earlier in the season, the team placed second in the Babs Steffens Invitational against top NCAA teams in the Southeast. Two players placed in the top seven individually and the team placed second at the Southeast District Championships hosted in Palm Coast.
Isaiah Dorceus
Bella Weary
SOFTBALL
The Softball team ended their season 25-33, having one of the hardest schedules in NJCAA DI. They finished eighth in the Citrus Conference, just missing out on a berth to the FCSAA/ Region VIII Tournament.
The Daytona State Baseball team ended their season 16-29. Three student-athletes hit above .350. More importantly though, the team is trying to defend a top academic team of the year award nationally. Fifteen of the last 17 years the team earned the highest team GPA award in the nation and is in the running to capture that award this year.
BASEBALL
DSC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR & THE L. GALE LEMERAND LEADERSHIP AWARD
The DSC Scholar-Athlete award recognizes two studentathletes annually for their outstanding academic achievement, overall commitment to academic responsibilities, persistence in striving toward identified academic goals, and the overall ability to attain a high level of academic success at DSC.
Jayven Garcia
Men’s Cross Country, Sophomore (Kissimmee, FL)
Kadrianna Grinstead
Softball, Sophomore (Palm Coast, FL)
The L. Gale Lemerand Athletic Leadership Award recognizes two student-athletes anually for outstanding leadership, commitment to all responsibilities as a student-athlete, setting a positive role model example for all studentathletes, demonstrating concern with a desire to help others, and a desire to further develop and enhance the Daytona State College intercollegiate athletic program.
Alexandra Draper
Women’s Soccer, Sophomore (Lutz, FL)
Tylar Whiting
Women’s Golf, Sophomore (South Daytona, FL)
Morgan Davis
Joey Ervin
Angelica Holman
Daytona State launches Esports program
Daytona State College launched its Esports program and—less than a year in—recruited worldclass players, created a state-ofthe-art gaming facility in the L. Gale Lemerand Student Center, and took first place in the NJCAAE national competition.
“It often surprises people to learn that Esports is a multi-billion dollar industry, and high school and college-age students are ranked as pro athletes,” said Sebastian Morales, DSC’s new Esports Coordinator. “Launching an Esports program is an incredible opportunity for us to engage with a huge community of highly skilled, creative, and tech-savvy potential students.”
The program officially launched earlier this year with four games—Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Rocket League, Overwatch and Valorant. The first official varsity players—who compete in National Junior College Athletic Association Esports-sanctioned events —were chosen following the tryouts in Fall 2023.
Dual-enrolled DSC student David Krol (Gamertag TM7_ZAP) plays for DSC’s Super Smash Bros Varsity team, is ranked among the top 200 players worldwide and is regularly invited to invitation-only tournaments. Nathan Wilson (Nostalgia) is a top player in Overwatch, and Jacob Jenson (Birthday) and Alexander Mackey (Admiral) have been ranked in the top 500 in Overwatch.
“Recruiting top players like David demonstrates the quality of our program and attracts other players who want to play alongside and learn from the best,” Morales said. “And, like our other athletic programs, we have scholarships available.”
Krol closed out the season taking first place in the NJCAAE grand finals for Super Smash Bros, going undefeated during season and post-season play.
The new Esports Facility is also topnotch. Gamers practice and play in a state-of-the-art gaming center on the second floor of the Lemerand Student Center, complete with 18 top-of-theline gaming computers, fiber-optic
gigabyte connectivity and space for “shoutcasters” to deliver play-byplay commentary during tournament matches streamed via DSC’s official Twitch channel.
“My view is the same as all our other coaches: our Esports players are students first and athletes second,” Morales said. “We will work to make them the best they can be, and at the same time expose them to all the opportunities in the Esports/gaming industry if that’s the career path they want to pursue.”
With Season One under his belt, Morales is already working to expand the program’s intramural offerings for students, faculty and staff who are looking for others to play against.
“Dr. LoBasso and the entire senior executive staff have been incredibly supportive of our effort to build a competitive program and nurture a community of casual gamers,” Morales said. “It’s really inspiring and goes a long way toward attracting a new generation of students to Daytona State College.”
Athletics Banquet
Pictured are some of our many outstanding student-athletes honored at the 2024 Daytona State Athletics Banquet held April 30 in the Lemerand Athletic Center. A total of 70 players are moving on to fouryear programs and the next level of competition. Congratulations on a great year to all our student-athletes and coaching staff!
Trent Berning
MEET THE FACULTY
Trent Berning was born and raised in Marienthal, population 64, an unincorporated community in the prairies of western Kansas. Berning’s family had to drive an hour to Garden City to see a movie or order a pizza.
“My grade school graduating class had eight students,” Berning said. “I had to travel to the nearest town (Leoti, eight miles away, population 1,475) to attend high school, where my graduating class had 52 students.”
The path that led Berning to a life in the arts and now Chair of the School of Humanities within the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art, began there.
“I had an amazing high school art teacher who would let me work on pottery on weekends while he graded papers,” Berning said. “I won an art show and was awarded a scholarship to the local community college.”
He used the scholarship to get an A.A., working in the ceramics lab and building sets for the theater classes to support his education. This led to a scholarship to Fort Hays State University.
“I was still unsure of my career path but opted to pursue a degree in education since I’d had that great high school art teacher who had inspired me,” he said. Splitting his time working on his degree and pursuing his passion for ceramics, he was offered a full scholarship to attend the University of Tennessee and decided to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics. And it was there he met his wife and fellow artist Kelly.
“We moved to California and lived as starving artists for about eight years,” Berning said. “In the beginning, we survived on zucchini from the garden and dollar canned soup.”
Taking a break from academia, Berning focused on opening a gallery space and studio in their garage, but soon realized he missed teaching. He started adjuncting at a few local colleges, some semesters driving to four colleges a week. He also started a ceramics program for veterans and active military families at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
When their first child was born, Trent and Kelly knew a change was in order. Berning expanded his job search and he was offered a position with Daytona State. With two weeks to get to Florida and their second child on the way, they sold everything that didn’t fit in a single moving container. Berning drove east with a crib and their dog in the family pickup, with plans for Kelly to fly in when Trent had the baby’s room set up.
“When I first got here, the program had been without a full-time instructor for a couple of years and needed some attention,” Berning said. “I spent several weeks just cleaning the studio and making it safe and productive. With the help of grants and funding, I was able to update and improve the equipment, and I completely revamped the course curriculum to better align with contemporary academic trends.”
Inspired by the success of his program at Camp Pendleton, Berning also secured grant funding for Vets Create, a program offering free art classes to veterans and their families.
“The health benefits of the arts for veterans have been well documented,” Berning said, “and it has been an incredible experience to be part of the Vets Create program.”
Most of Berning’s students are not art majors and often enroll in his classes because they’re curious or view it as a fun elective.
“Once they are in the classroom, they are amazed at how challenging it is, but also how rewarding it can be,” he said. “I push my students to excel in both concept and technique, which often surprises them with their accomplishments in such a short time.”
When Berning unlocks the studio each morning, it’s not uncommon for students to be waiting to get in. And he’s often shooing them out at the end of the day.
“I take pride in having such an inviting, secure, and productive work environment that students want to be in,” Berning said. “Unlike other areas of their lives, students don’t always have this but they are always welcome in the art studio.”
Berning is a long way from Marienthal, but never forgets where he came from.
“I’m proud to say I’m a first-generation college graduate,” Berning said. “My parents were laborers and where I grew up, opportunities were scarce. But thanks to my passion for the arts, I was able to find a way out of the limitations I faced. I try to instill that same passion in my students and encourage them to develop a strong work ethic.”
I push my students to excel in both concept and technique, which often surprises them with their accomplishments in such a short time.
— Trent Berning
Commencement 2024
Daytona State College President
Dr. Tom LoBasso called on the newest 3,474 alumni to celebrate their accomplishments, continue as lifelong learners and take advantage of a support network of the 126,000 DSC graduates who came before them at the Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremonies held at the Ocean Center on May 14.
“You came to Daytona State because you had a desire to learn and achieve something greater, and your education should not end here,” Dr. LoBasso said. “I urge you to continue to invest in your personal and professional development and pursue a philosophy of lifelong learning.
“Wherever your journey takes you, I want you to know we are here for you – now and in the future,” LoBasso said. “You are joining a family of more than 126,000 Daytona State alumni – many of whom have gone to achieve great things and become leaders in our community. They are a network ready to help you find your place in the world.”
The Class of 2024 included 437 graduates earning bachelor’s degrees,
1,531 earning Associate of Arts degrees, 648 earning Associate of Science degrees, 858 earning Certificates and 191 graduating from the Adult Education program.
Overall, the Class of 2024 included 42 students graduating from the QuantaHonors College, as well as seven who were inducted into the Daytona State College Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor the faculty can bestow upon a student.
Other highlights from the ceremony include 132 members of this year’s class who are part of Phi Theta Kappa, the only accredited national honor society for two-year colleges in the United States; 22 students who were inducted into Sigma Beta Delta, the highest international recognition a business student can receive at a college or university; 54 nursing graduates who were inducted into Alpha Delta Nu, the national honor society for Associate Degree Nursing students; five graduates who are part of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society for education majors; and 216 dual enrolled high school students who earned their degrees and certificates as they also graduated high school.
Daytona State College Foundation: Supporting Students and the College for 50 Years
Fifty years ago, leaders of the Daytona Beach Community College District Board of Trustees met to form what would become a driving force behind the success of today’s Daytona State College.
Out of that meeting came a nonprofit foundation that has helped tens of thousands of students achieve their educational goals and allowed Daytona State College to grow into one of the preeminent state colleges in Florida and the United States.
“It’s no overstatement to say we couldn’t have achieved all that we have without the Foundation and the people, businesses and organizations that have supported it over the last five decades,” said Daytona State College President Dr. Tom LoBasso. “The Foundation is an essential partner
for everything we do as we plan for the next 50 years.”
Since 1974, the Foundation has secured more than $56 million in contributions and awarded more than $52 million in scholarships and program awards. The pace of giving has also accelerated with each passing year. Since 2019, the Foundation has raised nearly $16 million and dispersed more than $12 million.
The Foundation has also supported efforts to grow and expand the College over the decades. Some of
the more recent examples include the construction of iconic campus buildings like the Mori Hosseini Center, the L. Gale Lemerand Student Center, and the Student Residence Hall.
The four-story Residence Hall, which opened to full capacity in Fall 2022, has been such a success that the Foundation is leading a capital campaign to raise $15 million to build a second Residence Hall. Since residence halls at state colleges are not funded with state or college funds, private donations from individuals, businesses and foundations allow the institution to
Shown above: Foundation members and guests from the community enjoy a lively Foundation Dinner in 1998.
seek bank financing for the balance of the project.
“Because the Foundation operates as a 501(c3) tax-exempt organization, it gives philanthropists an attractive option to invest in education and have their support pay dividends for generations to come,” said Kristen Hanson, Interim Executive Director of the Foundation. “We love the idea of collaborating with individuals and organizations to create and partner on events that not only raise money for the College, but also build a sense of community for everyone involved.”
The Foundation hosts several major fundraising events annually. The “Cork and Fork” food and wine tasting event showcases the talents of students in the College’s Culinary Management
and Beverage Science programs and local restaurateurs while raising money for scholarships and College programs. Equally popular is the annual “Boots ‘n Bling” gala, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support scholarships and College projects over the years.
One of the newest and most popular collaborations is “Taste of Jeep Beach,” an event held with the organizers of the world-famous Jeep Beach. This unique event attracts thousands of Jeep enthusiasts to the News-Journal Center at Daytona State for a day of food, fun and vendor booths. The Foundation uses those funds to give
full scholarships — including housing and meals — to the Youth of the Year from the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/ Flagler Counties. The funds were also used for scholarships for PACE Center students and local children attending summer basketball camps.
Prior to the creation of the Foundation, students needing financial assistance had to rely on qualifying for federal or state programs, or by seeking out private foundations for help. It was tremendously challenging, particularly for first-time-in-college students who often faced the greatest risk of dropping out due to financial, family or personal pressures.
Shown to left: From the beginning, annual Foundation events served as community social gatherings, fundraising events, and donor recognition, such as this Donor Banquet circa 1987. Daytona
Shown above: College faculty, staff, students and community members were always invited to celebrate the Foundation’s successes, such as this Foundation Breakfast in 1994.
Shown above: Long before emails, Foundation board of directors members review materials for a meeting in 1985.
Students today have access to the Office of Financial Aid, whose sole responsibility is to help students access financial aid as they pursue their education. Part of that aid comes in the form of $1.2 million in scholarships distributed annually by the Foundation.
“We want every person who wants to improve themselves through education to be able to do so,” said Dr. Amy Locklear, Executive Vice President and Provost. “For many students, figuring out whether they can afford to attend
classes can be one of the largest challenges they face. The individuals, organizations and businesses that have provided donations for scholarships have helped countless DSC students graduate and go on to great careers, and, in many cases, become leaders in our community.”
Moving forward, the Foundation will continue its focus on scholarships for students and supporting College programs that can’t be funded through other means.
Donations typically fall into one of three categories – endowed, restricted and unrestricted – and the Foundation continues to explore new and creative ways to apply donor gifts to maximize their value.
Academic programs, including Digital & Interactive Media Production, Nursing, Information Technology, Automotive Service Technology, and Education, among others, have benefitted from support for unmet needs through the Foundation.
“The Foundation has been tremendously supportive in helping us acquire laptops for students in need,” said Brad Moody, Chair of the School of Digital Media Production within the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art. “One student in the Pilot Laptop program went on to secure a Marketing Design internship with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and credited the pilot program with helping her develop the skills to secure the internship.”
One of the biggest projects on the horizon is the planned second Residence Hall. Given the success of Residence Hall I, which received more than 1,000 applications, DSC launched the fundraising campaign in 2023.
Shown above: T.K. Wetherell, DBCC Vice President and State Representative, chats with Foundation scholarship recipients during a Marketing photoshoot in 1988.
Shown below: Philanthropist R.T. Ayers (far right), founder of Republic Gas and Oil, and dual resident of Oklahoma City and Daytona Beach, presents a check to the Foundation and College in 1987.
Jeanne M. Goddard: A Family Legacy of Making Student Dreams Come True
Fifty years after her mother, Jeanne M. Goddard, walked door to door to raise money for the Daytona Beach Community College Foundation’s “Dollars for Scholars” scholarship program, current Foundation board member Maggie Thompson continues to advocate for helping Daytona State College students achieve their educational and career dreams.
Jeanne was an inaugural member of the Foundation when it was created in 1974 to help raise money for scholarships for DBCC students.
“My mother loved education and taught fourth grade in North Carolina before marrying my father,” Maggie said. Jeanne retired from teaching when they moved to Daytona Beach but stayed involved by joining the local PTA and winning election to the Volusia County School Board, serving as chair as the district oversaw school integration.
“She was a very focused person and an excellent role model,” Maggie said.
Jeanne went on to serve on the Daytona Beach Community College Advisory Committee, chaired the College’s District Board of Trustees for eight years, and then served as senior vice president of the Daytona Beach Community College Foundation.
The College named the Goddard Center for the Arts in her honor and renamed it the Jeanne M. Goddard Center in 2017 after the Center had undergone extensive refurbishment and remodeling.
When Jeanne passed in 1999, Maggie took her mother’s seat on the Foundation Board has been serving ever since.
“I love the Foundation and I’ve been on the Board forever. They’re going to retire me one of these days — ‘Get out of here! You’ve been here too long!” she joked.
Until that day arrives, Maggie will continue in her mother’s footsteps, advocating for every student who wants to better themselves by furthering their education.
To date the Foundation has secured approximately $2.6 million of the $15 million needed to keep on-campus housing affordable for students.
Dr. LoBasso, together with the Foundation and District Board of Trustees member Randy Dye, are leading the effort to raise the funds needed to make this project a reality.
“We have always been ambitious and innovative in our pursuit of offering the best education possible for our students, and I’m thankful that our supporters share our excitement and vision for the future,” said Dr. LoBasso. “I’m confident the next 50 years will be equally successful for our students, our community, and our Foundation.”
Shown to right: One of the first newspaper articles reporting on the newly-founded Foundation from the Volusia Sentinel Star, July 24, 1974.
A Smart Tiny House Takes Shape at the Advanced Technology College
A 300 square foot smart tiny house (on wheels!) is taking shape on the Advanced Technology College campus. It is the first product created as part of a conceptual Manufacturing Enterprise — an extension of DSC’s four-year-old Entrepreneurial Education and Training (EET) experience — that aims to take student- or faculty-conceived products from concept to market.
And while the tiny house is the first product developed through a collaboration of students, faculty, and staff across multiple departments, all indicators suggest it will not be the last, says Dr. Sherryl Weems, Associate Vice President of the Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education.
“The Enterprise is being designed so that any student, any faculty, or any class could create a product, monetize, market, and sell it all as part of the entrepreneurial experience,” Weems said. “This opportunity generates excitement.”
Like many great entrepreneurial projects, the idea for building a smart tiny house come from a moment of adversity when state funding that helped launch and expand the EET experience came to an end.
DSC had received state grant funding for three years, allowing the EET team
to build a robust entrepreneurial experience that included training and certification for faculty, staff, and students in the areas of Entrepreneurial Mindset, Design Thinking, and Financial Management for Entrepreneurs.
Faculty embed these entrepreneurial elements into existing curriculum so that students are seamlessly exposed to these concepts and strategies within the context of their classes.
The grants have also launched the annual Falcon Talks series, created the Entrepreneurial Resource Center, supported students ready to take the
next step with their business concepts via Launch to Success, and facilitated idea and experience sharing through Entrepreneurial Roundtable events.
The grant funding ended after three years. Like classic entrepreneurs, the team pivoted, making the case that Daytona State had everything needed to take the EET experience to a higher level.
“We are seeing a lot of interest with students exploring entrepreneurial pursuits as a viable option within traditional career pathways,” Weems said. “When someone aspires to advance within a company or even attain the status of CEO, they’re already thinking like an entrepreneur.”
Using seed money provided by the College, the team quickly selected the creation of a smart, tiny house for the first project. They enlisted the faculty and students in the School of Business Administration to structure the Manufacturing Enterprise by researching the viability of creating a Direct Support Organization (DSO) at Daytona State College, which is a non-profit organization authorized by
Section 1004.70 of the Florida Statutes that allows an enterprise to function on a Florida State College campus.
Faculty and students from this department also conducted a feasibility study to assess the tiny house market in the service area and presented a project management model to guide the work. Other key programs enlisted include the School of Building & Architectural Technology for virtual design and blueprints, the School of Workforce for everything from fabricating the chassis and framing the house to HVAC, electrical and plumbing. The Angela & D.S. Patel School of Engineering Technology is handling smart technology, and the School of Digital Media Production is documenting aspects of the process.
The effort has also received support from local businesses. Gary Yeoman Ford transported the metal trailer fabricated by the Welding students from the Daytona Beach Campus to the Advanced Technology College where the house is being constructed. Hudson’s Furniture Daytona Beach will be staging furniture for the public showing.
The smart tiny house has taken shape over two semesters, will be ready to show in the Fall, and put up for sale in Spring 2025. The goal, Weems says, is to use money from the sale to reinvest in the Manufacturing Enterprise initiative and shift to the next product that will be launched through the Enterprise.
“This amazing, collaborative effort has been a tremendous learning experience,” Weems said. “All faculty and students from across the academic disciplines are invited to participate in the next effort. Imagination and dreams are invited —we see no limits to the potential of Daytona State College’s Manufacturing Enterprise.”
3rd Annual Cork & Fork: A Food and Wine Event
Almost 400 friends of DSC and the DSC Foundation came out on May 5 for the Third Annual Cork & Fork tasting event. This sold-out signature fundraiser for the Daytona State College Foundation raised more than $42,000 that will go to support scholarships, College projects, and the second Residence Hall capital campaign. Thank you to all the sponsors who made this event possible.
Presenting Sponsor: Expert Reserve Services, Inc.
Silver Sponsors: Jeff & Donna Abbott, Daytona International Speedway, Duke Energy, Ed & Patty Fennell, Florida Health Care Plans, Kim Fulcher – Halifax Health, Susan B. Glass, Zina
Grau – Brown & Brown, John & Lynda Hodgson, Jeep Beach, Rufus & Teresa Johnson, Jon Hall Chevrolet, Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar, Lou & Christine Seno, Denis & Edith Shelley –Legacy Law Associates, Southeast Law Group, James & Jean Tauber, Bobby & Lee Thigpen, Maggie Thompson, and Friends of Tom Wright.
Restaurants & Community Partners: Oil & Vinegar of Daytona Beach, Giuseppe’s Pizza, Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar, Metz Culinary Management, Norwoods Eatery & Bar, DSC Hospitality & Culinary Management programs, DSC Hospitality Beverage Science program, S.R. Perrott, and Daytona Beverages.
Tammie Green-Parker, Tina Parker, Jayne Fifer
Anastasia & Dave Kolodzik, Expert Reserve Services (Presenting Sponsors)
Zina Grau, Kristen Hanson, Mary Boyd
Colin Doane, Chef Sylvia Herrera, Heather Stockhammer
Roberto Lombardo, Julia Lombardo, Erik D’Aquino, Ava D’Aquino, & Kristen D’Aquino
President Tom LoBasso & Chef Costa Magoulas
Casey Brents
DSC Volleyball students Bella Dillman and Leia Lund
Kimberly Fulcher, Karen LoBasso, Chef Pan
3rd Annual Cork & Fork: A Food and Wine Event
Tom LoBasso with Costa & Eve Ann Magoulas
Owen Chittenden & Connie Knapik
Tish Manchester, Bissy Holden, Karen Eastman, Catie Rosekelly
Maureen & Chris Bonner, Tammy & George Graham
Eve & Costa Magoulas, Dan Francati
Linda Paul, Karen Brooks, Irene Harrington
Linda McMunn, Kevin & Carol Killian, Rosemarie Romano, Susan Glass
Chef McCann, Wayne Dattoli, Chef Pan
Senator Tom & Cindy Wright, Chef Costa, Amber Via & Holly Hill Mayor Chris Via
Bob & Belinda Symmes, Maureen & Paul Abend, Chelsea Abend, Brian Daley, Janet Adamek, Josh Hearn
Matt Loughry & Coach Cameron Jergens
Kristen Davis, Karla Gore, Linda Small, Coach Laura Brown, Michaela Scheihing, Denise Houston
Greg Sullivan & Brittani Preschel
Nicole Hayes & Emily Budzilek
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Nicole Hayes and Emily Budzilek took slightly different paths in their journey through Daytona State’s Education program, but a shared love of working with children led them to teaching kindergarteners at Spruce Creek Elementary School in Port Orange.
“I always loved children, even when I was young,” Hayes said. “I wondered what career would lead me to helping children. I loved having teachers that encouraged me when I was ready to give up. I loved that they made me feel smart, and once I realized I could do the same for someone else, I was sold.”
Hayes’ mother attended Daytona State and suggested she look into it. Budzilek found the College after moving to the area from Lake County.
“Daytona State was appealing because it was close to home and offered the program I was looking for,” Budzilek said. “The School of Education came highly recommended by many people in the community.”
“Originally, I wanted to go to school to study physical therapy,” she continued. “I always loved kids, so teaching was always in the back of my mind. When it was time to go to college, I decided to pursue my true passion for teaching.”
Both found the School of Education provided the training and support they needed to hit the ground running when they graduated.
“My experience at DSC was a dream,” Hayes, said. “ALL my professors were attentive, supportive and they gave me an endless supply of encouragement. School can be overwhelming to say the least, but I knew everything was going
to work out because there was an abundance of support.”
Budzilek agreed. “Every professor in the School of Education is incredible. They were helpful and insightful regarding any questions I had. It truly felt like a family when I was in this program. I felt I mattered and had a voice. I still keep in contact with many of the professors and colleagues who were in my program.”
Hayes graduated in December 2015, and Budzilek followed May 2018. Both secured teaching positions immediately upon graduating but only met after being invited to participate in a Graduate Panel sponsored by the School of Education. They kept in touch after meeting and are now at the Title I Spruce Creek Elementary.
“We were so happy when we finally had the opportunity to teach together!” Budzilek said.
And both said Daytona State fully prepped them to help young students with learning and the challenges that many students encounter.
“I love that the School of Education offered classes that gave us a Reading Endorsement and ESOL (English as a Second Language) Endorsement when we graduated,” Budzilek said. “This saved me from paying out of pocket to add these to my teaching certificate.”
Budzilek also appreciated the programs that Daytona State has to help students get experience and prep for interviews.
“During my senior year, Dr. Ana Blaine and Dr. Margie Hensler led an internship class weekly,” Budzilek said.
“We were able to collaborate with other interns and cheer each other on. I loved the Principal Panel and mock interviews that Dr. Blaine and Dr. Hensler set up. It really boosted our confidence and prepared us for upcoming interviews.”
“I was able to create a highly effective behavior management system thanks to the senior internship that DSC provided,” Hayes added. “I also felt more comfortable in my career because of the rigorous classroom assessment course I took at DSC.”
Their advice for anyone considering a career in teaching and Daytona State’s School of Education?
“I would tell them to ask as many questions as they want or need because the staff is very supportive and want to see you succeed,” Hayes said. “I would also suggest trying to find grants through financial aid.”
“I’ve heard nothing but great things about Daytona State,” Budzilek said. “I am so thankful I stayed local and received a great education that prepared me for my passion and career. Definitely do your research, make connections and see whether it’s the right fit for you. It was for me and provided incredible opportunities.”
I loved having teachers that encouraged me when I was ready to give up. I loved that they made me feel smart, and once I realized I could do the same for someone else, I was sold.
— Nicole Hayes (right)
Emilie Schmitz
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
After contemplating a career in TV news, DSC alumna Emilie Schmitz found her true calling helping companies operate more efficiently, collaborate better with employees, and promote innovative workforce initiatives.
One of her greatest achievements, however, could be co-inventing the CrockPocket with her husband Bret.
“CrockPockets has truly been one of the best adventures of my life,” she said. “For years my dad and I would call each other with our next ‘million dollar idea,’ so I have always had the mindset I could invent something, but never the ability or courage to follow through. During COVID we found ourselves eating at home more. I made a pot roast and my now-husband Bret said the flavors all blended together. The potatoes tasted like meat and it was one big bowl of the same flavor.”
Emilie agreed and presented Bret (who has a background in manufacturing and tooling) with an idea for internal dividers that could withstand the temperature of a slow cooker. Bret designed them in SolidWorks and printed molds with a 3D printer. They finalized a design, hand-poured silicone themselves, sourced suppliers and took CrockPockets to market in November 2021.
“We went viral on a few cooking blogs and by November 2022 we had a 10,000 unit back order,” Schmitz said. They have even filed for a patent. “This challenge has been the hardest to overcome since we have no control over the review and several knockoff brands are hitting the market.”
Emilie splits her time as inventor serving as Director of People Operations at
Germfree, headquartered in Ormond Beach, overseeing 200+ employees in six states.
At Germfree, she revamped an existing “Better Together” program that has realized more than $20,000 in corporate savings as a result of implementing employee suggestions.
“We’re getting input from teams on ways we can save the company time, money or improve processes,” Schmitz said. “Programs like this are a voice for teams to directly improve their surroundings.”
Emilie is also serving as President of Florida FAME: Sunshine Chapter (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education), a program deeply integrated into DSC’s Advanced Technology College.
“FAME is such a unique opportunity – it’s developing the next generation of leadership in organizations,” she said. “FAME students graduate with an Engineering Technology degree from Daytona State along with two years of direct work experience to add to their resumes. Learning hard skills, soft skills, presentation skills, critical thinking – it’s an employer’s dream. I cannot encourage this program enough for students who have an interest in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.”
Emilie’s own career path began with thoughts of being a TV news anchor.
“When I was a senior at Satellite High School I hosted ‘School News Now’ for Brevard Community College and hosted a few programs – including the Homecoming Parade – when I transferred to Florida State,” Emilie said. “I wanted to be a television anchor but quickly realized I didn’t
want to spend my entire career on contract work.”
She left college for a job with an Orlando-based construction company.
“My boss encouraged me to go back college and helped me choose the best program to meet my needs,” she said. Based on her time at Brevard, FSU and a stint at the University of North Florida, she had the equivalent credits for an Associate of Arts degree, but not the degree itself. “Daytona State offered a bachelor’s degree online and was the only school willing to work with me on my credits. This allowed me to earn my Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management without having to retake a ton of classes.”
She completed the BAS degree while working full-time for the construction firm and immediately put her training to work helping implement new software systems to streamline and improve human resources and operations.
“I enjoy the strategic and critical thinking skills it takes to figure out how technology will work for an organization, now and in the future.”
She moved on to new roles, working with a talent placement agency and helping launch a Florida-based satellite communications company before moving to GermFree.
Schmitz’s advice to DSC students? “I can’t stress enough the importance of saying ‘yes’ and figuring it out later,” she said. “Being willing to fail and start again. Being willing to stand up and own up to mistakes is so critical. We all mess up…we all fail—but having the courage to try again is what makes success.”
I can’t stress enough the importance of saying ‘yes’ and figuring it out later, being willing to fail and start again. We all mess up…we all fail –but having the ability to try again is what makes success.”
— Emilie Schmitz
Andra Harris
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Embracing the mantra “No sacrifice, no success,” Daytona State alumna Andra Harris lifted herself out of homelessness and overcame the challenges of being a college dropout, emerging as an acclaimed chef, dedicated social activist and aspiring Ph.D. candidate.
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Harris received a full track and field scholarship to the University of Oklahoma. In the summer of 2009, Bethune-Cookman University recruited her with a similar scholarship so she transferred to Daytona Beach.
“It was a bit of culture shock transferring from a big Division I school,” Harris said. “I also just wasn’t prepared for school, didn’t have much support, and allowed outside factors to influence my decisions.”
Leaving B-CU after one semester, she went back to California where she couch-surfed and lived in “a very toxic environment.” In June 2010, determined to get her life back on track, she returned to Florida and enrolled in Daytona State’s Mori Hosseini College of Hospitality & Culinary Management.
“My parents were chefs and that’s all I knew growing up,” Harris said. “I needed something affordable; I didn’t want to leave culinary school with a massive debt. All the instructors were so relatable, understanding and skilled. I was always a fan of Chef (Jeff) Conklin. He really inspired me to be the best in my field.”
To make ends meet, Harris worked multiple jobs. “I saw all my classmates graduating on time and felt like I was missing out on so much,” she said. “I’m not sure when I discovered that
saying—‘No sacrifice, no success’— but it always stuck with me. I spent a lot of time sacrificing fun and other things to get back on track. It’s okay to disappear for a while to chase your dreams; the fun will still be there.”
At Daytona State, with a 4.0 GPA and a spot on the President’s List, Harris discovered another passion: teaching. After securing her A.A. and Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Management, she transferred to UCF, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Event Management and Master’s of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management.
“Most state colleges and universities require their instructors to have a Master’s degree, so I did what I needed to do to make it to the next level,” Harris said. “I absolutely love teaching; I feel like the college age group is my calling. I enjoy being a part of someone’s journey as they are starting out in this industry.”
Harris worked as a field instructor for Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, came back to Daytona State as an adjunct instructor in the culinary program, taught culinary management and pastry classes at the University of Memphis and fine dining and event management at Iowa State University. There she began work on her Ph.D. in Hospitality Management, focusing her dissertation on “Black executive female chefs in the restaurant industry.”
Harris launched her first business, a hospitality consulting firm that specialized in guest service training and food and beverage operations, in 2019 while teaching in Memphis.
In 2020, Harris launched Bougie Eats Academy, offering online pastry classes for home chefs and bakers.
“It was something that I had been planning for years so it wasn’t complicated,” she said. “The biggest hurdle was getting over imposter syndrome and believing I had something of value to offer. I planned out my content, and filmed and edited everything. I’m a team of one so I learned to do everything myself, from growing my social media followers, running ads, and growing my email list. It’s been a journey but I love it.”
Since its launch, Bougie Eats Academy has enrolled more than 2,000 students worldwide. Harris has partnered with brands Zeelool, Revol, Valrhona, Chef Rubber, and Cacao Barry.
Harris has been a regular on Fox 35’s Good Day Orlando, and also caught the attention of The Food Network which invited her to compete on Dessert Games and the Holiday Baking Championship.
Harris also serves as Senior Director of Campus Dining and Hospitality for Los Angeles Room & Board, a nonprofit that houses and feeds homeless college students and youth, while also providing mental health and wellness services, academic coaching and job readiness training.
Harris shares her life on social media. Her mom, Toni, makes regular appearances in the photos, and the two are always smiling.
“My mom means the world to me,” Harris said. “She was a single mother and I never once saw her complain and she made it happen. She raised me with so much love and patience. Everything I do is for her.”
I absolutely love teaching; I feel like the college age group is my calling. I enjoy being a part of someone’s journey as they are starting out in this industry.”
— Andra Harris
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Courtney Kolloff
DSC alumna Courtney Kolloff’s perseverance has led to a successful career as an L.A.based visual effects producer whose credits include Modern Family (ABC), The Santa Clauses (Disney+), Shotgun Wedding (Lionsgate), and The Watchers (New Line Cinema).
That perseverance paid off when her first attempt to break into the entertainment industry—where entrylevel positions typically mandate a bachelor’s degree—fell short.
Enter Daytona State College.
“I’m from Central Florida and grew up knowing about Daytona State, which was Daytona Beach Community College back then,” Kolloff said. Her first college experience was with University of West Florida, where she played soccer. After earning her Associate of Arts degree she headed west to pursue a career in the movie and TV industry.
“It turns out not having a bachelor’s degree made it hard, so after two years I moved back to Florida,” she said. “Most big universities require you to apply well in advance and wait to be accepted. My goal was to get my bachelor’s as quickly as possible so I could get back to L.A. Daytona State offered a Business Management bachelor’s and a certificate in TV production. It was a no-brainer. DSC was where I was going!”
Kolloff was particularly impressed with the breadth and hands-on nature of the Broadcast TV Production program.
“The TV Production program was top notch and really offered valuable
insight. We built our own show, produced an episode, collected b-roll and edited a section of the show we produced,” she said. “The program is set up to teach you everything about running a live television show—from operating the cameras to bringing up the graphics.
“As a producer or manager—who is generally in charge of large projects —knowing how everything works is so important. Even if you are not an expert camera operator or sound engineer, knowing what they need and being able to communicate that really helps them and you be successful. It’s a skill I bring with me on every project I lead.”
From DSC, Kolloff transitioned to Syracuse University (‘the coldest year of my life”) where she earned her master’s in Television, Radio and Film. Returning to Los Angeles, she waited tables at Outback Steakhouse while working to break into the industry. It came quickly.
“I was a commercial agent’s assistant and spent about six months doing that,” she said. “An agent was leaving to go to another agency. He said, ‘Come with me, I can double your pay.’” The new position lasted six months but opened the door to her next job as a coordinator for the Chief Financial Officer of Awesomeness TV.
“He was one of the best bosses I ever had and I learned a lot. I spent two years there and then took an offer for a Post-Production Coordinator job with Audience Network,” she said. “I’m one of those people who asks, ‘What else can I help with?’ so I was able to start going out on shoots and doing Associate Producer type work. I spent two years there coordinating the post team and being an AP on promo shoots. That led me to my next step,
which was full-on post-producing for Steelhead, managing post-production for commercials.
“This job was probably the one where I learned the most. It was a whirlwind getting thrown into the commercial world. It was great, but fast-paced is an understatement! It was a freelance gig, though, so it was project-toproject. I was there for a little bit, then offered a job at Ingenuity Studios, where I currently am.”
In her role as a visual effects producer for TV and film, she works with clients to establish technical and creative requirements, manage budgets and timelines, and offer ideas and concepts to enhance their projects.
“I am involved from script phase through pre-production, production and post-production and delivery. I have to stay close in all phases so there are no surprises – for the client or my team. Visual effects are a very technical part of creating TV and film projects, but it’s a growing field and a great career path for anyone wanting to work in TV and film.”
“I would absolutely recommend Daytona State to a friend. Any career needs a foundation and that’s what DSC offers. Everyone needs a beginning, and DSC offers one that sets you up for success.”
I would absolutely recommend Daytona State to a friend. Any career needs a foundation and that’s what DSC offers. Everyone needs a beginning, and DSC offers one that sets you up for success.”
— Courtney Kolloff
DSC Students take top honors in Digital Art Competition at One Daytona Art Festival
Daytona State’s programs and students were well represented at the Fifth Annual One Daytona Art Festival. This unique community arts and culture festival showcased student talent and the digital art competition was part of a weekend-long event in April that included 130 artists and vendors.
Daytona State students Jaris Camacho and Michael La Greca took first and second place respectively, and One Daytona organizers donated $8,000 each to the DSC Foundation and Volusia County Schools.
“Everyone who came out had a great time and we appreciated the opportunity to showcase the talent and creativity of our students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Tom LoBasso, President of Daytona State College. “One Daytona’s donation to the Foundation will go a long way toward helping our students achieve their dreams.”
Camacho received the $500 First Prize for her piece, “Connected.” La Greca received $250 for his entry, titled “Covered Bridge.” Both are students in DSC’s School of Digital Media Production and their digital pieces are currently on display to the public on One Daytona’s digital signage.
The School of Digital Media Production encompasses Broadcast Television
Production, Digital & Interactive Media Production, Music Production Technology, and Photographic Technology. The progressive curricula offer the highest level of technical proficiency needed to compete successfully in today’s job market.
The Art Festival included live art demonstrations by Trent Berning, Chair of DSC’s School of Humanities, and Professor Stacey Fletcher Reynolds, with music performances by the DSC Jazz Combos, Blue Latitude and Shades of Blue.
Chef Costa Magoulas, Dean of the Mori Hosseini College of Hospitality & Culinary Management, gave a presentation on The Art of Cooking and Chefs Jeff Conklin and Mark McCann showcased their culinary talents in the VIP Tent.
Family and Friends Gather to Honor
Esther and Jerry Krueger
On March 26, the plaque dedicating the Jerry and Esther Krueger Wisdom in Senior Education (WISE) Program was unveiled to a packed audience at the Advanced Technology College. Family members shared their fond remembrances of Esther and Jerry with friends and fellow WISE members.
Jerry and Esther supported DSC students through the scholarship they established with the DSC Foundation
in 2017. They were instrumental in establishing the WISE program, and in November 2023 the Foundation and District Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the program in their memory.
The Krueger’s devotion and commitment to lifelong learning for senior adults has left a legacy that will last for generations to come.
DSC athletic teams volunteered at beverage stations throughout the event. The School of Education, School of Cosmetology and Barbering, School of Humanities and School of Digital Media Production hosted a cyanotype workshop in the Kids Zone, and the School of Cosmetology and Barbering created fairy hair and nails.
Shown above from left to right: Richard Krueger, Lauren Paye, Dr. Joanie Krueger, Doug Garno
Honoring Keith R. Kennedy, Sr.
WITH A MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
The family and friends of Keith R. Kennedy, Sr., who served as Vice President for Student Development at Daytona State, established an endowed scholarship fund with the DSC Foundation in his memory. Kennedy passed away in September 2021.
The Keith R. Kennedy, Sr. Legacy Scholarship will support students who have exhausted all other sources of financial assistance or whose program of study doesn’t offer financial support. The scholarship will also provide support for students returning to college or starting college later in life.
“Keith was a beloved teacher, mentor, colleague and friend. He touched countless lives and made a difference with everyone he met,” said Dr. Tom LoBasso, President. “Keith made it his personal mission to help others grow to their full potential, guiding generations of students and members of the community. His kindness and
warmth made the College a better place. We still miss him dearly.”
Kennedy spent more than 40 years at Daytona State, working his way up in roles ranging from student employee to College Administrator. Over the years, he held a variety of professional and administrative positions with Admissions, Community Outreach, Adult Education, Judicial Affairs and Career Services. Kennedy was named Vice President for Student Development in 2016, the position he held at the time of his passing.
“Keith’s position in the Judicial Affairs Department allowed him to be involved in assessing whether a former student who had been previously ineligible for enrollment could reestablish eligibility for enrolling or reentry into the college or their particular program of study,” said Kennedy’s wife Tanya. “Keith was passionate about helping students complete their
education. He believed if there was any way of giving a student a second chance, he did exactly that!”
Kennedy believed in mentoring, volunteering and serving on community boards. He also founded two community agencies to stabilize and strengthen families through mental health counseling, parenting education, domestic violence and substance abuse counseling.
“Although Keith was the recipient of many awards and accolades during his career and life, he never looked for fame or recognition,” Tanya said. “His proudest accomplishment and mission in life was enriching the lives of others.”
Those interested in contributing to the Keith R. Kennedy, Sr. Legacy Scholarship fund may do so online at DaytonaState.edu/Give-Now or by calling (386) 506-3407.
DSC Honors Students & Employees
Daytona State College Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards
Presidential Medallion Award for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Harun Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, a Master of Arts degree, and a Ph.D. in English, all at the University of Florida. His career at Daytona State began in 2008 teaching composition, research, and literature in the School of Humanities and Communication. He served as facilitator for the WAC/WID program, sharing his expertise in teaching writing with others. Currently, he serves as an advisor for student publications, which includes the DSC student newspaper, InMotion, and the literary magazine, Aeolus.
Presidential Sterling Award for Professional Excellence for Career Employees
Michelle La Plant joined the College in 2000, working in the Student Accounts office for more than 23 years and has a vast amount of knowledge and history in her years of service. As a supervisor, she is often the first DSC staff member that student account specialists and other departments reach out to for assistance. She is always happy to share her knowledge with anyone, staff and students alike. Many students call to speak with her personally for anything related to their account.
Presidential Sterling Award for Professional Excellence for Administrative Employees
Dr. Lisa Koogle is in her 10th year as Director of Resource Development. Her commitment to excellence in researching, writing and editing has contributed to her exceptional leadership of “the grants office.” Her ability to digest and manage large volumes of complex – and often arcane – information has resulted in Daytona State being awarded grants that have benefited faculty, staff and students, and allowed the College to proceed with valuable projects that might otherwise go unfunded.
Presidential Sterling Award for Professional Excellence for Professional Employees
Kelly Pennington has consistently demonstrated a remarkable commitment to student success. She joined Daytona State as an Administrative Specialist in Adult Education. Her dedication was recognized with a promotion to Administrative Assistant II, then to Financial Aid Analyst, and ultimately to her current role as Senior Business Analyst in Enrollment Services. Her analytical skills and problem-solving abilities have been integral to the smooth functioning of the enrollment division.
Daytona State College Hall of Fame
Membership in the Daytona State College Hall of Fame is the highest honor the faculty may bestow upon a student. Nomination is based upon the highest standards of excellence in scholarship, leadership and citizenship. The students so honored reflect credit on themselves and the institution by assuming the mantle of progressive and constructive leadership while maintaining an exemplary academic grade point average of not less than 3.0. Silver keys are presented to recipients, and their names will be added to the Virtual Hall of Fame at DaytonaState.edu.
2024 Inductees
Erika Anderson
Nevaeh Bjelajac
Falcon Student Engagement Award
Maria Castillo Enriquez
Wakaba Kogure
Lexiana Stagaard
Micheal Velez
Jessa Ward
The Falcon Student Engagement award is presented to students who have been actively engaged in representing Daytona State’s values of community, integrity, excellence, innovation and student success. Active engagement includes any voluntary academic activities above and beyond course requirements, involvement in student clubs and organizations, supporting academic programs and services, assisting other students, and community service.
2024 Inductees
Kaley Amuso
Sofia Avalo
Mike Baumgardner
Eva Bradshaw
Dylan Brown
Holly Carper
Kristen Daugherty
Alexandra Draper
Maria Castillo Enriquez
Breylin Garcia
Brendan Hamilton
Cevenya Henderson
Nyasia James
Mya Mendoza
Alexis Mills
Analiese Raath
Outstanding Student Awards
College of Arts and Sciences
Quanta-Honors College Maria Castillo Enriquez
Dan Stout Award ........................ Jacob Zellar
Mathematics ......................... Logan Blanken
School of Humanities and Communication .................... Madison Kuenning
American Sign Language
Alyssa Vanriper
Sociology ............................. Sara Ardeeser
History Owen Michael Pilling
Psychology .......................... Coley Gallagher
American Federal Government Nicole Caputo
School of Biological and Physical Sciences - Chemistry
School of Biological and Physical Sciences - Biology
Joshua Weaver
Zoe Brown
School of Biological and Physical Sciences - Physics Lexiana Stagaard
Bachelor of ScienceElementary Education
Julia Rienks
Samuel Scaccia
Rhema Sheavly
Emma Testi
Jessa Ward
Arianna Warner
Tylar Whiting
Bachelor of ScienceExceptional Education ...... Paola Melendez-Martinez
Bachelor of ScienceSecondary Biology Education ............ Erin Alligood
Bachelor of ScienceSecondary Chemistry Education .......... Olga Sinelnik
Educator Preparation Institute
Barbara Bonner
Educator Preparation Program ..... Dustin LaMontagne
Personal Narrative ......................... Colby Gay
Argumentative Category ............... Anjali Tomerlin
Poetry Category ....................... Mae Fasnacht
Short Fiction Category James Kremer
General Research Category ............... Brett Corbitt
Choral
Joshua Freeman
Instrumental Music ...................... Xavier Perez
Theater
Carlee Harris
Madison Clark
Studio Arts 3D ......................... Tiana Espada
Studio Arts 2D ........................... Nikki Sobak
(Continued on next page)
College of Business, Engineering & Technology
Bachelor of Applied Science
Healthcare Management Concentration ......................... Jon Moscowitz
Bachelor of Applied Science
Hospitality Concentration .................. Kyle Town
Bachelor of Applied Science
Human Resources Concentration ............. Jason Tisi
Bachelor of Applied Science
Project Management Concentration Desirae Gilmore
Bachelor of Applied Science Supervision & Management Concentration .................... Jedadiah Matheson
Bachelor of Applied Science
Supply Chain Management Concentration ............................. Perla Felix
Bachelor of Science in Accounting ........ Carolyne Korn
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Chris Yarbrough
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology -
Electrical Engineering Technology Concentration .................David Smith
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology .............Hannah Hitchcock
Accounting Technology (A.S.) Rachel McClure
Culinary Management (A.S.) ............. Taylor Wildes
Hospitality Management (A.S.)....... Angerletia Clarke
Industrial Management
Technology (A.S.) Dustin Avinger
Office Administration (A.S.) ........ Jessica Feisthammel
Operations Management
Technology (A.S.) ................. Teaonde Robertson
Beverage Science - Certificate ........ Sharlene Dufford
Baking and Pastry Specialization Natalia Pacione
Culinary Arts - Certificate .............. Yasmina Tabers
Paralegal Studies (A.S.) Lisa Snipes
ATC in Project Management ............ Kristina Matrix
Accounting
Technology Management ............... Jennifer Frank
Accounting Technology Operations -
Tax Preparation ................... Roxana Castaneda
Business Management Certificate Kattie Valle
Marketing, Sales, and Service Certificate Megan Goff
Office Management, A.S. Certification Zachary Marshall
Architectural and Building Technology Christopher Eldridge
Interior Design Technology (A.S.) ........ Giselle Pascual
Interior Design TechnologyKitchen & Bath Specialization...... Maria Andrea Brizio
AutoCAD Foundations (Architectural) ....................... Jennifer Bogdan
AutoCAD Foundations (Engineering) Angel Koenig
Drafting and Design Technology .... Jessica Ruth Leavy
Computer Engineering Technology (A.S.) ....................... Timothy Hunt
Computer Information Technology (A.S.) ..................... Richard Treulieb
Computer Programming and Analysis (Software Engineering Technology) ..... Nathan Colburn
Database Technology Jacquelynn Schippmann
Electronics Engineering Technology (A.S.) Bruce Luu Tong
Engineering Technology (A.S.) ........ Frederick Faulkner
Network Systems Technology (A.S.) .................. Jess Mary Harness
Computer Programming .............. Hunter Hatecke
Information Technology Analysis Loren Ferguson
Network Server
Administration Zachary Michael Snellenberger
Web Development Specialist ....... Hana Chramostova
Web Systems
Software Development ............... Jonathan Covert
Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics Chenaniah Cuda
Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Ethan Joel Roth
College of Health & Public Services
Dental Hygiene ...................... Ashlyn Stoddard
Criminal Justice Technology Bridge Brian Sorrells Fire Fighter........................ Gabriel Broughton
Florida Law Enforcement Academy Zachary Ignoffo
Paramedic ............................ Robert Stears
Early Childhood Education.............. Magali Vallejo
Occupational Therapy Assistant Elizabeth Rausch
Physical Therapist Assistant ............... Ruby Uzzell
Respiratory Care Dylan Brown
Radiography Maria Feliz Cruz
Massage Therapy .................... Kalina Santiago
Medical Assisting ..........................Kelly Karns
Surgical Technology Alyse Folds
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) ................... Margaret Caughie
Nursing - Transitioning into Profession (A.S.) ....................... Terrence White
Nursing - ADN, Associate Degree ...... Briana LaRocca
Nursing - LPN, Practical Nursing Kaila Thompson
Nursing - PRN, Practical Nursing Erika Anderson
Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration Mechanic ............. Ernesto Rodriguez
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration Technology .............. Jacob Rossignol
Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing ......................... Jaelyn Walker
Automotive Service Technology .......... Ignacio Vega
Building Trades and Construction Design Technology ......... Joseph Katich
Barbering Linda McCoy
Cosmetology ........................... Lexus Carlson
Electrical Apprenticeship - Union Densy Alvarado
Electrical ApprenticeshipNon-Union Henry Lindeman
Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship ........ Sam Bass
CNC Machining Daniel Lyon
Welding Technology ................. Salvatore Piazza
Advanced Welding ..................... Justin Hughes
General Education
Development Degree Russell Allman
English for Speakers of Other Languages Yelitza Fernandez Ruiz
Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Men’s Baseball
Caleb Parmer
Men’s Basketball .................... Christos Karyotis
Men’s Cross Country
Brendan Hamilton
Men’s Soccer ........................... Yuta Tokuhisa
Women’s Basketball
Eva Bradshaw
Women’s Cross Country Giovana Meade
Women’s Golf .......................... Tylar Whiting
Women’s Soccer ..................... Wakaba Kogure
Women’s Softball Kadrianna Grinstead
Women’s Volleyball ...................... Emma Testi
Division of Student Life
Student Government Gael Vitalien
Student Life ............................. Trinity Baker
Student Publications Nevaeh Bjelajac
Residence Hall ......................... Michael Velez
Academic Affairs
Academic Support Center:
Peer Tutor Zayd Sabry
Customer Service ................... Fe Maria Lluveres
Writing Center Maria Castillo Enriquez
Writing Center, DeLand ............... Micheal Garrett
Advanced Technology College
Outstanding Service to Campus
DeLand Campus
Veroushcka Valencia
Outstanding Service to Campus Angelica Ravizza
Nursing .............................. Drew Whitaker
Deltona Campus
Outstanding Service to Campus ........ Quentin Wilson
Flagler/Palm Coast Campus
Outstanding Service to Campus Douglas Froberg
Bachelor of Applied Science -
Human Resources Concentration Melissa Marshall
New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater Campus
Outstanding Service to Campus ........... Lucas Pezzin
Outstanding Service to Campus -
Dual Enrollment ......................... Owen Pilling
Associate of Arts to BSED -
Elementary Education ................ Rhianna Karinen
Thursday, October 24, 2024, 6pm Hosseini Center – Daytona Beach Campus
The Daytona State College Foundation’s Board of Directors invite you to join them for the 30th Annual Gala – Boots and Bling: Kick Up Your Heels for DSC!
We’re commemorating 50 years of support and generosity at this year’s event and we invite you to get all “gussied up” in your finest attire, possibly with a bit of gold. It’s Boots and Bling, so dust off those boots and bling it up (black tie optional)!
You’ll enjoy great food prepared by Chef Costa Magoulas and our renowned culinary students, hear inspirational stories from students, enjoy fabulous entertainment, and 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.
Kick Up Your Heels for DSC!