FAC&U Association News October 2015

volume lxxxiII, october 2015 A Publication of the florida association of colleges and universities

Association News

FACU & Dear Colleagues, It is my honor and privilege to serve as this year’s president of the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities.

This organization is unique because it unites the presidents of institutions from each of our state’s three education sectors: the Florida College System (FCS), the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF), and the State University of System (SUS) of Florida.

The institutions that comprise these sectors could not be more different. Some produce doctors, others nurses. Some serve expansive, multicounty regions of our state, while others serve close-knit communities. Some are changing lives through groundbreaking research, others are changing lives by providing a path to the workforce.

Public or private, sprawling or small, our institutions all exist for the same reason: our students.

Students, no matter which of our institutions they attend, arrive on our campuses with the same two things: potential and dreams. It is up to our institutions, no matter the acronym with which we identify, to help our students develop the former and realize the latter.

The strength of FAC&U lies in our ability to transcend our differences for the good of our students, and by extension, our State.

I look forward to working with each of you in the coming year.

Eileen Holden, Ed.D. President, Polk State College FAC&U President 2015-2016

news from across the state tallahassee community college

Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree approved for TCC Tallahassee Community College (TCC) has received approval from the State Board of Education to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program.

The BSN program will be the first bachelor’s degree program offered by TCC, and it will be specifically designed to meet the needs of working nurses. The College already offers an associate degree in nursing.

The BSN proposal was initially approved by TCC’s District Board of Trustees in October 2013 and had cleared nearly all state-level hurdles when the Florida Legislature imposed a moratorium on new bachelor’s degree programs at the 28 Florida College System institutions in May 2014.

At that time, several community leaders expressed their disappointment that the TCC proposal was put on hold, including Mark O’Bryant, president and CEO of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), and State Senator Bill Montford, who both cited the shortage of nurses with four-year degrees in the region’s healthcare facilities.

TCC President Jim Murdaugh was pleased to get the go ahead from the State Board of Education, as was TMH’s Mark O’Bryant, whose support of the program as an employer of future graduates was very well received by board members.

“This program will help meet a critical need in our community,” said Murdaugh. “Our community partners have made it clear to us that they need more nurses with this higher level of education.”

The College’s decision to pursue the BSN degree program came after an initial request from O’Bryant that was subsequently enthusiastically endorsed by Capital Regional Medical Center and Westminster Oaks retirement community. TCC’s proposal also had the support of Florida State University and Florida A & M University. Both universities offer nursing programs but recognized the need to produce additional nurses with four-year degrees, especially since so many nurses who attend TCC decide to stay in the Big Bend region and serve the local community.

According to Alice Nied, TCC’s dean of healthcare professions, the program will accept only students who are already licensed as registered nurses and hold an associate degree from an accredited R.N. program.

Most of those who enroll will already be working as nurses, so classes will be offered nights, weekends and online.

TCC’s two-year nursing program earned national accreditation in 2013, and Nied said that TCC will pursue accreditation for the bachelor’s degree program as soon as possible.

If the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approves the program in December, TCC hopes to begin offering classes early in 2016.

For information, contact Neisa Farley at (850) 558-4572 or farleyn@ tcc.fl.edu.

2

florida association of colleges & universities FAC&U Officers 2015-2016 FAC&U President Eileen Holden, EdD President, Polk State College FAC&U Vice- President Nathaniel Glover, MEd, Hon. LLD President, Edward Waters College FAC&U Vice- President Elect Judith Bense, EdD President, University of West Florida FAC&U Past President John Delaney, JD President, University of North Florida 2015-2016 FAC&U Board Members Jeffery Albritten, EdD President, Florida SouthWestern State College Anthony Catanese, PhD, FAICP President, Florida Institute of Technology Mr. Andrew Corty Publisher, Florida Trend Marshall Criser, III, JD Chancellor, State University System George L. Hanbury II, PhD President, Nova Southeastern University John Holdnak, PhD President, Gulf Coast State College Edwin Moore, PhD President, Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida Madeline Pumariega, PhD Chancellor of the Florida College System Donal O’Shea, ScD President, New College of Florida Ex-Officio Member Pam Stewart, Florida Commissioner of Education

news from across the state university of central florida

UCF is #1 Supplier of Engineers to Aerospace and Defense Industries The University of Central Florida (UCF) produces more graduates who get jobs in aerospace and defense companies than any other university in the nation, according to an annual workforce survey conducted by the top aviation industry publication in the U.S. “It says something about your graduates,” said Carole Rickard Hedden, executive editorial director for Aviation Week Executive Intelligence. She used a football analogy to explain how good UCF is at producing all around great engineers. “There are certain institutions, like UCF, that are really great at blocking and tackling—producing engineers of all disciplines who meet the needs of the industry.”

The 2015 Aviation Week workforce study surveyed corporations, 1,156 engineering students and 1,371 young professionals to track employment opportunity and compensation in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry.

While A&D leaders still approach schools such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Georgia Tech for workforce needs, the survey shows that UCF mechanical and aerospace engineering students are also highly pursued.

The distinction is important not just as a measure of the quality of graduates coming out of the UCF College of Engineering & Computer Science, but also as an indicator of the emergence of the university as a leading school in meeting the broad needs of the American manufacturing industry, Hedden said.

UCF’s engineering program has been recognized nationally for its notable strengths in optics, simulation, aerodynamics, aero-structures, space aviation, advanced turbomachinery, systems and controls, unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced manufacturing.

Michael Georgiopoulos, dean of the college, said the survey backs up what college leaders have known all along.

“As a large metropolitan institution, UCF provides a high-quality education inside and outside the classroom,” he said. “We are located in the heart of an economic powerhouse surrounded by industry. This means our students have easy access to research experiences, internships, entrepreneurial opportunities, service learning and jobs.” >>> To read the entire article on UCF’s website, click HERE.

barry university

Barry University Celebrates 75th Anniversary With 75 Acts of Service As part of Barry University’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) is facilitating 75 Acts of Service throughout the 2015–2016 academic year. This is a coordinated series of community service opportunities through which the University is reaffirming its commitment to collaborative service with the community.

A major goal of this initiative is to have 100 percent participation of Barry faculty, staff, and students. Each student and employee is urged to participate in at least one act of collaborative service this academic year. Barry alumni and other community members will take part in some of the projects.

For the purposes of this initiative, an act of service is a community service project event, or activity as part of a larger project or event. A small number of campus-based projects that benefit the wider community are included in the list of opportunities for service.

Implementation of this initiative is already underway, however, the formal launch of 75 Acts of Service is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 on the University’s main campus in Miami Shores.

A complete list of opportunities for service is available here. For further information and to register for a 3 service project or event, contact the CCSI at service@barry.edu or 305-899-3696.

news from across the state saint leo university

Saint Leo University Enjoys Change and Expansion Saint Leo University’s Fall Semester 2015 has begun with change in the air. The university welcomed 685 freshmen and 170 transfer students, as well as 16 new faculty, and opened its newest academic building to classes at University Campus. Saint Leo also revitalized its U.S. Air Force ROTC program and expanded its continuing education efforts into Orlando with its new Orlando Education Center.

Kirk Hall on Saint Leo University campus.

The focal point of excitement at University Campus is the opening of Kirk Hall, named for Dr. Arthur F. Kirk Jr., president emeritus, and his family. Dr. Kirk retired this past summer after 18 years with Saint Leo. The building provides 48,000 square feet of space and is home to classes in liberal arts, education, criminal justice, and social work. Kirk Hall is equipped with modern technology and specialized teaching environments for students in the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Social Services. The state-of-the-art facility also offers academic support space and faculty offices. It is the 11th new building at University Campus, in addition to three recent renovations, within the last 13 years.

Furthering its commitment to serving those who serve our nation, Saint Leo has restored its U.S. Air Force ROTC program at University Campus. The renewed Air Force ROTC joins the existing U.S. Army ROTC program and is part of the Air Force ROTC Detachment located at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Saint Leo’s program enjoys a “crosstown” agreement that dates back over 30 years. The Air Force ROTC offers a variety of scholarships that help relieve the financial burden of a college education. More than 1,100 colleges and universities nationwide offer the Air Force ROTC program.

Spreading its continuing education reach into the state’s central region, Saint Leo is enrolling students at its new Orlando Education Center, 2290 Lucien Way, Maitland Green II Building in Maitland, FL. The 10,000-squarefoot, student-friendly facility features four standard classrooms with the latest technology; a Video Teaching and Teleconferencing (VTT) classroom; and a resource/computer lab. Edgar Martinez, the former assistant director of distance learning and continuing education at the University of West Florida, was appointed as center director.

He also previously served as director of academic support services for the University of Central Florida at Valencia and Osceola regional campuses.

4

news from across the state palm beach state college

PBSC Students Win $40K A Year Scholarship Two recent Palm Beach State College graduates were among only 90 students selected this year to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

The scholarship will enable Ana Guevara and Patricia Medina, who graduated with their Associate in Arts degree last May, to each receive up to $40,000 a year to cover tuition, living expenses, books and required fees for the two to three years needed to complete their bachelor’s degree. While they are not the first PBSC students to earn the scholarship, this is the first time that two from the College have won in the same year. The Virginia-based Jack Kent Cooke Foundation received more than 2,000 scholarship applications this year.

“It’s because of everything I’ve learned and done at Palm Beach State College that this is possible,’” said Medina, who served as the PBSC student trustee for 2014-2015. “This school has been life changing for me. It’s like being given a ticket to anything. Every possibility is now open. I’m just so overwhelmed by it.”

“I was very surprised because I thought I was not going to get it,’’ said Guevara, 21, the youngest of five children. “Now I feel relieved because I know that I will able to go to college without worrying about how I’m going to pay for it. I feel grateful for the opportunity that I’m given because I going to be able to continue my education and give back to the community that has supported me throughout my time at Palm Beach State.”

Medina, 41, a married mother of teenage twins, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Stetson University with a major in communications and minor in political science. She plans to go to law school. Guevara, 21, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance at the University of Florida plans to become an investor for socially responsible investments.

polk state college

Training and Certification Programs in Manufactured Construction (TRAMCON) A free program at Polk State College will allow participants to earn nationally recognized certifications in the booming manufactured construction industry.

“There are employers right here in our area who need these certifications and skills. We’ve already seen it happen— students have come to Polk State, earned these certifications, and entered their workforce career choice. We’re eager to help even more students get hired in manufactured construction,” said Mary Beth Shapiro, a recruitment, retention and completion coach at the Polk State Corporate College.

In late 2014, the Department of Labor awarded nearly $10 million to four Florida colleges, including Polk State, for the development of TRAMCON (Training and Certification Programs in Manufactured Construction). Of the total award, Polk State received $1.76 million; the rest was split between Miami Dade, Santa Fe and Seminole State colleges.

Polk State is using its grant award to offer the upcoming training program, allowing it to be offered at no cost to participants.

In manufactured construction, structural components are built in a factory and then assembled at the construction site. Doing so makes it easier to control costs and quality. For these reasons, manufactured construction — both of residential and commercial buildings — is increasingly common.

This upcoming training certification program will be the first of its kind Polk State has offered.

During the six-week training session, participants will complete coursework and hands-on training to earn three nationally recognized certifications, including: •MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT): Awarded by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, the CPT is nationally recognized as the manufacturing industry’s entry-level certification. >>> Read the entire article on Polk State College’s website, by clicking HERE.

5

news from across the state north florida community college NFCC Receives Grant to Help Students Succeed

North Florida Community College (NFCC) is one of 968 institutions of higher education awarded a grant from the U.S. Education Department, in initial rounds of funding, aimed at helping students succeed in college. The NFCC Student Support Services (SSS) Department received $268,776 for the 2015-2016 year and will receive a total of $1,343,880 over the next five years to carry out their mission of helping low-income college students, first-generation students and those with disabilities successfully navigate through college and earn a degree or certificate on the postsecondary level.

“This program empowers students to believe they belong in college both here at NFCC as well as at a larger four year institution,” said Dr. Suzie Cashwell, Director of Student Support Services (SSS) at NFCC. “This funding allows us to continue to help local students achieve their educational and career goals despite the various obstacles or barriers they may face. We are honored to have received this five-year grant from the Education Department.”

Based on its 2014 annual report, NFCC’s SSS program is reaching its goals and has deemed the past year a success. Supported by a federally funded TRiO grant, SSS provides a variety of services to first generation, low income, and/or disabled students at NFCC. The program helped over 200 students last year with participants representing all six counties in NFCC’s district – Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor County – and is starting out this term with approximately the same number of students.

Last year SSS boasted a 91% retention rate with 85% of its participants achieving a good academic standing.

Forty-six percent of students entering the SSS program in 2010-2011 have now successfully graduated from NFCC with 30% of that cohort transferring to a four-year institution.

Click HERE for the entire article.

florida state university

FSU Partners With UF To Speed Discoveries Toward Better Community Health Florida State University (FSU) is a partner in the $17.5 million award that the University of Florida (UF) has received to translate medical research discoveries more quickly into healthier Florida communities.

The four-year project is funded by the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, which supports a nationwide network of about 60 CTSA hubs.

Although FSU and UF have been research partners before, this project is noteworthy.

“Our partnership with the University of Florida in this award is a significant milestone for both institutions,” said Michael Muszynski, associate dean for clinical research. “For the FSU College of Medicine, it further codifies the functionality of our Clinical Research Network involving all of our statewide regional and rural campuses, and it carries the enormous potential of two major Florida universities working together to bring the latest medical advances to a very expansive and diverse patient demographic.”

The budget is not formalized between FSU and the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute, but Myra Hurt, senior associate dean for research and graduate programs, estimated the College of Medicine’s share of the CTSA award will be more than doubled by institutional support and will total several million dollars.

Hurt said the College of Medicine’s network of community physicians for teaching its students is a unique advantage. >>> Read the entire article by Ron Hartung HERE.

6

news from across the state florida keys community college FKCC Unites Scholarship Recipients, Donors

Florida Keys Community College’s Foundation hosted its third annual Scholarship Social last Thursday evening in Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center on the Key West Campus. The event brought together nearly 100 scholarship recipients with the generous individuals and organizations that support their awards.

The FKCC Foundation, which cultivates funds through private donors, community organizations, and public agencies, is set to distribute approximately $160,000 in scholarships this year alone.

A cross-section of students shared personal stories about the life-changing opportunities that FKCC Foundation Recipients of the Florida Keys Community College “Game Changer” scholarship pose with Jim Scholl, President of the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club, which along with the Upper Keys Rotary Club, supports scholarships have provided them. the new scholarship program for financially-underserved local high school graduates. .

“I am both honored and humbled that I was selected to receive scholarships this year,” said Lauryn Parra, who returned to her hometown of Key West to pursue a nursing degree at FKCC after experiencing the financial burden of attending a large university. Parra earned three scholarships: the Rotary Club of Key West-Edward B. Knight Scholarship, a Hemingway Look-Alike Society Scholarship, and a Blue Cross-Blue Shield Nursing Scholarship.

“Moving back home was one of the best decisions I could have made. My professors genuinely care about me. They take the time to get to know their students and their needs to make sure they are getting the best education possible. You don’t always get that in a class of 200 to 1,500 students at a major university,” added Parra.

Scholarship opportunities for the spring semester will be made available in October. FKCC students will be able to apply online at fkcc.academicworks.com.

For more information about supporting FKCC students or programs, contact Dr. Frank Wood, FKCC Pat Miller (right), benefactor of the FKCC Student Ambassador Scholarship and memVice President of Advancement and the Executive ber of the FKCC Foundation Board of Directors, chats with Emelia Cardenas, who was Director of the FKCC Foundation, at 305-809-3287 or selected to be in the Student Ambassador program this fall semester frank.wood@fkcc.edu.

Member institutions should submit content for possible inclusion in the next issue of this electronic newsletter by January 15, 2016.

Articles should be 250-300 words in length and sent electronically to news@facuflorida.org.

Photos and a current school logo are encouraged.

FAC&U is the only organization comprised of all 70 college and university presidents in all three sectors of the non-profit private and public higher educational institutions in Florida; this includes all presidents from the State University System, the Florida College System and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.

FAC&U (850) 488-4845 facuflorida.org

7