President's Perspective

State College

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

D E CE M B E R 2 0 2 1 /J ANUARY 2 0 2 2

A SEA SON OF GIVING AND THANKS With the holidays upon us and the fall semester coming to a close, it is the perfect time to reflect on our students and staff. This issue of President’s Perspective features NWFSC students working in the field who have overcome obstacles, built upon the skills they learned in the classroom and excelled in their respective professions. It also highlights one of our many employee veterans who continues to serve others, encouraging, supporting, and developing our students.

The College is grateful to Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently announced a $2.85 million grant award to establish the Transit Technician program that will train diesel and marine mechanics beginning in fall 2022 and expand the Commercial Driving License program. In the last five years, the College has established 28 new workforce programs, demonstrating our commitment to meet the ever-evolving employment needs of our community.

I also salute our Raider family for their commitment to actively engage in many worthwhile community causes. In the last few weeks, our campus community participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer car parade, American Heart Association Heart Walk, and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. College participation spanned student clubs and organizations, student-athletes, faculty, staff, employees, and members of our Board of Trustees who champion causes year-round that foster civic engagement and the well-being of our community.

I invite you to join us for a special event on Friday, December 10, the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops concert, which is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. This program features our very own professional orchestra, the Voices of Northwest Florida, guest vocalist Christina Maxwell, and a special piece of my own.

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VO LUME 5, NO. 09

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ANNOUNCES $2.85 MILLION GRANT FOR NWFSC TRANSIT TECHNICIAN PROGRAM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited Northwest Florida State College in October to announce a $2.85 million award through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. The funds will be used to establish NWFSC’s Transit Technician program, which will support a broad range of industries through transferable skills to include the Florida Department of Transportation, heavy-duty trucks, transit, school bus, and construction equipment. The program will also fill a specialized need for diesel marine repair technicians as students apply their broad experiences to targeted marine applications.

“The Transit Technician program extends our commitment to further advance the state’s workforce goals with an immediate pathway to employment at a family-sustainable wage,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson. “We appreciate Governor DeSantis’s leadership and commitment to ensure Northwest Florida State College is equipped to provide the labor force needed to support the logistics, transportation, and distribution industry in our region.”

The Transit Technician program will closely support the College’s Commercial Driving License program and will consist of three phases that build on each other. Students will be able to complete all three steps in five semesters. While enrolled, students will earn CAPE certifications provided by Automotive Service Excellence and satisfy a two-year work experience requirement.

The program also aligns with the College’s partnership with Cummins Corporation, the single largest engine manufacturer in the world. Those who complete the program will earn industry certificates recognizing their proficiency in various skills. More importantly, they will be prepared to maintain and repair heavy trucks, buses, construction equipment, and dieselengine-equipped boats, playing a significant role in keeping the region’s economy driving forward.

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Our 25th Anniversary Season at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center is bolstered by an exceptional line-up of Broadway, Artist, and Family Series shows. Be sure to check out the show schedule at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org, and don’t forget that these tickets make excellent holiday gifts.

Lastly, I want to thank our generous benefactors who support the College no matter the season. We are grateful to our donors, like ERA American Real Estate, Gulf Power Company, and countless others, who invest in our students with the expectation and promise of building a stronger community. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

Dr. Devin Stephenson #TheBestIsOurStandard

NWFSC GIVING SECOND CHANCES

JOSHUA JOHNSON, NWFSC STUDENT

After working in the restaurant industry for almost 15 years and recently being released from the Walton County Jail, Joshua Johnson knew that he needed a career change. His chosen career path? Welding Technology.

“I learned about this program through the Walton County Jail, and when I got out, I didn’t pursue it right off the bat. I went back to restaurants and was just like, ‘Man, I’m just spinning my tires here,’” Joshua said. “So, I ended up coming here. I’ve been here for 14 months now.”

Joshua is part of Northwest Florida State College’s Advanced Welding Technology program. The program takes 18 months to complete and begins with an introductory Welding Technology course. Once students graduate from the introductory course and receive their certificate, they move up to the advanced class, which focuses on pipe welding.

Joshua stated that although the program started as an escape from everything that was going on, it has now become an opportunity for him to attain his dreams and goals and has led to a complete lifestyle change.

“I’m going to be 100 percent honest. If I were still in the restaurant thing, I’d be back in jail, or I would be dead 100 percent,” Joshua said. “It helped me dial in to say, okay, well I’m making x amount of money doing the restaurant thing. But you know, I’m still in that lifestyle. And over here, it’s like, wow, this is a lot of money. I wasn’t getting paid anywhere close to what they’re talking about in terms of numbers for this.

So that’s something where I’m like, oh wait, I could buy a new vehicle, I could put a mortgage on a house, like do things that responsible adults do.”

Looking back on his experiences, Joshua hopes that others who are in similar positions see that no matter how much trouble they are in or how deep in the game they are, they always have the option to do something different with their lives.

“There are other options. It doesn’t have to go down that way,” he said. “It’s very easy to take that path, but if you get in here and do the work, you could make legit money. That was big for me. Just being able to financially support everything I want to do is pretty big.”

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

MAKING STRIDES Board Chair Lori Kelley, Dr. Devin Stephenson, and NWFSC Athletes and Coaches joined participants as they crossed the finish line during the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser in October.

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S Kim-Anh Bretchel and Dr. Aimee Watts participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in partnership with the Niceville-Valparaiso Rotary Club in October.

HEART WALK Dr. Devin Stephenson joins NWFSC Phi Theta Kappa members at the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, held at the College in October. The money raised at this event will help fund innovative research that will lead to new treatments and cures for heart diseases and strokes.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

GIVING THANKS

“

To the men and women who sacrifice their time, energy, and lives to protect our community and freedom: we can’t thank you enough. I am honored to be surrounded by so many veterans and first responders here at Northwest Florida State College.

VALERIE ROJAS, NWFSC STAFF, USAF VETERAN

“

Dr. Devin Stephenson

KYLE OLIVER, NWFSC PARAMEDIC STUDENT

Like most other Americans, the aftermath of September 11, 2001, left Valerie Rojas feeling like she needed to take action.

Following in her brothers’ footsteps, she decided to join the military and serve her country.

Valerie’s interest in aviation made the United States Air Force the perfect fit. Valerie served her country for ten years as an Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Specialist and an Intel Analyst. She learned how to work on aircraft like the T-38s and F-16s and, after cross-training, spent some time in South America helping with counter-drug operations.

Today, Valerie works at Northwest Florida State College as the Job Corp Scholars Program Director and the Associate Director for Career Navigation. She continues to serve others through grant initiatives. She also volunteers with various national veteran organizations like Merging Vets with Players, FitOps, and the disaster response team, Team Rubicon.

During this season of giving, Valerie would like to thank her brothers and sisters in service for all they have done.

“When you say embrace the suck, a lot of service members know what that means,” she said. “You go through things where you learn to value the things that we take for granted every day. Sometimes we forget how blessed we are in our country in general. We’ve gone places and seen things that people here take for granted, and they just don’t realize how good we’ve got it.”

“As a first responder, you’re always there on somebody’s worst day,” said Northwest Florida State College’s Paramedic Student Kyle Oliver.

Kyle is currently in the third month of the year-long paramedic program at NWFSC. Although this is his first time going through the program, Kyle has previous experience in the medical field, having worked as an EMT for four years with the Mary Esther Fire Department and the Ocean CityWright Fire Control District.

So far, his favorite part of the clinical practice rounds has been getting out there and being able to help improve other people’s situations.

This is precisely what he got to do for Motlow State Community College’s EMS Director, Houston Austin.

Houston was on vacation in Florida when he ended up at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. Although he recalls feeling horrible during his visit, his mood instantly changed when Kyle walked into the room.

“He was standing right by the bed with a big smile on his face,” Houston said. “We were in a place that we didn’t even know because we were on vacation, and he just made it feel like we were at home.”

Kyle was with Houston the entire visit, giving him all of the necessary treatments and medications to get him feeling better. Houston explained that Kyle’s performance and knowledge exceeded what he would expect for a student at his level and expressed his gratitude for the care he received.

“I want to thank him for providing good patient care and for remembering that the patient comes first. Continue treating the way that you are and being a good human being,” Houston said.

GIVE THE GIFT OF BROADWAY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON MATTIE KELLY

The Simon & Garfunkel Story February 7, 2022

The Golden Girls Show!

March 5, 2022

Menopause The Musical March 19, 2022

The Price is Right Live April 1, 2022

Northwest Florida State College

For tickets, go to MattieKellyArtsCenter.org or call the Box Office at 850.729.6000.

MATTIE KELLY

An Officer and Waitress a Gentleman Northwest FloridaApril State College 30, 2022 April 10, 2022

NWF STATE COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lori Kelley, Chair Shane Abbott, Vice Chair Charlotte Flynt Graham Fountain

Reynolds Henderson Don Litke Thomas “Rudy” Wright Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

State College

100 College Boulevard, East Niceville, FL 32578

FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Ken Wampler, Chair Bo Arnold, Vice Chair

Alan Wood, Treasurer J.D. Peacock, Past Chair

Chris Stowers, Secretary Don Litke, Trustee Liason Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christie Austin James Bagby Marek Bakun Destin Cobb Cindy Frakes Michelle McGee Freeman Todd Grisoff Tyler Jarvis

Dave Jefferson Bernard Johnson Heather Kilbey Gordon King Kim Kirby Vincent Mayfield Jonathan Ochs Brian Pennington Steve Rhodes

Ashley Rogers Hu Ross Rhonda Skipper Cecil Williams Steve Wolfrom

FOUNDATION ERA AMERICAN REAL ESTATE RAIDERS CHAMPION SCHOLARSHIP Gloria Frazier and the leadership team of ERA American Real Estate made a gift of $100,000 to Northwest Florida State College Foundation to establish the ERA American Real Estate Endowment. This endowment serves as seed funding for the newly established Raiders Champions Scholarship, which will support fulltime, degree-seeking students who are recent high school graduates from Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

C. ALBERT NYQUIST SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

GULF POWER FOUNDATION VETERANS SUCCESS PLEDGE

With a gift of $30,000, Al Nyquist has established the C. Albert Nyquist Endowed Scholarship. Nyquist stated he created this perpetual endowment to support students and repay the benefits he received from his education and 20 years of teaching at NWFSC.

The Gulf Power Foundation presented Northwest Florida State College with a check for $30,000 to support our Veterans Success Center. This gift represents the fourth payment towards the Gulf Power Foundation’s $150,000 pledge.