Criminal Justice Academy Graduates 10 New Corrections Officers

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 18, 2025 – During a ceremony on Thursday, April 17, South Florida State College’s (SFSC) Basic Corrections Academy Class 113 graduated 10 new correctional officers at the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

From the SFSC University Center Auditorium stage, Michael Austin, coordinator of SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy, called up the 10 and handed each new officer a certificate. Those receiving a certificate were class leader Andres Figueroa, Briceida Anguiano, Jazmin A. Brown, Ariana L. Flowers, Kymberlie C. Johnson, Alyanna A. Morton, Arisbeth G. Moya, Cheyann N. Stadler, Margarita Williams, and Mason J. Worth.

Three cadets were singled out for their achievements during the program. Earning top honors for academic excellence was Alyanna A. Morton, Margarita Williams earned a Certificate of Valor, and Andres Figueroa was given special recognition as class leader.

Guest speaker for the ceremony was Julio Nieves, SFSC Criminal Justice Programs coordinator.

The Basic Correctional Officer Program is 420 contact hours or approximately 11 weeks. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a Career Certificate and are eligible to take the state certification examination to become certified officers.

For more information about this program, visit southflorida.edu or call SFSC’s Criminal Justice Academy at 863-784-7285.

April 18, 2025 – New College of Florida (NCF) and South Florida State College (SFSC) have signed a new articulation agreement, officially welcoming SFSC as the latest partner in the NCF Transform Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP). The agreement, signed Monday, April 14, ensures a seamless transfer pathway for SFSC students earning an Associate in Arts (AA) degree to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at New College. This strategic partnership opens new doors for SFSC students seeking a top-tier liberal arts education within Florida’s public higher education system.

“We are excited to partner with New College and afford our students an efficient pathway to pursue a bachelor’s degree of their choice,” said Fred Hawkins, president of South Florida State College. “This agreement represents our shared commitment to student success and expanding access to world-class education across the state.”

“New College is ranked among the most transfer-friendly institutions in the country, and we’re proud to extend that reputation with this partnership,” said Richard Corcoran, president of New College of Florida. “SFSC students now have a direct line to Florida’s public honors college—and the opportunity to thrive in a dynamic, intellectually rigorous environment.”

To qualify for NCF Transform, SFSC students must complete their AA within eight semesters and hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of transfer. Students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in a variety of academic concentrations including Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Liberal Arts, Marine Biology, and Psychology.

Through NCF Transform, students receive personalized joint advising and customized academic planning to help them complete their degrees within two years of transfer. Participants in the program are also eligible for generous scholarship opportunities—including annual awards of up to $10,000, renewable for two years—for high-achieving students.

The partnership underscores New College’s commitment to academic excellence and broadening access to Florida’s most distinctive liberal arts experience.

For more information about the Associate in Arts degree at SFSC, visit southflorida.edu or email recruiter@southflorida.edu.

Learn more about NCF Transform at ncf.edu/transfer.

ABOUT NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA

Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and serves as Florida’s Honors College. Recognized for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science and Marine Mammal Science, and a growing NAIA athletics program.

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 31, 2025 – The focus of a grant to South Florida State College (SFSC) from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Emerge Scholars Program: Preparing Students for an Innovative Future, has expanded and will offer more students access to scholarships in STEM-related programs. Degree programs that the grant now covers are the Associate in Science in Engineering Technology, Associate in Science in Computer Programming and Analysis, and Associate in Science in Networking Systems Technology.

The NSF is an independent agency of the United States federal government that supports research and education in all non-medical fields of science and engineering. The agency’s award to SFSC in 2023 was $750,000 and the grant monies will be available through November 2028.

Through the SFSC Emerge Scholars Program, students who have been admitted to and/or enrolled in one of the three designated programs may be eligible for a $3,700-per semester scholarship. Other criteria for the scholarship are that the student must be enrolled full time; have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file; must be registered for the term that the student is seeking assistance; and must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, U.S. national, or admitted refugee. It is preferred that the student have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

SFSC’s Associate in Science in Engineering Technology prepares students for high-skill, high-wage positions, such as systems technician, process analyst, technical sales technician, project technician, and calibration technician. It can serve as a terminal degree or the first step leading to a bachelor’s degree in a technical area or management through the Florida University System.

The Associate in Science in Computer Programming and Analysis prepares the student to become a software applications specialist or entry-level programmer in the microcomputer/business environment.

Through the Associate in Science in Network Systems Technology, students become proficient in basic and advanced concepts of network operation, support, and security. The demand for information technology workers continues to grow as firms invest in newer, faster technology, and networks.

To apply for the Emerge Scholarship for the Associate in Science in Engineering Technology, contact Garrett Lee, Engineering Program coordinator, at 863-784-7439 or leeg@southflorida.edu. For the Associate in Science in Computer Programming and Analysis or Associate in Science in Networking Systems Technology, contact Lorri Jaques, Computer Science professor, at 863-784-7444 or jaquesl@southflorida.edu.

If you have not completed the FAFSA and need assistance, contact the SFSC Financial Aid Office at 863-784-7134 or finaid@southflorida.edu.

AVON Park, Fla. – March 27, 2025 – The Florida College System (FCS) has named two South Florida State College (SFSC) students to the 2025 All-Florida Academic Team. The SFSC students earning this recognition are Ashley Dean and Myrlande Matine.

Each year, the FCS names an All-Florida Academic Team to honor students enrolled in Florida’s public state and community colleges for their academic achievement, leadership, and service to the community.

Dean is a Sebring High School student and is dually enrolled at SFSC. She carries a 4.0 GPA. Dean graduates from high school and from SFSC with an Associate in Arts degree in May 2025. She plans to apply to SFSC’s Associate in Science in Nursing program and would like to, eventually, earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Matine expects to earn her Associate in Science in Nursing from SFSC in May 2025. She  hopes to continue her education and work toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFSC and would like to, eventually, earn a master’s degree in Nursing. Her goal is to become a pediatric nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist.

“We are incredibly proud of the academic achievements of these students from the Tau Epsilon Chapter of PTK at SFSC,” said Renee LaDue, PTK advisor at SFSC. “Each of them has demonstrated outstanding dedication to their academic goals. Being named to the All-Florida Academic Team is a prestigious honor and a fantastic way to acknowledge and celebrate excellence at SFSC.”

PTK is an honor society that recognizes the academic achievements of community and state college students and helps them to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of over 3.5 million members in the United States and 10 additional nations. For more on PTK, visit ptk.org.

For more information about SFSC’s PTK chapter, contact Renee LaDue, PTK advisor, at 863-784-7034.

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 26, 2025 – Myrlande Matine, a student at South Florida State College (SFSC), has been named a 2025 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon completing a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK).

New Century Workforce scholars are elected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Nearly 2,100 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state. Matine earned the highest score toward the scholarship in Florida.

Matine expects to earn her Associate in Science in Nursing from SFSC on May 8 and work on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at SFSC. Eventually, she’d like to earn a master’s degree in Nursing.

“My goal as a professional is to become a pediatric nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist,” Matine said. “However, I would also be pleased to work in geriatrics and would enjoy any nursing specialty, as I have a strong desire to serve people and give back the kindness I have received.”

“We congratulate Myrlande for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, PTK president and CEO. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for students to succeed as they prepare to enter the workforce and for putting college completion within reach.”

The New Century Workforce Scholars will be recognized in the fall.

PTK is an honor society that recognizes the academic achievements of community and state college students and helps them to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of over 3.5 million members in the United States and 10 additional nations. For more on PTK, visit ptk.org.

About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, visit coca-colagivingback.com.

About The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

March 18, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) is hosting a ribbon cutting for its new Center for Innovative Teaching (CIT) where faculty, staff, and the SFSC community can use the technology and equipment to improve course delivery, develop presentations, create podcasts, capture video, and record audio.

Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Location: Center for Innovative Teaching, Building H, Highlands Campus

Time: 11:30 a.m. 

For more information about the CIT, contact Carleigh Okwali at 863-784-7018 or carleigh.okwali@southflorida.edu. For information about the ribbon-cutting event, contact Melissa Kuehnle at 863-784-7379 or kuehnlem@southflorida.edu. 

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 24, 2025 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) will present the 2025 Annual Student Juried Art Show, Wednesday, April 9 through Friday, May 9, in the Museum’s gallery on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park. The monthlong show will feature painting, drawing, ceramics, digital media, mixed media, and photography created by SFSC art students.

An awards ceremony and reception will be held on Wednesday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts.

“The 2025 SFSC Annual Student Juried Art Show features an impressive panel of jurors, including potter Jim Fetzer of J. Fetzer Pottery, landscape architect and artist Max Gooding of The Max Gooding Company, and artist Keith Goodson of Keith Goodson Studios,” said Karla Respress, SFSC art instructor. “The judging was conducted by art historian Megan Stepe from Full Sail University. Stepe is also a former curator of MOFAC. Attendees of the exhibition will appreciate a diverse range of works, showcasing both traditional themes and techniques, as well as unconventional approaches, such as photographic recreations of iconic art pieces and innovative paintings created using bacteria. All are encouraged to visit during the first three days of the show to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.”

This year’s Student Art Show is sponsored by Max Gooding, Cathy Futral, Tanglewood Art League, the MOFAC docents, and the SFSC Art Club. The Max Gooding Award for Best of Show will be announced and used to purchase an exceptional student art piece for the SFSC Student Art Collection. This award is made possible by SFSC alumnus Max Gooding. The Tanglewood Art League will present two awards for continuing art majors. Cathy Futral, retired SFSC Art professor, will present two Awards of Excellence. SFSC President Fred Hawkins will choose one piece of artwork that will become part of the President’s Art Collection at SFSC.

MOFAC exhibits can be viewed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free. MOFAC is located at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park.

AVON PARK, Fla. – March 7, 2025 – The Malcolm Family endowed scholarship has made it easier for DeSoto County residents to participate in trades programs at South Florida State College (SFSC). Some of the trades programs at SFSC are Welding; Automotive Service Technology; Automotive Collision Technology Technician; Phlebotomy; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVAC/R); Electrical Lineworker; and Construction Trades.  

Criteria for a Malcolm Family Scholarship are that the applicant must be a resident of DeSoto County, Fla. and preference will be given to applicants who are 25 years old or younger. They must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at SFSC on a minimum of a half-time basis and have completed their first year of a trades program course at SFSC. Preference is given to applicants who have completed their first year of study through the dual enrollment program at SFSC, have demonstrated financial need, and participate in the Boys and Girls Club of Arcadia. This is a full-tuition and fees scholarship that may be renewable for a second year.

“Through this endowed scholarship, SFSC students will have a financial resource for many years into the future,” said Marcia Conliffe, Financial Aid director. “SFSC is grateful for donors, such as the Malcolm family. Their gifts allow our students to focus on their studies and, in time, make our communities economically stronger.”

An endowed scholarship enables donors to create a legacy, carrying funds toward student scholarships into perpetuity. Scholarships for students are awarded from the interest that the endowment earns. As the corpus grows, the SFSC Foundation can award scholarships to students for years to come.

To apply for scholarships made available through the SFSC Foundation, visit AwardSpring at: southflorida.awardspring.com. For more information about the SFSC Foundation or to make a donation, call 863-453-3133 or email foundation@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – Feb. 20, 2025 – In celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, South Florida State College (SFSC) and Nucor Steel Florida are pleased to present four students who were awarded scholarships toward the Nucor Florida Mechanical Technical Academy.

Dyston Benner and Carson Cloud, seniors at Avon Park High School, were awarded scholarships to the Academy and will start classes at SFSC and on-the-job training at Nucor in August 2025. Brian Hill Jr. of Dundee and Mary Portwood of Bradenton, the first students recruited for scholarships to the Academy, began their classes and on-the-job training in August 2024.

In 2023, representatives from Nucor Steel Florida began to recruit students from high schools in Highlands, Hardee, and Polk counties to become candidates for its two-year Mechanical Technical Academy. Successful candidates are enrolled in SFSC’s Mechatronics program and work toward an Associate in Science in Engineering Technology with an Advanced Manufacturing specialization.

While attending classes, the students engage in on-the-job training at Nucor Steel Florida’s mill in Frostproof, Fla., working with the operations and maintenance team. They work alongside experienced Nucor staff in the care and repair of mill equipment. Nucor pays all college expenses, as long as the student maintains a 3.0 GPA. Students are also paid an hourly wage for class time at SFSC and during on-the-job training at Nucor. If the student satisfactorily completes the requirements of the two-year Academy, the student is offered a position at Nucor Steel Florida.

“We started this program because, nationwide, there is a shortage of people in the skill trades needed to run and maintain our plant,” said Tommy Massey, maintenance manager, Nucor Steel Florida. “Second to that, as we look at the job pool out there, high school graduates are an underutilized resource. That’s why we decided to target them. Besides meeting the needs of the company, Nucor and its team members are big into supporting the communities around us. This Academy is a way to support our communities and provide opportunities for young people graduating from high school looking for an education and to get into the job market.”

Nucor Steel Florida’s recruiting period for the Mechanical Technical Academy is September through December for the following year. In January, candidates for the Academy are interviewed and selected. To be considered for Nucor’s Academy, high school seniors are welcome to contact Massey at: tommy.massey@nucor.com.

“This partnership between SFSC and Nucor Steel Florida is a game-changer for our students, providing them with a direct pathway to a rewarding, high-tech career in advanced manufacturing,” said Michelle Leidel, SFSC dean of the Division of Applied Sciences and Technologies. “Nucor is an outstanding company that not only leads the industry but truly invests in the success of its employees and the communities it serves. We’re thrilled to see our students gain hands-on experience, earn their degrees, and step into promising careers with a company that values innovation, excellence, and workforce development.”

Nucor Steel Florida has been partnering with SFSC since the plant first came to Florida in 2015. “They helped us in our initial hiring phases, they allowed us to use their facilities, and we’ve developed relationships with their administration and leadership,” Massey said. “Also, they have the Mechatronics program that facilitates the right blend of educational needs and technical aspects that the successful candidates need. So, they’ve been a great partner. It’s an absolute plus that they’re located in the Sebring/Avon Park area.”

Nucor is America’s largest producer of steel and steel products, and recycler of steel. The company has over 25,000 employees in more than 300 locations. Nucor Steel Florida in Frostproof produces rebar (or reinforcing bar), a ribbed, steel bar used to reinforce and add strength to concrete under tension.

SFSC, through its Mechatronics program, offers students a two-year Associate in Science in Engineering Technology, six college credit certificates, and seven industry certifications. Hands-on training takes place in SFSC’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park, using industry-standard Siemens, Kuka, and Festo technology. Mechatronics technicians assist design, development, and engineering staff and work closely with others to install, maintain, operate, and repair unmanned, automated robotic and electromechanical equipment.

AVON PARK, Fla. — Feb. 19, 2025 — Jalia Charlery, a senior attending Sebring High School, was surprised at the high school when teachers, the principal, family, and her Take Stock in Children mentor broke the news that she had been named a finalist for the Take Stock in Children Leaders for Life fellowship. She was one of 12 finalists vying for six Leaders for Life fellowships.

The fellowship, which recognizes student leaders, comes with a $40,000 scholarship that covers non-tuition expenses such as housing, books, and transportation. As a Leaders for Life finalist, Charlery received a MacBook Pro laptop computer.

The Leaders for Life Scholarship is an initiative of the Asofsky Family Foundation, which supports programs aimed at helping the state’s youth. The Foundation awards the scholarship in partnership with Take Stock in Children. The South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation is the lead agency for Take Stock within the College’s service district of DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties.

“I cannot think of a student more deserving of this opportunity,” said Ben Carter, the local Take Stock in Children student services coordinator. “Upon reading the two essays Jalia submitted toward the fellowship, we could see that they were at a collegiate level. And her personality and presentation skills are excellent. We at Take Stock are so proud and excited to have Jalia representing us in the community and at this stage in the Leaders for Life process.”

Charlery is eligible for the Leaders for Life Fellowship because of her participation in Take Stock in Children. Take Stock in Children is a statewide program that provides at-risk children with a mentor and a college scholarship. In return, Take Stock scholars sign contracts in which they promise to remain drug-free, to avoid behavior that would get them into trouble with law enforcement, to attend school regularly, and to earn satisfactory grades. The students’ parents also sign the contracts and agree to provide home environments conducive to education. The local Take Stock program was established in 1996 and has awarded Florida Prepaid college scholarships to more than 667 local students.

Charlery graduates from Sebring High School in May 2025. While in high school, she has been a dually enrolled student at SFSC. She is a member of the National Honors Society, Sebring High School’s Girls Varsity Tennis team, and the Superintendent Student Council. She is secretary of the Sebring Chamber of Commerce Junior Ambassadors, president of the Sebring High School Student Government Association, and participates in the Sebring High School Varsity Choir.

Charlery’s Take Stock mentor for the last five years has been Sarah Miller, who was her 8th grade science and AVID teacher at Sebring Middle School, as well as her National Junior Honor Society sponsor. According to Charlery, Miller “never fails to support me in my many endeavors, whether that is giving me advice for my many rigorous classes or showing up as a fan on the sideline. She has truly taught me the meaning of overcoming obstacles that many would be considered ‘life-defining.’”

Since the inception of the Leaders for Life program, the local Take Stock program has had 13 finalists.