AVON PARK, Fla. – June 30, 2020 – Throughout the month of July 2020, South Florida State College (SFSC) will not require prospective students to pay a $15 fee when applying for admission to the College.
“We need to assist students at a time when they may be facing financial hardships,” said Dr. Sidney Valentine, vice president for academic affairs and student services at SFSC. “We hope this will, at least, alleviate students’ stress of having to pay an application fee and make it easier for them to attend South Florida State College.” SFSC hasn’t raised its tuition in eight years.
The fee waiver runs July 1 through July 31, 2020 for students who apply for fall term 2020. Students may use it for the 16-week Regular Fall Term, which begins on Friday, Aug. 21; the eight-week Fall A Flex Session which begins on Friday, Aug. 21; the eight-week Fall B Flex Session which begins on Monday, Oct. 19; and the 13-week Fall C Flex Session which begins Tuesday, Sept. 15.
During fall term 2020, SFSC will offer classes in four modalities: traditional online, face-to-face, synchronous face-to-face, and synchronous online. For the synchronous face-to-face classes, students may be located in various rooms on the College campuses. Zoom video at the back of the room will allow students to engage in real time with their professor and other classmates. In other synchronous classes, the professor may teach from home and the entire class of students will be at home or in another location but online and interacting in real time. In the traditional online classes, students are given assignments and work at their own pace to complete and turn in the professor’s assignments by the required due dates.
“We understand that students are having financial difficulties at this time, so we hope that the $15 application fee waiver helps,” Dr. Valentine said. “We truly believe that an education can take people to any level they would like to attain, and we want to make sure that the application fee isn’t another hurdle that would prevent them from furthering their education.”
To apply to SFSC, go to the “Apply Now” button in the upper right of the SFSC website at southflorida.edu or call 863-784-7405 for assistance.
AVON PARK, Fla. – June 11, 2020 – Through its Corporate and Community Education Department, South Florida State College (SFSC) is launching a Construction and Utility Trades program in July.
To gain skills for the construction industry or public works, SFSC is offering in-depth, eight-week certificate courses in Basic Carpentry and Roofing, Basic Masonry, Basic Construction Plumbing, and Basic Construction Electrical. Also available are Wastewater Class C Certification State of Florida Preparation, Water Treatment Class C Certification of Florida Preparation, and the EPA 608 Refrigerant Exam for the HVAC technician.
“In our local community, our state, and across the country, construction trade employees are in demand,” said Tina Gottus, director, SFSC Corporate and Community Education. “Construction workers are retiring faster than those entering these career fields. Our local workforce has shared these concerns with us. Employers want employees who have a sound work ethic and who demonstrate initiative. Earning a certificate is a great way to show employers that initiative. SFSC is so excited to launch these new programs and help our students and our local contractors bridge these employment gaps.”
SFSC is also offering a prelude to the eight-week construction trades courses, “Introduction to Basic Construction.” This five-hour course will be held Friday, July 10, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students will learn how to use basic hand and power tools, how to use a tape measure, about safety, and more in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and masonry. The cost of this five-hour course is $130.
For detailed information about any of these courses, see the Construction and Utility Trades catalog at southflorida.edu/corpedschedule, call 863-201-7195, or email corporatetraining@southflorida.edu. To register for any of the Construction and Utility Trades courses, call 863-784-7405.
Funding opportunities for the Construction and Utility Trades programs are available. Scholarships for job training are provided through funds made available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). To learn more about scholarships for job training, consider attending a WIOA Orientation at a CareerSource Heartland location in Highlands, Hardee, DeSoto, or Okeechobee County. For more information, call Joann Pacheco at CareerSource Heartland at 863-385-3672, ext. 1331.
For those age 24 or younger and unemployed or underemployed, SFSC’s Panther Youth Partners (PYP) program may be a possible source of scholarship opportunities. In Highlands County, call 863-784-7161; in Hardee and DeSoto counties, call 863-784-7065; and in Okeechobee County, call 863-824-6032.
AVON PARK, Fla. – June 8, 2020 – Each year, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) honor student-athletes for their academic excellence. Among those recognized this academic year were South Florida State College (SFSC) student-athletes who participated in cross country, volleyball, softball, and baseball.
“I’m very proud of the Panther student-athletes who achieved these marks and grateful to our outstanding faculty and staff and all those who support the academic process here at SFSC,” said Rick Hitt, athletic director and head baseball coach. “This has been a challenging year for everyone, and we are greatly appreciative for the measures that have been taken to help ensure academic accountability at our institution. Obviously, a great deal of time was put into this by the student-athletes and all who support them.”
The NJCAA names student-athletes to its Academic All-American team. First team members have achieved a 4.0 GPA, and second team members must earn a GPA between 3.8 and 3.99. The four Panther student-athletes who were named to the first team are: Hannah Eden, softball; Corrin Flajole, softball; Kelsey Herring, volleyball; and Tate Hansen, baseball. The nine Panther student-athletes named to the second team are: Karla Rodriguez, volleyball; Danielle Boyd, softball; Taylor Currie, softball; Baileigh Ehrlich, softball; Baylee Haggard, softball; Janea Mobley, softball; Leeandro Alfonzo, baseball; Myles Caba, baseball; and Egdar Castillo, baseball.
The FCSAA names student-athletes who achieve a GPA of 3.3 or higher to its Academic All-State team, and those who have achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher to its All-Conference team.
The 26 Panther student-athletes named to FCSAA’s All-State team are: Jessica Hayes, cross country; Abbigail Liddle, cross country; Kelsey Herring, volleyball; Meghan Oliver, volleyball; Karla Rodriguez, volleyball; Danielle Boyd, softball; Gracyn Cunningham, softball; Taylor Currie, softball; Hannah Eden, softball; Baileigh Ehrlich, softball; Corrin Flajole, softball; Baylee Haggard, softball; Payton Pilon, softball; Angela Shope, softball; Keily Ulatowski, softball; Leeandro Alfonzo, baseball; Casey Asman, baseball; Myles Caba, baseball, Egdar Castillo, baseball; Carter Dahl, baseball; Tate Hansen, baseball; Jack Keeler, baseball; Shane Magrann, baseball; Deven Tedders, baseball; and Tyler Tipton, baseball.
The 38 Panther student-athletes named to FCSAA’s All-Conference team are: Jessica Hayes, cross country; Abbigail Liddle, cross country; Jenasea Moyle, cross country; Kareli Plata, cross country; Kelsey Herring, volleyball; Meghan Oliver, volleyball; Karla Rodriguez, volleyball; Maria Rodriguez, volleyball; Samantha Singleton, volleyball; Emily Vickers, volleyball; Danielle Boyd, softball; Gracyn Cunningham, softball; Taylor Currie, softball; Haley Day, softball; Hanna Eden, softball; Baileigh Ehrlich, softball; Corrin Flajole, softball; Alexandra Garcia, softball; Trinity Girovasi, softball; Baylee Haggard, softball; Tiare Kong, softball; Janea Mobley, softball; Payton Pilon, softball; Angela Shope, softball; Skyler Theodorson, softball; Keily Ulatowski, softball; Casey Asman, baseball; Leeandro Alfonzo, baseball; Myles Caba, baseball; Egdar Castillo, baseball; Carter Dahl, baseball; Truman Fields, baseball; Connor Gleeson, baseball; Tate Hansen, baseball; Jack Keeler, baseball; Shane Magrann, baseball; Deven Tedders, baseball; and Tyler Tipton, baseball.
AVON PARK, Fla. – June 1, 2020 – South Florida State College (SFSC) rolled out its new marketing campaign to refresh its message and adapt to our changing and challenging world. The headline of the new campaign is: You’re ready. We’re Set. Let’s Go!
The new campaign speaks to those who are apprehensive about getting their education started or those who may have doubts about returning to college. SFSC has a variety of instruction options for students to choose from that include fully online, small class size, hybrid (face-to-face and online), and the RN program has the option of evenings and weekends.
“We want students to know that our staff and faculty are ready to start them on the path to the rest of their lives,” said Melissa Kuehnle, director of institutional communications at SFSC. “We know that each student has their own unique needs, interests, and goals, and we are supportive of all three. For instance, if a student wants to stay local because they don’t know what the future holds, SFSC can assist that student in achieving their current goals and save them money in the process. We are set to serve our community, and we know they are ready to get started.”
SFSC plans to use a mix of media in the coming months, including print, outdoor, digital, and social. The campaign is a fresh reminder that through higher education, the time is perfect to get started on a bright and positive future.
For more information about SFSC, call 863-453-6661, email recruiter@southflorida.edu, or visit southflorida.edu.
AVON PARK, Fla. – June 1, 2020 – South Florida State College’s Cultural Programs Department was recently awarded a $10,000 grant through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) initiative called Grants for Arts Projects.
According to the NEA, Grants for Arts Projects supports “artistically excellent projects that celebrate our creativity and cultural heritage, invite mutual respect for differing beliefs and values, and enrich humanity.”
Cindy Garren, director of Cultural Programs, indicated that the grant was written to focus on local residents. “A lot of performances are available in our community December to March, but not a lot during the summer months. We need to focus on local residents—the people who live here year-round.” Garren would like to hold two free performances next fall and two the following spring.
“A large part of our community is not served by the arts,” Garren said. “We would bring in diverse Florida artists and offer free performances. I’m talking to an African-American steel band from Miami—Lee Boys—and a dance company from India that’s based in Tampa. We can also show films through this grant.”
Garren said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering performances is difficult. But she has a plan—she would like to stage outdoor performances on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park. “We would be able to accommodate social distancing—we have lots of outdoor spaces, and we have plenty of parking.”
“This grant will enable SFSC Performing Arts to bring non-traditional artists that reflect the cultural diversity of our community to our stage with free performances and workshops,” Garren said. “It’s our effort to provide arts for all and reach out to outstanding artists that speak to other cultures, art forms, and viewpoints. These performances will be some of the most interesting and exciting of the season.”
