SFSC Participates in National Institute on Guided Pathways at Rural Colleges

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 24, 2021 – South Florida State College (SFSC) has been selected as one of 26 institutions from across the country to participate in the Community College Research Center (CCRC) Summer 2021 Virtual Institute in June and July. The topic that members of the community colleges will discuss is “Guided Pathways at Rural Colleges: Using Data to Launch Large-Scale Reform.”

Davis Jenkins, senior research scholar at CCRC and a research professor in the Education Policy and Social Analysis Department at Teachers College at Columbia University, co-authored “Redesigning America’s Community Colleges: A Clearer Path to Student Success.” Publication of this research stoked the national interest in implementing guided pathways in educational institutions. Jenkins interviewed members of the institutions, including SFSC, that were vying to participate in the CCRC summer 2021 Virtual Institute.

“A guided pathways approach that a college takes on is not an initiative, program, or project,” said Dr. Michele Heston, SFSC dean of health sciences and a member of the College’s team participating in the CCRC Institute. “It’s changing the way we do business. Guided pathways make colleges more student-focused in that we need to provide holistic support measures, making sure the students have a clear pathway that aligns with what they want to do in their educational careers, help them overcome obstacles, and then they’ll be successful at realizing their student success goal.”

“This research project that Davis Jenkins will be conducting with us will address the challenges that institutions face when serving a rural community, because the obstacles are different from urban and suburban colleges,” Dr. Heston said. “He’s said himself that he’s not clear on what those are. That’s why we’re holding this Institute and that’s why we are focusing on rural colleges. Their challenges and obstacles are very different than the colleges he’s written about in his book. He wrote about Miami-Dade College and Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Fla. Those are much larger communities. So, he wants to examine the unique features of colleges in rural communities. Some of them are real benefits–you know your students and you know your colleagues. But in terms of resources, you don’t have whole departments to pull this off. So, you have to do more with less. That’s an obstacle from an institutional perspective. From a student perspective, you may have a limited variety of employers in the community or may need to change the mindset about college. One of the things Davis Jenkins said when we had an interview with him was, ‘You have to change your habits of mind to be more open to how the college experience should help students realize the dreams of their futures instead of doing it lockstep.’”

SFSC will send nine employees from different areas of the College, who will bring their own perspectives on the student experience. Dr. James Hawker, dean of arts and sciences, will serve as team leader from SFSC. “Davis Jenkins was pleased to see that we have, for instance, the Registrar on the team,” said Dr. Heston. “A lot of colleges will do all this fancy stuff and then the Registrar may say, ‘We can’t do that because of legislation.’”

According to the CCRC, during the two-week institute, community college teams will examine data on student enrollment, course taking, and completion by program and discuss the implications of these data for college redesign. Each team will develop a customized plan to engage their college community in conversations about implementing reforms that will help the college recruit and retain students in high-opportunity programs connected to their long-term goals.

“Through the CCRC Virtual Institute, we will gain knowledge from our peers as well as from the work at the CCRC to intentionally drive the work we’re doing at SFSC,” Dr. Heston said. “When you mention guided pathways and Davis Jenkins, they are synonymous. And to have the expertise of his team supporting us is just a phenomenal opportunity to create brighter futures for our students. It will help us develop guided pathways at SFSC in a much more comprehensive way by using this work. SFSC is excited to be selected to participate in this prestigious Institute. The potential impact on our students and the community is profound. I expect that all colleges in the future will be guided pathways colleges.”

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AVON PARK, Fla. – May 19, 2021 –South Florida State College’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program honored 28 graduates with all receiving Registered Nursing (RN) pins Tuesday evening in a ceremony that marked the end of their studies and celebrated their commitment to pursuing careers in the nursing profession.

The graduates are Yiley Acosta, Emily Aguilera, Joshua Arce, Teresa Baker, Jessica Boatwright, Evelia Cabrera, Kadie Crosson, Lauren Dutcher, Sarai Espinoza Alaniz, Kimberly Frazier, Luis Garduno, Kyle Jahna, Allison Lee, Breanna Lee, Blanca Martinez, Autumn Massey, Erin McGlinchey, Giselle Mendez, Madison Miller, Scott Milliken, Danielle Minnick, Julia Moody, Jessica Morris, Addie Proctor, Gabriella Riboni, Nancy Sanchez, Scott Shievdayal Jr., and Stephanie Whitmore.

During the ceremony, graduates accepted their nursing pins from instructors Sharmin Jones and Laurie Simmons.

In her parting remarks to the graduates, Dr. Michele Heston, dean of health sciences, stressed the power of hope. “New beginnings instill in you, our future nurses, hope for the future. Hope is an expression of possibilities. It is energy, not a passive waiting for something to happen, but a realization of the other through your knowledge and caring and therefore an important aspect of courage. Such courage is found in standing by the other in our care. In trying circumstances and in taking risks that go beyond safety and security, contemporary healthcare has never experienced circumstances such as those we have all encountered during the past 14 months. My congratulations come with a charge: to never lose hope and to always stand up for the other, knowing that your care and courage make hope possible.”

Jones, the keynote speaker, praised the graduates for their accomplishments. “It takes a special person to be a nurse. Each and every one of you has proven that you can be that nurse: that nurse who has a sense of humor; that nurse who has professionalism; that nurse who has diligence and compassion; that nurse who has empathy, a sense of deeper understanding of life; that nurse who has hope for what others may seem hopeless; and a sense of pride in saying I am that nurse. We are proud of you and you have a right to be proud of yourselves and your accomplishments.”

Each year, ADN graduates present the Golden D.U.C.K. award to someone who they looked up to as a mentor. The D.U.C.K. acronym represents the foundational elements of the mentoring arrangement: Developing, Understanding, Compassion, and Knowledge.

During the ceremony, the 2021 Golden D.U.C.K. Award was presented to instructor Mary Ellen Powrie. The evening was especially satisfying for Powrie because, a former patient of hers, Danielle Minnick, was among the graduates. Years ago, when Powrie was working as a neonatal nurse in Winter Haven, she cared for Minnick after she was born prematurely.

Graduates of the ADN program become registered nurses by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) exam. SFSC nursing graduates are usually fully employed in nursing within a few months of graduation.

SFSC’s ADN program is the only nationally accredited nursing program in its service district of Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties. It is accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN).

SFSC offers ADN program options for students interested in becoming registered nurses: a two-year Generic-RN program and a one-year Transition-LPN to RN program. The College also offers a one-year practical nursing occupational certificate program. For program entry requirements, consult the SFSC College Catalog at southflorida.edu or call 863-784-7027.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 12, 2021 – For its second major grant announcement of fiscal year 2021, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has distributed over $88 million in recommended grants to organizations in all 50 states and jurisdictions. 

Grants to organizations in three funding categories are included in this round: Grants for Arts Projects, Our Town, and State and Regional Partnerships.

“As the country and the arts sector begin to imagine returning to a post-pandemic world, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to announce funding that will help arts organizations re-engage fully with partners and audiences,” said NEA Acting Chairman Ann Eilers. “While the arts, whether through books, movies, or online performances and programs, have been a sustaining force for many throughout the pandemic, the chance to gather with one another and share arts experiences is its own necessity and pleasure.” 

Grants for Arts Projects
Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) is the principal grant category of the National Endowment for the Arts, supporting public engagement with, and access to, various forms of art across the nation, the creation of excellent art, learning in the arts at all stages of life, and the integration of the arts into the fabric of community life. 

Matching grants in this category range from $10,000 to $100,000, cover 13 artistic disciplines, and are for organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC. In July 2020, the agency received 1,924 eligible GAP applications. Approved for funding are 1,172 projects totaling over $27 million. 

Recommended grants this round support a range of activities, including: South Florida State College ($10,000) to support a series of free, culturally diverse performances for the 2021-2022 season.

“South Florida State College is committed to bringing the performing arts to all members of our community,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at South Florida State College (SFSC).  “On June 19 at 7 p.m., SFSC will present Rudram Dance Company which is funded by the NEA.   We hope to see families attend this entertaining dance performance.” Tickets are available now online at sfscARTS.org.

The next deadline for organizations interested in applying for Grants for Arts Projects is July 8, 2021; visit arts.gov for more information.

State and Regional Partnership Agreements
In partnership with the state and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs) and regional arts organizations (RAOs), the NEA provides federal support for projects that benefit local communities. 

The Partnership Agreements for the state arts agencies provide funds to address priorities identified at the state level and help to cultivate a strong statewide arts infrastructure and position the arts in a broad range of areas such as cultural tourism, community revitalization, economic development, education, and health and human services. 

The regional arts organizations, each representing a geographic grouping of states, assist the Arts Endowment in distributing funds and programs nationally through touring and other activities that are responsive to the needs of the region.

Each year, 40% of the agency’s grantmaking funds are designated for state arts agencies, regional arts organizations, and national service organizations that support the work of the states and regions. A total of $56.7 million is recommended for these partners in FY 2021, with $45.7 million of that total designated for the state arts agencies. Each SAA and RAO matches its Arts Endowment funding on at least a 1:1 basis. 

AVON PARK, Fla.  – May 12, 2021 – For South Florida State College (SFSC) graduates who gathered in the Alan Jay Wildstein Theater for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, May 11, the three 2021 Commencement ceremonies were times to celebrate, while taking precautions during the pandemic.

The number of students participating in these Commencement ceremonies totaled 229. Approximately 429 students met the SFSC requirements for spring 2021 Commencement. Of these, 29 received their Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM), four received their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), eight received their Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSEE), 179 received their Associate in Arts (A.A.), 63 received their Associate in Science (A.S.), 10 received their State of Florida High School diplomas, and 138 received career certificates and college credit certificates.

Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel, SFSC president, emphasized one particular phrase when addressing the graduates: “You heard me say, ‘Keep moving.’ That is more than just a processional message during Commencement. I truly mean ‘keep moving.’ Move on to your next opportunity with confidence. Move toward your next academic credential. Move toward that next promotion at work. Move toward the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Just keep moving. And above all, never give up. Remain strong. We will get through difficult times, and we will do it together.”

Early in the program, Joe Wright, chair of the SFSC Board of Trustees, addressed the graduates, expressing his joy that SFSC was able to hold its Commencement ceremonies in person compared to the previous year. “For social distancing, we have three individual ceremonies,” he said. “Guest lists are limited. But, and this is the most important thing, we are here to celebrate and honor your graduation. The focus is on you, not on the challenges of the pandemic. Class of 2021, you deserve a hearty congratulations. We celebrate with you.”

The mace bearer and chief marshal for this year’s ceremony was Elizabeth Andrews. Marshals were Thomas Bohan, Kathleen Cappo, Jennifer Groves, Robert Hampton, Cindy Kinser, Michelle MacBeth, Ricardo Pantoja, Dr. Mintoo Patel, Andrew Polk, Tina Stetson, Joan Davies Briand, and Dr. Christopher van der Kaay.

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 7, 2021 – During the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation Legacy Showcase and Fundraiser on Saturday, May 1, Bill and Lisa Jarrett were inducted into the 2021 Legacy Society for their service to the Foundation and to the College. Jamie Bateman, SFSC executive director of institutional advancement made the presentation.

“It’s hard to put into words how appreciative we are of Bill and Lisa for all that they have done and continue to do for our College and our community,” Bateman said. “They lead with a servant’s heart and don’t ask for recognition. They also lead by example. Bill and Lisa are such dear friends whom we cherish and adore. It is a great honor to recognize them for all of their support, dedication, and, most importantly, friendship. Because of their dedication and leadership, our Foundation is as successful as it is today.”

This is the third year that such an honor has taken place. Joan Hartt was inducted into The Legacy Society in 2020 and Joe Jr. and Gloria Davis were inducted in 2019.

The Jarretts have served the SFSC Foundation and been friends to the College for several years. Bill Jarrett has been a member of the SFSC Foundation Board of Directors since 1991.

“The Jarrett’s record of support to our College and community is remarkable,” said Dr. Norman L. Stephens, SFSC president emeritus, in a video presentation. “They supported the restoration of the Hotel Jacaranda, they helped our student athletes through the Athletic Booster Club and in improving athletic facilities, they provided housing scholarships for students in need, they sponsored numerous Artist Series programs, and helped with facilities renovations. Of course, the Bill and Lisa Jarrett Endowed Chair in Business provides a deserving member of the faculty with funds to improve their teaching and learning. Several Foundation endowments benefitted from the Jarretts’ generosity, including one in my name. The South Florida State College Foundation is one of the most successful in the state or in the nation because of their many influences.”

“Bill and Lisa Jarrett have made a tremendous difference to the profession of dentistry, particularly in our practice,” said Dr. David E. Willey, dentist and owner of Lakeside Dental Arts and a member of the SFSC Foundation board of directors. “We were planning our Day of Giving and Bill came to me and said, ‘How can we make it bigger and better.’ So, Bill and I brainstormed. I provided the dentistry and Bill offered to pay the lab bills on some of the very extensive smile makeovers and rehabilitations for many patients. Bill’s theme is always: How Can We Do It Bigger? And it’s been a blessing. Bill and Lisa don’t ask for recognition, but they always help us to improve the lives of many other individuals in the community, more than anyone would ever know.”

“When I think about Bill and Lisa Jarrett, I think about four words: humble, compassionate, kind, and friend,” said Denise Grimsley, vice president of administration, AdventHealth Wauchula. “They are not only friends to me, but they’re friends to our College, to our Foundation, to our community. I first met Bill and Lisa about 25 years ago. I quickly realized what kind of people that they were and how much they gave back to the community. I met them through an SFSC Foundation meeting when I became a Foundation board member. I’ve watched them over the years invest in our youth in Hardee, DeSoto, and Highlands counties. I’ve watched so many young people grow up under the influence of Bill and Lisa. And they continue to give back. I believe that we will continue to see the impact of their investment 20, 30, 40, and even 50 years out at South Florida State College.”

Randy Surber, CEO of AdventHealth Heartland recounted the Jarretts’ contributions to the hospital and the community. “Bill’s been a member of our hospital board for over 22 years. In fact, he was recognized throughout AdventHealth last year as the Trustee of the Year for our entire AdventHealth System. And Lisa’s been a part of the Hospital Foundation Board for nearly 21 years. What a difference you’ve made.”

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 7, 2021 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored eight graduates of its Dental Hygiene program in a traditional pinning ceremony in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park on Thursday, May 6. The graduates had just completed their Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene program.

Receiving their pins were Kaitlin Brianne Alsvig, Tatyana Siara Haro, Jaylin Hope Maynard, Noel Donniece Henry, Sebrina Sue Gillilan, Earlnajah Taiwanna Collins, Lyric Elizabeth Antonio, and Chelsey Lynn Stephens.

Kaitlin Alsvig, 2021 class president, addressed her fellow graduates and recalled their perseverance when taking classes and exams through a pandemic. “We had some interesting times, but I know that they can be turned into stories that will inspire others to go after their dreams no matter what the challenges are,” she said. “My classmates are some of the most incredible people that I know. Without them, I would not be where I am today.”

Graduates were presented their dental hygiene pins by Dr. Deborah Milliken, chair of SFSC’s Dental Education program.

On behalf of herself and faculty, Dr. Milliken said to the graduates, “Changes have occurred to you over the past two years. Parts of your bodies have changed. Your hands have learned the skills of controlling and manipulating tiny, sharp blades on soft tissue. They are stronger and they have learned how to make intentional movements that are effective in the treatment of patients. They have learned to be gentle, but sensitive to touch. Your heads have changed a lot. Your minds are filled with knowledge for a lifetime. Your minds are trained to think sequentially and organize information. But your minds are also able to critically analyze situations and come up with accurate conclusions. Your minds are accustomed to using sound judgment and making decisions about your patients. Above all else, you’ve been given the opportunity to learn compassion for each individual, wherever they are in life. We leave you with the words of George Washington Carver who said, ‘How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Because sometime in life, you will have been all of these.’”

Upon completing the Dental Hygiene program, graduates become dental hygienists by passing the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and the Florida State Clinical Licensure Examination. They can, then, work alongside a dentist as a member of a dental health care team.

For more information about SFSC’s Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene program, call 863-784-7225 or email healthsciences@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 6, 2021 – A $60,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been awarded to the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation, Inc. to benefit part-time students who are attending SFSC in summer 2021, fall term 2021, and spring term 2022.

The grant comes from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund, which was established by Roberts as a legacy to support Florida’s community colleges and other charitable organizations. Managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the fund continues Roberts’ vision of making higher education a priority, particularly for those motivated to seek a better life for themselves.

SFSC’s grant funds are designated to provide assistance to students who are attending college part time and may not qualify for other forms of financial aid. Individual students may receive up to a maximum of $1,500 during the grant period of June 2021 to March 2022. The grant covers tuition, housing, books, child care, automobile repairs, and needs that would otherwise prevent students from attending college. Recipients are identified by SFSC’s Office of Financial Aid.

“Because of grants from organizations such as the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the SFSC Foundation can support the educational goals of SFSC’s students,” said Jamie Bateman, SFSC executive director of institutional advancement. “The funds from this grant allow our students to concentrate on their studies and prepare for personally and financially rewarding careers. This grant also addresses the needs of parents. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County takes a two-generation approach to helping families break the cycle of poverty. With this financial support, students can achieve their higher education goals.”

For more information, contact Bateman at 863-453-3133. For information about the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, visit cfsarasota.org.

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 4, 2021 – SFSC celebrates Commencement in three ceremonies on Tuesday, May 11, in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park. A ceremony for bachelor’s and Associate in Science degree graduates will be held at 3 p.m. and for Associate in Arts degree graduates at 6 p.m. A ceremony will be held at noon for students receiving their Career and College Credit Certificates and State of Florida High School Diplomas through the Adult Education program.

For safety reasons, faculty participation at the Commencement ceremonies is optional. In adherence with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the College will practice safe, social distancing and require masks. Sanitizing of the entire Wildstein Center will take place between the ceremonies.

All Commencement guests must have tickets to attend the event. Because of limited attendance, live online streaming will be available at the beginning of each ceremony and can be accessed by clicking a banner on the SFSC website homepage.

The number of students participating in these Commencement ceremonies will total 229. Approximately 429 students met the SFSC requirements for spring 2021 Commencement. Of these, 29 will receive their Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM), four will receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), eight will receive their Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSEE), 179 will receive their Associate in Arts (A.A.), 63 will receive their Associate in Science (A.S.), 10 will receive their State of Florida High School diplomas, and 138 will receive career certificates or college credit certificates.

The mace bearer and chief marshal for this Commencement ceremony is Elizabeth Andrews. Marshals are Thomas Bohan, Kathleen Cappo, Jennifer Groves, Robert Hampton, Cindy Kinser, Michelle Macbeth, Ricardo Pantoja, Dr. Mintoo Patel, Andrew Polk, Tina Stetson, Joan Davies Briand, and Dr. Christopher van der Kaay.

The pre-recorded music of Celebration Brass and an ensemble of student singers was arranged by Doug Andrews to enhance the Commencement celebratory atmosphere.