Florida College System Chancellor Recognizes Four Colleges for Innovation and Excellence
November 1, 2017
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Florida College System Chancellor Recognizes Four Colleges for Innovation and Excellence
Palm Harbor, Fla., November 1, 2017 – Today, at the Association of Florida Colleges’ 68th Annual Meeting and Conference, Florida College System Chancellor Madeline Pumariega recognized four colleges with the Chancellor’s Best Practice Award for pioneering inventive practices or enhancing existing programs.
“The Chancellor’s Best Practice Awards is an opportunity for our colleges to showcase innovative program strategies that have proven successful at their colleges and in their communities,” said Chancellor Pumariega. “The Best Practice Awards recognize colleges for creating successful programs and then shares the best practices with all institutions in the Florida College System.”
Chancellor Pumariega recognized the following four colleges with the Chancellor’s Best Practice Award:
Valencia College: Got College? Increasing the College-Going Rate in Osceola County as an innovative initiative designed to help students overcome the barriers that historically prevented students from pursuing postsecondary education.
"I am so proud of our community's ‘Got College?’ efforts to increase educational attainment levels in Osceola County,” said Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia’s Osceola, Poinciana and Lake Nona campuses. “Since 2010, Osceola County's college-going rate has increased by more than 20%, demonstrating the success of our collective efforts to reduce the barriers that historically have prevented many students from going to college."
Eastern Florida State College was recognized for creating exciting careers in aviation by developing and sustaining a competitive aviation and aerospace workforce curriculum. Eastern Florida President Dr. Jim Richey said the program reflects the college’s commitment to working closely with industry and business partners on a central goal of providing students with new educational opportunities that can lead to good jobs after graduation, with companies reaping the benefits of gaining skilled employees.
“The aviation program stands out for what can happen when vision is combined with workforce needs to give people great careers and help our local economy,” said Eastern Florida President Dr. Jim Richey. “That’s even more exciting when you consider the program is ramping up to instruct more students to meet the demand at area aviation companies.”
Santa Fe College continues to keep college affordable by creating a unique approach to reducing student loan debt through a financial aid campaign that ensures students’ progress in their academic programs without gaps in financial support.
"So much of what Santa Fe College aspires to be is practiced in the Florida College System,” said Santa Fe College President Jackson Sasser. “We thank you and share this honor with you."
Tallahassee Community College is committed to students having streamlined access to college with its AskStudent Central: Enrollment Call Center 2.0, which improves the college enrollment process through increased communication efforts.
“Tallahassee Community College is proud to be selected for a Chancellor’s Best Practice Award,” said Tallahassee Community College President Jim Murdaugh. “The call center is a tremendous asset for our college and creates real benefits for students and families. The call center staff not only help students navigate the enrollment process, but also become a familiar and reliable source of information and assistance throughout students’ time here.”
“I applaud our colleges for their commitment to excellence and innovation in our system,” continued Chancellor Pumariega. “It is this commitment that keeps the Florida College System in the forefront as a national leader in higher education.”
For more information visit Chancellor’s Best Practice Awards.
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