Dental Hygiene Graduates Honored with Pinning Ceremony

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 1, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 12 graduates of its Dental Hygiene program in a traditional pinning ceremony in the SFSC University Center Auditorium on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park on Tuesday, April 29. The graduates had just completed their Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene.

Receiving their pins were Riley Kate Albritton, Annetude Delhomme, Makayla Der, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Kendra Gonzalez, Chloe Goolsby, Jami Mercer, Veronica Molina, Sofia Monroy, Nora Ortiz, Handley Taylor, and Lilianna Waelbroeck.

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, call Danielle Ochoa, Health Sciences advisor, at 863-784-7027 or email healthsciences@southflorida.edu.

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 1, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 10 Associate in Science (A.S.) in Surgical Services graduates in a traditional pinning ceremony on Tuesday, April 29 in the SFSC University Center Auditorium on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The graduates are: Alexandra Arvea Carrillo, Coty Barnett, Nadiah Belmarez, Natalie Flores, Jaheim Hayles, Khadeja Jamison, Casey Mitchell, Jennifer Morales Salvador, Yareli Torres, and Anahi Villa Munoz.

During the pinning ceremony, the graduates’ loved ones and friends presented them with their individual pins.

Graduates of SFSC’s A.S. in Surgical Services are prepared for employment as surgical technologists. They prepare operating rooms for surgery, sterilize equipment, ready patients for surgery, and pass sterile instruments and supplies to surgeons during surgery. The program is offered on the SFSC Hardee Campus in Bowling Green, Fla., is 64 credit hours (15 months), and begins in January each year.

For more information about the associate degree in Surgical Services, contact Melinda Haygood, director of surgical services, at melinda.haygood@southflorida.edu or 863-784-7067.

AVON PARK, Fla. – April 25, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) is offering Panther Prep, a six-week program to help high school students learn about their world, fulfill their potential, and discover that a college degree is within reach. Panther Prep is funded by a $20,000 grant from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

This summer bridge program prepares students for college by helping them improve their academic performance and life skills through classes in mathematics, English, 5G leadership training, financial literacy, and Foundations for College Success/Master Student.

“College can feel like an impossible goal for many who graduate from high school and don’t know how to get started with higher education,” said Asena Mott, SFSC dean of off-campus instructional sites. “Our goal with Panther Prep is to prepare our newest adult students for college success by providing a six-week summer session at no cost to them. Thank you to the Community Foundation of Sarasota and the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund for making this scholarship opportunity possible. It is only through their generosity that SFSC is able to empower our newest high school graduates and fulfill their next steps of moving from impossible to ‘It’s Possible!’”

Panther Prep meets Monday through Thursday, June 23 through July 31, on the SFSC DeSoto Campus in Arcadia. Classes are held Monday through Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and on Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The program is open to 12 DeSoto County residents who graduate from high school this spring, whether they graduate from public or private schools, have been homeschooled, or have earned a diploma through a GED program. In addition, these are students who have not taken dual enrollment courses.

For qualified applicants, tuition and books are free and lunch is provided. Students will receive a Panther Prep kit that includes a backpack, lanyard, USB drive, notebook, calculator, and a Panther Prep t-shirt. Students who complete Panther Prep receive $450 toward the purchase of a laptop from the SFSC Bookstore when they enroll in fall classes at SFSC.

For more about the Panther Prep program, contact the SFSC DeSoto Campus at 863-993-1757 and ask for Irene Cerna, Gerri Lewis, or Cynthia Barrera.

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $544 million in more than 1,590 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $56 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $500 million to area nonprofit organizations in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.

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.