SFSC Receives Rural Healthcare Grant

Sept. 24, 2026 – South Florida State College (SFSC) announced that it received $351,549 from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), created through Florida Statute to serve as the chief health policy and planning organization for the state.

As an institution that provides education and services to rural communities, SFSC created Rural Care Connect (RCC) to create pathways in five academic programs by strengthening three programs that currently exist at the College and by developing two new programs. The three programs that will be bolstered through grant funding are Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, and Electrocardiography Technology (EKG). The two programs that will be created with the financial support of the grant are Central Sterile Processing Technology and Emergency Medical Responder.

“The application process was highly competitive, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to help expand access to quality healthcare in rural communities,” said Dr. Kathleen Cappo, dean of health sciences at SFSC. “This grant allows SFSC to be part of a meaningful statewide effort to address healthcare needs in rural Florida, and we look forward to seeing the impact that SFSC and our fellow award recipients will have in the communities we serve.”

SFSC has included community partners, such as AdventHealth, CareerSource Heartland, Mosaic, and Who We Play For, in the development of the five academic programs serving our rural district.

For more information about the programs supported by the RHTP grant, contact Danielle Nuccio, health sciences advisor, at 863-784-7027 or danielle.nuccio@southflorida.edu.

Sept. 22, 2026 – South Florida State College (SFSC) received a $15,000 grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Inc. to provide scholarships for students at SFSC’s DeSoto Campus in Arcadia. These funds will be matched through the SFSC Foundation, bringing the total funds for scholarships to $30,000.

Annual scholarships will be awarded up to $1,500 for full-time students, up to $1,125 for students enrolled 9 and 11 hours, and up to $750 for students enrolled 6 and 8 hours. The criteria for obtaining a scholarship through the Selby Foundation is that there must be financial need, the student must be a resident of DeSoto County and a graduate of Desoto County High School, must be accepted or enrolled in a degree program at the SFSC DeSoto Campus, and must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to be considered for renewal.

Scholarships from the Selby Foundation grant are available for fall 2026 and spring 2027. If a student would like to apply for a scholarship for the summer 2027 term, they must be registered for summer classes by the second week of January 2027.

“Getting to the heart of helping students requires both caring people and funding,” said Dr. Asena Mott, dean of off-campus instructional sites at SFSC. “That’s where The Selby Foundation comes in. Their legacy of care is backed by financial support. For years, they have asked where they could help DeSoto students, and followed through with generosity. Their gifts have elevated students above stumbling blocks and into success. We are ever grateful!”

To apply for a scholarship through the Selby Foundation, students are encouraged to speak with a student advisor at the SFSC DeSoto Campus at 2251 NE Turner Avenue in Arcadia or call 863-993-1757.

Sept. 16, 2026 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation received a $100,000 donation from the Jacarlene Foundation to support students enrolled in skilled trade programs at SFSC.

The Jacarlene Foundation trustees stated, “Growing up in an agricultural family in Highlands County, I saw firsthand how vital the skilled trades are to our community. As trustees, supporting these programs—and the students in them—matters deeply to all of us.”

Established on Nov. 15, 1988, the Jacarlene Foundation’s mission is to strengthen Florida through the arts, the environment, and education. Through philanthropy, the Foundation has helped build stronger communities throughout the state to improve life for all of Florida’s residents, human and animal.

“We are deeply grateful to the Jacarlene Foundation for their continued investment in our trade students,” said Emily Dabolt, executive director for institutional advancement at SFSC. “Because many of these programs fall outside traditional degree pathways, the students are not eligible for federal FAFSA or Pell funding, and they face financial barriers that other students do not. This gift helps remove those barriers, allowing students to complete their training, earn industry credentials, and enter the workforce prepared to contribute to the success of Highlands, DeSoto, and Hardee counties.”

Applicants for the Jacarlene Foundation Scholarship must be enrolled and accepted into an SFSC trade program. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate academic promise and financial need. Students can receive an application for the Jacarlene Foundation Scholarship by contacting the SFSC Foundation at foundation@southflorida.edu or 863-453-3133.

Aug. 21, 2026 – South Florida State College (SFSC) graduated 16 Practical Nursing (PN) program students in a traditional pinning ceremony on Thursday, July 30 in the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The graduates were Jaleigh Brantner, Zareana Fogel-Thomas, Pamela Garcia-Cisneros, Cathryn Kersey, Hailey Lee, Jannan Lee, Tracy Likens, Jeshua Lopez, Alysia Mayer, Rosa Montalvo, Aleine Petit-Homme, Mackenzie Pruitt, Samantha Rivera, Alexia Segura, Heather Steele, and Biatriz Ynoa.

Jeshua Lopez was the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award and Mackenzie Pruitt was honored with the Clinical Excellence Award, both supported by the Thakkar Family Foundation.

Each year, PN graduates award the Golden D.U.C.K. to someone or an organization that has served as a mentor to the students in the program. The D.U.C.K. acronym represents the foundational elements of the mentoring arrangement: Developing, Understanding, Compassion, and Knowledge. The award was presented to Good Shepherd Hospice for their “way of providing comfort, preserving dignity, and being present for patients and their families during life’s most meaningful moments,” which left a lasting impression on the graduates.

The practice of pinning new graduates has been a nursing school tradition in the United States since 1916 and, symbolically, welcomes each graduate into the nursing profession. The pin is worn prominently on a nurse’s uniform throughout their career. One story of the ceremony’s beginning goes back to 1883, when Queen Victoria awarded Florence Nightingale the Royal Red Cross on St. George’s Day for her service to the sick and injured during the Crimean War. In turn, Nightingale later extended the honor to her outstanding nursing students by presenting them with a medal of excellence.

Graduates of the 11-month Career Certificate PN program each become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam. SFSC Nursing graduates are usually fully employed in the field within a few months of graduation.

SFSC offers an Associate in Science degree in Nursing (ADN) program for students interested in becoming registered nurses in two formats: a two-year Generic-RN program and a one-year Transition-LPN to RN program. The College also offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

For information about SFSC’s Nursing programs, contact Danielle Nuccio, Health Sciences advisor at 863-784-7027 or by email at healthsciences@southflorida.edu.

Aug. 19, 2026 – On Thursday, July 23, South Florida State College (SFSC) honored 13 of its Radiography graduates in a traditional pinning ceremony on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park. The graduates have earned their Associate in Science (A.S.) in Radiography.

The graduates honored were Destiny Badillo, Tori Britt, Megan Crawford, Cristina Diaz Agosto, Lili Garcia, Azusena Gomez Urbina, Lissette Ledesma, Lisa Lee, Brisa Elena Luevano, Eunice Moffatt, Juan Molina-Molina, Chloe Pomerleau, and Alyssa Prieto.

“We are incredibly proud of our graduates and all they have accomplished,” said Amy Ferrante, director of SFSC’s Radiography program. “One of the most rewarding parts of being an educator is having the opportunity to watch students grow in knowledge, confidence, and professionalism as they prepare to enter the healthcare field. Seeing students reach this milestone and begin their careers as radiologic technologists is truly the reason we do what we do.”

Upon completing SFSC’s two-year A.S. degree in Radiography, graduates can work as certified radiologic technologists by passing the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national examination. Radiologic technologists work in hospitals and clinics performing diagnostic imaging examinations, such as X-rays and MRIs.

For information about SFSC’s Radiography program, contact Danielle Nuccio, Health Sciences advisor, at 863-784-7027 or by email at healthsciences@southflorida.edu.

Aug. 17, 2026 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Ruth E. Handley Memorial Scholarship, a new scholarship honoring the life and legacy of former SFSC employee Ruth E. Handley, a lifelong supporter of the profound impact of education. The scholarship will support those who have a passion for educating others.

Mrs. Ruth E. Handley believed in the transformative power of education, fairness, and equal opportunity as she dedicated her life to serving others and making a positive impact in her community. Through this scholarship, her legacy of compassion, service, and commitment to future educators will continue by helping students pursue their educational and career goals.

“Mrs. Handley’s impact on this community is impossible to measure,” said Emily Dabolt, executive director of institutional advancement at SFSC. “Through this scholarship fund, her legacy will be honored for years to come by helping students discover the same passion for educating others that guided her entire life.”

To be eligible for the Ruth E. Handley Memorial Scholarship, applicants must be enrolled at SFSC and a resident of DeSoto, Hardee, or Highlands County. Applicants must also submit a 500-750-word essay describing their career goals and motivation for pursuing a career in educating others. Preference will be given to students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and involvement in extracurricular activities. The student must also complete a standard financial aid application.

For more information about this or any scholarship at SFSC, email foundation@southflorida.edu or call 863-453-3133.

Aug. 14, 2026 – A $40,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been awarded to the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation, Inc. to benefit residents of DeSoto County, part-time students, and student-parents who are attending SFSC in the fall and spring of the 2026-27 academic year.

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 aid students who attend college part time and may not qualify for other forms of financial aid and students who are parents, whether single or married. Preference is also given to residents of DeSoto County or students attending classes at the SFSC DeSoto Campus in Arcadia.

Individual students may receive up to a maximum of $3,000 through the end of the grant. The grant covers tuition, housing, books, childcare, transportation, and needs that would otherwise prevent students from attending college.

“The Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund have long understood that investing in students is investing in the future of our communities,” said Emily Dabolt, SFSC executive director of institutional advancement. “For a part-time student balancing work and family, or a parent going back to school, a single unexpected expense can be the reason they don’t make it to graduation. This grant helps make sure that doesn’t happen, and we’re honored to carry that mission forward for the students who need it most.”

Scholarship recipients are identified by SFSC’s Office of Financial Aid. To apply for a scholarship, visit the Financial Aid Office in Building B on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park, call 784-7134, or email financialaid@southflorida.edu. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have questions about the FAFSA or need assistance, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

For information about the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, visit cfsarasota.org.

Aug. 11, 2026 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation is proud to announce a donation from All American Pool Services that supports students in the Adult Education and English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs.

All American Pool Services is a local company to Sebring, Fla. owned by John McDaniel, an alumnus of South Florida State College who generously decided to give back to his alma mater. This donation can cover the cost of tuition, books, supplies, testing fees, cap and gown fees, and other needs that may hinder a student from completing the program.

“It is truly meaningful when an alumnus chooses to give back to their alma mater and make a difference in the lives of today’s students,” said Anastasia Fuchser, coordinator of institutional advancement and alumni development at SFSC. “John McDaniel once sat in these same classrooms, studied in these same spaces, and walked across the same stage at graduation, and now, he is helping others achieve that same success. It is an inspiring example of the lasting impact of an SFSC education, and we are incredibly grateful for his support. Together, we are building a brighter future for our students and our community.”

To be eligible for the funding, applicants must be enrolled Adult Education or ESOL students who are in good standing with the College and exhibit a financial need. Applicants must also complete the scholarship application. The number of awards will be determined by the funds available each year.

For more information about this or any scholarship at SFSC, email foundation@southflorida.edu or call 863-453-3133.

July 15, 2026 – The Roberts Community Foundation through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has granted South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation $26,000 for Panther Prep, a six-week program that helps high school students learn about their world, fulfill their potential, and discover that a college degree is within reach.

This is the second year that Panther Prep has received funding and this year, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County supported each student with $2,200, allowing 15 students to attend.

This summer bridge program prepares students for college by helping them improve their academic performance and life skills. They participate in mathematics immersion and develop teamwork, communication, time management, and financial literacy skills through 5G Power Skills Certification and Panther Power Hour. Additionally, students will be able to earn college credits in Master Student/College Success and Freshman English I. To further support success, they’ll be assisted in navigating college systems, career planning, and financial aid.

“This unique and special opportunity for our graduating high schoolers is made possible by The Community Foundation of Sarasota, because they care about seeing young adults in Florida’s Heartland reach their potential,” said Asena Mott, SFSC dean of off-campus instructional sites. “The small window of time between high school and a traditional fall start for college is often overlooked. In actuality, it’s a space where students can improve their foundational learning and study practices to set them up for success.”

Panther Prep meets Monday through Thursday, June 25 through Aug. 3, on the SFSC DeSoto Campus in Arcadia. Classes are held Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is provided daily.

The program is open to DeSoto County residents who graduated from high school this spring, whether they graduated from public or private schools, have been homeschooled, or have earned a diploma through a GED program.

Tuition and books are free and lunch is provided. Students received a Panther Prep kit that included 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, or call DeSoto High School at 863-494-3434 and ask for counselor Gerri Lewis or the graduation coach.

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 $605 million in more than 1,600 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $44.7 million 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 $542 million to area nonprofit organizations in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit cfsarasota.org or call 941-955-3000.