The Florida College System will honor four colleges for innovation and excellence in Orlando Wednesday, highlighting these public institutions for their programs of excellence at the Association of Florida Colleges’ annual convention.
Lake-Sumter State College, Chipola College, Seminole State College of Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville are all set to receive awards from Florida College System Chancellor Madeline Pumariega through the Chancellor’s Best Practice Awards.
According to the Florida College System, the Chancellor’s Best Practice Awards recognizes colleges for both creating and sustaining successful, innovative programs and then sharing those best practices with all institutions in the Florida College System.
“The Chancellor’s Best Practice Awards is an opportunity for our colleges to showcase pioneering program strategies that have proven successful at their colleges and in their communities,” said Chancellor Pumariega.
Twenty-three FCS schools submitted 33 best practice programs for consideration. The Division of Florida Colleges reviewed the program content for each submission, but four colleges ultimately made the final cut for the best of the best.
Programs submitted for best practices have to have been in operation at a community college in Florida for at least two years or the program has to have publicly received awards, honors or mentions. Programs also have to show they’ve improved efficiency, lowered costs for colleges or addressed specific problems within institutions.
Best practice programs also have to show they’ve been sustainable over a period of time and have provided benefits to educational practices.
Lake-Sumter State College will be recognized for its RISE Math Program, which is a program collaborating with the Sumter School District to develop a free summer math and college-exposure program for high school students called the RISE Summer Math Academy.
According to the FCS, students participating in the three-week long academy use modularized technology enhanced curriculum, personalized pathways and one-on-one assistance with math professionals to gain important math skills which will prepare high schoolers for college math courses or help students excel in their remaining high school math requirements.
Chipola College will receive an award for Creating a Pathway to Graduation through Academic Support, a program which gives on-demand tutoring to discourage students from dropping out of school.
Seminole State College of Florida will receive an award for its Capstone Project, which focuses on college seniors. Students will submit a thesis and research work which is provided to a business or sponsor with a 30-minute professional presentation to an audience. The Capstone Project places students in an informational technology coursework which generally leads to employment after students graduate.
Florida State College at Jacksonville will be recognized for its iNoVATE program which collaborates with several state colleges to help high school students and undergraduate college students familiarize themselves with high-technology through intensive training.
“I applaud our colleges for their commitment to excellence and innovation in our system,” said Chancellor Pumariega. “It is this commitment that keeps the Florida College System in the forefront as the national leader in higher education.”
The awards ceremony will be held in Lake Buena Vista.
