Guest support
Daily SRQ Saturday outlook version
Saturday, October 7, 2023 |
by Carol Probstfeld
Photo provided by: SCF
Florida State University, Manatee-Sarasota is seeing an increase in enrollment, with an increasing percentage of students attending classes at one of its three campuses and taking more courses than in previous years.
This fall, we are serving more than 8,600 students, the majority of whom are pursuing an Associate of Arts degree and then an Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science degree. SCF’s student body is made up of 63% women and 37% men, most of whom are from the local community, with her 60 students representing 39 countries. Students entering college for the first time, many of whom are also first-generation, represent the largest group of SCF students. Returning adults over the age of 29 make up 19% of his SCF’s total enrollment.
Like many other higher education institutions, SCF believed that online programs would continue to grow. However, we hear that students miss being on campus and interacting one-on-one and in groups with their peers, professors, and SCF staff. “The engagement, encouragement, and interaction with SCF coaches is invaluable,” said a student who recently enrolled in the TRIO Student Support Services program.
Our facilities, designed with student input, are the reason students come back to campus. Our library offers the latest technology while providing quiet spaces for students to study and collaborate. It is also difficult to replace the hands-on experience students receive in classrooms such as film and music production studios, manufacturing and production environments, simulated medical and dental environments, and bioengineering laboratories.
At SCF, it also helps to meet students where they are. We continually strive to expand our programs in growing industries, provide student-centered services, and conveniently serve our community with flexible enrollment options.
We have added degrees in business, health care, public safety, and education. We’ve also expanded our partnerships to include prestigious certifications such as CompTIA, Microsoft, Python, AWS, Cisco, and other popular technologies through our Coding Academy.
Additional student-centered programs are also bringing students back to campus. The #GetHired event, which aims to guide and help students find employment during their enrollment or after graduation, is gaining even more interest from students. Student Life offers increasing opportunities for students to get involved through clubs and organized events, such as advocating for student organizations and his SCF with local delegations. SCF’s Center for Digital Collective and Entrepreneurship, located at 26 West Center, provides leadership, engagement and mentoring opportunities for professionals and businesses in the local community, helping them discover their passions and potential.
SCF courses and programs cater to working, family-oriented, and returning adult students, with classes offered in nearly any format and at a variety of times, including evening and weekend options.
As your state community college, we are proud to continue to respond quickly and flexibly to provide an engaging and accessible learning environment that meets the needs of our local community and its workforce. This is why we are achieving our 2021-26 strategic goal of being the region’s first choice for higher education, economic development, philanthropic investment and cultural enrichment.
Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld He is the president of Florida State University, Manatee-Sarasota.
Photo provided by: SCF