Photo courtesy SCF: Winter 2024 SCF Nursing Graduates Honored at a Pinning Ceremony

The students, faculty and staff of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota have experienced a year full of changes, challenges and triumphs. It is my honor to highlight some of our accomplishments. One thing is for certain — our tradition of excellence continues!

• Eight SCF students of the Future Business Leaders of America SCF Venice and Bradenton Chapters won awards at the FBLA Collegiate State Leadership Conference.

• Our State College of Florida Collegiate Schools in Bradenton and Venice achieved an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2023-24 school year for the thirteenth and third year, respectively.

• Ursula Kushner received an All-Star award medal as the second-highest scoring individual player this year as part of SCF’s Brain Bowl Team at the National Academic Quiz Tournaments 2024 Community College Championship.

• Four SCF music students won scholarship awards and invitations to perform at the solo artist recital at the Florida College System Activities Association Music Symposium.

• Eight employees won National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Awards. SCF winners included Dr. Kristen Anderson, program director, TRIO Student Support Services; Matthew Britten, laboratory assistant, natural science; Eric Cintron, associate professor, language and literature; Lori Duncan, academic department secretary, academics; Arturo Mancillas, trades worker III, HVAC/mechanical, facilities, planning and maintenance; Theresa Smith-Ennis, librarian, library; Katy Wallis, associate professor, natural science; and Susanne Walters, assistant dean of students, dean of students.

• SCF student Brittany Marshall Davis participated in a Natural History Research 10-week internship this summer at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

• Robert Shollar, mathematics department instructor, won the Early Career Teaching Award from the Mathematical Association of America-Florida Section. Shollar is the second recipient of this annual award given to a full-time Florida college or university faculty member with an outstanding start in a mathematics career.

• Our dental hygiene students provided more than 150 Manatee County school-aged children with over $2,400 worth of free dental care during a two-day Healthy Smiles event.

• SCF student and Health Occupations Students of America Club Chapter member Laura Zhen placed first in Behavioral Health at the club’s annual International Conference in Houston, Texas. 

• Five former SCF Manatees baseball players were selected during the 2024 MLB draft, including Brandon Clarke, Boston Red Sox; Jalen Hairston, Cincinnati Reds; Christian Gordon and Owen Ayers, Chicago Cubs; and Gavin Adams, Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Dual enrollment junior student Zachary Keshish, who’s just 16 years old, won first place for his “Bored” artwork in the Congressional Art Competition, and will have his piece displayed for one year in Washington, D.C.

• SCF’s Communications and Government Relations team won two silver awards in the 39th annual Educational Advertising Awards competition. Silver recognitions, which were only bestowed to 278 institutions, went to the 2023 Annual Scholarship Luncheon fundraising video emphasizing the value of higher education and SCF’s new website, SCF.edu, which focuses on a guided user experience to enroll at the College.

This is but a small list of our numerous achievements. SCF is one of the most productive state colleges and serves as a model for the great 28 within the Florida College System. Last academic year, we graduated 250 nursing students and fifty healthcare professionals in physical and occupational therapy, radiography, and dental hygiene with 100% of the graduates passing their national licensure exams. Overall, SCF graduated 2,070 more students; many who are continuing their education to pursue a bachelor's degree.

As we close out the year and on behalf of the SCF College community, I’d like to thank you for your support. Our success is your success because at SCF, We’re Everyone’s College. 

For an ongoing reference of #SCFProud highlights, visit SCF.edu/SCF-Proud.

Photo courtesy SCF: Winter 2024 SCF Nursing Graduates Honored at a Pinning Ceremony