KEYS CURRENTS-2021

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A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E C O L L E G E O F T H E F L O R I D A K E Y S

Clawing for

Coral

Building Careers

ON THE FRONT LINES

Rise & Shine

Plus Much More!

FOR FRIENDS AND ALUMNI OF THE COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS

TABLE CONTENT S of

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A Message from the President What’s New! A Look Beneath the Surface From Our Kitchen to Yours Uncharted Waters Rising Hopes: Upper Keys Center Superhero: Ocean Reef Community Foundation Change Lives Unsung Heroes: Annette & David Curry Shoot for the Moon Poetic Reincarnation By the Numbers Alumni Unite School Spirit On the Front Lines A Family Tradition

12 Clawing for Coral

Crabs may hold the key to restoring coral reef ecosystems. Professor of Marine Science Dr. Angelo Jason Spadaro is putting the natural gardeners to work and the results are promising!

16 Rise & Shine

24 Building Careers

Serving up hot coffee and fluffy biscuits, Amber Heimann (BAS, Sup & Mgt '18) used the business plan she developed at CFK to open A.M. Birds coffee shop.

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15 Ready to Dive In

Taking her mark, CFK Freshman Gracia Rojas (AS, Marine Env Tech) is ready to make a splash as CFK prepares to launch its first swim team.

Former baker Donald Chavez Moreno is energizing his career through CFK’s Electrical Apprenticeship program.

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CFK student Kenaro Malcolm (AS, Marine Env Tech ’20) cleans coral trees at Clifton Heritage Park in Nassau, Bahamas. Kenaro, who is originally from Nassau, is one of the first students in the College’s new Bachelor of Science in Marine Resource Management (Read “Uncharted Waters” on pg. 9).

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THE TEAM Dr. Jonathan Gueverra President & CEO CFK BOARD OF TRUSTEES Stephanie Scuderi, Chair Kevin Madok, Vice-Chair Dan Leben Mike Puto Elena Spottswood Sheldon Suga CFK FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Annette Robertson Curry, Chair Robert Stoky, Vice Chair Bruce Halle, Treasurer Conner Boyd, Secretary Frank Toppino, Chair Emeritus Emilie Stewart Sheldon Suga Lana Gaspari Yvette Mira Talbott M. Pat Miller, Director Emeritus Dr. Frank Wood Vice President of Advancement Dr. Brittany Snyder Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Charlene White Vice President of Finance and Administration Amber Ernst-Leonard Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations Art Director John Michael Coto Photography Contributors Nick Doll, Michael Wedincamp Editorial Crew Amber Ernst-Leonard, Dr. Frank Wood, Dr. Emily Weekley, Dr. Jason Spadaro, Chef Jorge Sanchez, Naomi Walsh, Robin Kory, Michael Wedincamp To update your address and to support The College of the Florida Keys, Call: (305) 809-3153 CURRENTS is published by the Office of Marketing and Public Relations and the Florida Keys Education Foundation, Inc. (CFK Foundation). ©2020 The College of the Florida Keys. The views and opinions presented in this publication are not necessarily those of the editors or the official policies of the College.

Follow The College of the Florida Keys on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

5901 College Road | Key West, FL 33040

www.CFK.edu

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From The Bench

A Message from the President

Dear community, students, alumni, and friends,

I am pleased to share with you CFK’s second annual Keys Currents magazine.

Inside you will find uplifting stories of success and triumph. Some of the stories are even more remarkable in light of the incredible challenges we continue to endure in 2020. The world, our nation and indeed, our island chain are suffering from medical, economic, social, and political upheavals. The pandemic has certainly been a catalyst for some of our struggles.

We have lost family members and friends.

Entire neighborhoods buckle as our incomes and fortunes decline. Confronting an infectious disease with no reliable cure has led to complex realities for educators at all levels. Physical isolation and other stressors compounded by COVID-19 have exacerbated most problems within our view. Notably among those issues was the digital means used to mourn the loss of beloved CFK family members, President Emeritus Dr. William Seeker and alumnus Lexi Hoyes.

At the College, we were already reimagining the ways in which we operate and engage; COVID-19 has pushed us to an entirely new level. Early in the pandemic, CFK was one of the first Florida College System institutions to transition to remote operations and virtual learning.

It was a quick and relatively smooth change (thanks to post Hurricane Irma preparations) to prevent the initial spread of the virus. When our economy was shut down, we offered free hospitality classes to help affected employees gain skills during the down time. CFK also donated from our stock of medical supplies while our medical practitioners and student first responders volunteered and/or worked 4

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in the trenches to provide care for the Keys. As soon as CARES Act funds were released, we began its distribution to help students cover the cost of pandemic related expenses or losses. Additionally, CFK launched Rapid Credential programs and expanded our Construction Apprenticeship programs to the middle and upper Keys.

Students in these programs will not pay tuition as the College’s grants will help individuals, particularly those who have lost employment, quickly train for careers without the burden of tuition. Despite the challenges we face, CFK completed construction projects on the Key West Campus, began construction for the Upper Keys Center, launched a new Bachelor of Science in Marine Resource Management, and continued efforts to recruit for the start of the new academic year.

In August, we opened our doors safely to the public and ushered in record student enrollment. As the College improves upon safety measures and as we learn more about the COVID-19 virus, we plan to offer more classes and activities in-person next semester. We are not in a position to declare victory over the virus and new

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obstacles are inevitable. Nevertheless, I am incredibly proud of where we stand today.

Our students and employees have risen to every challenge and we have persevered and thrived. It is with a great deal of dedication, creative-thinking, vigilance, and care, the College’s team is navigating this uncertain time. We have remained this community’s college — steadfast to our mission to serve the people, businesses, and economy of the Keys.

Please read every part of the Keys Currents. You will see that the College and its people are accomplishing great feats and contributing to the greater good with an inspirational level of positivity. We do so despite the challenges and with incredible support from our partners, donors, alumni, friends, and families. I extend my gratitude to them as well as to our students and their families for choosing CFK to improve their lives. Through our collective efforts, The College of the Florida Keys sails ahead towards an even brighter future.

Jonathan Gueverra, Ed.D President & CEO The College of the Florida Keys

What’s NEW!

News Briefs

DRIVING HOME NEW WORKFORCE TESTING

CLEARING THE AIR

CFK is now 100% smoke- and tobaccofree. With a $19,624 grant from the Truth Initiative’s Tobacco-Free College Program, CFK implemented an institution-wide tobacco-free policy that applies to all CFK locations and facilities. The new rule is supported by projects that address tobaccorelated issues on campus, educate students and employees about the health benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle, and support treatment for those interested in quitting.

CONQUERING A NEW DOMAIN This summer CFK unveiled a new website along with a new domain name: CFK.edu. It features new components and tools to excite prospective students, including a “What Floats Your Boat?” program search tool and photo galleries of CFK academics and student activities amid a beautiful Florida Keys backdrop. Designed with accessibility in mind for persons with and without disabilities, content is robust and understandable across a variety of technology platforms, including mobile devices.

With help from a fleet of community partners, CFK drove home a new workforce development opportunity for professional vehicle drivers in the Keys. As an official Third Party Test Administrator for Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL), approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the College will now be able to provide testing for A, B, and C class CDL licenses. The special license is required to operate large vehicles used in a variety of essential functions in the community — ranging from transporting people to maintaining utilities to collecting trash.

TEACHING A NEW LEVEL OF CARE

Last Fall, CFK launched a new baccalaureate degree: A Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN- BSN). The two-year program provides an opportunity for practicing registered nurses to further their education, advance in their career, and earn higher salaries. Designed for busy professionals, the 100% online program includes coursework and field experience in leadership, community health, and evidence-based nursing practice. As healthcare evolves, nurses need advanced training to thrive in their careers. Communities across the globe also need more and more highly-skilled nurses.

CFK “CARES” FOR STUDENTS CFK was awarded $240,928 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the economic relief package that Congress passed in May to protect the American people from the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

CFK is actively promoting and distributing grants to students who have experienced a loss of income in their household due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are in need of assistance for expenses such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, and/or daycare expenses.

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Underwater Photography

A Look Beneath A

nyone fortunate enough to have experienced scuba diving understands the exhilaration of plunging beneath the surface, immediately entering an extraordinary underwater world full of whimsy and mystery. Playful fish dart about a bustling coral reef while predators lurk in the shadows.

Colors, patterns, and silhouettes transform as sunlight cascades through the deep salty filter.

Students in CFK’s Underwater Photography classes are tasked with capturing such amazing visuals in the ocean waters of the College’s Dive Lagoon and at nearby coral reefs and shipwrecks using SeaLife DC2000 cameras with underwater housings and accessories. Diving Business and Technology instructor Lucja Rice leads the students in the course that blends art with science and technology.

Students are taught photographic principles, rules of composition, the use of various types of lenses, and light techniques. Throughout the course, students develop a portfolio of photographs that document their adventures beneath the sea and demonstrate their new camera skills.

Underwater Photography is taught throughout the year. Prior to beginning the class, students must hold an Advanced Open Water certification, which can also be obtained at CFK. The featured photos were taken by CFK Underwater Photography students over the past year. The background image is “Silhouette” captured by Riley Martinez (AS, Marine Env Tech; AAS, Diving Bus Tech).

“Little Fiesta” by Jaquel ine

Howell (AS, Marine Env

Tech ’19)

Gould (AS,

by Madison Frenchie” S, Sup & Mgt) A Tech ’20; B 6

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Culinary

break up the crab too much.

3. Form into golf ball size balls with hands and set on a dish. You should have enough to make 8-10 balls.

4. Place breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.

5. Gently pour Panko breadcrumbs over crab balls. Press bread crumbs onto crab balls with both hands while maintaining ball shape. If cake loses it's shape, no worries, gently press back into ball and set on dish.

6. Heat cast iron skillet on medium/high heat for two minutes.

7. Add enough butter or olive oil so bottom of pan is nicely coated.

8. When oil is hot, add crab ball to pan.

Cook until golden and turn. Lower heat if necessary.

9. Cook second side until golden (usually 3-4 minutes per side). Add more butter/oil to pan if needed and cook second batch.

NOTE: Crab balls will start to look more like crab cakes at this point.

10. Place on paper towel to absorb excess oil.

From our Kitchen

to Yours

Crab Cakes with Sriracha Mayonnaise and Coral Tuile

By The College of the Florida Keys Culinary Students Fall 2020 SERVES 8-10

For Aioli:

For Crab Cakes:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl except oil. Slowly drizzle in oil, in a steady stream as you whisk with an emersion blender or in a food processor. Set aside when thick and looks like mayonnaise.

1. Place crab meat between paper towels and press until all excess water is removed.

2. In a large bowl, mix crab meat, ¹⁄³ cup aioli, chives, parsley, salt, and pepper until well combined. DO NOT OVERMIX and

2 egg yolks Juice of half a lemon 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon chives, chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely minced 1 teaspoon hot sauce 2 pinches sea salt A few turns of freshly ground pepper 2 cups canola oil

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1 pound lump crab meat ¹⁄³ cup prepared aioli 1 tablespoon chives, finely sliced 1 tablespoon red pepper, finely chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1 pinch sea salt 1 pinch pepper 2 cups Panko bread crumbs 1 cup oil or butter for frying

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For Sriracha Mayonnaise:

1 garlic clove, finely grated 1 cup aioli 3 tablespoons Sriracha 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Kosher salt

Stir garlic, mayonnaise, Sriracha, and lemon juice in a small bowl to combine; season with salt.

For the Coral Tuile:

10g flour 90g water 2 drops of red food color 2 tablespoons oil for pan frying

1. Combine ingredients (except for the oil) and whisk together well. Pour into a squeeze bottle.

2. Heat the oil in a frying pan.

3. Shake the mixture well and squeeze into the oil, allowing to fry until the mixture resembles a coral texture.

4. Gently remove and place on paper towel to drain the excess oil, and allow to cool.

Place crab cakes on plate. Place a small dollop of mayonnaise on top to hold tuile and serve with Sriracha mayonnaise on side and garnish with coral tuile. (See photo)

New Degree Kenaro Malcolm (AS, Marine Env Tech ’20) is among the first students in CFK’s new BS in Marine Resource Management.

Originally from Nassau, Bahamas, Kenaro earned a prestigious Bahamas Environmental Stewards Scholarship and chose CFK to train for a career in marine science.

Uncharted Waters:

CFK Launches Unique Marine Science Degree T

he College of the Florida Keys embarked into uncharted waters this August with the launch of the nation’s first-ever Bachelor of Science in Marine Resource Management (BS-MRM). The new baccalaureate degree program prepares future marine scientists to be ready to enter the workforce directly after graduation.

Unlike many university-based marine science programs where students are high and dry in lecture halls, CFK’s BS-MRM program encourages students to get their feet wet and their hands dirty with a curriculum that emphasizes the development of technical skills. The College’s ideal location — on an island chain, in the heart of a national marine sanctuary, and just five miles away from the only barrier coral reef in the continental U.S. — allows students to learn in environments representative of where they may actually work one day.

Courses include field work in marine settings around the Keys that enable students to integrate knowledge learned in class with real-world practice. Students acquire specialized skills in restoration and conservation biology/ecology as well as extensive practical skills in data collection techniques and technology.

The program also covers best management practices and policies for both biological and submerged cultural resources.

In the senior capstone course, students build their bridge to employment. The College will work with each student and partner organizations to match students with internship experiences that best align with the students’ interests. The four-credit internship provides opportunities for students to hone their skills in a professional setting and build their resume with real experience.

The organizations benefit from the students’ contributions and the chance to observe their work ethic, which could lead to a job offer.

Marine resource management careers abound throughout the U.S. and beyond. As modern society places more value on natural resources, the need for professional environmental leaders is expected to grow. Graduates may work for state or federal entities or for non-profit organizations, leading and contributing to projects such as marine environmental assessment and monitoring; marine restoration operations in coastal, nearshore, and offshore environments; or managing abiotic cultural resources like archeological sites and artificial reefs.

The College consulted with its marine science advisory board, comprised of businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that manage marine resources, to create the new BS-MRM degree. Such collaboration ensures that graduates of the program are well equipped to lead as the next generation of marine stewards. In addition, the College works closely with other industry partners: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Fisheries, National Park Service, Mote Marine Lab, Rising Tide Conservation, Reef Relief, Coral Restoration Foundation, Key West Aquarium, and the American Academy of Underwater Sciences.

CFK’s BS-MRM follows a “2+2” model, in which students first earn an Associate in Arts, an Associate in Science, or equivalent before entering two years of upper level, bachelor’s degree coursework.

The BS-MRM is CFK’s third bachelor’s degree following a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, which began in 2017, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which began in 2019.

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Construction Clockwise from the left: Land is excavated to prepare to build the foundation of the new Upper Keys Center.

Construction crews install stormwater management components at the site of the new Upper Keys Center.

An artistic rendering of the new CFK Upper Keys Center.

Rising Hopes:

New Upper Keys Center opening August 2021 T

he College of the Florida Keys will soon have a new home for its Upper Keys Center with a brand new 38,000 square-foot building in Key Largo. Though COVID-19 caused the cancellation of a groundbreaking celebration in April, excitement nevertheless mounted this spring as the site of the old Shell World building at MM106 was cleared and prepped for its new purpose. In September, construction officially commenced. Fences wrapped in brightly colored banners now proudly display images of the College’s future home to travelers on the busy Overseas Highway.

CFK’s new Upper Keys Center is set to open its doors in August 2021. With it comes a wealth of educational, workforce, and economic opportunities for the people in northern Monroe County. The College plans to expand several programs in the upper Keys: Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Marine Environmental Technology, Marine Resource Management, Public Safety (law enforcement and corrections academies), Construction Technologies Apprenticeships, and Project ACCESS, a program for students with intellectual disabilities. In addition, the College plans to develop new programs at the facility including: Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, and Dental Hygiene.

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The expanded space will allow twice as many students to comfortably study, learn, and grow. The facility features seven classrooms, two nursing labs, one bio-chemical lab, a 150-seat auditorium, three apprenticeship labs, a testing center, and a library. There are also student and employee lounges, a student activities room, and a patio deck. In preparation for the possibility of a major storm, there is a generator as well as a staging area for a fuel tanker to park, which could help with fuel re-stocking for the entire island chain.

Unlike that scenic highway location where the Upper Keys Center will reside, the road leading to the development of the much-needed community asset has been long, winding, and sometimes bumpy. Committed to the task, CFK President Dr. Gueverra and his team rallied support from federal, state, and local government entities as well as businesses, nonprofits, and private citizens. In 2019, a $16 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) provided the major funding boost needed to make this shared community dream a reality.

Stay tuned on the CFK’s social media pages to follow the progress of construction. In the meantime, prospective students can apply on the College’s website at CFK.edu to be a part of the first class of students at the new Upper Keys Center in the Fall 2021 semester.

Donor Spotlight

Super Hero:

Ocean Reef Community Foundation F

or more than 55 years, The College of the Florida Keys has continuously evolved to meet the growing need for higher education in Monroe County. Covering a service area of 126 miles (the length of the Keys), the College has worked to maximize its impact and relevance to the economies and needs of each population center in the Keys. In evaluating the needs of CFK’s service areas, it became clear that a stand-alone facility in the upper Keys was critical to the success of our students, the College, and the community’s workforce demand.

Since 2013, the College’s quest has developed through various stages from feasibility studies and educational programs review to location selection and funding consideration. Over this evolution, one important group emerged that shared the College’s vision for higher education in the Upper Keys, understood the importance of community, and was ready to “roll up their sleeves” and work toward supporting the goal of a new center in Key Largo. This extraordinary group was the Ocean Reef Community Foundation and its members.

For them and their work, the College is forever grateful.

From the left: ORCF Vice President Stephen Woodsum, CFK Vice President of Advancement Dr. Frank Wood, CFK President Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, and ORCF Grants Committee Chair Janie Sims.

Ocean Reef Community Foundation (ORCF) and their resident-supporters have a long rich history of providing critical support to numerous non-profit organizations in the Keys and south Miami-Dade County. The spirit of charity and desire to maximize the impact of giving motivated Ocean Reef members to establish the Ocean Reef Community Foundation in 1994. ORCF’s Community Grants Program funds dozens of worthy charities in the interest areas of Education, Youth, Health & Family Services, and Community in the Upper Keys, Homestead, and Florida City each spring. Including 2020 grants, the program has donated more than $11 million to improve the quality of life in the communities where Ocean Reef employee families live since the All Charities collaboration began in 2008.

For Monroe County, Ocean Reef Community is one of the largest employers and CFK is the largest provider of higher education. A partnership between the two was a natural fit.

In recent years, ORCF has supported the College’s needs for nursing lab equipment, welding education infrastructure, “Game-Changer” scholarships, apprenticeship scholarships, and most recently capital support for the Upper Keys Center.

Upon the College’s selection and purchase of the site for the Upper Keys Center, a dedicated leadership group emerged from within the Ocean Reef Community. Under the leadership of William Nutt, ORCF’s Chairman, a group of education-minded philanthropists, comprised of Alan Goldstein, Jim Anderton, Bill Parfet, Michael Berman, Steve Markel, Thomas Davidson, and Ed Hajim, answered the call to assist the College and launched an effort to raise funds. Based on the work of this extraordinary group and the Ocean Reef Community Foundation, the College recently received a $1.2 million contribution toward the Center and a pledge of another $1.2 million.

This generous support combined with a Federal EDA grant awarded to the College, CFK Foundation support, and other private assistance reaches a total of $20 million, the cost to complete the Center. Hats off to the Ocean Reef Community and all who have worked to make this dream come true.

The College looks forward to a long productive partnership to benefit our students and our community.

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Faculty Research

Clawing for From the desk of Angelo Jason Spadaro, PhD Assistant Professor, Marine Science & Technology

Coral reefs are some of the most beautiful and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. They only cover ~0.6% of the seafloor — an area roughly the size of Colorado — but they harbor between 25% and 33% of all marine species.

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ore species occur on coral reefs than just about any other type of habitat.

They protect our coastlines and provide more than one billion people with food and livelihoods. They give us oxygen to breath and new medicines in the fight against cancer and other diseases. Coral reefs are inherently tied to the persistence of human existence on planet Earth. Unfortunately, however, coral reefs are in trouble.

Climate change, rising sea surface temperatures, and ocean acidification are all chronic global threats to corals. Add to that, local and regional stresses such as coastal nutrient pollution, endocrine disruptors, anchor damage, groundings, overfishing, marine diseases, increasingly destructive hurricane seasons, and many others… and the fate of coral reefs becomes increasingly uncertain. In fact, coral reef ecology has become an often bleak and depressing field of study. Imagine

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watching the ecosystems you have grown up admiring, and even dedicated your professional life to studying, rapidly deteriorate amid a fusillade of humaninduced insults — not fun. What does a degraded coral reef ecosystem look like?

Unfortunately, here in the Florida Keys, all we need to do to answer that question is visit our backyard.

The Florida Reef Tract — the third largest barrier reef system on the planet – has undergone a steep decline over the last half-century. Unfortunately, that trend has only worsened. Numerous groups, including Mote Marine Laboratory, the Coral Restoration Foundation, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, The Nature Conservancy, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and countless others are scrambling to address the degradation of our iconic coral reef ecosystems through restoration

Coral and management. Typically, these groups have focused heavily on “direct” or “active” restoration which involves planting live corals in places where they once grew naturally — often referred to as “gardening” corals. Indeed, much of the theory behind coral restoration comes from silviculture — the growing and cultivation of trees. However, any gardener knows that successful gardening doesn’t stop when the trees are planted.

Both trees and corals compete with weeds.

In the sea, those “weeds” are algae. It may have been some time since you’ve taken a biology course, but we all know that green stuff carries out photosynthesis and photosynthesis is how we get oxygen, right?

Correct — photosynthesis takes carbon dioxide and water molecules using sunlight and produces simple sugars and oxygen as byproducts. However, when you’ve got too much photosynthesis going on and

not enough critters on the reef consuming those sugars…bacteria, including all of the nasty ones (and plenty that become nasty when their numbers get out of control), are able to bloom. What is normally a positive or neutral relationship between corals and microbes quickly shifts to a negative interaction — those microbial communities burn up the available oxygen stressing corals which are then easy marks for the increasingly abundant disease-causing microbes. It’s a nasty cascade of bad news for corals.

It's easy to say that algae are bad for coral reefs, but that’s not entirely true. Algae are essential to coral reef communities. They’re among the most important primary producers, they are how coral reefs capture solar energy and transmit it into the coral reef community.

Without them, coral reefs could not be as diverse and abundant as they are.

Top photo: This large Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) colony, located just off the west end of Carrie Bow Cay in Belize, is reminiscent of those that used to span most of the reefs in the Keys and south Florida.

Inset photo: CFK Marine Science Professor Dr. Angelo “Jason” Spadaro.

However, it’s a delicate balancing act.

On the one hand, you need enough critters eating green stuff (herbivores) to keep algae grazed — kind of like how you mow your lawn and weed your garden to keep it from being over-grown. But you also need just enough nitrogen and phosphorous in the water to keep algae going, but not so much that they get out of hand — I’m sure every gardener has over-fertilized their lawn or garden at some point and seen the weeds take advantage of it rather than the plants it was intended for.

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Faculty Spotlight

Well, in your garden or lawn, it’s a relatively easy fix. You pull the weeds and leave the plants you’re gardening.

In the sea, it’s a bit more complicated. It would be impractical for us to go out and physically remove excess algae from the reef — trust me, it’s a much bigger job than it sounds. Besides, there are a bunch of critters (herbivores) in the reef community whose job it is to eat all of that algae.

One issue facing reefs is that there’s too much space available for algae to grow and fewer and fewer herbivores around to consume the excess.

In many places, including Florida, there are now laws against harvesting many of those herbivores. Bans on landing Parrotfish are now commonplace throughout the Caribbean. We’ve also tried for more than 35 years to re-populate Caribbean reefs with the Long Spined Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum), a once abundant grazer whose populations collapsed in the early 1980s after a pandemic swept through the Caribbean region. Unfortunately, neither strategy has been able to keep up with the proliferation of algae on Caribbean reefs. Enter the Caribbean King Crab (Maguimithrax spinosissimus).

These mammoth spider crabs occur naturally throughout the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and along the Florida Reef Tract, but they’re not very common in most areas. They may look menacing, but they’re mostly vegetarian. In fact, not only do they eat a lot of algae — more than most 14

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parrotfish species! — but they also eat some of the really nasty chemically-defended algae that other herbivores tend to avoid.

In a series of experiments that I conducted on patch reefs in the Middle Keys several years ago, the crabs reduced algae cover (the percentage of the reef surface covered in algae) by more than 85% in just 10-12 months! These were fairly spectacular results, so I replicated the study on another set of patch reefs off of Islamorada near Cheeca Rocks to make sure that the results were reproducible — and they were!

Next, the Smithsonian Institution and INAPESCA (the Mexican fisheries research institution) replicated my study on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off Mexico and Belize and once again, the crabs significantly reduced the cover of algae on the reefs where they were added. Three separate, independent experiments all confirmed our results — adding crabs works! It was more than that, though. After the crabs removed the algae, I found that more juvenile corals survived and there were more fish and more variety of fish around reefs that had crabs added than around control reefs (no crabs). Here, we’ve got the makings of a big boost to our reef’s algae problem and a way to help facilitate coral restoration efforts.

There’s a catch, though.

The crabs are excellent grazers, but there aren’t many of them on the reef. A big bottleneck to “scaling up” and trying this on a grander scale in support of coral restoration is the question of — where do

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we get the crabs? We’re hoping the answer is aquaculture. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has included these crabs in their Mission: Iconic Reefs initiative.

They have estimated a need for more than 28,000 crabs for the seven Iconic Reefs — take it from me, that is a tall order!

Luckily, the crabs are excellent candidates for mariculture — their larval period is very short, they’re mostly herbivorous, and they grow relatively quickly. This is the focus of our work at The College of the Florida Keys — developing efficient and sustainable aquaculture protocols for producing crabs to support the restoration of coral reefs in Florida and the Caribbean.

CFK is working closely with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) to both produce crabs and test their effects on transplanted corals in a number of habitat types in the lower Florida Keys.

CFK students are currently engaged in running several laboratory experiments on campus to determine what effects diet (i.e., algal species) and environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pH, oxygen concentrations, salinity) have on larval and juvenile crab development. The College is also currently working with the FKNMS and our partners at Mote Marine Laboratory to initiate a series of field experiments to test the effect of aquacultured and wild caught crabs on algae and on out-planted corals in several different reef habitat types south of the lower Florida Keys. These experiments are only the tip of the iceberg on a growing research program focused on facilitating restoration efforts along the Florida Reef Tract — primarily the FKNMS Mission: Iconic Reefs initiative — and on using research as a tool for training the next generation of coral reef scientists and technicians. We are very lucky at The College of the Florida Keys to have the Florida Reef Tract as both a venue for research and as a literal classroom for teaching and doing marine science.

PHOTO CREDIT: MR. SCOTT JONES AND MR. ZACH FOLTZ, BOTH OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

Spadaro holding a large male Caribbean King Crab (Maguimithrax spinosissimus) during a trip with the Smithsonian Institution to Carrie Bow Cay in Belize.

Sports

Ready to Dive In:

Swim Team Kicks Off Collegiate Spor ts T

he College of the Florida Keys is eager to dive back into the pool of collegiate sports with its first-ever swim team after a 45-year absence on campus. With male and female athletes lined up, a junior Olympic-size swimming pool on campus, and a full-time coach in place, the southernmost college is in position to make a splash on the sports scene.

In 2019, the College became a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), which is key to operate and compete in sanctioned, structured athletic events. Since then, the College has embarked on a prescribed track to prepare for athletic recruitment, training, and competition. By 2022, the College should be eligible to join the ranks of colleges across the state and nation to compete for high-level recognition.

Due to setbacks caused by the pandemic, the College is awaiting clearance from the NJCAA to begin training for its inaugural spring season in 2021. When that time comes, CFK has a plan to ensure the safety of its student athletes as they enter the water. With ample outdoor space for social distancing and no contact required to compete, there is minimal risk associated with the sport of swimming.

Eventually, the College’s swim teams will compete in regular seasons against other Florida colleges and against colleges and universities from outside the South Florida region. Several such schools already travel to Key West (especially during the winter months) to train at the College’s Aquatics Center.

Leading CFK’s swim teams will be Coach Lori Bosco, the College’s Aquatics Director. Bosco has been managing the College’s pool for more than 20 years and also serves as the coach for the Key West High School swim team.

She possesses an infectious enthusiasm for the sport which is sure to inspire the future generations of swim teams that will represent The College of the Florida Keys!

Gracia Rojas (AS, Marine Env Tech), originally from Fort Myers, will be among the first athletes on CFK’s swim team.

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Brewing Success

Serving up hot coffee and fluffy biscuits, Amber Heimann (BAS, Sup & Mgt ’18) is flexing her business skills at her own coffee shop, A.M. Birds, with the business plan she developed at CFK.

CFK Means Business:

Rise & Shine

There is a new way to rise and shine in the Keys, and it started right here on The College of the Florida Keys campus.

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A

lumni Amber Heimann opened A.M. Birds at 301 Overseas Highway after the idea came to her while she was pursuing her Associate in Arts and Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degrees at CFK. A.M. Birds is an eclectic local coffee shop and bakery where you can get a jumpstart on your day and delicious biscuits.

It all started when Amber needed a project

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idea for her statistics class at CFK. Her idea was to use a large popular coffee company as a topic for research, since she thought necessary information for the business would be easily accessible. She also knew that local coffee shops were competition for the coffee giant, because of the more unique and familiar settings these offer. Amber felt drawn to the local coffee shops she frequented in Key West because of this.

Amber’s ideas developed more as she finished her A.A. and decided to pursue her B.A.S. as part of the first class of graduates in the bachelor’s degree program at CFK, where her campus community fostered her dream. In Dr. Frank Wood’s class, students were assigned a semester-long project on a business model of their choosing. “My parents had talked about buying a coffee shop down from the restaurant, and once my parents said that, I turned my whole assignment around,” Amber said. Because of this fortuitous moment, she used the coffee shop vision as the focus. With these ideas colliding, Amber’s vision was becoming a reality.

In the capstone course for the major, taught by CFK president, Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, Amber used her final semester to visualize what it was that she would do after she graduated. According to Gueverra, the assigned project was designed “to integrate

all that the students had learned and demonstrate proficiency and to prepare them for that next step in their life,” with the hope they will stay and contribute to our community. “This emphasis on getting them to look locally makes them feel like they’re part of something bigger.”

For this final project, too, Amber focused on coffee, unable to shake the feeling that she would thrive in this business.

This final reflection on her plans to pursue her business was reinforced with encouragement and guidance from her supportive parents. Amber was on her way!

When Amber graduated in 2018, she was chosen to deliver the student address at commencement. In that speech, she shared of her experience coming to CFK (then FKCC), “I quickly realized the difference at FKCC. The atmosphere is colorful and beautiful, teachers return your emails, know who you are, and there

are so many opportunities. You can take ceramics, scuba diving, business classes, you can even learn how to cook. You can find out what you like, helping you find your path. I know I found mine.” And clearly, Amber had found her path.

On September 4, 2019, A.M. Birds opened its doors to the Florida Keys, boasting delicious coffee drinks (of course), mouth-watering pastries, and fluffy biscuits.

Among the many who were there for a coffee and a biscuit and to celebrate this accomplishment were the friends Amber made in her business degree cohort. One even arrived before Amber, volunteering to get to work. “That comradery they have — they really support each other — it’s because of the manner in which we teach them,” says Gueverra. “By the time they get to the end of their programs, they aren’t just working in groups, they’re part of a team.”

The education has continued as Amber has put her ideas into practice. “Some nights I was leaving at 10:30 or 11:00.

By the time I showered and got into bed, I was already back up again. As time went on, it became more of a struggle because we were barely getting any rest.” But Amber embraced the experience, and in just a few months was turning a profit.

During the time of pandemic closures, A.M. Birds has been temporarily closed and using the time to make some improvements. When A.M. Birds reopens at the beginning of the new year, there will be kitchen upgrades, an extended coffee bar, and additions to the menu.

In her experience so far, Amber has been most proud of making a name for herself. “I became known as the biscuit girl,” Amber explains. “I went into a bar and a guy pointed at me and said ‘It’s the biscuit girl!’” It is a moniker she embraces as word spreads and this CFK graduate makes her education work for her.

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Donor Support

Change Lives & Invest in the Future

Left: Chrysla Dor (AA ’18), a graduate of Key West High School, earned an Associate in Arts with assistance from CFK’s Game Changer Scholar Program.

Below: Benefactor of the Student Ambassador Scholarship program, M. Pat Miller (center), is thanked by the students who earned the scholarships that he funded.

Support The College of the Florida Keys

T

oday is a great day to be a part of The College of the Florida Keys family.

Because of alumni, donors, and others who share our vision, CFK is poised now, more than ever, to play an even greater role in changing the lives of our students and our community! Never before have CFK students had such extensive access to programs that enrich their college education beyond the classroom. For example, CFK students have worked with NASA to develop robotics, with Mote Marine to conserve and restore the coral reef, with local businesses to become certified “journey workers,” with the Lodging Association to train the local tourism workforce, and even a collaboration between four CFK programs to win the National Marine Energy Collegiate Competition “Moonshot” Award.

Further, CFK continues to educate aspiring students through rigorous associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees taught by world-class faculty.

CFK’s programs in Nursing, Business, Marine Sciences and Engineering, Hospitality and Ecotourism, Law Enforcement, Construction Apprenticeships, and EMT/Paramedic continue to produce students who will soon be responsible for maintaining and growing our local economy.

In the face of rising costs and the COVID-19 Pandemic, CFK’s firm commitment to keep education attainable has been demonstrated by no tuition increases. CFK’s alumni, friends, and community partners have a great tradition of helping students succeed, thanks in part to the support of CFK’s Annual Fund and scholarships.

The College needs your support today! We must continue to bridge the gap between deserving students’ financial need and their higher education.

The College of the Florida Keys invites you to make a tax-deductible contribution online at www.cfk.edu/discover/cfk-foundation or mail your contribution to: The College of the Florida Keys Foundation, 5901 College Road, Key West, FL 33040.

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CASH

Cash gifts make an immediate impact and enhance scholarship and program support.

The College is especially grateful for gifts of unrestricted cash because they allow flexibility when needs arise for which other funds have not been allocated. These gifts can be made online or by checks made payable to the CFK Foundation.

GIFT PLANNING

These include gifts from wills, trusts and life insurance. Through these deferred gifts, individuals can ensure the continued strength of CFK. Such gifts enable the College to make long-range plans in support of its academic mission and goals.

MATCHING GIFTS

Many corporations have matching gift programs for their employees and retirees. Please contact the CFK Foundation for current details on matching gift programs.

NAMED GIFT OPPORTUNITIES

The CFK Foundation offers many opportunities to those who wish to associate a family name or the name of a respected individual with the College.

Significant gifts may provide an opportunity to name a building or facility at the College in accordance with the donor’s wishes. An outright gift or planned gift may be used to create a named-endowment fund, which in perpetuity will honor and memorialize the names placed on it.

OUTRIGHT GIFTS

Gifts of cash, securities, real estate or tangible property with intelligent planning often result in greater benefits for the donor, the donor’s family and CFK. All outright gifts are tax deductible and, if made from capital, have the potential of reducing taxes. Gifts and pledges may be unrestricted or earmarked for programs and purposes chosen by the donor.

PLEDGES

A commitment to the CFK Foundation may be paid over a period of one to five years. The periodic payments may be made in the form of cash or appreciated property, such as securities. Many people find that by spreading payments over a period of time, they can make a larger commitment.

SECURITIES, REAL ESTATE, AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY HELD SHORT-TERM Gifts of securities, real estate and personal property (related or unrelated to CFK’s educational purpose) held less than a year are deductible at their cost basis.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the creation of a scholarship or endowment, please contact Dr. Frank Wood, Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Executive Director, at 305-809-3287 or foundation@cfk.edu.

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Donor Spotlight From left: Dylan Moore, Sky Moore, David Curry, Annette Robertson-Curry, Atlantis Hofstetter, Hunter Slate.

Annette and David Curry E

CFK’s Unsung Heroes

ach is a model supporter for the causes they hold near.

Together, they are an unstoppable force who have demonstrated year after year that inspiring passion, hard work, and creativity can produce change for good. The two are Annette and David Curry, and The College of the Florida Keys is proud to call them friends.

Annette Robertson-Curry began her association with The College of the Florida Keys more than ten years ago. CFK Marine Science supporters will remember her well from Shark Expo activities on campus at Tennessee Williams Theatre. She could be seen orchestrating numerous activities such as organizing world-renowned marine artist Wyland painting Sumis to support scholarships, while simultaneously auctioning a Jimmy Buffet autographed Land Shark branded surfboard. She is imaginative and tireless and the fruits of her labor benefit the students of the College.

Her enthusiasm for the College’s marine programs is a natural extension of her love for the ocean, the reef, and photography.

In 2013 The College of the Florida Keys selected Annette as the “Unsung Hero” for her ongoing dedication to their “Shark Expo” and marine science scholarships. Later that year, Annette joined

the College’s Foundation Board where she has served as Vice President and now, President.

Annette’s infectious enthusiasm inspired David to join in support of CFK. Over the past twenty years of owning businesses in the Florida Keys, David immediately saw how the growth of CFK was a great asset to our community. It was only natural for him to join Annette's commitment to support the college. David is the principal owner of Hobbs & Curry Family Limited Partnership, a real estate investment company which owns hotels. In addition to CFK, he has generously supported other causes as well. Both Annette and David love the ocean and are avid scuba divers.

The Curry’s impact on the College’s largest annual fundraiser, The Seaside Soiree, is unequivocal. For the past four years, the Curry’s Islander Resort in Islamorada has become home to Swords & Tails, a magical night of swashbuckling and splashy fun to benefit CFK. Each year’s event has grown in size and funds raised. In fact, the most recent Soiree generated $100,000 for CFK students and programs. Note: plans are underway for the 2021 Swords & Tails — A Seaside Soiree. Watch for details and don’t miss the fun.

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Shoot for the Moon National Award

CFK students’ “Neptune Rising” wins national Marine Energy Collegiate Competition “Moonshot” award.

S

hoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars,” so goes the quote from famed motivational speaker Les Brown.

Eleven CFK students aimed straight for the proverbial moon with their bold entry in the first-ever “Powering the Blue Economy” national Marine Energy Collegiate Competition.

Their “Neptune Rising” proposal conceptualizes a massive floating power production and aquaculture (fish farming) operation that could generate $15 billion in revenue, light up most of south Florida with clean power, and alleviate multiple environmental problems along the way. The CFK team — the only team from a state college — beat out top-name research universities to win the “‘Moonshot’ award” for their design.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the contest was created to encourage bright young minds to develop theoretical technology to power the emerging “blue economy,” a term that refers to the interplay between economic, social, and ecological sustainability of the ocean.

Under the mentorship of CFK Chief Science & Research Officer Dr. Patrick Rice and Hydrokinetic Energy Corp.

CEO Walter Schurtenberger, a cross-section of students — specializing in renewable energy engineering, marine science, aquaculture, and business — collaborated over the course of eight months on the project. They set out to address multiple ecological problems: climate change and ocean acidification caused by fossil fuel production; damages to the marine ecosystem caused by poorly-managed offshore aquaculture; and the growing need for sustainable global food production.

Their work began with numerous group meetings on the Key West Campus, but the pandemic forced them to utilize technology to unite online to complete the project. Despite the challenges, the team fine-tuned operation details, engineered equipment, estimated energy and aquaculture production output, and calculated financial projections. Their ultimate Neptune Rising proposal addresses each problem they set out to alleviate and with an initial estimated startup cost of $900 million, the operation would turn a profit of $15 billion after 30 years (the expected lifespan of the man-made offshore floating facility).

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AQUACULTURE

The marine aquaculture component in Neptune Rising would allow the cultivation of multiple fish and organisms in a single, integrated system where one species feeds off the waste of the other, exactly like in nature.

CORAL AQUACULTURE

Research by Madeline Ticer (AS, Marine Env Tech) Multiple species of coral raised would be donated to local coral reef restoration and sold in the aquarium trade Estimated annual revenue: $6.7M tax write-off

SEAWEED SECTOR

Research by Jesse Appelhans (AS, Marine Env Tech ’20) Seaweed would provide food for the fish, system filtering, and would be sold as a methane-reducing feed for cattle farming Estimated annual revenue: $46M

BLUEFIN TUNA PEARL OYSTER CULTURE

Research by Sarah Dunlop (AS, Marine Env Tech) Oysters filter the system while their meat would feed the fish and their pearls would be sold to jewelers Estimated annual revenue: $23.2M

Research by Jaqueline Howell (AS, Marine Env Tech ‘20) and Travis Knorr (AS, Marine Env Tech ’18; BS, Marine Res Mgt) Bluefin Tuna, the most valuable fish in the sea, would be sold to seafood markets Estimated annual revenue: $25.3M

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Neptune Rising is designed to harness multiple forms of marine renewable energy to generate enough clean power to run the entire operation AND light up the entire Florida Keys and much of South Florida.

HYDROKINETIC ENERGY CONVERTERS

Research by Cody Moore (AS, Eng Tech- Ren Energy ’20) and Jason Heath (AS, Eng Tech- Ren Energy) Two converters, one submerged and the other above the surface, are capable of a continuous output of 23 MW of electricity Estimated annual revenue: $38.7M

The CFK student-created Neptune Rising project conceptualizes an offshore marine aquaculture (fish farming) and power production operation.

The 600-meter by 125-meter floating facility is designed to function in the waters of the Florida Current, approximately 35 kilometers due south of Key West, FL.

OCEANIC THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION (OTEC)

Research by Travis Knorr (AS, Marine Env Tech ’18; BS, Marine Res Mgt), Jason Heath (AS, Eng Tech- Ren Energy), and Dr. Patrick Rice (CFK Chief Science & Research Officer) Capable of over 100 MW of continuous electric energy output Estimated annual revenue: $124.2M

OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY AND SOLAR

Research by Heidi Sequeira (AS, Eng TechRen Energy ’20) and Brian DeSanti (former CFK Research Assistant and Ph.D. student at Texas Tech University) Wind and solar will offset operational energy needs Estimated annual revenue: $540K

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The Arts

ReincarnenatintieoFn lowers

al By: Caeley V

Poetic Reincarnation Student Caeley Flowers Wins First Elizabeth Bishop Poetry Prize.

O

n a quiet night sitting on the edge of campus, overlooking the dark water and its occasional ripple, you might think it was a scene from Lagoon Landing Residence Hall that Elizabeth Bishop described when she wrote, “After dark, the fireflies map the heavens in the marsh/ until the moon rises.” So it goes with many of Bishop’s Key West-inspired poems.

So it is not surprising that many student writers at The College of the Florida Keys are writing poems inspired by these same surroundings and their experiences in their time as students here.

It seems fitting, then, to honor Bishop’s legacy on our campus, where many students pursue their interests in writing inside and outside of the classroom, with the Elizabeth Bishop Poetry Prize. The prize was the idea of The Key West Elizabeth Bishop Committee in order to cultivate a deeper awareness of Bishop’s place in Key West’s literary history and to recognize the role that CFK students have in that same literary history. The awards for first place and runner-up were made possible by the generous support 22

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d sisters since fire an rs he ot br en be ve We’ morning s and cut hair since sts since noon oe sh n or w ve e’ W fore nes and smoked the We’ve broken bo hands of our father the We’ve eaten from and sisters since fire rs We’ve been brothe seven t the light from the ou ab ed lk ta r ve ne We’ve ntains ked the crystal mou ac cr r ve ne ve e’ W sed the river We’ve never cros it’s getting colder d an e, tim is th all e We’ve been awak fire rs and sisters since he ot br en be ve row e’ W I’ll see you tomor t bu , w no e os cl es My ey often, d from Earth so an to en be ve e’ W aven.

This has to be he

of Rosanne Potter and Bill McCarthy in conjunction with the committee.

In 2020 the first annual contest for the Elizabeth Bishop Poetry Prize was held. The first place award is for a remarkable poem written and submitted by a current CFK student, and a second entry is awarded as runner-up. The 2020 winner was Caeley Valentine Flowers (AS, Marine Env Tech ’20; BS, Marine Res Mgmt) for her poem, “Reincarnation,” which observes landscapes and uses repetition in order to investigate the speaker’s sense of place. Flowers received the prize of $100 and will read her poem at the Elizabeth Bishop Committee’s annual Elizabeth Bishop Birthday Celebration.

Flowers’s poem was chosen from many applicants by this year’s guest judge, former Key West Poet Laureate Flower Conroy.

Conroy is the author of Snake-Breaking Medusa Disorder, winner of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies 2018 Stevens Prize for Poetry, as well as “Facts About Snakes & Hearts,” “The Awful Suicidal Swans,” and “Escape to Nowhere.”

Conroy also chose Kaitlyn Ricci’s poem, “Awareness,” as this year’s runner-up.

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As creative writing faculty, director of the CFK Poetics series, and the advisor for the Creative Writing Club, Dr. Emily Weekley worked with the Elizabeth Bishop Committee to bring the contest to the CFK campus. This contest only adds to the enthusiasm for poetry on campus, where verse is celebrated in many ways throughout the year. For over a decade, an annual open mic has been held on campus in celebration of National Poetry Month, and 2019 marked the inaugural season of CFK Poetics, a visiting writers series that brings national voices in poetry to CFK and is open to the community. Weekley is also a poet and the author of Rest in Black Haw. Bishop wrote many poems while she lived here that were stimulated by Key West imagery and that still resonate in the landscape. Our CFK students continue in the long tradition of Key West poets and writers, which makes this new recognition of the great deal of talent roaming our collective campuses so important. Bishop left her home on the island decades ago, but the inspirations for poetry are still alive at CFK.

By The Numbers

$21,179,669 The number of new Associate in Science in Nursing students in fall 2020, the largest class on record (average size is 30-40 students).

The number of applicants for the Fall 2020 semester, a record high at CFK.

The total amount of grant awards from 11 funding agencies during the 2019-20 fiscal year. Awards include $16 million to construct the new Upper Keys Center, over $3 million to expand programs in the Middle and Upper Keys, and over $1 million to improve students’ perception of STEM education and careers.

The number of recent major renovation projects on the Key West Campus. A lab in the B-building was converted to three classrooms and two areas in the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center were repurposed to respectively house the Institute for Public Safety and the Student Activities Office.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CARES ACT FUNDS GIVEN TO CFK FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF INCOME DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR LIVING EXPENSES.

THE YEAR THE COLLEGE OPENED.

The approximate number of fish bred in the CFK Aquaculture Lab. A large majority of which have been distributed to six academic institutions in four different states, while some find homes as pets in the Keys.

THE NUMBER OF STUDENT CLUBS, WHICH AIM TO CULTIVATE LEADERSHIP, SERVICE, AND CAREER INTERESTS AS WELL AS FUN.

The square footage of the College’s new Upper Keys Center, which is under construction in Key Largo.

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Career & Technical Education

Building Careers J

ust two years ago, Donald Chavez Moreno was piping frosting on cakes as a baker at Publix. Today, he is piping conduit (among other duties) as an Electrician’s Apprentice for Check Electric, LLC during the day and studying the trade at The College of the Florida Keys in the evenings.

While Donald enjoyed his work as a baker, he felt unfulfilled professionally and financially. He was long interested in figuring out how things worked and had a knack for hands-on projects. More importantly though, he wanted a career that would financially provide for the future of his growing family.

Donald, a Key West High School graduate, and his wife, Adinay, had just welcomed a baby boy, Adrien (now 1), joining their older son, Aidan (now 4).

A friend of Donald’s, who is a Master Electrician, suggested the electrical trade as a smart career move and encouraged him to enter CFK’s Electrical Apprenticeship program. Classes would be free, and he would earn a paycheck (with built-in raises) while gaining real-world experience. Donald was convinced by the “earn while you learn” model and enrolled in CFK’s Construction Technologies Apprenticeship program.

Donald was placed with Check Electric in Key West, under the tutelage of veteran electrician Ron Leonard. Leonard is also the chair of the College’s Apprenticeship Advisory Committee and an instructor.

“Donald sets an example for his classmates as well as his colleagues who have been in the business for years. No matter what task he’s given, you can be sure it’s done right, it’s done neatly, and it’s done safely,” said Leonard.

In turn, Donald credits his classes for helping him excel on the job. “Mr. Leonard teaches the code book really well. I actually understand what I am doing and why when I go to work each day because of what we do and discuss in class.”

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Learning concepts in class while developing practical skills on the job is just as important to the businesses that sponsor apprentices as it is to the apprentices themselves. “In a field where inexperience could cost a business its reputation or worse, serious injury, it’s more attractive for a company to hire and train a new employee who is also studying concepts and safety in a class setting,” said Leonard.

In addition to electricians, CFK trains plumbers, carpenters, and HVAC technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, professionals in these fields earn approximately $48,000 to $56,000 annually, on average, and job growth is expected. Meanwhile, in the Keys and across the nation, contractors struggle to hire and retain enough workers to keep up with demand.

The need to grow the local construction workforce was exacerbated by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Residences and businesses throughout the Keys required repair and re-building, but local contractors were hard-pressed to find enough employees with the necessary skills to get the job done.

Quick to respond to community needs, the College collaborated with local government and local contractors as well as Florida’s Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor to develop training programs.

Initially, the College launched its Construction Technologies Apprenticeships in Key West in 2018. And with a $2,553,653 boost from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program, CFK is extending the opportunities to the middle and upper Keys in 2021.

“Employees are hard to come by in our specific field,” said Mary Roth, Office Manager of Rex Air, a local air conditioning service company in Islamorada. “It seems like more kids are going for traditional college

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degrees and not seeing that they can make good money and have solid careers in a trade.”

An early advocate for the College’s Apprenticeship programs, Roth coordinated the effort for Rex Air to sponsor several HVAC apprentices who will start this January. Notably, among the first class of upper Keys apprentices will be her son, Payton, a senior at Coral Shores High School. Payton’s summertime job at Rex Air sparked his interest in HVAC. He will begin taking classes in the evenings in January and add the on-the-job-training component after he graduates from high school.

Upon successful program completion, an apprentice earns the title of “journey worker,” a four-level certification by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), as well as a nationally-recognized Completion of Apprenticeship certificate by the State of Florida.

Unlike most graduates who embark on a job search after graduation, apprentices are already years into a career, have a robust resume, and have earned raises by the time they receive their diploma. They are well poised to advance to management positions or continue training to start their own practice.

For Donald, his apprenticeship experience thus far has motivated him to set his sights on ultimately becoming a Master Electrician.

And he is looking forward to the challenge with confidence, saying “Once you are doing what you love, you can get there.”

Electrical apprentice Donald Chavez Moreno (left) checks an electrical panel with guidance from Ron Leonard (right), CFK instructor and Check Electric supervisor.

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Alumni Unite!

Connections

E

xciting changes have occurred over the past decades for the College and we know the same is true for our Alumni. The College’s impact now spans the globe with our alumni positioned throughout America and the world. A high-priority goal of the College is to unite all of our Alumni and create a network where graduates can stay in touch with the College and each other. Fun events are in the works, which include a College Homecoming in Key West and gatherings in other regions once it is safe to come together again, as well as a variety of online connections.

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Help the College connect the dots by helping us to connect with you. Please visit www.cfk.edu/alumni-update-form to update your

current contact

information and to

share new life events, accomplishments,

awards and career news with us and

the CFK Community.

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School Spirit

The Bonds that Unite Us

1

From sports and social events to community service and leadership development activities, CFK pride runs deep on campus and well beyond!

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4

2

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1. Sister and brother Assephia Libera (AA ’19) and Mackendy Libera (AA ’17; BAS, Sup & Mgt ’19) prepare for CFK’s Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremony. 2. Ceramics students, Daniel Davila (AA), Kyle Nantkes (AA), Lizabeth Hernandez (AA), show off the stoneware pottery they created for the Mud-Pi Ceramics Club fundraiser in February.

3. CFK nursing graduates Valeria Reyes (AS, Nursing ’20) and Natalia Adorno (AS, Nursing ’20) ride through a socially distanced drive-by celebration held by Lower Keys Medical Center in May. 4. The graduates of CFK’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy #73 masked up for their graduation in September. 5. CFK graduates Joanne Sanon (AS, Bus ’20), Naomi Fritz (BAS, Sup & Mgt), and Amelia Rutledge (AS, Marine Env Tech ’19) decorate their graduation caps in December. 6. Davon Rorie (AS, Marine Env Tech ’20) paints a Halloween cat at a “Paint and Sip (grape juice)” student event in October.

7. Graduate Nolan Schott (AS, Marine Env Tech ’19; BAS, Sup & Mgt ‘19) receives his diploma from President Dr. Jonathan Gueverra at the Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremony.

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On the Front

CFK COVID-19 Heroes

CFK alumni take more than just knowledge, skills, and sun-soaked memories along with their diploma. Living and learning on an island chain — separated from “real world” conveniences like Target, and in the path of tropical storms and hurricanes — CFK students develop a strong sense of community and the importance of lending a helping hand.

This spring, when the coronavirus pandemic usurped our daily lives, we saw those qualities radiate in the CFK family.

Alumni, students, and employees have provided — and are still providing — heroic services on the front lines in a variety of professions. This segment salutes just a few of many who deserve gratitude, recognition, and emulation.

Tina Carr

Meghan Foster (BLE ’20)

Senior Vice President and Loan Servicing Manager / First State Bank of the Florida Keys

Since she was a girl, Meghan Foster knew she wanted to be a police officer. She watched her father’s struggles take him in and out of jail throughout her childhood. While such painful events may traumatize some people, Meghan found motivation. She decided that she wanted to help people and contribute to the “right side of the law.” The Coral Shores High School graduate set a plan to reach her goal before her 20th birthday.

Meghan joined the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s (MCSO) Civilian Reserve Volunteer program in 2019 after participating in a ride-along with a deputy she met while waitressing at Hobo’s Café in Key Largo. Soon, she was spending her weekends on ride-alongs that spanned day and night — soaking up the real-world experience and learning from multiple mentors.

During the week, she formally trained in CFK’s rigorous Basic Law Enforcement Academy — studying law, communications, firearms, and vehicle operations.

When the pandemic hit, Meghan asked to help at the US1 checkpoint. The checkpoint was set up at Monroe County’s northern border to limit the number of people entering the Keys so as to protect residents from the initial spread. She joined MCSO from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the grueling heat — all while balancing her evening classes. She racked up 180 hours working the checkpoint, which earned her MCSO’s Reserve Deputy of the Quarter award.

Meghan graduated from CFK in October.

During the ceremony, she was sworn in as a new MCSO officer — officially joining the force and embarking on her dream career.

(AS, Fin Mgmt ’81)

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy

At the onset of the pandemic, as jobs were being lost, businesses closed, and incomes restricted, many wondered how they would put food on the table, let alone pay their bills. CFK alumnus Tina Carr, who serves as Senior Vice President and Loan Servicing Manager for First State Bank of the Florida Keys (FSB), headed up the team that immediately jumped into action creating two loan deferral programs allowing hundreds of Monroe County bank customers six months of breathing room, in a world in which they were otherwise scared to take a breath.

Tina also was a part of FSB’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) team that processed almost 1,000 loans (26% of all PPP loans in the Keys). These loans provided over $50 million in desperately needed funding to local businesses, and thus to their employees, impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown.

A native of Key West, Tina joined FSB in 1975 as a Switchboard Operator after graduating from Mary Immaculate High School. She earned an Associate in Science in Financial Management at CFK in 1981, helping her to climb the ladder in her banking career. This year, Tina celebrated 45 years of service to FSB as well as the Keys community.

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In its 55-year history, The College of the Florida Keys has cultivated legions of graduates who set forth from the tiny island campus to make their mark on the world.

Amy Dees

Carmen Garcia

Respiratory Therapist / Lower Keys Medical Center

Regional Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager / American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region

Since the first ventilator went up at Lower Keys Medical Center (LKMC), Amy Dees has led respiratory care in the ICU as coronavirus infiltrated the Keys. Although still in the final semester of her nursing degree, the Navy wife and mother was well-qualified for the challenge. With over 21 years of critical care experience, she has cared for patients during SARS, Swine Flu, Avian Flu, and other outbreaks in various locations.

Amy considered putting school on hold. She was working days and nights at the hospital to keep a watchful eye on her patients. While an academic break would have been understandable during such trying times, her fellow nursing students and instructors rallied behind her. They helped her study and made sure she was eating. They sent her texts of encouragement as well as condolence.

Remarkably, Amy persevered and finished her associate degree in Nursing in May and became a Registered Nurse in June.

She continues to fight COVID-19 at LKMC. She also works for the state of Florida in a COVID-19 crisis relief program that deploys Respiratory Therapists and Nurses to struggling hospitals.

Since March, Amy has spent weeks at hospitals in Miami and Boynton Beach caring around the clock for critical patients on ventilators and life support.

The horrors of the pandemic have only driven Amy to do more and give more. In August, she began her bachelor’s degree in Nursing at CFK. Somehow, she balances schoolwork with two jobs and caring for her two children while her husband is stationed overseas. The epitome of grace under fire, Amy is a hero and role model.

Fire, floods, and hurricanes wreak havoc throughout the world at increasing rates — leaving devastation and human suffering in their wake.

Valiantly, the American Red Cross deploys droves of volunteers to render aid and ease suffering in disaster zones year-round.

CFK alumnus Carmen Garcia leads a team of such heroes in Houston, Texas.

When the pandemic arrived, problems compounded for thousands of people in Carmen’s region, who were displaced, low-income, and still recovering from Hurricane Imelda, which made landfall in 2019. Committed to continuing their invaluable mission, she had to find ways to keep her volunteers safe as well as the families they were serving. Half of their operations moved to virtual and new safety protocols were established, requiring Carmen to quickly train dozens of volunteers in the new ways of delivering “hands-on” services in a new era of social distancing.

As Hurricane season ushered in storm after storm — Hannah, Laura, and Beta — Carmen and her team were ready to help.

They continued to provide shelter (now in individual hotel rooms instead of mass shelters) and continued to distribute food and emergency supplies (now packaged individually and delivered without contact) to the hard-hit communities.

Carmen is no stranger to humanitarianism. Before joining the Red Cross, she built upon her CFK degree (which she earned while still in high school) with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sustainability. After college, she returned home to work with the S.O.S. Foundation, which provides food to the most vulnerable people in the Keys. Her passion for helping people and solving food security crises eventually led her to the Red Cross, where she plans to contribute for years to come.

(ASN ’20, BSN)

(AA ’11)

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Community Ties

A Family Tradition From the left: Antonio Cardenas, Emelia Gutierrez Fernandez, Irene Fernandez-Cardenas, Isa Cardenas, Bill Cardenas, and Emi Cardenas.

Opportunities. Opportunities to learn.

Opportunities to grow. Opportunities to achieve.

Opportunities to give back.

F

or the Fernandez-Cardenas family, The College of the Florida Keys has opened the doors of opportunity for two generations, established a family tradition, and set pathways to home-grown success.

Between them, the proud Conch family has earned seven CFK diplomas and counting.

The matriarch of the family, Irene, an Operating Room Nurse at Lower Keys Medical Center (LKMC), earned an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Science in Nursing from CFK in 1985. She went on to Florida International University to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing before returning to Key West. Together with husband Bill, a retired Army Ranger and Paratrooper who now leads Section 8 for the Key West Housing Authority, raised three children: Emi, Antonio, and Isa.

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“For us, this College is very important to our family story,” said Irene. “My mom came from Cuba in 1958. She does not know how to read or write and never had the opportunity to go to college.” Despite her lack of formal schooling, Irene’s mother and “Abuela” of the family, Emelia Gutierrez Fernandez, was passionate about her daughter’s education. “She encouraged me to attend CFK and now we have done the same with our children.”

Oldest daughter, Emi, gives credit to her mother and grandmother for instilling the importance of higher education.

“I started taking college classes while I was a junior at Key West High School through the dual enrollment program.

I really liked the teachers and decided that I wanted to keep going and earn my degree at CFK.”

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Emi’s younger siblings, Antonio and Isa, joined her at CFK a year later. They too got their first taste of college through the dual enrollment program, which provides a tuition-free jump start to college for Monroe County high school students.

Together, the three Cardenas students were a force to be reckoned with on campus.

Highly engaged and high-achieving, the three supported and motivated each other with just the right amount of sibling rivalry.

All were Student Ambassadors, Student Government Association officers, and earners of multiple scholarships.

Emi earned an Associate in Arts followed by an Emergency Medical Technician diploma in 2017. That was not the end for Emi, though. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Emi then earned an associate degree in nursing at CFK this spring and embarked on a nursing career at LKMC shortly thereafter. In August, she began CFK’s bachelor’s in Nursing and continues to be involved on campus.

Antonio earned his Associate in Arts in 2018 and Isa earned hers in 2019. Both transferred to Florida Gulf Coast University, where they are studying finance. They still drop by campus for a round of “hellos” whenever they are visiting home and intend to return to the island permanently someday.

“We wanted to have our kids to have a sense of community. They could get their education here, work here, and build their lives here,” said their father Bill Cardenas. “Having them at home while they took classes gave them time to mature and helped us immensely to afford their education. They will complete nearly debt-free and prepared to give back to the community.”

“It’s a perfect little place to grow our little Conchs,” adds Irene. “CFK is family to us.”

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