Fall 2022 President's Perspective

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings, Raider family!

I am thrilled to be starting this academic year as we pursue our new mission of Going Beyond.

As Arthur C. Clarke once said, “The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them to the impossible.”

The College values its vital role in shaping students’ futures, which is why we introduced our new marketing campaign, BEYOND. This new campaign encourages our Raider family to think beyond the possible, dream beyond the reasonable, and go beyond the greatness of those who have gone before them as they discover new opportunities at Northwest Florida State College and pursue goals they never thought were attainable.

I strongly support this new theme, as my goal has always been to improve the lives in Northwest Florida by creating new opportunities and providing students with all the resources they need to succeed.

Our new mindset of Going Beyond has already been seen throughout the past couple of months as our students, faculty, and staff have gone beyond the classroom, campus, and College to positively impact this region.

Last month, the College kicked off the fall semester by welcoming 350 Collegiate High School students to the Niceville campus. Among these students were 50 individuals who belong to the inaugural 9th-grade class at CHS. We are eager to serve these new students and shape their futures as we provide them with free tuition and books, specialized fields of study, transferable college credit, expert instructors, and innovative programs that lead to successful careers upon completion of their high school experience.

The College was also pleased to receive a $186,480 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to cover student expenses for the College’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program. The CDL program is one of the

many ways the College improves lives throughout our region by providing Okaloosa and Walton country residents with opportunities to achieve economic prosperity through expanded career education. This new grant will assist our students as they pursue their career goals by covering tuition, books, and uniform costs for 26 students. It will also assist 20 additional individuals in attaining their CDL license by covering their testing fees.

The College focused on looking beyond the campus this past month as we recognized members of our Raider community. I was pleased to welcome new faculty and staff to NWFSC and to award some of our long-term employees with certificates of service at our Fall 2022 Convocation. Additionally, I was honored to introduce two new members to the College’s Board of Trustees. We are eager to work with Tanner Peacock, Dr. Jon Ward, and reappointed Chair Lori Kelley as we ensure this region’s economic future through highquality academic programming and a highly skilled workforce.

Finally, we have continued to look beyond the College as we have created opportunities for our community. We welcomed members of the community to the Niceville campus in August as our Culinary Department hosted its annual Pastry Showcase. The College also welcomed younger community members this past summer as we hosted Kids on Campus and the Raiders Basketball Camp.

I am pleased to share that our commitment to serving the community was recognized last month as we received the 2022 CLEP Honors National Military Achievement Award and were ranked among the top 10 safest college campuses in Florida.

We are honored to receive these distinctions and look forward to serving our students and community as we continue to Think, Dream, and Go Beyond.

Be on the lookout for more great news in the next President’s Perspective.

As always, thank you for being a part of our Raider family.

Dr. Devin Stephenson

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS APPOINTS THREE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of three members to Northwest Florida State College’s Board of Trustees in August.

Newly appointed member Jack “Tanner” Peacock of Santa Rosa Beach is a broker associate at Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty. He was appointed as a Walton County Planning Commissioner and is a member of both the National and Florida Associations of Realtors.

Also new to the board is Dr. Jon Ward. Dr. Ward is a dermatologist at Dermatology Specialists of Florida and the founder of Bay County Taxpayers, LLC. He is also a managing partner at Southeastern Dermatology Group and the legislative chairman of the Emerald Coast Medical Society.

Joining Peacock and Dr. Ward is reappointed Chairwoman Lori Kelley of Fort Walton Beach. Kelley is a certified public accountant at Warren Averett, LLC. She is the past national president of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance, and the past chair of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce.

“We look forward to welcoming Tanner Peacock and Dr. Jon Ward to the Board and are eager to continue our work with Chair Lori Kelley as we ensure this region’s economic future through high-quality academic programming and a highly-skilled workforce,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson.

DR.

NWFSC RECEIVES CDL GRANT FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Northwest Florida State College a grant of $186,480 to cover student expenses for the College’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program.

NWFSC’s eight-week CDL program prepares students to become Class A license holders by training them on how to complete full bumperto-bumper inspections, execute controlled-skills maneuvers, and drive vehicles on the road. Training is spread out over 320 hours in the classroom and on the driving pad. Students use a state-of-the-art simulator to practice in specific weather and traffic conditions and are taught how to respond to different scenarios.

The College established the CDL program and CDL testing site in 2020 after receiving a Pathways to Career Opportunities grant from the Florida Department of Education. The program provides Okaloosa and Walton County residents with opportunities to achieve economic prosperity through expanded career education. It also increases the number of individuals receiving commercial motor vehicle operator safety training and reduces the number of crashes on U.S. roads.

The new grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will cover tuition, books, and uniform expenses for 26 students who wish to complete the eight-week program, as well as testing fees for 20 additional students who need to test for their licenses and do not require training. The grant will also be used to serve current and former members of the armed forces and their families by providing them with superior safetyfocused training and placement services to assist them in becoming employed in the transportation industry.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers account for approximately one of every five jobs in the transportation and warehousing industry. The occupation is expected to grow over 8% nationwide and 21.85% in the Okaloosa and Walton Counties over the next 10 years.

“We are grateful for the Department of Transportation’s support as we work toward providing a trained workforce for the next generation,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “This grant will directly support our CDL students, providing them with the funding they need to pursue their career goals and dreams. We hope to continue to expand this program as we create more opportunities for our military community and underserved populations.”

NWFSC RANKS AMONG THE TOP 10 SAFEST COLLEGES IN FLORIDA

Northwest Florida State College has ranked among the top 10 safest college campuses in Florida, according to Niche.com.

The rankings for campus safety were established after evaluating campus and community crime rates, rates of violent crimes, and student surveys on crime. NWFSC ranked number 10 out of the 48 colleges and universities evaluated in 2022.

NWFSC Executive Director of Campus Safety and Security, Chief Aaron Murray, explained that the College’s investment in officer training and development has contributed significantly to its current ranking.

“In the last four years, we have developed a robust response capability and built great relationships with other public safety agencies in our region,” Chief Murray said. “We have added several technologies and installed additional cameras that vastly improve our ability to monitor situations and respond. We have also actively worked with multiple departments throughout the College on

emergency response training, including bleed control, active shooter responses, firearms safety, self-defense, and rape aggression defense training.”

Among the newly incorporated technologies are the Unmanned Aerial Systems. Last month, the College was recognized as one of 10 colleges in the United States to have implemented security drones to improve campus safety, and it is the first in the region to implement a four-member team that can respond to any campus location and launch an aircraft to assist with emergency responses.

The College has also implemented a FLIR SkyWatch Mobile Surveillance and Deterrence Tower, courtesy of Florida State University, which allows officers to have a bird’s eye view of outdoor events and identify security issues within a crowd; and the Raider Connect app, which turns cell phones into mobile alert devices. Once the Raider Connect app is activated, campus police officers and the emergency communications center are alerted for an immediate response. The app also provides users access to campus maps, emergency response plans, notifications, and safety training links.

“I am proud of our campus police for their efforts in making our College one of the safest in the state,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “This recognition is proof of our commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all of our students, faculty, and staff. We will continue prioritizing safety as we improve our capabilities and expand our Raider Safe Training Program.”

NWFSC RECEIVES 2022 CLEP HONORS

NATIONAL MILITARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Northwest Florida State College has been named a recipient of the 2022 CLEP Honors National Military Achievement Award.

The CLEP Honors Award recognizes College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test centers that administer high volumes of CLEP exams throughout the academic year. These exams enable students to earn college credit for introductory-level courses by achieving satisfactory scores on subjectspecific tests.

The CLEP program is administered by College Board, the same organization that administers the SAT required for admission at undergraduate institutions and colleges.

CLEP Honors Awards are presented in two categories to a set number of qualifying centers, and awards are given based on exams administered from July 1-June 30 of each academic year. Northwest Florida State College has been identified as a top 20 CLEP site for administering the highest CLEP exam volumes to DANTES-funded test takers during 2021-2022.

“We are honored to be recipients of the CLEP Honors National Military Achievement Award,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson.

“We recognize all of the sacrifices our service members make, and we are proud to support the military community as we provide them with opportunities to pursue their educational goals as they continue to serve our country.”

THE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL AT

WELCOMES INAUGURAL FRESHMAN CLASS

The Collegiate High School (CHS) at Northwest Florida State College opened its doors to 335 students last month as the 2022-2023 school year began. Among those walking the halls were 50 new students who belong to CHS’s inaugural freshman class. Last year, the Department of Education granted Northwest Florida State College $2 million through the Early College Career and Technical Education grant to expand its dual enrollment program at CHS. The grant enabled the school to extend its services to ninth-grade students, allowing new students to earn an Associate in Science degree while simultaneously earning their high school diploma. Students begin working toward their degrees by taking college-level courses during the first semester of their high school careers.

“We are grateful for the Department of Education’s support and are eager to start shaping the futures of this young generation as we provide them with free tuition and books, specialized fields of study, transferrable college credits, expert instructors, and innovative programs,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “The next four years will help prepare our students for a successful career after high school as they earn the knowledge, certifications, and skills they need to succeed.”

Think . Dream. Go.

NWFSC RANKS AMONG NATION’S MOST AFFORDABLE NURSING PROGRAMS

Northwest Florida State College’s Nursing program has ranked among the nation’s most affordable online RN to BSN programs, according to RNtoMSN.org. RNtoMSN.org ratings are determined by analyzing every college and university with online RN to BSN programs for per credit tuition numbers, mandatory credit minimums, hidden fees, one-off costs, and total estimated price. NWFSC was ranked as the fifth most affordable program out of over 500 institutions for the 2022-2023 academic year.

“We are pleased to receive this recognition and are proud to offer a nationally accredited RN to BSN program that allows students to enhance their professional skills to meet the future health care needs of the community,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. NWFSC’s RN to BSN program allows students who have completed an associate in nursing degree or certifi cate and hold a valid Registered Nursing license to continue their studies in a baccalaureate program.

The program offers dynamic, comprehensive, and innovative educational experiences and prepares nurses with additional competencies regarding professional nursing leadership, complex systems management, biotechnology and informatics utilization, and values affirmation.

“The College is proud to offer accessible, affordable programs to students who desire to enter high-wage, high-demand fields like nursing,” said Dr. Deidre Price, NWFSC Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We are thankful for the work our faculty and staff do every day to provide immersive, irresistible educational experiences that prepare tomorrow’s health care workforce.”

RNtoMSN.org is a project of Degree Prospects, an organization that has created some of the most trusted online tools for nursing students since 2008. The organization is noted as a resource by various universities, including Yale University and the University of Texas, as well as government offices, including the Arkansas, Missouri, and Utah Departments of Health. Their Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Rankings for 2023 can be found at www.rntomsn.org.

RECAP

PASTRY SHOWCASE

The College was pleased to welcome community members to the Niceville campus as we joined the Culinary Management Program for its annual Pastry Showcase on August 3, 2022.

CONVOCATION

The College kicked off the new academic year with Convocation on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. The ceremony was held at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center and featured keynote speaker, Dr. Joe Martin.

BASKETBALL CAMP

The College’s Athletic Department was pleased to host the Raiders Basketball Camp this summer! The camp was open to students in 2nd-8th grade. Students received instruction from NWFSC coaches and athletes and received family passes for Raider Opening Weekend games.

Think . Dream. Go.

TWIN CITIES WOMEN’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP

ENDOWMENT

Twin Cities Women’s Club (TCWC) has long been a supporter of Northwest Florida State College. TCWC began a scholarship in 1989 to assist the Okaloosa-Walton Community College’s Displaced Homemaker program with tuition and books. Today, the TCWC scholarship fund has transitioned to Twin Cities Woman’s Club Scholarship Endowment. In total, TCWC has awarded more than $165,000 in scholarships.

On June 29, 2022, Twin Cities Woman’s Club President, Kissy Gordon, along with members Mary Corbett and Rhonda Davis, presented the NWFSC Foundation with a check for $5,519.32. Unfortunately, this will be the last gift from the Twin Cities Women’s Club. After more than 35 years in existence, the club is disbanding. We are grateful for their longstanding partnership and support for the students of NWFSC. Pictured from le to right: Mary Corbett, Kissy Gordon, Chris Stowers, and Rhonda Davis