State College
FA LL 2 0 2 3
VOLUME 7, N O. 04
RAIDER VILLAGE GROUNDBREAKING
What an incredible fall season at NWFSC! The College is experiencing an exciting and vibrant period of growth, including a sixth consecutive semester of increased student headcount. The leadership and commitment of our student body, faculty, and staff, are the key ingredients to this remarkable run of consecutive semesters of higher enrollment. In this President’s Perspective, I would like to share some of summer 2023’s most memorable moments and achievements, as well as new opportunities we have in the works for the NWFSC community. During our Spring Commencement, 682 candidates received their diploma. Additionally, 174 Public Safety/EMT candidates received a diploma and NWFSC nursing graduates earned an almost 100% pass rate on the NCLEXRN. Further, for the first time in school history, each of our four Division One intercollegiate athletic teams won the Panhandle Conference Championship. In August, faculty and staff celebrated the new academic year at Convocation, with many receiving high accolades for their exceptional service to the College. As the semester has begun, all NWFSC locations have been highly active with students attending classes and community engagement activities taking place.
We all love the summer break, but there’s a refreshing sense of energy on the campus when students return. On August 22, 2023, NWFSC hosted an official groundbreaking ceremony to announce Raider Village, the first on-campus student housing in the College’s history. The NWFSC Board of Trustees and Foundation Board members, The Jay Odom Group, Community Bank of Mississippi, and faculty and staff were in attendance for this memorable event. The College plans to welcome students to Raider Village in Spring 2025. I hope you enjoy this issue of President’s Perspective. As always, thank you for your continued commitment and for being a part of our Raider family.
Dr. Devin Stephenson #TheBestIsOurStandard
With great pride, Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) announced the Board of Trustees approval of student housing on its Niceville Campus with a special groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Raider Village is a significant milestone in NWFSC history and will welcome students by Spring 2025. The launch of Raider Village is a testament to NWFSC’s commitment to enhancing the overall college experience and fostering a vibrant, thriving, and inclusive campus community. This project would not be possible without the participation and leadership of The Jay Odom Group, who designed the buildings, and who will build, own, and manage Raider Village. Special thanks and appreciation are also given to the Northwest Florida State College Foundation and Community Bank of Mississippi for their financial support of this endeavor. The facility will offer modern amenities, as well as allow students to readily engage in extracurricular activities and fully immerse themselves in the academic and social life of the campus. Phase one of the facility will feature 192 beds and phase two will add more than 100 additional beds. Eligible residents will be offered twelve-month leases that coincide with academic calendar years. The priority for housing will be NWFSC students, followed by students at other Florida College System institutions; students within the State University System of Florida; and students of other regionally accredited institutions across the Gulf Coast.