State College
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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
VOLUME 7, N O. 01
Happy New Year, Raiders! As we kick off this academic year, I’d like to start by thanking everyone who helped make 2022 a successful year for Northwest Florida State College. This issue of President’s Perspective recognizes some of our incredible students, faculty, and staff who exemplify what it means to be a part of the Raider family and highlights just a few of our achievements from last year. These include 16 Raider athletes being named to the 2021-2022 All-Academic team, three Collegiate High School students being selected as National Merit Semifinalists, and the College receiving a $21 million grant from the Triumph Gulf Coast board for the expansion of our nursing program as well as a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for our Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions program. I am eager for you to read about our achievements and to learn more about what is in store for the College this semester. As we work toward new goals this year, I encourage you to remember what American forester and politician Gifford Pinchot once said, “The vast possibilities of our great future will become realities only if we make ourselves responsible for that future.” I challenge you to take the future into your hands and continue to strive toward greatness as we Dr. Devin Stephenson make a difference in our community and improve the quality of life in Northwest Florida. As always, thank you for your support and for being a part of our Raider family. #TheBestIsOurStandard
TRIUMPH GULF COAST AWARDS NWFSC $21 MILLION FOR EXPANSION OF NURSING PROGRAM Last year ended with a bang as the Triumph Gulf Coast board awarded Northwest Florida State College $21,787,560 for its Nursing Program Expansion project on its Niceville campus. The Nursing Program Expansion project consists of four parts: the renovation of the Niceville Campus Health Sciences building, the integration of instructional enhancements through virtual technology, professional development for faculty, and increased accessibility of pre-nursing coursework to support a pipeline of students.
The project’s impact is expected to extend throughout both Okaloosa and Walton counties as it helps the College meet health care industry needs and expand the availability of qualified nurses throughout Northwest Florida. “The College recognizes the critical need for a dramatic increase in qualified nurses throughout Northwest Florida,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “We are proud to offer excellent health sciences programs that boast a reputation for exceptional instruction and are known for meeting high standards of excellence. With the support from Triumph Gulf
Coast, the College stands ready to expand its program resources and services as it proactively recruits and trains nursing students to meet urgent staffing needs in the region.” The College’s A.S. in Nursing (ASN) program is nationally accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and boasts NCLEX pass rates that have exceeded state averages by double digits for the past 14 years. The job placement rate for NWFSC nursing graduates remains greater than 98% with students having positions lined up prior to program completion.