In today's article we are going to delve into the topic of Florida College System, a topic that has gained great relevance in recent times. Florida College System is a topic of general interest that covers a wide range of aspects that impact people's daily lives. Throughout this article, we will explore different aspects related to Florida College System, from its origin and evolution, to its influence in different areas of society. In addition, we will analyze how Florida College System has impacted people's lives and what the possible consequences are at an individual and collective level. Stay tuned, as this article promises to provide an in-depth and enriching look at Florida College System.
While governed by local boards of trustees, the colleges are coordinated under the jurisdiction of Florida's State Board of Education. Administratively, the chancellor of the Florida College System is the chief executive officer of the system, reporting to the commissioner of Education who serves as the chief executive officer of Florida's public education system. In 2009, the Florida Legislature changed the name from the "Florida Community College System" to the "Florida College System," reflecting the fact that some of its member institutions now offer four-year bachelor's degrees. Only two schools in the Florida College System still have the word "community" in their official name: Hillsborough Community College and Tallahassee Community College.
Mission and offerings
Section (s.) 1004.65, Florida Statutes (F.S.), establishes the primary mission and responsibility of Florida College System institutions as responding to community needs for post secondary academic education and career degree education. This mission and responsibility includes:
(a) Providing lower level undergraduate instruction and awarding associate degrees.
(b) Preparing students directly for careers requiring less than baccalaureate degrees. This may include preparing for job entry, supplementing of skills and knowledge, and responding to needs in new areas of technology. Career education in a Florida College System institution shall consist of career certificates, credit courses leading to associate in science degrees and associate in applied science degrees, and other programs in fields requiring substantial academic work, background, or qualifications. A Florida College System institution may offer career education programs in fields having lesser academic or technical requirements.
(c) Providing student development services, including assessment, student tracking, support for disabled students, advisement, counseling, financial aid, career development, and remedial and tutorial services, to ensure student success.
(d) Promoting economic development for the state within each Florida College System institution district through the provision of special programs, including, but not limited to:
1. Enterprise Florida-related programs.
2. Technology transfer centers.
3. Economic development centers.
4. Workforce literacy programs.
(e) Providing dual enrollment instruction.
(f) Providing upper level instruction and awarding baccalaureate degrees as specifically authorized by law.
A separate and secondary role for Florida College System institutions includes the offering of programs in:
(a) Community services that are not directly related to academic or occupational advancement.
(b) Adult education services, including adult basic education, adult general education, adult secondary education, and General Educational Development test instruction.
(c) Recreational and leisure services.
In addition, s. 1007.33(2), F.S., requires that any Florida College System institution that offers one or more baccalaureate degree programs:
(a) Maintain as its primary mission:
1. Responsibility for responding to community needs for post secondary academic education and career degree education as prescribed in s. 1004.65(5), F.S.
2. The provision of associate degrees that provide access to a university.
(b) Maintain an open-door admission policy for associate-level degree programs and workforce education programs.
(c) Continue to provide outreach to underserved populations.
(d) Continue to provide remedial education.
(e) Comply with all provisions of the statewide articulation agreement which relate to 2-year and 4-year public degree-granting institutions as adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1007.23, F.S.
In 2023, the presidents of the system's member institutions issued a joint statement against Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and stated that they "will not fund or support any institutional practice, policy, or academic requirement that compels belief in critical race theory or related concepts such as intersectionality".
President & CEO of Take Stock in Children (2013-2015), chancellor of the Florida College System (2015–2018)
2019–Present
Kathy Hebda
Chancellor of the Florida College System
Timeline
James L. Wattenbarger, distinguished service professor emeritus, University of Florida
and Harry T. Albertson, former chief executive officer, Florida Association of Community Colleges, outlined the history of the Florida College System through 2009.
Timeline of the Florida College System
1927
St. Petersburg Junior College founded as private, two-year college
1933
Palm Beach Junior College founded as first public college
1939
Legislature passes law allowing counties to petition for the establishment of public colleges
1947
"Junior colleges" detailed in report to legislature
1947-1948
St. Petersburg Junior College becomes part of Florida's public system
Legislature approves creation of three new colleges: Palm Beach Junior College, Chipola Junior College, and Pensacola Junior College
1948
Creation of Florida Association of Public Junior Colleges
1955
Legislature created Community College Council to formulate long-range plans
1957-58
Community College Council issues report to legislature which recommended state plan for 28 community/junior colleges
Legislature approves creation of six new colleges: Gulf Coast Community College, Central Florida Community College, Daytona Beach Community College, Manatee Junior College, North Florida Junior College, and St. Johns River Community College.
Legislature approves statutory revisions permitting junior colleges to separate from K-12
Legislature establishes the Division of Community Colleges
1960
Legislature approves creation of four new colleges: Brevard Community College, Broward Community College, Miami Dade Community College, and Indian River Community College
1962
Legislature approves creation of three new colleges: Edison Community College, Lake City Community College, and Lake-Sumter Junior College
1964
Legislature approves creation of Okaloosa-Walton Community College
1965
Legislature approves creation of Polk Community College
1966
Legislature approves creation of five new colleges: Florida Keys Community College, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, Santa Fe Community College, Seminole Community College, and South Florida Community College
1967
Legislature approves creation of two new colleges: Valencia Community College and Tallahassee Community College
1968
Legislature approves creation of Hillsborough Community College
Legislature approves measure allowing community colleges to be governed under local boards
1972
Legislature approves creation of Pasco-Hernando Community College
1979
Legislature creates Community College Coordinating Board
1983
Legislature replaces Community College Coordinating Board with State Board of Community Colleges
1996
Colleges become first state agency in Florida to embrace performance based budgeting
1998
Commissioner of Education eliminated from cabinet position
2000
Florida higher Education Reorganization Act restructures higher education systems and Division of Community Colleges merged with Division of Workforce Development
2001
Senate Bill 1162 eliminates State Board of Community Colleges, creates State Board of Education, and creates local boards of trustees
2002
New statutes give more control to local boards
2004
Legislation outlines process for community colleges to create baccalaureate degrees and allows community colleges to change names to reflect expanding mission
2009
The Florida Community College System is renamed the Florida College System
2011
FCS member institution Valencia College named nation's best community college as first-ever winner of Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
2012
Governor Rick Scott announces "...$10,000 degree challenge will help us continue to improve the value of our higher education system." As of 2015, 23 of the 28 Florida College System institutions are offering $10,000 bachelor's degrees.
2015
Santa Fe College is the second Florida college to win the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
2019
Indian River State College and Miami Dade College win the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence