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Florida College System's priority: ensuring the future of jobs and the state's economy

 
Published Feb. 18, 2015

Florida businesses need an academically and technologically prepared workforce to succeed, which makes the strength of our higher education system a major factor in attracting new business to Florida.

We are fortunate to have the Florida College System as the primary access point to higher education in Florida. Serving nearly 1 million students annually, FCS is committed to providing access to high-quality, affordable academic and career education programs that maximize student learning and success. Our college system supports the state's economy by providing education and training for Florida's critical workforce needs.

It is true that 98 percent of FCS graduates stay in Florida, contributing their acquired skills and training to the state's economic development. With 28 public colleges in the state, the FCS has a $27 billion economic impact.

It is more important than ever to prioritize the goals of the Florida College System for the upcoming year as the Florida economy continues to expand and the demand for skilled workforce grows exponentially.

The system has been highly successful as evidenced by the many national awards and recognitions received by our institutions from the American Association of Community Colleges and the Aspen Institute, to name a few. Nevertheless, we know that changing times and demographics demand that we enhance traditional, access-oriented education by focusing on ensuring our students are successful once they achieve their ultimate goal of completion and employment. The year ahead offers opportunities to continue improving our student-centered approach.

Higher education is evolving to have an increased focus on performance funding, and the economic landscape in Florida is changing. The FCS has always and will continue to be accountable for student performance. It is imperative that the FCS responds rapidly and strategically to serve the state. We can do this in three effective ways:

Expand critical workforce areas: By expanding workforce training programs, the FCS can provide the opportunity for more Floridians to gain skills that are critical to the region in which they live. The college system will work to respond efficiently to meet the demand of employers in 2015 by optimizing alignment of certificate and degree programs with regional workforce needs. These efforts will build a pipeline of talent, helping Floridians gain employment while supporting the state's economy.

Expand academic support: Services offered outside of the classroom are critical components that drive student success. Academic and support services are valuable assets that guide students through their academic careers. Services such as academic support, learning assistance, advising and mentoring improve a student's ability to ultimately secure upon graduation either job placement or transfer through our seamless 2+2 to a college or university. Expanding academic support services plays a crucial role in student success and will be a major focus in 2015.

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Maintain affordability: A college's capacity to serve is based on two factors — tuition and state investment. Maintaining affordable tuition is a priority for the colleges, the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott. Without tuition increases, we must increase our capacity to serve by committing as a state to an investment in our future talent. Florida is recognized nationwide for its overall value in public higher education — affordable tuition being a large component. The FCS wants to ensure the cost of college is not a burden to the student, and therefore needs an appropriate investment from the state.

Following years of dramatic growth during the recession, FCS student enrollment is plateauing at an unprecedented level. An increased investment from the state is essential to help us enable more students to excel in Florida's most in-demand occupations. As one of the most successful college systems in the nation, the FCS, with the vital support of the Legislature and Gov. Scott, will continue to concentrate on delivering the talent Florida needs to become the No. 1 job creator in the nation.

Jim Henningsen is chairman of the Florida College System's Council of Presidents and president of the College of Central Florida.