BlueWave News

April 2023

2023 Grad Fest and Commencement Events

FSCJ's 2023 Commencement will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered and all those who plan to attend to celebrate our students! Information regarding the schedule of events and parking will be shared in the coming weeks.

To kick off the graduation season, Grad Fest events were held at different locations over the past couple of weeks. We appreciate all faculty and staff who helped plan, coordinate and staff each event. They were a great success because of you! Check out the photos here.

FSCJ Earns Military Friendly Gold Status

FSCJ was named a 2023-24 Military Friendly® School with a “Gold” ranking for leading practices, outcomes and effective programs for student veterans.

Postsecondary schools across the country were evaluated using public data sources and their responses to a survey. Out of the 1,800-plus schools that participated for the 2023-24 award cycle, FSCJ was one of only 250 to be selected for the “Gold” status.

CVT Lab Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

We recently celebrated the opening of our new Cardiovascular Technology Lab at North Campus. Students, faculty and staff, and community partners came together to open this new space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 29. The Lab provides students access to the latest technology, resources and hands-on learning that will help them prepare for their future, where they will provide lifesaving diagnostic and treatment services to heart patients.

Congrats to our Faculty, APC and CEC Awards Recipients

Congratulations to our 2023 Distinguished Faculty Awards, Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Award, Administrative and Professional Collaborative Exceptional Service and Initiative Award and Career Employees’ Council Recognition of Excellence Award recipients.

All recipients will receive $1,000 and additional recognition will continue throughout the academic year. 

Distinguished Faculty Awards

• Dr. Theresa Dyer-Kramer, Professor of Nursing
• Jeniah Jones, Professor of Adult Education
• Dr. Christopher Robert Perle, Professor of Biological Sciences
• Matthew Simmons, Professor of Mathematics
• Dr. Indrani Sindhuvalli, Professor of Biological Sciences

Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Award

• Janet Goldstein, Adjunct Professor of Human Services

Administrative and Professional Collaborative Exceptional Service and Initiative Award

• Kerry Roth, Associate Director of Student Success, Student Life & Leadership and North Campus Dean

Career Employees’ Council Recognition of Excellence Award

• Brian Keene, Natural Sciences Laboratory Manager

Dr. A got to share the good news with the recipients. Click on the green button below to view photos.

Volunteers Needed for New Mentorship Program

The Student Support and Engagement area is implementing a new FSCJ Student Mentorship Program. Mentoring relationships can play an important role in helping students to grow academically, professionally and personally. The FSCJ Mentorship program will help students navigate college life by providing them with additional guidance and support to enhance their learning experience.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please complete the short survey by May 4 by clicking on the green button below. With questions, please reach out to Dr. James Artley at james.artley@fscj.edu.

SACSCOC Reaffirmation Update

We submitted our compliance certificate on February 27, 2023. Please make note of the following important dates in the SACSCOC reaffirmation process:

• Late April/Early May – Off-site review report returned
• May 31, 2023 – SACSCOC VP virtual advisory visit
• September 11, 2023 – Response reports and QEP due to on-site committee
• October 23-26, 2023 – On-site visit
• June 2024 – Review and decision by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees

Over the next few OnPoint calls, updates will be shared regarding various aspects of the reaffirmation process and the QEP.

Students Named National Semifinalists for Scholarship

Two FSCJ students, Francis Felix Javier and Kayla Tamez, were named semifinalists for the highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. They were chosen from a pool of more than 1,700 applicants from 215 community colleges across 38 states. Both are part of FSCJ's Honors Program.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation awards the scholarship to community college students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, service and a determination to complete their bachelor’s degrees at top four-year institutions. It is designed to create a clear pathway to a four-year degree by offering up to $55,000 per year along with academic advising and access to a network of peers.

Fire Academy Graduates Achieve 100% Pass Rate

Congratulations to our recent Fire Academy of the South (FAS) grads! They achieved a 100% pass rate on the state practical exam and a 97.7% pass rate on the written exam.

The tests were administered by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, which approves Florida's firefighter training curricula and certifies Florida fire service training agencies, instructors and members to ensure they meet industry-based standards.

Respiratory Care Students Place Third in Statewide Competition

Congratulations to our Respiratory Care Associate in Science students who recently competed in the annual student Sputum Bowl during the Florida Society for Respiratory Care’s Sunshine Seminar. 

The five-hour competition included more than 10 teams from colleges and universities throughout the state. Our students finished in third place, coming just short of the win after going into overtime in the final match before finals.

Honors Students Present at Regional Conference

Four FSCJ Honors students recently had the opportunity to present at the Southern Regional Honors Council Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC. The students shared their research projects from various FSCJ honors courses with conference attendees and participants.

The students are pictured here with FSCJ Honors Program Director Aaron Hanlin.

International Club Attends Leadership Conference

Five members of FSCJ’s International Club attended the 2023 Florida International Leadership Conference in Lake Placid. The FSCJ delegation included: Ivan Quevedo (Venezuela), Jasser Hammami (Tunisia), Vitoria Dotto Cutti (Brazil), Karim Zarak (Morocco), and Sebastian Garcia (Colombia). They were accompanied by International Club Advisor Laura Pitois.

This conference brings together international and study abroad students from colleges and universities across the state. The students learned about leadership and professionalism as they networked and formed friendships.

Employee Wellness Fair

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2023 Wellness Fair which was held Thursday, March 30. The event featured multiple vendors and wellness activities including personal health assessments, mobile mammograms, hearing and biometric screenings, financial planning, chair massages, mini manicures, live entertainment and more. There were multiple gift card drawings and door prize giveaways as well.

Recruitment Update

On Friday, April 7, the recruitment team hosted our first-ever Nassau Takeover Day! We welcomed approximately 100 high school seniors from the five area Nassau schools. Students had a chance to experience all that FSCJ has to offer and even got to play some basketball with our very own women’s basketball team. Thank you to all who made this event a huge success! 

Save the Date: Saturday, June 17 for the Summer Open House. Keep an eye out for opportunities to sign up to volunteer and/or host a table!

Facilities Updates

We hope you will join us at South Campus, Lakeside Room on Tuesday, April 25 from 1-3 p.m. for the FSCJ Master Plan Open House. This is your opportunity to learn about the future of facilities at the College. 

The Facilities Team has been hard at work, updating and upgrading spaces across the College. Check out some highlights below:

Recently completed

- Downtown/South, Chiller Replacement

- Downtown, Student Housing Masonry 

- North, CJC Roof Replacement

- Cecil, Gun Range Assessment

Projects in progress

Ongoing Collegewide:

- Scan/Digitize Facilities Plans

- Master Plan, 5-Year Plant Survey

- Exterior Door Lock Conversion to Access Control System, Downtown, Kent, North 

- Emergency Responders Radio Communications System Compliance

Cecil Center:

- Construction, San Jose Early College

- BAS Controls Upgrade (A, G, H, J & K)

Deerwood Center:

- Center Stage Elevator Modernization

- Nursing Expansion (Phase I & II)

Downtown Campus:

- Human Resources Renovation, AO

- 20+ Year Re-roof, Multiple Bldgs

- Building Envelope Study (A, B, C & D)

- Building Envelope Removal/Replace Curtain Wall, URC

- Classroom Furniture Upgrades

Kent Campus:

- Classroom Furniture Upgrades

- Door Access Control Upgrade (E, F & G)

- SGA Meeting Room

Nassau Center:

- Commercial Vehicle Driving Skills Pad

- Nursing Expansion (Phase I & II)

- Classroom Furniture Upgrades

North Campus:

- Lots 1-4, 6 Repave & JTA Stop Relocation

- Pavement Resurface (CJC)

- Restroom Upgrades (A Bldg)

- Door Access Control Upgrades

- Nursing Office Furniture

- Student Services Update

- Surgical Tech, 2nd Floor (Bldg A)

- 20+ Year Re-roof, Multiple Bldgs

South Campus:

- Veteran Support Center (U Bldg)

- Relocate Testing Center (Bldg T)

- Door Access Control Upgrade (D & T)

- Cybersecurity Lab (B-107)

- Classroom Furniture Upgrades

- Pavement Resurface (Fire Academy)

Projects in planning

Collegewide:

- Science Lab Upgrades

Cecil Center:

- Exterior Door Access Control Upgrade

Deerwood Center:

- Common Area/Corridor Flooring

- Classroom Furniture Upgrades

Downtown Campus:

- Follett Bookstore Renovation

- Student Housing Suite Upgrades

- Elevator Modernization, AO

- Career Job Placement Center Expansion

Kent Campus:

- Pavement Repairs

- Follett Bookstore Renovation

Nassau Center:

- Exterior Door Access Control Upgrade (A/B & T Bldgs)

North Campus:

- Tower 3, Restrooms

- Ceiling Tiles, 3rd Floor (C Bldg)

- SIM Center Restrooms (E Bldg)

- Negative Pressure Correction (C & D)

South Campus:

- Follett Bookstore Renovation

- Science Lab Negative Pressure Correction (E & F Bldgs)

- Replace existing duct board with metal duct (C & D Bldgs)

- Wilson Center Sculpture

- 20+ Year Re-roof, Multiple Bldgs

- Fire Academy/EMS Public Service Upgrade (P Bldg)

Get to Know Your A&P Colleagues: Michael Pugh

April's Administrative & Professional Collaborative (APC) spotlight shines on Vision Education and Rehabilitation Center (VERC) Program Manager Michael Pugh.

Michael manages and supervises the delivery of rehabilitation services for adults and high school students who are visually impaired or blind. His team provides a continuum of services to individuals throughout Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, empowering them through a comprehensive program of rehabilitation training, serving as a resource for families and employers, and enhancing public awareness and understanding regarding vision loss.

Board Highlights

Review the highlights of the April 11, 2023, meeting of the FSCJ District Board of Trustees:

• The District Board of Trustees accepted the Florida Auditor General's published Audit Report No. 2023-121, entitled Financial Audit for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022.
• The District Board of Trustees approved continuing contract status for the following full-time faculty members, effective with the 2023-24 faculty contract year:
  • Monica Brown, Professor of Health Information Technology 
  • Judith Bemanke, Professor of Humanities 
  • Thomas Scott Cason, Professor of Humanities 
  • Virginie Lorang-Woodward, Professor of French 
  • Heather Wilson, Professor of Biological Sciences
• The District Board of Trustees approved faculty sabbatical for the following full-time faculty members, effective with the 2023-24 faculty contract year:
  • Jennifer Chase, Professor of Communications 
  • Chris Perle, Professor of Biological Sciences
  • Glenna Veiga, Professor of Spanish and English for Academic Purposes
• The District Board of Trustees approved the fee changes for the following courses to be effective Summer Term 2023, pursuant to Board Rule 6Hx7-4.19: Instrument Flight, Commercial Flight 1, 2, 3, Multi-Engine Flight, Certified Flight Instructor, Introduction to Corrections.
• The District Board of Trustees approved the creation of the Florida State College at Jacksonville Police Department in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 1012.88, and comply with the provisions of Chapter 943, Florida Statutes.

You can find more information on the Board of Trustees meeting on our website.

Comings and Goings

Who's New

This list includes those individuals who are filling the newly appointed Faculty full-time positions, full-time A&P positions and full-time Career Employee positions.

Faculty Full-Time

Denise Hackman, Professor of Nursing 

Rita Haman, Professor of Nursing 

A&P Full-Time

Dale Cason, Facilities Construction Project Manager 

Karen Longacre, Director of Sales & Marketing 

Tina Thomas, Interim Certification - Assessment Center Manager 

Tonya Washington, Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Career Full-Time

Thomas Ackerman, Academic and Career Advisor 

Emma Adams, Student Services Coordinator 

Nala Anderson, Academic and Career Advisor 

Marlon Bennett, Security Officer 

Beth Bess, Administrative Assistant II

Michael Brandy, Marketing Communications Manager 

Aeoleon Bryant, IT Assistant Call Center Manager 

Bryon Butler, Academic and Career Advisor 

Erica Crews, Administrative Assistant I

Paul Davis, Bachelor Program Advisor

Valerie Frazier, Security Officer 

Madison Fuoco, Senior Support Specialist

Joseph Giuffrida, Call Center Representative I 

Michael Goddard, Department Coordinator 

Leonard Graham, Security Officer 

Nancy Hall, Campus Dual Enrollment Coordinator 

Chelsea Heil, Student Services Coordinator 

Damion Henderson, Security Officer

Corey Hibbard, Call Center Representative II 

David Johnson, Financial Aid Advisor II

Christopher Jones, Security Officer 

Kevin Kitchens, Security Officer 

Charles Klein, Security Officer 

Ashley Lowe, Library Assistant II 

Alyssa McDaniel, Advisor II 

Alen Mutic, Security Officer 

Kenny Nguyen, Student Engagement Advisor I 

Margaret Nixon, Accounts Payable Specialist II 

Flossie Primus, Case Manager/Career Specialist 

Alexander Quintana, Financial Aid Advisor I 

Kim Reteguiz, Call Center Representative II 

Sarah Shoemaker, Assistant Call Center Manager 

William Smith, Laboratory Manager

Shamonda Swain, Accountant IV 

Dawn Swed, Payroll Technical Support Specialist 

Charmion Thrasher, Student Success Advisor I 

Valerie Vinson-Anderson, Case Manager/Career Specialist 

Michael Whitlock, Academic and Career Advisor 

Randall Wolffis, Security Officer I 

Monee Woodard, Retention Specialist

Syvannah Wood-Kois, Student Success Advisor I

In the News

FSCJ's faculty, staff, students, programs and leadership are often highlighted by local and regional media outlets - online, on air and in print. Read articles featuring important updates and activities happening within the College by clicking here.

FSCJ In Action

IDS 1107 Student Joslyn Brown organized a beach cleanup for her class service learning project. She cleared it with the City of Neptune Beach, set up a tent and provided the supplies. Eight students from the class attended, along with some of their friends.

Students, faculty and staff are working to clean up the South Campus Zen Garden. Student Success Advisor II Stephanie Castro and the Student Government Association organized the clean-up event. They were joined by Professor Steve Milczanowski and Campus Dean Andrew Pierce as well. The project is not yet complete but the volunteers have made significant progress and will finish up over the coming weeks.

Upcoming Events

BlueWave News Quiz

Test your knowledge. To ensure all faculty and staff have an opportunity to submit answers, the quiz winners will be selected at random from entries with all questions answered correctly. You have until 6 p.m. on the day the newsletter is distributed to email your answers to bluewavenews@fscj.edu. The three winners will receive a BlueWave prize pack! Please note: Previous quiz winners, while eligible to submit answers, are not eligible for additional prizes for six months.

1) Where is the new Cardiovascular Technology Lab?

    a. Nassau Center

    b. Deerwood Center

    c. North Campus

    d. Downtown Campus

2) FSCJ Students Francis Felix Javier and Kayla Tamez are both part of what FSCJ program?

    a. FSCJ Honors Program

    b. Fire Academy

    c. FSCJ International Club

    d. SGA

3) Where will the FSCJ Master Plan Open House take place?

    a. Downtown Campus

    b. South Campus 

    c. Online

    d. VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

4) When will this year's Commencement Ceremony be held?

    a. May 11

    b. May 10

    c. April 11

    d. May 12

5) About how many high school seniors came to Nassau Takeover Day?

    a. 400

    b. 75

    c. 1,000

    d. 100

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