President Kooi oversees distance learning and online course development for the College and has reached enrollment of over 53,000 students and 375 full-time and adjunct faculty and staff for the distance and campus-based programs combined. Below are a few highlights of her plans for the upcoming semesters at Open Campus/Deerwood Center and a few fun facts about herself.

Q. What are some of the exciting things currently happening or coming this fall on your campus?

A. “Open Campus/Deerwood Center currently offers the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree and the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Industrial Management completely online. We also offer an Accelerated A.A. degree that can be earned in 18 months. Classes for the Accelerated A.A. degree are offered online, hybrid, days, nights and weekends in eight-week formats.

The campus also offers two accelerated bachelor’s degrees in hybrid format: The B.A.S. in Supervision and Management and the B.S. in Early Childhood Education.

The Center for eLearning has developed over 160 courses for Collegewide use that can be offered both online and in a hybrid model.

Coordinated through our campus, FSCJ has partnered with 10 Florida colleges and universities in the Complete Florida initiative to support students across the state in achieving their educational goals online, particularly focused on those who have taken college courses but not yet achieved their associate or bachelor’s degree.

Our newly elected Student Government Association President Sarah Lynch will take office this fall, elected through a fully online election process.”

Q. What assets do you feel make a great college?

A.  “Degree and certificate program completion; affordability; accessibility; consistent strong communications; varied support options and ways to access that support for students and faculty; innovative and engaged faculty; focused and energetic staff; supportive innovative technology; and common goals and direction collegewide all play key roles in our success as an institution.”

Q. Is your campus currently undergoing any construction or updates that you would like to share?

A. “The Academy and the Performance Theater are being equipped with new technology that will mirror campus classrooms, providing students, faculty and the community with a better learning environment.”

Q. What advice do you have for new students to FSCJ?

A. "Advice for students:

• Make a plan (for success ... )
• See your advisor
• Seek answers and assistance early-on
• Clearly understand your responsibilities - financial, academic, and personal
• Build relationships/talk to professors and seek help, utilize tutors and mentors – and all OTHER available resources.
• Participate and get involved! - In the classroom and in the college community.”

Q. How do you spend your free time?

A. “ Baking and traveling.”