FSCJ celebrates 50th anniversary, new leadership

Times-Union

Photo Gallery from Investiture and 50th Anniversary Celebration: http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=1900943&CategoryID=57820&ListSubAlbums=0

FSCJ celebrates 50th anniversary, new leadership

http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-02-06/story/fscj-celebrates-50th-anniversary-new-leadership

A lot can happen in a year, and over the last year, Florida State College at Jacksonville"s Cynthia Bioteau has had to make a lot happen.

Since taking the reins last year as the school’s fifth president and first female CEO, she’s had to put out a lot of fires and forge new connections.

“The year has been exhilarating, exhausting, and promising,” she said.

Her appointment in October 2013 came about a year after the resignation of former FSCJ President Steven Wallace. Wallace left after issues surfaced regarding the school’s financial aid program and his own questionable spending habits.

Bioteau came in to inherit a college still reeling from bad publicity, public distrust and financial woes.

But Friday at FSCJ's Nathan H. Wilson Center her eyes were on the years ahead.

"My focus has shifted from triage and stopping the bleeding of the past to promise and planning for the future," she said. "As we look at going forward, we understand hopefully...the importance of FSCJ as it relates to not only community literacy but workforce development and economic vibrancy for Jacksonville and the northeast region of Florida.”

She was at the center to mark her one-year anniversary and her official installment as president. The occasion coincides with FSCJ’s 50th anniversary.

“I think it is a convergence made in heaven,” she said. “It’s very exciting.”

Bioteau was joined on stage by a host of local and statewide officials to celebrate both occasions, including Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, State Board of Education Chairman Gary Chartrand, Mayor Alvin Brown and Duval Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti.

“Thank you to you and your staff for making the college experience a reality for so many of our students,” Vitti said.

The district along with Nassau County Public Schools, partners with FSCJ to offer students dual-enrollment courses. Over the last two years, the number of Duval County students such programs has grown from 6,500 to over 8,000, according to Vitti.

“On behalf of 130,000 students in Duval County Public Schools, thank you for thinking not only about your students here on campus but thinking about those students who are in the pipeline to come here and other universities,” he said.

Bioteau said in the year ahead, her focus will be on expanding that partnership by working with school officials to establish more career academies and early college programs as well as getting more of the business community involved.

“We’re talking to Stellar [Design Build Company] now to have career academies where we embed internships...When we look at that kind of pipeline of not only education, but workforce development, it’s a great thing,” she said.

The school, formally named Florida Junior College, was established in 1965 as the first racially integrated public post-secondary institution for Duval and Nassau counties. In 2009, it took on its current name as Florida State College at Jacksonville and began offering four-year degree programs.

The college has an open access status, which allows anyone with a GED or high school diploma to enroll and opens the door to a population of students who might otherwise not have the chance.

“We serve as a catalyst for critical transformation of cultural progress,” Bioteau said.

As part of the day’s ceremony, officials unveiled a new school logo designed by FSCJ student Brittney Scott. Scott graduated from the school in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in digital media and is currently taking support courses in business. She said she hopes to start her own graphics business in the city someday.

“I’m still in shock,” she said of being selected for the new design. “It’s a good opportunity, a great career booster.”

Rhema Thompson: (904) 359-4693