SPC launches new programs in cloud computing, cardiopulmonary science, business, and education this fall

St. Petersburg College is introducing five new programs this fall to meet growing workforce demand and give graduates an edge in the marketplace in the areas of health, education, technology, and business. 

Cardiopulmonary Science Bachelor of Science Degree 

SPC will launch a B.S. degree in Cardiopulmonary Science to address the increasing demand for registered respiratory therapists with advanced training and skills. Specifically designed for practicing RRTs to help them move up the career ladder in respiratory care, the program will become a stand-alone credential that replaces the respiratory care subplan in the bachelor’s degree in health services administration. 

The new degree is only offered online. It is available in eight-week courses, allowing students to focus on one or two courses at a time.  

The broad-based curriculum will lead to advanced credentials, professional growth and development in leadership, management, education and research. Increasingly, hospitals prefer to hire practitioners with baccalaureate degrees for bedside clinical positions. 

Courses include patient education and advanced capstone experiences tailored to practicing registered respiratory therapists’ needs and require no clinical or campus time. The capstone experience can be completed locally wherever students reside. 

Secondary English Education with Reading and ESOL Endorsement Bachelor of Science Degree 

SPC continues to beef up its College of Education offerings with the launch of the Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education with Reading and ESOL Endorsement.  

“This degree will help fill the need for teachers in one of the most critical shortage areas in Florida,” said Heather Duncan, Associate Dean of the College of Education. “With other universities closing their programs, there will be a significant need for teacher training at the local level in our area.” 

The Reading and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) endorsements will make graduates more marketable and well-prepared for their careers as middle or high school teachers, Duncan added. Another critical teacher shortage area in the state includes ESE (Exceptional Student Education), which the College also offers a bachelor’s degree. 

Critical teacher shortage areas are defined as those certification areas where substantial proportions of teachers who are not certified in the appropriate field are being hired to teach such courses, where significant vacancies exist and where postsecondary institutions do not produce enough graduates to meet the needs of Florida’s K-12 student population. 

This program joins two others that were created this past spring to meet growing workforce demand: the Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through Grade 3) Bachelor of Science degree and the Training and Development Advanced Technical Certificate. 

The credentials will meet workforce demand for preschool teachers and training and development specialists, respectively. 

Cloud Computing A.S. Degree 

SPC will become the first institution in the Florida College System to develop an Associate in Science degree in Cloud Computing. The program’s curriculum, established with input from other state colleges, will serve as the jumping off point for all 28 state colleges that plan to offer similar degrees at their institutions. 

The degree will prepare graduates to manage information technology services like servers, storage, databases, and software that are offered over the internet, or “the cloud”.  

“It’s an honor that the State Department of Education chose us to create this program as the bedrock for all the other state colleges,” said Norene Kemp, Dean of the College of Computer Information and Technology. “The colleges can customize their programs as they see fit based on the foundation we have laid.” 

To develop the A.S. framework, the College relied on a $400,000 Cyber Florida grant that included funding for expanding IT pathways. The new degree builds on the Cloud Computing Certificate launched in Fall 2022 to meet the escalating need for highly skilled cloud practitioners like software and security engineers, system and network administrators, full-stack and Java developers, and cloud and software architects. 

“The trend in cloud computing is one of the fastest growing sectors in IT, including web development, networking and software applications,” Kemp said. “Cloud computing has emerged as a key factor in software development. Now, software developers and system administrators are working together as they design, build, and deploy their applications.” 

All core courses in the program will be offered online and students will work in a virtual environment so they can practice their skills in real time. Graduates will be proficient in the leading cloud services, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, and Google. Students can take their general education credits on SPC campuses if they choose. 

Business Certificates 

Two new certificates in the College of Business will add to a growing body of business credentials aimed at giving graduates an edge in the global economy. The bachelor’s level Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation Advanced Technical Certificate teaches students how to innovate, adapt, and initiate change within established organizations, turning them into “intrapreneurs,” who can drive growth and development from within. 

The Green Innovations and Social Entrepreneurship Certificate leans heavily into social enterprises and got its start during a summer sustainability program funded by a $25,000 VentureWell grant, awarded to colleges to expand and strengthen STEM innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. 

“One of our goals is to support lifestyle entrepreneurs,” said College of Business Dean Emmanuel Hernandez-Agosto. “Most entrepreneurial programs focus on high-wage or growth areas like tech, but few focus on and take pride in helping these entrepreneurs.” 

The programs join recent additions in the College of Business including the Business Analyst Specialist Advanced Technical Certificate launched last fall. The certificate, which builds on associate degrees, is particularly suited for technology students who want to transfer to business roles and for business students who want to expand their technical and data skills. 

SPC Provost Selected for the Aspen Institute’s Rising Fellowship

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced today that Dr. Tashika Griffith, Provost of the Clearwater Campus at St. Petersburg College (SPC), is one of 40 leaders selected for the 2024–25 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. Applying lessons from over a dozen years of researching exceptional community colleges, the Aspen fellowship aims to select and prepare the next generation of presidents who can lead institutions to higher and more equitable levels of student success.

Many sitting community college presidents plan to retire in the next decade, creating an opportunity for college trustees and system heads to select leaders with the skills and knowledge to achieve better student outcomes. Aspen Presidential Fellows represent the next generation of college leadership: this incoming class of Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows is 58% women, and 55% are people of color. The institutions they represent are also diverse, located in 20 states, from small rural colleges to large urban campuses.

The fellows, selected through a competitive process, will work closely with highly accomplished community college presidents and thought leaders over 10 months to learn from field-leading research, examine demographic and labor market conditions in their communities, assess student outcomes at their colleges, and advance a clear vision for excellent and equitable outcomes for students while in college and after they graduate. 

​“With so many community college presidents taking or nearing retirement, Aspen has a heightened sense of urgency to develop new leaders committed to systemic change,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “Community colleges have a unique opportunity to advance the talent communities need and enable the economic mobility that draws many students to higher education. I am confident that these fellows can realize that promise — and in turn, advance the entire field — by taking the lessons from the highest performing colleges and preparing to bring those lessons to their first presidencies.” 

“All of us at SPC are extremely proud of Dr. Tashika Griffith on her selection to the Aspen Rising President Fellowship,” said SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams. “Dr. Griffith has made bold and strategic moves to eliminate barriers to student success, build community partnerships, and meet workforce needs. It is no surprise that she is among the few selected. Her drive and ability to bring about transformative change is unparalleled. We are proud to support her as she continues to help others gain economic mobility through education.”

Rising Presidents Fellows aspire to enter a college presidency within five years of completing the fellowship. As fellows, they join a network of over 350 forward-thinking peers — 175 of whom are sitting college presidents — who are applying concrete, grounded, and innovative strategies to meet student success challenges in their colleges.

“I’m honored to join the 2024-25 Aspen Institute Rising Presidents Fellowship, working with other transformational leaders nationwide to increase student success at St. Petersburg College and campuses across the country,” said Dr. Griffith. “During the 10-month fellowship, we’ll learn from national leaders, build a network of forward-thinking peers, and apply grounded and innovative strategies to meet student success challenges. I look forward to learning with the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.”

The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Burton Family Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the College Futures Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and JPMorgan Chase. 

Visit the Aspen Institute website to see bios and photos of all 40 leaders.

St. Petersburg College hosted the Clearwater Community Ambassador Luncheon

Area community leaders including representatives from the city of Clearwater and St. Petersburg College joined forces to identify and support new educational and workforce opportunities for students in a post-pandemic world at the Clearwater Community Ambassador Luncheon on April 17 on the College’s Clearwater Campus. The meeting addressed post-pandemic opportunities to help students and ensure their education stayed on track.

SPC hosted the meeting to support the Community Clearwater Ambassador Program, an initiative spearheaded by campus Provost Dr. Tashika Griffith. Newly elected Mayor of Clearwater Bruce Rector also attended the event to support the campus’s efforts to address education post-pandemic.

“The educational landscape has changed significantly over the last few years. It’s important for us to convene with our local government and community partners to ensure we’re meeting the current and future academic and workforce needs of the city of Clearwater,” Griffith said.

This effort is also supported by Project GAIN, which gets grant funding from the city of Clearwater. This project accomplishes multiple objectives such as summer bridge programming, student readiness for successful transitions from high school to postsecondary education, and STEM enrichment. Through Project GAIN, students who have fallen behind academically due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have access to evidence-based, innovative, and Clearwater-community-focused programming to help them gain learning in new and imaginative ways through partnership and engagement.

Community colleges suffered enrollment losses during the pandemic, in part because they disproportionately serve low- and middle-income. According to research, students also started choosing jobs over college as employers raised wages to attract workers and fill labor market shortages. However, initiatives such as Project GAIN are helping colleges such as SPC recover, though the conversation still needs to be had as hard work must be done to get to pre-pandemic enrollment numbers.

After the luncheon, Collaborative Labs at SPC led a facilitated experience with a display of their traveling artwork as inspiration. As the Collaborative Labs team approaches its 20th anniversary, they continue to showcase their work as the “consulting arm” of the College. The question for the event was: “What are some of the ways we can provide supportive measures for all students to obtain postsecondary education that will lead to a high-wage job?”

“Our vibrant city is not only filled with sunshine but also led by compassionate educators and leaders who are committed to aligning students with a strong and supportive framework for academic and future career success,” said Brenda Thompson, Project GAIN Grant Coordinator.

Come Explore SPC and Apply for Free

The College encourages attendees to discover and connect on SPC campuses

Discover what St. Petersburg College can offer you at Explore SPC. Attend any of the on-campus or webinar Explore SPC events and your $40 application fee will be waived! The live webinars will be held April 16-18 from noon to 1 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. On-campus events take place April 22-25 from 4 to 7 p.m.

“At Explore SPC, we are opening our doors for everyone to discover the transformative power of education in creating a more equitable and prosperous community,” said Jacob Wortock, Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Services. “We want to show our guests our commitment to nurturing future leaders, innovators, and changemakers by introducing them to our award-winning faculty and staff who will play a significant role in shaping their future.”

U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 study ranked SPC first in the Tampa Bay region for Best Online Bachelor’s Program and Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans in the 2024 study. “St. Petersburg College is proud of our faculty and staff and the quality of education and sincere support we provide for our students,” said Dr. Matthew Liao-Troth, SPC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs. “As an innovator of online education in the Florida College System, we continue to improve the student experience with professional development for our faculty and staff and continued investment in our online learning environment for our students. We know our students come to us for better jobs and better lives, and we strive to exceed their expectations.”

Learn more about Explore SPC at spc.edu/explore24.

On-Campus Events

Go to any of the on-campus events and explore the 200-plus degree, certificate and transfer programs. You can also submit important admissions documents and learn more about how you can pay for college. SPC staff will be there to provide campus tours and allow participants to explore campus life.  You can also learn about the various course format options that are available depending on how you want to take classes — on campus, online, SPC LIVE Online, and more. Your $40 college application fee will be waived, and you can get ready to enroll in this year’s Summer or Fall Term.

All on-campus events take place from 4 to 7 p.m.:

• April 22: Clearwater Campus, LA Building, 2465 Drew St.
• April 23: St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, SU Building, 6605 Fifth Ave N.
• April 24: Seminole Campus, UP Lobby, 9200 113th St.
• April 25: Tarpon Springs Campus, Administration Building, 600 E Klosterman Road

Explore SPC Webinars

Can’t attend in person or looking for a more convenient option to Explore SPC? Take part in a webinar and receive the $40 application fee waiver when to apply to SPC.

• April 16: Better Jobs, Better Lives! | 12-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.
• April 17: How to Pay for College | 12-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.
• April 18: Workforce and Short-Term Training | 12-1 p.m.
• April 18: Why SPC and How to Become a Titan | 6-7 p.m.

SPC Foundation Hosts 24th Annual Donors & Scholars Appreciation Luncheon

On Thursday, April 4, the St. Petersburg College Foundation hosted the 24th annual Donors and Scholars Luncheon. The luncheon is an opportunity for those who give to the SPC Foundation to sit down with SPC students who have benefited from Foundation scholarships. Over 350 donors and scholars joined the Foundation at the Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon Park for music, food, and some moving talks from SPC scholars and supporters. The Foundation supported the College with almost $5 million in funding this year!

This year, the SPC Foundation awarded scholarships to over 4,000 students representing over $2.7 million in awards. Programs at the College also benefited by receiving over $2 million in private support. Distinguished SPC alumna and former astronaut Nicole Stott talked about why people want to support SPC and its impact on everyone’s lives.

“I am so grateful this place existed because I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you without SPC,” she said. “I am so thankful, and to hear the stories I heard today and the vibe that I felt in the room today, there is such a sense of this appreciation of what it means to lift other people up. And I felt that at SPC, and everything that was spoken about today, beyond the money of it, is huge. Having the services and the people around, like Dr. Williams, asking you, ‘Are you okay?’ Do you have what you need?’, that’s been here forever. And I think people appreciate that and it’s why they want to support what goes on here at SPC.”

Jesse Turtle, SPC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, gave a warm welcome and his traditional “I LOVE St. Petersburg College,” to the room. He shared how the donors’ generosity not only changes the lives of SPC students but creates generational change. He shared that the fundraiser “shattered” previous records and raised over $12 million. He thanked the Hough Family Foundation for their challenge grant of $5 million to aid in a $10 million renovation campaign for the Palladium at St. Petersburg College.

Turtle also thanked Mary Mitchell Avery and brother Dewey Mitchell for their $1 million donation to the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art at St. Petersburg College at the Tarpon Springs campus. Turtle introduced De Anna Sheffield Ward, Vice President of Media & Communications for the Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies, and gave the mic to the event’s MC.

Sheffield Ward thanked the crowd and welcomed everyone to the annual event. She started off on a personal note stating, “On a personal note, “I would not be where I am today, had I not had a scholarship. I was able to focus on school and not worry about how I was going to pay. You are making a generational change by allowing your investment to pave the way for these students.”

She then wasted no time mentioning SPC’s accolades such as being selected as a First Scholars Network Member by the Center for First-Generation Student Success. SPC was recognized for its commitment to improving experience and advancing outcomes for first-generation students. Sheffield-Ward also talked about SPC’s Promise Scholarship and its success. Last year, the scholarship served over 450 students across five high schools, and it has since expanded to eight high schools in 2024.

“SPC remains steadfast in building lasting connections and enriching the tapestry of our community,” Sheffield Ward said. “Our theme today is one of celebration and gratitude. We celebrate the hard-won achievements of our students — so many of whom have shown tenacity in the face of numerous demands and some alarming odds as they pursue their educational goals. And we extend our gratitude to the amazing support provided by our donors and community partners.”

She thanked the RBC Wealth Management team, the SPC Foundation Board of Directors, the SPC Board of Trustees, esteemed elected officials, ambassadors from the Mexican Consulate in Orlando, and of course, the leader of SPC, President Dr. Tonjua Williams, for making “it possible for the College to educate, empower, and engage students, providing the skills that lead to a high wage job.”

“It is through continuous involvement that our students have the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge that will change their lives forever,” she said.

Next, Dr. Joseph Smiley, who has dedicated over four decades to SPC and serves as the Dean of Social & Behavioral Sciences, delivered the invocation. He expressed how thankful everyone is to the institution of SPC. He used words like marvelous, generous, and supportive, to show how blessed everyone truly is to be celebrating everyone in the room. Smile has profoundly impacted the lives of countless students and colleagues, so his words rang true.

The program broke for lunch and during that time, SPC student and scholarship recipient Elizabeth Daley performed “Gorgeous” from The Apple Tree. Daley is a shining example of SPC’s music program as she wowed the crowd by hitting all the high notes and showing off her talent that is cultivated at the institution.

The next speaker, donor and Foundation Board Member Bertha L. Burruezo, Esq., asked donors “What is your why?” Burruezo told the story of her Honduras grandmother and explained that she had one thing to give to her: unconditional love. And it was this love that brought her back to Florida to restart her education. She got her GED, AA, bachelor’s, and master’s degree all thanks to this love. But she wasn’t done, and through the generosity of donors, she fulfilled one more dream. She got a full ride to Stetson University in St. Petersburg where she graduated at the top of her class.

Burruezo knows her story doesn’t end there, in fact, she opened her own law firm that is going 17 years strong. She told her accolades to allow donors and scholars to share their why because it takes a community and love to allow others to reach their dreams and economic mobility. She is proof that it is worth it.

Burruezo also announced the new 100 Strong initiative. 100 Strong, Women Empowering Women is a new initiative at SPC designed to “help others achieve their academic dreams and be successful in their futures.” Those involved want to empower every student enrolled at SPC and harness the power of the Pinellas County Women’s community to make a difference in the lives of students through philanthropy, education, and engagement. The members honor their pasts to support the students of today, and to change their future.

Student scholarship recipient Shalawa Morgan, alumna Sandy Ho, and donor Berth Burruezo spoke words of encouragement and gratitude.

Alumna Sandy Ho took the stage and told the crowd that she had to go off script for a second. She asked that she “strive to have the confidence that Elizabeth (Daley) has.” She also told an antidote of how she is listed as an alumna of the class of ’88 in the program. Her son told her, “Mom, you graduated in the 1900s, as she replied, ‘Yes, yes I did.'” She told the story of how she found SPC and set foot on the Clearwater Campus.

Ho was encouraged to explore and take an array of classes. This advice opened her world to opportunities she never thought possible. She graduated with her AA and transferred to Florida State University where she began down an impressive career path that led her to her esteemed position as the Vice President of Human Resources at Great Bay Distributors. She talked of her journey to continue to be a lifelong learner all thanks to her roots at SPC.

Scholarship recipient Shalawa Morgan, soon to be the Class of 2024, gave the student perspective on receiving a fullride scholarship to SPC to pursue her associate’s degree in interdisciplinary social sciences, something that “filled her with profound gratitude.”

“Gratitude for the journey that has led me to this moment, for the nuances that have shaped me, and above all, gratitude for the incredible support of my community, including The National Council of Negro Women St. Petersburg Chapter and the Foundation’s generosity that have made my dreams a reality,” Morgan explained.

Morgan began her educational journey in Georgia and had to leave higher education because the “reality of financial burdens of education” caught up with her. She told the heartbreaking story of how she lost her brother to gun violence, but instead of drowning, she rose to every occasion presented to her. Morgan moved to Florida to restart her life and knew she needed more than her current position as a leasing agent. She wrote and published her first book “The Butterfly and the Bullet,” and through coping with her hardships, Morgan transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship.

“As I reflect on my journey, it has been defined by consistency, resilience, determination, and a steadfast dedication to positively impacting the world. There is no place I’d rather pursue my Associate’s degree than at SPC,” she said. “Scholarships like these are nothing short of magical for students like me. This scholarship has empowered me to foster my mission effectively and has reaffirmed my belief in the power of education. With these tools, I intend to continue my education at USF. Let us embrace the notion that a delay is not a denial and that our presence here serves as a testament to the belief that we are worthy of investments beyond measure.”

Morgan passed the mic to SPC’s President, Dr. Tonjua Williams, who looked out to the crowd with pride. Dr. Williams began her career at SPC 36 years ago, and as the seventh president of the College, she leads SPC into the future. “I feel gorgeous, I feel beautiful,” she quipped as she praised Daley’s performance and applauded Morgan’s triumphs. “This is SPC.”

Dr. Williams talked about SPC’s mission to get students into high-wage jobs and better their futures. An example is scholarship recipient Eleftherios “TJ” Venieris, who will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. He stated, “Receiving this scholarship just means the world to me. It has shaped me into being a better example of myself. It has led me to achieve so many opportunities including landing my first job offer in over 20 years. To the foundation, I can’t thank you enough. It is one of the greatest opportunities that any student could ask.”

This drives home Dr. Williams’ point that she tells people to stop telling students that college is not for everyone.

“A college degree might not be but a certificate is. How do you level up if you have to decide between eating and learning? Working and learning? Why can’t we do both? Why can’t we give them what we need?” she explained. “A scholarship is critical for success for those who don’t have any tools in their toolkit. And we build better families for better generations to come, Let’s go Titans!”

Interested in becoming an SPC Foundation donor? Check out their web page for information on ways to give.

SPC to host viewing events of April 8 solar eclipse

Experience an astronomical experience with the Titan community

The St. Petersburg College Planetarium will be open to the public to view a solar eclipse, weather permitting, on Monday, April 8, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Another viewing event will be held at the Seminole Community Library at the SPC Seminole Campus.

A rare total eclipse of the sun will be visible along a narrow stretch of land from Texas to Maine on April 8. In St. Petersburg, outside of this path, there will be a partial eclipse with 65% of the sun covered by the moon at eclipse maximum.

At the SPC Planetarium

Since only a portion of the sun will be covered locally, this unique event can be viewed only if special precautions are taken to reduce the sun’s brilliance to safe levels. Eclipse viewers and telescopes with solar filters will be available at the SPC Planetarium during the event.

Visitors also will be able to watch the eclipse in the quad area of the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, near the southwest entrance of the West St. Petersburg Community Library. Additional viewing areas will be available between the Technical (TE) and Natural Science (SC) buildings. Parking for the library is accessible from 67^th St. at 9^th Ave. N. Parking also is available in the north and west lots of the campus on 69^th St. at 5^th Ave. N.

At the Seminole Community Library

The Seminole Community Library at the SPC Seminole Campus, 9200 113^th St., also will hold an eclipse viewing from 12:45 – 4:15 p.m. Eclipse viewing glasses will be available while supplies last.

About the eclipse

During this year’s eclipse, the moon is closer to the Earth than it was during the 2017 solar eclipse, NASA reported. That means the moon will appear slightly larger, resulting in a prolonged period of darkness. The eclipse begins at 1:43 p.m. EST when the moon first touches the sun’s disk. Over the next 77 minutes, the moon will cover more and more of the sun, with the mid-eclipse occurring just before 3 p.m. The eclipse will end at 4:14 p.m.

A total solar eclipse will not cross the U.S. again until August 2044, according to NASA.

More information

Contact the SPC Planetarium at 727-341-4568 or Dr. Craig Joseph at joseph.craig@spcollege.edu. Additional information also will be posted on the College’s website at spcollege.edu/planetarium.

TEDx St. Petersburg College Announces “Redefining Learning for the Next Generation”

Listen to talks that spotlight ideas and solutions on how we can transform how we teach and learn

TEDx St. Petersburg College announces upcoming speaker event, “Redefining Learning for the Next Generation,” on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Palladium at St. Peterburg College, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

This event will bring together thought leaders, educators, technologists, students, and community members to explore innovative approaches to education in the 21st century. TEDx St. Petersburg registration and tickets are available at The Palladium Box Office. Tickets are $20 for the public and $10 for students. The capacity of the event is only 100 tickets.

There will be 10 speakers at the event. They include:

• Bozena Gasior
• Kristen Jacobsen
• Christine Laurenzi
• Tara Newsom
• Nick Padlo
• Brian Peret
• Tony Selvaggio
• Marlee Strawn
• Theresa Worthy
• AJ Eckstein

Regina Gonzalez, a reporter for Good Day Tampa Bay on FOX 13 News, will host the event.

She attended the University of Tampa where she graduated cum laude in 2017. Gonzalez is ecstatic to be telling stories in a city she considers her second home. 

“Our goal is to ignite conversations that lead to actionable change in how we think about education,” said Dr. Emmanuel Hernandez-Agosto, SPC College of Business Dean and organizer of TEDx St. Petersburg College. “We believe this event will be a catalyst for reimagining learning in a way that prepares our children, and all learners, for the future.”

The event not only highlights speakers who foster deep discussion on topics of “Redefining Learning for the Next Generation,” but it also offers a networking opportunity platform for educators, policymakers, parents, students, and community members to connect and collaborate toward shaping the future of education. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience, where x = independently organized TED event.

Sponsors of the event include:

• St. Petersburg College Titan Fund
• Enterprise Mobility
• KnowBe4
• SIM Tampa Bay
• Tampa Bay Latin Chamber
• Enterprising Latinas

For more information about the TEDx St. Petersburg College event, please visit the TEDx St. Petersburg College event page or contact Dr. Emmanuel Hernandez-Agosto at 727-712-5407 or Hernandez.Emmanuel@spcollege.edu.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED
TED is on a mission to discover and spread ideas that spark imagination, embrace possibility and catalyze impact. Our organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder and the pursuit of knowledge — without an agenda. We welcome people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and connection with others, and we invite everyone to engage with ideas and activate them in your community.

TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, but today it spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives exploring everything from science and business to education, arts and global issues. In addition to the hundreds of TED Talks curated from our annual conferences and published on TED.com, we produce original podcasts, short video series, animated educational lessons (TED-Ed) and TV programs that are translated into more than 100 languages and distributed via partnerships around the world. Each year, more than 3,000 independently run TEDx events bring people together to share ideas and bridge divides in communities on every continent. Through the Audacious Project, TED has helped catalyze more than $3 billion in funding for projects that seek to make the world more beautiful, sustainable and just. In 2020, TED launched Countdown, an initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and mobilize a movement for a net-zero future. View a full list of TED’s many programs and initiatives.

TED is owned by a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation. Our aim is to help create a future worth pursuing for all.

SPC & Moffitt Cancer Center Host 2024 Career Expo

St. Petersburg College (SPC) and Moffitt Cancer Center will come together at a career expo to showcase the educational opportunities and career paths that exist at both institutions. The event is on Tuesday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at SPC Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St.

“We are committed to delivering educational opportunities and training that will lead to high-wage careers,” SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams said. “We want to set students up on a path toward lifelong success and leave them in a better position than where they started.”

Demand for health care professionals is growing and SPC and Moffitt are trying to meet the demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the health care field is projected to grow 16% over the next decade. This demand will add around 2.6 million new jobs to the economy.

Expo attendees can learn about the many career-focused programs at SPC and how students can earn degrees and industry-recognized certifications to get into the workforce quickly. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to bring copies of their resumes.

“This partnership builds upon an already strong relationship. We have always been impressed with the opportunities that Moffitt provides for SPC students,” said Natavia Middleton, Dean of Natural Sciences, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Building Arts, and Veterinary Technology at SPC, “Moffitt trains some of the most accessible health care professionals. SPC places a heavy emphasis on technical and soft skills, so we appreciate that Moffitt is allowing the local workforce to grow and join organizations such as theirs.”

Participants at the expo will also get to meet Moffitt Cancer Center’s team and learn about how the cancer center focuses on creating the next generation of personalized cancer care, providing patients with hope and the best outcomes. Moffit has career opportunities for full-time, part-time, PRN, nights, days, and even training available.

“Moffitt Cancer Center is an incredible workplace but is much more than a career. Each one of our more than 9,000 team members contributes to our meaningful and lifesaving mission to prevent and cure cancer,” Moffitt President and CEO Patrick Hwu said. “We are thrilled to partner with St. Petersburg College and look forward to growing our team from the talented community of students graduating right here in the Sunshine State.”

Events at the expo include:

• Health Program Exhibits
• Interview with Moffitt’s Talent Advisors
• Learn about Internships
• Resume workshops
• Mock Interviews

For more information, call 813-745-6720 or email Careers@Moffitt.org. To register, visit stpe.co/moffitt.

Background on Moffit Cancer Center: Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 56 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 9,000 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.4 billion.

Collaborative Labs Expands to Downtown St. Petersburg

Innovation knows no bounds, and neither does Collaborative Labs at St. Petersburg College (SPC). On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Collaborative Labs team marked a significant milestone by cutting the ribbon on its second location at the SPC Downtown Center in a ceremony at the American Stage Theatre.

For the past 20 years, the Collaborative Labs team has established itself as experts in organizing highly interactive and dynamic collaborative sessions. Their skilled facilitation has helped numerous organizations in navigating complex challenges and discovering new avenues for growth.

The decision to expand to the SPC Downtown Center underscores Collaborative Labs’ strategic vision to broaden its impact in Pinellas County and beyond. It signifies not only an expansion of its physical footprint but also a deepening commitment to fostering innovation and, of course, collaboration.

“Twenty years later and Collaborative Labs is still here because there is a need for companies, organizations, and groups to work on strategy in a collaborative setting,” said SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams. “This is by far the best collaborative facility in the nation.”

Celebrating talent and vision

Andrea Henning, the Executive Director of Collaborative Labs since its inception, led the ribbon-cutting event and commended her team and the college for the ongoing success of Collaborative Labs. “These are some of the most talented and gifted people I have ever worked with,” she remarked during the ceremony.

Henning also expressed gratitude to Dr. Tashika Griffith, the former Provost of the SPC Downtown Center and the current Clearwater Campus Provost, for her role in initiating the vision for the secondary space.

Other speakers at the event included Dr. Jackie Skryd, Vice President of Workforce Development and Corporate Partnerships for SPC; Dr. Keron Jean-Baptiste, the Acting Provost of the SPC Downtown Center; and Tina Fischer, Director of Collaborative Labs.

“I’ve had the great opportunity to support the Collaborative Labs team and I am so proud of them for the work they have done in the last 20 years,” Skryd said. “This is a wonderful resource that businesses can utilize and benefit from as they’re doing their strategic planning.”

Ken Welch, Mayor of St. Petersburg, and Matthew Sokolowski, President of Great Bay Distributors, sent video messages of congratulations for the event as well. Chris Steinocher, President and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, also had nothing but glowing words of praise and support for Collaborative Labs. He led the ribbon-cutting with SPC leadership and the Collaborative Labs team to cap off the ceremony.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to tour the new location and view a portion of displayed illustrations created by Jonathan Massie, Business Illustrator for Collaborative Labs. Massie also completed a live drawing during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

To learn more about Collaborative Labs, visit collaborativelabs.com.

SPC Hosts a Panel of Women Veterans for 2024 Women’s Month

March is Women’s Month and SPC is recognizing the achievements of women in the U.S. Armed Forces with a panel moderated by Courtney Robinson, award-winning 10 News Tampa Bay news anchor.

Robinson will lead the panel who will share their experiences of a life spent in military service. Panelists include retired Army 1st Sgt. Valerie Ellis Lavin, retired Lt. Col. Laurell Jones, and social worker Donna Sherman.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports women are the fastest-growing group in the veteran population, accounting for 30% of new patients, according to the Veterans Health Administration. They differ from veteran men and their nonveteran counterparts in the issues that they face.  

Moderator and panel information

Robinson is a Gold Star daughter who grew up on Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Her father served with Special Operations before he died while in service to the United States. From her military upbringing, Robinson developed immense respect for the service and sacrifice that military families and veterans make.

Lavin is the Founder and CEO of Luminary Global, a company dedicated to delivering vital emergency solutions that bridge the gap between life and medical care. Her collaboration with fellow veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs led to the establishment of Action Zone, Inc., an organization that nurtures the entrepreneurial aspirations of the military and veteran community.

After leading squadrons supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and multinational teams, Jones worked as a Senior Managing Consultant with IBM for 14 years. Since 2018, she has been involved with Dress for Success Tampa Bay and currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer for the Ivy Enrichment Foundation.

Sherman is a licensed clinical social worker. She serves Florida’s women veterans by equipping staff with tools for success in their professional development and provision of care. She has worked with the VA for the past 15 years, and since 2020, has served as the Women Veteran Program Manager at the Bay Pines VA Health Care System.