SPC Graduates Class of 2023

St. Petersburg College held its 144^th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13 at Tropicana Field, bringing the number of degrees the College has awarded to 197,493 since it was founded in 1927.

SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams opened the ceremony with commendations.

“Our students are far from ordinary – they are extraordinary,” Williams said. “They are overcoming obstacles and juggling priorities to change their lives. Not only have they persevered, but they did so with academic honor.”

After Ryan Marr, pastor at Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg, led the invocation, and SPC music student Aaron Trill sang the National Anthem, Williams took back the mic for recognitions of members of the SPC Board of Trustees, faculty and students. She took a moment to talk about the new Promise Scholarship offered at SPC, which offers all graduates from Lakewood, Northeast, Pinellas Park, Clearwater and Tarpon Springs high schools the opportunity to earn an associate degree that is fully paid for by the scholarship.

“If you have a family member graduating from one of those high schools, and they want to be a Titan, SPC is where it’s at,” she said.

Award Winners

SPC Trustee Nathan Stonecipher presented this term’s award-winning students. The first, Elizabeth Hurley, is the 2023 Apollo Award winner, the highest honor an associate degree graduate can achieve.

Hurley served as a vice president for Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Eta Nu Chapter, and actively serves her community by volunteering at Dunedin Youth Sailing Association and participating in on-campus events such as Project HEAL (Healthy Emotions and Lives) and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) that bring awareness to mental health. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree at St. Petersburg College.

In her address, Hurley compared the journey of a life to a book.

“The first chapter of your book does not determine how your last chapter will end,” Hurley said. “You have everything you need inside of you: all the wisdom, all the knowledge, and an abundant world of resources. The world is in need of more people like you, and your voice has power. You have to use it – even if it shakes.”

Ke’Andre Chisom is the 2023 Alumni Achievement Award winner, which is the highest honor a bachelor’s degree graduate can achieve at the college.

Chisom, who attended SPC on a Take Stock in Children scholarship, is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, as well as The National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society, Men Achieving Excellence and the Tampa Bay Bridge to Baccalaureate program. He serves his community by volunteering at Largo Middle and Largo High schools. He plans to pursue master’s degrees in both Project Management and Architecture from the University of South Florida.

Chisom emphasized the importance of setting goals.

“If you have not made a plan for your future, I encourage you to do that today,” he said, “Decide what you’re going to do; decide what you are going to be; envision it today and take action.”

By the Numbers

Check out some items of interest regarding this graduating class:

• 1,530 degrees and certificates were awarded this semester:

685 Associate in Arts degrees
414 Associate in Science degrees
162 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees
103 Bachelor of Science degrees
166 certifications

• The college’s youngest graduate is 16 years old.
• The oldest is 69 years old, and 13 graduates are over the age of 60.
• 516 were the first in their families to graduate with a college degree.
• 166 were Early College grads.
• 156 were Collegiate High School grads.

Williams wrapped up the ceremony with parting words, sending the graduates off to start their careers or further their education.

“You have received a lot of knowledge from the finest faculty,” she said. “Now the challenge is to apply this knowledge with wisdom, and by doing so, you will most likely experience even more success in your lives.”

Watch the graduation ceremony in its entirety here.

See more photos from graduation here.

Learn more about becoming a future SPC graduate here.

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SPC Celebrates Graduates at May 13 Commencement

St. Petersburg College will hold its 144^th commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, at Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg.

The event will also be streamed live on the college’s YouTube channel.

With this graduating class, SPC will have awarded 197,493 degrees since the college – Florida’s first community college – was founded in 1927, almost 100 years ago.

The college’s youngest graduate is 16 years old, the oldest is 69 years old and 13 graduates are over the age of 60. Exactly 101 graduates will be receiving more than one credential this semester.

SPC will award 1,530 degrees and certificates this semester:

• 685 Associate in Arts degrees
• 414 Associate in Science degrees
• 162 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees
• 103 Bachelor of Science degrees
• 166 certifications

SPC Trustee Nathan Stonecipher will present this term’s award-winning students. Ke’Andre Chisom is the 2023 Alumni Achievement Award winner, which is the highest honor a bachelor’s degree graduate can achieve at the college. Elizabeth Hurley is the 2023 Apollo Award winner, which is the highest honor an associate degree graduate can achieve.

For more information about the commencement, visit spcollege.edu/graduation.

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Solar Apprenticeships Fill Workforce Needs

Many companies who provide clean energy sources – including those in the solar energy field – are struggling to hire people to fill open positions. St. Petersburg College (SPC) is seeking to address this problem in the Tampa Bay area, by partnering to support the first state-approved Solar Apprenticeship Program in Florida, sponsored by the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC).

“SPC’s goal has been to strengthen the workforce through the use of apprenticeships, which include structured on-the-job training and related technical instruction,” SPC Apprenticeship Coordinator, Jennifer Bodnar said.

Participants (apprentices) must already be employed by a solar company that is an approved member of the apprenticeship solar consortium before participating in the program. While working, apprentices will also take courses – fully paid for by their employer – to prepare them for industry-recognized certifications.

“I think this will be the most comprehensive program in the state,” Bodnar said. “It includes curriculum that other programs don’t have, like thermal and plumbing, and it covers both commercial and residential solar.”

Of course, employers who are consortium members benefit greatly from the program by upscaling their workforce with skilled employees.

“Employers often struggle with retention,” said Jason Krupp, SPC’s Career Connections Director. “This program shows their employees they are valued, and their company is invested in providing them with formal training. It builds a level of commitment to the employer.”

A grant was awarded to the college in the last year that can help defray costs to businesses, the Expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (ERAP).

“With the grant, SPC is able to offer funds to offset some of the expenses to employers, as well as explore additional funding resources,” Bodnar said. “As a state college, we have access to a wide network, to help reduce employer costs,” Bodnar said.

Colleen Kettles, FSEC Director of Workforce and Business Development, believes the program is integral to Florida’s workforce.

 “The Solar Energy Technician Apprenticeship program addresses the future needs in Florida’s workforce,” Kettles said. “I am very grateful that St. Pete College has stepped up and is working with us on the training.”

Any employer interested can complete this form. If you are interested in becoming an apprentice, complete this form.

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Duke Energy Grant Supports Tomorrow’s Energy Workforce

The Duke Energy Foundation has announced a $50,000 grant to the Electrical Lineworker Program at St. Petersburg College (SPC) to help meet the energy industry’s future workforce needs.

Since the program’s debut in March 2021, Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation have contributed more than $350,000 to develop this workforce pipeline as well as to offer access to lineworker training and job skills opportunities. These workers, honored this week on National Lineworker Appreciation Day, help power the lives of millions across the country.

“It takes a diverse team of dedicated and talented people to power the lives of millions across our communities, often in the most difficult circumstances,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Lineworkers consider it a privilege to serve their communities and they love what they do.”

“We are fortunate to have these passionate members on the Florida team, and we look forward to adding more,” said Seixas. “Graduates of lineworker programs at our local colleges are ideal candidates for lineworker roles at Duke Energy, and we are proud to continue to support the Electrical Lineworker Program at St. Petersburg College.”

Since partnering with SPC, more than 100 students have successfully completed the Electrical Lineworker Program. SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams said the continued partnership will build the next generation of the workforce.

“Strengthening the talent pipeline exemplifies the college’s vision of economic mobility,” Williams said. “Without the generous contributions and continued partnership with Duke Energy, the Electrical Lineworker Program’s success would not be possible.”

As Duke Energy continues to launch new grid and infrastructure improvement projects to modernize, harden and technologically advance the power grid, the need for skilled workers – especially entry-level lineworkers – is also on the upswing. Lineworkers play an integral role in a more efficient, more reliable digital grid. 

The company’s lineworker hiring strategy is transforming to fast-track and hire more aggressively. They also collaborate with local community colleges to identify lineworker talent, shorten the new hire onboarding process and deploy new hires more rapidly.  

The 14-week program at SPC’s Allstate Center in St. Petersburg provides students with practical lineworker skills so they are job ready. The class includes certifications in Restricted Class A CDL (in partnership with Pinellas Technical College), OSHA 10 Safety Training, Bucket Truck Rescue, Pole Top Rescue, and CPR/AED & First Aid.

The Electrical Lineworker Program is made possible through valuable relationships with Duke Energy, the Pinellas County Urban League, PowerTown Line Construction, Pinellas Technical College and CareerSource Pinellas.

For more information about this program, contact Christopher Cain at 727-302-6561 or cain.christopher@spcollege.edu. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply by completing a survey at stpe.co/lineworkerprogram. Once the survey is complete, applicants will be contacted about future classes that we will be conducting interviews for and filling.

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Students Can Earn a Degree for Free with the SPC Promise Scholarship

So many Pinellas County high school students graduate with no idea how they might pay for a college degree or credential that will land them good-paying jobs and fulfilling careers. That’s why St. Petersburg College is offering the SPC Promise Scholarship to 2023 graduates from Lakewood, Tarpon Springs, Pinellas Park, Clearwater, and Northeast high schools.

“Providing avenues for economic mobility is key to our mission at SPC,” said SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams. “This scholarship will provide access to a college degree to our most underserved residents, which benefits our entire community. We are thrilled to offer the ‘promise’ of a better future through a college education that prepares our students for sustainable, high-wage careers.”

The SPC Promise Scholarship, a pilot program, will cover all tuition and fees at St. Petersburg College – after any grants or scholarships a student receives are applied – for an Associate in Arts, an Associate in Science, or a financial aid-eligible certificate.

The scholarship is targeted toward the most impoverished communities in Pinellas County and is designed to provide graduates of the five high schools the opportunity to break a generational cycle of poverty. If the students are 100% fully Pell eligible, the SPC Promise Scholarship will provide an additional $500 award per semester to assist with expenses such as textbooks.

To apply, students must:

• Complete a FAFSA
• Complete the SPC application
• Enroll for at least six (6) credit hours, beginning in the Fall 2023 Term following their high school graduation

Requirements to keep the scholarship include:

• Complete the FAFSA each year
• Be continuously enrolled for at least six (6) credit hours in both Fall and Spring terms
• Complete an associate degree or a financial aid-eligible certificate by the end of their third academic year
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA and a successful course completion rate

Monies are disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an SPC application is submitted, students will be sent next steps.

The college also offers many other scholarships to students. In 2021-22, SPC awarded $6.6 million in public and private scholarships.

Jamelle Conner, Vice President of Student Affairs, said the SPC Promise Scholarship is an amazing investment in the potential of students within our community. 

“It’s exciting because it can truly be life changing for them to take part in this opportunity, to go to college, and to earn a degree without going into debt,” Conner said. “We can’t wait to welcome them into the Titan family!”

Learn more at spc.edu/promisescholarship.

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Community Colleges Offer More Than Degrees

April is Community College Month and a time to celebrate all that community colleges do for their communities.

Since 1927, St. Petersburg College has offered a means to better lives through education. Today, SPC serves Pinellas County through its award-winning programs — more than 80 of which are offered fully online — as well as workforce certifications and short-term training programs for in-demand careers. SPC is also a large contributor to the economic health of the community.

Community colleges also offer non-academic support. Last year, SPC’s students and employees logged 51,436 volunteer hours. And SPC’s strong support systems help get students to the finish line. One of the college’s newest programs, First to Finished, seeks to help first-generation students navigate college and make sure they have the resources to successfully finish their degrees or certificate programs at SPC.

“We create a space for them to talk about their concerns or needs or just have fun and build a network with their classmates,” said Shannon Ulrich, First to Finished coordinator. “We believe that the support they get in the group will increase the likelihood that they feel engaged with the college and complete their degree.”

Another way SPC is serving the community is through a new scholarship. The Promise Scholarship is offered to 2023 graduates from a select group of local high schools, in order to assist graduates who need help paying for a degree or credentials that would land them good-paying jobs and fulfilling careers.

“Providing avenues for economic mobility is key to our mission at SPC,” said SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams. “This scholarship will provide access to a college degree to our most underserved residents, which benefits our entire community. We are thrilled to offer the ‘promise’ of financial freedom through a college education that prepares our students for sustainable, high-wage careers.”

The Promise Scholarship covers tuition and fees at SPC — after any grants or scholarships a student receives — through a student’s graduation from an associate degree or eligible certificate program.

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MECCA Event Showcases Jobs

St. Petersburg College will partner with the Pinellas County Urban League and the Homeless Empowerment Program to present the Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction and Architecture (MECCA) expo. This one-day event is free and community members, middle school and high school students are invited to explore careers in Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction and Architecture and learn first-hand from professionals in those fields.

The event will be held at SPC’s Clearwater Campus on April 4 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. SPC’s Engineering Technology Program Director, Sidney Martin, said SPC will open their engineering labs, offering interactive displays and activities to teach about careers in the engineering and architecture fields. The day will include many interesting activities and speakers, including people representing their companies, demonstrating interesting things about their careers and helping students visualize what the work in these fields entails.

“We want to expose middle and high school students to careers that they might not normally consider,” Martin said. “They’ll see that there are many great jobs in manufacturing and construction that aren’t necessarily dirty or dangerous.”

The program will feature keynote speaker, Dr. Dean Bartles, President and CEO of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group, Inc., a not-for-profit holding company of both the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining and Advanced Manufacturing International, Inc.

SPC will have a table showcasing their programs in the manufacturing, engineering, construction and architecture fields, as well as information about financial aid. There will also be information about the new Biomedical Engineering Technology high school program, in which students graduate with a high school diploma as well as an Associate in Science degree that includes three certifications in the BMET field. They can immediately get jobs or continue their education.

“I hope students and community members will leave the event with a better understanding of the potential income within these career fields,” Martin said. There are many opportunities right here in Pinellas County that provide high income.”  

Participating businesses and sponsors for this event include Plasma-Therm, A.D. Morgan Corporation, Moss Construction, Creative Contractors, Fastenal, Smith Fence, FleischmanGarciaMaslowski Architecture, and McCormick Stevenson.

To learn more, contact Sidney Martin at martin.sidney@spcollege.edu. A full program for the MECCA event is also available as a PDF.

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College For Kids Returns to St. Petersburg College’s Downtown Center

St. Petersburg College’s summer program College for Kids is back this summer, after a successful 2022 session. College for Kids offers a variety of fun, safe and enriching programs over seven weeks for area students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The summer program begins June 5 and runs weekly through July 21 at SPC’s Downtown Center., 244 2nd Ave N, St. Petersburg.

The program offers weekly themes, including visual arts, robotics, entrepreneurship, career week, music/acting/dance, health and wellness, and robotics 2.0. Belinthia Berry, Dean of Workforce Development and Corporate Partnerships, said the program is designed with both learning and enjoyment in mind.

“We created a weekly curriculum that will keep students engaged, unlock their curiosity, and explore subjects in a fun and safe learning environment,” Berry said.

The program, which is $120 per week, runs from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. There is a one-time $25 registration fee to cover field trips, materials, and a T-shirt for each participating student. After care from 4:30-5:30 p.m. is also offered for $55 per week. Maginda Montero, SPC’s Director of Corporate & Continuing Education, said the aftercare hours allow parents to continue to work a full day.

“We understand parents need that extra time to drop off and pick up their children, so that they can continue to provide for their families without the worries and stress of being late for work,” Montero said.

SPC’s College for Kids is excited to partner with The St. Petersburg College Foundation, which has signed on as a supporting sponsor for the program for the second year in a row.

“We believe in the program,” said Theresa McFarland, Executive Director of Advancement Services at the SPC Foundation. “We are honored to be a supporting sponsor.”

Please visit our webpage to register, learn more and see a listing of classes, dates, and times. For further questions, please email charleston.jody@spcollege.edu or call (727) 341-3089. 

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Upcoming Job Fairs Make New Careers, New Opportunities Possible

Job seekers: Come one, come all to a series of industry-specific job fairs this spring.

St. Petersburg College has partnered with CareerSource Pinellas to host a series of career fairs for SPC students and area residents, where they can connect with local employers who are seeking talent to fill open positions. 

From March to April, these free job fairs are open to the public and will feature careers in high-demand, high-wage industries in Pinellas County. Applicants can meet with HR professionals for on-site interviews, learn about available full- and part-time positions, and talk with career service professionals. 

Jason Krupp, SPC’s Career Connections Director, said job seekers and career explorers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to attend and learn about available career opportunities with dozens of local employers. 

“We are excited to offer these job fairs at no cost to employers and job seekers as a service to our community and SPC students,” Krupp said. “We partnered with CareerSource Pinellas to host these events to promote employment in targeted industries that have job openings, high growth and high wages.”  

The job fairs will include:  

• Engineering, Manufacturing and Building Arts Job Fair 
• March 2 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
• SPC Clearwater Campus, Room ES 104, 2465 Drew St.  
• RSVP: stpe.co/embajobfair3223 

• Business, Finance and Hospitality Job Fair 
• March 29 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
• SPC EpiCenter, 13805 58^th St. N. Clearwater 
• RSVP: stpe.co/bizfinjobfair32923 

• Information Technology Job Fair 
• April 26, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
• SPC EpiCenter, 13805 58^th St. N., Clearwater 
• RSVP: stpe.co/techjobfair42623 

For more information, contact Jason Krupp at krupp.jason@spcollege.edu.  

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The Aspen Institute and the Community College Research Center Select SPC for “Unlocking Opportunity” Initiative

The Aspen Institute, in partnership with the Community College Research Center at Teacher College, Columbia University named St. Petersburg College one of 10 community colleges selected for Unlocking Opportunity: The Post-Graduation Success and Equity Network. Announced last fall, this network will be comprised of 10 community colleges committed to improving students’ post-completion outcomes and proving that—by focusing on delivering credentials of value—colleges can strengthen the programs they offer and advising they provide.

SPC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Matthew Liao-Troth is looking forward to joining the Unlocking Opportunity Network, sharing the college’s success, and learning from other institutions across the country.

“For years St. Petersburg College has designed the curriculum in our degree and non-degree programs to align with the good-paying jobs and careers in our community,” Liao-Troth said. “In recent years we have reorganized our preparation of all students for job placement and career transition and extended additional outreach in working with employers to ensure that we have a smooth transition connecting students with the jobs that are in demand in our region.”

This national network will lead the field in shifting from the important but incomplete goal of graduating students with any credential to advancing access and completion with the end in mind: credentials of value. That means making sure that every student is set up to earn a bachelor’s degree or a high-quality workforce credential—including students of color and low-income students who are least likely to enroll in and complete the programs that most often result in strong outcomes.

“For many years, community colleges have been focused on improving graduation rates—and progress has been steady and impressive,” says Josh Wyner, founder and executive director of the Aspen College Excellence Program. “But with enrollments dropping for a decade, it is time for community colleges to turn their attention to increasing the value of the credentials they deliver, especially for the large numbers of Black, Hispanic, and low-income students who rely so heavily on community colleges to provide a path to a better life. The colleges selected for this network have shown that they can make scaled and systemic change, and are ready to work together on this critical goal.” 

The network will run from 2023 through 2028. During the first three years, colleges will set concrete goals, plan reform strategies, and implement changes with the support of coaches and learning sessions. The final three years will include continued monitoring and research by CCRC and Aspen alongside the continuing release of publicly-accessible tools, case studies, and reports to share the lessons with the field. Throughout the process, colleges will focus on strengthening and rethinking existing programs and developing new program models that expand career and educational opportunity for all students.

“We’re excited to work with these colleges to help them evaluate and strengthen their programs and see which lead to great outcomes: either good jobs, jobs right away or via completion of a bachelor’s degree,” said Davis Jenkins, a senior research scholar at the Community College Research Center. “This requires intensive work, and I cannot imagine a better group of institutions from which we can learn and share lessons with the field on how to deliver excellent and equitable programs.”

The colleges in the network are:

• Alamo Colleges District: San Antonio College, TX
• Laramie County Community College, WY
• Lorain County Community College, OH
• Monroe Community College, NY
• Odessa College, TX
• Sinclair College, OH
• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, WI
• St. Petersburg College, FL
• Tulsa Community College, OK
• Valencia College, FL

San Jacinto College in Texas will also participate, as a resource college for the network. This project is made possible by Arnold Ventures, Ascendium, ECMC Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and Lumina Foundation.

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