SFSC Nursing Programs Receive Continued Accreditation
The South Florida State College (SFSC) Associate in Science in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) have been granted continued accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at its meeting in September 2026.
“The Nursing Department at SFSC has worked collaboratively with our healthcare and community partners to strengthen and enhance our Nursing programs, and we are proud to celebrate the achievement of ACEN accreditation for the next eight years,” said Dr. Kathleen Cappo, dean of health sciences at SFSC. “This accomplishment reflects the commitment of our faculty to student success, academic excellence, and workforce readiness. Their dedication ensures that graduates are well prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our communities and contribute positively to the nursing profession.”
SFSC offers associate degrees in Generic Nursing (RN), Paramedic-to-RN Transition, and LPN-to-RN Transition, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which were all approved for continued accreditation through spring 2034. The ACEN found that the support from SFSC’s clinical partners was an area of strength for both the associate and bachelor’s degree programs.
“Continuing accreditation for both of our Nursing programs confirms what our communities already know: SFSC prepares nurses who are ready to care for Florida’s Heartland,” said Dr. Michele Heston, vice president for academic affairs at SFSC. “ACEN granted our ADN and BSN programs the maximum term of accreditation, a direct reflection of the excellence our faculty and staff deliver to students every day at SFSC. ACEN also recognized the support of our clinical partners as a strength. Their investment in our students and faculty is an investment in the health of every family in Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties. Congratulations to everyone who made this possible.”
For more information about the Nursing programs at SFSC, visit southflorida.edu/nursing or email healthsciences@southflorida.edu.
Reminder: Nominations for Meritorious Service Awards
Now is your opportunity to submit nominations for the 2026 SFSC Meritorious Service Awards. I request your assistance in identifying SFSC team members and others whose service have been exemplary in demonstrating excellence and commitment to the College, to our students, and to the communities we serve. Please send your nomination to Ashley Bennett in the President’s Office by noon on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
By using this form, please submit your nominations including a brief statement explaining why the person is worthy of consideration. There should be a separate form for each person you wish to nominate, and you may send your nominations by email, drop them off to Ashley, or have them delivered to the President’s Office through the College mail service. For convenience, here is a list of all employees showing their respective employment categories.
Everyone who is nominated for a 2026 Meritorious Service Award will be acknowledged. As in the past, preference will be granted to those nominees who have not previously received that particular award. Please nominate worthy colleagues regardless of this. We want to recognize excellence whenever we find it and no matter how often it is demonstrated.
You may nominate employees for one or more of the following Meritorious Service Awards:
Outstanding Full-Time Career Service Employee
Outstanding Part-Time Employee
Outstanding Professional Employee
The Lynn MacNeill Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member
Outstanding Administrator
Outstanding Community Volunteer
Panther Spirit Award
Employee of the Year
In addition to the recognition itself, each award includes a monetary award. All full-time faculty who receive an award are also nominated for Excellence Awards from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and will be invited to attend the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in Austin, Texas.
Again, please provide your nominations to me by noon on Wednesday. Oct. 28.
I sincerely appreciate the outstanding commitment each member of our family contributes to encouraging and supporting student success.
Fred Hawkins
Colonial Life on Campus Tomorrow
SFSC Panthers Who Have Passed
Mandatory Training
A Volunteer Activities Added for SFSC Gives Back
Join the Zumba Pink Party for a Good Cause
AFC Pumpkin Decorating Contest
SFSC Partners with UF Institute of Higher Education for Innovative Workforce Grant
SFSC Renews USF Transfer Agreement
Approaching Open Enrollment 2026
Zumba Classes for October
October 20 – Virianai Linares
October 21 – Heather Bass
October 24 – Alecia Francis
October 24 – Cristian Luevano
Monday, October 19
- Career Cafe: Business, 9 a.m.-noon, Bldg. B
- Undergraduate Research Forum, 4-5 p.m., G 101
Tuesday, October 20
- SFSC Zumba Pink Party, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wildstein Center
Wednesday, October 21
- Baseball vs. Webber University, 2:45 p.m., Panther Field
- Volleyball vs. State College of Florida, 6 p.m., Panther Gym
Thursday, October 22
- Career Cafe: Communications, 9 a.m.-noon, Wildstein Center
- AFC Pumpkin Competition, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Bldg. B
- BLE Graduation, 5 p.m., UC
Friday, October 23
- 5G Training, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., B 112
- Volleyball vs. Hillsborough Community College, 6 p.m., Panther Gym
Saturday, October 24
- Zumba Class, 10-11 a.m., UC
- Volleyball vs. St. Petersburg College, 1 p.m., Panther Gym
- Seger Experience, 7 p.m., Wilsdtein Center
Start your day right!
🍳 Breakfast is served from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
In need of a quick bite for lunch?
🥗 Lunch is available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Check out what’s cooking at Kelly’s Bistro, click HERE to see the menu.
📞 Call ext. 7199 to order ahead, or swing by and grab one of your favorites—fresh and ready for you!
