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FSW Celebrates National Nurses Day with ACEN Accreditation for School of Nursing

Left: Dr. Susan Holland discusses ACEN accreditation with Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas during FSW’s commencement ceremony. Top: Dr. Allbritten meets the graduating class of nurses at the April 2026 Nurse Pinning Ceremony.FORT MYERS, Fla. - MAY 6, 2026 - On National Nurses Day, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) proudly announces that its School of Nursing has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), a distinguished recognition of the quality and excellence of its nursing programs.The announcement was shared by Dr. Susan Holland, dean of the School of Nursing, during last week’s commencement ceremony, where FSW celebrated the achievements of its newest graduates alongside Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas.“I extend my sincere congratulations to everyone in the School of Nursing, and especially to Dr. Holland for her leadership in achieving this honor,” said FSW President Jeffrey Allbritten. “Your work continues to elevate FSW and strengthen healthcare across our region and beyond.”The ACEN accreditation affirms the School of Nursing’s commitment to maintaining high academic and professional standards while preparing students for successful careers in healthcare. It also reflects the dedication of faculty and staff who work to ensure students receive a comprehensive and rigorous education.“This distinction reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff and underscores our commitment to preparing highly skilled, compassionate nurses who are ready to serve our community and meet the growing demands of healthcare,” noted Allbritten.With this accreditation, FSW’s School of Nursing further strengthens its role in addressing the critical need for qualified nursing professionals in Florida and beyond.Learn more about our nursing programs: School of NursingAssociate of Science in NursingBachelor of Science in Nursing

Student Engagement

MissionThe Office of Student Engagement at Florida SouthWestern State College is committed to providing opportunities to enhance student success, retention, and graduation. This will be achieved through connecting them to resources and programming which contribute to their holistic development while ensuring that all students feel welcomed and supported as part of the Buccaneer community.VisionFSW students will graduate from the College with a strong sense of belonging and pride in their alma mater, fully prepared to successfully serve and lead in a diverse and dynamic society.Student Development CurriculumThe foundation of Student Engagement programming is our Student Development Curriculum. This is our guide to help FSW students be the best Buc they can be. This curriculum was designed to foster development in the areas needed to grow in your professional and personal journey. Every involvement opportunity at FSW is tied back to this curriculum.Connect With Us! Bucs Corner Instagram InvolvementTransitionsLeadershipBucs Corner

Student Engagement

MissionThe Office of Student Engagement at Florida SouthWestern State College is committed to providing opportunities to enhance student success, retention, and graduation. This will be achieved through connecting them to resources and programming which contribute to their holistic development while ensuring that all students feel welcomed and supported as part of the Buccaneer community.VisionFSW students will graduate from the College with a strong sense of belonging and pride in their alma mater, fully prepared to successfully serve and lead in a diverse and dynamic society.Student Development CurriculumThe foundation of Student Engagement programming is our Student Development Curriculum. This is our guide to help FSW students be the best Buc they can be. This curriculum was designed to foster development in the areas needed to grow in your professional and personal journey. Every involvement opportunity at FSW is tied back to this curriculum.Connect With Us! Bucs Corner Instagram InvolvementTransitionsLeadershipBucs Corner

New Student Orientation

Congratulations on your admission to FSW! We look forward to welcoming you to the Buccaneer family! The Online Orientation course:is required*takes less than 5 - 10 minutes to completewill provide you with the resources you need to begin your journey at FSWis in Canvas, the platform on which you will interact with most of your courses! Complete the Online OrientatonThis orientation course is for students admitted for Spring 2024. If you are admitted for Spring 2024 but cannot access the orientation, please contact us. New Buc Reference GuideHow to Navigate CanvasQuestions? Planning to start in a different term/semester?If you applied within the last year and want to start classes in a different term than the one for which you applied (e.g. you submitted an application to begin in fall but now plan to begin in spring or summer):Log into your Applicant Portal Locate the application you wish to update Click "Request Deferral to a Different Term" Select the term in which you would like to start.If your application was submitted more than 1 year ago, you will have to submit a new application, but we'll waive your application fee! Just select the "AA/AS, Readmit" application when you apply.*All First-Time in College students are required to complete Online Orientation. First-Time in College includes incoming freshmen and any graduating high school senior with previous dual enrollment credit from FSW.

Legal Resources

Florida Sunshine ActThe Florida Sunshine Law is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to the public records of governmental bodies in Florida. The law was first enacted in 1995. Click on this click to view more information on the Florida Sunshine Act (PDF)Clery ActThe Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act, signed in 1990, is a federal statute codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f), with implementing regulations in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at 34 C.F.R. 668.46. Click on this click to view more information on the Clery Act (PDF)Florida State StatutesA statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city or country. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. Florida State StatutesCommission on EthicsEach year, the Commission makes recommendations for legislation in an effort to improve Florida's Code of Ethics and its enforcement. View the 2016 Legislative Recommendations (PDF) that were adopted by the Commission at its September 2015 meeting.Click on this click to view more information on the Commission on EthicsFlorida Department of Education, Divisions of Florida CollegesFlorida's colleges remain the primary point of access to higher education in Florida, with 65 percent of the state's high school graduates pursuing postsecondary education beginning at a Florida college, and 82 percent of freshman and sophomore minority students in public higher education attending one of Florida's 28 colleges. Click on this click to view more information on the Florida Department of Education, Divisions of Florida CollegesFamily Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students." Click on this click to view more information on the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)Use of Motor Vehicles Q & AWhat coverage is provided under the college insurance program when an employee is driving a college owned automobile in the scope of employment of the college? Find Out this and More, by clicking on this link for the Use of Motor Vehicles Q and A (PDF)

Meet the General Counsel

Carl J. ColemanGeneral CounselJoe serves as the General Counsel for Florida SouthWestern State College, district wide, as well as a member of the President's Executive Council. Joe has practiced in the area of higher education law for more than a decade. His experience includes representing colleges and universities throughout the State of Florida. Joe led Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC's Florida Litigation practice for six years and he was Chair of Buchanan's Florida office from 2018 - 2020. He has been practicing law for nearly 35 years. Prior to the merger with Fowler White Boggs P.A. in 2014, Joe was the president of Fowler White Boggs for six years and a member of its board of directors for eight years. Prior to his tenure on the board of directors, Joe served as the practice group leader for Fowler’s Commercial Litigation group. Joe was co-chair of the firm's higher education team and he has represented multiple colleges, universities and elementary schools. Joe practices in both state and federal trial courts. He focuses his practice on business litigation, including contract disputes, wrongful discharge, wage and hour disputes and business dissolution, restrictive covenants, commercial torts, in addition to real estate and probate litigation.Since 1995, Joe has been a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Circuit Court Mediator and has mediated and arbitrated hundreds of commercial litigation, real estate, probate, employment and wage and hour disputes. Joe has always been an active member of the community and has been a member of various legal committees, including the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and Middle District Rules Committee. He was recently on the board of directors for Tiger Bay Club of Lee County, Habitat for Humanity of Lee County and the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Okeechobee Counties. In 2018-2020 Joe was a member of The Tampa Bay Partnership and The Florida Counsel of 100. Joe is a member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, the Lee County Bar and the National Association of College and University Attorneys. Joe graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attended Florida State University's College of Law and attained his Juris Doctorate.

College Operating Procedures Home

Dean's List

Spring 2025 Dean's List View Current A-E F-L M-R S-Z Archive Spring 2025 Dean's ListFall 2024 Dean's List

Risk Management Best Practices

FSW Chemical Hygiene Plan (PDF)Accidents/IncidentsBlood Borne Pathogen Exposure (PDF)Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From Small Gasoline Engines (PDF)Comfort Tips for the Office (PDF)Computer Laptop Security (PDF)Controlling Electrical Hazards (PDF)Electrical Safety (PDF)Fire and Emergency Safety (PDF)Forklift Safety (PDF)Golf Cart Safety (PDF)Hand and Power Tool Safety (PDF)ICE Program (PDF)Ladder Safety (PDF)Landscape Maintenance Hazards (PDF)Lightning Protection on Campus (PDF)Office Safety (PDF)Parking Lot Safety (PDF)Parking Lot What is the Risk (PDF)Preventing Slip and Fall (PDF)Proper Lifting (PDF)Recognizing Potential Hazards (PDF)Safe Driving (PDF)Staff Injuries (PDF)Stair Accidents (PDF)The Shocking Truth (PDF)Where are Slip Fall and Conditions (PDF)

Insurance Requirements

The following insurance requirements facilitate the execution of contracts by duly authorized officers of Florida SouthWestern State College. These requirements apply to all contracts entered into by Florida SouthWestern State College with contracting parties that supply goods and/or services such as, but not limited to, for profit, nonprofit, not for profit businesses and organizations, independent consultants, students, student organizations, other academic institutions, including research awards and sub-awards.The College requires that the insurance policies of all contracting parties be written on a primary basis and be non-contributory with any other insurance coverages. Contracting parties must use insurance companies authorized to do business in the State of Florida and values of coverage are to be in US currency, as shown in the insurance Matrix.The insurance shall cover the contracting party’s entire operation while under contract with the College and shall be valid throughout the effective period of the contract. The coverages and minimum limits required are the perceived risks associated with the activities of the contracting party, but in no way limits the liability of the contracting party.To ensure the College has additional insured status on the Contractor or Vendor’s policy, the following statement must be on the COI or an endorsement. “District Board of Trustees, Florida SouthWestern State College, Florida, its trustees, employees, officers, and volunteers are included as additional insured with respect to the required coverages.” The wording and address for the certificate holder should be as follows:District Board of Trustees, Florida SouthWestern State College, Florida, its trustees, employees, officers, and volunteers Attn: Risk Manager 8099 College Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33919Electronic certificate: COI@fsw.edu Please see the attached links for the College’s full scope and matrix of insurance coverage requirement for contracted parties by organization type, and thank you for doing business with Florida SouthWestern State College.Minimum Insurance Requirement Matrix for FSW Minimum Insurance Requirements

6Hx6 2.16 - Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone) Operations

District Board of Trustees Policy - 6Hx6 2.16 - Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone) Operations was approved to facilitate the safe operational and educational use of drones on Florida SouthWestern State College campuses. Drones have become a valuable educational and business tool. This policy establishes the administrative and operational requirements necessary to ensure all unmanned aircraft systems operated on FSW Property or used in connection with FSW business comply with federal, state, and local laws, and Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) rules and regulations. To view the full District Board of Trustees Policy - 6Hx6 2.16 - Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone) Operations, please click HERE.Drone operations on all Florida SouthWestern State College campuses requires departmental and Risk Management authorization through a workflow process.UAS (Drone) Intake and Usage Approval

Dean's List

Fall 2024 Dean's List View Current A-E F-L M-R S-Z Archive Spring 2025 Dean's ListFall 2024 Dean's List