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FSW Dental Program Graduates Celebrate 100 Percent Pass Rate

FSW Dental Program Graduates Celebrate 100 Percent Pass Rate Mar 28, 2018 MARCH 28, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – For the 23rd consecutive year, 100 percent of Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) Dental Hygiene Program graduates have passed the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE). FSW’s Dental Hygiene program accepts 18 students per year, and students take the NBDHE in March while enrolled in their last academic semester at FSW. “The NBDHE consists of 350 questions to include general education, program specific general education and dental hygiene core courses,” said Karen Molumby, FSW Dental Hygiene Program Director. “FSW’s dental hygiene curriculum prepares students to apply critical thinking and evidence-based care through the application of rigorous didactic examinations, laboratory competencies and clinical performance evaluations. Because of their diligence and hard work, 100 percent of the dental hygiene class of 2018 has once again passed the NBDHE.” “We are extremely proud at the continued success of our dental hygiene students,” said Dr. Marie Collins, dean, FSW School of Health Professions. “It is through the exceptional instruction provided by our faculty and staff, that our students continue to achieve this amazing feat and a one-of-a-kind, national accomplishment.” The Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene is one of seventeen career options offered in the FSW School of Health Professions. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. #### Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: March 28, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSW’s TaSC Hosting Memorial Day Event April 19

FSW’s TaSC Hosting Memorial Day Event April 19 Mar 29, 2018 Florida SouthWestern State College’s Troops and Students Connect (TaSC) student club is hosting a special Memorial Day event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 19 on the Fort Myers campus, Building J-117. It is free and open to the public. “As military veterans who proudly served this country, and now as FSW students, this event is especially meaningful to us,” said Alyssa Candelmo, president, TaSC. “It’s important for all of us to always remember the sacrifice our armed forces make.” Speakers include: Dr. Jeff Allbritten, president, FSW Mark Lee, Afghanistan veteran David Sounders, American Military Veterans foundation Dale Mullin, President (Collier), Wounded Warriors Project Kim Hayes, Gold Star Moms Charity Gen Jim Dozier (ret), West Point graduate In addition to the speakers, groups expected to attend include Korean War Veterans, Rolling Thunder, American Military Veterans Foundation, Gold Star Moms Charity and Wounded Warriors Project. Last Updated: March 29, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSW Theatre Program Presents its Spring Production “She Kills Monsters”

FSW Theatre Program Presents its Spring Production “She Kills Monsters” Mar 21, 2018 MARCH 21, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA – Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) Theatre Program presents its spring production, “She Kills Monsters,” opening at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, in the FSW Black Box Theater, Building L, Room 119, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers. When oh-so-average Agnes finds a “Dungeons and Dragons” notebook that her deceased, super geeky little sister left behind, her whole world starts to change! Qui Nguyen's hysterical romp through 90's pop culture is a perfect mix of heart, hilarity, and hope for the geek in all of us! This play has love, broadswords, and, of course, a dragon waiting in the shadows. But nothing is what is seems in New Landia, and Agnes is about to have her world rocked by a slacker overlord, an elfin supermodel and a demon princess. It’s not long before the quest her little sister designed begins to spill over into Agnes’ real life, and things get really interesting. Will Agnes throw off her averageness and finally embrace her inner sword wielding heroine, or will the bugbears get her first? “Women are the heroes in the story,” said Stuart Brown, professor, theatre. “The idea of a play that focuses on the female perspective where the women are all-powerful intrigued me, especially in the current moment. And while it does cover some serious topics, it is a very funny play.” The production runs March 29-31 and April 5-7. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for the public. Tickets are available at https://shekills.brownpapertickets.com. Performances begin at 8 p.m. with additional matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturdays. #### Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: March 21, 2018 Back to News Archives

“Like a Boss: Utilizing Critical Thinking to Inspire Others” with Dr. Jeff Stewart Concludes FSW Critical Thinking Lectur

“Like a Boss: Utilizing Critical Thinking to Inspire Others” with Dr. Jeff Stewart Concludes FSW Critical Thinking Lecture Series Mar 23, 2018 MARCH 23, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – The Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) Critical Thinking Lecture Series presents “Like a Boss: Utilizing Critical Thinking to Inspire Others” with FSW Provost Dr. Jeff Stewart at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, at the FSW Thomas Edison Campus, Building U, Room 102. Additionally, the presentation can be viewed digitally at the FSW Charlotte Campus, Building O-117; the FSW Collier Campus, Building M-201; and the FSW Hendry/Glades Curtis Center, Building A-106 Dr. Jeff Stewart is the provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at FSW. He is responsible for oversight and coordination of all academic programs at the college and for institutional research, regional accreditation, all aspects of information technology, institutional assessment and effectiveness, data integrity, analysis and interpretation. Dr. Stewart received his bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University and his master’s degree and doctorate in educational leadership, policy, and technology from the University of Alabama. He joined FSW in 2012 and led the SACSCOC accreditation process before being named provost on Oct. 1, 2016. The FSW Critical Thinking Lecture Series features community leaders who discuss how they use critical thinking skills in their profession or focus on critical topics from their area of career or academic interest. The series is free and open to the public. For more information on the FSW Critical Thinking Lecture Series, contact Whitney Rhyne, director, Strategic Initiatives, at (239) 433-6943 or Whitney.Rhyne@fsw.edu. ##### Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: March 23, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSW College High School-Charlotte Graduates Earn Over $2M in Scholarships

FSW College High School-Charlotte Graduates Earn Over $2M in Scholarships Jun 4, 2018 For over 70 percent of the graduates of Florida SouthWestern College High School - Charlotte, that stroll across the stage on May 18 wasn’t their first. When they crossed the stage in the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 57 of the 79 graduates had already participated in Florida SouthWestern State College’s commencement ceremony on May 4 for their Associate in Arts degree. “Part of our mission is to provide that path for our students to simultaneously earn a two-year college degree, and their high school diploma,” said Matthew Cantazarite, Principal, FSW Collegiate High School – Charlotte. “By earning their AA degree at FSW, our students have a head start in completing a bachelor’s degree.” The Class of 2018 also collectively earned over $2.3M in scholarships to continue their education. Some of the universities that these students are attending include: University of South Florida, FSW, FGCU, University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Unity College, University of Tampa, University of Pittsburgh and Ringling School of Art and Design. Last Updated: June 4, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSW Secures Significant Training Grant for Arthrex

FSW Secures Significant Training Grant for Arthrex May 16, 2018 Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), the State Fiscal Agent for Quick Response Training (QRT) grants, has secured a significant grant for Arthrex to train 269 new hires. “This is a significant grant for Arthrex and our region,” said Dr. Robert R. Jones, regional vice president economic and community development, FSW. “The funds will be used for proprietary supervisory and management training.” Arthrex is an orthopedic medical device company, and a leader in product development, medical education and a pioneer in arthroscopy, having developed thousands of products and surgical procedures in orthopedic medicine worldwide. The company’s corporate headquarters is located in Naples, Florida, with global divisions in Munich, Germany and Singapore. It also has several subsidiaries and distribution centers throughout the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. “Arthrex is very appreciative of our partnership with Florida SouthWestern State College and the state of Florida. The grant supports Arthrex’s continued growth and investment in southwest Florida,” said Kathy Sparrow, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Arthrex. Florida SouthWestern State College is the State Fiscal Agent for Quick Response Training (QRT) grants in southwest Florida. This is the second QRT grant awarded to Arthrex in the last two years. By working closely with CareerSource Florida in Tallahassee, and FSW’s School of Business and Technology (SOBT), FSW has been successful in securing $2.4M in QRT funds to train over 1,300 new hires since July 1, 2017. This funding not only directly benefits the companies receiving training funds, but also results in a local economic benefit through the multiplier effect. Since 2013, FSW has secured $12M in QRT funding. The QRT grant lasts for one year and is targeted on the highly customized training programs that companies need to improve the skill base of new hires. These programs can be instructed by specialists from the company itself or by a one of the SOBT's extensive portfolio of private and internal subject matter experts. Last Updated: May 16, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSW Student Accepted to MIT Women’s Technology Program

FSW Student Accepted to MIT Women’s Technology Program May 11, 2018 Summer vacation. Students are counting down the days. For FSW student Elizabeth Swiersz, that countdown is for a different reason. She is one of only 40 women to be accepted to the Women’s Technology Program in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (WTP-EECS) held at MIT this summer. There were 696 applicants nationally for those 40 coveted spots. The ones selected have demonstrated outstanding academic talent in math and science. “I like problem-solving because it’s very fulfilling to me,” said Swiersz. “I’m very interested in the either civil engineering or architecture.” She’s a junior at FSW’s Lee Collegiate High School, the only STEM accredited charter school in the state, and a full-time dual-enrolled student at FSW. “It’s wonderful to see Elizabeth take advantage of this opportunity,” said Dr. Martin McClinton, Dean, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, FSW. “The goal of this program is to further encourage women to pursue careers in the math and science areas.” “We emphasize science and engineering at the high school to all of our students,” said Dr. Brian Botts, principal, FSW Collegiate High School, Lee. “Our students learn to conduct research, use technology, communicate and work collaboratively, and demonstrate critical and creative thinking. These skills, and others that students like Elizabeth learn, serves to help them take full advantages of opportunities like the WTP-EECS program.” About WTP-EECS The MIT Women's Technology Program in EECS (WTP-EECS) is a rigorous, fast-paced four-week academic and residential experience where female high school students explore electrical engineering, computer science, and mathematics for EECS through hands-on classes, labs, and team-based projects in the summer after 11th grade. Since WTP-EECS was launched in 2002, 626 students have attended and over 64% of WTP-EECS alumnae have chosen college majors in engineering or computer science. Another 21% have majored in science or mathematics, with the remaining 11% in a variety of fields. Last Updated: May 11, 2018 Back to News Archives

Callaghan Named Assistant VP at FSW

Callaghan Named Assistant VP at FSW May 14, 2018 Keith Callaghan has been named the Assistant Vice President for Economic Development and External Affairs for Florida SouthWestern State College. “Keith is a great addition to our college, and he brings a wealth of experience in the areas of raising community awareness and financial support,” said Dr. Robert R. Jones, Vice President, Economic Development and External Affairs at FSW. In his role, Callaghan will be responsible for community outreach and economic development efforts for the college, with a focus on Charlotte County. Prior to joining FSW, he was the community liaison for Lee Health Foundation and Golisano Children’s Hospital. His Florida career also includes development director positions with Edison State College (now FSW), Florida Gulf Coast University, and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. He is involved with many local charities and serves on the boards of the Fred Lang Foundation, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, the Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County, Crossroads Hope Academy, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and the Visual Arts Center Endowment Trust. He has served as a mentor in the Take Stock in Children program and volunteers for the Animal Welfare League, United Way and Leadership Charlotte (Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce). He also has served on the Charlotte County Community Health Improvement Partnership and School Health Advisory committees. Last Updated: May 14, 2018 Back to News Archives

Risk and Counsel Director to Speak at National Conference

Risk and Counsel Director to Speak at National Conference May 11, 2018 Susan Marcy, Florida SouthWestern State College’s Director of Risk and Counsel, will be presenting at the annual conference of the National Association of College and University Attorneys in Minneapolis June 24-27. She will join fellow attorneys Daniel J. McNulty of Carnegie Mellon University and Chris J. Melcher, of Augusta University to lead a discussion group entitled “Outwit, Outlast, Outplay: A Group Strategy Session on Surviving Campus Contracts.“ The session will offer attorneys in higher education with practical insight and advice for creating and negotiating contracts in higher education. The Association has more than 1,800 institutional campus members and 4,500 attorney representatives. The annual conference is the highlight of the Association’s educational offerings with more than 1700 attendees at last year’s conference. Last Updated: May 11, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSW Secures $524,000 Employee Training Grant for Cheney Brothers

FSW Secures $524,000 Employee Training Grant for Cheney Brothers Jun 21, 2018 What can a growing and successful company like Cheney Brothers do with a $524,000 grant? Hire and train onsite up to 330 new employees. Cheney Brothers, in partnership with Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), has been awarded that $524,000 grant. “Our partnership with FSW furthers our commitment to building our local workforce by attracting and training the employees we need to continue growing and expanding,” said Shane Simmons, President of Cheney Brothers in Punta Gorda. “We are deeply committed to being a vital part of the communities we serve. Our employees work here, live here, and raise families here.” “We are proud of this partnership and the results our corporate training center at FSW brings to our region’s business economy. Cheney Brothers is a well-established and successful company, that with this grant now has the funding necessary to train and expand our region’s workforce with up to 330 new hires,” said Dr. Robert R. Jones, vice president, economic development and external affairs, FSW. “These new employees will receive training that ranges from logistics to management and supervision positions. These are the type of positive, economic driving companies that these grants are designed to help take their success to the next level. In turn that helps our economy.” Cheney Brothers, Inc. began its family business in 1925. From humble beginnings in West Palm Beach with one truck delivering eggs, milk and butter, Cheney Brothers has grown into one of the largest broadline food & beverage service distributors across the Southeast. Cheney Brothers presently employees over 2,500 people in Florida with yearly sales exceeding $2 billion. Their export services extend to over 80 countries worldwide, including the Caribbean and Latin America. Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) administers the Quick Response Training (QRT) grants in southwest Florida by working closely with the state of Florida Economic Development Office. FSW has been successful in securing $2.6M in QRT funds to train over 1,400 new hires since July 1, 2017. This funding not only directly benefits the companies receiving training funds, but also results in a benefit to the local economy through increased jobs and increased wages. Since 2013, FSW has secured over $12M in QRT funding to train over 6,800 new hires. The QRT grant lasts for one year and is targeted on the highly customized training programs that companies need to improve the transferable skill base of new hires. These programs can be instructed by FSW faculty and consultants or by specialists from the company itself. More information is available by contacting Adrian Kerr, FSW’s Director of Corporate Training and Services, at 239-432-5233 or email: adrian.kerr@fsw.edu Last Updated: June 21, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSW Proposes Course Fee Changes for 2018-2019

FSW Proposes Course Fee Changes for 2018-2019 Jun 1, 2018 Each year, Florida SouthWestern State College conducts an assessment of the courses offered and the associated fees. For the 2018-2019 academic year, the proposal for fees must be brought to the college’s Board of Trustees for review and vote. The FSW Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 28 at the FSW Hendry/Glades Curtis Center in LaBelle. A total of 34 course fees were adjusted, with a total dollar savings to the student body of just under $27,000. The list of courses and associated fees is available at: https://www.fsw.edu/assets/pdf/adminservices/coursefeechanges/CourseFeeChangesFY19.pdf Last Updated: June 1, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSW Mathematics Professor Aids in Donating Computers to the University of Zimbabwe

FSW Mathematics Professor Aids in Donating Computers to the University of Zimbabwe May 15, 2018 MAY 15, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA – Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) mathematics department recently donated 30 of its computers to the University of Zimbabwe’s (UZ) mathematics department. The donation was initiated by FSW Mathematics Professor, Dr. Douglas Magomo, who attended and earned his master’s degree from UZ. “FSW was in the process of upgrading our computers to newer models, and I had just learned that UZ was still using the same computers it had when I attended in the 1990s,” Dr. Magomo said. “I reached out to our School of Pure and Applied Sciences Dean, Dr. Martin McClinton, and the FSW Information Technology (IT) department to ask if the computers could be donated, and they agreed.” Before the computers could be donated, FSW’s IT team wiped the hard drives of all data and reimaged them so that UZ could install the software they needed. “FSW’s staff and faculty PCs are replaced every four years, and our student and classroom PCs are replaced every seven years,” said Jason Dudley, FSW chief information officer. “In most cases, we use a recycler if we can’t find a use for the older computers. Thankfully, along with UZ, we have recently been able to find other institutions in need that can use our computers to further their educational programs.” “Prior to the computer donations, all of our undergraduate math courses that required the use of computers were being taught in other departments,” said Dr. Gift Muchatibaya, UZ mathematics department coordinator. “This meant that our students had limited access to computers since they had to share the lab with students from other university programs. We are proud to say that we now have our own lab because of FSW’s generosity. We have since installed packages such as Matlab, Mathematica and Maple to the machines, and this has made teaching of most of our courses such as numerical methods, fluid dynamics and mathematical modeling a lot easier for faculty and students.” “Having a functional lab has also helped in that most of our students can’t afford personal computers or the relevant software packages because of the current economic situation,” Dr. Muchatibaya said. “The impact this donation has had as far as our research and teaching activities in our department is enormous and we, the UZ community, are grateful.” In addition to coordinating the donations, Dr. Magomo also covered the shipping costs out of his own pocket, and he is currently gathering more computers for a second round of donations. “In these days of the internet, these machines can be used for many things, but most importantly they enhance education and connect people to the outside world,” Dr. Magomo said. “This is not just a need for UZ, but for the entire country of Zimbabwe.” #### Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: May 15, 2018 Back to News Archives

FSWC-Lee Student Named 2018 National Merit Scholarship Finalist

FSWC-Lee Student Named 2018 National Merit Scholarship Finalist Apr 26, 2018 APRIL 26, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School-Lee student Sofiya Yusina has been named a 2018 National Merit Scholarship Finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Program. To participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program, students must take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Of the 1.6 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students then must take the SAT to confirm their score, and submit an essay and letters of recommendation to be named a finalist. Yusina is dual-enrolled and will receive her associate in arts degree from FSW this May, prior to receiving her high school diploma. She plans to attend either Princeton University or the University of Pennsylvania and major in biochemistry. Born in Moscow, Russia, Yusina and her family moved to Florida five years ago. She credits her parents for helping her build and understand the importance of a strong work ethic. “My parents inspire me to work as hard as I can,” said Yusina. “They grew up in relatively small towns very far from each other. It was their incredible work ethic and success at school that helped them get into one of the best universities in Russia, where they met. If they didn't work hard, I wouldn't exist.” “My advice to other students is to find a personal source of motivation,” Yusina said. “My motivation is to fulfill my potential and take advantage of the opportunities I am given.” #### Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: April 26, 2018 Back to News Archives

Four FSW Employees Recognized with NISOD Awards

Four FSW Employees Recognized with NISOD Awards Apr 30, 2018 APRIL 30, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Four Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) faculty and staff members have been named winners of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award for 2018. NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize college faculty, staff and administrators each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. FSW students and employees submit nominations for their professors and colleagues for this award based on teaching and learning practices that encourage student achievement. Dr. Katie Paschall, professor of speech at the FSW Collier Campus, has received the NISOD Excellence Award for Professional Development and Scholarship; Don Ransford, professor of mathematics at the FSW Thomas Edison Campus, has received the NISOD Excellence Award for Service to the College and Community; and Sandra Seifert, professor of mathematics at the FSW Hendry/Glades Curtis Center, has received the NISOD Excellence Award for Teaching and Instruction. This year’s recipient of the NISOD Staff Excellence Award is Amy English, Academic Support Center specialist at the FSW Hendry /Glades Curtis Center. “The NISOD Excellence Awards gives our students, faculty and staff the opportunity to recognize those college employees that go above and beyond their everyday duties in guiding our students to the ultimate goal of graduation,” said Dr. Jeff Stewart, FSW provost and vice president, Academic Affairs. “We are proud of the dedication and commitment these staff and faculty members have provided to ensure our students reach their greatest potential.” In 1989, in connection with a University of Texas at Austin national study of teaching excellence, NISOD hosted its first ceremony honoring NISOD Excellence Award recipients. It has since become the largest and most inspiring gathering that recognizes the contributions and achievements of community and technical college faculty, administrators and staff. This year’s recipients will be recognized during NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in May. About NISOD: For community and technical colleges that want to make the most of their professional development dollars, NISOD provides budget-friendly, high-quality, and faculty-focused programs and resources. For nearly 40 years, NISOD’s customer-focused approach has helped align our wide array of benefits with the needs of our members. For more information about NISOD, visit www.nisod.org. #### Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: April 30, 2018 Back to News Archives

Foundation Named Desamours CFO

Foundation Named Desamours CFO Apr 26, 2018 Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) Foundation announced that Dr. Ami Desamours has joined as chief financial officer. In this role, she is responsible for operations of the foundation’s budget, financial accounting, and procurement, as well as communication to all stakeholders regarding how funds are used, and impact of funds donated to the Foundation. She brings more than 15 years of non-profit financial leadership experience in southwest Florida. Prior to joining FSW, she was the CFO of School District of Lee County. Desamours earned her Bachelor of Science and Master degrees in accounting from the University of Florida, Gainesville. She then earned her doctor of education from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale. Community involvement includes attending sporting and arts events at our local schools, the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Last Updated: April 26, 2018 Back to News Archives

Hill Promoted to Assistant AD

Hill Promoted to Assistant AD Jul 6, 2017 Florida SouthWestern State (FSW) Director of Athletics Carl McAloose announced the promotion of Michael Hill II to Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations and Social Media. “Mike has done an incredible job promoting our college and our athletic programs,” said McAloose. “His talents with graphic design and social media have helped us with recruiting potential student-athletes and has added to our recruiting success.” Hill joined the FSW athletics staff as Sports Information Director in 2015. In his time at FSW he has led all marketing, promotion and media relations efforts for all four of the Buccaneers’ intercollegiate athletic programs while also serving as the department’s in-house graphic designer. A native of Detroit, Mich., Hill graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management. During his stay at BGSU, Hill spent most of the 2005-2006 season working as a communications intern with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. Prior to joining FSW, Hill’s career includes stints at the University of Arkansas, Xavier University and FGCU. Hired as an Assistant Communications Director for the Razorbacks in 2014, he worked with multiple programs including women’s soccer, women’s basketball, women’s tennis and the nationally ranked men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs. During his tenure at Xavier, Hill served as the Assistant Director of Communications and was the primary contact for the men’s soccer, women’s basketball and both men’s and women’s golf programs and served as the liaison between the University and CBS Sports College Network for the school’s official website. Hill spent six years as the Assistant Director of Communications, Internet Services and Design at Florida Gulf Coast University. In his time at FGCU he served as the Interim Sports Information Director from November 2008 to July 2010, becoming the school’s third full-time director. He was responsible for the development and growth of FGCU’s social media presence, as he developed the school’s first-ever Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles and completely twice redesigned FGCU’s athletic website. In his time with the Eagles, he served as the primary contact for five different sports, including men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, women’s basketball and softball. He was also a secondary contact for the 2012-13 men’s basketball team which won a 2013 ESPY for “Best Upset”, during their historic run in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, when the first 15-seed in tournament history made the Sweet 16 and became “Dunk City”. Last Updated: July 6, 2017 Back to News Archives

FSW Collegiate High School-Lee Awarded Grant to Advance STEM Education

FSW Collegiate High School-Lee Awarded Grant to Advance STEM Education Jun 26, 2017 JUNE 26, 2017 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – The Florida SouthWestern State College Collegiate High School-Lee, (FSWC-Lee) was recently awarded a $27,500 grant from the Schulze Family Foundation. The grant funds will be used to advance project-based learning opportunities in STEM education for ninth- and 10th-grade FSWC-Lee students. “The grant will allow us to immerse our ninth- and 10th-grade students deeper into programming and related technical STEM disciplines,” said Dr. Brian Botts, FSWC-Lee principal. “By purchasing the necessary hardware components, students will be able to actively participate in all phases of the design, physical construction and programming of various electronic systems. By considering the physical and structural elements and being responsible for the necessary coding, wiring and other automation components, students will be active participants in all segments of design and production process. To complement these student driven projects, field trips to visit industry partners in related fields should increase the percentage of students interested in pursuing computer science and engineering related majors and careers.” Annually, over 200 students will work in small teams toward the creation and programming of robots, drones, and fully functional personal computers while using student designed and fabricated 3D printed and laser cut components. All purchased components are reusable with a projected useful life of four to six years. About the Schulze Family Foundation: The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation began its work in 2004 with the charge from its founder to support transformational change for the benefit of mankind. The Foundation has consistently directed its primary efforts and resources toward matters of importance in human & social services, education, and health & medicine. It continues to do so today with a focus on investments that produce specific and measurable outcomes with a geographic emphasis on the Twin Cities (Minnesota) seven-county metropolitan area and Lee and Collier counties in Florida. In all of its activities, the foundation embraces its founder’s beliefs in the value of innovation and in improving the lives of middle- and working-class families. #### FSWC-Lee provides a dynamic STEM focused learning environment that is dedicated to creating and sustaining the independent learning process with a focus on helping students construct knowledge through projects, hands on activities, and academic debate/discussion. An integral part of the school’s mission is to connect qualified and motivated students to maximizing their college dual enrollment options. For more information about Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School Lee County, visit http://www.fsw.edu/wp/lchs/. Students enjoy small class sizes and individualized attention as FSWC since the school has a maximum of 436 students in grades 9 through 12. Last Updated: May 26, 2020 Back to News Archives

FSW Announces Release of Early Childhood Education Study

FSW Announces Release of Early Childhood Education Study Jun 6, 2017 What does it cost to ensure that Florida’s three- and four-year-olds are prepared for kindergarten? Why is that important? These questions and more were studied in detail and the final report is now available at https://www.fsw.edu/assets/pdf/soe/dean/FloridaECECostingOutStudyReport.pdf Dr. Larry Miller, Dean, School of Education at Florida SouthWestern State College, led the efforts in the study, “Cost of Kindergarten Readiness in SW Florida.” The education consulting firm of Augenblick, Palaich, and Associates (APA) conducted the study. “We know from research that kindergarten-readiness is a key factor in predicting third grade Florida reading scores,” said Dr. Miller. According to a report from the Florida House of Representatives, more than 38,000 of Florida’s children weren’t kindergarten ready in 2012-2013, the most recent year that data is available. The National Institute for Early Education Research in 2015 ranked Florida as 40th in the country in per student spending on early childhood education for four-year-olds. “This study was conducted so we could determine the costs to prepare children for kindergarten in our five-county region. By engaging our region’s education leaders from pre-schools and the school districts, we can more fully grasp a complete picture of this issue,” said Dr. Miller. Last Updated: June 6, 2017 Back to News Archives

FSWC-Lee and Charlotte Rated Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report

FSWC-Lee and Charlotte Rated Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report Jun 2, 2017 JUNE 2, 2017 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Florida SouthWestern State College Collegiate High School Lee (FSWC-Lee) and Charlotte (FSWC-Charlotte) were recently named Bronze Schools in U.S. News and World Report’s 2017 Best High Schools rankings. Each year, U.S News and World Report ranks highs schools based on common core data collected by the U.S. Department of Education, advanced placement test data, and each high school's statewide accountability proficiency test results and graduation rate. This year, 20,487 schools were eligible to be ranked from data stemming from the 2014-2015 school year. “We are pleased to be recognized nationally for the strength of our programs,” said Dr. Larry Miller, dean, FSW School of Education and Charter Schools. “Rankings such as these are proof of the dedication of our teachers and students in embracing the rigorous learning environments FSWC-Lee and FSWC-Charlotte provide.” #### FSWC-Lee provides a dynamic STEM focused learning environment that is dedicated to creating and sustaining the independent learning process with a focus on helping students construct knowledge through projects, hands on activities, and academic debate/discussion. An integral part of the school’s mission is to connect qualified and motivated students to maximizing their college dual enrollment options. For more information about Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School Lee County, visit http://www.fsw.edu/wp/lchs/. Students enjoy small class sizes and individualized attention as FSWC since the school has a maximum of 400 students in grades 9 through 12, with each grade class hosting 100 students. FSWC-Charlotte is designed to provide students of all ability levels an opportunity to graduate with both a high school degree and an Associate of Arts (AA) degree. The teaching methods used provide students an engaging learning environment and opportunities to receive additional educational resources through the high school and Florida SouthWestern State College. For more information about Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School Charlotte County visit http://www.fsw.edu/wp/cchs/. Last Updated: June 2, 2017 Back to News Archives