FKCC President Accepts Governor’s College Challenge

KEY WEST, FL, November 17, 2015— Florida Keys Community College President Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, along with his fellow Florida College System presidents and trustees, unanimously accepted a challenge presented by Governor Rick Scott at the Association of Florida College’s Trustee Commission meeting on November 12 in Orlando.  Entitled the “Ready, Set, Work College Challenge,” Scott asks the 28 state colleges to graduate 100 percent of their full-time students to either attend a university or get a job that leads to a career.

“Helping our students successfully reach their academic, professional, and personal goals is and always will be our primary goal,” said Gueverra.  “While the Governor’s challenge will be a stretch goal, it underscores the importance of the work we do to help each student reach their graduation day.  We already have numerous programs and services established to support successful academic progress and completion.”

FKCC offers faculty-advised tutoring and peer-to-peer study support services in its Writing Center and Student Success Center, in addition to access to free online tutoring.

Even before students begin college, FKCC provides free online tools to help them make educated decisions in their college, career, and life planning.  FKCC’s Success Calculator allows students to see the costs and time required to earn a degree based on various life scenarios, as well as their potential earnings with and without a degree program.  Career Coach, a complementary tool, allows students and community members to research careers. It includes information on wages and salaries, job openings, and trends, which are important factors to consider when choosing a college degree.

Earlier this year, FKCC established the Game Changer scholarship program, which is partly supported by the College as well as several local Rotary clubs.  The new program is designed to assure that local high school students, with a low probability of attending college, both attend and graduate FKCC within two years without any financial burdens.  Students take courses full-time and are supported through each semester by Success Coaches.

“While Governor Scott’s challenge is just about students attending full-time, we remain committed to the success of each and every one of our students,” said Gueverra.  “I will continue to work with the College’s Board of Trustees, our legislators, and community to create and support policy and fiscal initiatives that support this goal because the educational and economic fabric of our community depends on FKCC’s production of quality graduates who will fuel our workforce.”

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