The Bachelor Degrees are an enormous success
with 1,000 students currently enrolled in just the
second year they have been offered.
Increasing student success
These comments from recent baccalaureate
graduates speak to the powerful way the programs
are changing their lives:
• “ The degree is going to kick-start my career as
a physician’s assistant,” said Crystal Watkins.
“The classes were awesome and the program
was convenient because I could go to work and
school at the same time. The community needs
these programs. They’re a perfect fit.”
• “These programs make it a lot more affordable
for students to return to college,” said James
Shirley, a military veteran. “Hopefully, they’ll
be more of them.”
• “It’s definitely going to be a major plus to help
with my career,” said Ericka Ross-Murray. “It
will give me a lot of options and I’m really glad
the college is offering them.”
Stronger earning power
The payoff for graduates in the new programs is
substantial, according to a 2013 study that was
conducted to measure the college’s economic
impact.
The report found that Associate Degree graduates
will earn an average $43,100 annually during their
careers. Bachelor’s Degree graduates will earn an
average $61,800 annually.
Said the report:
“Students who move from a high school diploma
to an associate’s degree (at Eastern Florida State
College) may expect approximately $11,300 in
higher annual income. The difference between
a high school diploma and the attainment of a
bachelor’s degree is even greater – up to $30,000
in higher income.”
Expanding online classes
The college has significantly expanded its online
classes for students across all disciplines, giving
them the ability to earn more degrees completely
online.
The college is also expanding its facilities to house
the recently created programs on the Melbourne
Campus where new buildings are rising with funding
support from the Florida Legislature and Gov. Rick
Scott.
• A new Public Safety Institute opened in
January 2015 to train law enforcement officers
and others in first responder and criminal
justice fields.
• A new Health Sciences Institute is currently
under construction and scheduled to open in
January 2017 with about 10 highly specialized
labs.
• A new Center for Innovative Technology
Education is planned that would tailor business
and technology programs to precisely meet
business and industry workforce needs.