Chancellor’s Best
Practice Award
EFSC won a prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Best Practice
in the Florida College System for an apprenticeship program
helping aerospace companies at Kennedy Space Center and
other high-tech firms gain skilled workers. (Student Enrollment,
Diversity Initiatives, Financial Management, Employee
Relations, Community Awareness)
• The College received the recognition for its key role in forming
the Space Coast Consortium Apprenticeship Program to meet the
demand for cutting-edge skills in the area.
• The award cited the College for what it called an “innovative
approach to help students succeed in college and in their
careers.”
• Under the two-year program, student apprentices attend EFSC
classes two days a week on the Cocoa Campus and work three
days a week on the manufacturing floors of these participating
companies:
• OneWeb Satellites, RUAG Space, Rocket Crafters, Knights
Armament, Matrix Composites, Discovery Aviation, and Precision
Shapes.
By mixing classroom learning with on-the-job training, students
graduate with apprenticeship certifications and an Associate in
Science Degree in Engineering Technology.
•
• Among those participating is Kate Borelli, a student apprentice
who helps build satellite panels at RUAG Space.
• “It’s really amazing to know that I have a job after all of this and
get to start my career so early,” she said.“I always wanted to be
part of the space program. When I saw an opportunity, I jumped.”
• “At Knights Armament, they’ve been going above and beyond
to get me hands-on experience applying what I’ve been learning
in the classroom,” said Christian Arias, an apprentice for the
Titusville company known for its advanced developments in
weapon design and accessories for the U.S. military.
• Nine students participated when the program started in Fall 2019.
The Consortium plans to expand it.
• EFSC was one of 150 colleges selected based on strong and
improving student outcomes, including graduation rates and
employment rates.
• This is the fifth time the Aspen Institute has considered Eastern
Florida for the prize from more than 1,000 community colleges in
the U.S.
• r. Jim Richey said the College’s repeated nomination shows its
D
commitment to high standards with more new programs offering
student excellent careers.
• e also noted EFSC’s high graduation rates, low tuition,
H
and strong student support services as creating a winning
combination.
• T he top 10 finalists for the 2021 Aspen Prize will be named in May
2020. The winner will be named in Spring 2021.
Career Center Tops 70,000
The Career Planning and Development Center continues to
help students in new ways with more than 70,000 students
utilizing its services since it opened in 2011. (Student
Enrollment, Diversity Initiatives, Financial Management,
Employee Relations, Community Awareness)
• The more than 70,000 students served reflects the Center’s key
role in guiding students in the career track that best fits them
and selecting the right courses.
• 77 companies participated in campus Job Fairs, nearly double
the number from 2018.
• Companies that attended included major aerospace firms such
as L3Harris, Lockheed Martin and Collins Aerospace.
• The Center held nearly 75 workshops throughout the year
attended by 730 students.
• A new initiative at the Melbourne Campus Student Union has
specific companies coming in each month to recruit students,
including SpaceX, Craig Technologies and the Brevard County
Sheriff’s Office.
Aspen Prize Nomination
EFSC placed in the running among the top community colleges in
the nation eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for
Community College Excellence. (Student Enrollment, Diversity
Initiatives, Financial Management, Employee Relations,
Community Awareness)
•
The prize is the nation’s top recognition for high achievement and
performance among America’s community colleges.
2019 College Accomplishments
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