Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XL, Issue II - Fall 2017 | Page 12

FOUNDATION
NEWS
H
ernando County Sheriff’s Charities Board participants in 2015. This increase is directly reflective
has provided a $3,000 contribution to of Hernando Sheriffs Charities prior investment in
support at-risk youth designated toward the program. Concept College’s success promotes
the PHSC Concept College program. Concept more than half of the program’s students reported
College is a pre-collegiate drop-out prevention an interest in attending college after completing the
program that engages high school students who are program. This includes 38% of participants enrolling
typically economically disadvantaged, ethnic minority, at PHSC.
pregnant, teen parents, migrant, disciplinary cases,
retrieved dropouts or otherwise non-traditional,
and who have minimal expectation
of entering or graduating college.
The program assists students
transitioning their mindset to
recognize higher education as
a realistic option. Students
are encouraged to graduate
high school, enroll in a degree
or certificate program, and
create the opportunity for self-
sufficiency through a sustainable
livelihood. Student participation in
Hernando County’s Concept College
grew from 22 students in 2014 to 141
Continued funding assists covering the expense of
transporting students from all five Hernando County
High Schools to PHSC campuses. Visits include
availability for students to tour the College and engage
in potential programs and educational sessions.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Charities has been an
integral partner in youth focused programs for many
years and is critical for the future success and growth
of this program in Hernando County.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Charities check presentation:
Back Row: Paula Carrington, Michael Nickerson,
Morris Porton, Michael Woodward, Richard Whitford,
Sherry Adler-Whitford, John Rizzuto. Front Row: Dr. Bill
Shustowski, Jr., PHSC Foundation Executive Director,
Claire Cohn, PHSC Foundation Director of Development,
Chris Pippenger, Jackie McCabe, Beverly Epstein,
Robert Besterly, Janine Hammett, Donald Caquelin.
HERNANDO COUNTY
SHERIFF’S
CHARITIES
Continue Investment Toward At-Risk Youth
12
PHSC Perspective