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FSW EMS students respond to a mock emergency scene.

Celebrating FSW Alumni Serving Southwest Florida During EMS Week

  • When emergency calls come in across the region, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) alumni are among the emergency medical professionals answering the call to protect the families and communities they serve. 

     Lee County Critical Care Paramedic and Field Training Officer Cesar Valencia loves the work, but it wasn’t part of his original plan. He completed the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic programs at FSW to gain experience in a pre-med track.

      “Someone told me to do EMT to ‘get my feet wet,’” Valencia said. “I did my schooling, got a job, and the rest is history after I fell in love with the career.” ...More

    • Media Contact

    Christine Bellport christine.bellport@fsw.edu (239) 433-8026

    Recent Posts

    FSW Student Ricardo Serrate-Chavez describing the research he is performing for the Collier Mosquito Control District.

    Inside Florida's Mosquito Battle: FSW Students on Front Lines of Research

  • As Southwest Florida enters the rainy season, seasonal showers arrive and mosquito populations begin to surge. Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) students are stepping into roles that go far beyond traditional classroom learning. ...More

    • FSW students reported record satisfaction levels in 2026, reflecting growing confidence in the value, support, and academic experience offered at the college.

    FSW Students Give College Highest Satisfaction Ratings in Survey History

    Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) students are reporting record levels of satisfaction with their academic experience, according to the college’s 2026 AA Completer Survey. The results reflect growing momentum in student success, retention and completion rates across the institution. ...More

    Mon Navarro, IIET program support specialist, gives an overview of the XR Suite technology to guests at the IIET grand opening.

    Regional Healthcare Leaders Experience Immersive XR Training at FSW

    As healthcare providers increasingly explore immersive technology to strengthen workforce training and staff development, organizations like Lee Health are turning to Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) to witness the technology in action.  ...More

    FSW Nursing students train in the FSW Simulation Lab.

    FSW Celebrates National Nurses Day with ACEN Accreditation for School of Nursing

    On National Nurses Day, the atmosphere at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) felt especially meaningful. The School of Nursing marked a milestone that reflects years of work behind the scenes. The program has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. ...More

    Keely Mckinney celebrates with her family at the conclusion of FSW's School of Education Pinning Ceremony.

    FSW Celebrates 100% Certification Pass Rate and Job Offers for New Elementary Education Graduates

    In recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Day, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is highlighting its growing impact on the region’s educator pipeline by celebrating its newest elementary education graduates and their 100% pass rate on the Florida Teacher Certification Exams. This achievement reinforces the college’s role in strengthening the regional teacher workforce. ...More

    FSW Police Department participating in a joint training exercise with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to strengthen coordinated response and campus safety protocols.

    How FSW Is Raising the Bar for Campus Safety Nationwide

    Campus safety is no longer a background concern. It is a defining expectation of the modern college experience. While institutions nationwide respond to more than 23,000 reported on-campus crimes each year, Florida SouthWestern State College is taking a more aggressive approach, not just meeting state standards but exceeding them through layered security, rapid response systems and forward-thinking technology. ...More

    Victoria Hippolyte poses next to her project, Verlodia Gems, a customizable jewelry brand specializing in beaded pieces.

    FSW Celebrates First Graduating Class of Entrepreneurship Students

    FORT MYERS, Fla. — April 27, 2026 — Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is marking a major milestone this spring with the graduation of its first class of students who earned their Associate of Science in Business Entrepreneurship, an achievement that highlights the rapid success and growth of the college’s newest academic program. ...More

    Student award winners and supportive staff pose in front of a backdrop of purple and aqua balloons and a banner with FSW logos and fsw.edu.

    FSW Campus Life Awards Celebrate Outstanding Student Leadership and Engagement for 2025 to 2026

    FORT MYERS, Fla. – APRIL 15, 2026 – Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) Campus Life Awards recognize students, staff and community partners for strengthening campus life through leadership, creativity, and service. ...More

    FSW student, Josue Briones, receives award from the members of the State Board of Education for his work helping FSW student veterans and vets create support and leadership opportunities during the fall and spring semesters.

    Dr. Jeff Allbritten Presents Florida College System Update to State Board of Education

    NAPLES, Fla. – APRIL 17, 2026 – Dr. Jeff Allbritten, President of Florida SouthWestern State College, presented on behalf of the Florida College System Council of Presidents at the April 17, 2026, meeting of the Florida State Board of Education in Naples. ...More

    Smiling FSW graduate in cap and gown holding her Florida SouthWestern State College diploma cover at a commencement ceremony.

    FSW Honors Class of 2026 Graduates with Three Commencement Ceremonies

    FORT MYERS, FLA — April 22, 2026 — Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) will celebrate more than 3,000 graduates during its Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 1, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. ...More

    Graduates seated in rows during a college commencement ceremony, wearing black caps and gowns. One decorated graduation cap with yellow butterflies and the phrase “The best is yet to come” is visible in the foreground. On stage, faculty and speakers are gathered, with banners and a large screen showing a speaker in a turquoise shirt projected above them.

    FSW Granted Accreditation by Higher Learning Commission

    NOVEMBER 7, 2025 — FORT MYERS, FLA — Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) has been granted initial accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), effective Nov. 6, 2025. FSW earned accredited status after completing the Accelerated Process for Initial Accreditation and demonstrating that it meets all HLC quality standards and requirements. ...More

    Faculty Feature

    A portrait of a person kneeling in tall grass holding a small box turtle with patterned shell, while gently touching its head. The individual wears a blue and gray cap, face mask, salmon shirt over a long sleeve, and gray pants against a partly cloudy sky.

    As a kid, FSW professor Jordan Donini loved turtles and other reptiles. Now, he shares his love of this important species with his students. Read more about Professor Donini.