News Article

Two Edison State College Students Elected to FCSSGA State Offices

Apr 20, 2013

April 15, 2013 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Months of campaigning and hard work has paid off for Edison State College students Jacob Winge and Joe Garita, who were elected by their fellow students from Florida’s 28 state and community colleges to represent them as president and vice president of Florida College System Student Government Association (FCSSGA).

“It’s a proud day at Edison State College,” said Dr. Jeff Allbritten, president, Edison State College. “Jacob and Joe have made college history by being the first students from Edison to be elected to president and vice president positions. Their commitment to the Florida College System is strong, and they will serve as great representatives for their fellow students at all 28 Florida state and community colleges.”

“I have never felt more humbled, honored, and optimistic,” said Winge. “The election proved that when students stand together, we can enact change. It showed that the students of FCSSGA believe in the power of dreams. My fire for the organization grows stronger everyday as we continue to move Florida in the right direction. What Joe and I accomplished is nothing less than history. The excitement in the room the moment I won and the support of my fellow students was inspiring. I feel so privileged to be able to represent nearly one million students and look forward to getting things done.”

“It’s an honor to be chosen as the vice president for this extraordinary organization,” said Garita. “It is inspiring to be able to write history and it is inspiring to have received all of the support I did from my advisor, Sue Buntic, my campus, and my college.”

FCSSGA represents the nearly one million students enrolled in the Florida College System's 28 colleges. It promotes legislative advocacy and training, leadership development, service learning, promotion of campus activities, and strong citizenship. The organization was created to unify the member colleges in order to best attend to the appropriate concerns of the students of the Florida Community College system and serve as a vehicle to communicate these concerns to the Florida Legislative Body.

Winge and Garita were elected and sworn in during the FCSSGA conference in Orlando on April 13. They will begin serving their term on July 1.

Last Updated: June 20, 2013