News Article

Two Edison State College Students Make Florida College System History, Elected to FCSSGA State Offices in Consecutive Years

Apr 9, 2014

April 9, 2014 – FORT MYERS, FLA. –Edison State College students have once again made history in the Florida College System Student Government Association (FCSSGA). Students Joe Garita and Guadalupe Lopez were elected by their fellow students from Florida’s 28 state and community colleges to serve as president and vice president of FCSSGA, respectively. They will represent over one million students enrolled in the Florida College System’s 28 colleges. This is the second time two Edison State College students have been elected for these positions in two consecutive years.

“Being selected to serve my fellow students is inspiring,” said Garita. “The difference FCSSGA makes for students is immeasurable, and I am humbled to continue to help lead them forward. Together we can continue to achieve great things and become better and better each year.”

“The unconditional support I have received from everyone at Edison, specifically my fellow Student Government Association executive board members and my advisor, Sue Buntic, has been both humbling and inspiring,” said Lopez. “I am excited to continue serving the students of the Florida College System as their FCSSGA Vice President.”

In 2013, Garita was elected to serve as FCSSGA Vice President while Edison student Jacob Winge served as president.

“Lupe and I being elected to serve in the year immediately following my and Jacob Winge’s election to the same FCSSGA positions just proves how successful Edison State College students are,” said Garita. “We’ve broken records two years in a row now, and seeing the quality of leadership Edison produces within its student body means there is only much more to come. This is just the beginning.”

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.

Garita and Lopez were elected and sworn in during the FCSSGA conference in Tallahassee on April 4. They will begin serving their term on July 1.

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Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, Edison State College is Southwest Florida’s largest, most accessible and ranked nationally as one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Serving more than 22,000 students per year regionally, nationally, and internationally, students are also active in a wide variety of clubs and programs that cater to their interests. Nationally, Edison State is ranked 45th among associate degree producers and 26th for its prestigious associate producing Nursing program. For more information please visit www.edison.ed

Last Updated: April 9, 2014