News Article

Bob Soter to serve as Community Liaison for FSW Foundation

Aug 8, 2014

Robert “Bob” Soter, former Director of Community Outreach for the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board, Inc. (SWFLWDB), is now Community Liaison for the Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) Foundation, Inc.

The Foundation, working side-by-side with the College, is seeking to connect with regional businesses and organizations.

“The FSW Foundation is excited to have Bob as a new member of our growing team,” said Dr. Louis J. Traina, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at FSW. “With Bob’s extensive experience in outreach, we’re confident that he’ll be able to expand the foundation’s presence in the community and demonstrate the great things we do here at FSW.” 

While at the SWFLWDB, Soter served the same five-county region for which he is now responsible at FSW.

“I see my role as building bridges between our newly branded college and a number of existing and potential community partners,” said Soter.

During the mid-1990’s, Soter conducted independent research and created a model to enable community colleges to move from a focus on teaching to learning.

During his tenure at the SWFLWDB, Soter successfully competed for a $2.3 million grant/loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and led the effort to acquire the land, design and then construct a 28,520-square-foot One Stop Career and Service Center in Immokalee, Florida.

Soter served under a one-year contract as Visiting Instructor/Coordinator of MSW Field Placements at Florida Gulf Coast University and for a brief term as Interim Executive Director of the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium in Fort Myers, Florida. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and was the first President of the Florida Gulf Coast University Social Work Advisory Board. He also served as Board Vice President of the Fort Myers-based Dr. Piper Center for Social Services, Inc.

In 2011 Soter earned a Master Gardener certificate and he volunteers as the technical advisor for the Pine Manor Community Garden Committee and volunteers with the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in their vegetable garden.

Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving more than 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW will debut its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

Last Updated: August 8, 2014