Edison College Selected for State College System Pilot
Jun 11, 2008
District President Kenneth P. Walker announces that Governor Crist has approved legislation naming Edison College as a pilot college under Florida’s new State College System. A signing ceremony will be held at Okaloosa-Walton College in Niceville, Florida on Thursday, June 12.
"This is a momentous day for Edison College and for residents of the great state of Florida,"said Walker. "The doors of higher learning are swinging wider to welcome more students."
The bill establishing nine state colleges as a pilot study emerged from the 2008 legislative session out of concern that Florida continues to rank near the bottom on the number of students earning bachelor’s degrees. Supporters of the bill cite the success of other states which have established state colleges as a way to maximize open access for students, and cost-effectively respond to the need for post-secondary education meeting community, regional, and statewide employment demand.
The study is slated to commence on July 1 with the goal of developing recommendations for the transition of community colleges to state colleges. Like the other eight participating colleges, Edison will retain its primary mission of meeting community needs through postsecondary associate and certificate programs, while expanding baccalaureate opportunities in areas of high workforce need. Open-door policies will be preserved, and Edison College will continue to reach out to underserved populations including those requiring preparatory courses.
"A baccalaureate degree enriches the lives of students and considerably increases an individual’s lifetime income,"says Walker. "The result will be more Florida students completing four year degrees, and at a significant savings to students and taxpayers."
Established as a junior college in 1961, Edison College has evolved into a multi-campus baccalaureate degree-granting educational system serving over 17,000 credit students annually. The College currently is approved to award bachelor’s degrees in six programs: Public Safety Management, Elementary Education, Secondary Education-Mathematics, Secondary Education-Biology, Supervision and Management, and Nursing.
Walker said that state colleges are proven economic engines, producing additional home-grown, highly-skilled employees, and raising the quality of life through enhanced educational and cultural opportunities.
"Other states implementing state college systems have reaped major benefits, as new state colleges have proven to be a powerful and energized driving force in economic growth,"said Walker. "Additional programs bring new faculty and staff, and new jobs are created. Existing businesses thrive with the growth of the colleges and more opportunities in higher education, and companies searching for a new home are attracted to the educated labor force in communities energized by this economic stimulus."
Edison College’s reputation for quality is affirmed in the excellent transfer performance of its graduates matriculating to state universities. Over the last three years, the average GPA of Edison College transfer students has been higher than that of students who entered the State University System as freshmen.
Edison College serves a five-county area with campuses in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties, a center serving Hendry/Glades counties, and through Edison Online. For additional information call 1-800-749-2322 or visit www.edison.edu.
Last Updated: June 11, 2008
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