News Article

DIVISION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES GETS A NEW NAME

Aug 27, 2009

DIVISION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES GETS A NEW NAME

~ Maintains mission to provide Floridians with open access to higher education ~

TALLAHASSEE – The Department of Education’s Division of Community Colleges recently got a new name to go with its continuing mission to provide Floridians with open access to quality higher education and retraining opportunities. The 2009 Florida College System Bill (Senate Bill 2682), signed by Governor Crist last month, renames the Division as the Division of Florida Colleges.

“Florida’s community colleges have a long-standing history of excellence, anchored by the more than 800,000 students they serve each year,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “The Division of Florida Colleges is proud to support them as they work to stimulate our economy through a broad spectrum of high need, high demand career education programs.”

The new name is a continuation of changes that began in 2008, when the Legislature redesignated the Community College System as The Florida College System. The system includes all public institutions known as community colleges, junior colleges, colleges, and state colleges under the governance of the State Board of Education.

The 2009 Florida College System Bill, in addition to the 2008 legislative changes, also authorized name changes for many of Florida’s 28 community colleges. For a list of each college along with links to their Web sites, visit the Community College Directory. For more information about the Florida College System, visit http://www.fldoe.org/cc/. 

Last Updated: August 27, 2009