CF to Host Manufacturing Summer Camp

The College of Central Florida is offering a Racing to Manufacturing summer camp for students ages 12-15, June 14-17, 2021 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

During the four-day camp, students will experience modern manufacturing, learn the basics of computer-aided design and 3D printing. Campers will gain hands-on experience in designing and building products, learn about FANUC industrial robots, tour local manufacturing facilities, and interact with manufacturing business leaders and entrepreneurs.

The $99 fee includes all camp materials, a student-version 365-day license of SolidWorks CAD design software, T-shirt, and field trips. Scholarship opportunities are available. Space is limited to 15 participants and CDC guidelines will be implemented. For more information and to register, visit CF.edu/CorporateCollege, or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1214.

This event is sponsored by Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs, the Foundation of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and Mid-Florida Regional Manufacturers Association.

CF International Film Series Continues with ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ April 27

The College of Central Florida continues the International Film Series with “The Night of the Living Dead” on Tuesday, April 27, at 8 p.m. Online discussion on Wednesday, April 28, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. will be hosted by Sezin Koehler. Screenings will take place at the Ocala Drive-In theater, 4850 S. Pine Ave., Ocala, for free. Each film can also be screened from the safety of one’s own home at a time of convenience via free internet streaming services.

This film showcases Barbra and her brother Johnny being attacked by a strange, lurching man while visiting their uncle’s grave. Johnny is killed but Barbra manages to escape to a nearby farmhouse as more of these murderous flesh-eating people come out of the woods. Barbra is quickly met by Ben, a Black man who quickly takes charge of the situation and everyone’s safety as best he can all the while they continue to be violently set upon by hordes of the undead. With an unforgettable and heartbreaking conclusion, George Romero’s seminal 1968 horror film “The Night of the Living Dead” isn’t only a terrifying story of its own right, its social commentary on race in America has continued to remain relevant in the decades since. This film has a total run time 96 minutes.

Koehler, the host for the Wednesday discussion, is a weekly contributor to Looper, a film critic for Black Girl Nerds, and has bylines in The List, Bitch Media, and many more. She’s the author of indie horror novels “American Monsters” and “Crime Rave”, and writes from a small Florida beach town where she raises orchids and endangered monarch butterflies in her yard.

For links to the screening and discussion, and for a full series list and more information on the International Film Series, contact Wendy Adams at 352-873-5800, ext. 1546, or visit www.CF.edu/filmseries.

HEERF II/CRRSAA Report: March 31, 2021

The College of Central Florida (CF) has been awarded $5,063,708 under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). It is our goal to reach as many students as possible and comply with all U.S. Department of Education guidelines. The college is required to disburse the same amount on student grants under CRRSAA as was required under the CARES Act. Therefore, $2,531,854 (50 percent) of CRRSAA funds is to be distributed to students. The other fifty percent will be used for allowable institutional needs.  In addition, the institution received $427,179 in SIP funds.

As of March 31, 2021:

CF disbursed $1,646,800 to 2,269 students under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA.

Eligible students were currently enrolled students. Eligible students were not required to apply to receive funds.

  • Federal Pell Eligible students received $800.
  • Non-Federal Pell Eligible students who are eligible for other Title IV funding received $400.
  • Non-Title IV Eligible students received $200.

Click to view additional HEERF reporting.

CF Nursing Program Creates Academic Learning Community

The College of Central Florida Nursing program has announced a new student learning community called Nursing Crew. Pre-nursing students will have an opportunity to learn together in their first two years in college, achieving academic success and preparing for the nursing admissions process. Students will follow a pre-nursing pathway including nursing and general education courses to complete an Associate in Arts degree.

“By establishing relationships with fellow pre-nursing students this will support and encourage academic achievement,” said Dr. Stephanie Cortes, dean of Health Sciences. “Our goal is to support students through this unique partnership with Academic Advising, Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Enrollment Services and Student Life.”

Interested students need to fill out the CF admission application, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and submit a letter of interest by July 19 to be considered for the Nursing Crew 2023 class.

For more information and to attend an information session, visit www.CF.edu/NursingCrew.

Two CF Students Named as Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholars

Two College of Central Florida students were named 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholars and will receive a scholarship to assist them with their education. Daniel Goodman from the Citrus Campus was named a Gold Scholar and Autumn Lloyd from the Ocala Campus was named a Bronze Scholar. Goodman will receive a $1,500 scholarship and Lloyd will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service. Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa honor society’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held virtually April 8-10.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”

Students are first named to the Florida College System’s 2021 All-Florida Academic Team before being eligible to compete in the national contest. CF students recognized for the All-Florida Team were Jennifer Barton, Emily Ferguson, Dominique Gandiongco, Daniel Goodman, Brian Holloway, Autumn Lloyd and Lauren Morales.

In nominating students for the All-Florida Academic Team, colleges considered the following criteria:

  • Participation in honors programs
  • Membership in, and awards received from, academic or honors organizations
  • Awards and honors received for academic and leadership accomplishments
  • Academic enrichment achieved through study, internships and cultural experiences.

 

Cares Act: 240-Day Report

240-Day Fund Report: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund I

The College of Central Florida (CF) has been awarded $5,063,708 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act. It was our goal to reach as many students as possible and comply with all U.S. Department of Education guidelines. Fifty-percent ($2,531,854) of those funds was to be distributed to students. The other fifty percent will be used for allowable institutional needs.  In addition, the institution received $249,154 in SIP funds, of which $35,000 was disbursed to students as emergency aid.

  • As of January 6, 2021:
    • CF has disbursed $2,566,854 to 4,505 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
    • Eligible students were those students who were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
  • Distribution occurred in three phases.
    • Spring 2020. All currently enrolled students at the time of determination who were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 received the following:
      • A Federal Pell Eligible student received $600
      • A non-Federal Pell Eligible student received $300
    • Summer 2020. Currently enrolled students at the time of determination who were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 received the following:
      • Newly eligible students (those that did not receive it in Spring 2020) received $600 or $300 for Federal Pell Eligible and non-Federal Pell Eligible, respectively.
      • Students who completed the CARES Act Application (located in the CF.edu portal after a student logs in) requesting additional assistance received additional funds.
        • A Federal Pell Eligible student is eligible for an additional $400 and a non-Federal Pell Eligible student is eligible for an additional $300.
        • Students who completed the application and requested additional funds beyond the $1000 for Federal Pell Eligible and the $600 for non-Federal Pell eligible could request additional assistance by contacting our Student Support Services center. They evaluated the application, the students’ previous assistance received, gather appropriate documentation and ensured the funding needs meet the criteria outlined under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.  If deemed eligible, the student received up to $1,500 as a lifetime total for funding from the CARES Act.

The distribution breakdown for all funds in spring, summer, and fall 2020 is as follows:

  • 616 students received $300
  • 1 student received $400
  • 767 students received $550
  • 2829 students received $600
  • 1 student received $950
  • 216 students received $1000
  • 1 student received $1400
  • 6 students received $1500
    • In spring 2020, 3310 students were awarded
    • In summer 2020, 620 students were awarded
    • In fall 2020, 768 students were awarded CARES, 64 students were awarded SIP funds.

Visual Arts Students Exhibition to open at CF April 5

The College of Central Florida will showcase the talent of its Visual Arts and Digital Media students in an exhibition that opens on Monday, April 5, at the Webber Gallery at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. The student exhibition is an annual tradition for CF and the Webber Gallery, and provides students with an opportunity to present their work in a professional environment. There will be a variety of work on display.

“Even during extraordinary times, when most classes have been online, the annual student exhibition of the Visual Art and Digital Media programs is still the best venue to see the talents of CF students on display,” said Tyrus Clutter, associate professor of Visual Art. “This year traditional works will be seen along some collaborative projects by the college’s Art Appreciation students.”

The exhibition will be judged and juried by Dustin Boise, an Oklahoma-born artist and educator who is currently an assistant professor of Art at Beacon College in Leesburg. Traditionally purchase awards will be given to students whose work has been chosen by CF to become a part of its permanent art collection.

The exhibit will continue through Friday, May 7. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The gallery is closed Friday through Sunday and college-observed holidays. Admission is free. Masks are required to enter the gallery.

For additional information, call 352-873-5809.

CF Citrus Campus Sponsors Gulf Archeology Research Institute

The College of Central Florida Citrus Campus invites the public to a virtual presentation from the Gulf Archeology Research Institute on Wednesday, April 21, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. to celebrate Earth Day.

Researchers will highlight the importance of and connections between our shared natural and cultural resources stretching from pre-history to the present. After a brief review of GARI’s mission, purpose and reach, presenters will share results from sites in Citrus, Marion, Levy and Hernando counties and the increasing peril of disintegration of local landscapes and possible solutions.

Visit www.zoom.us on a desktop computer or search for “Zoom” in the app store on your phone or mobile device. Use the following login information for the talk: Meeting ID 972 6206 4246, Passcode 021497.

This presentation has been made possible by the CF Foundation, Jerome Cultural Endowment.

For more information, contact Michele Wirt at 352-746-6721, ext. 6131, or wirtm@cf.edu.

CF Hosts Four Career Connections Webinars April 5-8

The College of Central Florida’s Business and Technology Department will host four free virtual career connection webinars featuring local companies using new technologies in unexpected ways Monday-Thursday, April 5-8.

  • Monday, April 5, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Associate Director and Senior Research Scientist Bonnie Dorr from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition on how artificial intelligence will affect the future.
  • Tuesday, April 6, from 11:15 a.m.-noon, presenters from The Villages Grown will talk about technology applications in a hyper-local food system that benefits local residents, the environment, and the economy as well as careers in agriculture.
  • Wednesday, April 7, from 2:15-3 p.m., Paul Porter, Human Resources manager from Dollar Tree Distribution Center, will present about technology applications and careers in logistics and supply chain management.
  • Thursday, April 8, from 12:15-1 p.m., Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel Julie Sheppard from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition will present practical steps to prepare for a future career in technology.

Register now at CF.edu/BusTechEvents. Each day one participant will be eligible to receive a gift. For more information, contact Bonnie Hays at haysb@CF.edu.

This event is presented by CAMPUS USA Credit Union and sponsored by the CF Foundation, the Talent Center and CF Alumni Association.

CF Among Top Colleges in State, U.S. in Recent Rankings

The College of Central Florida has been ranked among the best in the state and the nation for academic programs, affordability and overall quality.

“CF continues to deliver a high-quality learning experiences and is committed to student success,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “The recent rankings are a testament to the work of our faculty and staff.”

  • CF is recognized among the top 50 Community Colleges in the nation for 2021 by Intelligent.com., and among those colleges was recognized for the Best Job Placement Rate. In evaluating the institutions, they prioritized affordability, program selection, reputation, faculty, and course delivery methods, including online, in-person, and hybrid classes. The comprehensive research was based on an assessment of 1,187 accredited colleges and universities in the nation.
  • In a separate ranking, Intelligent.com ranked CF’s Associate in Business Administration Degree Program among the top 50 in the nation for 2021. Among those 50 colleges, CF was also named Best for Certificates. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 188 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.
  • The CF Nursing program is ranked No. 6 for Best RN Programs in Florida by RegisteredNursing.org. Nursing programs were assessed on several factors which represent how well a program supports students toward licensure and beyond. The nursing advocacy organization analyzed past and present first time NCLEX-RN “pass-rates” weighted by year.
  • Best Value Schools has ranked CF No. 11 on its 2020 Best Colleges in Florida list. CF joins the ranks of University of Florida, University of Central Florida and University of West Florida, which appear in the top five. Rankings are based on the number of online programs, graduation rate, and tuition cost.

CF offers more than 150 academic pathways including college credit certificates, postsecondary adult vocational programs, associate and bachelor’s degrees.