North Florida Community College will begin a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) outreach program for area middle schools this fall thanks to a $1.1 million federal grant award by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The mission of the program is to enhance STEM awareness, motivation and skills for rural, middle school youth in Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties. Selected middle school students will participate in engineering challenges using remote-controlled robotic vehicles. Challenges will be performed on sea (water), air and land (SEAL). Each student will design and build their own robot and, equipped with a microcomputer, learn how to remotely control and move the robot. Students will also learn how to attach actuators and sensors to the robotic vehicle in preparation for a final STEM SEALs competition between participants. School and college faculty will serve as mentors throughout the project.

“The NFCC STEM SEALs program provides an exceptional opportunity to teachers and students in our district,” said NFCC professor Dr. Guenter Maresch, the grants principal investigator. “The grant funding allows NFCC to raise the educational experience while providing creative learning incentives that expose middle school students and teachers to practical applications of the science and mathematics curriculum. I applaud NFCC’s faculty for helping secure this federal-level grant and bring this exciting initiative to our community and students.” 

North Florida Community College (NFCC) honored outstanding students and student leaders during its Honors Convocation ceremony on April 23. Students from various academic areas and student organizations received recognition for outstanding achievement and character during the 2018-2019 academic year. NFCC faculty and staff announced each award recipient as NFCC President John Grosskopf and Dean of Academic Affairs Jennifer Page presented the awards.

NFCC awarded a total of 32 Outstanding Student Awards at its 2019 Honors Convocation ceremony and announced three special honors. Cheri Green of Madison received NFCC’s prestigious Student of the Year award. NFCC Business Professor Marie Guest was honored with the Professional Educator Leadership Award and Suwannee County Economic Development Director Jimmy Norris was named the 2019 Friend to the College. 

Each year in April, North Florida Community College recognizes and celebrates an individual who has gone above and beyond in helping the college fulfill its mission of providing service and opportunity to its students and community. This year NFCC recognizes Jimmy Norris, Suwannee County Economic Development Director, as its 2019 Friend to the College.

Norris was bestowed the honor for helping bring the college’s idea for an NFCC center in Live Oak to fruition. With plans to open the center later this summer, NFCC President John Grosskopf applauded Norris’ efforts to support and aid the project’s success.  

“A substantial part of our college’s strategic planning initiatives involves expanding direct learning and support services to Suwannee County,” said NFCC President John Grosskopf. “There has been a tremendous amount of planning involved, and all along the way, Mr. Jimmy Norris, Suwannee County Economic Development Director, and great friend to NFCC has worked diligently to help us make it happen. From fleshing out the concept to securing a location, Mr. Norris has worked hard to develop a very bright future of service and opportunity between the college and the residents of Suwannee County.”

North Florida Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Mu Xi Chapter welcomed 94 new members into PTK, the international honor society for two-year colleges. During an induction ceremony on April 18, 2019, new members recited the PTK Oath of Membership and walked across the stage of the NFCC Fine Arts Auditorium to accept membership in the prestigious organization.

Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 3.5 million members around the world. The organization’s mission is to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. PTK provides opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 to join PTK.

North Florida Community College has won five awards from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR), including the coveted national-level Paragon Award, for work produced by the NFCC College Advancement department.

On the national stage, NFCC took home GOLD, the highest-level, PARAGON AWARD for its Electronic Newsletter (NFCC News Special 60th Anniversary Edition). Judges’ comments praised the newsletter for its branding and effectiveness - “The newsletter seems to reflect a well-defined brand identity; great use of photos, short copy, and very obvious call to action buttons that are consistently located. It is easy for readers to scan the newsletter and make selections on what interests them.” The winning newsletter was produced by Johnathan Cooks, NFCC Multimedia and Public Relations Manager, and featured photographs and articles contributed by the College Advancement team.

Prior to the national competition, NFCC won four MEDALLION AWARDS from the NCMPR District II. The regional awards recognize outstanding achievement in communications at community and technical colleges in 11 Southeastern states, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. Winners were announced during the District II Conference in Atlanta Sept. 30. There were more than 350 submissions in 38 categories.

A native of Jasper, Malcolm has extensive admission and advising experience working at Southeastern University and Hamilton County High School. It gives him personal and professional satisfaction to know that he can be a positive force in the lives of young people. Malcolm is enthusiastic about NFCC and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to ongoing success.

"I will be responsible for all aspects of the recruiting process while working to develop growth opportunities and marketing strategies."

Karen L. Williams, a native of Hamilton County, Florida is a wife and mother and very recently celebrated the birth of her first grandchild.  Karen has had the opportunity during her law enforcement career to experience many aspects of the profession, including communications, patrol, investigations, and instruction.  She enjoys sharing what she knows with others and hopes to inspire others to maximize their potential.  She is excited to be a part of NFCC and looks forward to building relationships on campus.  Her experience thus far has been amazing, and she looks forward to what the future brings.

"One of the first goals I will work toward in my new role is implementing a more interactive web page for Public Safety.  I would like to offer potential recruits glimpses into different aspects of the academy to drive merely an interest in taking the steps necessary to begin the program.  I also would like to implement an academic calendar for upcoming advanced and specialized training we offer.  My long-term goal is to learn everything I can and work diligently to broaden the exposure of and to build this program in attendance as well as what we offer to students."

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