According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), community college students are significantly underrepresented in study abroad programs. However, it is these programs, reports the IIE, that provide the best opportunities for students to develop the cross cultural competencies, international experience, self-confidence, independence and leadership qualities that will prepare them for success in today's marketplace.

International Education is one focus of President Law's "5 by 180" Plan which was launched last month. The plan, which has five key initiatives that will be completed over the span of 180 days, represents a college-wide commitment to improving student services, student graduation rates and, ultimately, students' lives. The five components are: individualized learning plans, enhanced new student orientation, expanded career advising, an early alert system, and greatly expanded and revised learning support outside of the classroom.

The average cost of a study abroad scholarship is $2,500.  The Foundation will work closely with the newly named Director of the Center for International Programs, Ramona Kirsch, who will oversee the Study Abroad program.

Those interested in supporting the President's Challenge may make a gift to the Study Abroad Scholarship Fund online or by sending a check to the SPC Foundation at PO Box 13489, St. Petersburg, FL 33733. 

Shaneka Langhorne is embarking on a dream she never thought possible. As the Honors College student prepares to receive her Associate of Arts degree this month, Ms. Langhorne is also preparing to relocate to New York City where she will begin the next segment of her educational journey as a student at Columbia University.

Selected to receive the Program for Academic Leadership and

Shaneka Langhorne

Service (PALS) scholarship, Langhorne will attend the ivy league school with the help of the award valued at $47,000. PALS is a scholarship program designed to make a Columbia undergraduate education more attainable to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend the university.

Langhorne learned about the scholarship at a seminar last year. "I was just looking to go to the University of South Florida at the time, but I went to an information session where the representative was talking about this scholarship," Langhorne said. "He encouraged me to apply because I was doing so well at SPC."

Langhorne said her first attempt at college was in 2006-07, but it didn't work out, so she "left it alone." It wasn't until she became pregnant with the elder of her two daughters and was unable to find a good job that she thought about trying again.

"I had a high school diploma and some work experience, but it was sporadic and inconsistent," she said.  Although she met her share of hurdles on the path back to college, Langhorne, who currently has a 3.5 GPA, acknowledges SPC for placing her dreams within reach through the SPC Honors College. That program, says Langhorne, along with a financial aid package that included support from the Foundation through its scholarship program helped her manage the financial requirements so that she could focus on her studies.

Shaneka plans to major in Environmental Biology and minor in Political Science at Columbia this fall. Her goal is to work for the United Nations upon graduation.

Steel drums, tropical drinks and yummy hors d'oeuvres set the scene for the Foundation's first annual Payroll Deduction

Charlie Osterholt, Merrill Lynch; Karen White, Gibbs Campus Provost; Jason Krupp, VP of Baccalaureate Programs

Appreciation Reception on June 21 at the Holiday Inn-St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport. The event invited guests to enjoy an afternoon with their colleagues to celebrate the impact they are having on the SPC community through their payroll deduction contributions.

Dr. Law applauded SPC faculty, staff and administrators for their support of Foundation programs through payroll donations. "Your generosity is an inspiration for others to become involved in the work of the college, and your steadfast support helps provide more opportunities for our students to become successful," he said.

Frances Neu, Executive Director of the SPC Foundation, thanked Charlie Osterholt of Merrill Lynch/Bank of America for sponsoring the event before announcing several award categories.  Noting that every SPC site and campus is represented in the payroll deduction program, Neu provided special accolades to the Gibbs and Clearwater campuses for being tied for most employees enrolled in payroll deduction program at a single site. 

Facilities Team members

Moving on to the "longest giver" category, Neu said, "When we began planning the event, we were pleased to find that our longest giver had been making contributions for over 11 years!  What is even more notable is that we have a 12-way tie in this category!" 

The SPC Facilities Department brought home the award for having the most payroll deduction participants in a single department. Together, these employees have awarded scholarships to 51 students over the years.  Accepting the award on behalf of the Facilities team, J.R. Lenges said, "It is true that every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. We are proud to make such an impact on students' lives by working together to support a scholarship." 

Peg Connell, Director of Disability Resources, was honored for having given the most through the payroll deduction program over the years. Her colleagues gave her a standing ovation as she approached the podium to receive her award from College President Bill Law. 

Brad Jenkins, Program Director of Engineering Technology at the SPC Clearwater Campus, has been named the 2012 Educator of the Year by the National High Impact Technology Exchange (HI-TEC) Association.

Jenkins, who also works as Co-Principal Investigator for the Florida

Brad Jenkins

Advanced Technological Education Center, has developed Florida's first Associate of Science degree in engineering technology, which has been adopted by 10 other colleges throughout the state and serves as a national model for colleges across the country.

"I think this award is well deserved," said Stan Vittetoe, Provost at the Clearwater Campus who has worked with Jenkins for nine years. "Brad has been an outstanding technical educator for many years, and he's been active not only statewide but nationally as well."

Jenkins was selected for this honor by a broad cross-section of representatives of the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Centers from across the U.S. In November 2010, Jenkins also received the "Best Practice Award for 2010" for the degree program at the annual Florida Association of Community Colleges (now Association of Florida Colleges) Convention in Jacksonville.

Jenkins will be honored at the High Impact Technology Exchange Conference in Denver later this month.

Class of 1999: Walter Drekaler, A.A. in Engineering, graduated from the University of Florida in 2010 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. After a long stay in the Army and two years of service in Iraq, he found employment as an electrical engineer at the U.S. Patent Office.

Class of 1977: Steve Winius, A.A. in Business, went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh, as well as Certified Purchasing Manager and Certified Production and Inventory Management certifications.

Class of 1970: Charles Rullson, A.A. in Business Administration, is currently retired and works part-time as a research interviewer for Neilsen Media Research in Oldsmar, Fla.

Class of 1963: Anthony Boatman, A.A., has retired as Executive

Anthony and Duvonte

Director of the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra in Boise, Ida. Tony worked for 25 years in orchestra management and spent over 40 years in development and marketing. He volunteers in his spare time, teaching English as a Second Language to children of refugees who have settled in his area. He has a 19-year-old son, Duvonte, who was inspired to enroll at a community college based on his father's wonderful experience at SPC.