new architecture program links Valencia, UCF and UF

UCF will partner with Valencia Community College and the University of Florida to launch a new Bachelor of Design program in Architecture starting in fall 2010.
Approved Thursday by the UCF Board of Trustees, the program will prepare students for a variety of careers, including professional architecture, construction management and industrial design. The median annual salary [...]

free concert nov 12

Valencia Contemporary Concert, Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:30 PM, Performing Arts Center, East

thank you

One of our students takes a moment to give thanks to the Henry T. Simmons scholarship for funding her education at Valencia.

valencia receives hispanic education award

Valencia Community College’s Osceola campus was recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities with its Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award, in recognition of the college’s efforts in advancing the mission and goals of HACU.

not a secret anymore

Musician John Gorka is dished up as an afternoon treat for community members, faculty, staff and students! Well worth any effort to attend. This Visions and Voices artist is scheduled on November 18, 2009, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the East Campus Performing Arts Center.

our students give thanks

Through your kindness, my next two semesters have been completely covered, including my textbooks, which we all know can be as expensive as tuition itself. As an independent, full time student, reaching the level of higher education beomces a challenge as we face everyday life. I will be forever grateful for what the foundation has [...]

alas, alumni welcome!

Did you know that annual alumni membership is absolutely free at Valencia?
Please take a moment to reconnect and get involved with exciting Alumni Association benefits and events.  We invite you to fill out the membership registration form online today!
Already a member?   Please complete the alumni class notes online. We’d like to know what you’ve been doing: [...]

dedication ceremony for the university center

Valencia Community College and the University of Central Florida (UCF) will host a public ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for their new shared facility, the University Center, located on Valencia’s West Campus on South Kirkman Road.

making strides at urban flats

You are cordially invited to attend a happy hour full of free flowing wine and food, all the while benefiting a great cause: American Cancer Society’s ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Meet at Urban Flats in downtown Orlando from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday October 29th.

in memory of Tina Collyer

Family creates scholarship in memory of Valencia student Christine “Tina” Collyer

valencia grad to be published in literary anthology

Jared Silvia, a Valencia Community College graduate from the Winter Park Campus, has been selected to have his creative writing published in Phi Theta Kappa’s 2009 edition of “Nota Bene,” the society’s literary honors anthology.
 Silvia was one of 15 Phi Theta Kappa members nationally to have his work chosen for publication. Two of his short [...]

musical farce at valencia

The Valencia Character Company will present the musical farce “Lucky Stiff,” with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, as the opening production for its 2009-2010 theater season. Click on the blog to read more.

valencia student featured on CNN special

 Valencia Student to be Featured on CNN Special, “Latino in America”
Orlando, FL – Valencia Community College student Carlos Robles will be featured in the documentary, “Latino in America,” which will debut Oct. 21 and 22 on CNN and CNN en Español. Robles’ story will air on the 22nd.
The two-night, four-hour documentary, hosted by correspondent Soledad [...]

the university club of orlando

This student takes an opportunity to share her gratitude. The University Club of Orlando has supported education in Central Florida for generations, thank you for all you do for our community!

hispanic educational excellence

White House Brings “Community Conversations”on Hispanic Educational Excellence to Valencia
Valencia Community College hosted the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, a “Community Conversation,” on Wed., Sept. 23 attended by approximately 100 people.
The public forum led by Juan Sepulveda, director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, is part [...]

college night

College Night 2009 will provide an opportunity for high school and college transfer students to scope out their options for college. See what campuses will be hosting a college night near you!

wp autumn arts

Valencia is proud to work with the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival and is looking to support this event through student, staff and faculty volunteers. If you are interested in providing your time and talents please contact Sunni at sfavaliprevatt@valenciacc.edu.

In addition to presenting quality visual art, the festival provides entertainment and participatory events for the enjoyment of visitors and artists. The festival is held near Valencia’s Winter Park Campus at beautiful Central Park located along Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park.

words of thanks

Thank you for your generous donation. Through your kindness, my next two semesters have been completely covered, including my textbooks, which we all know can be as expensive as tuition itself. As an independent, full time student, reaching the level of higher education becomes a challenge as we face everyday life. I will be forever [...]

college night 2009

Valencia Community College is proud to host the 2009 Orange and Osceola County College Night programs for the state of Florida. You’re invited to bring friends and family to get college questions answered. More info at: http://www.valenciacc.edu/collegenight/

a taste for learning and save the corks!

UCF Foundation and Valencia Foundation proudly join together to present A Taste for Learning on Saturday, October 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Rosen Shingle Creek. Tickets are $125 per person or $200 per couple.
Join us as vintners from around the world serve their finest wines and sample exquisite cuisine from restaurants like B.B. [...]

get schooled

On September 8th at 8:00 PM, Viacom Entertainment is kicking off an initiative to improve our schools and promote education nationwide called Get Schooled.  In order to showcase Get Schooled  to the nation, Viacom will be preempting program on its channels: BET, VH1, MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central and airing a show focused on three [...]

a note of thanks

One student shares her gratitude for the University Club of Orlando scholarship for the 2009-10 school year.

welcome back

Classes start today so welcome back everybody! Here is a look at what is happening on some of our campuses this week:
 
 
 East Campus
Career Development Services Information Table
September 1 – 3, 1 to 2 p.m.
Great Hall, Building 5
West Campus
Photo Bookmarks
September 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Stop by the cafeteria and get a souvenir photo bookmark for Welcome Week
Nova [...]

class notes: our valencia graduates

RON G. SWORD III 2007, 2009
Ron is a member of The Institute for the Advancement of the Aural Arts (IAAA), an international visiting group of seven musicians and educators who present concerts, master classes and workshops based on the most
contemporary musical thinking on a worldwide basis. Ron’s company, Sword
Guitars, builds guitars in microtonal tunings. His [...]

student speaks about community

We are constantly surrounded by students that take time each day to serve our community. This is one students thoughts about his community service and how it has changed his life.

community

President Sandy Shugart elaborates on Florida’s community colleges adding bachelor’s degrees, changing their names to “college” or “state college,” and Valencia’s partnership with UCF. Dr. Shugart provides readers an update on these issues with a focus on Valencia’s direction.

thankful words

I hope that this letter makes you feel a great deal of satisfaction and happiness that you have given me.

martin and gracia andersen foundation

The Martin and Gracia Andersen Foundation was able to award ten student scholarships for Nursing students.

she’s betting on valencia

Geraldine Gallagher, CFRE, sits down with Helen Von Dolteren-Fournier. Helen Von Dolteren-Fournier, JD, CFP, President of AEGIS Law Firm PL, is the chair of Valencia Foundation’s board of directors.
 
Q: What influences in your life have encouraged you to be philanthropic and community-minded?
According to my mother, Helen Calafut-Von Dolteren, it doesn’t take much to be [...]

bequest for students with a spark

Patti Riva, a Valencia employee, chose to make a willed bequest leaving a portion of her estate to the Valencia Foundation. When asked to share why she became a Legacy Society member, Patti reflected on the joy she’s known from being a spectator to the actions of determined students.

new scholarship winner from sungard

SunGard Public Sector recently announced the first award for the Freddie Filmore Jr. Memorial Scholarship through Valencia Foundation.
The scholarship recipient, Tonia Henselin, is a Valencia Community College student working toward her associate of applied science degree in criminal justice. She plans to transfer to the University of Central Florida and continue her education to become [...]

that to-do list

Celebrating the Fourth of July or Independence Day, the average person has one of several images in their mind: the beach, the sand, the sun, the pool, that yearly road trip, the boat, B-B-Qs, friends, family, fireworks, picnics, and good fun and celebration. I am certainly one of those individuals. In fact, I had those [...]

courageous conversations to support our learners

I read an article this weekend in the New York Times about how the economy is impacting the ability of students to afford tuition and of foundations and colleges to offer scholarships.
The article, “Scholarships for College Dwindle as Providers Pull Back Their Support,” paints a dismal picture of a perfect storm: At the same time [...]

for students: sos funds may help in a pinch

Many of our students face sudden life crises that may force them out of school. Often they are an unexpected car bill, a change in child care arrangements, an insurance premium increase or other expenses that occur when “life happens.”
Too many times, a relatively minor expense looms large, and forces a student out of school.
The [...]

lisa macon: the inspiration of students who defy the odds

BY LISA FISCHER MACON, PHD
As a child, I was often labeled “overachiever,” or, sometimes, “geek.” The term applied depended on who was doing the labeling. None of these semi-derogatory names vexed me in the slightest, because I knew I was going places. I was going to do the big things and, consequently, make the big [...]

mdc invests $1 million in valencia and florida

MDC Inc. this week committed more than $1 million to Valencia and the state of Florida to expand groundbreaking developmental education programs that promise to boost the college completion rates of low-income students and students of color.
Every year, roughly 375,000 Florida degree-seeking students attend a local community college, with nearly 40 percent of them having [...]

golf and scholarships: a good day

The American Institute of Architects’ Orlando chapter organized yet another wonderful round of golf, benefiting student scholarships. To date they’ve raised $115,000, not counting today’s earnings.
It was a toasty day but the event was amazing and perfect!
I’d like to thank Michael Lingerfelt and his AIA volunteers for orchestrating. I appreciate Anissa Alvarez, on our foundation [...]

our students thank you

I receive many thank you notes from students. Sometimes they come in the form of those singing cards that I open again and again (I readily admit that I am easily amused; I was drawn for days to a friend’s work website that offered me a standing ovation and applause every time I visited).
But each [...]

on gratitude: featuring poetry by sandy

One of the great joys of my work is that every day is different. But amid the diversity a common theme emerges: Every day I get to help make people’s dreams come true. It’s nourishing work.
Sometimes it’s the donor who is able to honor the immigrant parents who ensured she went to college by endowing [...]

i like to move it, move it

At our board meeting recently, the inevitable discussion of the economy came up. Thankfully, our foundation’s wise and prudent investment strategy has softened the blow for our foundation, and thus for the students we serve. And though the discussion was focused on financial aspects, I found my mind wandering to economic coping strategies on a [...]

what is your high school grad doing this fall?

Here’s a fun little video. A a word to the wise: Classes are filling up quickly and some have already closed out for fall semester. So if you’re planning to attend, be sure to apply and enroll soon.
And if you have any questions, send us a note. We’ll find the answer or get you to [...]

take stock in children celebrates mentoring

Students from Lee Middle School, Lockhart Middle School and Howard Middle School gathered at Valencia Community College for a ceremony celebrating their selection for the 2009-2010 Take Stock in Children program in Orange County.

Take Stock in Children is a statewide initiative that provides underserved students with a college scholarship and a mentor in the effort [...]

how do today’s students learn?

Is it true that the only constant is change? The world is changing. With Web 2.0 engrossing people all over the globe, the way students learn is changing very dramatically too. Valencia’s professors have been embarking on creative delivery of learning to engage today’s students. Over the past few years our endowed faculty chair applications [...]

welcome and thanks for stopping by

Welcome to our new home on the web. I hope you’ll spend a few minutes exploring and share with us your thoughts on how to make this blog rock. Our five staff bloggers (the Bloggettes?) will be joined occasionally by guest authors. Would you like to be one?
Here is why I care about this college [...]