SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams appeared before the Florida Senate Education Committee on Monday to discuss Senate Bill 540, known as the Community College Competitiveness Act of 2018. As proposed, the bill could limit the ability of the Florida College System to offer bachelor’s degrees and call for stronger ties between colleges and universities.
In her remarks, Williams touted the ability of state colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees and newly inked guaranteed admission agreements between St. Petersburg College and two state colleges.
Stepping up the 2+2 plan in education
The 2018 proposed bill would require each Florida College and each state university to create at least one “2+2” targeted pathway articulation agreement. The overall “2+2” plans are the hallmarks of the higher education system in Florida and guarantee admission to a state university for students who earn their associate degree at a Florida College.
That plan, however, does not mean a student will get into their chosen university or four-year program. The proposed requirements would bolster the original plans by creating direct pathways to specific bachelor’s degrees at state universities.
Currently, all 28 Florida colleges have articulation agreements with their sister universities, Williams said.
“We know that not all students are ready to go directly to the four-year schools,” Williams said. “The selection process that they utilize may not work for them, especially for our under-served and at-risk students who live in our local communities and desire a four-year degree…so the two-plus-two articulation agreements are near and dear to us.”
In her remarks, Williams touted the benefits of SPC’s new partnerships with the University of South Florida and Florida A&M University, known as FUSE and Ignite respectively. The agreements include more than 30 A.A. transfer plans that lead to majors ranging from accounting to environmental microbiology at the universities.
Bachelor’s degrees still lacking in the local workforce
In discussing the need for SPC to continue its tradition of offering bachelor’s degrees, Williams referred to a recent article in the Tampa Bay Times that detailed a talent gap in the area’s workforce. Among other weaknesses, the article cited a report that ranks Tampa Bay last among 20 metro areas in people 25 years or older who have attained at least a bachelor’s degree.
“We need more individuals with baccalaureate degrees and certifications to fuel our workforce,” Williams said. “So we work very diligently to meet the needs of our local communities. We are really trying to build that talent pipeline and make sure that our businesses and industry partners have the skilled workforce that they need going forward. The Florida College System is nimble and quick. … we try to move very expeditiously to help meet the needs of our local communities. The two-plus-two articulation agreements are where we agree in Senate Bill 540 so I look forward to continuing to work with you to fuel our local communities.”
Among other proposals, the bill would modify the governance and clarify the mission of the Florida Community College System, which is currently called Florida Colleges. In 2009, the Florida Legislature changed the name from the “Florida Community College System” to the “Florida College System” to reflect the ability of the colleges to award four-year bachelor’s degrees.
The bill passed the committee by a vote of 8-2 and will likely head next to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. The Florida Legislature convenes its 2018 session on Jan. 9.