Best of Florida Schools 2004
General Categories—Page 11

Best Outdoor Program
Attending Lab on the Links
Some people look at golf as a hobby. Some Edison Community College students look at golf as a life. Unlike their fellow students who spend afternoons cooped up in a smelly science lab, students enrolled in the fall 2003 Golf Course Operations Program head out to the brand-new par-3, executive golf course for classes. Donated to the college via the efforts and services of local golf industry leaders, the course serves as an outdoor laboratory for students.

“This lab distinguishes Edison as one of only a few schools in the world to have actual golf facilities with real-world problems and issues specifically for their students,” says William L. Berndt, coordinator of the Golf Course Management Program. For example, seven different grasses grown on these greens represent major types used by Southwest Florida area golf courses and provide hands-on training in the maintenance of putting greens, sand bunkers, drainage systems, irrigation systems, application of fertilizers and pesticides, and other golf course essentials. Students learn golf course operations not only from accredited instructors but also from industry leaders whose commitment to the program affords students the chance to network with those leaders, leading to better job opportunities.

Golf-happy people can get the degree of their dreams now that college officials have approved an AA degree track with an emphasis in golf course operations. Through a cooperative agreement with the University of Florida, students who complete this degree can head to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Gainesville to pursue a bachelor’s degree in turfgrass science.

"The lab is proof that anything can be accomplished if you set your sights high enough," Berndt says. —WLB

Contact Berndt at lberndt@edison.edu.

Best Breakfast
O.J. from the SGA
True, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But what about a free breakfast? Students at Flagler College make this a reality for the school’s faculty and staff at the beginning and end of each academic year. Bearing treats like doughnuts, danishes, fruit, yogurt, and juice, the Student Government Association Leadership Team visits every office on campus.

“Because our campus is so small, there are many times when SGA comes into contact with the various offices on campus,” says Crystal Hill, SGA president. This close-knit atmosphere requires SGA officers to become well acquainted with their campus officials.

The team—which consists of executive board members, committee chairs, and the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida (ICUF) representative—spends five to 10 minutes introducing themselves and socializing at each office.

“Everyone says it brightens their day,” Hill says. “After each breakfast, our e-mail accounts are filled with ‘thank you’ notes from the staff.”

Beyond the immediate response, SGA has experienced a long-term improvement in on-campus relations. Although struggling for years to gain recognition and more administrative support, SGA representatives started receiving calls from college staff members to help out with special projects after they started the breakfasts.

“They know us by name and by face now and are comfortable asking us for assistance,” Hill says. “There are also many times when SGA needs assistance for projects we’re working on, and this event helps us know who to go to for help.”

Hill first contacted the dean about planning an open house in 2002 when SGA’s newly renovated office opened. Because he told her that college staff members would be reluctant to leave their offices, Hill decided to bring the SGA to them—along with food, of course.

“This is one of the events that SGA members don’t mind getting up early for,” she says. “They realize its importance and are willing to go the extra mile for the staff members.” Besides, a few doughnuts are part of the deal too. —CG

Contact Hill at chill@flagler.edu.

Best Career Workshop
Making Career Waves
Navigating the turbulent oceans of the working world is often daunting for college students weighing career choices and opportunities. Rather than letting them become castaways, the University of West Florida helps its students survive the storm through its “Career Waves” program.

Career Waves encompasses a series of events that aim to help students develop job-searching skills and enhance their confidence within that sphere. The students, alumni, and members of the community who attend Career Waves events can meet employers, discover career opportunities, and pinpoint what prospective employers look for when hiring.

The UWF Career Coordinating Committee made “Waves” to avoid the undercurrents of confusion rippling among students due to the separate promotions of career events by different departments.

With more than 650 students; 36 faculty, staff, and alumni; and 71 employers and service agencies participating; the 2003 Career Waves was declared a success by students who filled out evaluation forms regarding the events.

“Bundling and promoting events as a package allowed us to clearly distinguish among events regarding purpose and nature,” says Marcia Phelps, career services director.

Since UWF boasts a treasure trove of experience from its Academy of Senior Professionals, students who attended the “Interviewing Workshop” got coaching and advice from retired high-level professionals.

“Job Searching on the Internet” taught participants to use the internet as a job resource tool. Using interest inventories, personality assessments, and work-values assessments, the “What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up” and “Why Can’t I Decide on a Career” workshops helped confused participants begin to navigate the treacherous waters leading to a career choice.

Participants received a cache of tips on how to maximize their wardrobe budget, and got the right look in the “Dress-for-Success” fashion shows.

Also on the docket was the “Business Dining Etiquette Seminar” where, for a $10 fee, each participant learned the do’s and don’ts of socializing at professional functions, from a “mocktail” hour to a sit-down dinner where an expert explained drinking etiquette and table manners. —MDJ

Contact Phelps at mphelps@uwf.edu.

Best Apprentice Program
Who’s Got the Power?
Students at Lake-Sumter Community College—Sumter are getting a buzz—and not just the happy-hour kind they get at the local nickel-and-dime night. LSCC is creating a buzz of electricity around campus and within the city’s power lines. Teaming up with local utility companies, LSCC is providing hands-on training for electric utility workers through its Electrical Distribution Technology program.

LSCC offers college credit for apprentice training, using an outdoor area with power lines, 40-foot-tall poles, and equipment provided by the utility companies for an outdoor learning environment. Prior to this program’s start in 2002, utility companies had to send employees out-of-state for training.

“This industry, besides being extremely hazardous, is very expensive to operate,” says James Vaughn, program manager. “When equipment operating at 25,000 volts is to be suspended over the public thorough-fares, it must be of the highest-quality construction and safety in design and manufacture.”

LSCC provides the Occupational Safety and Health Administration authorized training, now required by the Department of Labor, through an OSHA-certified instructor. The program lets its 34 apprentices practice making decisions on safety and work procedures, unlike in the field where a journeyman-level lineman makes all decisions.

“The utilities themselves are supporting the expansion of the program to interested parties, including high school dual enrollment as a reliable resource for their future employees,” Vaughn says. “There are currently several unfilled openings in Florida utilities.” —LD

Contact Vaughn at vaughnj@lscc.edu or call 352-568-0001.

Best Semester Abroad
On the Loose in London
When students from Palm Beach Atlantic University look outside their windows, they see swaying palm trees and the desirable climate of sunny south Florida. They can walk to the nearest beach in their bikinis and boardshorts. Unless, of course, those students happen to be participants in PBA’s semester abroad program. These students gaze out their windows and see the London Bridge, Parliament, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

During their London stay, students live in flats, or apartments, that the university rents out for the semester. The students don’t walk out of their dorms to go to class, they walk out of their bedrooms—the living room of one of the flats serves as their classroom. PBA rents out a complex of flats per semester, but they hope to buy a structure of flats soon, which would cut down on housing costs and the hassle of renting.

 The fee they pay to attend the trip includes housing, airfare, transportation to and from airports, and excursions. They also receive a weekly stipend for food and leisure expenses.

“As part of the classes, there are bi-weekly excursions to historic places like Bath and Stratford,” says Charles Lester, department of communication coordinator. “Students often wish to travel and study in other countries during their stay in London. The professors just give them an assignment to do while they are away.”

Because professors only teach two or three days per week, the students have a lot of free time to venture out and explore. What better way to immerse yourself in another culture than eating croissants in France, spaghetti in Italy, and paella in Spain?

“When the students come back home, they typically display a wider worldview of other cultures,” Lester says. —JT

Contact Lester at charles_lester@pba.edu or 561-803-2273.

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