Welcome to Florida SouthWestern State College!
Now that you’re part of the Florida SouthWestern State College family, many opportunities awaiting you.
You’ll quickly discover that our faculty members bring world-class knowledge to the classroom and share their wealth of expertise with you. Along the way, your learning experience will stretch far beyond the classroom with the wide variety of opportunities to help you expand your horizons. We offer student clubs and activities, honors courses, study abroad, internships and undergraduate research. The advantages we offer are here for you, and add an extra level of value to your professional certification, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.
It’s here where you can enjoy the arts - from musical and theatrical performances by your fellow classmates to interactive exhibits in our galleries.
The year 2018 offers you even more opportunities to cheer for your Buccaneers with men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. City of Palms Park, the former Spring Training facility of the Boston Red Sox, is home to our baseball and softball teams. Our softball team competed in the national tournament, and last year we had a baseball pitcher drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Suncoast Credit Union Arena is a state-of-the-art facility where you can cheer for your men’s and women’s basketball teams. Both teams are bringing fast-paced competition to the court, which is getting recognition not only statewide, but also nationally. As a student, you have access to a modern Wellness Center, in addition to intramural activities. The Arena is also home to a variety of tournaments, concerts and community events.
Your moment is now to make the most of your education and experiences at FSW. When the day arrives that you put on your cap and gown, I’ll be there to shake your hand and congratulate you on a job well done.
Go Bucs!
Dr. Jeff Allbritten, President
About Florida SouthWestern State College
Over Five Decades of History
As the largest institution of higher learning in Southwest Florida, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) has been serving the five-county region of Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades for over five decades, and currently has over 35,000 alumni serving in the healthcare, education, public service, and technology industries around the world. Originally founded in 1962 as Edison Junior College, FSW has developed into a leading provider of higher education opportunities for deserving students from across the country.
From Edison State College to Florida SouthWestern State College
 In May 2014, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a bill to change the college’s name to Florida SouthWestern State College. On July 1, 2014, faculty, staff, students, administrators, business and political leaders joined to celebrate the first day of the institution’s new beginning as Florida SouthWestern State College.
Along with the new name, the FSW Buccaneers are back in collegiate athletic competition. City of Palms Park is home to our baseball and softball teams. In the Fall 2016, Suncoast Credit Union Arena opened and is the home to the college’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Arena also serves as a place for intramural sports, and features a modern Wellness Center. Additionally, the Arena will host a variety of concerts, graduations, tournaments and community events.
On the Charlotte Campus in Punta Gorda, FSW announced an alliance with Western Michigan University in order to bring their aviation program and advanced healthcare programs to the campus.
 WMU is occupying four classrooms on the campus and has a hangar at the Punta Gorda Airport, just one mile from the campus. FSW will complement that program with avionics at the undergraduate level. Advanced healthcare programs to be offered will include the high-demand physician’s assistant. Faculty, staff, students and the community alike enjoy monthly gatherings to gaze at the stars at the James & Barbara Moore Observatory on campus.
The Hendry/Glades Curtis Center in LaBelle now has the new Education Hall, featuring the Barbara and Joe Marlin Hilliard Library, which also includes three study rooms; the First Bank Community Room for community meetings and events; The Perry Family Galleria (Julia Perry, Tommy Perry, Stanley Perry, Carl Perry); a computer lab/classroom, six faculty offices and a patio plaza.
On the Collier Campus in Naples, environmentally friendly practices are abundant. In fact, the campus is the first in Collier County to have LEED-certified buildings, which are constructed with environmentally-friendly materials and are exceptionally energy-efficient. The Allen & Marla Weiss Health Sciences Hall is home to one of the most sophisticated ER simulation suites, which prepares nursing and paramedic students to make an immediate and positive impact in healthcare. The partnership with the Greater Naples YMCA at the campus’ Early Childhood Learning Center building means young minds are getting the head start they need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. The college, in partnership with the University of Florida and the Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida, has a dental building that provides dental care to children who may not otherwise have the benefits of a healthy smile.
Led by its fourth president, Dr. Jeffery S. Allbritten, the college remains committed to providing affordable educational access to a four-year baccalaureate degree, a two-year associate degree, or a certificate from one of its five accredited schools:
- School of Health Professions
- School of Education
- School of Business and Technology
- School of Pure and Applied Sciences
- School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
FSW launched the Center for International Education to enhance study abroad experiences, and sponsored programs to encourage faculty and student research opportunities. The college is also known for its dedication to the arts. The year 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, which is an integral part of the college. FSW has fall and spring performances at The Hall featuring our jazz, symphony orchestra and choir. Our college is also home to the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW, where numerous exhibits are open to the public featuring artists of modern and contemporary art in all mediums, including the works of the late Rauschenberg and international names like Yoko Ono. Within our Richard H. Rush Library, we also have the Rush Collections Gallery on the ground floor.
Board of Trustees
Braxton C. Rhone, B.S., Chair, Lee County
Mr. Rhone, of Fort Myers, is Wealth Planner at Fidelity Investments. Active in the community, his service includes being an inaugural member of the G.A.I.N. (Growing Associates in Naples) Program, and as a past board member of Youth Leadership Collier. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he also served as student body treasurer and vice president. He was appointed February 21, 2012.
Danny Nix, B.S., Charlotte County
Danny Nix, of Punta Gorda, is the owner of Nix & Associates Real Estate, LLC. He received his bachelor’s degree from Western Governor’s University. He is appointed for a term beginning November 20, 2017, and ending May 31, 2018.
Mike Boose, B.S., Collier County
Mr. Boose, of Naples, is the director of human relations and organization development for Arthrex. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was appointed January 26, 2018 for a term that ends May 31, 2021.
Christian Cunningham, M.A., Collier County
Mr. Cunningham, of Naples, is the chief human resources officer for Herc Rentals. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. He was appointed January 30, 2018 for a term that ends May 31, 2021.
Laura Perry, B.A.S, M.A., Glades County
Ms. Perry is a speech language pathologist with the Glades County School District. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida SouthWestern State College and her master’s degree from the University of Florida. She was appointed April 19, 2018 for a term ending May 31, 2020.
Julia du Plooy, B.S., Hendry County
Ms. Du Plooy, of Clewiston, is an independent contractor and owner of Julia du Plooy, LLC, and serves as the president of the Lake Okeechobee Business Alliance. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and is appointed for a term beginning February 28, 2018 and ending May 31, 2020.
Bruce Laishley, Charlotte County
Bruce Laishley, of Punta Gorda, is the co-owner of Smuggler’s Enterprises, Inc, and is the CEO of Florida Premier Contractors, LLC, and the co-owner of Southwest Land Developers, Inc. He was appointed August 21, 2017 for a term that ends May 31, 2018.
Jonathan A. Martin, J.D., Lee County
Mr. Martin, of Fort Myers, is an attorney with Parvey & Frankel Attorneys, P.A. He received his bachelor’s degree from Stetson University and his juris doctorate degree from Liberty University School of Law. He is appointed for a term beginning February 28, 2018 and ending May 31, 2018.
Marjorie Starnes-Bilotti, J.D., Lee County
Marjorie Starnes-Bilotti, of Fort Myers, is a retired attorney. From 1994 to 1999, she was a member of the Florida State Board of Community Colleges. Starnes- Bilotti received bachelor’s and law degrees from Florida State University.
Vision
Florida SouthWestern State College will be the catalyst for creating an innovative education system which provides accessible educational pathways that prepare students to be enlightened and productive citizens.Florida SouthWestern State College will be the catalyst for creating an innovative education system which provides accessible educational pathways that prepare students to be enlightened and productive citizens.
Values
We value student success, integrity, intellectual inquiry, and academic rigor.
Mission
The mission of Florida SouthWestern State College is to inspire learning; prepare a diverse population for creative and responsible participation in a global society; and serve as a leader for intellectual, economic, and cultural awareness in the community.
Strategic Directions
1. Focus recruiting and admissions upon entering FSW with the intent and commitment to graduate.
- Continue to recruit high-achieving students
- Encourage full-time enrollment
- Facilitate student completion of financial aid / scholarship applications
2. Explore new workforce-related certificate and degree options benefiting potential FSW students.
3. Support curricular and programmatic innovation to enhance the academic experience, engender student achievement, and increase the number of successful FSW graduates.
- Continue to reinforce best teaching and learning practices through professional development offerings
- Upgrade and increase academic technology to support active and engaged learning across the disciplines
- Strengthen the academic learning community through opportunities for dialogue and collaboration within and across disciplines
4. Review college processes and procedures based on facilitating graduation.
5. Create a college experience that enhances FSW students’ - both residential and commuter, traditional and nontraditional - education to become a well-rounded FSW graduate.
- Continue to enhance residence life programs
- Continue to involve students in extracurricular activities - academic enrichment experiences, athletic events, cultural experiences, international experiences, research opportunities, etc.
- Expand internship experiences
- Explore how students can get a full program/degree/certificate on a satellite campus by articulating the satellite campus program of study including timelines of classes on each campus
- Increase scholarly activity, including opportunities for student research
- Expand international education
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