Welcome to Florida SouthWestern State College!
What an exciting time to be a part of Florida SouthWestern State College! During our more than 60 years in Southwest Florida, FSW has awarded 75,825 degrees and certificates, changing lives and elevating opportunities for our students, community, and local workforce.
As our students have discovered throughout the years, there’s much more than meets the eye at Florida SouthWestern State College. Now that you’re a part of the FSW family, it’s time to learn how you can move forward at FSW!
Did you know FSW students can engage in undergraduate research? Our students participate in water research, track box turtles, create art, write and publish books, and research and archive local history, just to name a few, all guided and supported by our world-class faculty along the way.
Want to elevate your learning even more? Our course offerings will prepare you to further your education, participate in internships, and start your dream career, elevating your opportunities far beyond the classroom. Don’t forget to check out our new and expanding workforce programs including cybersecurity, advanced medical assistant and physical therapy assistant, which prepare you for the today’s job market with in-demand skills. Newly opened Career Connection Centers at all sites will help guide you in your journey.
At FSW, seeing the world isn’t just a dream anymore. Now you can elevate your opportunities to expand your world view! Some of our students study abroad in Italy at the Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute or participate in intensive Spanish-language coursework in Spain through a partnership with the International College of Seville. Many others have traveled abroad to experience learning in countries including Costa Rica, France, the UK and the Netherlands. Students interested in study abroad can find many scholarships and financial aid resources available at FSW to help make the experience affordable.
Student clubs, student government, on-campus events and activities, intramural sports, and a state-of-the-art fitness center will keep you socially and physically active. You will always find ways to elevate your campus engagement.
Are you the creative type? We have many ways for you to enjoy art and history with exhibitions in our Rauschenberg Gallery, Rush Gallery, and Museum of Medical History, as well as music and theater performances in our Black Box Theatre and the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Or elevate your own creativity by participating in FSW’s music, art, and theater programs.
If athletics is your thing, then come out and cheer on your Bucs! FSW Athletics has once again set records both in the classroom and on the court/field. In Fall 2023 semester, FSW athletes posted a 3.26 cumulative GPA, with all five Buccaneer teams registering a 3.0 or better team GPA. This is a first in FSW Athletics history!
The FSW Bucs Baseball program saw many former players join and excel in professional baseball. Eighteen former FSW players played professional baseball this season in Major League Baseball organizations. In November 2023, FSW had 10 players sign at NJCAA Division I programs on National Signing Day including six at the power 5 level.
FSW BUCS Softball also enjoyed a lot of well-deserved spotlights within the past year. The Bucs put themselves in the history books, winning their third straight NJCAA National Championship, becoming the first team in 30 years and just the second team of all-time to win three straight National Championships.
FSW Lady Bucs Volleyball continued to smash records both on and off the court becoming just the fifth team in NJCAA history to win back to back national championships. For the second straight year, Bucs Head Coach, Thais Baziquetto-Allen was named the NJCAA National Coach of the Year.
If you haven’t already figured it out, FSW is not a fallback school. Whether your goal is to enter the workforce or to continue on to a university, you have made both a strong academic and economic decision by choosing Florida SouthWestern State College!
So, how will YOU elevate your opportunities at FSW? The choice is yours!
Go Bucs!
Dr. Jeff Allbritten, President
About Florida SouthWestern State College
Six 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 six decades, and currently has over 74,000 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 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, and 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 resumed collegiate athletic competition in fall of 2016.
FSW Today
Led by its fourth president, Dr. Jeffery S. Allbritten, the college remains committed to providing all of its students affordable educational access to a four-year baccalaureate degree, a two-year associate degree, or a certificate from one of its five 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’s Center for International Education provides students with summer study abroad opportunities in Italy, Greece, Costa Rica, England, France, and Spain. Some FSW courses also provide students with opportunities to travel to locations like Ireland and the Galapagos Islands where they study the culture and conduct ecological research alongside FSW faculty and scientists. Additionally, the FSW Office of Sponsored Programs and Research provides even more opportunities for students and faculty to participate in research topics that are of interest to them.
FSW’s Honors Scholar Program offers students an enriched and challenging educational experience that extends learning beyond the classroom. The program strives to cultivate academic excellence, skillful leadership, and commitment to social responsibility. As a rigorous, transdisciplinary program, students are inspired to seek out transformative experiences and participate in the world in new ways.
Opportunities Abound
A fixture in Southwest Florida, FSW provides numerous educational, cultural, and entertainment opportunities for its students and the community.
The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, located on the Lee Campus, is an integral part of the college, hosting performances throughout the year, including fall and spring performances by FSW’s jazz band, symphony orchestra, and choir, as well as off-Broadway shows. Additionally, the college is 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, visitors can also view the Rush Collections Gallery on the ground floor.
In the fall of 2016, the Suncoast Credit Union Arena, located on the Lee Campus in Fort Myers, opened as the home to the college’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and the women’s volleyball team. The arena also serves as a place for intramural sports and features a modern wellness center. Additionally, the arena hosts a variety of concerts, graduations, tournaments, and community events. The community can also catch an FSW Bucs baseball or softball game on the Lee Campus at our new baseball and softball fields.
Faculty, staff, students, and the community can enjoy a game of pickleball at the Punta Gorda based Charlotte Campus’ new PicklePlex and gaze at the stars during monthly events held at the James & Barbara Moore Observatory.
In LaBelle, the Hendry/Glades Curtis Center’s Education Hall, featuring the Barbara and Joe Marlin Hilliard Library, also includes three study rooms; the First Bank Community Room for community meetings and events; The Perry Family Galleria; 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 eco-friendly materials and are exceptionally energy efficient. The Collier Campus has also been recognized as the first Blue Zones Project-recognized college in Florida and only the second in the nation. 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 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.
 Board of Trustees
Julia du Plooy, B.S., Hendry County
Julia 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.
David Ciccarello, J.D., Lee County
David Ciccarello is in private practice. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and juris doctorate from Stetson University.
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.
William Banfield, B.A., Lee County
Bill Banfield is the former President of Moran Wealth Management. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross.
Kristina Heuser, J.D., Collier County
Kristina Heuser, of Naples, is an attorney at Kristina Heuser Law Firm. Heuser earned her bachelor’s degree in government from Georgetown University and her juris doctor from Brooklyn Law School.
Eviana Martin, J.D., Lee County
Eviana Martin, of Fort Myers, is an attorney at Martin Law Firm. Martin earned her bachelor’s degree from Barry University and her juris doctor from the University of Florida.
Lisa Metcalfe Swinto, M.B.A., Lee County
Lisa Metcalfe Swinto, of Cape Coral, is the Southwest Florida Regional Director of Associated Builders & Contractors Gulf Coast Chapter. Metcalfe Swinto earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Duquesne University and her master’s degree in business administration from Point Park University.
Denise Murphy, Collier County
Denise Murphy, of Naples, is the General Manager for The Players Club & Spa. Murphy received a certificate in hospitality management from eCornell University.
Tyler Patak, Ph.D., Lee County
Tyler Patak, of North Fort Myers, is an Architect and Principal at Parker Mudgett Smith Architects, Inc. Patak earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology and his master’s degree and doctorate in business administration from California Coast University.
Florida SouthWestern State College will be a catalyst for educational success by providing innovative open-door pathways that prepare students to be knowledgeable, skilled and productive members of their communities.
We value student success, integrity, intellectual inquiry, and academic rigor.
The mission of Florida SouthWestern State College is to provide affordable and exceptional academic, cultural and workforce opportunities in a supportive environment that productively transforms the lives of our students and enhances the economic vitality of the communities we serve.
Strategic Directions
1. Expand Educational Access
Goals
- Work with regional partners to expand enrollment access to FSW degree and certificate programs through quality on-going avenues of communication, college readiness programs, articulation agreements and scholarships.
- Create a data-informed and seamless enrollment pipeline and increase the percentage of high school graduates from our service area who apply and enroll.
- Support students in goal identification and outline academic pathways to keep students on track to degree and certificate completion.
2. Advance a world-class educational experience
Goals
- Create and enhance relevant academic and co-curricular programming that develops individuals as well-rounded scholars and educated citizens.
- Support curricular and programmatic innovation to enhance the academic experience, facilitate transdisciplinary research and thinking, and advance student achievement.
- Create robust student engagement programs that support student connections and promote intellectual, cultural, and civic awareness in the broader community.
- Promote a culture of mental, physical and social wellness through student activities programs and events.
3. Innovate classroom and distance education delivery methods to support optimal learning experiences.
Goals
- Engage in best practices to expand educational delivery techniques and skills to make learning broadly accessible, and responsive to best practices in higher education.
- Identify and utilize innovative technologies and learning strategies across all educational programs to enhance academic support, and achievement of learning objectives.
- Provide on-going professional development opportunities to promote engagement with technologies and teaching techniques that bolster academic achievement.
4. Prepare students for a competitive, skilled workforce.
Goals
- Respond to community needs for postsecondary academic education and career degree education by identifying, developing, and appropriately expanding our workforce-related curriculum and industry certification, college credit certificate, and degree options.
- Develop and maintain relevant associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and certificates as well as articulation agreements to provide opportunities for comprehensive credential attainment that promotes employability of graduates.
- Provide non-credit training opportunities and experiences to meet the needs of local businesses, establish internship/apprenticeship opportunities, and provide articulation bridge pathways into high demand certificate and degree programs.
5. Create a Culture Focused on Continuous Improvement
Goals
- Shape a secure and welcoming environment through strategic facilities planning, innovative technology and by maintaining a safe campus environment.
- Engage in ongoing professional development to create a positive, welcoming and responsive college climate that attracts a world-class faculty, staff and administration focused on ensuring student success.
- Provide support for emerging technologies that enhance learning opportunities and the timely delivery of services to all internal and external constituents.
- Develop self-supporting community education programs that highlight FSW’s comprehensive outreach and meet a broad range of interests/needs within our community.
|