A rendering of the CF Health Science Technology Education Center, which will become a model for health care education.
Dear CF Team:
It has been a busy few weeks for the college, and I have much good news to share.
First, I would like to inform you about some college reorganizations that were ratified by the District Board of Trustees at the Feb. 27 meeting.
The growing focus across the country and in our region on expanding career and technical education requires us to expand our responsiveness and presence within the college’s business and government agency communities. Effective March 1, Dr. Jennifer Fryns will assume the role of Associate Vice President for Career and Professional Programs, overseeing programs in Business, Technology and Workforce, Corporate College, Health Sciences, Criminal Justice/Public Service and Teacher Education. Dr. Fryns will be supported by Deans Dr. Rob Wolf, Dr. Stephanie Cortes and Dr. Mac McIntosh. Dr. Wolf, has taken on additional responsibilities of overseeing our Vintage Farm Campus. With the opening of the new classroom at the site in January, his focus will be to not only continue to lead the A.S. and B.A.S. programs in his area, but also grow new course offering initiatives at the farm.
Allan Danuff will assume the role of Associate Vice President for Arts and Sciences, overseeing Communications, Mathematics, Biological and Physical Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Visual & Performing Arts, Wellness and Dual Enrollment. Mr. Danuff will continue to be supported by the respective department chairs within each division.
Effective March 1, Judy Menadier will assume the role of Director, Institutional Research and Effectiveness. We will begin a search to fill her open position that will support state reporting and data analytics. Additionally, Lana Lutz’s role in the Office of Administration and Finance is being restructured to a Business Analyst position to research, analyze and propose process improvements, budget efficiency, cost center analysis and alternative funding streams.
These reorganizations leverage the value of our current team members with the addition of no new positions. We are thankful for their experience and know that they embrace our vision to be the first choice for quality higher education.
I would also like to share that we have received a commitment of an additional $3.5 million from the Marion County Hospital District to support our new Health Science Technology Education Center. To date, we have received commitments of $9.5 million in local match funding on this $35 million project. No other college in Florida has that level of local match on a new construction project and that should help us greatly as we seek the final construction funding from the state. The additional funding will allow us to add a fourth floor to the project to meet the growing demand for Health Sciences program graduates. With the additional space we will now be able to add new programs in Dental Hygiene, Sonography, Cardiovascular Tech, Respiratory Therapy and expansion in Nursing and Surgical Tech. The building will be the foundation of a national model for health care education delivery. My special thanks to all involved in this project, It takes a team to punch the ball in the end zone and we just scored another touchdown!
I shared our CF story at the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership exCEPtional Mornings breakfast last Wednesday. The theme of “Going to College Pays” was well received by the audience and the StarBanner. Editorial page editor Brad Rogers shared the message in his column titled “It’s settled, going to college pays.” This appeared on the same page as an Other Voices column by Chad Christianson, CEO of Ocala Health: “CF critical to meeting health care workforce needs.”
Thank you to all who supported United Way Day of Caring at Evangeline Booth Garden Apartments on Saturday. CF was one of 22 agencies serving at 21 sites throughout Marion County. CF was also heavily featured in the StarBanner article “600+ volunteers pitch in during annual Day of Caring.”
Student satisfaction with our PRIDE service standards is now at an all-time high of 94% college wide as indicated by the annual student Rate-Us-Now survey results. A free WOW! breakfast for all employees is scheduled for the morning of March 29 to celebrate this success! Our chickens at the farm better start laying more eggs! Well done team!
And finally, we have set another record with 96 percent employee participation in the CF Foundation family campaign. We send a strong message to our community when CF team members pledge their support. You are the primary reason we have been so fortunate in raising external resources through our CF Foundation. We ARE CF and We Are All In!
Thanks for your role in transforming lives. Together we are making a huge difference in our communities!
Jim
