Updated February 27, 2024
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Women in Education Conference
Pasco Notables Recognition Ceremony
PHSC Men of Excellence Event
Pisors Begins PHSC Presidency, Beard, Giannet Retires
PHSC Awarded Grant to Expand Career & Technical Ed Workforce Programs
PHSC Awarded Grand for Apprenticeship Programs
Mullins Music Scholarships
Empowered! Women in Education Conference
Explore leadership, confidence, empowerment and engage in networking opportunities as we discuss women in education! In addition, we will be celebrating Women’s History Month at this empowering lunch event. View the agenda here https://phsc.edu/empowered/agenda
Register Here phsc.edu/about/events/campus/empowered-women-education-conference
Date: Fri. March 15 Time: 9:30 – 3 p.m.
Location: PHSC Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Rd, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Pasco Notables Recognition Ceremony
Media Release | February 22, 2024
PHSC Media Relations
In recognition of Black History Month, PHSC is hosting our annual Pasco Notables Recognition Ceremony to honor citizens of Pasco and Hernando counties who gave back to the community or their profession. Light refreshments will be served at this event. Before the ceremony, a meet and greet session will be from 10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28 and will be held in-person at the PHSC East Campus, Building: A Room 240, 36727 Blanton Road, Dade City and also virtually via zoom
The following individuals will be honored:
- Angela Lewis-Bennett – Educator, Community Activist Mentor
- Cassie Coleman – Community Activist, Educator, Mentor, Clergy/Faith Leader
- Lorenzo Coffie – School Administrator, Former PHSC District Board of Trustees, Coach
- Parnell Dickinson – Business Owner and Coach, Former Professional Athlete, Hall of Famer, Advocate.
PHSC HOSTS MEN OF EXCELLENCE EVENT
Media Release | February 22, 2024
PHSC Media Relations
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted the first Men of Excellence event on Feb. 20 at the PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel, Fla.
The event, which featured a panel discussion and vendor fair, was designed around a barbershop-style concept aimed at encouraging men to come together and openly share and discuss a wide array of topics and how to incorporate excellence into their lives.
“When you’re presenting yourself whether it’s on the job, in the community, or in the classroom, you want to reflect a standard of excellence, and helping young men and women be able to identify, understand, and exhibit excellence is critical,” said Nathaniel Brown, PHSC linking in faith and education (LIFE) coordinator.
During the panel discussion, several community leaders addressed current challenges facing youth by offering personal stories, advice, and encouragement.
Javon Parker, a sophomore at Wharton High School, attended the event and said he enjoyed gaining knowledge from the speakers and hearing about the variety of experiences and challenges they overcame.
The event was open to the community as well as PHSC students.
“As a college focused on our community, we want to help provide opportunities for the community and in turn help individuals make a positive impact,” said Brown.
Pisors Begins PHSC Presidency, Beard, Giannet Retires
Media Release | February 1, 2024
Pasco Hernando State College
Media Relations & Communications
Jesse Pisors, Ed.D., started his presidency at Pasco-Hernando State College on Feb. 1. Pisors is serving as the fifth president in the school’s 51-year history.
Pisors is a seasoned leader in the field of higher education with a deep commitment to facilitating transformative change through education. He has driven growth, enhanced student experiences and strengthened community ties throughout his 25-year career in education across institutions in the U.S. and Mexico, most recently serving as a Vice President at Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMUSA) and the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV).
“My commitment is to continue PHSC’s excellent educational work while leading the college into the future through innovation, community engagement and growth,” said Pisors.
Pisors’ first major task will be to set the institution’s new strategic plan.
“I’ve had the opportunity during the past month working alongside Dr. Beard to observe PHSC’s operations and meet with the incredible students, faculty, staff, and community members who have provided valuable feedback, which I will incorporate during the development of the institution’s strategic plan and vision for the institution through the upcoming years,” said Pisors.
Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D., retired Jan. 31 after nearly 17 years at PHSC, including serving as the institution’s president since 2015. Beard’s legacy in education spans more than 40 years throughout the Florida and Alabama educational systems.
During Beard’s tenure as president PHSC: added 25 new academic programs and 3 sports, received the Florida Governor’s Award for Top College for Performance Based Funding increase, awarded the college’s first bachelor’s degree in business Supervision and Management and Nursing with annually top performing Licensed Nursing (LPN) and Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) programs, was selected by Wallet Hub as the number one college in the country for Return on Education Investment (ROEI), received more than $200 million in funding and grant opportunities, and received numerous other accolades and accomplishments.
“It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve this great institution and while I will miss PHSC and all my associates here I will always remain supportive of the college and will be available if any assistance is needed,” said Beard.
Beard says he plans to spend time with his family, relax and enjoy an occasional round of golf during retirement while watching PHSC continue to excel.
“I am confident that PHSC will do very well under the leadership of Jesse Pisors and I look forward to hearing about all the exciting progress PHSC will make in the coming years,” said Beard.
Stanley M. Giannet, Ph.D., PHSC Executive Vice President, Chief Academic Officer and College Provost, is also retiring after serving at PHSC for 31 years in numerous faculty and administrative capacities. Giannet started his journey at PHSC as a student then as an adjunct professor working his way to becoming the college’s executive vice president and CAO.
“Every role I have had at the College was rife with student interactions and experiences. The most meaningful experiences are those in which I have had personal involvement and impact helping to navigate a student toward success,” said Giannet.
Giannet was instrumental in establishing PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch where he served as its founding Provost. Giannet’s leadership throughout his numerous roles in the institution was integral in the implementation of PHSC’s robust academic and expanding workforce programs.
“Pasco-Hernando State College occupies a special place in my life, and I have valued being a member of an institutional family that has given much to the communities we serve,” said Giannet.
Gerene Thompson, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President and Dean of Arts and Sciences, will serve as interim CAO while the search for Giannet’s successor is underway. For more information about PHSC visit: https://phsc.edu.
PHSC GRANTED $1.63 MILLION TO EXPAND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Media Release | January 19, 2024
PHSC Media Relations
Pasco-Hernando State College was granted $1,630,000 in funding through the Florida Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant (CAP Grant).
These funds come from the more than $35 million announced by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis which are allocated to Florida school districts and state colleges for the creation or expansion of semiconductor-related instructional programs for students.
The grant will be used to purchase equipment for the PHSC manufacturing lab currently being constructed at the Wilton Simpson Technical College and to update PHSC’s welding lab with a state-of-the-art filtration system.
The Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Program was created to provide grants to school districts and Florida College System institutions to fund some or all of the costs associated with the creation or expansion of career and technical education workforce development programs that lead to industry certifications included on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List.
PHSC currently offers a wide array of Workforce and Career and Technical Education programs including information technology, welding, digital media and many more. For more information visit: https://phsc.edu/academics/job-training.
PHSC AWARDED OVER $227,000 TO EXPAND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
Media Release | January 8, 2023
Pasco Hernando State College Media Relations
Pasco-Hernando State College was awarded $227,943 in funding through the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant (PCOG) program for 2023-2024.
The funds are part of an overall $14.4 million appropriation approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis during National Apprenticeship Week. These funds are aimed at helping start, expand, or operate registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs at Florida school districts, colleges, state universities and private training entities. The funding will support over 5,000 participants as they commit to receiving on-the-job training and related classroom instruction simultaneously.
“The funds will support both apprenticeship programs by allowing the purchase of equipment, tools, materials, and consumable supplies that are needed for the program. In addition, it will also fund instructors and curriculum that is used in the programs,” said Christopher Brantley, Ed.D., Assistant Dean, PHSC Workforce Development and Career & Technical Education.
PHSC currently offers an apartment maintenance technician apprenticeship program. Students in this program learn skills such as appliance repair, HVAC, basic electrical, basic plumbing, carpentry, punch skills and more through in-classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
“The apprenticeship programs are important because they provide an opportunity to learn new skills that are in high demand within our local area. Students can also retrain and gain new skills that will allow them to be employable in a new field,” said Brantley.
As the only college in the area to receive this grant funding PHSC is looking to further expand its apprenticeship offerings with help from the PCOG.
“The apprenticeship program has a bright future. We are currently working on a buildout of a Construction and Design program at Gower’s Corner. Once completed, it will house both our apprenticeship programs, Construction and Design and Apartment Maintenance Technician. In addition, the new site will allow the college to collaborate with local partners in the construction industry. Through these local partnerships, we will be able to expand the programs to meet the needs of the local community,” said Brantley.
Recently PHSC received 2special mobile training stations outfitted with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC simulators to complement its AMT program with the ability to offer training throughout the area. The mobile trainers were acquired with funds from a prior grant and are a direct testament to the opportunities grants like the PCOG provide. For more information visit: https://phsc.edu/apprenticeships.
Non-Profit Mullins Music Provides Scholarships for 16th Year
Media Release | December 21, 2023
Mullins Music School
New Port Richey, FL – Wednesday, December 20, 2023 – Since 2007, local 501(c)(3) non-profit music
school Mullins Music has awarded music scholarships to students in the Tampa Bay Area.
Co-founders Eric and Marina Mullins started Mullins Music with a desire to give back to the community.
Marina’s mother, also a music teacher, passed away from cancer in 2013 and was instrumental in shaping
Marina’s career.
Eric grew up in a single-parent household and credits his grandfather with providing the
means to get him started on the saxophone – an instrument he continues to play over 30 years later.
Over the last 16 years, Mullins Music has given dozens of scholarships to talented and deserving young people in the Tampa Bay area. The school even provides instruments for students who need one to get started on their musical journey.
Currently, Mullins Music is raising money for its 2024 Spring Term Scholarships, with a goal of $4,800 –
enough to provide full scholarships for music lessons for ten students. To make a tax-deductible donation to the Mullins Music Scholarship Fund, visit www.mullinsmusic.org or follow Mullins Music online via Facebook. Anyone interested in applying for a scholarship may download the application from the Mullins Music website at www.mullinsmusic.org
The deadline to apply for a scholarship is Friday, December 29th
Link to Local Education News Stories
- State grant supports PHSC’s apprenticeship programs, Suncoast News, January 15, 2024
- Three finalists vie for Pasco County Teacher of the Year, Suncoast News, Pasco, Jan. 5, 2024
- Student safety reminders from Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Suncoast News, January 5, 2024
- Students in store for real-world experience, Laker/Lutz News, Jan 2, 2024
- School boards want to have a say in reducing public school regulations, Laker/Lutz News, Jan. 2, 2024
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