People

Fire department leader credits PBSC for reigniting a passion for her career

September 25, 2023 | By

From bartending in Colorado to teaching scuba diving in California, Jamie Walker had considered herself somewhat of a nomad, eventually finding herself at Palm Beach State College.
Originally from Wisconsin, Walker was living in California when the terrorist attacks took place on Sept. 11, 2001. She moved to Florida and completed PBSC’s Public Safety Program in 2002, and a year later became a West Palm Beach firefighter and first responder.
Recently, Walker became the assistant chief and health safety officer for the fire department. … Continue reading Fire department leader credits PBSC for reigniting a passion for her career →

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Veteran and lieutenant helps lead the next generation of police officers

September 18, 2023 | By

Paul Duros is a longtime veteran of the United States Army (32 years), the Palm Beach Sherriff’s Office (14 years) and the Police Academy at then-named Palm Beach Community College.
Considering himself a Floridian, Duros finished college in West Virgina and moved to West Palm Beach with his family in 1994. For several years, he found himself bouncing between active duty, the army reserve and the police department until he retired from the Army. Since joining the Palm Beach Sherriff’s Office, … Continue reading Veteran and lieutenant helps lead the next generation of police officers →

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PBSC professor featured in Newsweek magazine

September 11, 2023 | By

Luis Fleischman, Ph.D., a Palm Beach State College sociology professor, recently shared his expert perspective in a Newsweek magazine article, “Russia Sparks Rare Condemnation From One of Its Closest Allies.”
Quoted extensively in the Sept. 8 article, Fleischman countered the Cuban position that Russia is solely responsible for recruiting Cuban soldiers for the war in Ukraine through a human trafficking network.
Fleischman has written books on Latin America and the Middle East and contributes articles to academic, … Continue reading PBSC professor featured in Newsweek magazine →

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Veteran credits PBSC for giving him the resources to succeed

September 11, 2023 | By

Originally from New York City, Palm Beach State alumnus David Fleisch knew all too well what financial struggle looked like. While he didn’t have much guidance as a child, he always had a curious nature, motivating him to explore. Finding electronics on the street, he would take them home and teach himself how to reassemble them, building skills that would benefit him later in life.
Fleisch started giving back to the community at 16 years old, … Continue reading Veteran credits PBSC for giving him the resources to succeed →

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PBSC professors inspire alumnus to publish first book

September 5, 2023 | By

When Palm Beach State College alumnus John Charmant came to the United States in 2009 from Haiti, he couldn’t speak English and struggled adapting to the culture.
Today, thanks to the support and encouragement of some of his high school and PBSC professors, he is the proud author of “Luxers’ Multiverse: The Grand Design,” an English book published in 2018.
The book is set in the year 2090, where the traditional borders between countries have dissolved, … Continue reading PBSC professors inspire alumnus to publish first book →

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Firefighter/paramedic says PBSC director was instrumental to his success

August 27, 2023 | By

Since graduating from Palm Beach State in 2019, Patrick Higley, now a member of the Boynton Beach Fire Department, has embodied the mission of the College, impacting both lives and community throughout his brief yet essential career.
A former U.S. Marine, Higley was hired immediately upon completing his PBSC program. However, his first on-the-job challenge didn’t come from an emergency call for help. On the first day of training, COVID forced a widespread lockdown. “COVID was tough because we were forced to do one-on-one patient response. … Continue reading Firefighter/paramedic says PBSC director was instrumental to his success →

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Academic advisor says mentors at PBSC set her up for success

August 21, 2023 | By

Palm Beach State College alumna Katerine Pais encourages today’s students to “never give up and stay strong.” Her mantra is backed by a philosophy that has served her well. “Even when we feel like the underdog, it’s important to be proactive and resilient. Many doors will open as long as we don’t give up.”
Now an academic advisor at the University of Connecticut, Pais says being a hard worker has paid off, and she encourages others to be driven by their own goals. … Continue reading Academic advisor says mentors at PBSC set her up for success →

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Native American expert and activist promotes message of nonviolence

August 14, 2023 | By

Palm Beach State College alumna and Native American expert and activist Jenny Big Crow hopes to help change the world through her message promoting nonviolence.
Big Crow speaks often on her Native American heritage and the importance of civil disobedience, especially the lessons she learned as part of the 2016 Standing Rock Protest. The grassroots movement happened in reaction to the planned Dakota Access Pipeline construction in the northern United States.
Big Crow, who earned an Associate in Arts degree from PBSC in 2011, … Continue reading Native American expert and activist promotes message of nonviolence →

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CFO found constant support and enjoyment while attending PBSC

August 1, 2023 | By

Kristy Brown lives by three great mantras: try everything, be your most authentic self and make a difference. Today, she is doing exactly that – making a difference in young lives as the chief financial officer for the Olivet Boys & Girls Club in Reading, Pa.
Brown had originally enrolled at Palm Beach Atlantic University but was drawn to then Palm Beach Community College. After two years, she absolutely enjoyed her time and wasn’t ready to leave, … Continue reading CFO found constant support and enjoyment while attending PBSC →

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PBSC helps Angelina Rappa reach her dream of attending an Ivy League school

July 31, 2023 | By

This fall, Palm Beach State College Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College student Angelina Rappa will be among the few selected students to attend Cornell University, one of the most prestigious Ivy League universities in the United States.
She applied while attending Palm Beach State, which she believes was instrumental to her getting accepted.
“After high school, I was pretty unprepared for college,” said Rappa, who graduated from Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, … Continue reading PBSC helps Angelina Rappa reach her dream of attending an Ivy League school →

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