Fadino Jean Louis spent much of his formative years struggling in class. Students mocked him, and teachers gave up on him.
“In elementary school I used to never be smart. Every teacher thought I would never be smart. Everybody kept saying I was too slow. You can’t do this. You can’t do that. Just give up. I never made an A-B Honor Roll. I always got perfect attendance. I was so ashamed of that,” recalled Jean Louis. … Continue reading PBSC grad shares story of perseverance
Van Williams, an Army veteran with 24 years of higher education experience, including 12 at Palm Beach State College, has been selected to lead the Boca Raton campus as provost and dean of student services.
Williams, current dean of student services on the Lake Worth campus, will begin his new role June 1 and become the newest member of President Ava L. Parker’s executive leadership team. He was selected after a nationwide search that was narrowed to two finalists. … Continue reading Van Williams selected to lead PBSC Boca Raton campus
Maria Heather Moya, outgoing Student Government Association president at Palm Beach State College’s Boca Raton campus, has won a statewide award for her outstanding leadership and service during the 2020-2021 school year.
Moya received the Bob Graham Distinguished Service Award in the Community College Student category from the Florida College System Student Government Association. The award is named in recognition of the former Florida state senator, governor and U.S. senator.
“It’s an amazing honor,” said Moya, … Continue reading SGA leader at Boca Raton campus wins statewide award
Lt. Matt Keeler, director of Palm Beach State’s Emergency Medical Services programs, has received the Paramedic of the Year award from Boynton Beach Fire Rescue, where he has worked as a Lt. Firefighter/Paramedic for almost 25 years.
Boynton Beach Fire Rescue has about 120 paramedics, and Keeler was nominated for the award by his Battalion Chief John Canela, who oversees the B-Shift personnel.
In nominating Keeler for the award, Canela wrote: “As BBFR’s most senior member, … Continue reading Keeler named Boynton Beach Fire’s Paramedic of the Year
Bernard Harrigan, a Palm Beach State College student and Army veteran who is fulfilling his longtime dream of a higher education, is among only 20 students and the only one in Florida selected for the All-USA Academic Team.
The students were chosen from more than 2,000 nominations for the academic honor, which is recognized as one of the most prestigious for associate-degree granting institutions. They each will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
“I believe it truly shows that support is the cornerstone to your success, … Continue reading PBSC student among 20 to make All-USA Academic Team
There are many reasons why people choose to become a nurse. For Selma Santos, the reason is nurses: All the ones who helped care for Sabrina, her daughter.
“The nurses that took care of her, they were angels. They were so good to us, not only to her, but to me, too,” said Santos, who graduates this month from Palm Beach State College’s Associate in Science degree in Nursing program at the Belle Glade campus. … Continue reading Daughter’s dedicated nurses inspire PBSC nursing graduate
Dr. Bernadette Russell, Palm Beach State College’s vice president of e-Learning and Instructional Technology and Boca Raton campus provost, is retiring Dec. 18, capping a 30-year career in higher education.
She has led the campus for 13 years, and she assumed leadership for e-learning collegewide five years ago. A national search is underway for her replacement, who will lead the campus as provost and dean of Student Services.
The College recognized Russell for her service at a recent District Board of Trustees meeting. … Continue reading Russell to retire at end of fall term
Stephen Spencer, the lead instructor for Palm Beach State College’s Marine Service Technology program, has received the Educator of the Year award from ABYC Foundation, a division of the American Boat and Yacht Council. According to the organization’s website, this first-time award was established to “honor extraordinary instructors who are shaping future marine service technicians.”
“We are excited to see such a strong pool of candidates for the first ABYC Foundation Educator of the Year award,” said ABYC Foundation executive director Margaret Podlich. … Continue reading American Boat and Yacht Council honors Spencer as Educator of the Year
Dr. Suzie Duff and Dr. Jang-Young Bang, who are both credited with launching a new program or initiative at Palm Beach State College, are the 2020 recipients of the Stewart Distinguished Teaching Award.
The Lake Worth campus professors were surprised with the news at a recent faculty forum. The award, which comes with a $5,000 cash prize for each winner, is the highest honor presented by Palm Beach State College for excellence in teaching and learning in the classroom. … Continue reading Duff and Bang win 2020 Stewart Awards for teaching
Jahlissa Powell has always wanted to help people, and now she’ll get the chance. As a new respiratory therapist at Jupiter Medical Center, she will be among the frontline health care professionals battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m actually really excited to enter the field right now, even though it is a pandemic,” said Powell, who graduated magna cum laude in May from Palm Beach State College’s Respiratory Care Associate in Science degree program. “Now that I’m an RRT, … Continue reading PBSC Respiratory Care graduate ready to fight pandemic
