Valencia College News » Osceola Campus

Valencia, UCF Officials Dedicate New Building at Osceola Campus

Linda Beaty — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:03:46 +0000

Kissimmee, FL -- Valencia College officials, along with officials from the University of Central Florida, dedicated the newest building on Valencia’s Osceola Campus on April 11 -- marking the expansion of the Valencia-UCF partnership in Osceola County. "This campus is less than half built," said Valencia College President Sandy Shugart, who said the Kissimmee campus will continue to expand. "We're in chapter 5 of a 10- or 12 chapter story." At 150,000 square feet, Building 4 is the largest building on any Valencia campus. In addition to classrooms, the four-story building houses the campus library, bookstore, 10 science labs, 18 classrooms, math and computer labs, the campus cafeteria and a coffee bar. Designed by architectural firm Hunton-Brady and built by contractor Clancy & Theys, Building 4 cost $35 million in construction costs. UCF, which will share the building, contributed $7.5 million. In addition to the use of classrooms, UCF will also have 18 offices for faculty and administrative staff in Building 4. UCF, which operates a regional campus at Valencia’s Osceola Campus, already offers a handful of degrees at the Kissimmee campus, ranging from business to political science. With this expanded presence on the Osceola campus, UCF plans to add a diverse array of bachelor's degrees to the Osceola campus by fall 2013, including degrees in biomedical science, criminal justice, psychology, public administration and health services administration. This will be the first time that UCF has offered a degree in biomedical science at one of its regional campuses. And at a time when state officials are urging more students to study STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – Valencia’s new Osceola building will enable campus officials to offer more classes in biology, chemistry and physics. The new labs include three anatomy and physiology labs, three biology labs, two chemistry labs, one microbiology lab and one physics lab. "Education transforms lives and we at UCF are thrilled at the benefits this building will bring to Osceola County in the years ahead," Dr. John Hitt, president of UCF, told the assembled crowd. The building marks a sharp departure from earlier classroom buildings on the campus. The outdoor and indoor spaces -- and even hallways -- were designed to provide meeting and study space for students. Courtyards provide shade and places for students to relax, while the library features a huge reading room with windows that overlook the campus. Architect Maurizio Maso, who designed the building, said the vision for Building 4 came emerged from a meeting with Shugart. "He said the architecture should be soaring, inspiring and grounded -- and that if Osceola Campus is a village, Building 4 should be the cathedral." The building, which opened for classes in January, has quickly become the center of student life for the 12,000 students who take classes at the Kissimmee campus. on campus. Dr. Kathleen Plinkse, president of Valencia's Osceola Campus, says that on the first day of classes, she overheard a student, talking on the phone to a friend. "What are you doing over there?" the girl asked her friend. "Building 1 is so last year. Building 4 is chill." Among the officials and dignitaries attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were: Osceola County Tax Collector Patsy Heffner, Osceola County Manager Don Fisher, Kissimmee Mayor Jim Swan, Kissimmee Vice Mayor Cheryl Grieb, Kissimmee city commissioners Jose Alvarez and Sara Shaw, Kissimmee City Manager Mike Steigerwald and Deputy City Manager Desiree Matthews, and Susan Fernandez, from the office of Sen. Marco Rubio.

Valencia Offers Workshops to Help Students Fill Out Financial Aid Forms

Linda Beaty — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:35:25 +0000

Orlando, FL – For many students, college is out of reach without financial aid. But to be eligible for financial aid, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. To help students and parents fill out the applications, Valencia College is offering a series of free workshops on Friday, Feb. 15 and Monday, Feb. 18 that are open to the community.

At Valencia’s FAFSA Frenzy events, the college’s financial aid teams will be on hand to assist students and parents who are filling out the FAFSA. The workshops are open to both first-time applicants and students who are reapplying for next year.

Students who complete their FAFSA on site are eligible for door prizes. Attendance at Valencia is not required to participate in the event or the drawing.

FAFSA Frenzy events have been scheduled for the following locations on dates when high schools in Orange and Osceola counties are not in session:

Friday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Osceola Campus, Bldg. 3, Rm. 100

Monday, Feb. 18, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., East Campus, Bldg. 4, Room 100

Monday, Feb. 18, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., West Campus, Student Services Building (SSB), Room 142 (Atlas lab).

Students must bring a number of documents, including their Social Security card, driver’s license and proof of 2012 income. Non-citizens must bring their alien registration card. Students who are dependents must also bring their parents’ Social Security numbers, proof of income (taxable and untaxed) and driver’s license information.

Students will also need a FAFSA application Personal Identification Number (PIN). To save time, go to www.pin.ed.gov to register for a PIN number in advance.

For more information, visit http://valenciacollege.edu/finaid/fafsafrenzy.cfm

These events were made possible with support from Valencia’s Student Development office and from USA Funds, a nonprofit organization that helps American families benefit from postsecondary education.

Valencia participates in most federal, state and local financial aid programs, awarding over $130 million each year to students. Approximately 46 percent of Valencia students receive financial aid. Among those students is the largest enrollment of Bright Futures recipients among Florida State Colleges.

Valencia’s Osceola Campus is located at 1800 Denn John Lane, Kissimmee. The East Campus is located at 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. The West Campus is located at 1800 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando.

###

For more news about Valencia College, please visit www.valenciacollege.edu/news

Valencia Opens Two New Buildings

Linda Beaty — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:04:44 +0000

When classes resume on Jan. 7, Valencia College will be opening one new classroom building and putting the finishing touches on another. At Valencia’s fast-growing Osceola Campus in Kissimmee, students will begin taking classes in Building 4, the largest building on any Valencia campus. The 150,000 square-foot building, which cost $35 million to construct, will be shared by Valencia College and the University of Central Florida. UCF, which operates a regional campus at Valencia’s Osceola Campus, will have classrooms and administrative offices in the building. With this expansion, UCF is also increasing the number of bachelor’s degrees available on the Osceola campus. By fall 2013, UCF plans to offer bachelor's degrees in biomedical science, criminal justice, psychology, public administration and health services administration at the Osceola campus. The new building also houses a new campus library, cafeteria, bookstore and greatly expanded space for tutoring. At a time when state officials are urging more students to study STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – Osceola’s new building is designed for science education. Its 10 labs will enable campus officials to offer more classes in biology, chemistry and physics. While the third and fourth floors are devoted to science classrooms and labs, much of the first floor is dedicated to learning support – where there will be tutoring for help with math, science and technology. The new campus library is nearly twice the size of the former library space. And the building includes some unique features, such as a video room with a green-screen wall – so students and faculty members can create their own videos. Building 4, which includes environmentally friendly features such as motion-sensor lighting, high-efficiency air conditioning, a reflective roof and a cistern system that recycles rainwater for flushing toilets, is expected to earn a LEED Gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building was designed by Hunton-Brady Architects. Clancy & Theys was the contractor. Meanwhile, on Valencia’s West Campus, the college is completing construction on a new building that will house Valencia’s Continuing Education division. The new building, which cost $13.3 million, will house classrooms, technology labs, a testing center and a state-of-the-art space designed to promote creative discourse and collaboration for groups of up to 32 participants. The Continuing Education division offers courses, certifications, workshops and seminars in areas including technology, leadership development, languages and international programs, manufacturing, human resources and organizational development, government and emergency management, accounting and office administration. The Languages and International Program offers popular courses such as English as a Second Language, Intensive English, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as other international academic training programs. In addition to classroom and online courses, Valencia’s Continuing Education also offers on-site professional training for businesses and organizations. The 60,000-square-foot building was created by the design-build team of SchenkelShultz Architecture and McCree General Contractors, both of Orlando. The facility – which features water-saving toilets and sinks, motion-sensor lighting, high-efficiency air-conditioning and extensive use of green materials -- was designed to achieve a Level 2 Green Globes Certification, said Bareaa Darkhabani, Valencia College’s project manager, but the building will likely earn a Level 3 Green Globes upon completion. The Green Globes system is operated in the United States by the Green Building Initiative.

Osceola Expansion Brings New UCF Bachelor’s Degrees to Campus

Linda Beaty — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:00:40 +0000

On Jan. 2, officials at Valencia College's Osceola Campus will open the doors to the campus's newest building -- and they'll also usher in a new era at the Kissimmee campus. Building 4 -- a four-story, 150,000 square-foot building and the largest building on any Valencia campus – will not only give Osceola students a much bigger library, tutoring center and cafeteria, but it will expand their educational opportunities. Valencia College and the University of Central Florida will share use of the building, and UCF plans to eventually offer a dozen bachelor's degrees at the Osceola Campus. That sends a critical message to Osceola County residents – that a college education is attainable, even without leaving home, says Dr. Kathleen Plinske. And that’s important in Osceola, where high school graduates are less likely to go on to college than students in other Central Florida counties, she added. UCF, which operates a regional campus at Valencia’s Osceola Campus, already offers seven degrees at the Kissimmee campus, ranging from business to political science. By fall 2013, UCF plans to add a diverse array of bachelor's degrees to the Osceola campus, including degrees in biomedical science, criminal justice, psychology, public administration and health services administration. Plinske is particularly excited about the upcoming degree in biomedical science. "It's the perfect degree for a student who wants to go on to medical school," says Plinske. And at a time when state officials are urging more students to study STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – Osceola’s new building will enable campus officials to offer more classes in biology, chemistry and physics. The new labs include three anatomy and physiology labs, three biology labs, two chemistry labs, one microbiology lab and one physics lab. Designed by architectural firm Hunton-Brady and built by contractor Clancy & Theys, Building 4 cost $35 million in construction costs. UCF, which will share the building, contributed $7.5 million. In addition to the use of classrooms, UCF will also have 18 offices for faculty and administrative staffers in Building 4. Designed in California “mission style,” the building is also likely to become the hub of campus life for the 12,500 students who take classes at the Osceola campus. That’s because Building 4, in addition to housing classrooms and science lab, will also be home to many student services, including the campus library, bookstore, cafeteria and a coffee bar. Before designing the new building, the architects and builders worked with Plinske to create an environment that meets the needs of many students. That’s why the new library — which is nearly twice the size of the current library — features areas for silent study and glass-enclosed group study rooms. In the main reading room, the furniture will be comfortable and conducive to reading. “It’ll feel more like coffee shop, not a traditional library,” Plinske said . Plinske wanted to give students at this commuter campus plenty of places to sit, study and relax — and that’s been one of the driving forces in the design of Building 4′s interior and exterior. Outside the first floor, in the shadow of the building, benches, courtyard spaces and a fountain area are strategically located so that they’ll be in shade much of the day. On the second floor, a terrace -- complete with tables and chairs -- overlooks the lawn. “This is a great space for students to study and to just hang out,” Plinske said. Other innovative features include:

a “green screen” room where students and faculty members can create their own videos for use in presentations;
outdoor learning spaces that feature benches and glass boards, complete with markers;
large science-related murals, such as a giant mural of the periodic table of elements;
and a multipurpose room next to the bookstore, which allows the bookstore to expand during times of heavy use, such as book buyback periods.

Builder Putting Finishing Touches on Osceola’s Newest Building

Linda Beaty — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:10:26 +0000

The latest addition to the Valencia family -- Building 4 at the Osceola Campus -- won't open for classes until January, but builders are putting the finishing touches on the new, four-story classroom building. The largest building on any Valencia campus, Building 4 is more than 150,000 square feet in size. It will house a number of student services -- including the campus library, bookstore and cafeteria -- plus classrooms and science labs on the third floor, and fourth floors. At a time when state officials are urging more students to study STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – Osceola’s new building is designed for science education. Its 10 labs will enable campus officials to offer more classes in biology, chemistry and physics. And the University of Cenral Florida has announced that one of the new bachelor’s degrees available at Osceola Campus will be a bachelor of science in biomedical sciences. That, says campus president Kathleen Plinske, is the ideal degree for a student who wants to go to medical school. Designed by architectural firm Hunton-Brady and built by contractor Clancy-Theys, Building 4 cost $35 million in construction costs. The total budget, which includes architectural work and furnishings, is $45 million. The project is likely, however, to be completed for $1 million to $2 million less than projected, said Lamar Powers, facilities director for Valencia College. UCF, which will share the building for science classes, contributed $7 million to the cost of the building. UCF will also have 18 offices for UCF faculty and administrative staffers in Building 4. Before designing the new building, the architects and builders worked with Plinske to create an environment that meets the needs of many students. That's why the new library -- which is nearly twice the size of the current library -- features areas for silent study and glass-enclosed group study rooms. In the main reading room, the furniture will be comfortable and conducive to reading. “It’ll feel more like Starbucks, not a library,” Plinske says. Plinske wanted to give students at this commuter campus plenty of places to sit, study and relax -- and it's been one of the driving forces in the design of Building 4's interior and exterior. Outside the first floor, in the shadow of the building, benches, courtyard spaces and a fountain area are strategically located so that they’ll be in shade much of the day. “This is a great space for students to study and to just hang out,” Plinske said. Likewise, there’s a terrace on the second floor that will have tables and chairs overlooking the fountain area – and because it’s located on the north side of the building, it will be in the shade much of the day. And, on a campus without much shade, the many oak trees and palm trees planted outside the building will be a welcome sight. Inside the building, architects even made room in the hallways for students to sit on the floor outside classrooms – without blocking foot traffic. Students will also welcome a full cafeteria and a coffee bar – to be located on the first floor. The current cafeteria operates out of a portable trailer. Other innovative features include:

a "green screen" room where students and faculty members can create their own videos for use in presentations;
outdoor learning spaces that feature benches and glass boards, complete with markers;
large science-related murals, such as a giant mural of the periodic table of elements;
and a multipurpose room next to the bookstore, which allows the bookstore to expand during times of heavy use, such as book buyback periods.

Energy efficiency features include: high-efficiency air conditioning, dual-flush toilets, and green materials used in the floors, walls and ceilings. Building 4 has a cistern storing 10,000 gallons of rainwater for flushing toilets. In addition, the building's roof is covered with white reflective coating, designed to reduce cooling costs. Building 4 will be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and is expected to earn a LEED Silver designation. The building also features smart lighting, which dims or turns off the lights in a classroom if there’s enough light coming in from the windows. In hallways and in classrooms, lights are also connected to motion detectors –so they’ll turn off if there’s no activity in an area. The college is even recycling the portables now used for the bookstore and the cafeteria. Plinske said some of the portables will be converted into a fitness center – which the Osceola campus doesn’t have – while others will be used for storage.

Finding Your Path in Life — With the Help of a Bright Green RV

Linda Beaty — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 20:49:43 +0000

The big green RV pulled onto the lawn just past the clock tower at the Osceola Campus on Thursday morning -- right in the line of sight for hundreds of students attending Osceola's Spirit Day festivities. Just past the balloon artist on stilts and the photographer taking pictures of students in a giant chair, Christina Mitchell and her team of "roadies" from the PBS TV show Roadtrip Nation began talking about a serious subject: What message should college students send to politicians during an election year? The answer from many of the students who stopped by was simple: Education opens doors, provides opportunities and is invaluable. "Usually we talk about what 'Roadtrip Nation' is all about. We also get students' stories and see if they want to be part of Roadtrip Nation," says Mitchell. "But this year -- because it's an election year -- we're partnering with the College Board to remind political candidates not to forget education. We call it the 'Don't Forget ED' tour." The bright green RV (nicknamed "Carl" by the Roadtrip Nation crew) arrived in Kissimmee on Thursday, fresh from a visit to Emory University in Atlanta, where students there were keenly aware of how budget cuts were impacting their education, Mitchell said. The next stop on the tour will be Miami-Dade College, followed by a conference to be held in Miami. On the PBS series, teams of college students tour the country and interview successful people in many fields, from astrophysicists to beer makers. "We've interviewed everybody, from the president of Dell Computers to the Naked Cowboy in New York City," says Mitchell. "The main question is: How did you figure out where you were going in life?" During the off-season,when the crew isn't filming the PBS TV series, teams of recent college graduates roam the country in the mammoth green RVs, stopping at college campuses to talk to students about finding their passion and a field they love. At Osceola Campus, Mitchell and her team asked students to write messages to politicians on small chalkboards -- and pose for pictures beside their messages. Those will later be posted on the Roadtrip Nation blog and website. The students left a variety of messages for lawmakers to ponder: "Flipping burgers just doesn't cut it," and "Education is power." The burgers comment resonated with Felipe Oyarzun, 25, who's studying electrical engineering. After graduating from high school, Oyarzun took a break from his education -- and wound up working as a manager at a sub shop in Miami, before he finally decided to get back in school. "Nobody really likes flipping burgers," says Oyarzun. But he admits that after he was making money, it was hard to walk away and return to being a full-time student. After some nudging from his little sister -- who wants to be a pediatrician -- he signed up for classes at Valencia. "I got a little too comfortable working at a job that I didn't like," he says. Now he knows he needs to follow his heart -- and challenge himself. "If you want to be happy," Oyarzun says, "you've got to do what you love." Want to see some episodes from the PBS show, Roadtrip Nation? Click here to watch some episodes online.

Osceola Campus President Named Outstanding Female of the Year in Biz Journal’s 40 Under 40

Carol Traynor — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:13:50 +0000

An annual award given by the Orlando Business Journal to recognize the area’s up-and-coming leaders under age 40 has been given to Valencia’s own Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of the Osceola and Lake Nona campuses.

Below is the article that appeared in the Orlando Business Journal.

Outstanding Female of the Year: Plinske encourages students to shatter expectations

Premium content from Orlando Business Journal by Emily Blackwood

Date: Friday, August 17, 2012, 6:00am EDT

Jim Carchidi

Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College’s Osceola and Lake Nona campuses

Kathleen Plinske — president of Valencia College’s Osceola and Lake Nona campuses — is anything but average. At 32, she’s about half the average age of a college campus president.

And Plinske — the 2012 Outstanding Female of the Year in Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 competition — was raised to do everything with excellence.

When Plinske brought home straight A’s on her report card in elementary school, her grandfather asked her where the A-pluses were. “He taught me to never settle for good enough. He always pushed me to go further.”

Later, while taking a class at a community college, she discovered “what learning was supposed to be like.”

“It was a friendly environment, and the instructor cared about what we were learning. It wasn’t like sitting in a lecture hall with 300 students.”

That led Plinske to work in community colleges. She started out as an instructional technologist at McHenry County College. And after she got her doctoral degree in education technology from Pepperdine University, she became interim president of McHenry County College in 2009.

On a whim, she applied for, and got, the job of president of Valencia College’s 16,000-student campus in Osceola County in 2010 — becoming “one of the youngest college presidents in the country,” said Valencia College President Sandy Shugart. “During her tenure, the Osceola campus has continued to be the fastest growing among Valencia’s six campuses.”

Plinske led the development of a new campus at Lake Nona, now serving more than 1,000 students and slated to open in new facilities this fall. She also led the development of a new library and science building on the Osceola campus. “She has brought amazing energy and imagination,” said Shugart.

In addition, Plinske established a new honors program for students and the opportunity for them to earn a bachelor’s degree through the University of Central Florida without leaving the Osceola campus. She’s also co-authoring a book on student success stories in the nation’s community colleges.

Meanwhile, Plinske is concerned that only 40 percent of Osceola County high school students go to college. “We have a lot of work to do to show students that college is possible.”

Another challenge: Plinske said it’s a constant struggle to maintain the balance between the quality of education and affordability for students. “We were created to serve the population that couldn’t afford to go to a university right away. We might not be able to keep our tuition flat like we did this year.”

Meanwhile, Plinske, who will earn her MBA from the University of Florida by the end of the year, encourages her students to chase their dreams and to not be thrown off by what’s expected. “No one would think a 30-year-old could be a college president, but it is possible. Don’t be afraid to be unreasonable.”

Outstanding Female of the Year: Kathleen Plinske

Age: 32

Title: President, Valencia College’s Osceola and Lake Nona campuses

Best business achievement: The collaborative design of the new Osceola campus building — 150,000 square feet with 10 science labs, 18 classrooms, academic center, library and classrooms that will function as a UCF regional campus to add bachelor’s degree programs to Valencia

Key business lesson: No one has the monopoly on great ideas.

Community involvement: Junior Achievement of Osceola County; Osceola Education Foundation; Harmony Institute

Osceola Campus President Named a Finalist to Orlando’s 40 Under 40

Linda Beaty — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 21:16:17 +0000

Congratulations to Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia’s Osceola and Lake Nona campuses. She’s a finalist for the Orlando Business Journal’s annual 40 Under 40 awards. The awards recognize the area’s up-and-coming leaders under age 40.

Dr. Plinske earned her doctorate in educational technology from Pepperdine University in 2008. She came to Valencia from McHenry County College in Illinois, where she served as vice president for institutional effectiveness and also as interim president.

Annual Osceola Art Festival to be held Feb. 11-12 at Osceola Campus

Linda Beaty — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:41:40 +0000

The Osceola Center for the Arts will present the 45th Annual Osceola Art Festival on Feb. 11 and 12 at Valencia College’s Osceola Campus in Kissimmee.

This two-day, free event will feature more than 150 professional artists, live entertainment, an interactive student art tent, a sidewalk-chalk competition and festival food. Artists from across the country will be competing for more than $15,000 in prizes and purchase awards.

The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking will be free.

The Student Art Tent will include works from Osceola School District students. Ribbons designating 1st, 2nd & 3rd place awards will be given to students from each school. A Best of Show ribbon will be chosen for elementary, middle and high school levels. The festival will also include “Local’s Lane,” an area dedicated to local galleries, artists and crafters from the Central Florida area.

Valencia’s Osceola Campus is located on Highway 192 at 1800 Denn John Lane, Kissimmee.

For more information, please visit www.ocfta.com or call 407-846-6257.

Valencia Professors, Students to Offer Free Tax Help

Linda Beaty — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:18:01 +0000

Valencia College accounting students and professors will be offering free tax help to the public on Fridays and Saturdays during February, March and April at the college’s East and Osceola campuses.

The tax help is free and open to anyone, but preference will be given to senior citizens, the disabled and low-income individuals. The volunteer tax preparers will be e-filing (electronically filing returns) for free.

At East Campus, the tax sessions will be held on selected Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Building 7, rooms 113 and 117. The sessions will be held on Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 3, March 17, March 31, April 7 and April 14.

The East Campus is located at 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. For more information about the East Campus tax preparation sessions, call 407-582-2849.

Tax preparation sessions will be offered at Valencia’s Osceola Campus on selected Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sessions will be held on Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 16, March 23, March 30 and April 6. They will be held in Building 3, room 330.

The Osceola Campus is located at 1800 Denn John Lane, Kissimmee. For more information about the Osceola Campus tax preparation sessions, call 407-582-4291.

Those interested in getting tax help are asked to bring the following:

All W-2, W-2G and social security amounts
1099s, 1099R, interest and dividend statements
Documentation to show other income
Total day-care costs and day-care provider’s tax ID number
Copy of last year’s return, if available
Social Security cards for you, your dependents and/or spouse
Driver’s license or photo ID for you and your spouse
Proof of bank account for direct deposit of refund (a voided check, for example)

Professor Receives Fulbright Award to Teach in Russia

Melissa Tchen — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:59:16 +0000

Steve Cunningham, professor of English as a Second Language for Academic Purposes (EAP) at Valencia College’s Osceola Campus, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to teach in Russia during the 2011-2012 academic year, according to the United States Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Cunningham will be teaching at the Humanities and Technology Institute, a branch of Orenburg State University, in the city of Orsk. His three-month trip will be focused on training current and future high school English teachers in Russia how to best incorporate educational technology into their English language instruction. While this will be his first trip to Russia, Cunningham is no stranger to teaching English to non-native speakers. In his 26 years as an educator, he has worked as an English as a Second Language instructor, intensive English program coordinator, international programs director, curriculum designer, and has conducted teacher training at Valencia and other colleges both in the U.S. and abroad. Cunningham is one of approximately 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in 2011-2012. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 155 countries worldwide. Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has given approximately 300,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in government, science, the arts, business, philanthropy, education and athletics. Forty-three Fulbright alumni from 11 countries have been awarded the Nobel Prize, and 75 alumni have received Pulitzer Prizes. Prominent Fulbright alumni include: Muhammad Yunus, managing director and founder, Grameen Bank, and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipient; John Atta Mills, president of Ghana; Lee Evans, Olympic gold medalist; Ruth Simmons, president, Brown University; Riccardo Giacconi, physicist and 2002 Nobel Laureate; Amar Gopal Bose, chairman and founder, Bose Corporation; Renée Fleming, soprano; Jonathan Franzen, writer; and Daniel Libeskind, architect. For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, please visit http://fulbright.state.gov.

Valencia to Host College Night 2010

Melissa Tchen — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:12:56 +0000

College Night 2010 will provide an opportunity for high school and college transfer students to scope out their options for the future. More than 100 admissions representatives from colleges and universities across the country will be present for this two-night event, which will be held at Valencia Community College. Last year’s representatives hailed from universities including Yale, Cornell and the University of Florida, as well as local schools including Valencia, University of Central Florida, Rollins, Florida Southern and Stetson. There were also representatives from the United States Air Force and military academies. Students can receive information on everything college related, from admissions requirements to financial aid, degrees and programs and campus housing. College Night 2010 will be held Tuesday, Oct. 5 on Valencia’s Osceola Campus and Thursday, Oct. 7 on Valencia’s West Campus. Both events run from 6-8 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Valencia’s Osceola Campus is located at 1800 Denn John Lane in Kissimmee. The West Campus is located at 1800 S. Kirkman Road in Orlando. For more information please visit www.valenciacc.edu/transitions/collegenight or contact 407-582-2330 or enrollment1@valenciacc.edu.

###

Valencia Welcomes Dr. Kathleen Plinske, New Provost of the Osceola Campus

Melissa Tchen — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:36:19 +0000

Kissimmee, Fla. – On July 19, Dr. Kathleen Plinske began as Valencia Community College’s new provost of the Osceola Campus and Valencia at Lake Nona High School. “I am truly delighted to have the opportunity to join Valencia,” said Plinske. “They’ve earned a national reputation for creating a learner-centered environment focused on student success, and it will be a privilege to provide leadership for the Osceola Campus.” Prior to coming to Valencia, Plinske served in a number of positions at McHenry County College, a community college located in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago. During her nine-year tenure there she progressed rapidly into positions of greater leadership, serving as a coordinator, director, executive director, associate vice president, vice president, and ultimately as the interim president. Her experience includes distance education, professional development, institutional research, marketing and public relations, and institutional effectiveness. She also served as a Spanish instructor, with experience teaching face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses. A graduate of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Plinske attended Indiana University-Bloomington as a Herman B. Wells Scholar, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Physics with highest distinction and honors. She completed a master’s degree in Spanish from Roosevelt University, and a Doctorate in Educational Technology with honors from Pepperdine University. Committed to advancing the community college mission, Plinske has published a number of articles in professional and peer-reviewed journals, and is frequently invited as a speaker at national and international conferences. She was selected as a community college leadership doctoral fellow by the University of San Diego and was recently recognized as one of 24 Emerging Leaders in the world by Phi Delta Kappa International. In her role as a Valencia provost, Plinske will be responsible for providing academic, administrative and fiscal leadership for the Osceola Campus and the Valencia at Lake Nona High School site.

###