Saint Leo recognized
U.S. Veterans Magazine (USVM) has named Saint Leo University as one of the nation’s Best of the Best 2021 Top Veteran-Friendly Schools.
USVM polled hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies for this year’s Best of the Best evaluations, which in addition to educational institutions, also lists top veteran-friendly employers, initiatives, and government agencies. More than 375 companies and institutions participated, according to a news release.
Saint Leo University served as a military college in its past, and in 1973, the then-college began offering courses on military bases in Avon Park and at MacDill Air Force Base.
Saint Leo welcomed military students and student-veterans who were returning from Vietnam, at a time when other colleges shunned them.
The school offers a variety of programming for these students, including Mindful Monday (guided meditation via Zoom) and Transition Tuesday, which provides information about making the transition from being in the military to being a college student.
Saint Leo designs veteran-specific activities to support student-veterans.
In addition to more than 6,000 veterans currently being served by Saint Leo University, many of the faculty and staff are military-affiliated.
Education award
The Center for Education Reform (CER) will accept applications for and award a $1 million prize to an education provider, exceptional group of people, or organization that demonstrated accomplishment during COVID-19 and seeks to expand its work throughout the coming year, in the U.S.
The STOP Award for Education will reward education that is Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless.
The application window will be open Sept. 8 and closes on Oct. 6 at 11:59 p.m., EST.
“We are on the hunt for great, successful entrepreneurs and innovators who have been educating our kids during COVID, and didn’t skip a beat to give parents what they want and children what they need during the pandemic,” said Jeanne Allen, CER founder and CEO, in a news release.
In addition to the $1 million prize, CER also is supporting several new micro-schools in underserved communities.
For more information, visit StopAward.com.
Homeschoolers info
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host “Homeschoolers Destination: Information” on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.
Every other week, the center will use activities related to different content areas to discover monthly themes.
The theme for September will be “Great Growers,” and will include fruits and vegetables to explore the world of growing.
Registration is required. Masks are recommended, but not mandated.
To register, visit PascoLibraries.org.
For questions, call 727-815-7126.
Academic honors
These local students have been named to the Dean’s List at the Florida Institute of Technology:
Theodore Martin, Hudson; Jacqueline Figueredo, Lutz; Max Martino, Lutz; Andrew Ekblad, New Port Richey; Ian Ragan, New Port Richey; Zachary Watson, Trinity; Alexis Clark, Trinity; and Tyler Vermillion, Trinity.
New board members
Victory High School, in New Port Richey, has added new members to its board of directors.
Dr. David Barzelay was named the board chair. He brings more than 49 years of teaching, grant writing, leadership and chaplaincy to the position.
Barzelay has experience in writing curriculum, preparing and conducting training sessions for staff, and planning budgets and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
His contributions also include fundraising efforts in securing federal, state and local grants.
Dean Chung is now a board member. He has more than 30 years of experience in the corporate and nonprofit management sectors.
From IBM to volunteering with Pasco-Hernando SCORE, Chung brings his leadership, consulting and fundraising efforts to the board of directors.
He has been a supporter of Victory High School since its beginning.
Apprenticeship program
Pasco-Hernando State College (PSHC) has increased opportunities for students seeking a nontraditional college experience and looking to pursue a certification in the workforce.
Through its Workforce Education department, and in partnership with the Bay Area Apartment Association (BAAA), PHSC now offers an Apartment Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Program.
The program is registered by the state for veterans training under the GI Bill, and is designed for varying groups of individuals, including those leaving the military, graduating high school or college, or switching careers due to COVID-19.
Through the apprenticeship program, students will be placed with a property management company, where they can receive paid on-the-job training, as well as classroom and hands-on training.
The apprentices will gain skills in electrical, cabinetry, HVAC diagnosis and repair, punch skills, basic plumbing, appliance repair, exterior maintenance, and more.
For additional information on the program, visit PHSC.edu/apprenticeships, or contact Karen Strouthopoulos at 727-816-3123 or .
