- 001: Saint Leo University’s Spring Open House will begin with a welcome session and keynote address, followed by a resource fair to explore academic programs, career pathways and campus resources.
- 002: Guided campus and specialty tours will showcase academic spaces, residence halls, student life facilities, the historic Abbey Church and the Wellness Center.
Saint Leo University hosts open house
ST. LEO – Saint Leo University will welcome prospective high school and transfer students and their families at its Spring Open House.
Attendees will explore academic offerings, student life and the admissions process from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Wellness Center, 12338 Priory Circle.
This open house marks the final opportunity for students who have not yet been admitted to visit campus ahead of fall semester 2026 enrollment decisions. Advance registration is required by Feb. 20 at saintleo.edu/student-experience/visit.
Students attending an open house at Saint Leo University for the first time who plan to enroll for Fall 2026 are also eligible for a $250 scholarship.
“Choosing a university is about more than programs and paperwork, it’s about finding a place where you belong,” President Jim Burkee said. “This immersive event lets students experience our welcoming community and see how we support them every step of the way. At Saint Leo, we meet students where they are in a rapidly changing digital world, offering a values-based education rooted in excellence, innovation and service.”
The excitement continues from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with the Lions Bash, a tailgate with free food, music, giveaways, inflatables and carnival-style games at the Marion Bowman Activities Center parking lot.
PHSC to receive more from nursing education fund
NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco-Hernando State College has been recommended to be awarded $270,000 for the 2025-26 academic year as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund.
DeSantis approved PHSC’s recommendation on Jan. 20, as part of his $20 million investment into LINE funding.
The LINE Fund is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant that supports partnerships between participating educational institutions and health care providers. In the previous academic year, PHSC was recommended for $10,000, which went to scholarships and learning opportunities for PHSC’s nursing students.
This academic year, the PHSC Foundation received $200,000 from Tampa General Hospital, $50,000 from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and Dade City and $20,000 from BayCare NorthBay Hospital, totaling $270,000, to which the college will receive matching funds from the state via the LINE Fund.
“These funds will help remove financial barriers for students, strengthen our faculty and enhance hands-on learning opportunities that prepare skilled, compassionate nurses to serve our communities,” said Eric Hall, PHSC president. “We are grateful for our community and state’s continued investment in programs that support student success and a stronger health care workforce.”
HART kicks off Black History School Tours
TAMPA – The Hillsborough Transit Authority launched its annual Black History School Tours on Feb. 3 at Tampa Bay Technical High School.
The kickoff began with a brief program featuring several leaders highlighted on HART’s specially wrapped Black History Bus, followed by the first interactive school session led by HART’s Community Engagement team.
Speakers were:
- Arthenia Joyner, former State Senator, first African American woman to practice law in Hillsborough and Polk counties.
- Fred Hearns, the first curator of Black history at the Tampa Bay History Center.
- Chloe Coney, founder and former CEO of the CDC of Tampa.
- Carla Williams, HART community engagement director.
- Ernestine Woody-Bethune, principal of Tampa Bay Technical High School.
Black History School Tours feature a specially themed bus that visits schools across the county and engages students in lessons about African Americans who have played pivotal roles in shaping history.
Interactive presentations include trivia games, group discussions and Q&A sessions.
School tours continue throughout the month of February, with each session lasting about 30 to 45 minutes.
The program visited 15 schools across Hillsborough County last year.
UA students make dean’s, president’s lists
TUSCALOOSA, Ala, – Several area students made honors lists for the fall semester at The University of Alabama.
Lutz students Bryce Anderson, Victoria Ferreira and Madison Maxwell made the dean’s list. Graydon Horn, of Odessa, also made the list. They earned a grade point average of at least 3.5.
Lutz students Renata Blatt, Audrey Durrieu, CJ Hovan and Danielle Kanas made the president’s list. Logan Hinsberg, of Odessa, also made the list. They earned a 4.0 GPA with all As.
Quick Hits
- Jason Couture (Odessa), Jackson Preacher (Lutz) and Jackson Reese (Odessa) earned gold stars for fall 2025 at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. They earned at least a 3.7 grade point average.
- Victory High Schools announced its 2026 Board of Directors: Stephanie Barnes (chair), Elliot Monsod (vice chair), George Motran (treasurer) and Dale Nettnin.
- Pasco-Hernando State College is registering players for its annual golf tournament. The event starts at 9 a.m. May 1 at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club in Dade City.
