Acting provost steps in
Dr. Davina Jones is the new acting provost for Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.
Jones has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and is a ‘bridge-builder’ with a servant-leader mindset, according to a news release.
She currently serves as PHSC special assistant to the president of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Prior to PHSC, Jones has served at the College of Central Florida, the Florida State College of Jacksonville, Bethune Cookman University and Adler University.
She has worked as an administrator, researcher, and full professor, and is an accomplished presenter and author, the release says.
Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bethune Cookman, and a Master of Arts and a Ph.D., from Bowling Green State University.
Scholarships awarded
Three high school seniors from Pasco County have been awarded the 2022 Sunshine Opportunity Scholarships, worth $25,000 over four years of full-time undergraduate study.
The scholarships target high-achieving high school seniors who have overcome significant obstacles in life, have financial need, and plan to stay in Florida for undergraduate university studies.
The recipients are: Camden Moors, Pasco e-School; Legasse Remon, Anclote High School; and Danielle Timony, Gulf High School.
For more information, visit SunshineOpportunityScholarships.com.
Essay deadline is soon
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is reminding Pasco students that his office will accept entries in his annual essay contest until 5 p.m., April 22.
Students enrolled in Pasco’s public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic, and home-school programs can participate.
In 500 words or less, students must answer the question, “Since the 1980s, Pasco County has seen a steady growth in population that now has us nearing 600,000 residents. To accommodate this growth, we have seen many additions made to our county’s general infrastructure (expanded roads, public transportation, additional shopping venues, etc.). What is one addition that has been made that was most beneficial to Pasco County, or what is one addition that you believe should be made to further accommodate our county’s growth?”
The winner of the contest will be notified by telephone no later than May 13, and will receive a $500 gift card.
For questions and information on how to submit an essay, call Jose Rodriguez Sierra at 727-847-8165, ext. 3826.
Enrollment Day events
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) will host High School Enrollment Day events at each of its five campuses from April 23 to May 10.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in advising and financial aid sessions, complete fall registration, and leave with a full course schedule.
The event is for high school graduates only.
To attend, students must RSVP online, complete the HCC admission application for the fall term, and provide any ACT, SAT, PERT, AP or IB test scores, if taken.
Only one guest per registrant is allowed, if attending in person.
Space is limited. Registration is online at HCCfl.edu/enrollment-day.
In-person enrollment days:
- April 23, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Brandon Campus
- April 30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dale Mabry, Plant City, SouthShore, Ybor City campuses
Virtual enrollment days:
- May 3, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Brandon campus
- May 10, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dale Mabry, Plant City, SouthShore, Ybor City campuses
For more information, contact individual campuses by email: Brandon, ; Dale Mabry, ; Plant City, ; SouthShore, ; and YborCity, .
Student news
• Ahanna Costa and Carl Herndon, both of Lutz, have been initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. Costa attends Florida International University, and Herndon attends Florida State University.
• Catherine Calistri, of Odessa, and Joseph Martinez, William Peterson and Sofia Schultz, all of Lutz, were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Florida State University.
A ‘spectacular’ performance
Starkey Ranch K-8 teamed up with Maestro Michael Francis, music director of The Florida Orchestra, to host the first-ever Starkey Symphony Spectacular. The free outdoor concert was a collaboration between aspiring Starkey Ranch K-8 student musicians, community members and professional musicians of The Florida Orchestra. The school’s music programs received a portion of the proceeds from the on-site food trucks, and business and individual donations.
