Saint Leo prepares for student arrivals
As Saint Leo University prepares for the arrival of students to its Pasco County campus, several new programs are making earning a college degree more accessible and affordable, too.
New and transfer students will move into residence halls on Aug. 22, at the campus at 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo. The school expects to welcome more than 800 new students for the fall semester. Classes will begin on Aug. 26.
To help a college education be more attainable, Saint Leo offered two new financial aid awards — the Local Promise Award to provide undergraduate students free housing for up to two academic years and the Nursing Promise Award to provide free housing renewable for up to four years for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
This fall, Saint Leo also introduces two new degree programs as well as an online version of a bachelor’s program previously only offered at University Campus.
A Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Program will be offered, as well as a minor in entrepreneurship.
The Master of Science in artificial intelligence can be pursued online through Saint Leo’s College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS), as a STEM-designated degree targeted to individuals currently working in the technology field or engineering in order to “upskill,” and to those just coming out of a bachelor’s degree program.
To learn more, visit SaintLeo.edu.
Nominate a young student
Hillsborough County is accepting nominations for its annual Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards) to recognize the positive contributions made by young people in the community.
All awards recognize one middle and one high school student. Nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students in each of these categories:
Leadership: This award recognizes students who have demonstrated 21st century skills including: critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity in how they led others academically, in extracurricular programs or in service to the community.
Success Despite Difficult Odds: This award recognizes students who have persevered through challenges to make a positive impact on others.
Volunteer or Community Service: This award recognizes students who have dedicated substantial time to serving their community.
Students honored show initiative, innovation and commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing excellence in a leadership capacity. This can be demonstrated in academics, community service, athletics, performing arts, conservation or other areas.
The deadline for nominations is Sept. 12. Submission forms can be found online at HCFL.gov/YEA.
Doctoral students share mission
Saint Leo University welcomed students from many career fields to its first two cohorts in its Doctor of Theology in Applied Theology Program. This was the first residency experience for the online Doctor of Theology (ThD) degree, which launched in August 2023 with its first cohort.
Saint Leo’s Doctor of Theology degrees focuses on applied theology, “so not only does it include academic research, but it also offers practice knowledge and skills for those who serve in various ministries and organizations within the Church and the wider community,” said Dr. Stephen Okey, associate professor and director of the program, in a news release.
The doctoral degree is offered online and most students attend the summer residency in person at the university’s campus in St. Leo.
The summer residency featured Dr. Michael Tkacik, associate professor of theology and religion, teaching a course on the Second Vatican Council for the first cohort, while Okey taught the second cohort theological research and writing.
For more information about admissions to the program, email , or call 888-875-8265.
FIRE Academy graduation
Tampa Fire Rescue, in collaboration with CDC of Tampa, celebrated the graduation of the fifth annual FIRE Academy on July 26. The ceremony marked the culmination of a summer program where graduates not only explored potential careers, but also acquired life-saving skills, according to a news release.
CDC of Tampa hosts the Fire Introduction Resources and Education (FIRE) Academy to inspire high school students, ages 15 to 18, to consider diverse career paths. The initiative aims to address the challenge of youth unemployment by equipping students with industry-recognized certifications and college readiness, the release says.
“Our FIRE Academy program, launched in 2020, was created to increase awareness about firefighting as a career and to facilitate interaction between students, public servants, and firefighters,” said Alexandria Andrade, coordinator, in the release.
“Nearly 70 youths have benefitted from this program, with some choosing to pursue careers in first response after high school,” said Andrade.
For more information and questions, contact Andrade at 813-587-9505 or .
America’s Field Trip winners
America 250 has announced the winners of its inaugural America’s Field Trip contest, a nationwide competition for elementary, middle and high school students in grades three to 12. Students were asked to share their vision of America through artwork, videos and essays, according to a news release.
The organization’s mission is to “to commemorate and celebrate our 250th anniversary with inclusive programs that inspire Americans to renew and strengthen our daring experiment in democracy,” its website says.
Seventy-five awardees from across the nation will have the opportunity to go on special field trips exploring some of America’s iconic landmarks, historical sites, and cultural treasures, from the Statue of Liberty and the National Archives to the canyons and rivers of Yellowstone National Park. Another 75 second-place winners will receive a cash award, the release says.
Three teachers associated with the top-scoring entry in each grade level category, were recognized, too, and will receive a $1,000 cash award. The Florida winner was high school teacher Yindia Cruz, Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford.
Students or teachers interested in participating in the next round of the America’s Field Trip contest can visit https://america250.org/fieldtrip/application/.
