Higher Education Make Top 10 Report

As I’ve often said, Florida’s economic recovery will depend on our ability to diversify the state’s economy. Our higher education system plays a key role in that effort. Last week, Community College Week’s annual Top 10 Report revealed that Florida colleges lead America’s more than 1,200 community colleges in providing a high-quality affordable education. Despite increasing budget concerns, the Florida College System has maintained their unwavering commitment to access and awarded more than 52,000 associate degrees last year.

Locally, Polk State College and Hillsborough Community College have done a yeoman’s job in meeting our community’s workforce needs while experiencing record student enrollment. In fact, Hillsborough County ranked 20th in the nation for the number of association degrees awarded in 2009. This significant achievement shows that it is not only how much we spend on education that matters; how we spend it matters too. Florida’s open-door policy continues to prepare our students for the global marketplace. Going forward, I am committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of undergraduate education and to ensuring financial aid opportunities are available to Florida students.

Comments are closed.