Eastern Florida Fall Term Begins with First Bachelor Degree Students

The fall term is getting underway at Eastern Florida State College with an inaugural class of students enrolled in its first Bachelor Degree programs.

The four-year degrees in General Business Management and Health Care Management are just the start with eight more Bachelor Degree tracks scheduled for August 2014.

In all, more than 15,000 students are expected to take classes on the college’s Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne and Palm Bay campuses, and online, during the term that begins Aug. 19.

Each campus will also host a “Welcome Back” event during fall term's second week to promote student success by helping them connect with services such as tutoring, clubs and community service work.

Beyond providing student assistance, the “Welcome Back” events will feature free food, prizes and entertainment. They will be held on the following dates and campuses:

• Tuesday, Aug. 27: Titusville (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.) and Palm Bay campuses (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Wednesday, Aug. 28: Melbourne campus (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Thursday, Aug. 29: Cocoa campus (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

“There’s a real air of excitement this term as we begin offering Bachelor Degrees for the first time in our history,” said Eastern Florida President, Dr. Jim Richey. “The programs are all in fast-growth fields and will give students the skills they need to get a job when they graduate.”

The demand for the baccalaureate degrees has been high with 326 students accepted into the new programs. That’s almost three times the number the college estimated would initially participate.

“That shows the degrees are meeting an important need in our community and region, allowing students to stay close to home and advance their education and careers,” said Richey.

“We expect more students to take advantage of the Bachelor programs we’re starting next year in information technologies, health care and business.”

Among the students benefiting this term is John Leroux, 24, of Melbourne, who is working on his Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in General Business Management.

Leroux received his Associate’s Degree from Seminole State College and works full-time as a sales representative for Pepsi.

“There are so many people in Brevard with talent and now we can go right up the street, get our degree and still work full-time,” he said. “I feel my opportunities are endless once I get my degree.”

Cynthia Leto, 28, echoes his sentiments.

The Port St. John resident is also pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in General Business Management while working full-time as a bookkeeper for Showcase Property Management in Cape Canaveral.

Taking the courses at Eastern Florida means “I don’t have to travel to Orlando or Tallahassee or Jacksonville to continue my education,” said Leto, who earned her A.A. from Brevard Community College before the name change to Eastern Florida State College due to the edition of the four-year degrees.

She also said the college’s personalized instruction is important because “they don’t treat you like a number like they do at a large university. You can always call them, the door is always open.”

For Ericka Ross-Murray, 42, the chance to gain a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Management comes at a perfect time in her life.

The Palm Bay resident works as an ophthalmic technician at Florida Eye Associates, and says the degree will provide new career opportunities.

“I felt I needed that next step to get into management,” she said. “I’m happy the school has turned into a four-year college and is offering these degrees.”

The options for students will increase next year when Eastern Florida plans to roll out Bachelor Degrees in these areas, pending approval from the Florida Department of Education:

• Public Safety Management
• Sales and Marketing Management
• Advanced Allied Health
• Biomedical Sciences
• Information Technologies Software Development
• Information Technologies Program Development and Project Management
• Information Technologies Networking Services
• Nursing (in conjunction with UCF)

Meanwhile, the college continues to offer more than 100 associate's degrees, certificate and fast-track training programs with more on the way.

For instance, Associate in Science degrees in Aircraft Airframe and Power-plant Mechanic, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy Assistant and Occupational Therapy Assistant will begin in 2014.

The college has also created the free Titan-Mobile phone app that allows students to view the college’s latest news, events and check grades and class schedules from their smart phone or tablet.

The app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads, and from the Google Play Shop for Android devices with more information at www.easternflorida.edu/go/mobile.