A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of Broward College

WELCOME NEW BOARD

The Broward College Foundation appointed Merrill Lynch – Alexis Wealth Management Group wealth management advisor Alix Alexis; retired Memorial Healthcare System senior vice president and chief medical officer Dr. Stanley Marks; Franklin Templeton Investments senior strategic advisor Gregory E. McGowan; and AARP Florida director of state operations Dionne H.E. Polite to its Board of Directors during its board meeting on February 25. I am so excited they will be joining us in our important work of making higher education available to all who wish to pursue the opportunity.

Alix Alexis	Dr. Stanley Marks

Gregory E. McGowan	Dionne H.E. Polite

During the meeting the board also appointed a new slate of officers. Farlie Turner & Co. managing director Craig Farlie is the new Chair, Resources for Leadership president Dr. Monica McGrath retains the position of Vice Chair, Valley Forge Fabrics chief operating officer Vanesa Patiño is Secretary, and CPA Beverly J. Yanowitch is Treasurer. Southern Poverty Law Center senior supervising attorney Bacardi Jackson will assume the position of Immediate Past Chair.

Read more about the newest members of the Broward College Foundation Board of Directors.

Nancy O'Donnell-Wilson
Vice President for Advancement, Broward College
Executive Director, Broward College Foundation

The Broward College Foundation Board of Directors February 25 meeting opened with a montage of songs from a virtual performance featuring students in the Visual & Performing Arts Department under the direction of Dr. Brock Burbach. Watch this presentation.

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENT

The Broward College Alumni & Friends Network continues its popular programming next month with Let’s Make HERStory (history).

Join us on Wednesday, March 24 at 5 p.m. for an exciting hour open to everyone celebrating Women’s History Month to get motivated, inspired and connected to each other.

The webinar is led by our keynote speaker, Monique “Mo” Corker, Certified Life & Empowerment Coach. Mo is a beast on stage, leaving no heart untouched. She captures her audience’s attention through relatable virtual productions, helping communities and individuals thrive in both their personal and professional lives.

We will also feature stories from successful Broward College alumni as we coach you to understand and fine tune your purpose, set your short-term and long-term goals, and “zoom” into breakout rooms for more intimate discussions and networking.

Register for “Let’s Make HERStory (history)” today!

More than 110 people registered for this month’s webinar – Thriving in the New Normal with Christine Ramirez of Dale Carnegie Training South Florida. If you missed it or any of our previous presentations, visit our online archives.

If you would like to suggest a topic for a future Alumni & Friends webinar, email Jill Horowitz.

A NEW WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Are you looking for a career helping people navigate the complex world of healthcare? The Health Navigator Associate of Science degree can allow you to work non- clinically as an advocate for patients and families ensuring they have access to options and available resources. Health Navigators are liaisons between patients, caregivers, and health care providers and assist those with little healthcare knowledge to give an understanding of the healthcare and health insurance systems. They provide services designed to promote, maintain, and improve the health of the patients and their family by reducing barriers and increasing opportunities for access to quality care.

This degree is ideal for those who want a career in healthcare, but may not have an interest in the clinical side of healthcare, as well as current healthcare workers who would like to gain a better understanding of the healthcare field.

Learn more about Broward College’s Health Navigator Associate of Science degree.

TEACHING GARDEN GROWS

Thanks to support from the Gardening for Good Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward, students in Broward College’s Environmental Science Bachelor of Science program have been able to cultivate a “Teaching Garden” on the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus. This support also established six two-semester-long internships to provide training and student projects that will focus on community gardening, urban agriculture and agricultural education.

The latest garden expansion established a “food forest.” While the fruit trees are growing into their footprint, the students have been creating the educational signage for the trees and garden, maintaining aesthetics of the garden, and planting row crops in the food forest area. Under guidance, the students have also been selecting, planning, planting, and harvesting row crops. The harvest was distributed and consumed by Environmental Science students and other Broward College students impacted financially by COVID-19.

Learn more about Broward College’s Teaching Garden. If you are interested in contributing additional funding to enhance or add capacity to the garden project, email Jim DeChant.

EXCITING NEWS: TALKING SPOTLIGHTS

You may now view our Alumni Spotlight Interviews – up close and personal. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see videos as they are posted!

If you would like to get to know our alumni, watch these in-person interviews and hit the SUBSCRIBE button for an inside look and to stay updated. You’ll learn about the impact Broward College had on their success, their role and career, hear the best advice they received, their favorite quotes and why, their heroes, what they are excited about, what they are deeply grateful for, and so much more!

TEACHER EDUCATION ALUMNI INSPIRE CURRENT STUDENTS

On Tuesday, February 16, the Broward College Minority Teachers Association and the Education Pathway presented Florida’s 21st Center Teacher: How BC Prepares Effective Educators, a webinar with panelists who graduated from the Teacher Education Program.

Moderated by Dr. Richard Pulido, assistant professor for Education and MTA faculty advisor, the impressive group of speakers included Janae Duclos, M.Ed, Florida Department of Education specialist for the Bureau of Exceptional Student Education (BC Class of 2012); Terrance McCorvey, M.Ed, behavior specialist with Broward County Public Schools (BC Class of 2016); and Michele Otero, fourth grade math and science teacher for BCPS (BC Class of 2020).

“Our alumni speak volumes to the great quality of the Broward College education program,” said Dr. Jeffrey Nasse, interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “Outstanding!”

A recording of this presentation is available online.

FEBRUARY’S NOTABLE ALUMNI

Broward College is proud to present these alumni as representatives of the enormous depth and breadth of careers, leadership and impact BC has to offer!

Choose a Pathway and see more Notable Alumni Spotlights online!

FEBRUARY’S UP AND COMING ALUMNI

Each year thouands of #BCProud graduates start their careers with the education they receive at Broward College. We are proud to present these alumni who are thriving in their fields.

Visit our spotlight pages and read about these and other alumni.

UPCOMING EVENT

The Broward College 33rd Golf Classic takes place on Monday, April 12, 2021 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club. This year’s tournament will be played on the NEW renovated North Course. Don’t miss your opportunity to play. We will be taking safety precautions for you and your team to enjoy your day while supporting Broward College students.

For your safety:

• We will follow CDC guidelines. Temperature checks will be conducted upon arrival.
• Hand sanitizer and face masks will be provided to each player. Masks are required.
• First floor locker room and restrooms will be open and available.
• Box lunches will be provided.
• Dinner and award ceremony will take place outside in a safe environment.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and individual and foursome registration is now open.

Since its inception, the annual Golf Classic has raised more than $2.7 million to support the educational environment at Broward College, ensuring our students ultimately succeed in life and make our community a better place to live. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Empowerment Fund.

AMAZON + BROWARD COLLEGE = WIN-WIN

When you shop on Amazon, your purchase can support Broward College – for free! Just use smile.amazon.com or activate AmazonSmile in your Amazon mobile app by selecting the Broward College Foundation. When you spend, Amazon will donate a portion to support the college.

AmazonSmile and Amazon are exactly the same in terms of experience – the only difference is the added benefit to Broward College students.

Activate AmazonSmile in your mobile app now or save SMILE.AMAZON.COM as a favorite in your browser! Then shop away!

COMMUNITY BAG PROGRAM

Winn-Dixie store leadership once again has selected the Broward College Foundation as the benefiting non-profit to receive a donation through the Community Bag Program. For every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold in March 2021 at the Winn-Dixie store at 1625 Cordova Road in Fort Lauderdale, the Foundation will receive a $1.00 donation.

Since the program began in February 2019, more than 6,600 non-profits have benefitted, and more than 9,015,570 paper or plastic bags have not been used because of Community Bag reuse. This is good news for charities and good news for the environment.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS NETWORK BENEFIT

Start your new year right by saving on your automotive insurance. We've partnered with GEICO to offer alumni, friends and our employees a special discount. Visit GEICO online or call 1-800-368-2734 to find out how much you could save today!

Be sure to mention your Broward College affiliation to be eligible for the special discount.

PROVIDING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

When you include the Broward College Foundation in your financial and estate planning, you ensure your legacy of providing opportunity to students who are determined to change their lives through the pursuit of higher education. Help someone become Empowered by Broward!

For more information, email Scott Rivinius or call 954-201-7490.

MISS AN ISSUE OF “YOU & THE BLUE” OR A WEBINAR?

Past issues of your You & the Blue newsletter and recordings of your Alumni & Friends Network interactive webinars are available online.