YOU AND THE BLUE: A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of Broward College

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JUNE 2024

FORMER PROFESSOR ALBERTI REMEMBERED WITH A SCHOLARSHIP

Roberta “Bertie” Alberti will be remembered with the gift of education to benefit future generations of Broward College students. The Roberta Alberti Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established in loving memory by her daughter and son-in-law Cristine and Steven Rosenberg. The Alberti scholarship will be awarded to degree-seeking students with unmet financial need who are studying English with a preference for students who are completing community service. As remembered by her colleague Ariana Bianchi, “She was beloved in the English department at Broward College. Bertie, a professor of English, taught and inspired countless students over her long career. She gave extraordinary care to each of her students and ignited a love of literature in so many. We will miss her dearly.”

Bertie’s legacy will continue at Broward College through this scholarship. If you were taught and inspired by Bertie and would like to contribute to this scholarship, you can do so online through the Foundation’s secure website and indicate “Alberti Scholarship” as the designation.

Alumna Tirzah Gabourel graduated with Highest Honors in 2016 with a Bachelor's in Supply Chain Management. As a proud graduate of Broward College, she has this to say about the impact of BC on her path:

"Completing my degree at Broward College is one of the most transformative achievements in my life. It completely changed the trajectory of my professional career that led me to realize my fullest potential. Being part of the inaugural cohort class to earn a bachelor's degree in supply chain management was a phenomenal experience. I'm so very grateful for everyone that I met at Broward College, the students, the staff, and the administration. I've made lifelong friends with many of the people who helped me along the way. Thanks, Broward College!!"

Alumna Tamecka McKay, MPA, ITIL, Doctoral Student was recently interviewed by The Stack, a business technology publication that interviews changemakers in senior IT roles. She is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the City of Fort Lauderdale. She spoke about her role in helping the city overcome the impact of the historic flash flooding in April 2023 on vital IT infrastructure and emergency services and the valuable lessons learned for her career as an IT leader. After graduating as a Phi Theta Kappa Honors student from Broward College, she obtained two master's degrees at Florida International University and is currently a doctoral student. Learn more.

Do you have news to share? A major milestone? Career change? Tell us at Class Notes - Broward College Alumni & Friends.

Broward College receives reaffirmation of its regional accreditation

Broward College is pleased to announce that after a thorough review, it has received a reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Learn more.

Broward College is the first community college to partner with JetBlue’s pilot development program

Broward College is the first community college in the nation to partner with JetBlue’s Gateway University, giving students from its Emil Buehler Aviation Institute a tremendous opportunity. Learn more.

College Academy Senior Awards Night: A Celebration of Exemplary Young Alumni

Broward College Alumni & Friends and the Broward College Foundation supported the May 2024 College Academy Senior Awards Night at Bailey Hall, which was a celebration of the achievements of the Academy's 2024 graduating class. The 220 new graduates collectively were offered in excess of $21 million in scholarship monies and were slated to attend 41 colleges and universities. Learn more.

Claudette Goico Sernius Art Exhibition

Alumna Claudette Goico Sernius, Class of 2018, invites you to the opening reception of her art exhibition, Stand For Freedom: Unfinished Stories. Claudette received a grant from Broward County's Cultural Division to expand her body of work about human trafficking and raise awareness about the issue. Meet the artist on Saturday, June 29th from 5-9 pm in the lobby of building 6 on Broward College's Central Campus.

Broward College presents its 2024 summer dance concert, "Without Limit," on Saturday, July 20, at Bailey Hall on A. Hugh Adams Central Campus. Directed and choreographed by Broward College students and esteemed alumni, "Without Limit" represents the culmination of dedication, passion, and artistic excellence. Proceeds from the showcase will benefit student scholarships and programming to support dance education for all aspiring artists.

Join us August 8 through August 11 at the 15th Annual Pillars Conference, at The Pillars Hotel & Club in Fort Lauderdale. This year’s theme is “The Art of Risk Taking: Maximize your Opportunities, Minimize your Excuses." The conference is a collaborative effort between the Broward College Social & Behavioral Sciences & Human Services (SBSHS) Professional Enhancement Program and other Broward College partners, including Broward College Alumni & Friends. This conference invests in leaders to strengthen their sense of global purpose, total well-being, and individual resilience.

Join Us for the First Annual Pickleball Challenge!

We are thrilled to announce our First Annual Pickleball Challenge and invite you to be part of this exciting event on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Diadem Pickleball Complex on Broward College’s North Campus.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the game, this is your chance to show off your skills, make new friends, and enjoy a day of competition and camaraderie. Plus, you'll make a difference by supporting Broward College students on their path to success.

There will be fantastic prizes, friendly competition, and lots of fun.

Support our event as a sponsor and get in front of a vibrant and enthusiastic community. Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels to fit your budget and marketing goals. Consider becoming a sponsor and make a difference today!

For more information, email Elisa Stone or call 954-201-7490.

From October 18 to 19, 2024, the Broward College Computer Science and IT programs in the STEM Pathway will host its 9th Annual BC Hackathon aka PlutoHacks, a 24-hour coding event where teams of students design and develop prototype mobile/web apps to present before a panel of judges.

As planning gets underway for this year, the BC Hackathon planning team invites all Broward College alumni and friends to participate as individuals or organizations to serve as mentors or judges for our students during the event. There are also many sponsorship opportunities.

For more information, email Ashley Shepple or call 954 201 8289.

Did you know that all Broward College alumni receive lifelong support from Employment Solutions and access to Handshake, your one-stop shop for all career development and job search needs?

Handshake is a multipurpose platform to connect with employers and colleagues, find short and long-term employment, and have access to attend our career events and workshops. You can search for jobs and employers, apply directly to open positions, send messages to colleagues and alumni in your network, and share your profile with potential employers.

Broward College Alumni may sign up for a student account on our Handshake Job Board using your @mail.broward.edu address or your personal email address and student ID number with the sign-up link below to Join Handshake.

If you no longer have access to your @mail.broward.edu address or student ID number and would like to create an account, please contact employmentsolutions@broward.edu to verify your alumni status prior to registering.

Handshake is available through a grant from the Strada Education Foundation.

Did you know you can support charitable organizations like ours through your IRA or 401(k)? By naming Broward College Foundation as a beneficiary, you can continue to make lifetime withdrawals and keep the flexibility to change beneficiaries if things change.

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

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

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

Stay Connected

Broward College Alumni & Friends
111 East Las Olas Blvd, 11th Floor
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-201-7414

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Broward College Alumni & Friends Network?

Email alumni@broward.edu

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