BOARD OF TRUSTEES NAMES NEW COLLEGE FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS

	We are proud to welcome seven new members to the Broward College Foundation to support its mission to change lives through education. Since it started in 1971, the Broward College Foundation has worked closely with the Office of Advancement to raise money to support scholarships, academic programs, and other needs of the College.

Helping students realize their academic dreams and by providing community awareness, advocacy and funding to the college is at the heart of what the Foundation does. These seven new board members bring with them varied backgrounds, skills, ideas, and perspectives that will help bring the work of the Foundation to the next level. Learn more.

BROWARD COLLEGE UNVEILS FIRST VETERANS’ LOUNGE WITH
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

Broward College marked a milestone in its commitment to student veterans with the grand opening of its first Broward College Veterans’ Lounge. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held April 17 commemorated the occasion, bringing together College officials, students, faculty, and staff with donors who are supporting the lounge. Special thanks to our donors who made this Lounge possible: Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation, The Moss Foundation, and Aero Engine Solutions. Learn more.   

BRIGHTSTAR'S COMMITTMENT TO BROWARD COLLEGE  

BrightStar Credit Union is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor for the 37th Annual Broward College Golf Classic, taking place on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club. Since 2023, BrightStar has reaffirmed its commitment to educational excellence at Broward College through significant investments, including a $15,000 contribution to the Faculty Empowerment Fund and a $20,000 investment in the Faculty Empowerment Innovation Research Awards. Most recently, BrightStar generously contributed $50,000 to support critical initiatives such as the First Generation in College Scholarship, Faculty Empowerment Fund, and the Education Pathway Student Success Fund.

We are grateful to BrightStar Credit Union for their continued partnership and dedication to education and student success at Broward College. 

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 37th Annual Golf Classic. Proceeds from the event will help provide scholarships for first-generation college students, giving them the opportunity to pursue their educational goals. Don’t miss the chance to play, sponsor, or show your support for this meaningful event. To learn more or get involved, visit bcfgolf.com or contact Elisa Stone at estone1@broward.edu or 954-240-8521.

We are pleased to introduce our future Broward College alumni who are student leaders today and alumni leaders tomorrow. 

In this edition, we spotlight Jordan Pericles, who has served as the Student Government President for Broward College’s South Campus since August 2024. Jordan shared with us how she feels about her time at Broward College, the skills she developed, and her contributions as a student leader.  

"My experience at Broward College has been amazing! I've grown so much as a student leader, developing skills like public speaking and event planning—things I never imagined I'd be doing before coming to BC. I've had incredible opportunities, from regular meetings with the Board to speaking with local politicians. What I've enjoyed the most is being able to serve my student body through events, open communication, and advocacy. 

Continuing her studies in STEM is in Jordan’s immediate plan and she envisions a dynamic future as a doctor of dentistry with a social entrepreneurial edge. 

"My plans are to graduate with my A.A. in December 2025, transfer to FAU to complete my bachelor's in biology on the pre-dental track, then attend dental school and specialize in either pediatric dentistry or periodontics. My dream is to open a dental practice focused on excellent patient care and outreach for underserved communities. After graduating, I plan to stay connected to BC by keeping up with college news, attending Board meetings, and one day, partnering through my business to offer internships or scholarships to students."

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Save the dates of June 12-15 for the 16th Annual Pillars Conference at The Pillars Hotel & Club in Fort Lauderdale. This year’s theme is “Maximize through purposeful living." 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. RSVP details are coming soon.

From Tragedy to Impact: Encouraging Students to Make Ethical Decisions

Broward College hosted its first 2025 Ethics and YOU training session on April 8th on the Judson A. Samuels South Campus, with more than 50 aviation, automotive, and marine students in attendance. The Ethics and YOU training program was founded and funded by the Michael J. Grimmé family to honor their late son, Michael II, who was tragically killed in a car accident that was a result of a poor ethical decision made by a service manager. 

For more than three consecutive years, this training has been available to students in the IMCT Pathway, specifically in the areas of transportation: aviation, automotive, and marine. In addition to the impactful curriculum delivered by Broward College's associate professor Joshua Kimber, industry leaders also participated as presenters and facilitators to share relevant examples of ethical decision making and the importance of ethics in business and industry. Read more. 

The Journey Behind PANKU Volume 61, Issue 2: A Collective Triumph 

On April 23, before an audience of over 100 students, alumni, faculty, family, and friends, the spring semester editorial team of Broward College's award-winning student literary and art magazine, PANKU, unveiled Volume 61, Issue 2. This issue marked a significant milestone in the magazine's history, showcasing the impressive spectrum of talents within the student body. This launch event was both a celebration of the magazine's latest edition but also a testament to the hard work, dedication, and emotional investment of the editorial team who shared their thoughts with us now that this latest edition of PANKU takes its place in the 61-year history of the publication. Read more. 

We are delighted to introduce our community of alumni and friends to Broward College graduate and employee, Cindy Howe. Cindy earned several certificates from Broward College beginning in 2021 and culminating in 2024 when she earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, Summa Cum Laude (the highest academic distinction possible for a degree program). Recently, Cindy joined the President’s office and now serves as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Broward College, Mr. Torey Alston. 

We asked Cindy about her journey with Broward College and how it has influenced her path and success. Read more here.

Would you like to be featured in an alumni spotlight in our You & the Blue newsletter? Let us know by filling out this online form here.

Learn skills and acquire credentials that make you more employable. Broward College alumni are invited to benefit from this free opportunity to earn official Florida Ready To Work Soft Skills credentials that will showcase to employers your communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Registration is simple. Send an email to email employmentsolutions@broward.edu and let them know that as an alumna or alumnus, you would like to have access to the free soft skills credentials program. Provide your first and last name and your preferred email. You will receive your login information. 

Florida Ready to Work (FRW) is a career-ready program that provides employability and soft skills training. Those successfully complete the soft skills training program earn a Florida Soft Skills Credential signed by Florida’s sitting governor. The program is sponsored and funded by the State of Florida and is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and is offered to Broward College students and alumni by Broward College Employment Solutions. 

For upcoming events and career fairs organized by Broward College Employment Solutions, click here.

We are excited to share a heartfelt letter from one of our nursing students, which illustrates the philanthropic and personal impact of the Romeyne and Sara Klingensmith Nursing Scholarship. This scholarship has been a beacon of hope and support for many nursing students, enabling them to pursue their dreams without the burden of financial stress. We invite you to read and be inspired by the difference philanthropy can make in the lives of our students. 

Read Vishauni’s letter here, and if you would like to learn more about establishing a scholarship at Broward College, write to us at alumni@broward.edu.

Nursing student Vishauni Lewis, Class of 2026

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 Jim DeChant or call 954-201-7079.

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