Sometimes a kind word or gesture can mean a lifetime of difference. It was the kindness and encouragement of Catherine Capek that placed graduation from the Orthotics and Prosthetics program within reach for Francisco Velasquez.

Capek, an Instructional Assistant in the Learning Support Commons, remembers the day she met Velasquez. It was about two years ago that Capek, who then worked as an advisor, began advising Velasquez. He came to her seeking answers to questions about procedures and issues he faced in his decision to return to college after a nearly 20-year career in Social Services.

It’s been 24 years since Velasquez participated in
his first collegiate graduation from Seton Hall University. For Velasquez, returning to college after more than 20 years came with some uncertainty. Things had surely changed since he’d gone to college. Would he be able to handle today’s college format? He had reasonable concerns.

Cathy Capek and Francisco Velasquez

“We talked about many things,” Capek said. “But his concern was his age, and I always encouraged him because at St. Pete College, we don’t have age limits.”

His own worst critic, Velasquez, 46, had most of what he needed; but he needed a push and a bit of encouragement to help him move forward, both of which Capek could provide.

“She gave me confidence because she took her time, and I just needed more validation as an adult that I could do it,” Velasquez said. “I am very grateful because as an older person, it’s very difficult to navigate through the whole new academic way people are going to school.”

Amazed by Velasquez’s work history, Capek said that while she is flattered that Velasquez attributes her for his recent graduation, she believes it is all because of him.

“As flattered as I am, I think Francisco is graduating because of himself,” she said. “I believed in him, he had a stellar history of excelling in Social Service before he came here.”

 The announcement of Velasquez’ May 8 graduation came suddenly because it had been more than a year since Capek had heard from him. She remembers being in a meeting when Velasquez arrived, and a co-worker came to tell her that someone needed to speak with her. It was a pleasant surprise.

 “You know we had lost touch for a little bit toward the end of my program, and she had moved around little bit among the campuses and finally came back to Seminole,” Velasquez said. “I asked for her and she was so happy to see me. So I just went there to say hello, thank you and I appreciate her.”

‘The moment was one of exhilaration for Capek, who said she could feel her eyes began to swell after hearing his good news. The news was so great, that it got the attention of the college’s student newspaper, The Sandbox, which also published a story about the graduate.

“We get all sorts of students and some of them stay with St. Petersburg College and others go away, but it’s always nice to hear from students when they’re ready to graduate,” Capek said. “It was a wonderful surprise.”

The college has teamed with American Student Assistance to provide a FREE online financial literacy, loan management program.  It helps students manage their money, plan repayment of their student loans and develop long-term financial skills. The membership program and website, SALT, is easy, confidential and tailored specifically to each student.

With SALT, students can:

• Keep track of their student loans
• Get loan advice from an expert counselor
• Look for a job or internship
• Search for scholarships
• Learn how to budget and manage money wisely
• Find out why credit and credit reports are so important

“Student loan debt is at an all-time high, actually exceeding credit card debt,” said Michael Bennett, Associate Vice President, Financial Assistance Services. “SALT provides a service for students to be able to successfully repay their students loans and manage their money.  Students download their loan information, see the amount they owe, and plan their budget.  By using SALT, they also have access to live, knowledgeable counselors who can walk them through the complex world of repayment.”

Students will be invited to join SALT this week via their SPC student email.

Go to www.spcollege.edu/salt for more information.

Hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through Nov. 30. During this time, SPC closely monitors official weather forecasts. By doing so, SPC will have time to activate the college’s Emergency Management Plan, alert campus personnel, recommend protective actions, including evacuations and communicate emergency notifications.

 To prepare, you should:

• Check with your supervisor for SPC’s emergency procedures for your department.
• Read the Emergency Response procedures for weather emergencies.
• Update your personal Emergency Cell and Text Options in MySPC to be sure you receive official college communications during storms.
• Install the Hurricane Web application to your mobile device for quick emergency information at your fingertips. See Mobile Installation Instructions.

To choose how you want to be contacted during emergencies, login to MySPC and look for Personal Information under the Self Service section. You will find several new sections available, including your personal information summary, preferred e-mail addresses and phone numbers.

In an emergency, the college calls your home phone number first. The college will also attempt to call the cell phone number listed under your Emergency Cell and Text Options with an audio and text message. If your cell phone number is not on file under the Emergency Cell and Text Options or has changed, and you would like to receive emergency communications by cell phone or text, just add your cell number, check your desired contact method(s) and click save. In addition, you may individually opt-in or out of the SMS text system by texting 68453 and type in subscribe, opt-in or yes. To opt-out, simply text the same number and indicate stop, quit or unsubscribe.

The Board of Trustees met Tuesday, but because of questions about whether the appointments of three of the four board members had been finalized, the board did not vote on any pending actions. See the story in the Tampa Bay Times.

However, the board discussed a number of important actions expected to be approved at the June meeting. The entire board agenda, including the presentations, is available on the Board of Trustees website.

The video of the board meeting also is available on the Board of Trustees site.

The meeting highlights:

• The board honored former trustee Ken Burke for his 13 years of service. He received two standing ovations and told two inspirational stories about students for whom St. Petersburg College offered a fresh chance. “I loved the community college movement and St. Petersburg College especially what we stand for,” he said. “What makes St. Petersburg college so wonderful is our open door policy…We give so many opportunities to so many people.”
• Tuition is expected to increase 5 percent on July 1, less than SPC could be authorized to charge. President Bill Law said SPC’s tuition per credit hour, even with the increase, will be about half that charged by the state universities.
• The board also reviewed again the proposed budget for the fiscal 2012-13 year, which begins July 1. Law said the budget was crafted in support of student success and shares his vision of how every employee has a role in being sure our students have the tools they need to be successful.
• The board heard a detailed report about declining enrollment for summer. Like other community colleges in the state, SPC’s summer enrollment is about 14 percent below last summer’s. Much of the decline is attributed to the elimination of some summer financial aid and to an improved economy.
• The board also saw preliminary plans for expansions and renovation at the Seminole Campus, including new areas for learning support. Those include a writing lab, a math lab, a traditional library resource area and areas for students to gather to work and access popular library materials. “It looks like a combination of the Apple store and Starbucks, very inviting,” board chairman Terry Brett said.