[{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"2338|2433|2369|2210","Content":"<p>As St. Petersburg College prepares to celebrate a century of changing lives, Titan pride is getting ready to hit the road.</p><p>For the first time in the College’s nearly 100-year history, Florida drivers can put SPC on their license plates while helping fund scholarships, emerging technology and workforce programs for the next generation of Titans.</p><p>The new specialty plate marks a legislative milestone for SPC. Through the efforts of Melissa Gonzalez, Associate Vice President of Government Relations & Strategic Priorities, and the support of legislative partners, the College successfully advanced legislation authorizing its first specialty license plate.</p><p>Approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 10, 2026, the legislation took effect Oct. 1 and authorized specialty plates for organizations and institutions including Miami Dade College, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).</p><p>The SPC plate will feature an SPC Titan in blue and gold, with “Florida” across the top and “St. Petersburg College” along the bottom.</p><p>“This is about so much more than putting our name on a license plate,” said Dr. Tonjua Williams, President of St. Petersburg College. “Every SPC plate on the road will represent nearly 100 years of opportunity, transformation and community. Even more importantly, it will help create those same opportunities for the students who will carry SPC into its next century.”</p><h2>One plate. One investment. Generations of opportunity.</h2><p>Beyond celebrating College pride, the specialty plate establishes an ongoing funding source that can support SPC students for generations.</p><p>Annual use fees will benefit the St. Petersburg College Foundation, with 40% dedicated to scholarships for students in need and 50% supporting student-success initiatives, particularly emerging technologies and workforce development programs that prepare students for high-demand careers. Up to 10% may be used for administrative costs related to promoting and marketing the plate. This means that every license plate purchased or renewed becomes more than an expression of college pride. It becomes an investment in educational opportunities, workforce readiness and the future of our community.</p><p>Unlike a one-time grant or appropriation, the specialty plate creates an opportunity for recurring support through purchases and annual renewals. As more alumni, employees and community supporters participate, the funding has the potential to grow, helping SPC expand educational opportunities year after year. It creates the foundation for a legacy of giving that grows with each generation of Titans.</p><p>“As both an SPC alumna and someone who now has the privilege of raising support for our students, seeing SPC represented on Florida roads is incredibly special,” said Denise Godfrey, Executive Director of Development for SPC’s Foundation. “This license plate is more than a way to show your Titan pride — it’s another way to invest in our students and the opportunities that can change their lives. As we approach SPC’s 100th anniversary, I love knowing that Titans everywhere can proudly celebrate where we’ve been while helping support where we’re going next.”</p><p>The long-term impact could reach far beyond the classroom. Scholarship recipients may go on to become nurses, teachers, first responders, entrepreneurs and community leaders, strengthening the Tampa Bay workforce and the communities SPC serves.</p><p>The specialty plate arrives as SPC prepares for one of the biggest milestones in its history. Founded in 1927 as St. Petersburg Junior College, the institution will celebrate its centennial in 2027.</p><p>The College’s history includes the history of Gibbs Junior College, founded in 1957 to serve Black students. Gibbs merged with St. Petersburg Junior College in 1965, becoming an important part of SPC’s history and its longstanding commitment to expanding access to higher education.</p><p>Today, SPC continues that mission by connecting students with affordable education, workforce credentials and pathways to careers across the Tampa Bay region.</p><h2>Taking Titan pride on the road</h2><p>The new plate gives SPC alumni and supporters a visible way to celebrate their connection to the College while making a lasting investment in its future.</p><p>SPC unveiled a prototype of the specialty plate during SPC Day on Sept. 12 at the Midtown Center in South St. Petersburg, where generations of Titans gathered to celebrate the College’s 99th anniversary.</p><p>The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is responsible for producing the plate using the approved design. Under Florida law, newly authorized specialty plates must go through several steps before becoming available to the public. The SPC specialty plate is expected to be available for online ordering in November, followed by availability at motor vehicle service centers across Florida in December.</p><p>“We hope to see these plates everywhere,” said Dr. Williams. “Every plate holder will be telling a little piece of the SPC story while helping another student write theirs.”</p><p>As SPC approaches its 100th anniversary, the specialty plate connects nearly a century of educational opportunity with a sustainable investment in the students who will shape its next 100 years.</p>","Date":"2026-10-21T12:59:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/spc-license-plate-595x335.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"graphic depicting a blue and yellow license plate with the words SAMPL and St. Petersburg College"},"Headline":"100 years of Titan Pride Hits the Road with New SPC Specialty License Plate","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"spc-newsroom/100-years-of-titan-pride-hits-the-road-with-new-spc-specialty-license-plate","value":{},"title":"100 years of Titan Pride Hits the Road with New SPC Specialty License Plate","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"Florida drivers will soon be able to support SPC students every time they get behind the wheel.","Teaser":"Florida drivers will soon be able to support SPC students every time they get behind the wheel.","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":false,"src":"","w":"","h":"","alt":""},"Title":"100 years of Titan Pride Hits the Road with New SPC Specialty License Plate"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"2338|2312|2433|2113|2210","Content":"<p>Scholarships didn’t just help Luisa Marie Price earn her degree at St. Petersburg College. They inspired her to help the students coming after her.</p><p>Price received three scholarships from the SPC Foundation while attending SPC. Today, she serves as General Manager of the Tarpon Springs Campus Bookstore and gives back as an SPC Foundation donor.</p><p>“Those scholarships helped me complete my degree and showed me firsthand the difference financial support can make,” said Price. “That experience inspired me to give back so I can help future students have the same opportunity.”</p><p>This November, SPC wants to help more students discover financial resources that could make a similar difference for them.</p><p>The College will host <a href="https://now.spc.edu/debt-free-degree-night" target="_blank" title="Debt Free Degree Night landing page" rel="noopener">Debt-Free Degree Nights</a> across Pinellas County, giving prospective students and families hands-on help finding scholarships, grants and other financial aid that doesn’t have to be paid back.<br />Many students are surprised to find out they’re eligible for aid. Last year, SPC awarded more than $76 million in free financial aid, and not just from federal aid.</p><p>“Many students assume college is out of reach without realizing how much financial aid may be available. In fact, 76% of SPC’s FAFSA applicants were Pell eligible,” said Wayne Kruger, Associate Vice President of Financial Assistance Services at SPC. “Completing the FAFSA is an important first step in finding resources that can make college more affordable.”</p><p>During Debt-Free Degree Night, prospective students can apply to SPC for free and work one-on-one with experts to explore SPC scholarships, community scholarships, grants, FAFSA and other ways to help pay for college. Staff will also be available to answer questions and provide hands-on assistance with the steps needed to enroll.</p><h2>Bringing financial aid help into the community</h2><p>SPC will host six in-person Debt-Free Degree Nights across Pinellas County:</p><ul><li>Tuesday, Nov. 3: Seminole Campus, 9200 113th St. N., UP Building | 6-8 p.m.</li><li>Thursday, Nov. 5: Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St., LA Building | 6-8 p.m.</li><li>Tuesday, Nov. 10: Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 E. Klosterman Road, BB Building | 6-8 p.m.</li><li>Thursday, Nov. 12: St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, 6605 5th Ave. N., SU Building | 6-8 p.m.</li><li>Tuesday, Nov. 17: Downtown Center, 244 2nd Ave. N., Lobby | 5-7 p.m.</li><li>Tuesday, Nov. 17: Midtown Center, 1048 22nd St. S., Lobby | 5-7 p.m.</li></ul><p>For those who can’t attend in person, SPC will also offer a series of virtual events covering financial aid and academic programs. Topics include finding free money for college, associate and bachelor’s degree programs in health care and how to get started at SPC for the Spring Term.</p><ul><li>Wednesday, Nov. 4: Find Free Money for College | 6-6:30 p.m. | <a href="https://now.spc.edu/2026-11-04-free-money-for-college">RSVP</a></li><li>Friday, Nov. 6: Associate Programs Showcase (Health) | 12-1 p.m. | <a href="https://now.spc.edu/2026-11-06-health-programs" target="_blank" title="RSVP link" rel="noopener">RSVP</a></li><li>Friday, Nov. 13: Baccalaureate Programs Showcase (Health) | 12-1 p.m. | <a href="https://now.spc.edu/2026-11-13-bachelors-showcase-health" target="_blank" title="RSVP link" rel="noopener">RSVP</a></li><li>Monday, Nov. 16: Baccalaureate Programs Showcase (Non-Health) | 6-6:30 p.m. | <a href="https://now.spc.edu/2026-11-16-webinar-bachelors-showcase-non-health" target="_blank" title="RSVP link" rel="noopener">RSVP</a></li><li>Wednesday, Nov. 18: How to Get Started for Spring Term | 6-6:30 p.m. | <a href="https://now.spc.edu/2026-11-18-get-started" target="_blank" title="RSVP link" rel="noopener">RSVP</a></li></ul><h2>More than filling out forms</h2><p>The events are designed to help students move beyond simply learning about financial aid and begin the process.<br />Attendees can receive help completing financial aid and scholarship steps, applying to SPC and preparing for enrollment. Students who don’t already have a Federal Student Aid ID can also receive assistance creating one during the event.</p><p>Students are encouraged to bring documents that may be needed to complete the process, including identification for Florida residency, 2025 federal income tax returns and W-2s, applicable financial records and their FSA ID. Digital versions of documents are accepted.</p><p>Debt-Free Degree Night is open to prospective students and families interested in learning how SPC can make earning a college degree or credential more affordable.</p><p>For a complete schedule and to RSVP, visit <a href="https://now.spc.edu/debt-free-degree-night">SPC’s Debt-Free Degree Night</a>.</p>","Date":"2026-10-21T12:59:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/Debtfree-595.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"Graphic with a moon and the word Debt Free Degree Nights"},"Headline":"SPC Helps Students Find Free Money for College During Debt-Free Degree Night","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"spc-newsroom/spc-helps-students-find-free-money-for-college-during-debt-free-degree-nights","value":{},"title":"SPC Helps Students Find Free Money for College During Debt-Free Degree Night","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"College awarded more than $76 million in free aid last year and offers hands-on financial aid help.","Teaser":"College awarded more than $76 million in free aid last year and offers hands-on financial aid help.","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":false,"src":"","w":"","h":"","alt":""},"Title":"SPC Helps Students Find Free Money for College During Debt-Free Degree Night"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"2402|2115|2338|2113|2210","Content":"<p>St. Petersburg College and Lockheed Martin are launching an intensive soldering training program designed to prepare local talent for electronics assembler careers supporting the aerospace manufacturing industry.</p><p>SPC and Lockheed Martin will celebrate the launch of the <strong>Lockheed Martin Aerospace Manufacturing Training Program </strong>and formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding on <strong>Monday, Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. at SPC’s Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 Klosterman Road.</strong></p><p>The collaboration will immediately move from agreement to action. The inaugural cohort will begin on Nov. 2.</p><p>“This partnership is exactly what workforce education should look like: bringing education and industry together to create a clear pathway from training to opportunity,” said Dr. Tonjua Williams, President of St. Petersburg College. “Our students can gain skills designed around a real workforce need and see where those skills can take them. At the same time, we’re helping one of our region’s major employers build the talent pipeline it needs for the future.”</p><h2>Three weeks from training to opportunity</h2><p>The program consists of three weeks of full-time training at 40 hours per week at SPC’s Tarpon Springs Campus.</p><p>The first two weeks focus on industry-standard soldering instruction leading to IPC-A-610 CIS and IPC J-STD-001 CIS certifications. During the third week, participants who meet Lockheed Martin’s required passing scores advance to company-specific soldering instruction using Lockheed Martin-designated circuit boards.</p><p>Lockheed Martin developed the curriculum and will provide instructors for the program. SPC will provide the training facilities, equipment, circuit boards and other materials needed for hands-on instruction.</p><p>“Lockheed Martin is excited to partner with St. Petersburg College and Career Source Tampa Bay to launch the Aerospace Manufacturing Training Program, creating a direct pathway to rewarding careers at Lockheed Martin while providing hands-on education and training,” said Matt Sheran, director and general manager of Clearwater Operations at Lockheed Martin. “This initiative reflects our commitment to growing local talent, expanding opportunity in our community and building a skilled workforce that drives innovation for the future.”</p><p>The program is designed as a pre-apprenticeship that can lead to Lockheed Martin’s registered apprenticeship program and support the company’s need for electronics assemblers at its Rotary and Mission Systems facility in Clearwater.</p><h2>Training tied directly to workforce demand</h2><p>Unlike a traditional open-enrollment course, the customized program is connected directly to Lockheed Martin’s hiring pipeline. Prospective participants first apply for a position with Lockheed Martin and complete the company’s required employment process before entering the training program.</p><p>The goal is to give candidates the specialized soldering skills and certifications needed to move toward employment with Lockheed Martin while helping the company develop skilled workers locally.</p><p>“This is what happens when education and industry build a program together from the beginning,” said Belinthia Berry, Dean of SPC’s Workforce Institute. “Lockheed Martin identified a specific workforce need and together we created focused training that allows participants to develop those skills and move closer to a career in aerospace manufacturing.”</p><p>CareerSource is also partnering with the initiative to connect eligible participants with grant funding that can help cover training-related expenses.</p><p>The Fall 2026 class will serve as the pilot cohort, with approximately eight to 10 participants. Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin will provide instructors for six additional cohorts in 2027. The partners anticipate continuing the training approximately every other month.</p><p>The collaboration also supports a longer-term goal of developing a local talent pipeline for Lockheed Martin’s Clearwater operations and creating pathways from pre-employment training into registered apprenticeships and full-time aerospace manufacturing careers.</p><!--<h2>MEDIA OPPORTUNITY</h2><p><strong>WHAT: </strong>St. Petersburg College and Lockheed Martin MOU signing and inaugural cohort</p><p><strong>WHEN:</strong> Monday, Oct. 19, 2026<br />MOU signing/media opportunity: 9 a.m.</p><p><strong>WHERE: </strong>St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus<br />600 Klosterman Road<br />Tarpon Springs, FL 34689</p><h2>ATTENDEES:</h2><ul><li>SPC President Tonjua Williams</li><li>Andrew Santos, CEO of AdventHealth</li><li>Tarpon Springs Mayor John Koulianos</li><li>Tarpon Springs Commissioner Mike Eisner</li><li>Tarpon Springs Chamber President Jean Hungiville</li></ul>-->","Date":"2026-10-15T17:58:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/lockheed-signing.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"Matthew Sheran, General Manager, Lockheed Martin, Keidrian Kunkel, President, Career Source Tampa Bay"},"Headline":"Lockheed Martin and SPC Launch Soldering Training Program with Pathway to Jobs","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"spc-newsroom/lockheed-martin-and-spc-launch-soldering-training-program-with-pathway-to-jobs","value":{},"title":"Lockheed Martin and SPC Launch Soldering Training Program with Pathway to Jobs","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"Three-week program connects local talent with industry training and employment at Lockheed Martin.","Teaser":"Three-week program connects local talent with industry training and employment at Lockheed Martin.","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":false,"src":"","w":"","h":"","alt":""},"Title":"Lockheed Martin and SPC Launch Soldering Training Program with Pathway to Jobs"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"2307|2338|2433|2210|2308","Content":"<p>St. Petersburg College has officially launched the St. Petersburg College Police Department (SPCPD), adding sworn law enforcement capabilities to its existing campus security operations and expanding the College’s ability to respond to and investigate incidents across its campuses.</p><p>SPC Police Chief Andrew MacPherson and Deputy Chief Tracy Smith recently took the oath of office, officially launching the new department. The department will add sworn officers in phases, with plans to continue growing over the next two years.</p><p>“Building the St. Petersburg College Police Department from the ground up has meant getting the fundamentals right, including policy, training, technology and partnerships with the agencies that have supported this community for years,” said MacPherson. “Every piece of that work comes back to one goal: making sure our students, faculty and staff feel safe, seen and supported.”</p><h3>Expanding SPC’s public safety capabilities</h3><p>The new police department will work alongside SPC’s existing campus security team, adding capabilities that security officers do not have. As a sworn law enforcement agency, SPCPD will have access to state and federal criminal justice information systems and its officers will be able to investigate crimes, make arrests and provide a broader law enforcement response when incidents occur on campus.</p><p>Having officers embedded within the College also allows SPCPD to build familiarity and relationships with the students, employees and communities it serves.</p><p>“Standing up our own police department means faster response times and officers who already know this campus and this community,” said MacPherson. “That’s what safety looks like at St. Petersburg College.”</p><p>The department’s approach will emphasize community-oriented policing, with officers focused on service, relationships and partnership in addition to their law enforcement responsibilities.</p><p>“SPC is continually advancing its commitment to student success by creating an environment where learning, safety and well-being thrive together,” said Michael DiBuono, SPC’s Public Safety Program Director. “Through enhanced access to public safety resources, proactive engagement and a visible presence across our campuses, the new SPC Police Department stands ready to protect, serve and strengthen the sense of confidence and community that defines the SPC experience.”</p><h3>Building the department from the ground up</h3><p>The launch follows extensive work to establish the policies, training, technology and infrastructure required for the new department. SPC worked closely with local law enforcement partners throughout the process, including agencies with experience serving college and university communities.</p><p>David Hendry, Regional Chief of Police for the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus, was a guiding force for SPC along the way.</p><p>“Establishing a new police department is a significant investment and reflects St. Petersburg College’s commitment to the safety and security of its campuses,” said Hendry. “Faculty, staff and students will now have a dedicated police and security team focused on the public safety priorities of the campus community. SPC should be applauded for making campus public safety a priority.”</p><p>MacPherson credited those partnerships as an important part of establishing the department and preparing its officers to serve SPC.</p><p>“Creating a police department isn’t just about badges and patrol cars. It’s about building trust from day one,” said MacPherson. “We’ve spent this past year putting the infrastructure in place, from certified officers and strong agency partnerships to policies that reflect best practices in higher education law enforcement. I’m proud of how far our team has come and even more excited about what this means for the safety and security of everyone on our campuses.”</p><p>Students, faculty, staff and visitors will begin seeing SPCPD patrol vehicles and uniformed officers working alongside Campus Security. Current emergency procedures, reporting processes and methods for contacting SPC Public Safety will remain unchanged for now.</p><p>Over the coming months, SPC will continue hiring officers and expanding the department’s services as it builds toward full implementation.</p><h3>A career dedicated to campus public safety</h3><p>For MacPherson, becoming SPC’s first police chief is the latest chapter in a career spent building and strengthening public safety operations at colleges and universities across the country. He currently serves in a dual role as Chief of Police and Associate Vice President of Safety, Security and Emergency Management, overseeing SPC’s broader approach to campus safety while leading the development of its new police department.</p><p>MacPherson joined SPC in April 2024 after serving as Associate Vice President of Public Safety at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, where he led efforts to revitalize the college’s public safety department. His higher education public safety career has also included leadership roles at Southern Oregon University and Adams State University, where he served as Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management.</p><p>His career began at Grayson County College in Texas, where he spent more than 13 years progressing from a police officer to Chief of Police as well as Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management. Along the way, his responsibilities grew from patrol and criminal investigations to department operations, emergency preparedness, strategic planning, policy development and community policing.</p><p>That experience has helped shape MacPherson’s approach at SPC as he builds a department designed specifically around the needs of a college community.</p>","Date":"2026-09-30T17:07:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/SPCPD.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"SPC Police Chief Andrew MacPherson, SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams and Deputy Chief Tracy Smith following the inaugural swearing-in ceremony for the St. Petersburg College Police Department."},"Headline":"SPC Launches its Own Police Department to Strengthen Campus Safety","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"spc-newsroom/spc-launches-its-own-police-department-to-strengthen-campus-safety","value":{},"title":"SPC Launches its Own Police Department to Strengthen Campus Safety","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"New SPC Police Department adds sworn law enforcement officers to College’s existing security operations","Teaser":"New SPC Police Department adds sworn law enforcement officers to College’s existing security operations","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":false,"src":"","w":"","h":"","alt":""},"Title":"SPC Launches its Own Police Department to Strengthen Campus Safety"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"2311|2307|2338|2433|2210","Content":"<p>As conversations surrounding mental health and suicide prevention continue across Florida's public safety community, St. Petersburg College is helping address these critical challenges through its innovative Applied Mental Health Certificate for First Responders, a specialized academic and professional development program designed specifically for law enforcement officers and other first responders.</p><p>In support of the Florida Sheriffs Association's ongoing efforts to raise awareness about suicide prevention, deputy wellness, and mental health resiliency among law enforcement professionals, SPC is highlighting the positive impact of this first-of-its-kind educational pathway for those who serve on the front lines. The Florida Sheriffs Association has emphasized the importance of deputy wellness and suicide prevention through training, education, and awareness initiatives focused on trauma exposure and officer well-being.</p><h3>Addressing a Critical Need</h3><p>First responders regularly encounter traumatic events, cumulative stress, and emotional strain throughout their careers. Recognizing the growing need for mental health education and support, SPC developed the Applied Mental Health Certificate for First Responders to provide participants with practical tools for personal wellness, peer support, resilience building, and community engagement. The program was established as a specialized opportunity for current and retired law enforcement professionals to gain college-level education focused on mental health while strengthening their ability to support both themselves and others.</p><h3>Program Impact</h3><p>The certificate equips participants with competencies in:</p><ul><li>Mental health awareness and crisis response</li><li>Emotional intelligence and counseling techniques</li><li>Stress management and resilience-building strategies</li><li>Peer support and wellness advocacy</li><li>Community resource navigation and referral practices</li></ul><p>Graduates are prepared to serve as mental health ambassadors within their agencies, helping colleagues recognize signs of distress, access appropriate resources, and reduce the stigma often associated with seeking help. SPC reports that participants develop the skills needed to manage job-related stress, identify mental health concerns, and support peers facing personal or professional challenges.</p><h3>Building a Culture of Resilience</h3><p>The program has already produced multiple cohorts of law enforcement professionals and has expanded its reach through partnerships with public safety agencies across the Tampa Bay region. Graduates have gone on to develop peer-led wellness initiatives and resiliency training programs designed by first responders for first responders. One example is SPC's Tactical Mental Health Resiliency Training, created as a capstone project by certificate graduates to provide practical strategies for recognizing cumulative stress, building resilience, and developing healthy coping skills.</p><h3>Community and Agency Partnerships</h3><p>The success of SPC's Applied Mental Health Certificate has been made possible through collaboration with law enforcement leaders such as Chief Anthony Holloway, Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police, and the Pepin Foundation. Partnerships with organizations including the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association, local county sheriff's offices and other surrounding law enforcement leadership groups have helped shape curriculum and expand access to training opportunities.</p><h3>Supporting Suicide Prevention</h3><p>Mental health experts continue to identify suicide prevention as a critical priority within the law enforcement profession. SPC's program addresses this need through education, prevention-focused training, peer support development, and resilience-building practices that encourage help-seeking behaviors and early intervention. The College has also brought nationally recognized experts on police stress, trauma, and suicide prevention to engage first responders and faculty in discussions on wellness and evidence-based practices.</p><h3>About St. Petersburg College's Applied Mental Health Certificate for First Responders</h3><p>SPC's Social & Behavioral Sciences and Human Services Division, under Dean Joseph Smiley, developed the Applied Mental Health Certificate for First Responders. The specialized educational program prepares first responders to understand mental health challenges better, strengthen resilience, support peers, and improve outcomes for the communities they serve. SPC continues to expand the initiative through cohort-based learning models and partnerships that support the well-being of law enforcement officers, fire rescue personnel, and other public safety professionals.</p><p>For more information about SPC’s Applied Mental Health Certificate for First Responders, please contact</p><p>Ms. Emily Durden, Senior Academic Program Coordinator<br /><a href="mailto:Durden.emily@SPCollege.edu" target="_blank" title="Durden.emily@SPCollege.edu" rel="noopener">Durden.emily@SPCollege.edu</a><br /><a href="tel:727-341-7952" title="727-341-7952">727-341-7952</a></p><p>Dr. Latresha Moore, Human Services Program Director<br /><a href="mailto:Bighemmoore.latresha@SPCollege.edu" title="Bighemmoore.latresha@SPCollege.edu">Bighemmoore.latresha@SPCollege.edu</a><br /><a href="tel:727-497-5015" title="727-497-5015">727-497-5015</a></p>","Date":"2026-09-29T15:51:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/1st-suicide.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"police officer with his arms outstretched"},"Headline":"SPC Supports First Responders During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"spc-newsroom/spc-supports-first-responders-during-suicide-prevention-awareness-month","value":{},"title":"SPC Supports First Responders During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"Helping first responders build resilience, support their peers and prioritize mental health.","Teaser":"Helping first responders build resilience, support their peers and prioritize mental health.","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":false,"src":"","w":"","h":"","alt":""},"Title":"SPC Supports First Responders During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"2338|2308","Content":"<h2>ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE (SPC) AND UNITED FACULTY OF FLORIDA (UFF)</h2><p>A public meeting of representatives of SPC and UFF to conduct collective bargaining negotiations pursuant to Article 22 of SPC-UFF’s 2024-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement will be held on September 24, 2026 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Epi Center, St. Petersburg College, 13805 58th Street North, Clearwater, Florida in room EPI BD2-304.</p><p>Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations or assistance to participate should contact the Board Clerk at <a href="tel:727-341-3241" target="_blank" title="727-341-3241" rel="noopener">727-341-3241</a> five (5) business days before the meeting date.</p>","Date":"2026-09-15T20:45:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/Titan-logo-placeholder-Image-595.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"graphic of a titan helmet on a blue gradient background"},"Headline":"Public Notice of Meeting and Collective Bargaining Sept. 24, 2026","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"spc-newsroom/public-notice-of-meeting-and-collective-bargaining-sept-24-2026","value":{},"title":"Public Notice of Meeting and Collective Bargaining Sept. 24, 2026","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"Public Notice of Meeting and Collective Bargaining Sept. 24, 2026","Teaser":"Public Notice of Meeting and Collective Bargaining Sept. 24, 2026","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":false,"src":"","w":"","h":"","alt":""},"Title":"Public Notice of Meeting and Collective Bargaining Sept. 24, 2026"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"1570|1379|1378|1325|2338|2210","Content":"","Date":"2026-09-14T15:47:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/spc-day-2026-midtown.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"group shot of SPC Day celebrants including SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams"},"Headline":"SPC’s 99th Anniversary Brings Titans Together for Music, History and Community","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"foundation/foundation-newsroom/spcs-99th-anniversary-brings-titans-together-for-music-history-and-community","value":{},"title":"SPC’s 99th Anniversary Brings Titans Together for Music, History and Community","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"SPC marked its 99th year with a vibrant block party that brought generations of Titans and community members together for music, food, fun and a look ahead to the College’s 2027 centennial.","Teaser":"SPC marked its 99th year with a vibrant block party that brought generations of Titans and community members together for music, food, fun and a look ahead to the College’s 2027 centennial.","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/spc-day-2026-midtown-sm.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"group shot of SPC Day celebrants including SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams"},"Title":"SPC’s 99th Anniversary Brings Titans Together for Music, History and Community"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"2338|2210","Content":"<p>For 73-year-old retired dentist Dr. Charles Ford of Seminole, joining the SPC Community Band 13 years ago was a homecoming. Ford practices in the same room where he played alto saxophone as a student for the St. Petersburg Junior College band in 1970. He’s an example of how SPC’s Lifelong Learning program offers students of all ages an opportunity to grow, connect and thrive.</p><p>As people live longer, healthier lives, the retirement phase has become less about slowing down and more about leveling up. Nearly one-third of SPC’s students are older than 25, with many over the age of 60, representing a diverse community of learners with varied interests and needs. Today’s learners are frequently mid-career professionals looking to pivot or older adults seeking the cognitive and social benefits of staying engaged.</p><p>SPC’s Lifelong Learning program provides flexible, short-term courses for busy learners looking to expand their knowledge in a variety of areas including technology, art and music.</p><h3>Expanding workforce skills</h3><p>Whether seeking promotion, delaying retirement or shifting career focus, many lifelong learners are seeking education to expand their skills and, subsequently, their earning potential.</p><p>In an era when artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools evolve by the month, expanding skillsets has become a requirement for staying competitive in the workforce. Courses such as AI for Everyone or Using ChatGPT to Scale your Digital Presence help students keep pace with technology and stay current in their fields, or even shift into new positions.</p><p>“Our mission is to provide accessible, high-impact education that meets the moment,” said Belinthia Berry, Dean of Workforce Development. “Through the integration of AI literacy and leadership principles, lifelong learners are gaining the tools to not just adapt to change, but to lead it.”</p><p>Whether learning new tools like AI, or mastering Microsoft applications like Excel, in-person, online and self-paced options offer flexibility while customized training can also be developed to meet workforce needs.</p><h3>Creating a social network</h3><p>Beyond professional benefits, the program serves as a heartbeat for community engagement. Whether joining the community band or chorus, learning conversational French, or using AI to plan a vacation, students gain more than a hobby. Personal enrichment courses create a social network built on shared interests and creative expression.</p><p>For Ford, the Community Band offers both musical fulfillment and meaningful relationships. He values the expertise of Nathan Muehl, SPC’s Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, and finds inspiration from his younger classmates.</p><p>“My favorite thing is being around the younger students,” Ford said. “They are youthful and exuberant, and that enthusiasm rubs off.”</p><p>The band has also provided a social outlet, leading to deep friendships with peers that extend beyond the classroom.</p><p>The beauty of the Lifelong Learning program lies in its ability to serve every corner of the community. No matter what age or stage of life, these students are the threads that make the local fabric stronger. By investing in themselves, they are ultimately investing in a more resilient, knowledgeable and connected community.</p>","Date":"2026-08-31T19:14:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/lifelong-learners.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"older female students holding a paintbrush while she applies color to a ceramic head"},"Headline":"The Rise of the Lifelong Learner","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"spc-newsroom/the-rise-of-the-lifelong-learner","value":{},"title":"The Rise of the Lifelong Learner","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"Lifelong Learning courses prove that the pursuit of knowledge has no expiration date.","Teaser":"Lifelong Learning courses prove that the pursuit of knowledge has no expiration date.","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/lifelong-learners-sm.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"older female students holding a paintbrush while she applies color to a ceramic head"},"Title":"The Rise of the Lifelong Learner"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"2338|2308","Content":"<h2>ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE (SPC) AND UNITED FACULTY OF FLORIDA (UFF)</h2><p>A public meeting of representatives of SPC and UFF to conduct collective bargaining negotiations pursuant to Article 22 of SPC-UFF’s 2024-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement will be held on September 11, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Epi Center, St. Petersburg College, 13805 58th Street North, Clearwater, Florida in room EPI BD1-451, 1-453, 1-450.</p><p>Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations or assistance to participate should contact the Board Clerk at <a href="tel:727-341-3241" target="_blank" title="727-341-3241" rel="noopener">727-341-3241</a> five (5) business days before the meeting date.</p>","Date":"2026-08-31T13:02:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/Titan-logo-placeholder-Image-950.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"graphic of a titan helmet on a blue gradient background"},"Headline":"Public Notice of Collective Bargaining Sept. 11, 2026","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"spc-newsroom/public-notice-of-meeting-and-collective-bargaining-sept-11-2026","value":{},"title":"Public Notice of Collective Bargaining Sept. 11, 2026","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"A public meeting of representatives of SPC and UFF to conduct collective bargaining negotiations pursuant to Article 22 of SPC-UFF’s 2024-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement will be held on September 11, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Epi Center, St. Petersburg College, 13805 58th Street North, Clearwater, Florida in room EPI BD1-451, 1-453, 1-450.","Teaser":"Public Notice of Meeting - Collective Bargaining Sept. 11, 2026","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/Titan-logo-placeholder-Image-sm.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"graphic of a titan helmet on a blue gradient background"},"Title":"Public Notice of Collective Bargaining Sept. 11, 2026"},{"Author":"","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"1570|1379|1378|2338|2312|2433|2210","Content":"","Date":"2026-08-26T13:59:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/SPCDay-2026.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"white, blue and gold balloons surrounding a big gold star and a whilte balloon with the words SPC Day"},"Headline":"Community Block Party Celebrates the College's 99th Birthday","Link":{"isValid":true,"url":"foundation/foundation-newsroom/community-block-party-celebrates-the-colleges-99th-birthday","value":{},"title":"Community Block Party Celebrates the College's 99th Birthday","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"SPC Day brings students, alumni and neighbors together in the historic Deuces Corridor.","Teaser":"SPC Day brings students, alumni and neighbors together in the historic Deuces Corridor.","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":true,"src":"/Images/Newsroom/SPCDay-2026-sm.jpg","w":"","h":"","alt":"white, blue and gold balloons surrounding a big gold star and a whilte balloon with the words SPC Day"},"Title":"Community Block Party Celebrates the College's 99th Birthday"},{"Author":"202","ImageCaption":"","CategoryIds":"","Content":"","Date":"2023-10-30T13:28:00","FeaturedImage":{"isValid":false,"src":"","w":"","h":"","alt":""},"Headline":"","Link":{"isValid":false,"url":"","value":{},"title":"","target":"","isCurrent":false,"attributes":{}},"OpenGraphDescription":"","Teaser":"","ThumbnailImage":{"isValid":false,"src":"","w":"","h":"","alt":""},"Title":""}]