SPC Honored as a Collegiate Purple Star Campus

Samantha Stanich | 11/10/2025

purple logo with the words Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus next to a male in an SPC camo hat soluting

As the nation honors those who served on Veterans Day, St. Petersburg College is recognized for its continued commitment to veterans. The Florida Department of Education officially designated SPC as a Collegiate Purple Star Campus, celebrating the College’s outstanding support for military-affiliated students and their families.

Established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023, the Collegiate Purple Star Campus program honors Florida institutions that go above and beyond to create a welcoming and supportive environment for active-duty service members, veterans and their families as they transition to college life.

“Earning the Purple Star Campus designation is a proud moment for St. Petersburg College’s Veterans Services Department,” said Allison Shenofsky, Veterans Service Coordinator at SPC. “This recognition reflects our deep commitment to supporting those who have served our nation — by providing the resources, respect and community they deserve as they pursue their educational and career goals.”

To earn this distinction, SPC met all state requirements. This includes:

  • Appointing a dedicated military liaison
  • Maintaining a comprehensive military support webpage
  • Offering a student-led transition program
  • Providing professional development for faculty and staff on military-related topics
  • Ensuring priority registration for military students and their families

“This recognition reflects SPC’s unwavering commitment to supporting those who have served our country,” said Dr. Tonjua Williams, President of St. Petersburg College. “Our veterans and military families bring incredible strength, leadership and perspective to our college community. We are honored to offer guidance and a sense of camaraderie as they pursue their education and career goals.”

The designation will remain in effect for three academic years, after which SPC may reapply to maintain its status. As SPC celebrates this achievement, the recognition aligns with the spirit of Veterans Day: honoring the service, sacrifice and continued contributions of the military community.