Member Spotlight – Florida SouthWestern State College
“Here at Florida SouthWestern State College, we take great pride in the quality and the commitment of our dedicated and talented faculty. These educators constantly challenge and expand the academic possibilities for our students while continually striving to advance their own knowledge and best practices. NISOD is a valued partner in this endeavor by providing resources and opportunities for professional development that help fulfill the FSWC mission to inspire learning, increase rigor, and prepare our students to be enlightened and productive citizens.”
–Dr. Jeff Allbritten, President, Florida SouthWestern State College
Dr. Jeff Allbritten, President
Florida SouthWestern State College, FL |www.fsw.edu | Established 1962 | Rebecca Yost , NISOD Liaison
Member Spotlight Question and Answer
When did Florida SouthWestern State College become a NISOD Member?
The college became a NISOD member in 1996.
Why is Florida SouthWestern State College a NISOD Member?
We are a NISOD member for two reasons: To take advantage of the shared knowledge and expertise of members across the country through webinars, Innovation Abstracts, and attendance at the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, and to recognize and reward excellence in our faculty and staff.
Which NISOD benefits does Florida SouthWestern State College use the most and how?
We primarily take advantage of the webinars, Regional Workshops, Excellence Awards, and the annual conference. Webinars and Regional Workshops are shared with all faculty to widen their professional development opportunities and help us engage with full-time and adjunct faculty across multiple campuses. We have three categories of excellence awards for faculty members and one for staff. The winners of these awards travel to NISOD’s annual conference in May to be honored.
Interesting News Happening at Florida SouthWestern State College
Florida SouthWestern State College Among “Forward-Thinking Pack of Schools’ for Study Abroad
While study abroad programs may be something usually associated with big-name universities or private schools, the idea of traveling the world and earning college credits is growing among community colleges, including Florida SouthWestern State College. The college’s Center for International Education opened in 2016 and is charged with showcasing different cultures and organizing study abroad opportunities for students and faculty.
Florida SouthWestern State College Faculty Member Named Top Professor of the Year in Health Information Technology
Elizabeth A. Whitmer, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, AHDI-F, Professor of Health Information Technology for Florida Southwestern State College, was recently selected as a 2020 Top Professor of the Year in Health Information Technology by the International Association of Top Professionals for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the industry.
Florida SouthWestern State College Celebrated More Than 3,000 Students During Virtual Graduation
On June 5, Florida SouthWestern State College celebrated its more than 3,000 graduating students with a live, virtual event as well as three prerecorded events. FSWC has five locations, with campuses spanning Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry/Glades counties. The main campus is in Fort Myers. In addition to associate-level degrees and certificate programs, the college offers four-year degrees.
Every month, NISOD turns the spotlight on the effective ways member colleges use NISOD benefits. These member colleges exemplify NISOD’s mission of improving teaching, learning, and leadership, with the ultimate goal being to increase student success.