SPJC gets $8.6-million for partnership

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000

St. Petersburg Junior College has received $8.6-million in state and federal funding for the College University Center, Florida's largest community college-university partnership.

Through the center, SPJC has formed partnerships with eight schools: the University of South Florida, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Saint Leo University, Florida International University and Eckerd College. The center offers 22 bachelor's degree programs, six graduate programs and one continuing education program.

The programs are geared to non-traditional students who are professionals with associate's degrees. Classes, limited to 25 students, are taught by university faculty, both on site and through distance learning via television or the Internet.

An open house for students interested in any of the College University Center programs at SPJC's Clearwater campus this fall will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Seminole Community Library, 9199 113th Street N in Seminole, and Thursday at the Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Drive in Clearwater. For information, call the College University Center at 341-3104.

College ranks in top five for awarding associate's degrees

For the fourth year, St. Petersburg Junior College ranks among the top five nationally among community colleges producing the most associate's degrees, according to College Week magazine.

SPJC ranked third in the number of associate's degrees awarded to non-minority graduates, fourth in associate's degrees in health professions and related sciences, and fifth in associate's degrees in all disciplines combined .

"Of course we're very pleased, " said Carol Copenhaver, senior vice president of academic student services. "We think it speaks to all the support services we offer our students."

"We've very carefully studied what students need," SPJC President Carl Kuttler said. Grant and tutor programs, he said, were a top priority.

Among Florida community colleges, SPJC was the top producer of non-minority graduates.

Nationally, Miami-Dade was the nation's top producer of minority graduates, while SPJC ranked 67.

Kuttler said lower rankings in minority degrees reflect a low percentage of minorities in Pinellas County. But, he said, "We've had tremendous increases in minority students."

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