The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College
November 4, 2021
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In four seasons – from 2017 through 2020 – the Pensacola State College volleyball team had a 6-21 conference record.
Under first-year coach Patricia Gandolfo, the 2021 Pirate team finished the regular season with a 13-5 conference record and is playoff-bound. The team finished 16-5 overall.
That’s a huge turnaround.
Coach, what’s the secret?
“I don’t know, they’ve all just worked so hard," said a humble Gandolfo, a former University of West Florida assistant coach who was hired in July as the team’s head coach. “All I asked is that they work hard and be a good person and let me help take care of volleyball for them.”
The Pirates volleyball team will compete in the NJCAA Division II Gulf District Tournament today through Saturday in Lake City. PSC’s first opponent in the tournament will be the Itawamba Community College Indians.
Gandolfo, a Brazilian native, said one key to success has been fostering a sense of family and commitment to excellence.
“They’ve fully bought in to what we’re trying to do," she said of her squad. “When I’m talking to them, you can see them nodding their heads in agreement. They’re fully invested.”
Sophomore captains Katrina Espinoza and Cheyenne Strickland both said the team has pulled together under Gandolfo and assistant coach Zadie Engelberger’s leadership.
“I think we’re a much closer team than last year," Strickland said. “The camaraderie of the team is really strong. We’re all excited about our season.”
Espinoza agreed.
“Everyone is in 120 percent and no one slacks in practice or games," she said. “There’s definitely a lot of structure and discipline. (The coaches) push us every day to be the best in practice. That definitely carries over to the games.”
— Troy Moon
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The Career Service Employees of the Year, left to right: Fred Holt, Penny Taylor, Maria Brake, Denise Reyes, Emma Johnson, Lanatta Barrett. |
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It’s been another tough year, but Pensacola State employees worked hard through 2021 to continue the College’s tradition of service and commitment to students and the community.
On Oct. 28, 11 of the College’s best Professional and Career Service staff members were honored at the 2021 Employee of the Year awards ceremony held in the G. Thomas Delaino Student Center on the Pensacola campus.
The employees bring standards of excellence and commitment throughout various departments at the College with honorees working in fields such as accounting, recruiting, marketing and more.
“I can’t tell you how important you are to the College," said PSC President Ed Meadows, speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by recipients, their family, friends and coworkers. “You do such an outstanding job with the College and you give not only with your time, but with your heart. In receiving this recognition, you set a bar for others not only in your department, but throughout Pensacola State College.”
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The Professional Employees of the Year, left to right: Kathy Dutremble, Lynne Butcher, Tracy Burgess, Jill Hubbs, Nan Jackson. |
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Pensacola State College, like rest of nation, honors military members on Veterans Day; College will close Nov. 11 |
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Pensacola State College will close on Veterans Day – Thursday, Nov. 11 – to honor the College’s military veterans and all veterans of the United States military.
PSC’s own Rob Gregg, director of Veterans Upward Bound, is Grand Marshal for the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Pensacola. The parade begins at 9 a.m. on Veterans Day and will feature a PSC float – borrowed from a Mardi Gras krewe ─ and two PSC vans.
Since the College will be closed on Veterans Day, the PSC Student Veterans Association will host a Veterans Day Celebration BBQ beginning at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at the pavilion between Buildings 5 and 6 on the Pensacola campus. The PSC Students Veterans Association puts on the event with partnering groups PSC’s Upward Bound and Veterans Student Support Services.
There will be ribs, hamburgers, chips and drinks provided for free. Donations will be accepted. Proceeds go toward future Student Veterans Association activities while a portion will go toward scholarships.
PSC veterans’ groups also will participate in the Honoring Our Heroes Job Fair, sponsored by CareerSource Escarosa set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the National Guard Armory, 8790 Grow Drive in Pensacola.
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Veterans Day is important to the College, Gregg said, noting that 7 percent of PSC students are veterans.
“That percentage is doubled when you talk about dependents,” said Gregg, a 24-year U.S. Navy veteran. “And those are just the veterans who are self-declared.”
One of those student veterans is Denise Reyes, president of the Student Veterans Association. She served in the U.S. Army from 2013 through 2017 and earned her Associate of Arts degree from PSC using her military benefits. She is now in the PSC Bachelor of Science Business and Management in Health Care Management program.
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She is also a PSC Veterans Service Specialist and helps veterans navigate the often-complicated financial aid and military benefits process.
“The transition for a lot of veterans can be difficult,” Reyes said. “The military lifestyle is completely different than the civilian and college lifestyle.”
She said that the Student Veterans Association helps “veterans find other veterans to connect with.”
Among the other services PSC offers are Veterans Upward Bound and Veterans Student Support Services. Veterans Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program that provides veterans with college prep classes and/or GED courses at no cost. The program is open to veterans who are first-generation college students who are considered low-income according to federal guidelines.
Veterans Student Support Services is another TRIO program. It is also aimed at first-generation college students who are low income and military veterans. The program offers academic advising, career counseling, financial aid counseling and more.
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The 2021 Veterans Day Parade, featuring PSC's own Rob Gregg as Grand Marshal, will air live beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, on BLAB TV and WBQP TV (see your carrier's lineup for channel location). It also will be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook, and will be archived thereafter on those platforms. It also can be streamed on wbqptv.com or wbqp.com.
The parade will be replayed several times on Cox Channel 2 in Pensacola and on Channel 36 in Fort Walton Beach, as well as WBQP TV, Cox Media and ECTV.
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Pensacola State's new Student Engagement and Leadership Coordinator Aubrey Elmore brings enthusiasm to position |
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Alabama-bred Aubrey Elmore seems the perfect fit for the position of coordinator of Student Engagement and Leadership at Pensacola State College.
Elmore has a spark about him and a friendly nature that draws folks in, and he approaches his new job with excitement, vigor and optimistic determination. He manages intramurals, clubs and Student Activities, and serves as the Student Government Association adviser.
“I am enthusiastic," said Elmore, 23, just weeks into his job. “This is a great college and I just want to help so we engage with students more. We really need to listen to what the students have to say. We need to find out what things we do that they like and which things they dislike. We want to build engagement with them, so they enjoy coming to campus.”
In August, Elmore earned his bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications at the University of West Alabama, where he was the play-by-play sports broadcaster for the athletics program. He has experience in broadcasting, marketing and print journalism.
He’s a sports junkie with an enduring love for the Dallas Cowboys. He said a priority in his new position is to rebuild the PSC Intramural.
“I want to make it a competitive program," Elmore said. “I want to get it to that next level and revitalize it with an infusion of youth.”
He said he has already talked to students about possibly starting an intramural soccer program in spring and said dodgeball is another consideration.
Elmore’s energy and enthusiasm have already impressed his supervisor, Katie Hudon, PSC director of Student Affairs and Student Activities.
“Aubrey energizes those around him through his intrepid and ever-optimistic approach to life," she explained. “He conveys undaunted positivity even when confronted with the challenges of quickly submerging himself into the high seas of PSC Student Activities, an area replete with learning opportunities and variety in scope of work.
“His electrifying attitude and fresh outlook will serve to revive and invigorate PSC's intramurals program that has been somewhat dormant since the early days of the pandemic. Overall, we are enthusiastic in welcoming him and eager to see how he will leave his mark at PSC.”
Elmore is a trombonist who played in college and even had considered majoring in music education before he decided he might be better suited for broadcasting, marketing and communications.
He said his favorite activities are spending time with his girlfriend Emily Seay, outdoor activities such as hiking and running, and watching sports.
“I grew up watching the Dallas Cowboys," he said. “My Dad, he’s from that area so I’ve been following the Cowboys all my life.”
Elmore said he enjoys his new home in Pensacola and at PSC.
“My girlfriend is from this area and I visited for the first time last summer," he said. “I told someone that Pensacola is a big city but with a small-town atmosphere. And the city seems to be booming. There’s a lot to do. I love it here.”
— Troy Moon
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PSC Alumni Spotlight: Gus Silivos |
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NAME: Gus Silivos
OCCUPATION: Chef/Owner of Agapi Bistro & Garden, Scenic 90 Café, Nancy’s Catering & Events. Former owner of Skopelos, a renowned Pensacola restaurant, which closed in 2020 after sustaining damage from Hurricane Sally. The Silivos family first opened Skopelos in 1959.
PSC CONNECTION: 1980 graduate of Pensacola Junior College, now Pensacola State College
When Gus Silivos started attending PJC as a dual-enrollment student at the now-defunct Woodham High School in 1977 during his senior year. He graduated in 1980 with an Associate of Arts degree, then transferred to the University of West Florida, where he earned a degree in business.
Cooking is in his blood – he began working in the family restaurant business when he was only 11 years old. After UWF, Silivos attended the Culinary Institute of America before returning to Pensacola to start his professional restaurant career.
He is an active and founding member of the PSC Culinary Program Advisory Committee.
“The quality of education and instructors is as good as any other similar-sized college,’’ Silivos said of PSC. “It was the perfect college for what I was trying to achieve, and it was affordable. It’s still affordable and a great opportunity for students. I know it was a great experience for me.”
— Troy Moon
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PSC Student Spotlight: Gideon Innis |
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Gideon Innis is a student in the Pensacola State College Business and Management (Organizational Administration) Bachelor of Applied Science Program. She’s also a U.S. Navy veteran who was a parachute rigger, though she said she never jumped herself.
Innis will earn her BAS degree in December. She was recently hired as a Recruitment/Retention Specialist for the Veterans Upward Bound program at PSC.
“I like working with veterans,’’ said Innis, a California native who served in the Navy from 2009 to 2018, leaving as a Petty Officer 2nd Class. “PSC provides a lot of support to veterans and I enjoy being part of that.”
But no offense to anyone at PSC, but Innis does hope to move on someday. She’s earning her BAS degree to someday start a business of her own.
“I’ve always wanted to open a coffee shop,’’ Innis said. “I would love to own a place that attracted young people, with open mic events and poetry readings and things like that.”
— Troy Moon
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Step 1: Complete your application to graduate in Spyglass today. Fall 2021 Graduates must apply to graduate by 11/12/21 for your name to appear in the commencement program. Spring 2022 Graduates apply to graduate one term in advance of program completion.
Step 2: Save your seat for the ceremony. Guest tickets will be available only for those who have saved their seat in advance.
Step 3: Purchase cap and gown. Order online by 11/18/21.
Visit the Graduation Page for additional details:
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Hour-long workshops with financial experts are scheduled for August-November and January-April. Topics include: Basics of budgeting; recovering your finances; understanding loans and repayment; identity theft; and more. Details: 850-484-2082 or bmwright@pensacolastate.edu.
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PTK Beta Beta Gamma Chapter and Campus Veterans Office present the Fall Semester Annual Collection for Homeless Veterans, Sept. 21-Dec. 1, 2021.
Collections on the Milton Campus at Buildings 4200, 4400, 4300 and 4000. On the Pensacola Campus, collections at the Veterans Office, Building 6, Room 658.
Needed are hats, white over-the-calf socks, scarves, gloves, lapghans, and holiday cards (please do not seal the envelopes).
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Learn how you can support students like Jerry:
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