The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College
October 20, 2021
Sebastian Gordon, a Robinson Honors Program scholar, had no clue “bedlessness” was an issue in Escambia County.

Still, he, along with more than 100 other volunteers, turned out Saturday to help construct 20 sets of bunk beds for Sleep In Heavenly Peace (SHP). The national organization builds, assembles, and delivers wooden bunk beds to children and families in need.

“I didn’t know of the tremendous need here, but I came out today because I wanted to make an impact on my community and help others,” said Gordon, a biology major.

Defined as being without a bed, bedlessness is a real problem – not just in this community ─ but nationwide, said Kevin Loveday, president of the Pensacola SHP chapter.

“We have about 50 kids on a waiting list but today we will construct 40 beds,” he said. “We couldn’t do this without volunteers, and I want to thank PSC for hosting this event. We don’t often hold bed builds on this side of town. We really appreciate the College stepping forward.”
Pictured are some of the 2020-2021 Sansing Scholars (front row, left to right): Coby Myers; Emily Wade; Katherine Lavoie; Jacob Wynn; Sandra N. Savage; (back row, left to right) Ed Meadows, PSC President; Mikenzie Francis, PSC Foundation; Ariel Island; Sandy Sansing; Marie Perry; Troy Watts; Pamela Perceval; Dena Shea; Andrea Krieger, PSC Foundation.
Pensacola business icon Sandy Sansing has helped more than 1,100 Pensacola State College students with nearly $500,000 in financial assistance since he established the Sansing Universal Scholarship in 2002.

But as much as the financial assistance is appreciated and needed, there’s more that Sansing gives to the “Sansing Scholars.” 

“The scholarships mean so much to us,” said Sansing Scholar Emily Wade, who is studying accounting at PSC. “But it’s more than that. To have someone believe in you is important. It helps you focus more on your goals and gives you that extra drive and determination.” 

Wade was one of 10 Sansing Scholars from 2020 and 2021 who attended a pizza luncheon with Sansing on Monday, Oct. 18, at the PSC Pensacola campus.

Sansing inspired the scholars with bits of his own life story and shared anecdotes of determination that helped forge a strong work ethic.
Reunion attendees, left to right: A.J. "Pete" Peters, Master Sergeant, USMC, Retired; Tom Mulloy, Captain, USMC, Retired; John Marley, Major, USMC, Retired; Geralyn LaPorte; Ace LaPorte, Major, USMC, Retired; Chip Castaing, Colonel, USMC, Retired.
U.S. Marines land in city for Pensacola Junior College reunion
Throughout the 1960s and continuing until the mid-1970s, small waves of active duty U.S. Marines would land at then-Pensacola Junior College each semester. 

Some had been fighting in the Vietnam War not long before arriving at PJC. Some would go to Vietnam after attending the College. They were here as part of the U.S. Marine Corps Associate Degree Program, a federal program that paid for and encouraged Marines to earn an associate degree. There was a similar program for U.S. Navy personnel. 

PJC, now Pensacola State College, was the first college selected for the program, which was discontinued after Congress rescinded funding in 1975.

A few alumni from that last 1974-1975 class returned to Pensacola last month for a reunion.  

“We received a top-notch education with some great instructors,’’ said retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Ace LaPorte, who moved back to Pensacola in 1992 with his wife, Geralyn. “The school was very good to us.”

PSC Associate in Science Nursing Program (RN) earns reaccreditation through spring 2029
Pensacola State College solidified its long-standing reputation of academic excellence by earning ongoing national reaccreditation for the Nursing RN Associate in Science Degree Program through 2029. 

Observers for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN) visited the College’s Registered Nursing program in February and notified administrators in September that reaccreditation was granted. The RN program was initially accredited in February 2008.

The next site visit to the College by ACEN observers of the RN program will be in spring 2029.

ACEN also awarded reaccreditation to the Practical Nursing Vocational Certificate Program earlier this year. The next observer visit for that program will be in fall 2028. PSC’s celebrated RN-to-BSN online program remains accredited by ACEN until the agency releases the results in spring 2022 of its recent PSN BSN site visit which occurred last month.  

In January, U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs 2021 Edition,” ranked Pensacola State’s online BSN program second among Florida College System institutions. 

“Accreditation is a form of objective peer review,’’ said Erin Spicer, the College’s Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “There are printed standards and the visiting team reviews the program and the College to ensure that we are meeting those standards. It’s a form of quality assessment and quality assurance.” 

Dusti Sluder, PSC Dean of Health Sciences, said remaining accredited has tangible meaning for students. She said that financial aid eligibility often depends on the program earning specialized accreditation.

“That really benefits the students,’’ Sluder explained. “And it’s important for our nursing programs to meet those quality standards that are required for accreditation.” 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 1.1 million new nurses will be needed nationwide next year. 

A recent report commissioned by the Florida Hospital Association and Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida estimated that Florida will be short of 59,100 nurses by 2035, the majority of which are registered nurses.

— Troy Moon
Meet Amanda Turner, Associate Dean of Enrollment Management
Amanda Turner greets folks with a warm smile and a friendly spirit. She gives off a welcoming vibe that seems to be a perfect fit for her new position as Pensacola State College’s Associate Dean of Enrollment Management.  

She’s in charge of admissions, recruitment and the PSC call center – basically, she wants to welcome as many new students to the College as possible. That’s a lot easier when you have a welcoming personality.

“It’s all about making connections,’’ said Turner, who started in her new position in early October. “Connections are the biggest key. We need to really be able to sell our story. We have so much to offer to the community, whether it’s through our college credit programs that prepares students for transfer to continue their education, or through the workforce programs where students can earn the credentials and skills to go into the workforce, allowing them to provide meaningful support for their families. We’re sitting on a gold mine.”

Turner said PSC has other “selling points” as well. 

“This is not a large state university,’’ Turner said. “It’s a smaller institution where students can receive more individual attention. My first impression of the College is that it’s a great place to be. Everyone I have met here cares about students and wants to do what needs to be done to serve the students and make the institution a success through service to the residents of our area.”

Most recently, Turner served as Vice President of Enrollment Management at Hennepin Technical College in Minnesota. She was also Dean of Enrollment Services at Triton College in Illinois and a Counselor at the Texas Academy of Leadership in Humanities at Lamar University. 

Turner, a first-generation college student, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University. She earned a Master of Social Work and a Doctorate in Higher Education from Florida State University. 

She accepted the position at PSC because she wanted to be closer to her family, most of whom live in Alabama. Turner is a Selma, Alabama native. 

Turner said service is important in her life. 

That’s why her degree path took her from psychology to social work to higher education. 

“It’s a great opportunity to still be in a position to be of service to others,’’ Turner said. “We’re in the business of educating people and helping them prepare for their futures. That’s an important role.” 

Erin Spicer, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, said Tuner will be a valuable asset to the College. 

“Dr. Turner brings a wealth of experience in enrollment management and I am glad that she has joined the PSC team,” Spicer said. “She will be focusing on recruiting and admission efforts and will guide work aimed at meeting enrollment goals. Her experience in and knowledge of issues related to enrollment management will be of great benefit to the College.”

— Troy Moon
WSRE to help kick off Pensacola Winterfest with Festival of Trees
WSRE will help kick off the holiday season this year with the PBS station’s first Festival of Trees, a benefit for the WSRE-TV Foundation, taking place Nov. 26–28 at the Museum of Commerce in the Pensacola Historic District. 

Trees and wreaths, decorated by local designers, will be on display throughout the museum’s turn-of-the-century street scene and available for purchase through online auction bidding. Admission is free. 

The WSRE Festival of Trees has been scheduled in conjunction with the kickoff of Pensacola Winterfest and will be located next to the Cajun Christmas performance in Historic Pensacola Village. 

For sponsorship information or to inquire about contributing a tree or wreath design, contact Tracie Hodson at 850-484-1246.
Pensacola State College students and staff receive 30 percent off at JC Penney during second annual ‘Suit Up Event’ Oct. 22-24
All Pensacola State College students and staff will receive 30 percent off clothes, shoes, and accessories during the three-day “Suit Up” event at JC Penney at University Town Plaza on Davis Highway. 

PSC personnel can get the discount at the store or online from Oct. 22-24. PSC folks must text “Pirates” to 67292 to get the 30-percent discount coupon on their phone, which can then be used for the online or in-store discount.

Last year, about 200 Pirates participated in the first PSC “Suit Up” event. 

“It was really good, and so many students and faculty came out and bought nice things,” said Deborah Hooks, PSC Career and Technical Education director and event coordinator. “It’s a really good deal. A lot of students don’t have the best clothes to wear for job interviews and this can help them.” 

Hooks hopes the event will send graduates to their job interviews with a little more confidence and style.

“When you go to a job interview, you are being looked at from head to toe,” Hooks said. “First impressions are everything.”

The Davis Highway JC Penney is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Oct. 23. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24.

Online shoppers can go to www.jcpenney.com. 
On this Veterinary Technicians Week, we celebrate and appreciate our hard-working technicians. Reminder: The PSC Veterinary Technology Program Open House, 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, Building 3200 of the Warrington Campus.
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.
High School Senior Night, 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26.
Recruiting and Admissions will be on hand to help with applications.
Educational Opportunity Center reps for 2022-2023 FASFA.
Campus tours by Student Ambassadors.
Plenty of PSC swag and goodies!
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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