SPC hosts the Clearwater Community Ambassador Luncheon
The College’s Clearwater Campus holds meetings to talk about post-pandemic opportunities to help students
Area community leaders including representatives from the city of Clearwater and St. Petersburg College are joining forces to identify and support new educational and workforce opportunities for students in a post-pandemic world at the Clearwater Community Ambassador Luncheon on April 17 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at ES 104, Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St., Clearwater.
SPC is hosting the meeting in support of the Community Clearwater Ambassador Program, an initiative spearheaded by campus Provost Dr. Tashika Griffith. Newly elected Mayor of Clearwater Bruce Rector will also be in attendance to support the campus's efforts to address education post-pandemic.
“The educational landscape has changed significantly over the last few years. It’s important for us to convene with our local government and community partners to ensure we’re meeting the current and future academic and workforce needs of the city of Clearwater,” Griffith said.
This effort is also supported by Project GAIN, which gets grant funding from the city of Clearwater. This project accomplishes multiple objectives such as summer bridge programming, student readiness for successful transitions from high school to postsecondary education, and STEM enrichment. Through Project GAIN, students who have fallen behind academically due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have access to evidence-based, innovative, and Clearwater-community-focused programming to help them gain learning in new and imaginative ways through partnership and engagement.
Community colleges suffered enrollment losses during the pandemic, in part because they disproportionately serve low- and middle-income. According to research, students also started choosing jobs over college as employers raised wages to attract workers and fill labor market shortages. However, initiatives such as Project GAIN are helping colleges such as SPC recover, though the conversation still needs to be had as hard work must be done to get to pre-pandemic enrollment numbers.
After the luncheon, Collaborative Labs at SPC will also lead a facilitated experience with a display of their traveling artwork as inspiration. As the Collaborative Labs team approaches its 20th anniversary, they continue to showcase their work as the “consulting arm” of the College. The question for the event will be: “What are some of the ways we can provide supportive measures for all students to obtain postsecondary education that will lead to a high-wage job?”
“Our vibrant city is not only filled with sunshine but also led by compassionate educators and leaders who are committed to aligning students with a strong and supportive framework for academic and future career success,” said Brenda Thompson, Project GAIN Grant Coordinator.
Government officials and SPC faculty and staff are available for interviews at the meeting.
When: Wednesday, April 17
Where: ES 104, Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St., Clearwater
Time: 12:30 - 2 p.m.
More: Networking begins at noon, followed by lunch, a facilitated Collaborative Lab experience, and a forum.