PANAMA CITY — A Florida State University program in Panama City won a grant of more than $100,000 from the St. Joe Community Foundation.
The university’s Advancement of Science and Professional Education in New Technologies program has accepted a $135,490 grant that it says will strive to generate interest in technology, data security and cybersecurity among middle and high school students.
A check presentation made Tuesday at the Bay District School Board meeting with members of the St. Joe Community Foundation and FSU Panama City’s ASCENT program.
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“We are very pleased with this generous donation from St. Joe on the ASCENT program,” said Randy Hanna, dean of FSU Panama City. “The foundation is a wonderful network of spouses with a demonstrated commitment to education. “
The ASCENT program aims to develop the skills and wisdom of computer science within the Florida Panhandle. This includes expanding education and IT opportunities with the primary goal of strengthening collaborations to expand IT skills, opportunities and careers in the region.
“This grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation directly supports local teachers and FSU Panama City in generation clubs incorporated into the investment,” said Larry Dennis, ASCENT program director. Experiment with the PC generation, expand your computer skills, and discover exciting career and educational opportunities. “
In addition to Dennis, the university’s ASCENT program team, Suzanne Remedies, program administrator; Beverly Nelson, Director of Home Education and Informal Programs; Heidi Gentry-Kolen, curriculum development assistant; Grant Macdonnell, Chief Information Officer; Denise Newsome, Director of K12 Youth Initiatives; and Ebe Randeree, Project Manager.
Established in 1999, the St. Joe Community Foundation awards grants to 501c(3) organizations in the spaces of education, environmental stewardship, building communities and systems that honor the cultural arts.
“Our project is to help enrich the quality of life for everyone in Northwest Florida,” said April Wilkes, executive director of St. Wilkes. Petersburg. Joe Community Foundation. Al supporting systems that provide educational opportunities in our community, such as FSU PC’s ASCENT program, we are equipping today’s academics with the skills they will want to find wonderful jobs and become the local business leaders of tomorrow. “
The grant will provide education and certification to scholars and teachers in generation and cybersecurity.
“Technical and vocational education (CTE) plays a critical role in ensuring our students are ready for the real-world responsibilities they face after graduation,” said Bay District School Superintendent Bill Husfelt. “CTE courses and clubs provide students with valuable amusements and the opportunity to explore a plethora of other career paths while still in middle and high school. We know this priceless fun will pay dividends later in life and we are incredibly grateful to everyone involved in this project. “
For more information about ASCENT, pc. fsu. edu/ascent. Local nonprofits can apply for grants through St. Joe Community Foundation. Learn more about JoeFoundation. com.