This Month's Focus: Education
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Dr. Sarah Pappas
President, Manatee Community College
Where are you from?
I was born in Puerto Rico and lived in Cuba and Mexico before coming with my family to the U.S. when I was 13. I went to high school in New Jersey, then on to Penn State University.
What job would we be surprised to learn you’ve had in the past?
I was a hotel maid at a dude ranch in Wyoming when I was 20.
[learn more about Dr. Pappas]
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INVESTOR PROFILE
Manatee Community College
Fall means back to school at Manatee Community College (MCC). The 53- year old institution is the oldest in the region and now spans three campuses with more than 10,000 degree seeking students.
"Success is measured in how we fulfill our mission, which is growing in the way your community needs us to grow," said Dr. Sarah Pappas, MCC president.
According to Dr. Pappas, our community continues to need more nurses and to fill that demand, MCC tripled the number of nursing graduates in the past five years from just over 100 to more than 320. In addition, MCC contributes to the pool of dental hygienists, occupational and physical therapists, and educators. [more]
BUSINESS RESOURCE: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Manatee Community College supports a partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which Carolyn Griffin, assistant director, describes as, “a nationwide network of centers that provide assistance to small businesses.” The SBDC provides counseling in business planning, finance and marketing issues for new and existing entrepreneurs. For the first half of the year more than 600 counseling hours were logged by the SBDC. Regular workshops are offered at the chambers in Venice, Sarasota and North Port. Corporate and community development provides workforce solutions, personal enrichment and professional development opportunities to residents of Manatee and Sarasota counties. During 2006-07, more than 13,600 students were served in these types of classes, many of them offsite.
Visit the SBDC online to learn how it might be of assistance to you.
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EDC WELCOMES NEW INVESTORS
The EDC is pleased to announce the following new Investors:
Global Financial Advisory (Chairman's Advisor)
Jon F. Swift, Inc. (Corporate Sponsor)
Lutgert Insurance (Supporter)
Stantec, Inc. (Supporter)
[Investor Directory]
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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ABUNDANT IN SARASOTA COUNTY
Sarasota County enjoys a higher-than average educational attainment ranking, a quality school system and numerous post-secondary institutions.
The following local colleges and universities enjoy national and international reputations, and play a significant role in workforce development and the transfer of new technologies and innovation to the private sector:
Argosy University
Eckerd College
Florida State University (regional medical school campus/ Asolo Conservatory
Keiser University
Manatee Community College
New College of Florida
Ringling College of Art and Design
Sarasota County Technical Institute
University of South Florida (Sarasota-Manatee)
Webster University
Related resources for your business:
-Workforce Training Grants
-EDC Workforce Services
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LOCATION MANAGERS SCOUT SARASOTA COUNTY
The Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office hosted location managers from Hollywood, CA for a three-day familiarization tour of Sarasota County. In search of our area's most unique offerings, the group visited area landmarks, business districts and neighborhoods in Englewood, North Port, Venice and Sarasota.
The purpose of the tour, which was underwritten by local sponsors, was to convince the visiting location managers, responsible for identifying shooting locations and managing on-site operations, to consider Sarasota County for their feature films, commercials and other new media projects.
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Location managers explore Sarasota County's natural treasurers. Many in the group were pleasantly surprised to find the jungle-like atmosphere of Myakka State Park.
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Here's what they had to say about our community:
“What a fantastic tour you and your team organized for us – it really was a tour of discovery, as I had absolutely no idea what Sarasota had to offer. I hope we will work together very soon!” Michelle Latham
“Just a quick note to thank you, your team and everyone we met in Sarasota. It was a very enlightening and enjoyable experience. I hope I will be able to return the favor by bringing a film to Sarasota County.” J.J. Hook
“What a great region for filming, what great people – I loved everything from Venice to Laurel Park and everything in between.” Kathy McCurdy
[related news coverage]
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CELEBRATE GREEN LIVING AT E-FEST SATURDAY Nov. 17
Take advantage of the beautiful weekend weather and attend Efest 2007 on Saturday, November 17 at the Sarasota Polo Grounds in Lakewood Ranch. Admission is free and the doors open at 9:30am.
The event will feature170 exhibitors in the Green-N-Healthy Expo, five major bands and a total of 14 entertainers performing live on the main stage beginning at 10:15am, more than 15 activities/performances in the children's eco-village, 20 food vendors, a beer and wine garden with more than a dozen flavors, a coffee and tea tent, and more than 50 eco-art entries in the Trash to Treasures Eco-Art Contest.
For more information about this event, visit the Efest website.
