MARCH 2024

President's Updates

Spring 2024 Update

The beginning of 2024 and spring have been so busy it’s hard to believe it’s already March.

Our spring semester began with enrollment up for the third consecutive semester. We are enjoying more students on campus. SJR State was recognized as an Aspen Top 150 College and received the Military Friendly designation once again this year. These accolades indicate we are working hard to meet students’ needs and ensure their success. I’m so proud of the commitment our faculty and staff show to our students.

In January, 398 Vikings sprang into service completing 775 hours of community service throughout Clay, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties during our Vikings Days of Service. We also hosted three successful Open Houses, one at each of our campuses. In February at our Palatka Campus, 40 potential students made a personal connection with the campus, our programs, faculty, and staff resulting in 17 new Vikings applications and numerous FAFSA forms were completed.

In March at St. Augustine, we welcomed 102 potential students, not including family members, and 70 of those completed the program passport, indicating they visited at least six program tables. Florida School of the Arts registered three people for auditions, and 26 attendees applied for the summer/fall semesters! In Orange Park, 130 potential students attended the event and 60 applied to become Vikings. We love welcoming prospective students, family, and friends to our campuses.

I’m pleased to announce we are adding five new programs this fall: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Applied Intelligence Studies, Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology, Associate in Science in Computer Programming and Analysis, Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies. We added these programs based on student request and workforce need and are pleased to be the only college in our area offering sonography.

Graduation is just around the corner. May 3, 2024, at 10 a.m., we’ll hold spring commencement. I hope to see you there!

OCTOBER 2023

Fall 2023 Update

As you can see from this photo, we had a great start to the 2023-24 school year at SJR State! Our enrollment is up nine percent this fall compared to last year. The faculty, staff, and I love having more students on campus and attending events like Popcorn with the President.

Many of our students participate in dual enrollment and complete college courses while in high school. Some will graduate high school with an Associate in Arts degree this spring. We have seen a steady increase in dual enrollment and value our partnerships with the school districts in our service area. We’re enjoying welcoming counselors from our partner high schools to campus this fall to learn more about dual enrollment and other opportunities at SJR State.

Usually, summers are a bit slower and quieter around SJR State, but this summer was an exception. If you haven’t heard, our Viking baseball team earned a spot at the NJCAA Division II Junior College World Series for the first time in SJR State history. I had the opportunity to join the team and Coach Jones in Enid, Oklahoma, where our Vikings played their hearts out and made it to the final four. We’re so proud of their athletic accomplishments, but even more proud that they are also scholar athletes maintaining a cumulative team 3.28 GPA, with seven players making the Academic All-American Team.

Another first at SJR State is CDL and heavy equipment operator course offerings. This fall, we partnered with National Training, Inc. in Green Cove Springs to offer Class A and B CDL courses. This is one of many workforce opportunities we’re exploring under the leadership of Dr. Nate Southerland, Assistant Vice President for Workforce Development.

This fall, we are completing our portion of the reaffirmation process for SACSCOC accreditation. I’m pleased to announce the visiting SACSCOC committee had no recommendations for us and used words like “stellar” and “exemplary” to describe our work at SJR State. I must say, I beamed with pride as they talked about our staff and faculty. SJR State reaffirmation will be complete when the final report goes before the SACSCOC Board in June for approval.

You may have seen some Vikings in your community on September 15, for the 2023 Vikings Fall into Service Day. We are pleased to report 189 SJR State employees and students completed 521 hours of service, and we collected 2,557 food and personal care items for distribution to those in need. We’d love for you to see us in action on our college Flickr channel.

It’s clear our school year has begun with a bang, and we have much more to look forward to this fall. I will keep you informed about the great things happening at SJR State in the coming months. Look for your next Viking Vision in January!