Gulf Coast State College

Welcome @CCTrustees to the #1 state in the nation for higher education, workforce education and attracting and developing a skilled workforce. Through our @FLCollegeSystem, Florida has built a transformative model for expanding opportunity while keeping postsecondary education affordable and delivering incredible career outcomes for students and families. Enjoy your time @MDCollege and in the Free State of Florida!

Having guardians in schools is one of the most effective ways to ensure highly trained personnel are in place to respond to an active assailant. HB 757 extends the guardian program to postsecondary institutions, ensuring students have access to safe and secure learning environments. Thank you @michellesalzman and Senator Don Gaetz for leading this important effort to strengthen school safety at Florida’s colleges and universities.

Florida is celebrating CTE Month with a major milestone. Under @GovRonDeSantis’ bold leadership, our state reached #1 in Workforce Education — five years ahead of schedule.

Today, @GovRonDeSantis awarded more than $20 million through the LINE program to strengthen nursing education across Florida. This investment supports student scholarships, faculty recruitment and retention incentives and robust hands-on training at our state colleges. The Free State of Florida leads the nation in workforce education and building a strong nursing pipeline is one of the many ways we are achieving this!

On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we honor the brave officers who keep our communities safe. Are you ready to serve? In 2024-25, 24 @FLCollegeSystem institutions trained 1,800+ new officers in the Sunshine State. Learn more at bit.ly/4qmBgSo

The Floridians First Budget Proposal provides $300M for the Safe Schools Allocation, which is an increase of $10M compared to last year! Highlights include $64M for school hardening in higher education and $6M for state colleges and universities to establish Guardian Programs. @GovRonDeSantis continues to prioritize secure learning environments statewide!

The Floridians First Budget Proposal allocates $1.9B to the @FLCollegeSystem, ensuring that all 28 colleges have the resources to strengthen programs and prepare students for high-demand careers. In addition, the budget bolsters $800M in workforce education. Since 2019, Florida has invested $12B+ remaining #1 in workforce readiness.

Thanks to the strong leadership of @FLCollegeSystem Presidents and Trustees, students in every ZIP code have access to high-quality, affordable education delivered by outstanding faculty. Florida Colleges are committed to preparing students for high-wage, in-demand careers and building a brighter future for Florida’s economy.

Proud of our @FLCollegeSystem basketball teams for their impressive rankings. The Great 28 continue to excel both in the classroom and on the court, showcasing the strength of our academic, workforce, and athletic programs. I’ll be cheering on all of our teams throughout the NJCAA basketball season!

.@GovRonDeSantis continues to prioritize the @FLCollegeSystem and workforce education. His 2026-27 budget allocates $1.9 billion in state funding for the FCS to strengthen programs that prepare students for high-wage, in-demand careers. The budget also provides $800 million in workforce education with $20 million specifically designated to create or expand apprenticeships and preapprenticeships.

I had the opportunity to speak with presidents and trustees at the @FLCollegeSystem Legislative Fly-In about the critical role our colleges play in delivering high-quality workforce education in safe, secure learning environments. I emphasized the importance of holding professors accountable for the content in their classrooms and the continued partnership needed to keep Florida #1 in higher education and workforce development.

The @FLCollegeSystem serves nearly 680,000 students across the 28 colleges, fueling Florida’s workforce with high-quality, career-focused education. In 2024–25 alone, students earned 135,000+ degrees, certificates and industry certifications. With open enrollment and low costs to attend, the FCS delivers opportunity for every community in Florida and exceptional value at a fraction of the cost of the state universities.