Government Affairs

Congressman Mills Visits Seminole State
Congressman Mills Visits Seminole State's Sanford/Lake Mary campus to hear about workforce programs (Spring 2023).

Seminole State College's Office of Government Affairs represents the needs of the College by:

  • Developing and monitoring legislative issues that impact Seminole State
  • Regularly visiting and communicating with local and state policymakers, including the governor's staff, legislators, members of the legislative staff and local officials to promote enactment of the College's legislative agenda
  • Gathering information about the impact of proposed Florida legislation
  • Communicating with Seminole State's faculty and staff, as well as the local community, to ensure all College constituents understand the political position of the institution

Federal Legislative Delegation

Senators

Marco Rubio
Rick Scott

Representative

District 7 - Cory Mills

State of Florida Legislative Delegation

State of Florida Legislative Delegation from Seminole State College
Representative David Smith, Senator Jason Brodeur, President Georgia Lorenz, Representative Doug Bankson and Board Chair Bob Cortes (Spring 2023).

Members of the Seminole County legislative delegation visiting the Altamonte Springs Campus to learn about Seminole State’s priorities including a request for a second building to expand our nursing program to meet workforce needs. 

Senator

Senate 10 - Jason Brodeur

Representatives

House 36 - Rachel Plakon
House 37 - Susan Plasencia
House 38 - David Smith
House 39 - Doug Bankson

2024 Legislative Priorities

  1. Workforce, Science & Technology Center
    (Building B), Altamonte Springs $36,050,089
    Senate LFIR# 1116 (Sen. Brodeur); House HSE Form# 1998 (Rep. D. Smith)
    • This request is for year two funding for the construction of Building B. Initial funding in the amount of $4,376,555 was appropriated in 2023.
    • The project will increase capacity for nursing and other healthcare programs which are housed at this campus.
    • This expansion will increase access to healthcare services throughout the region.
    • Degrees offered at this campus include Nursing AS, Nursing BSN, Health Sciences BS, Health Information & Technology AS, Health Services Management AS, Physical Therapy Assistant AS, Respiratory Care AS, and Pharmacy Technician ATD. The college is planning to open new microbiology and medical technician programs on this site as well.
    • These credentials prepare students for high-skilled, high-wage, high-demand jobs in the Orlando region and around the state.
    • Seminole State’s healthcare programs and other efforts to bridge the gaps in STEM education have been recognized by the Aspen Institute and the Siemens Foundation.
    • This year, the nursing program achieved a 98.68% licensure exam passage rate while the Physical Therapy program students had a 100% passage rate. Respiratory Therapy has also been recognized for outstanding licensure rates.
    • The Altamonte Springs campus routinely operates far above its capacity due to the critical healthcare and STEM programs located there.
    • Instructional capacity for math, science, and technology courses, all foundational to careers in healthcare and IT, will also be expanded as a result of this project.
  2. Student Services Center,
    Altamonte Springs $3,022,294
    Senate LFIR# 1115 (Sen. Brodeur); House HSE Form# 1997 (Rep. D. Smith)
    • This request is for year two funding for the remodeling of the Student Services Center. Initial funding in the amount of $377,665 was appropriated in 2023.
    • This project will allow the College to relocate support services for students from the nursing and healthcare programs building to space in an unused facility. This will in turn free up space in the original building for increased capacity in nursing and other healthcare programs.
    • The new space will consolidate student focused services into a one-stop shop model. This will strengthen student support on site and will improve degree completion in the healthcare programs.
    • Currently, especially during peak registration periods, students must now either wait in long lines for assistance or travel to the Sanford/Lake Mary campus for service.
  3. Medical Technology & Microbiology Lab,
    Altamonte Springs $102,792
    Senate LFIR# 1117 (Sen. Brodeur); House HSE Form# 1996 (Rep. D. Smith)
    • This request is for Year 1 funding of the project.
    • Medical Laboratory Technology has been identified as program of strategic emphasis, and CareerSource Central Florida projects a job growth rate for this field of over 15% through 2030. Seminole State College is requesting PECO funding to remodel existing instructional space in its main campus building (Facility 0100) into a vocational lab suitable to provide instruction for this new program. This remodel would include new building infrastructure necessary for lab work and specialized furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
    • The proposed conversion of space would also achieve a secondary benefit to students, as the laboratory specifications necessary for Medical Laboratory Technology align closely with the facility needs required to teach microbiology, a prerequisite course for nursing and related fields.

Legislative Update

  • 2024 Regular Legislative Session convenes - January 9, 2024

Legislative/Government Affairs Internship

In collaboration with the Grindle Honors Institute, the Office of Legal and Government Affairs hosts a legislative / government affairs intern.  The internship gives students an opportunity to study and observe local and state governance and engage in the legislative process.  This program is designed to maximize a student’s exposure to the various components of government and its functions and processes which impact them and the college.  In conjunction with the internship, students also enroll in the honor internship course.  

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