New for Fall: Seminole State plans for full return to campus, ‘next normal’

After more than a year of challenges and changes brought on by COVID-19, Seminole State College of Florida is looking forward to the “next normal” when Fall Term 2021 begins this August. Here’s a look at what’s new for fall.

Completing our Return to Campus

When Fall classes begin Aug. 23, Seminole State will return to full campus operations with more face-to-face classes on all campuses and increased in-person student services and academic support. The College will continue to offer online, remote and hybrid classes and virtual services so students can learn and access services in the way that is most suitable and convenient for them.

To protect the health and safety of the College community while continuing its return to campus, Seminole State has reinstated its COVID-19 safety protocols and strongly recommends vaccinated and unvaccinated faculty, staff, students and visitors wear masks/cloth face coverings when inside campus buildings and classrooms. This is in alignment with the updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, the College encourages everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to seriously consider getting it. Seminole County continues to offer free vaccines for all individuals aged 12 and older in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Full details on the College’s safety protocols and operations for Fall Term are available in the Completing our Return plan.

New Programs and Courses

As Seminole State maintains its commitment to deliver high-quality, affordable education, there are new programs and courses for students starting this fall. Here’s a sampling:

• Automation Certificate: This 12-credit certificate prepares students to advance their education or enter the workforce in the high-demand field of manufacturing. In today’s faced-paced world, businesses need those with the skills to keep their operations running smoothly. With the Automation Certificate, students will be prepared to meet that demand with the skills to maintain and repair complex systems and troubleshoot problems to ensure business efficiency.
• Planet of the Dinosaurs: Who says an interest in dinosaurs in merely child’s play? In this course, the study of these prehistoric creatures is scholarly. Students will be introduced to the time and environment in which dinosaurs lived and explore the process of fossilization. They will also discover how we have learned about these ancient species and review hypotheses explaining their mass extinction.
• Social Justice: With recent events that have made national headlines and led to conversations and movements centered around social justice, helping students understand and address the subject is the focus of this course. Students will examine topics such as privilege and oppression and analyze forms of personal and social action that can lead to change.
• Social Media, Its Environment, Rules and Regulations: Although social media is relatively new in terms of modern communication, it’s everywhere, and it’s here to stay. With millions of users across multiple platforms and a growing number of companies utilizing social media to connect with clients and consumers, there are many issues, including the legal aspects, to consider. In this course, students will learn the impact that emerging technologies and social media platforms are having on the legal system and review the most recent judicial opinions and court decisions related to this technology.

First Year Experience

The first time in college can be overwhelming for anyone, but it doesn’t have to be. At Seminole State, there is new course starting this fall designed to help guide first-time-in-college students who are pursuing an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree through their first-year experience. The new course, First Year Experience Flightpath: Chart Your Course, will allow students to connect to the College’s culture and its collaborative, inclusive and supportive environment. Throughout the course, students will be provided opportunities to develop meaningful interactions with faculty, staff and peers through collaborative and professional exchanges of ideas. First, students will learn about Seminole State’s history and what it means to be a Seminole State Raider. Next, they will research various careers aligned with their interests, strengths and goals; design their career and educational plans; and become aware of internships and extracurricular activities in their chosen field of study. Finally, students will learn to develop a growth mind-set, how to enhance their own self-advocacy, and how to find and evaluate information – all behaviors that maximize student success. The course will be offered in Full, A and B sessions this fall.

Admissions Chatbot

Seminole State is also making it easier for prospective and current students to find answers to frequently asked questions related to the College’s admissions process with a new admissions chatbot. With the chatbot, students can find information about residency requirements, important dates, campus locations, tuition and fees, ordering transcripts and much more. The admissions chatbot will be available on the College’s Become a Student website this fall.

Navigate: College Simplified

Whether students are just starting college or are preparing to graduate, Seminole State has a new resource to help students navigate college life. Navigate is students’ free, step-by-step guide to the college experience at Seminole State from orientation to graduation. The pilot launch is expanding to more students this fall, including those who enroll in the First Year Experience course, but all students are encouraged to learn about Navigate now so they’ll be ready when the official launch begins in Spring 2022. With the Navigate app, students will be able to easily schedule appointments with their advisors, manage to-do items, access student resources, view their class schedules and much more – all in one place. It’s another part of Seminole State’s effort to support student success and to keep them on the pathway to completing courses and earning credentials.

Laptop Loaner Program

With many students choosing to study remotely, having access to the proper technology to do so is more important than ever. The College is preparing to help students with a new Laptop Loaner Program starting this fall. Through the program, about 200 laptops will be available initially for students to check out from the College’s libraries for a full academic term. Hundreds more laptops will be added as the program continues. Laptops will be available on a first-come-first-served basis when the program begins, and students will be required to complete a loan agreement for the laptops. Information about the Laptop Loaner Program will be posted on library’s website under “Laptops” and will be available soon. 

New Health and Wellness Services for Students

The College recognizes that health and wellness are important for academic success and personal development and is dedicated to providing quality healthcare for students as simply and conveniently as possible. New for Fall Term, medical telehealth services and expanded mental health services will be offered for currently enrolled students. The telehealth service, offered through Virtual Care Group, is a free service funded through student activity and service fees and includes unlimited telehealth calls. Healthcare insurance is not required. Telehealth services began Aug. 1. Students enrolled in Fall Term classes can learn more and complete the registration form for Virtual Care Group telehealth at seminolestate.edu/telehealth.

Additionally, collaborative efforts with Aspire Health Partners broaden the scope and efficacy of mental health support services available to students beginning this fall. Two Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) will be based on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. Services provided include a comprehensive intake assessment, six counseling sessions, and a psychiatric examination and medical management check if needed. This partnership strengthens and fosters the ability to integrate mental health promotion and prevention throughout the College community. Seminole State’s Academic Advising and Counseling department is committed to serving the holistic needs of its students. Enrolled students can schedule an appointment either directly with an Aspire counselor or through the Seminole State College counseling team.

Raider Center Opening Soon

The Raider Center, the newly renovated building H, on our Sanford/Lake Mary Campus has been open to Raider athletes this summer, but it is set to officially open to students, faculty and staff this fall. The 26,000-square-foot space houses Raider Athletics, a basketball court, weight room, fitness area, locker rooms, meeting rooms, and offices for athletics and recreation staff to meet the wellness and fitness needs of the College community.

The official opening date and hours of operation are being finalized. Updates will be posted on seminolestateraiders.com.

Register Now

Registration for Fall Term is underway with classes beginning Aug. 23. Additional 12-Week and B Session classes start Sept. 13 and Oct. 18 respectively. To learn more about Seminole State and how to enroll, visit seminolestate.edu/go.