NEWS RELEASE — The University of West Florida Innovation Institute is leading Complete Florida, a legislatively funded online program for adults who have earned some college credit but dropped out before earning a degree.

Read more about the Innovation Institute's plans in this Progress+Promise story.

By 2018, approximately 59 percent of the jobs in Florida will require postsecondary credentials beyond a high school diploma. With this in mind, the State University System of Florida, the Florida College System and the Florida Legislature have made it a priority to increase the percentage of Floridians with a postsecondary credential. Complete Floridaaddresses this critical gap in our postsecondary landscape, with priority given to veterans and active duty military.

“Complete Florida’s goal is to get adults back to school and help them meet their educational and professional goals through personalized coaching, concierge-based wraparound support systems and accelerated program completion,” said Dr. Pam Northrup, executive director of UWF Innovation Institute. “Ultimately, we want to connect graduates with job opportunities in Florida.”

Complete Florida offers more than 50 fully online, flexible and accelerated degree programs and certificates ranging from information technology to health care to business. Currently, 11 state and private institutions in Florida have partnered with Complete Florida, including UWF, Barry University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Hodges University, Indian River State College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, St. Petersburg State College, St. Thomas University, University of Central Florida.

UWF currently offers three degree programs through Complete Florida, including a bachelor's degree in information technology; a bachelor's degree in workforce and program development; and a registered nurse to bachelor's degree in nursing.

Coaching and extensive support systems are hallmarks of the Complete Florida program. Personal coaches act as student advocates working to integrate students’ existing college credit and prior learning experiences into their program of study.

Complete Florida’s personal learning coaches help students fit courses into busy schedules and align skills and interests to programs and jobs, putting them on a personalized path to a college degree.

Scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available for qualified students. For additional information, visitwww.completeflorida.org.

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