Christian Peterson
reporter@riverbendnews.org
On Monday, Aug. 7, RIVEROAK Technical College, Suwannee County School District Superintendent Ted Roush and Suwannee County School Board members welcomed State Senator Corey Simon and State Representative Jason Shoaf. The individuals as well as educators, media and community leaders gathered together at RIVEROAK Technical College for a check presentation from the two elected officials for RIVEROAK. The check for $4,000,000 from the state of Florida is going to be used to expand RIVEROAK's healthcare training program. Not only will this expand programs across RIVEROAK's campus but it will help address problems in the healthcare needs of area residents, hospitals and other employers. On top of all that, it is expected to triple enrollment in RIVEROAK's healthcare programs.
“The appropriation benefits all postsecondary career certificate programs as additional classroom and laboratory space will allow the college to grow and expand current and future training programs,” principal of RIVEROAK Mary Keen said in a press release. “RIVEROAK will be better poised to generate the talent pool for in-demand careers within the college’s service area and state of Florida.”
Of course, healthcare isn't the only expansion that will happen. The donation allows so many other programs at RIVEROAK to expand. “RIVEROAK's manufacturing, construction and cybersecurity programs will be paramount in serving aerospace and related industries in Florida as the college continues to develop its partnership with Space Florida. The college's current collaboration with Associated Builders and Contractors East Coast will afford opportunities to provide an array of apprenticeship programs through North Florida, Central Florida and the Panhandle.”
Superintendent Roush spoke during the presentation saying, “I, along with our school board, am extremely appreciative of the efforts of Representative Jason Shoaf, Senator Corey Simon, Commissioner Manny Diaz and the support of Governor Ron DeSantis, in our efforts to secure funding for the RIVEROAK Technical College medical programs expansion in the amount of $4,000,000.” He continued, “We are incredibly appreciative for our industry partners, CareerSource, Karin Hoffman and the team at Key Innovative Solutions, Mary Keen, SCSD Director of Career and Technical Education and her team, along with out entire CTE group of stakeholders, who helped formulate and articulate the plans to help make this expansion a reality. This call for funding has answered the need expressed from the medical services industry!”
“We are pushing people into the 21st century economy and we are propelling them to a place where they can earn a great living,” Senator Simon said. “ When you provide career opportunities and training opportunities, you foster that dream and lift those struggling, out of poverty,” Shoaf remarked.
“Thank you, Representative Shoaf and Senator Simon, for your leadership, dedication, and commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in our community. This appropriation will pave the way for countless individuals to access quality healthcare education and positively impact our healthcare industry,” said Mary Keen, Principal of RIVEROAK Technical College.