Florida SouthWestern State College will host its annual fall open house with a Halloween twist at the Collier Campus on Oct. 28, inviting prospective students and families to explore campus life while enjoying festive, family-friendly activities.
For the first time, FSW’s marketing department has combined the open house, PreView FSW, with the popular Boo-ccaneer Bash — complete with haunted hallways and candy — to create an engaging event for the entire community.
Campus offerings
The celebration also highlights the Collier campus’ clubs and academic programs, including associate of arts and associate of science degrees, certifications and seamless credit transfer options to larger universities.
“We have opportunities for students to fulfill whatever their academic journey is,” George Harvey, Collier campus director, said.
The college also offers several bachelor’s degrees, including programs in business, computer science, nursing and elementary education.
The event will showcase these fields through interactive activities, with tables and booths featuring program information, technology and equipment for prospective students to explore.
“It’s really interactive and it’s really an opportunity to talk to people that are already there,” Program Marketing Specialist Nelly Perez said. “They get to know the staff, faculty and advisors. So, that’s nice for new students.”
Clubs will also be featured at the event, including Student Government Association, National Students Nursing Association Collier, Phi Theta Kappa and Gaming Club.
Students check in for PreView FSW during the fall open house.
Florida SouthWestern State College
Student Government President Rhode Cauxte hopes to highlight the clubs currently active on campus and let prospective students know they can start their own.
“One of the things we’re going to focus on during PreView FSW is saying, ‘If none of these clubs interest you — what would interest you? What do you want to create?’” Cauxte said. “It’s really about helping students realize they can bring variety to campus, too.”
Admissions, financial aid and advising staff will be available to answer any student questions. Admissions staff will also offer Instant Decision services, allowing qualified students to apply and receive an admissions decision on the spot. If students decide to apply at PreView FSW, the application fee is waived.
“We just need a high school transcript to say that they will be graduating, or they have graduated,” Harvey said. “They can go home and say, ‘I’m a college student, what about you?’”
When touring the campus, students will notice the small class sizes, which allow for more personalized interaction with professors.
“Compared to bigger colleges, when you email your professor last minute, they respond because they don’t have too many emails,” Cauxte said. “They’re able to notice when students are having difficulties. They’ll reach out because they have a smaller class to focus on.”
FSW programs and clubs set up informational booths to share opportunities with prospective students during PreView FSW.
Florida SouthWestern State College
Focused on growth
Currently, FSW’s admission rate is up by more than 9%. Harvey has been working to keep this positive trend going by visiting several local high schools — including Beacon High School Naples and Immokalee locations — to share what FSW has to offer.
He understands that many of these students never imagined college could be an option for them. Now, he’s giving them tours of the campus and helping them envision a future in higher education.
“These students are students who would not have thought they could go to college. I’ve been meeting one-on-one with students who are coming here and giving them a tour, and I’m talking to them about FSW. That excites me,” Harvey said.
If students could take away one thing from the combined event, he said, he wants them to know that FSW is a viable option for them.
“They have the opportunity to transform their life for their future goals. No matter what those goals are, they have a chance to do that in a safe environment. That’s what FSW offers, a safe environment for students to grow,” Harvey said.
For more information about PreView FSW, visit fsw.edu/openhouse.