SPC named among nation’s top community colleges
WASHINGTON — St. Petersburg College has been selected as one of 200 community colleges eligible to compete for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s top honor for two-year institutions.
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program chose SPC based on strong performance in student retention, completion rates, transfer success and bachelor’s degree attainment, according to SPC.
“We are honored to be recognized among the top community colleges in the nation,” said Tonjua Williams, SPC president. “This acknowledgment reflects SPC’s commitment to transforming lives through equitable access, student success and workforce innovation.”
The Aspen Prize, established in 2010, recognizes colleges that achieve exceptional student outcomes during and after enrollment.
Over the next 20 months, the 200 eligible colleges will undergo reviews of student outcomes, learning measures, employment results and equity practices. The winner will be announced in spring 2027 after multiple review phases, including semifinalist and finalist designations and campus visits.
SPHA awarded $740K for youth 3D tech
ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Housing Authority has been awarded $740,860 from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to launch the Gulf Futures 3D project. This initiative is designed to introduce cutting-edge 3D technology and immersive learning experiences to youth living in SPHA communities.
The Gulf Futures 3D project will establish 3D technology labs within SPHA communities, allowing youth to engage in scientific exploration. Equipped with 3D printers, virtual reality goggles, and 3D scanners, participants will use 3D technology to address real-world socio-environmental challenges in the Gulf of Mexico region. The program will prepare youth for 21st-century careers while empowering them to design sustainable solutions for their communities.
The projects will be guided by SPHA’s partners, including The Sanderlin Center, SelfCAD, St. Petersburg College, and Tampa Bay Watch.
The National Academies’ Gulf Research Program is an independent, science-based program founded in 2013 as part of legal settlements with the companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Final City Hall On Tour of 2025 to update recovery
ST. PETERSBURG — Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and other city officials will provide an update on the city’s disaster recovery efforts during the final City Hall on Tour of 2025 on Thursday, Nov. 20, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Coliseum.
The meeting will offer residents a chance to meet city officials face-to-face, ask questions and share concerns.
Residents will also get updated on Sunrise St. Pete, a disaster recovery initiative funded by $160 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program will assist with home repair, reconstruction, elevation, and reimbursement of disaster-related expenses.