St. Petersburg College has launched a $100 million fundraising effort to mark its centennial and strengthen its role as a driver of education and economic opportunity.
The campaign, titled Pathway to Better – The Centennial Campaign of St. Petersburg College, was unveiled during SPC Day, the school’s annual anniversary celebration. The initiative seeks to honor nearly a century of public investment and civic vision that began when local residents founded St. Petersburg Junior College in 1927.
SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams called the campaign a reflection of the college’s continued commitment to shaping lives through education. “SPC is more than a college — it’s a catalyst for opportunity and progress,” she said. “As we approach our centennial, the generosity of our donors fuels a future of better jobs, brighter lives and stronger communities for generations to come.”
Funds raised through the campaign will support scholarships, academic resources and facilities upgrades across SPC’s campuses. The effort also aims to expand workforce training programs that align with regional industry needs.
Former astronaut and SPC alumna Nicole Stott, a member of the honorary campaign committee, said her experience at SPC opened doors she “never imagined — including the path that eventually took me to space.” She described the campaign as a way to ensure future students have the same chance “to dream big, achieve more and transform the world around them.”
A recent independent study by Lightcast underscored the college’s regional influence. For every dollar invested in SPC, the report found, the community gains $13.70 in income and social savings. During the 2022–23 fiscal year, SPC contributed $3.2 billion to the Tampa Bay economy — equal to 1.4% of the region’s total output.
In Pinellas County, the college’s annual impact was measured at $1.8 billion, supporting more than 21,500 jobs. Alumni added $2.9 billion in income and sustained over 31,000 jobs, an effect compared to hosting the Super Bowl eight times. Across the broader region, SPC supports one of every 62 jobs.
Looking forward, the college plans to invest in facilities designed to meet future workforce demands. The centerpiece is the Midtown Industry 4.0 Lab in South St. Petersburg, a new advanced manufacturing training center focused on semiconductors, robotics and automation. The lab is expected to help build a skilled workforce for companies such as Jabil, Honeywell and Lockheed Martin.
The Facilities Master Plan also expands SPC’s nursing program at the Clearwater Campus and Midtown Center to address the region’s growing healthcare needs.
“At SPC, philanthropy drives progress,” said Jesse Turtle, the college’s vice president of institutional advancement in a prepared statement. “Every contribution to the Pathway to Better Campaign directly supports students through scholarships, innovative programs and facilities that reflect the needs of today’s workforce.”
The campaign will carry SPC into its second century as Florida’s first two-year institution and the first state college to offer bachelor’s degrees. Its leaders hope the effort will extend the college’s long-standing legacy of access and opportunity.
Community members and alumni can contribute at spcollege.edu/pathway-to-better