Excelsior unveils immersive learning

ST. PETERSBURG — Excelsior University has plans to enhance the institution’s online education offerings with immersive in-person learning opportunities.

Excelsior is currently enrolling students in several degree programs for classes beginning Jan. 5.

“The new St. Petersburg site offers hands-on learning and lab space for students in these vital fields, a brick-and-mortar complement to the institution’s history of innovation in distance and online education,” officials said.

Health care programming plans to have open enrollment in early 2026.

For more info, visit excelsior.edu.

SPC sets Debt-Free Degree program

St. Petersburg College will host several Debt-Free Degree informational sessions, online and in-person on three campuses.

Attendees can apply to SPC for free and get help with financial aid, scholarships, grants and FAFSA.

Online sessions will be offered Wednesday, Nov. 5, 6-6:30 p.m.

On-campus sessions include those set for 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, on the St. Petersburg/Gibbs campus; Thursday, Nov. 6, on the Tarpon Springs campus; and Wednesday, Nov. 12, on the Clearwater campus.

For more info, see spcollege.edu.

Veterans Florida, SPC partner 

For the third year, St. Petersburg College and Veterans Florida are partnering to offer the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program, an initiative designed to help veterans transform their military experience into successful business ventures.

Funded by Veterans Florida, the free, 6- to 8-week learning program highlights the fundamentals of launching and growing a business. It connects state business leaders with participants seeking to become entrepreneurs and offers veterans valuable resources such as workshops, online training, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

The program supports SPC’s mission of offering noncredit, short-term workforce programs that help students find better jobs, lead better lives and strengthen their communities.

The program will be offered twice during SPC’s 2025-2026 academic year: one in fall 2025 and another in spring 2026. The first course will take place at SPC’s Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St., beginning Nov. 1, and the second will be held at The Greenhouse in St. Petersburg, 440 Second Ave. N., starting in March 2026.

Veterans in the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey — whether developing a business concept or seeking support to grow a new venture — are encouraged to apply at stpe.co/VFEP.

For more information, contact Greta Kishbaugh at Kishbaugh.Greta@spcollege.edu or Meghan Cottrell at Cottrell.Meghan@spcollege.edu.