President’s Message

Dear Valued Students,

Welcome to Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ)! On behalf of our District Board of Trustees, I am delighted that you have joined our student-centered learning community. Here, you will discover more than 170 educational programs, from adult basic education classes to high-demand bachelor’s degrees. As the community’s college, we facilitate transformational learning opportunities for every student in every phase of their academic journey. Serving the citizens of Duval and Nassau counties, we offer face-to-face, hybrid and online classes at convenient times to meet your busy schedule.

Since 1965, we have prided ourselves on delivering an equitable, high-quality, success-driven learning experience for our diverse community of students. Ranging in age from 12 to 106, our students come from more than 150 countries. Committed to workplace diversity, FSCJ has been recognized by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges. FSCJ has also been designated by Achieving the Dream as a Leader College committed to ensuring access, belonging and success for all students.

Although FSCJ is a large institution with more than 40,000 currently enrolled students, our knowledgeable faculty and staff work diligently to personalize the student learning experience. We believe that every student can achieve their academic dreams and that it is our responsibility to help them accomplish those dreams. We offer a variety of academic and student support services, such as advising, career counseling, tutoring, library assistance and success coaching. To provide a holistic undergraduate education, we offer dozens of student organizations like the STEM Club, Student Government Association and the Anime Club. I encourage you to make the most of your time at FSCJ by embracing these opportunities.

We recognize that sometimes students encounter non-academic barriers to their success. Therefore, we offer the Student Assistance Program whose resources include a 24-hour helpline, in-person counseling with a licensed mental health professional and legal/financial guidance.

At FSCJ, we strive to achieve one fundamental goal: facilitating your academic and career success. When you succeed, we succeed. Both inside and outside the classroom, we stand ready to support you and your learning through our whole-student approach to education.

I invite you to review our College Catalog, which contains information about our faculty-developed programs and courses. As you browse through the catalog, you will also discover guidance about our student services, an appendix with important College policies and a link to the Student Handbook. Please think of the catalog as your guide to a successful college experience, informing you of your program requirements as well as your student rights and responsibilities.

Whether you are beginning your first term in college or returning after many years in the workforce, please know that you are a valued member of the FSCJ family. We enthusiastically welcome you to FSCJ, and we look forward to supporting you throughout your academic journey.

Educationally yours,

John Avendano, Ph.D.

FSCJ College President