CF Garners Prestigious Awards in 2023, Setting New Standards for Academic Excellence

The College of Central Florida proudly announces a string of notable achievements in 2023, highlighting its commitment to academic excellence, innovation and community impact. These accolades serve as a testament to the unwavering dedication of the college’s faculty, staff and students, and the pivotal role played by its community partners.

“We are thrilled to share the news of CF’s outstanding achievements in 2023 and are humbled by the recognitions we’ve received,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “As we look ahead, we are inspired to build upon these accomplishments, further strengthening our impact on our students and the community.”

List of awards and recognitions achieved by the College of Central Florida in 2023:

• CF was recognized by Aspen Institute as one of the Top 150 colleges in the nation for quality and excellence. It is the sixth time that CF has made this prestigious list.
• CF was once again noted for being in the top 1% in the nation for affordability.
• CF has received historical state support for academic programs and the college mission, allowing the continuation of the largest workforce expansion in the history of the college.
• The Citrus County Hospital Board committed up to $5 million to the CF Foundation for the college to apply for matching Linking Industry to Nursing Education support. This is the second year in a row that the board has given a seven-figure gift to aid CF’s Nursing program, allowing the college to meet the regional and statewide demand for nurses.
• A ribbon-cutting for Allied Health Sciences took place in March. The new building is home to Surgical Services, Cardiovascular Technology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology programs. Respiratory Care will be added at the Ocala Campus, as well as CF’s Citrus Campus.
• A groundbreaking for the new CF Center for Nursing was held in September, in partnership with Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership. The $20 million capital expansion project will serve 325 nursing students in associate and bachelor’s degree programs upon opening in 2025.
• CF’s Associate Degree Nursing program was recognized as 2023 Best Registered Nursing Program in Florida by RegisteredNursing.com.
• In April, CF’s Nursing program was renamed as the CF Debbie Ressler Nursing Program to honor the retired RN who served Citrus County for many years.
• In a new partnership with FleetForce, CF is now offering a commercial truck driving program at the Ocala Campus.
• CF was selected as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, providing Amazon’s hourly employees access to all 170+ of CF’s degree and certificate programs.
• Seven outstanding CF students were named to the Florida College System 2023 All-Florida Academic Team in the spring. The esteemed recognition was based on academic performance, leadership and community service.
• The CF Baseball team won the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series in June, capping off the greatest season in school history and bringing home CF’s first baseball national championship. The CF Softball team won the Mid-Florida conference for the fifth consecutive year, and the CF Cross-Country team wrapped up the season with several records.
• CF’s Dental Hygiene program was launched in the fall after a $1.4 million renovation at The Hampton Center. The college is looking forward to welcoming the community to the dental clinic with an open house in the spring.
• CF Communications Professor Lori Witkowich was honored with the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award by the Florida Association for Student Success.
• CF Engineering Professor Sam Ajlani was recognized with the National Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award by the American Association of Community Colleges. The award recognizes instructors who go above and beyond to help their students find academic success.
• CF Engineering Technology Instructional Assistant Chris Kromke received the 2023 Advanced Technological Education Award of Excellence by the National Science Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges for a series of projects he developed during his time as both a student and employee at the college.
• One of CF’s Teacher Education students, Gavin Alexander Riley-Morales, was selected to represent the college on the Florida Department of Education Articulation Coordinating Committee. He will advise on the Associate in Arts to bachelor’s degree transfer student experience.
• CF’s Collegiate Academy was launched in the fall in partnership with Marion County Public Schools. The new program expands dual enrollment opportunities beyond the Associate in Arts to include Associate in Science pathways — all at no cost to the student or family.
• In November, Distinguished CF Alumni Mary Sue Rich was honored with the Association of Florida Colleges LeRoy Collins Hometown Hero Award.
• CF was recognized by Statista, in collaboration with Newsweek, as one of America’s Top Online Colleges 2024. The ranking highlighted only 200 colleges nationwide and was based on surveys of student satisfaction.