The College of Central Florida invites the community to the fiercely hilarious live musical production of “Mean Girls,” on stage April 9-12 at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

CF is one of the first colleges to stage the Tony Award-nominated musical adapted from Tina Fey’s hit 2004 film that takes a deep dive into the popularity pecking order of suburban high school.

“It’s exciting for our students to take on a show this advanced,” said RJ Magee, CF associate professor of theatre and the musical’s director. “There’s tons of singing and dancing, set and scene changes. We’re really proud of this very professional effort, and it’s truly an interdisciplinary project, with participants and faculty from the entire visual and performing arts department and students from all different academic pathways.”

The cast of 24 students on stage will be supported by many other students in technical and backstage roles. Dr. Jason Longtin, professor of music and department chair for visual and performing arts, is the show’s music director; dance instructor Justine McDaniel is the choreographer; Abigail Stallings, assistant professor of digital media, is the costume designer; and Allen Venezio, associate professor of music, directs the orchestra.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 9-11, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-CF students and can be purchased at cf.universitytickets.com or by calling 352-873-5810. Tickets are free for CF students, faculty and staff with valid I.D. For more information about CF Visual and Performing Arts events, visit CF.edu/Arts.

The College of Central Florida is in the midst of its largest workforce education expansion, and is proud to contribute to Florida’s achievement as the No. 1 state in the nation for workforce education. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Feb. 17 that the milestone has fulfilled Executive Order 19-31 five years ahead of the 2030 goal. The governor’s more than $12 billion commitment to workforce education supports many of the industry-driven, high-demand career pathways that CF offers for local students.

“We are proud to say that College of Central Florida graduates get jobs, not debt,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “Thanks to support from Governor DeSantis, Commissioner of Education Kamoutsas, and our state legislators, the unprecedented growth of our workforce education programs is a win-win-win for students, employers and residents of the Marion-Citrus-Levy tricounty area. As the partnership college, we benefit from strong local support, and CF has received more than $31 million from local industry to supplement legislative funding over the past five years.”

The opening of CF’s completely renovated Allied Health Sciences building in 2023 was just the start of a facilities expansion for the workforce training programs that drive our local economy. The brand-new AdventHealth Center for Nursing opened in early 2025. This April, CF will reopen the renovated Building 19, the new home for its award-winning Emergency Medical Services programs. Later this year, the college will premier its Advanced Manufacturing Center, funded by a $4.9 million Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant from the Florida Legislature. Also this year, CF will break ground for a brand-new Center for Criminal Justice. The college’s Center for Agricultural Innovation at Vintage Farm has received half the needed funding from the state legislature to move forward with construction of a new $9.8 million Center for Agricultural Sciences.

Enrollment in CF’s workforce education programs has increased by 25% in the past seven years, and the addition of new programs gives students more opportunities than ever to train for the careers that are in high demand with local employers. CF launched new programs in Hospitality and Tourism, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Network Security in fall 2025 to prepare graduates for success with our area’s top employers. The Artificial Intelligence Awareness certificate program now in its first semester provides students with the technical and analytical skills needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of AI. And, this fall, CF will begin Florida’s first Associate in Science degree in Precision Agriculture, designed to prepare the high-tech agribusiness workforce of the future and strengthened by statewide support by UF-IFAS.

In his announcement, Gov. DeSantis noted the strength of our state’s educational structure.

“Florida has built an education system that delivers outcomes, opens doors to high-wage careers, and strengthens our state’s long-term prosperity. Workforce education is a crucial part of this effort,” said Gov. DeSantis. “We made historic investments in the career and technical education pathways that help young people prepare for in-demand jobs and attract investment our state. Florida is now the No. 1 state in the country for workforce education – years ahead of the 2030 target I set in my Executive Order.”

Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas regularly champions workforce education.

“Florida’s rise to the No. 1 state in the nation for workforce education is no accident. It reflects Governor DeSantis’ vision and strategic investment in expanding workforce pathways for students,” said Commissioner Kamoutsas. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has built a workforce education system that delivers outcomes, opens doors to high-wage careers, and strengthens the state’s long-term economic success.”

A $2.3 million gift from the Marion County Hospital District to the College of Central Florida Foundation completes the funding needed for CF’s new AdventHealth Center for Nursing, which opened in January 2025. The check was presented by Curt Bromund, CEO of the Marion County Hospital District, to the college’s District Board of Trustees at the Jan. 28 meeting.

“The College of Central Florida is very thankful for the hospital district’s continued support of our efforts to fill the ranks of health care workers in our region,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “These funds, along with support from AdventHealth Ocala, the Florida Legislature, the Marion County Board of Commissioners and others made our state-of-the-art nursing education center a reality for our community’s next generation of nursing professionals.”

This is the most recent of multiple gifts the hospital district has made to aid CF in expanding health care education as the college responds to the region’s growing need for nurses and allied health professionals. Enrollment in CF’s Health Sciences programs is up more than 12% for the Spring 2026 semester, and over the past few years, graduates of CF’s Registered Nurse Associate in Science program have achieved a 98% job placement rate.

For more information about CF’s award-winning Debbie Ressler Nursing Program or the AdventHealth Center for Nursing, visit CF.edu/Nursing.

College of Central Florida campuses will be closed for Washington’s birthday on Monday, Feb. 16, as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ statewide commemoration of America’s 250th birthday.

On-campus and online courses and activities on Feb. 16 will be cancelled, and the CF Post Office on the Ocala Campus also will be closed. Some off-site clinical activities may continue with regular schedule.

“CF is proud to be a part of celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary and honoring America’s first president,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “This holiday provides our students, faculty and staff with an opportunity to enjoy the Washington Birthday events held throughout the state.”

The college is planning several other events and activities throughout this year in honor of the American Semiquincentennial, including a special exhibit at the Appleton Museum of Art, a Constitution Day event and guest speakers.

The college will reopen Tuesday, Feb. 17.

For more information, call the Ocala Campus at 352-873-5800, Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus at 352-746-6721, or Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus at 352-658-4077.

The College of Central Florida has been selected as a lead college by the Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA). CF will represent the Southeast in the CCBA Quality Framework for Community College Baccalaureate Programs as one of only six institutions selected nationwide in recognition of the college’s commitment to excellence, innovation and student success in baccalaureate-degree education. As a lead college, CF will collaborate with CCBA and peer institutions to share best practices, participate in national conversations about program quality, and help refine indicators that support strong community college baccalaureate models nationwide.

CF’s high-performing Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Management program will apply the structured framework to evaluate program design, student supports, workforce alignment and continuous improvement practices.

“Being selected as a lead college is a testament to the high quality of our Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Management degree and the dedication of our faculty and staff,” said Nancy Abshier, CF senior professor and program chair for Business and Organizational Management. “We look forward to using the CCBA Quality Framework to deepen our understanding of what’s working well, identify opportunities to enhance student outcomes, and contribute insights that support community colleges across the country.”

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Management program at CF prepares students for careers in specializations including Accounting, Agribusiness Management, Business and Organizational Management, Equine Studies, Health Care Management, Human Resources Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Management Information Systems and Public Safety Administration. Graduates leave equipped with the knowledge and skills to excel in diverse business and organizational management careers — from leading teams and optimizing operations to driving strategic initiatives, managing human resources, improving organizational culture, and guiding projects across industries.

In just one year, the impact of increased earnings of College of Central Florida alumni and the regional businesses that employ them is equivalent to the economic boost of hosting the Super Bowl, according to a new report.

The College of Central Florida’s economic value to the tricounty area of Citrus, Levy and Marion counties in the 2023-2024 fiscal year is quantified in an independent report provided to the Association of Florida Colleges by Lightcast, a labor market analytics firm. CF’s total annual impact was $507.7 million in added income.

CF’s total economic impact represents approximately 2.5% of the total gross regional product of the tricounty area, with one of every 37 jobs supported by the college and its students. The most significant impact comes from CF graduates employed in the regional workforce and the human capital they provide in the form of added knowledge, creativity, imagination and entrepreneurship. The net impact of former CF students currently employed in the regional workforce amounted to $442.8 million in added income – comparable to hosting the Super Bowl.

“Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas, as well as support from the Florida Legislature, the College of Central Florida is able to invest in our local economy, “ said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “CF is proud to provide high-quality education that’s valuable not just for our graduates, who benefit from higher lifetime earnings, and for local employers, who get access to a steady stream of qualified workers, but for all taxpayers across the communities we serve. Our students invest in their futures and the college provides an incredible return on investment for our area.”

Every Floridian benefits from the Florida College System, the studies determined, reporting that for every dollar invested in the FCS in 2023-2024, Floridians received $13.30 in return.

A summary of “The Economic Value of the College of Central Florida,” is available at CF.edu/value.

The full report, “The Economic Value of the Florida College System,” is available online at myafc.org/impact.

“Gladys Shafran Kashdin’s Garden of Ideas ” is on view now at the Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida. Blending organic elements of nature with other recurring themes from throughout her life, Kashdin (1921–2014) created an opus of expressive art, complemented by a legacy of thoughtful philanthropy.

Born in Ohio in 1921 and raised during the Great Depression, Kashdin learned early about hard work and self-reliance. Rigorous study culminated in a Ph.D. in Humanities and Aesthetics and a career teaching at the University of South Florida. In her personal work, she explored depictions of plant life and natural formations, seamlessly infusing these images with ideas of spirituality, mythology and womanhood. Using mixed media, abstract techniques and skillful expression, she blended the natural world through the lens of her personal aesthetic.

Kashdin’s impact and accomplishments extend far beyond her own creations. While in Tampa, she was a key figure in the creation of the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). A cornerstone figure in Florida’s art community, her collaboration with Kenneth Colen in the formation of the Appleton’s Ina Gotler-Colen and Gladys Shafran Kashdin Endowed Fund for Florida Artists has significantly aided in the institution’s ability to acquire works by Florida artists.

Featuring five paintings and nearly a dozen prints, “Gladys Shafran Kashdin’s Garden of Ideas” is on view through Aug. 23 in the museum’s second-floor Preview Gallery.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. For more information, call 352-291-4455, or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

The College of Central Florida has officially renamed its farm campus the Center for Agricultural Innovation at Vintage Farm. Approved at the Dec. 3, 2025, meeting of the District Board of Trustees, the name reflects the college’s commitment to advancing innovation in agriculture and equine education, recognizing the campus’ growing focus on precision agriculture, emerging technologies and forward-thinking workplace preparation that aligns with the future of Florida’s agricultural economy.

The new name honors the legacy of Vintage Farm, as the location at 4020 S.E. Third Ave, Ocala, has been known since the 103-acre working farm was gifted to the college by an anonymous donor in 2017.

“Changing the name to the Center for Agricultural Innovation at Vintage Farm represents our dedication to the rapidly changing world of agriculture,” said Dr. John D. Ash, CF dean of business, technology and agricultural sciences. “CF is preparing future generations with the tools, technologies and experiences they need to be successful in an industry that is being driven by innovation, precision agriculture and partnerships that shape the future of food, sustainability and workforce development.”

CF will launch the state’s first Associate in Science degree in Precision Agriculture at the Center for Agricultural Innovation at Vintage Farm in August 2026, providing hands-on education including cutting-edge drone and semiautonomous tractor technologies. The campus is the home of the college’s Agribusiness and Equine Studies programs and serves as a hub for collaboration with partners such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, UF/IFAS and the Florida High Tech Corridor, supporting applied research, autonomous systems, data-driven agriculture and advanced equine studies.

“College of Central Florida is proud to be leading the way in agriculture education to prepare students for the high-tech agriculture workforce of today and tomorrow,” said Dr. Jennifer Fryns, CF vice president of workforce innovation and technology. “Our graduates are well prepared to meet the demand for highly skilled professionals in Florida’s second largest industry.”

For more information, visit CF.edu/Farm.

The College of Central Florida invites welding graduates, students and anyone interested in pursuing a career in welding to the Welding Career Expo on March 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at the CF Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with employers and find out about the variety of job openings in the welding industry. Many of Florida’s top welding companies and organizations will be on-site. Welders and welding students are encouraged to demonstrate their welding skills, interview on the spot and make connections with potential employers.

Prospective welding students can learn more about the field, experience hands-on demonstrations, and apply to CF’s welding program during the event. Admissions specialists will be available to help future students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at CF.edu/WeldingExpo.

The College of Central Florida invites anyone thinking about college to attend the Preview event on Tuesday, March 31, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ewers Century Center on the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Preview is a chance for anyone considering college to learn about the more than 170 academic pathways CF offers in seven areas of study from Arts and Sciences to Business, Technology and Agricultural Sciences to Health Sciences and Teacher Education. At CF’s largest event of the year, representatives from admissions, financial aid, student services, clubs and organizations will help attendees plan their successful college experience.

New this year, high school students and their parents can attend information sessions to learn about dual enrollment and Collegiate Academy options to earn college credits while in high school.

The $30 application fee is waived for anyone who applies at the event. Attendees who complete a survey will get a CF T-shirt and will be entered to win free tuition for one 3-credit undergraduate class at the in-state tuition rate.

This free event is sponsored by CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

Additional Preview events will be held at the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus on Tuesday, April 7, 5-7 p.m., and the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus on Thursday, April 9, 5-7 p.m.

For more details, visit CF.edu/Preview.