CF Nursing earns prestigious national ranking

The College of Central Florida Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has been ranked one of the best in the country on the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges list. The rankings evaluate more than 1,700 colleges and universities on up to 17 metrics to measure academic quality and graduate success. CF ranked higher than any other Florida state college, in a tie with Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University and University of North Florida.

CF’s RN to BSN program is fully online and is designed for busy, full-time registered nurses who are ready to take their careers to the next level in a leadership or instructional role.

“Graduates from CF’s bachelor’s degree nursing program have been making our community a healthier place for 10 years,” said Dr. Stephanie Cortes, CF associate vice president for Health Sciences. “CF’s high quality nursing faculty members provide learners with a valuable education, which is helping to meet the critical need for more nurses in our community. Our students are empowered to thrive in a career that offers countless opportunities.”

To learn more about CF Nursing, visit CF.edu/Nursing. To view the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges Rankings, visit https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges.

Learn about the future of tech at CF Frontier Expo

The College of Central Florida invites tech professionals and beginners alike to dive into the future of business and technology at the Frontier Expo on Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the CF Ocala Campus Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Guest speaker Rachel Ludwig, vice president of talent development for the future of work at the Florida Chamber of Commerce, will present information about workforce trends and high-demand careers in our community and state. Attendees can participate in hands-on breakout sessions that will allow them to assemble a personal computer, get started with coding, and safeguard their digital life.

All attendees at this free event will have the opportunity to network with leading employers in the tech, government and business sectors, and can connect with CF admissions staff and advisors to apply to the college or ask questions.

This event is funded by the CF Foundation Charles P. (Chuck) Hiatt Endowed Chair and is sponsored by the Florida Chamber Foundation, the National Science Foundation and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

For registration and more information, visit CF.edu/FrontierExpo.

College of Central Florida to host Nursing Open House

Future nursing students and their families are invited to a Nursing Open House on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 3-5 p.m. Anyone interested in training for a career in nursing will have the chance to tour the new AdventHealth Center for Nursing on the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Attendees can explore the state-of-the-art learning facility with labs, simulation exam rooms and classrooms, and will have the chance to talk with nursing faculty members, students and alumni.

Admissions and financial aid representatives will be available to talk with potential students and their families, and the $30 admission fee will be waived for those who apply to the college at the event.

Learn about CF’s nursing programs and talk with current nursing students at an information session at 4:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be sponsored by CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

For registration and details, visit CF.edu/NursingOpenHouse.

CF Nursing students will benefit from new scholarship

Nursing students at the College of Central will benefit from the new HUGS Mary Alice Adkison Oncology Nursing Endowed Scholarship. The endowment will support an annual scholarship through the CF Foundation for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, with a special emphasis on those interested in working with oncology patients.

This newly established endowment reflects a generous commitment from HUGS Charities to both student success and the future of compassionate cancer care and is named in memory of Mary Alice Adkison, who served as a founding member of HUGS Charities. The scholarship will provide lasting financial assistance to BSN students, helping to offset the cost of tuition and other educational expenses. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing careers in oncology nursing.

“There is a growing need for nurses who are not only clinically skilled but also deeply compassionate, especially in the field of oncology,” said Dr. Stephanie Cortes, CF associate vice president of Health Sciences. “This endowed scholarship will empower our nursing students to follow their passion while easing the financial burden of their education.”

The scholarship will be awarded annually and recipients will be selected based on academic achievement with preference given to a student with a stated commitment to working with oncology patients.

The CF Foundation is honored to help facilitate this lasting legacy of support for future nurses.

For more information on how to establish a scholarship at the College of Central Florida, contact Traci Mason at the CF Foundation at masont@cf.edu.

Join CF Study Abroad trips for 2026

Community members are invited to join College of Central Florida students and faculty on two study abroad trips in 2026. The first trip will be to Costa Rica, March 15-20, and will focus on service learning. The second trip will be to Austria, May 5-12, with experiences centered around music heritage.

The CF Study Abroad program, in partnership with the Study Abroad Association, is dedicated to facilitating education through international experiences that provide diverse and interesting opportunities for experiential learning.

The Costa Rica trip includes a turtle conservation service project, traditional Caribbean cooking lessons, a Cahuita National Park walking tour, visits to a Bribri indigenous community and Playa Negra Black Sand Beach, and local dance and calypso music demonstrations. The Austria trip includes a visit to Mozart’s birthplace, classical concerts and museums, and walking tours of Vienna and Salzburg.

Applications are open now for these educational trips. Being enrolled as a CF student is not required for participation.

Study Abroad trips include accommodations, all ground transportation, full-time local guides, 24/7 ground emergency support, travelers’ health insurance and liability insurance, tips and gratuities, and some meals.

For more information, visit CF.edu/StudyAbroad or contact Jean Scheppers at scheppj@cf.edu.

CF to host Hispanic Heritage Festival

The College of Central Florida will host a Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Ewers Century Center on the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

At this free family event, visitors can get assistance with applying to the college with no application fees, and also can access community resources and enjoy music, food trucks and vendors.

“We are excited to connect with our community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Dr. Raphel Robinson, director of Admissions and Student Recruitment. “It’s a great opportunity for families to explore college and community resources.”

CF is hosting the festival in partnership with the Hispanic Business Council with sponsorship from CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

For information about the festival visit, CF.edu/HHF.

About the College of Central Florida:
The College of Central Florida is committed to providing a full range of educational programs, offering high-quality, affordable education across three counties and online. CF offers more than 170 academic pathways in a variety of fields to prepare students for meaningful careers and successful futures.

CF Appleton Museum of Art Offers New Fall Art Classes

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, is excited to announce a brand-new schedule of fall art classes. Designed for all ages and skill levels, these classes invite the community to learn, create and be inspired in a safe, supportive environment. Held on-site in the Appleton’s art studios, each class is led by experienced educators and artists who provide guidance to help participants build and expand their artistic skills.

Fall painting classes for adults include a watercolor workshop on Sept. 20 with Lisa Russo, inspired by the work of Jeff Koons; a two-day abstract painting class with exhibiting artist Seth P. Benzel on Sept. 27–28; and a free online session on Oct. 14 that takes inspiration from the fall season. On Oct. 11, learn gel-plate printmaking with Deborah Horvath, or on Nov. 8, create a barn-quilt–inspired paper art project with E. Marie Fielding. For those interested in clay, options include a six-week wheel-throwing class from Oct. 18–Nov. 22 or a one-day ceramic luminary workshop on Dec. 13.

For pre-K children ages 2-5, the Museum & Me program will be held on Tuesdays, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. The Museum Happenings program, designed for independent and homeschool students ages 6-9, includes an educator-led gallery visit and hands-on artmaking activity. It is scheduled for Tuesdays, Sept. 30 and Oct. 28, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Both Museum & Me and Museum Happenings are free for children and Appleton members, and included with admission fee for adult nonmembers.

Multiweek classes for children will focus on developing students’ interest in art while learning new skills and techniques. Art Adventures for ages 5-7 meets on three consecutive Saturdays, Oct. 4-18, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. For ages 8-12, the Art Explorations program offers a six-week clay session on Wednesdays, Oct. 15-Nov. 19, from 3:30-5 p.m. Teens ages 13-17 can join a wheel-throwing and hand-building clay class held on Saturdays, Oct. 18-Nov. 22, from 2-4 p.m.

“Appleton art classes offer exceptional value and reflect the museum’s role as a statewide leader and resource for Florida residents,” said Hollis Mutch, museum educator. “With an entire wing dedicated to arts education and a team of educators whose combined experience spans more than a century, we are proud to provide high-quality classes for all ages.”

Registration is now open. For class descriptions, fees and registration, visit AppletonMuseum.org. For inquiries, please contact AppletonEducation@cf.edu.

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. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

CF Update: Building 2 Closed through Sept. 5

Classes and services located in the Science and Communications Building 2 on the Ocala Campus are being moved temporarily after a smoke-related incident.

Building 2 will be closed at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, through Friday, Sept. 5.

If you have classes in Building 2 on Wednesday evening, Sept. 3, on Thursday, Sept. 4, or on Friday, Sept. 5, please follow specific instructions from each instructor. Other departments in Building 2, such as Information Technology and Student Support Services, will be accessible via email.

Building 2 is expected to open on Monday, Sept. 8. No other CF buildings are affected.

CF Foundation to Offer Free Estate Planning Seminar

The College of Central Florida Foundation will host a free estate and retirement planning panel discussion on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Advanced reservations are required.

Panelists include: Leanne Albury, MBA, CPA, with Purvis Gray; Samantha Shealy Rauba, Esq., with McGraw, Rauba & Mutarelli; and Marc Stalvey, CFP®, AAMS®, with Edward Jones. This informative session will include the latest on estate planning and information on the effects that recent legislation has on charitable donations. There also will be an opportunity for questions and answers.

Email Traci Mason at the CF Foundation at foundation@cf.edu to reserve your seat. To learn more about the CF Foundation, visit CF.edu/foundation.

CF Ira Holmes International Film Series Launches ‘When I’m 64’ Season

The Ira Holmes International Film Series at the College of Central Florida returns in October to celebrate its 64th season with a Fab Four-themed series of Beatles-related film screenings, film talks and special events.

The season will launch with a series-first event at the Ocala Downtown Square. The family-friendly When I’m 64 Kickoff Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4, will include a Beatles karaoke party at 6:30 p.m. followed by a sunset screening of “A Hard Day’s Night.”

“The cultural phenomenon that is the Beatles was also the soundtrack for the early days of the Ira Holmes Film Series,” said Wendy Adams, CF professor and series director. “Many of our films are great master works, and the Beatles’ music has stood the test of time. So we want to celebrate the cultural impact of the Beatles and, with multiple family-friendly events, introduce a new generation to the excitement of original rock ‘n’ roll and its impact on cinema.”

Series Schedule:

Oct. 4 “A Hard Day’s Night,” UK, 1964 – family-friendly film event with karaoke party and film screening at Ocala Downtown Square

Oct. 14 “PreFab!”, US/UK, 2025 – exclusive screenings include filmmaker Q&A

Oct. 22 “Good Day Sunshine State” – author book talk presented with CF Department of Humanities

Oct. 28 “Drive My Car,” Japan, 2021

Nov. 11 “Yesterday,” UK, 2019 – evening screening includes author discussion

Nov. 25 “Long Flat Balls II,” Norway, 2008

Jan. 13 “Flow,” Latvia, 2024

Jan. 27 “Harry Benson: Shoot First,” USA, 2016

Feb. 4 “Heinz Edelmann’s ‘Yellow Submarine’ and More” film talk with artist Tyrus Clutter

Feb. 10 “Nowhere Boy,” UK, 2010

Feb. 24 “Linda Linda Linda,” Japan, 2005

March 10 “Across the Universe,” UK/USA, 2007

March 24 “Living is Easy With Eyes Closed,” Spain, 2013

All films will be shown Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, and at 7 p.m. at the College of Central Florida, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110, unless otherwise noted. Films at the Ocala Campus are free and open to the public. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. Films may contain mature content.

For more details, visit CF.edu/FilmSeries.