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winter 2012VITAEthe magazine ofValencia college
VITAERooted in the Latin word for “life,” vitae (vee-tay) means:the course of one’s life or career; a short account of aperson’s life; a résumé. Because the purpose of this magazineis to keep you connected to Valencia, the title Vitae reflectsthe collective résumé of alumni, faculty, staff and studentswho have proudly walked through our doors.Valencia Alumni Associationleadership Team:PresidentMichael J.G. McLaughlin ’03Co-Vice President Shardeh Berry ’12Co-Vice President Esperanza Perez ’12SecretaryMarceline (Marcy) Porter ’05Team MembersZia-ur-Rehman Ansari ’10Yassir Baroudi ’12Julie Bennett ’01Ashley S. Bravo ’12Nicole I. Bright ’03Maryam Hemmali ’10Lauren Kaplan ’06Mary E. Myers ’05Rebecca A. Reis-Miller ’01Laureen Swaby ’99Contributors:Editor:Linda Shrieves BeatyGeraldine GallagherRoger MooreBarbara ShellCarol TraynorMelissa TchenCarol TraynorDesign & Illustration:Mostapha Aguenegou ’04, ’05Dean Scott ’83, ’08Tracey EllegiersPhotography:Don Burlinson(unless otherwise credited)Vitae is published biannually by Valencia’s Marketing and StrategicCommunications Division in coordination with Alumni Relations forapproximately 42 cents an issue. Opinions expressed in this magazinedo not necessarily reflect the official position of Valencia College or theValencia Alumni Association.The Valencia Alumni Association provides opportunitiesfor lifelong personal, educational and professional growthfor alumni and students of Valencia College.Valencia is a member of the Florida College System.16Photograph by Kelly Warren-Underwood1800 S. Kirkman Rd., Orlando, FL 32811, 407-582-1017
ISSUE No. 1018contents2Valencia News8Valencia Events2014 Experts SpotlightMark Hose15 Legislative UpdateFlorida First Proposal1016 Lake Nona CampusIn Photos18 Arts at ValenciaDuarte Brothers26 Sweet SuccessKwame Walker28 Class Notes33 Foundation SpotlightJonni Kimberly34 Events SnapshotsVITAE, WINTER 2012features4 1 Billion and CountingValencia’s Economic Impact10 Embracing theEntrepreneurial SpiritProfile on Enterprising Grads20 The Route to ProsperityHow Colleges Are Shaping our Economy1
Valencia NEWSOsceola Honors9/11 Victims withField of FlagsTo honor the victims of theSept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, theOsceola Campus teamed up withthe Rotary Club of Lake Nona tostage a dramatic display of flags onits expansive lawn—one flag for eachof the nearly 3,000 lives lost on thattragic day.Kathleen Plinske, presidentof the Osceola and Lake Nonacampuses, came up with the idea asa way for students, many of whomwere only six or seven years old atthe time, to learn about the events ofthat day.The display also served as thebackdrop for Osceola County’sSept. 11 memorial service, whichincluded participants from theOsceola County Sheriff’s Office,Osceola County Emergency Services,Kissimmee and St. Cloud police andfire departments, and the OsceolaCounty Veterans Council.Photograph by Julie FletcherNational MagazineSpotlights Valenciafor ‘Ideas ThatAre TransformingEducation’“Orlando Magic” was the headlineof a feature story on Valencia inthe Oct. 6 edition of the NationalJournal magazine. In a series titled“Restoration Calls,” Valencia was2 Valencia Newscited as an example of how newthinking could transform highereducation and the economic fortunesof students.The National Journal, publishedin Washington, D.C., reports onthe current political environmentand emerging political and policytrends. Readership includes membersof Congress and other influentialindividuals beyond the Beltway.
DirectConnect aWinner at HelpingLatinos ExcelValencia’s DirectConnect to UCFprogram was selected by Excelenciain Education, a Washington, D.C.based organization, as among the bestprograms in America for increasingacademic opportunities and successfor Latino students. Top honors alsowent to programs run by CaliforniaState University Bakersfield andthe University of Texas, El Paso.All honorees had to demonstratethat they effectively boost LatinoValencia MakesMilitary-Friendly ListWith the second largestenrollment of veterans amongFlorida’s state colleges, Valenciahas made the 2013 MilitaryFriendly Schools list (www.militaryfriendlyschools.com).“Inclusion on the list of MilitaryFriendly Schools shows ValenciaCollege’s commitment to providinga supportive environment formilitary students,” said Sean Collins,director for G.I. Jobs and vicepresident at Victory Media, whichpublishes the list.VITAE, WINTER 2012enrollment, performance andgraduation.The DirectConnect to UCFprogram guarantees that graduatesof Valencia and three other CentralFlorida colleges can start at UCFas juniors, offering students areal advantage as UCF becomesmore selective in its admissions.Today, nearly a quarter of UCF’sbaccalaureate graduates—and themajority of its Hispanic grads—aretransfer students from Valencia.Valencia provides veterans serviceson all of its campuses, includingassistance with VA benefits, studentsupport, workshops and activities.There’s also a student veteransclub, a veterans-only speech class,and professional development tohelp faculty recognize the uniquechallenges of veterans in integratinginto the college environment.The list honors the top 15 percentof colleges, universities and tradeschools in the country that are doingthe most to embrace America’smilitary service members, veteransand spouses as students and ensuretheir success on campus.Valencia News 3
By Linda Shrieves Beaty4
What’s acollege worthto a community?It’s more than just the dollars that students spend on meals and apartments.Instead, a college contributes to the overall economy of its hometown in manyways—from the higher wages that college graduates earn and then spend in thatregion to money the college spends on everything from stationery to electricity,from food service contracts to instructors’ salaries.And in Valencia’s case, the college is worth a whopping 1 billion a yearto Central Florida.That’s the conclusion of an independent economic impact study, conducted byEconomic Modeling Specialists Inc. of Idaho. The study, the first one conductedin Valencia’s 44-year history, found that the college generates close to 3,000 jobsand spends 231 million each year on buildings, salaries, services and supplies. Inaddition, the study found that Valencia’s graduates contribute 781.7 million inearnings, spendings and savings to the region’s economy each year.From higher earnings to job placement, the value of a Valencia education playsout every day in the lives of our graduates. Turn the page to read the stories ofthree recent grads.Want to learn more about Valencia’s value to the Orlando area? Checkout “Valencia Counts,” an easy-to-understand video that tells how muchValencia is worth to you: news.valenciacollege.edu/impactVITAE, WINTER 20125
1.00 5.60 INVESTEDIN EDUCATIONEQUALSINCOMEINCREASEEric PalmWhen the newspaper business startedchanging—moving articles and content tothe Internet—Eric Palm knew he had tochange too. So Palm, a graphic designerand copy editor, signed up for some classesat Valencia so he could learn about AdobeFlash Player, a computer program thatnewspaper designers were using to createinteractive web pages.After getting laid off in 2009, Palminvested most of his unemploymentcompensation in Valencia—where he tookclasses in two different tracks, digital mediaand graphic design. And, thanks to classprojects and volunteer work that he andhis classmates did for local nonprofits,Palm made connections at Valencia thatpaid off handsomely.In Feb. 2011, Palm landed a one-yearcontract job with Lockheed Martin. Whilethere, he met a Disney executive lookingfor someone who could write, but was alsoadept with digital media and video. The jobseemed like a perfect fit for Palm’s skillset.Today, Palm works on the social mediateam for Disney’s recruiting arm—chargedwith attracting job candidates for Disney’smany divisions, from Walt Disney Studiosto ESPN.And the bonus? Palm is earning more thanhe did in the newspaper business.“I thought I was going to be in newspapersforever, but the world changed,” says Palm,now 38. “Luckily, I think I’ve been able torecover nicely. And I’m making more moneythan I ever have.”JOB PLACEMENT RATE6
Shardeh BerryWhen Shardeh Berry transferred fromValencia College to the University of CentralFlorida this fall, she was surprised by thenumber of UCF students who knew her.“I’m taking a public administration classand we have to introduce ourselves andI’ve found a lot of recent Valencia grads inmy class,” said Berry, who was Valencia’sDistinguished Graduate for the Class of 2012.And though she doesn’t know theirnames, many of them know hers—becausethey remember her speech at the May 2012commencement ceremony. “In my classes,more than half of the students are transferstudents—and many of them are fromValencia,” says Berry, 24.Berry, a single mom with two smallchildren, had been worried about fittingin at UCF. “I was concerned about goingthere as an older student,” she said, “but itdefinitely feels good, especially to see a lot ofolder students and so many students who areValencia grads.”22%OF UCF GRADUATESSTARTED AT VALENCIAAngel VelazquezAngel Velazquez loves his job.As a computed tomographytechnician at Orlando Regional MedicalCenter, he performs CT scans onpatients throughout the hospital. Andit’s gratifying, he says, to help figure outwhat’s wrong with a patient.“You definitely feel as if you’rehelping people,” says Velazquez, 26.Velazquez graduated from Valenciawith an A.S. degree in radiography in2010, but he already had experience inthe field, thanks to clinical rotationsand an internship at ORMC that wereVITAE, WINTER 2012coordinated by Valencia.“I was lucky to get a job within acouple of months of graduating,” saysVelazquez. “I interned there and thatgave me an advantage.”Valencia’s radiography programaccepts 25 students each year andthe job placement rate for graduatesis now 100 percent. Starting salariesfor radiography graduates range from 36,000 to 40,000 a year.As for Velazquez, he attributes hisjob—and his success—to his Valenciaeducation and hard work.When others ask for advice, he’squick to tell them to study hard toget into the competitive radiographyprogram. “Every class counts. YourGPA has to be high—especially ifyou’re going to get an internship,” headds. “You have to do well from thebeginning.”7
Valencia EVENTSDECEMBERDec. 4—Fall Symphonic/JazzBand Concert7:30 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterAdmission is free.valenciacollege.edu/artsDec. 7 – 8—Fall OperaWorkshop7:30 p.m.East Campus Black Box TheaterStudents perform selections fromfamous operas and Broadway shows.Admission is free.valenciacollege.edu/artsYow Dance’s Melissa J. DixonPhotograph by Cheryl MannJANUARYJan. 30—Visiting Author JohnPrendergastJan. 18 – March 8—Drawings bySelena KimballLecture 1 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterAdmission is free.Opening reception- Jan. 18 from6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.Gallery hours: Mon. – Fri.8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.Anita S. Wooten East CampusGalleryPortraits of people who werebystanders at historical events; plusa collection of hybrid portraits,inspired by a pictorial genealogy ofa wealthy New England family.Admission is free.Hybrid portrait by Selena Kimball8 Valencia EventsFEBRUARYFeb. 1—“3 in Motion”Dance Concert7 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterDr. Phillips High School DanceMagnet, professional moderncompany Yow Dance and ValenciaDance Theatre present a communitydance partnership event.Tickets: 10 general admission; 8for students, faculty/staff, alumni andseniors; 6 for children under 12Box office: 407-582-2900valenciacollege.edu/arts
March 22 – 23—Valencia SpringDance ConcertFeb. 14 – 24—The Duchessof Malfi, by John Webster,adaptation by Michael ShuggFeb. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, & 23 at7:30 p.m.Feb. 17 & 24 at 2 p.m.East Campus Black Box TheaterConsidered one of the great tragedies,the play begins as a love story,and ends as a nightmarish mix ofobsession, murder and revenge.Tickets: 12 general admission; 10 students, faculty/staff, alumniand seniorsBox office: 407-582-2900valenciacollege.edu/artsMARCHMarch 13—Dedication Ceremonyfor Building 4, Osceola CampusCeremony at 5:15 p.m., toursat 6 p.m.Public unveiling of the newestbuilding at the Osceola Campus,which will be jointly occupied byUCF and offer an expanded array ofbachelor’s degree programs.RSVP: events@valenciacollege.edu8 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterValencia and Rollins College dancestudents perform faculty works andthose of a guest artist.Tickets: 10 for general admission; 8 for students, faculty/staff, alumniand seniors; 6 for children under12. Free for Valencia students withcollege ID.Box office: 407-582-2900valenciacollege.edu/artsMarch 30—Run, Walk & Roll5K Race6 p.m.West CampusAnnual race for scholarships, thistime in support of criminal justice,paramedic and EMT students.valenciacollege.edu/alumniFeb. 26—Faculty Recital7:30 p.m.East Campus Performing Arts CenterValencia music faculty performs.Admission is free.valenciacollege.edu/artsVITAE, WINTER 20129
Embracing theEntrepre10
Felipe RobineeneurialSpiritMore Valencia graduates are choosingto start their own businesses.By Linda Shrieves BeatyWhen life gives you lemons, make lemonade.But Felipe Robine took that adage one step farther: When life handed him lemons,he set up his own lemonade stand.And that’s the essence of being an entrepreneur. Learning to roll with the punches,learn lessons as they’re delivered and adapt to a changing marketplace.For Robine, the lemons came in the form of a layoff. As a student and hospitalitymajor at Valencia, he’d been working as a concierge at the Hyatt Grand Cypress Resortfor nearly three years—even working his way into the Hyatt’s management trainingprogram—when the recession hit.Laid off in February 2008, Robine pondered the advice he’d heard from ValenciaProfessor Jim Inglis, who taught him to watch for trends in the industry. “Professor Inglissaid that the hospitality business is an ever-changing segment of the industry and youhave to prepare yourself for changes,” Robine says. “My professors taught me to recognizechanges and take action—which is what I did.”So Robine, a member of the local concierge association, took advantage of the manycontacts he’d made in the hotel industry and launched his own business in May 2008.At first, he focused on transportation, providing limousines and other transportation toconventioneers visiting Orlando.But as the recession deepened—and fewer businesses held conventions in Orlando—Robine re-examined his business plan. “Because I’m Brazilian, I decided to shift gearsand start catering to Brazilians visiting Orlando,” Robine says. He regrouped and focusedon creating a concierge-style tour operation for Brazilian tourists. “Now when a clientcontacts us from Brazil, we find the right hotel, the right transportation and once they’rehere, we guide them through the city, inside the parks and outside the parks.”Robine’s business has grown steadily and, today, about 80 percent of his businesscomes from South American tourists, while the limo business represents only 20 percentof his income. “If I hadn’t made that transition, I wouldn’t be in business today,” saysRobine, 26, who will earn his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from theUniversity of Central Florida in December.Like a growing number of college graduates, Robine started his own business whenVITAE, WINTER 201211
Chatranant Savigamin Costellohe couldn’t find a job in his industry. Butexperts who watch the labor market seea growing entrepreneurial spirit amongtoday’s college students.Many experts believe that today’scollege students have seen their parents orneighbors get laid off after many years ofworking for a business. Frustrated by thelack of jobs available—or the possibility ofworking at fast-food restaurants or as anunpaid intern to gain experience—many oftoday’s college students believe they may bebetter off working for themselves.To aid students in an increasinglystart-up world, colleges are addingentrepreneurship classes and programs.And those classes appear to create buddingentrepreneurs. A study released in 2011 byresearchers at Babson College found thatcollege students who take two or moreclasses in entrepreneurship are more likelyto start their own businesses.Of the nation’s community colleges,about two-thirds offer at least one class inentrepreneurship, according to the NationalAssociation for Community CollegeEntrepreneurship. And Valencia Collegeis moving in that direction. BusinessProfessor Lana Powell, who teaches studentsbasic concepts of entrepreneurship inher Introduction to Business Class, is12exploring the idea of creating a course onentrepreneurship. Ultimately, she’d liketo see the college develop an Associate inScience program in entrepreneurship.To sow the seeds of entrepreneurship,Powell assigns students in her Intro toBusiness course a semester-long project:Come up with a small business you canoperate for one semester—with only aninitial investment of 30. At the end of thesemester, students must show a profit.In the past 10 years, her students haveventured into car-detailing, jewelry-makingand tutoring. Some have created customdesigned T-shirts; others sold homemadecookies. One student, already a personaltrainer, teamed with an apartment complexto offer personal training sessions in thecomplex’s gym.Another enterprising student walkeddogs at lunchtime—because so many of hisneighbors had to leave work to walk theirdogs during their breaks. His business wasso successful that he continued operating itafter the semester ended.The odds of succeeding at your ownbusiness are steep, yet students aren’tdeterred. “I’d say about 80 percent of mystudents say they want to own their ownbusiness, if not now then someday,” saysPowell. “My recommendation is this: Get ajob close to the kind of industry you wantto be in—if you want to own a restaurant,start working in the restaurant business—so you can see how the business operates.Get some experience and then launch yourown business.”Meals on wheelsThat’s precisely what ChatranantSavigamin Costello did.After graduating from Valencia’s culinaryprogram in 2008, Costello began workingin the kitchens at several local restaurants,including Cala Bella at the Rosen ShingleCreek Resort.By 2011, Costello was itching to starther own business. That’s when her sisterin-law, a chef in North Carolina, suggested
“ I’d say about 80percent of mystudents say theywant to own theirown business.”that she buy a food truck.“I knew that I wanted to own my ownbusiness, but the money wasn’t there toopen a restaurant,” said Costello, whomoved to this country from her nativeThailand at age 18. “Plus I didn’t have theexperience to open a big restaurant. Butfood trucks were just becoming popular, soI decided to do it.”With help from her parents andgrandparents, she paid 13,600 for a stepvan and then spent another 40,000 tooutfit it with a complete mobile kitchen.She debated what to call her truck, butdecided that since she loved to cook somany different types of food—from Thaito Italian to Irish—that she’d settle on“Eclectic Kitchen.”Today, Costello’s Eclectic Kitchen foodtruck features a regular menu of five Asianinspired dishes, which have proven popularwith customers. And though she oncechanged the menu daily, she has foundthat the predictability of the menu keepsfood costs down—and allows her to spendmore time marketing her truck and hercatering business.But it’s the food that’s getting all theattention. Food bloggers and writers haveraved about her stir-fried chicken basilserved over jasmine rice (which sells outquickly), not to mention her shrimp andcorn fritters, a recipe that her great auntused to make, which Costello serves with asweet curry remoulade sauce. And thoughmany food trucks are meat-heavy, Costellohas also earned high marks for a vegetariansignat
Valencia College to the University of Central Florida this fall, she was surprised by the . Valencia’s radiography program accepts 25 students each year and the job placement rate for graduates is now 100 percent. Starting salar
