South Florida State College and the University of Florida Institute of Higher Education have been awarded a $4.65 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant to support the Florida Learning, Innovation, and Growth for a High-skilled Talent pipeline.
The five-year partnership will provide approximately $3.29 million to South Florida State College and more than $1.35 million to the University of Florida. The announcement was made Oct. 12, 2026.
Known as FLIGHT, the initiative will modernize South Florida State College career and technical education programs, strengthen workforce-development infrastructure and develop services supporting workforce student success. It also will expand postsecondary pathways from South Florida State College to the University of Florida and beyond.
FLIGHT workforce and education goals
During the first two years, South Florida State College plans to align teaching and training with modern workforce practices. The college also will improve systems and processes designed to increase student engagement in support services and career pathways.
In later years, the program is intended to help more South Florida State College students earn industry credentials and micro-credentials. FLIGHT also will improve training pathways for rural residents, embed artificial intelligence and digital literacy across programs, and increase transfer rates to the University of Florida.
The partnership will develop new programs in Precision Agriculture. The work will connect career and technical education, workforce development and additional postsecondary opportunities.
Statements from the partners
Dr. Lindsay Byron, interim director of the University of Florida Institute of Higher Education, said the grant will support workforce education pathways between South Florida State College and the University of Florida while creating new programs.
“We are excited to collaborate again with SFSC and continue building out this partnership,” said Dr. Lindsay Byron, interim director of the UF Institute of Higher Education. “FLIGHT is an opportunity to both improve current workforce education pathways between SFSC and UF and develop new programs in Precision Agriculture. Over the next five years, we will have the resources to provide the next generation of SFSC students with cutting edge education and opportunities.”
Dr. Mark Bukowski, vice president for student services at South Florida State College, said the grant will help create skilled pathways for students in the Florida Heartland.
“South Florida State College is grateful to the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor for the approval of the Strengthening Institutions Program grant, known as FLIGHT,” said Dr. Mark Bukowski, vice president for student services at SFSC. “We also thank the University of Florida for their assistance in the grant process, and with whom we will partner with on this grant. FLIGHT will help plan and implement new skilled pathways for students in the Florida Heartland, which will lead to high wage opportunities and continue to build on the strong talent and community whom we serve at SFSC.”
University of Florida research role
The University of Florida Institute of Higher Education conducts research and provides data-driven recommendations for administrators and policymakers. The institute also partners with individual colleges and state systems to assess practices and policies aimed at improving student success.
The institute is part of the University of Florida College of Education, which is No. 2 in the nation among graduate and online graduate education schools, according to the source. Through FLIGHT, the institute will partner with South Florida State College on workforce programs, student-support services and transfer pathways.
FSB Take
The FLIGHT grant gives South Florida State College and the University of Florida Institute of Higher Education five years to develop workforce pathways, strengthen student-support systems and expand transfer opportunities. The program also sets goals for industry credentials, rural training, artificial intelligence, digital literacy and new Precision Agriculture programs.
Source: Original report