2018 FLORIDA COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK SUMMIT

Florida College Access Network (FCAN) hosted its sixth annual summit on May 10-11, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, to a record audience!

The 2018 FCAN Summit, presented by Wells Fargo, was attended by 376 people from various sectors — including business and community leaders, policymakers, K-12 counselors and educators, college and university administrators and faculty, nonprofit professionals, philanthropic leaders, college students, and more — who are passionate about breaking down barriers to college access and student success.

This year’s theme was “Create the Future,” a nod to all the different ways Florida’s educators and communities are working to ensure students have the resources and support they need to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.

In addition to Presenting Sponsor Wells Fargo, the 2018 FCAN Summit was made possible by Platinum Sponsors Helios Education Foundation, University of South Florida, and The Kresge Foundation; Gold Sponsors JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Community Foundation of Tampa Bay; Silver Sponsors Gulf Power and Orange Technical College; and Bronze Sponsor Florida Trend.

Additionally, seven organizations partnered with FCAN to hold meetings and include their membership in the summit: Take Stock in Children, Complete Florida, Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities, Florida Reach, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, Florida Philanthropic Network, and the Florida School Counselor Association.

FCAN would also like to thank the 2018 Summit Exhibitors: Complete Florida, MyCareerShines powered by Kuder, Sallie Mae, Sixup, Xello, FloridaShines/Florida Virtual Campus, and Wells Fargo.

The 2018 FCAN Summit featured four general sessions:

Welcome Luncheon: Create the Future! was sponsored by Helios Education Foundation and featured keynote speaker Jaime Casap, Goodle’s Education Evangelist.
Afternoon Keynote and Money Talks: A Candid Conversation with Florida Students was sponsored by The Kresge Foundation and featured a keynote address by Hershel Lyons, Chancellor of the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Public Schools. Chancellor Lyons address was followed by the summit’s student panel moderated by Daniel T. Barkowtiz, Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid and Veterans’ Affairs at Valencia College and featured students Katherine Clawson, Tyrone Harris, Brenda Ilojiole, Destiny Jedlicka, Angela Jimenez, and Melissa Shank.
Policy Talk: A Conversation with Florida Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith featured a conversation with Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith moderated by Marlene Spalten, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.
Awards Luncheon: The Future’s Bright! was sponsored by Wells Fargo and honored the winners of the 2018 Florida FAFSA Challenge and FCAN’s Florida Unsung Heroes of Resilience Awards. The awards ceremony was followed by a keynote address from Tony Carvajal, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber Foundation, and Dr. Jerry D. Parrish, Chief Economist and Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation.

Jaime Casap, Education Evangelist, Google

Chancellor Hershel Lyons, Division of Public Schools

Marlene Spalten, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, with Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith

Kate Wilson, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs Manager – Florida, Corporate Responsibility & Community Relations, Wells Fargo

Florida Unsung Heroes of Resilience Awardees

Dr. Jerry D. Parrish, Chief Economist and Director of Research, Florida Chamber Foundation

The summit also featured a Networking Reception sponsored by the University of South Florida, at the end of Day 1.

There were 30 breakout sessions throughout the two-day event led by 50 speakers who highlighted the latest developments in college access, postsecondary success, college affordability, career readiness and workforce development, data and measurement, and collective impact.

You can see a collection of photos and social media chatter from the 2018 FCAN Summit by viewing our Wakelet story for the two-day event. You can also listen to every episode of FCAN’s Summit Speaker Series to hear a select group of presenters discuss their sessions ahead of the annual convening.

Thank you again to everyone who made this record-setting 2018 FCAN Summit possible. See you all next year!