Across Florida, education leaders are transforming college and career centers into high-impact spaces where students receive personalized advising, explore options, and prepare for life after high school. These redesigned hubs are fostering stronger connections between students and their postsecondary goals.
Thanks to a two-year initiative led by the Florida College Access Network in partnership with the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, these community leaders are taking a student-centered approach to increase college and career readiness. The Post-High School College Enrollment Innovation project seeks to increase college-going rates by at least 4% for the graduating Classes of 2025 and 2026.
“It’s exciting to see the College and Career Center model adopted and celebrated across the state,” said Braulio Colón, FCAN’s executive director. “What this reflects is that our network is energized and active in pursuit of what works for students.”
ASPIRE Launches New College and Career Centers in Tallahassee High Schools
In Tallahassee, ASPIRE Capital Region is leading an exciting initiative to open college and career centers in Tallahassee high schools this fall. These centers will serve as dedicated spaces where students can receive coaching and support to prepare for postsecondary success.
“We’re gearing up to develop the statement of work and curriculum for the coaches who will staff these centers,” said Corrie Melton, ASPIRE Capitol Region’s director.
The new centers aim to provide personalized guidance, build student confidence, and connect learners with the resources they need to navigate college and career pathways. ASPIRE’s approach underscores the importance of coaching as a cornerstone of effective student support.
In Tampa Bay, New College Centers Help Boost FAFSA Rates
LEAP Tampa Bay continues to expand its impact in Hillsborough County by supporting students through newly launched college and career centers. Two new SCOPE (Student Center of Postsecondary Exploration) centers were opened this year at Lennard and East Bay High Schools in partnership with the Hillsborough Education Foundation, offering students hands-on support with college and career planning.
“Lennard opened its doors in December and East Bay followed early this spring,” said Jennifer Libby, LEAP Tampa Bay’s director. “Already, we’re seeing encouraging signs—FAFSA completion rates are up 10% compared to this time last year.”
In addition to the new centers, LEAP also supported bilingual outreach by co-hosting a recent FAFSA webinar in both Spanish and English.
LEAP Tampa Bay and its partners celebrated the opening of the new SCOPE (Student Center of Postsecondary Exploration) center at Lennard High School last December.
Spark Pasco Hernando Champions College and Career Center Model in Pasco County
Spark Pasco Hernando is helping transform how schools support students’ educational journey beyond high school by focusing on strengthening college and career guidance centers.
In partnership with Pasco County Schools, Spark Pasco Hernando is reimagining college and career centers as community-powered hubs for advising, events, and accessible resources.
“We know one person can’t do it all,” said Jenny Batchelor, Spark Pasco Hernando’s program specialist. “It takes a team and a space that’s inviting and functional to make a real impact.”
One major win: the college and career center recently moved into a larger space within the school, allowing for one-on-one advising, small group support, full classroom sessions, and evening events. The school’s career specialist has already hosted additional FAFSA nights—including one fully in Spanish to serve the large population of Spanish-speaking parents.
As a result, FAFSA completion is up by 5%. But even more importantly, Batchelor says the center is helping shift the culture around using data to drive decisions.
“We’re no longer just saying ‘we had this event’ or ‘we gave this presentation,’” she explained. “We’re using data to measure impact—and that’s new for some people, but it’s necessary.”
These efforts show that with the right infrastructure and partnerships, college and career centers can become essential tools in helping students make informed, confident decisions about their future.
Building a Talent Strong Florida
All these efforts represent a Florida working together to build a Talent Strong Florida. Florida College Access Network believes a Talent Strong Florida is one where every Floridian has access to high-value post-high school credentials and degrees. Bridging individual career interests and aspirations with the programs that align with Florida’s talent needs is a service of the FCAN and Talent Strong Florida movement.
This article is part of a series about The Post-High School College Enrollment Innovation project funded by FCAN and the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation to support seniors at select Title I high schools.
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