When students at Pasco High School walk through the doors of their new College & Career Center, they’re entering more than just a renovated science classroom. They’re stepping into a hub where every resource needed for postsecondary success is accessible in one welcoming environment.
On November 6, community leaders, students, educators, business leaders, and local law enforcement gathered for the grand opening of the center, marking a significant milestone in Pasco County’s commitment to expanding college and career access for all students. The celebration, complete with red and black balloon columns flanking the entrance in school colors, represented the culmination of strategic community partnerships focused on student success.
“This center represents what’s possible when our community invests in students,” said Principal Mark Feldman during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Every resource here, from college applications to career connections, exists because people believed our students deserve every opportunity to succeed.”
A Home for Every Student’s Future
The center addresses a critical need in one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties. As Pasco County experiences significant population growth, the responsibility to ensure all students have access to postsecondary support becomes increasingly urgent.
For College and Career Specialist Mignon Edwards, who leads the center’s daily operations, the expanded space means reaching more students earlier in their high school careers. “This is home to a lot of students and teachers,” Edwards said at the opening. “We’re working on scholarships, college applications, FAFSA, industry certification tests, you name it.”
Four students spoke at the opening about the center’s impact on their futures. Senior Alexa Roenicke noted its immediate impact since opening at the start of the school year. “Many students come here daily. This large space allows Ms. Edwards to help many students at once with their futures. Without her, I probably wouldn’t have even applied to college.”
Built on Best Practices
The center’s design reflects research-based best practices for effective college and career centers:
- Centralized resources consolidate support in one accessible location (college exploration materials, application assistance, financial aid guidance, career pathway information, and employer connections).
- Dedicated space signals institutional commitment. The thoughtfully designed environment includes flexible seating for individual work, comfortable lounge areas for advising, and collaborative spaces for workshops. College pennants line the walls, creating visual reminders of potential paths.
- Strategic partnerships combine school expertise with community resources. The center is staffed through collaboration with Spark Pasco Hernando, the region’s Local College Access Network (LCAN), bringing specialized college access expertise and community connections to campus.
- A career pathways emphasis recognizes that postsecondary success takes many forms. Bulletin boards display information about work-based learning, career and technical education programs, and industry certifications alongside traditional college pathways.
- Data-driven approaches track impact. Students sign in when they visit, enabling the center to document reach and demonstrate outcomes. “In the month of October, I saw 370 students,” Edwards noted.
A Replicable Model
Jenny Batchelor, who wears dual hats as Spark Pasco Hernando director and Pasco County Schools program specialist for college and career readiness, explained that the center was designed to be scalable. The team studied successful models in neighboring counties before creating a blueprint that other Pasco high schools could adopt.
“We want kids to be college ready, career ready, and life ready,” Batchelor said. “It takes a village.”
Principal Feldman emphasized reaching students early: “It’s very important to get freshmen starting to think where they’re going to be in four years. This space opens up doors and opportunities.”
The center tracks specific outcomes: college enrollment rates, FAFSA completion, and ensuring every graduate has a designated postsecondary plan. Services range from hands-on FAFSA workshops with college partners to lunch-and-learns with local employers and alumni.
The center was established through partnerships between Spark Pasco Hernando and Pasco High School, with support from the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. It’s part of the Florida College Access Network’s Post-High School College Enrollment Innovation Project, a statewide initiative supporting 12 regional networks in implementing evidence-based approaches to increasing college enrollment.
“This center exists because our community understands that supporting students’ futures is everyone’s responsibility,” Batchelor said.
Photo credit: Mike Carlson, district photographer