Chipola College is a public, open-admissions institution in Marianna, Florida, serving Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington counties in the Florida Panhandle. Located in Northwest Florida, 70 miles west of Tallahassee, 60 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and 30 miles from the Alabama state line, Chipola is the third oldest of Florida’s 28 state-supported community colleges. Programs in workforce development began in 1967-1968 and in 2003, the Florida Legislature granted the college permission to offer selected baccalaureate degrees that address documented workforce needs in its region. Chipola opened its doors in 1946 as a private institution with six full-time teachers and 65 students. The college served 2,323 students in its degree and certificate programs in 2021-2022.

Chipola was brought under state control and financing in 1947 when Florida’s Minimum Foundation Law initiated a plan to place two years of college education within commuting distance of every Florida citizen. The original district of Calhoun, Jackson and Washington Counties was expanded later to include Holmes and Liberty Counties.

A milestone in the college’s history occurred in 1953 when the college moved from its original location at the former Graham Army Air Base to its present location near the banks of the Chipola River. The first permanent buildings were completed and occupied in 1954. Additions through the years have created a complex of 35 buildings arranged on a wooded campus of about 75 acres in a 120-acre tract. The remaining acreage is in its natural state of pines, cedars and hardwoods. The campus also includes outdoor athletic fields and a pool. There are six off-campus buildings used for specialized training activities in public service programs.

Chipola College is governed by a nine-member District Board of Trustees appointed by the governor for four-year terms and by the State Board of Education. The college operates under rules of the Florida Department of Education and policies set forth by the District Board of Trustees. The college was accredited in 1957 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) and has maintained continuous accreditation since that time. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation occurred in 2018.

In 2003, the Florida Legislature authorized Chipola College to award bachelor degrees, which means that more students in the college district are now able to access bachelor degree programs in fields where there is a demand for trained workers. Chipola’s School of Education offers seven bachelor degree programs, the first being approved in 2003. These programs prepare math, science and English teachers for area middle and high schools. Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education degree programs were added in 2006. The college initiated the Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management in 2007 and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008. In December 2010, Chipola was approved to offer the Bachelor of Science in English Education. In May 2011, Chipola was approved to offer the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting and Management; an Information Technology concentration was added in 2016 and an Engineering Management concentration was added in 2017. After 70 years, Chipola continues to meet the challenge of its mission by addressing the postsecondary educational needs of local citizens.

Chipola Named a State College

In June 2008, Chipola officially became a state college and part of the Florida College System, which consists of institutions awarding 2-year and 4-year academic degrees. It was at this time that its name changed from Chipola Junior College to Chipola College.

Chipola’s programs are more affordable and cost-effective than those at the state university level—another benefit to both taxpayers and students.

Nine Bachelor’s Degrees Offered at Chipola College

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (grades K-6)
• Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education (grades K-12)
• Bachelor of Science in English Education (grades 6-12)
• Bachelor of Science in Middle School Mathematics Education (grades 5-9)
• Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education (grades 6-12)
• Bachelor of Science in Middle School Science Education (grades 5-9)
• Bachelor of Science in Biology Education (grades 6-12)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
  (Four concentrations: Accounting, Management, Infor. Systems, Engineering Management)

Bachelor of Science Degrees in Education

Chipola initiated the School of Education to offer bachelor of science degrees in education. The first degree programs prepared students as middle school and high school teachers to address the critical shortage of qualified math and science teachers. The Florida State Board of Education later approved three additional bachelor degree programs in the School of Education: Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education, and English Education.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)

The RN-BSN degree program began in Fall 2008. Applicants for the BS in Nursing must have earned the AS degree in Nursing, be licensed Registered Nurses, and have completed all required prerequisite courses. Chipola’s nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting Concentration)
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Engineering Management Concentration)
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Information Systems Concentration)
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Management Concentration)

Chipola’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) began in May of 2011 with concentrations in Accounting, Management, Information Technology and Engineering Management. To enter the BSBA program, students must complete 60 hours of lower level course work including Florida’s required 36 hours of general education and program pre-requisites.

Documented Performance of Chipola and Its Students

Chipola is respected among post-secondary institutions in Florida because of the success of its students. Below are highlights of success on a variety of indicators. Similar results have been achieved by Chipola each year since the identification of the college’s expected outcomes.

• Florida Bright Futures Scholars: State reports have ranked Chipola among the top performing Florida colleges for the high percentage of its students receiving the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. Many of these students will transfer to professional schools in medicine, law, pharmacy, engineering, and business, but the fact that so many of these scholars receive their general education at Chipola speaks well for the college’s reputation for high standards and quality instruction.

• Outstanding Instruction at All Levels: There are many other indicators of instructional quality. State accountability reports consistently rank Chipola among the top colleges in Florida on reports of GPAs of transfers to state universities. Licensure passing rates and job placement rates in many programs are consistently above 90%.

• ETS Proficiency Profile Performance: Chipola’s graduating sophomores consistently score above the national mean in all ETS Proficiency Profile test areas: reading, writing, critical thinking, and mathematics.

• Chipola Honors Program: The Chipola Honors Program is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council. The Honors Program offers weekly seminars for the brightest and best students from Chipola’s five-county district. Teachers of honors classes guide students through research projects beyond the regular course requirements. Honors students often serve as tutors in the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE).

Nationally Recognized Scholars, Brain Bowl Team, Phi Theta Kappa and Phi Beta Lambda Chapters

The Chipola College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an honor society for students from two-year colleges, offers opportunities in scholarship, leadership, and service. Through service learning, students learn about commitment to community. Although membership is restricted by GPA, the organization involves non-members in campus and community events. The college holds PTK members in high esteem and has created an Academic Wall of Honor to recognize outstanding accomplishments earned by students throughout the chapter’s history. Phi Theta Kappa members have been named New Century Scholars and named to the All USA Academic Team. PTK members have also been recipients of the coveted Guistwhite Scholarship and the Coca Cola Scholarship. Among other awards, the chapter has been recognized as the Most Distinguished chapter in the state and nation.

In March of 2023, Meredith Bailey and Ben Parrish, both of Holmes County, Florida, were named to the All-Florida Academic Team.

The Chipola College Brain Bowl team has an outstanding record with ten state titles (2008-2022) in the Florida College System Activities Association Brain Bowl State Tournament. The team also has won the NAQT Community College National Championship Tournament three times, and has finished as the top two-year college in the National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT) Four-Year College Tournament five times.

Campus organizations reflect Chipola’s commitment to academic growth among students both inside and outside the classroom. The college nurtures and guides students in these organizations, expanding their educational opportunities into regional and national arenas. Student members are encouraged to interact and sometimes compete with their peers from colleges nationwide.

Through membership, students are exposed to new experiences at conferences in Florida and in distant locations like Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Denver, Nashville, Minneapolis, and Seattle.

Chipola’s business-centric organization, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), is a top performer at state and national leadership conferences, typically placing in the Top-5 at state competition and in the Top-10 in the national competition. PBL also hosts the annual Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) District 2 competition for high school students. The group participates in community service projects such as the Jackson County Backpack for Kids Feeding Program, the Senior Citizen Christmas Fund, March of Dimes, and others, to support local and national charities. Although PBL is primarily for business majors, students from all majors are welcome to join.

 STEM Events: Each fall, the Mathematics and Natural Sciences Departments host area high school students on the Chipola College campus for an annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) event. Attendees must be juniors and seniors from high schools in the Chipola five-county district. Past events have required students to build a machine, solve a murder, and conduct investigations.

Academic Center for Excellence (ACE): In 2006, Chipola received a coveted Title III - Strengthening Institutions Grant through the U. S. Department of Education. This grant provided funds to establish the ACE for instructional support. The ACE features a comfortable learning environment for on-demand tutoring, group study, “Exam Cram” sessions, and computer access to instructional software. Hundreds of students attend the ACE each week to receive free individual tutoring upon request and participate in study sessions. Over 800 students made thousands of visits to the ACE last year using the ACE lab on campus and the ACE@Home option through CANVAS for off campus and after-hours assistance. The Chipola College ACE was among the top 10 finalists for a Bellwether Award in both 2015 and 2014.

To aid in the ever-changing world of education, the ACE developed several online and after-hours services for students utilizing ACE Tutoring, a Canvas course that each Chipola College student can access. ACE @ Home allows students the opportunity to receive free online tutoring in select courses during the day and evening. Live, interactive tutoring is available for several math, science, and English courses through Canvas. Students can also submit questions at any time through the ACE Canvas course and will receive a short video or written response in return. During the 2022-2023 academic year, ACE will continue to offer expanded course offerings for online tutoring through multiple technologies such as Canvas Studio, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Screencast-O-Matic. ACE also facilitates the organization of online learning communities where students can work with classmates on assignments and test preparation. In alignment with courses being taught both in person and virtually, Chipola College remains committed to providing full academic support for all students.

Fine and Performing Arts: Chipola College is well known throughout the Southeast for its excellent arts education and programming in music, art, and theatre. Classes and performance-based learning are offered in all three areas, and scholarships are available to increase accessibility for students.

The 56,000-square-foot Dr. Gene Prough Center for the Arts is one of Florida’s finest performing arts centers. The center opened in Fall 2012, and consists of a 650-seat state-of-the-art proscenium main theatre for performing arts; a 150-seat experimental theatre for intimate works, cutting-edge programs and recitals; an art gallery to serve the current and future needs of the Chipola College community. Teaching spaces, meeting rooms, scenery and costume shops, and offices are designed to enrich the educational experiences of Chipola’s students and more than 6,000 K-12 school children in the five-county area. Some 10,000 guests visit the Center for the Arts each year.

Chipola’s four musical ensembles, College Chorus, Rock and Jazz Ensemble, Show Choir, and the President’s Ensemble perform throughout the Southeast. The Show Choir and the President’s Ensemble are chosen by audition. The Show Choir performs in such venues as Disney World, Sea World, and aboard cruise ships.

Chipola Theatre produces three student productions each year and staged script readings. The 2022-2023 season included 9 to 5 The Musical, The Mountaintop, and You Can’t Take It With You. Each summer thousands of area children visit the Center to experience live theatre for the first time. This year children attended The Secret Garden.

Students attend the Florida Theatre Conference (FTC), the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) for professional development opportunities.

The college also sponsors an Artist Series featuring national and international artists and provides deeply discounted tickets for Chipola students and staff. The 2022-2023 season hosted The Queen’s Cartoonists, Masters of Soul, and magician Jeki You. The Center’s Art Gallery hosted the works of local and national artists.

The Chipola Regional Arts Association (CRAA) supports the arts in the Chipola district by funding programs for children, contributing to the Chipola Artist Series, providing grants for area music, art, and theatre teachers, and offering scholarships to Chipola students. Their unwavering effort to support the cultural life in the Chipola district has enriched the lives of countless community members.

Emphasis on Instructional Programs and Student Outcomes: Throughout Florida, Chipola is recognized for the quality of its instructional programs, all of which undergo annual program assessments according to specific expected outcomes. A rigorous program assessment process helps deans, department chairs, and lead faculty determine program strengths and weaknesses and make improvements. All academic departments require common course syllabi, departmental final exams, and textbooks. Academic departments provide students with access to appropriate labs and instructional materials.

Many indicators confirm Chipola’s outstanding academic program. Just one example is that Chipola’s graduates in biology, chemistry, and physics are often recruited as lab assistants in state universities and engineering students consistently earn top honors in colleges of engineering.

College-Level Competencies: Faculty have identified college-level competencies taught in the general education core courses of associate degree programs. Multiple measures are used to evaluate how well students learn to do the following:

• Evaluate societal and ethical issues, problems, and values
• Explore the nature of science
• Demonstrate basic mathematical skills and knowledge
• Comprehend and articulate effectively in English: reading, writing, oral communication
• Interpret, evaluate, and appreciate works of human culture

Excellent Advising and Orientation: Chipola’s students get a good start during one-on-one advising sessions with faculty members and Student Affairs advisors. Academic pathways and other aids in educational planning are available on the college’s website. Entering freshmen learn college survival skills during an orientation course. Recent Graduating Student Surveys show that 93% of the graduates were satisfied with academic advising. 

Athletics: While Chipola is recognized for excellent academic programs, sports have always been a big part of the college community. Chipola student-athletes participate in men’s baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s softball and women’s cross-country. The college also has an outstanding cheerleading squad.

In 2022, Chipola won a state championship in men’s basketball. Men’s Basketball holds a total of 17 state championships and 26 Panhandle Conference Championships. Coach Donnie Tyndall was named the Florida Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year and the FCSAA Coach of the Year. Women’s Basketball holds five Panhandle Conference championships, seven state championships and a national championship in 2015.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams and the baseball team all advanced to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.

Men’s Baseball holds seven state championships and three national championships, including back to back national titles in 2017 and 2018. Coach Jeff Johnson was named Florida Panhandle Coach of the Year and was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Softball has been to six consecutive NJCAA Championship Tournaments and has nine appearances overall. The Lady Indians won the title in 2007, 2015, and 2019. Softball has six state championships and 11 Panhandle Conference Championships.

Chipola marked its 60th anniversary in 2007 in grand style by picking up two national championships—baseball and softball—and state championships in all four of the college’s major intercollegiate sports. The feat put Chipola in the record books as the only team from the Florida ever to win four state championships in one year.

Chipola has an exceptional record of preparing student-athletes for the next level. Most student-athletes transfer to Division I colleges and universities, while others advance to the professional ranks.

The entire focus of athletics at Chipola is to prepare student-athletes for success on the playing field and in the classroom.

Course Offerings

Chipola offers more than 40 degrees and certificates. The most popular majors among AA/Transfer students are Business, Engineering, Education, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Psychology. Popular AS degree programs are Nursing, Computer Science and Engineering Technology. Popular certificate programs are Automotive Technology, Fire Science, Corrections, Cosmetology and Law Enforcement. A state-of-the-art welding program was initiated in January 2014. Engineering Technology and Civil Engineering Technology were initiated in 2015. Theatre and Entertainment Technology was added in 2019.

To meet the needs of employed students, commuting students, students with family responsibilities, and students with a variety of needs, departments schedule face-to-face, evening and online classes.

Training programs are changed or continued as dictated by documented need by needs assessments which precede all major program changes. Program assessments are based on indicators of student learning, cost effectiveness, faculty qualifications, and community impact. The college fosters training partnerships with area businesses and agencies. Responses to community training needs include: (1) establishing the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) to provide tutoring; (2) offering high school Dual-Enrollment classes in district high schools at the request of parents, students, and school officials; (3) increasing enrollment for RN and CNA programs; (4) establishing the School of Education to help address Florida’s shortage of qualified teachers, (5) delivering a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program with concentrations in Accounting, Management, Information Systems and Engineering Management; (6) delivering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, and (7) establishing an Engineering Technology program to address the need for skilled technicians by area employers.

Outstanding Faculty

One of Chipola’s greatest assets is its outstanding faculty. Of the full-time faculty members, about 57% are tenured; about 32% hold doctorates; and 57% hold master’s or education specialist degrees. At least 14% of the faculty members are completing course work toward the doctorate.

Several instructors have received prestigious teaching awards and won state and regional recognition for instructional projects at Chipola. John Gardner, Automotive Technology Instructor, was named the 2018 Professor of the Year by the Association of Florida Colleges.

Amie Myers, English Instructor, was a finalist for the Professor of the Year Award in 2020. Sherry Klanjac, Business Instructor, was a finalist for the 2020 Ernest L. Boyer Excellence in Teaching and Technology Award by the Association of Florida Colleges. Faculty members regularly participate at state meetings and conduct in-service activities for public school personnel in the college district. When available, part-time faculty are also engaged to teach classes, mostly in the arts, social sciences, criminology, and corrections.

Full-time faculty members teach over 70% of student contact hours. Highly qualified instructors are hired in full-time positions. This has prevented fragmented approaches to instruction that are frequently reported in schools with high percentages of part-time instructors. Inherent in the college’s philosophy is the belief that full-time faculty members have a full-time commitment to teaching and that interaction in the workplace creates a willingness to learn from each other, share departmental resources, and gain expertise.

Professional Presentations and Appearances

Amanda Clark, Social and Behavioral Sciences Department.  Presentation at Chipola's Student Scientists Association "Science in the Park" events. 

John Gardner, Workforce Development Department.  Keynote speaker at The Group Training Academy AVI Conference, “Automotive Education for the Coming Era.”  Keynote speaker at the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance conference. 

Annamarie Johnson, School of Health Sciences.  Presentation of doctoral research at the 2022 ACEN Accreditation Conference, “ Coping Ability in the AND Student and Why it Matters: An Educational Intervention Study”

Paige Vanderwerf, Workforce Development Department.  Presentation at Association of Florida Colleges Annual Meeting & Conference, November 2022, “Contextualized Instruction: An Exploration at One College”

Rachel West, Literature and Language Department.  Presentation at Association of Florida Colleges Annual Meeting & Conference, November 2022, “Contextualized Instruction: An Exploration at One College”

Matthew White, Information Systems Department.  Presenter: “ChatGPT: AI, Writing, and the College Classroom”, Pensacola State College Professional Development Day, March 2023; Presenter: “ChatGPT: AI, Writing, and the College Classroom”, AFC Region 1 Conference, March 2023.

Professional Publications

Stephanie Bender, Literature and Language Department.  Bender, S. D., (2022) “Cyborgian Salariats: Rationalization and the White Collar Worker in Sasha Stone’s ‘Hundred-Horsepower Office,’” Screen Bodies vol. 7, no. 2 (Winter 2022).

Awards, Recognition, Professional Accomplishments

Kelly Brookins, Head Softball Coach.  Team finished second in the Florida Panhandle Conference with an overall record of 39-9 and advanced to the FCSAA/Region VIII tournament for the 16^th consecutive year.  Team finished the regular season ranked 14^th in the NJCAA and 3^rd in the FCSAA. 

Amanda Clark, Social and Behavioral Sciences Department.  Distinguished Service Award for Faculty

Allyson Howell, Director Academic Center for Excellence (ACE).  Distinguished Service Award for Administrator

Jeff Johnson, Director of Athletics and Head Baseball Coach.  Named Florida Panhandle Coach of the Year.  Inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Grand Junction, CO.  Team won its 14^th Florida Panhandle Conference championship under Coach Johnson earning its 27^th appearance in the FSCAA/Region VIII state tournament.  Team finished ranked #2 in the NJCAA and #1 in the FCSAA. 

Donnie Tyndall, Head Men’s Basketball Coach.  Florida Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year and FCSAA Coach of the Year.  Team won its 26^th Panhandle Conference championship and 17^th State/Region VIII championship.  Team advanced to final four in its 17^th NJCAA national tournament appearance.  Team finished regular season ranked #7 in the NJCAA and #2 in the FCSAA.

Employees of the Month and of the Year

Career Employee Award
August – Taylor Pittman
September – Nell Donaldson
October – Linda Morales
November – Sheila Mercer
December – Debra Bragg
January – Mary Bruce Hamilton
February – Jan Cummings
March – Takoda Shaw
April – Tameka Jones
May – Shawn Keihn

Faculty/Administrator/Other Professional Award

October – Travis Bates
November – Kurt McInnis
December – Stephanie Bender
February – Jeff Bodart
March – Allyson Howell
April – Cornelius Clark

Employee of the Year Award

2021-2022 Career Employee of the Year – Jeremy Smith, Physical Plant

2022-2023 Career Employee of the Year - Linda Morales, Social and Behavioral Sciences

2022-2023 Faculty/Administrator/Other Professional Employee of the Year – Cornelius Clark, School of Education

2022-2023 Kirkland Teaching Award - Dr. Jeff Bodart, Behavioral Science

Local, Regional, State, and National Leadership

Glenda Bethel, School of Business and Technology.  Adviser, Chipola FBLA Collegiate.  Director, Florida FBLA Collegiate District I.  Member, Florida FBLA Board of Directors.  Host of 2022-23 FBLA District II pep rally.  Host and coordinator of the 2022-23 FBLA District II competition. 

Amanda Clark, Social and Behavioral Sciences Department.  Chipola STEM coordinator.  QM certified reviewer.  Textbook reviewer for Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology, by Saladin/McFarland. 

John Gardner, Workforce Development Department.  Host of Tech Garage television show on Discovery's Motor Trend Network now in its ninth season. Host of Amsoil 52 Tech Tips on Discovery’s Motorhead Garage.  Host of Vicari Collector Car Auction Live on CBS Sports.

Darwin Gilmore, Workforce Development Department.  Fannie Mae recognized the “Chipola Street Project” as the birthplace of the first HomeReady ™ Mortgage – allowing both homeowner and volunteer sweat equity.  This is a joint project involving the Chipola College Building Construction Technology Program teaming with Habitat for Humanity, Auburn Rural Studio, and Regions Bank to create nationwide affordable housing solutions.  Board Member, Jackson County Economic Development Committee.  Member, NW Florida Manufacturers Council. Education member, Opportunity Florida.

Ashley Harvey, Registrar. Chapter President, Association of Florida Colleges.

Allyson Howell, Director Academic Center for Excellence (ACE).  President, Delta Kappa Gamma.  Florida Teacher LEAD.  Member of FTCE Florida Teacher Certification - Sensitivity and Bias Review and Item Committee.

Scott Phelps, Workforce Development Department.  Board member for Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity.

Evelyn Ward, Fine and Performing Arts Department. Executive Director for the Chipola Regional Arts Association.

Matthew White, Information Systems Department.  Board member, Association of Florida Colleges Foundation.  Chair, Florida College System Information Security Professionals. Member, Association of Florida Colleges CEO Search Task Group.  Jackson County Member, Local Technology Planning Team for Broadband Initiatives.

Growth of Facilities and Technology

The college has received over $20 million in building or renovation funds. Over 90 percent of the classrooms are equipped with “smart” classroom technology, and most buildings are equipped with wireless internet capability. Chipola has 18 student computer labs. These are located in all classroom buildings. The state-of-the-art Library houses the student Technology Center and provides numerous databases as part of a state system. The new Academic Center for Excellence provides on-demand tutoring and additional academic support.

The new decade ushered in a new age of technological integration into the curriculum and instruction. For example, online courses are offered in every academic department, and state-of-the-art technology supports training. Automotive Service Technology, Welding and Engineering Technology students now have some of the most advanced, computer-assisted instructional equipment available. Instructors have the capability to simulate equipment failures and track students’ progress toward diagnosing the failure. Students receive valuable “hands-on” training supplemented by expert instruction.

Chipola College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and certificates. Questions about the accreditation of Chipola College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). This accreditation was most recently reaffirmed in 2018.

The college is also a member of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Southern Association of Colleges with Associate Degrees, the Association of Florida Colleges, National Junior College Athletic Association, Florida College System Activities Association, Florida’s Great Northwest and other state and national professional organizations for institutions of higher learning.

Chipola’s Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education In Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), and the Paramedics/EMT program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession (CoAEMSP). The college is also accredited by the Florida Board of Nursing, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida Department of Children and Family Services, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), and International Conference on Automotive Collision Repair (I-CAR). The Welding Program is accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

Vision

Chipola College promotes learning and student achievement through excellence, opportunity, diversity, and progress.

Mission

Chipola College provides access to quality learning opportunities toward baccalaureate degrees, associate degrees, and certificates and facilitates the economic, social, and cultural development of the College’s service area. -Adopted April 19, 2016

Institutional Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Increase enrollment, retention, and completion
Objective 1.1 Ensure students have access to support services needed to be successful at college
Objective 1.2 Minimize barriers to enrollment, retention, and completion

Goal 2: Provide a high quality distance learning program
Objective 2.1 Provide high quality online courses
Objective 2.2 Ensure students taking online courses have access to high quality academic support services

Goal 3: Prepare students for continued learning and careers
Objective 3.1 Provide students foundational competencies needed to successfully continue their education
Objective 3.2 Prepare students for employment

Goal 4: Provide a high quality dual enrollment program
Objective 4.1 Provide high quality dual enrollment courses in district high schools

Goal 5: Provide an appealing campus environment
Objective 5.1 Provide an aesthetically pleasing campus environment
Objective 5.2 Provide a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment

Goal 6: Manage resources responsibly
Objective 6.1 Use resources appropriately

Goal 7: Facilitate regional development
Objective 7.1 Contribute to the region’s economic development
Objective 7.2 Contribute to the region’s cultural and social development

Goal 8: Remain a leading institution in the Florida College System
Objective 8.1 Improve outcomes pertaining to Florida’s 2+2 and College Work Student Success Incentive Funds
Objective 8.2 Provide students a high quality overall educational experience