![\"Cover-TomLoBasso\"](\"http:\/\/www.daytonastateinmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Cover-TomLoBasso-778x1024.jpg\")
Welcome to fall semester 2018! Whether you are a new or returning student, rest assured that you are part of a college community dedicated to your success and personal growth. Here, you belong to a diverse body of students whose background, academic interests and goals range far and wide. At Daytona State College, every student matters.\nMoving into the new academic year, we\u2019ve made some changes in a variety of areas \u2014 all intended to help you achieve your academic goals, provide you more choices and convenience, and enhance your overall college experience:
\n\u25a0 Our new L. Gale Lemerand Student Center on the Daytona Beach Campus is taking on a commanding presence as it rises along International Speedway Boulevard. This 84,000-sq.-ft. facility will open in spring 2019, housing the Library and Writing Center, Career Services, a major event space, dining services, study and meeting rooms and space to serve 30 or more student clubs and their activities. I hope to see you there for the grand opening.
\n\u25a0 Homecoming is coming up Oct. 11-13, with three days of great activities on campus for students, alumni and the community. Come join us and celebrate your DSC Falcon pride. Check out our website and social media for a full slate of events, as this year\u2019s family-friendly Homecoming event promises to be the most memorable yet.
\n\u25a0 On the academic front, our School of Business Administration now features a hospitality concentration in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision & Management degree. This program specifically prepares graduates for management positions in our hospitality and tourism industry. This summer, we also launched a Hospitality Beverage Science program in the Hosseini Center on the Daytona Beach Campus. Our new Beverage Sciences Lab is the only one of its kind in the state, and this in-demand certificate program is helping to support the area\u2019s growing craft-brewing industry and hospitality beverage markets.
\n\u25a0 Our Broadcast Television Production programs (see this month\u2019s story in News), offered as a certificate and a more in-depth associate of science degree, provide our students with a unique, hands-on experience broadcasting some of our athletic events live on WDSC TV. The television and multimedia industry sector has been identified by Team Volusia as one of the top target industries to attract to our area, and this credential is preparing our graduates with job-ready skills.
\n\u25a0 To help address the area\u2019s urgent workforce needs, DSC is expanding course offerings in multiple areas. We\u2019ve begun offering Building and Construction classes to meet a historic need for skilled housing workers, including short-term classes in areas like Fibrous Glass Duct Construction; Exterior Window, Door and Skylight Installation; Shingle and Siding Installation and more that can be completed in just a few weeks. We\u2019ve also expanded our Welding Technology courses to both day and evening classes in order to accommodate demand.
\n\u25a0 DSC also is part of a Florida Job Growth Grant to help build a workforce pipeline in areas of Advanced Welding, Mechatronics and Industrial Technology Maintenance. Students with proficiency in these areas can apply their skills to careers in manufacturing, construction, aerospace, shipbuilding, pipefitting, automotive and more.
\n\u25a0 Other new programs include a Project Management Advanced Certificate, a credential that is in demand across industries, an Associate of Science in Database Technology, and an Associate of Science in Engineering Technology \u2013 Additive Manufacturing .
\nOf course, this year we\u2019ve also claimed a few bragging rights:
\n\u25a0 For the sixth straight year, U.S. News & World Report placed Daytona State in the top tier of the nation’s
\nBest Online Bachelor’s Programs. In a separate U.S. News survey, the college topped the list of least expensive public online bachelor’s degree programs for in-state students.
\n\u25a0 We continue to hold the line on tuition, with no increase for the past eight years. Daytona State continues to be among the nation\u2019s best values in higher education.
\n\u25a0 On the sports front, our Lady Falcons, under the direction of head coach Laura Brown, this spring claimed their tenth title in 16 seasons at the National Junior College Athletic Association Women’s Golf National Championships. The Falcons scored 1,152, setting a new NJCAA national championship four-round event record.
\n\u25a0 The DSC Baseball program, under coach Tim Touma, earned its 12th straight NJCAA Academic Team of the Year award for having the highest cumulative team grade point average in the sport. The team\u2019s 3.81 GPA is the highest ever for an NJCAA member college in baseball.
\n\u25a0 This fall, we will kick off our inaugural season of Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Cross Country. And you won\u2019t want to miss the action when DSC hosts the NJCAA\u2019s Division 1 Men\u2019s Soccer Championship Tournament in November.
\nCollege is a time for exploration and growth. Have fun. Get involved! Enjoy our outstanding athletic and cultural programs. Join a club or student organization and make new friends. I hope your time at Daytona State sparks a passion to commit to a lifetime of learning, to strive toward new challenges and goals, and to claim your career.
\nBest regards,
\nDr. Tom LoBasso
\nPresident, Daytona State College<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"