On June 23, Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the new Barbering Lab at Kent Campus, expanding the program to serve even more students. Within this new space, students will have opportunities for personal and professional growth as they prepare for the required state licensing exam. 

Currently housed in a dedicated lab at FSCJ's North Campus, the barbering program was awarded a $40,000 grant to support the project expansion during the 2024 National Association of Community College Entrepreneurs Pitch for the Skilled Trades competition.

“This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our community,” said College President John Avendano, Ph.D. “This grant allows us to expand one of our programs that is in high demand, and students will not only gain valuable skills to serve clients, but also the foundation needed to pursue business ownership.”  

This new dedicated space allows the College to provide additional students a dedicated learning environment while keeping costs significantly lower than traditional programs. Students will have access to the latest technology, resources and experiential, hands-on learning to develop the necessary skills and successfully enter the workforce. 

FSCJ’s Barbering Career Certificate (C.C.) program is designed to qualify students for employment upon successfully passing the Florida Barber License Examination. Students are paired with instructors who believe in a team approach that is flexible and understanding of individual needs which enable each student to reach their full potential and the achievement of success. Learn more about the program at https://www.fscj.edu/program?pcode=5622.  

View more photos from the event at https://flickr.com/photos/floridastatecollege/albums/72177720334350717. 

Sunshine Health and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) are proud to announce a new partnership to launch the Sunshine Health Pathways to Healthcare Careers Summer Camp, an immersive educational experience designed to inspire high school students to explore careers in healthcare while gaining practical, lifesaving skills.

The summer camp will be hosted at the FSCJ North Campus and offered in two sessions:

• June 15–19
• July 12–17

The program provides students with hands-on exposure to a wide range of high-demand healthcare professions while helping them build confidence, skills, and awareness of future educational pathways.

“Through this camp, FSCJ is creating meaningful opportunities for students to see themselves in healthcare careers and experience college-level learning in a supportive environment,” said FSCJ Dean of health Sciences Monica Franklin. “Our partnership with Sunshine Health allows us to connect education, workforce development and community health in a way that can truly change lives.”

Throughout the weeklong camp, students will participate in interactive workshops, demonstrations and simulations led by FSCJ faculty and healthcare professionals. Career exploration areas include nursing, dental programs, medical laboratory technology, cardiovascular technology, radiation therapy, biotechnology, physical therapist assisting and respiratory therapy.

In addition to career exploration, students will receive American Heart Association CPR certification, participate in Stop the Bleed emergency response training and engage in hands-on learning focused on patient care and safety. A key component of the camp is its emphasis on health literacy to help students understand how health insurance works, why preventive care matters and how informed healthcare decisions can improve long-term health outcomes.

“At Sunshine Health, we believe that education is one of the strongest tools for building healthier communities,” said Sunshine Health Vice President of Marketing and Engagement Heather Urquides. “By investing in students early, we are helping them understand their own health while opening doors to careers that strengthen our healthcare workforce and improve community well-being.”

The Sunshine Health Pathways to Healthcare Careers Summer Camp is designed to support high school students from North Jacksonville and surrounding communities, providing access to healthcare education, mentorship and real-world skills. Participants will engage directly with industry experts, earn certifications and digital badges, and gain early exposure to college and career pathways in healthcare. Participation in the camp is free for students, made possible through Sunshine Health’s sponsorship.

By the end of the camp, students will leave with:

• Hands-on experience in multiple healthcare fields
• CPR certification and emergency response training
• Greater understanding of preventive care and health insurance
• Exposure to college and healthcare career pathways
• Mentorship from academic and healthcare professionals

This partnership reflects a shared commitment by Sunshine Health and FSCJ to invest in the next generation of healthcare professionals, strengthen the local workforce pipeline, and promote healthier futures for Jacksonville’s youth.