NSU Horizons Spring/Summer 2008

offerings From humble origins, the SECs quickly began to attract a plethora of students. They were drawn to the centers’ nearby locations, which allowed them to save money. These sites also provided the convenience of weekend and evening classes led by distinguished professors. The SECs joined forces with the main campus to offer stu- dents a variety of learning mod- els—from traditional class-rooms to online courses conducted through Internet-based videoconferences. Outside the classroom, SEC students enjoy a wide range of ac- tivities to help them enhance social skills, build relationships, and de- velop leadership qualities—attri- butes that employers seek. “Student government associa- tions, alumni events, Family Fun Day, Student Appreciation Week, and commencement celebrations are just some of our extracurricular offerings,” said Carrie Florea, SEC director of marketing and performance. Making this tremendous academic experience possible for students away from the main campus is the job of the assistant directors, who are tasked to recruit students for all NSU programs at the SECs. They also serve as ambassadors and liaisons between the SECs and the community. “The directors and assistant directors are the driving force behind the growth of the SECs,” Florea said. Part of that growth can be attributed to the SECs’ academic offerings. Students can choose from a range of programs at all levels—bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. locations Students can also choose where they wish to pursue their degrees. Each SEC location offers its own unique qualities. Housed in an NSU-owned building, the Orlando SEC is the only location that isn’t rented. Located in the same market as Walt Disney World and Florida Hos- pital, many students at this SEC are fo- cused on the hospitality and tourism in- dustry, as well as education, health care, and the financial sector. This SEC offers programs in business, education, psychol- ogy, and health care, including a new physician assistant program. The West Palm Beach SEC offers one of NSU’s first off-campus profes- sional programs in the area of pharmacy. It also offers programs in business, educa- tion, psychology, and the health profes- sions, offerings that may supply a highly skilled workforce for West Palm Beach’s growing biotechnology industry, which includes The Scripps Research Institute. In Tampa, NSU was offering classes long before the SECs began. However, Tampa’s SEC was able to boost the uni- versity’s reputation and image by offering one of the largest education programs outside the main campus. Tampa cur- rently offers programs in the fields of business, education, and psychology. The Southwest Florida SEC is the newest and fastest growing SEC, offering classes in Fort Myers, Naples, and Cape Coral. In the last five years, its enrollment has grown more than 200 percent. Pro- grams are currently offered in education and the health professions, reflecting the area’s booming health care industry. With an enrollment of more than 3,500 students, the Miami SEC is the largest of the Florida SECs, and it’s bigger than many private colleges and universities in Florida. It offers programs in business, education, computer and in- formation sciences, psychology, and health care. In Jacksonville, the SEC has grown as fast as the community. Approximately 1,000 students are enrolled in its business, education, and psychology programs. The Bahamas SEC is currently the only NSU facility of its kind in the Caribbean. NSU is committed to offering international programs in the Bahamas. 27 horizons experience, far from main campus Continued on page 36