Photo courtesy of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

Every student who comes to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) brings a different story, a different goal and often a different idea of what comes next.

Some know exactly where they are headed. Others are still figuring it out. Many are balancing college with work, family and responsibilities outside the classroom. At SCF, we have a responsibility to help each of them find their path, access the support they need and make progress without unnecessary barriers or delays.

That idea is at the heart of SCF's new 2026-2031 Strategic Plan and my vision for our College: help more students succeed and create clearer, more efficient pathways to graduation and the opportunities that follow.

We call it going “higher and faster,” together.

Our new Strategic Plan provides the roadmap, but it was not created by one person, one office or from a single perspective. It reflects the voices and ideas of people throughout our SCF College community, as well as the needs of the communities, employers and industries we serve. I am grateful to everyone who shared their experiences, perspectives and ideas throughout the planning process, and to our Strategic Planning Committee for bringing those voices together around a common purpose: helping our students and our region thrive.

At the center of the plan is our new mission: “SCF’s mission is student success. Through high-quality, open-access education, we create pathways that empower students to achieve prosperity, transform lives, and strengthen their communities.”

Our vision is equally ambitious: “SCF’s vision is to be a national leader in student success and paths to graduation, driving transformation across communities and industries.”

Those words matter because they define both what we do and where we intend to go.

Our Strategic Plan organizes that work around three priorities: Student Success, Academic Excellence and Institutional Effectiveness.

Student Success means helping students connect with SCF early, know where to turn when they need assistance, develop clear academic plans and prepare for what comes after graduation. The plan calls for stronger connections between students and faculty, greater awareness of available resources, more opportunities for internships and experiential learning, and proactive support when students encounter academic challenges.

Academic Excellence means ensuring students can make meaningful progress toward their goals. That includes continually improving teaching and learning, developing clear degree pathways and providing the courses students need when they need them. Our plan specifically focuses on reducing barriers along academic pathways, decreasing the average time to degree and increasing graduation rates.

Institutional Effectiveness may sound less visible to the public, but it directly affects the student experience. We want SCF to be easier to navigate, more responsive and better equipped to serve students. That means reducing unnecessary barriers, strengthening collaboration, using technology and data responsibly, and creating more consistent experiences across the College.

Our values will guide how we accomplish this work.

Accountability means owning our outcomes and continuously improving. Excellence keeps high-quality teaching and learning at the forefront. Belonging reminds us that students and employees should feel welcomed and supported. Teamwork recognizes that student success is shared work. And Community Connections reflects an essential truth about SCF: when our students succeed, our region benefits.

That last value is especially important because this is not a plan SCF can accomplish alone.

We need employers who provide internships and career opportunities. We need community organizations that help us support students beyond the classroom. We need educators who help students see college as attainable. We need alumni who share their experiences and advocate for the next generation. And we need our community to continue telling us what it needs from its college.

A strategic plan should not sit on a shelf. It should be visible in the experiences of our students, the work of our employees and the impact SCF makes throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Over the next five years, we will measure our progress, learn from what works and continue listening to the people we serve. The goal is ambitious, but clear: more students achieving their goals, with fewer barriers standing between them and graduation.

That is how we strengthen families, our workforce and our community.

Let’s go “higher and faster,” together.

Tommy Gregory, J.D. is the President of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

Photo courtesy of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.