Latest news with #SaintLeoUniversity
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeSantis issues education vetoes before signing Florida budget
The big story: Florida has a budget for the fiscal year that begins today. Before signing the $115 billion spending plan into law on Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed millions of dollars of projects, with several hits to education projects. One of the more notable cuts was $5.7 million to public radio and television stations, which are primarily run by schools and universities. The stations' news outlets have become punching bags for conservative Republicans, who have pushed for a national defunding of the system. DeSantis did not touch The Florida Channel, though, Florida Politics reports. DeSantis also axed $356,046 for a study of cellphone use in high schools, which lawmakers said they want to review before considering a full ban. A ban on student phone use in elementary and middle schools becomes law today, WJAX reports. Several items directed at school districts and universities also took hits. Among them were $609,500 toward expansion of Saint Leo University's nursing program, $2.5 million for a workforce center at Hillsborough College's Plant City campus, $1 million for a resilience initiative for Hillsborough and Pasco county educators, and $1 million toward an ARK Innovation Center at Pinellas County schools. Pinellas superintendent Kevin Hendrick focused on appropriations the district will receive, such as $500,000 to support a teacher apprenticeship program and a separate $1 million allocation for the ARK project. 'The $1 million veto would have meant $2 million for the center, but in this fiscal climate, the district is grateful for the $1,5 million in appropriations,' Hendrick said. Read more about the budget here. University presidents: Trustees at the University of South Florida have decided to drop the search firm that brought Santa Ono and Ben Sasse to the University of Florida. Staff sharing: The Madison County school board rescinded its agreement to share administrative staff with the Jefferson County school district, raising concerns about last-minute changes to the job descriptions, WTXL reports. School vouchers: Charter Schools USA will accept vouchers for students to take individual classes at 62 of its campuses, Next Steps reports. New schools: The Duval County school district is planning to open new schools even as it shutters others, the Florida Times-Union reports. Employee housing: The Orange County school district is helping employees find affordable housing, the Orlando Sentinel reports. College costs: The threat of shrinking Pell grants has Florida college students worried they might not afford finishing their degrees, WFTS reports. Charter schools: A former superintendent of Alachua County schools was named principal of Santa Fe College's charter school, MainStreet Daily News reports. Don't miss a story. Yesterday's roundup is just a click away. Before you go ... Each morning, right?
Business Upturn
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Saint Leo University Receives Significant Gift from Tampa Tech Icon, Arnie Bellini
Saint Leo, Fla., June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saint Leo University has received a transformative $1.5 million donation from Tampa-based tech visionary and philanthropist Arnie Bellini, founder of ConnectWise and CEO of Bellini Capital. The gift builds on an initial $500,000 contribution made in 2024, with a recent additional $1 million investment. This impactful support will significantly expand the university's reach in cybersecurity education, fueling initiatives designed to close workforce gaps and prepare students for high-demand careers. The donation will establish The Bellini Family Endowed Scholarship, the university's first dedicated cybersecurity scholarship, supporting students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity or demonstrating a strong passion for the field. It will also advance several strategic initiatives, including Saint Leo's first partnership with industry experts to create a new model for comprehensive, innovative cybersecurity training, with programming planned to begin in 2025. 'The cybersecurity threat is real, constant, and growing, and CyberBay is already a magnet for talent and innovation to address the need,' said Arnie Bellini. 'Right here in the Tampa Bay region, the demand for skilled cyber professionals is immediate and urgent—and the jobs are high-paying and high-impact. Saint Leo has proven itself as a powerhouse in cyber education, and this investment will amplify their impact and accelerate the pipeline of talent.' According to industry research, the global cybersecurity workforce gap surpassed 4 million jobs in 2023, including more than 500,000 vacancies in the United States. Florida ranks among the top five states in demand for cybersecurity professionals. The new training program will provide an expedited, flexible way for working adults to gain foundational cybersecurity skills. This revolutionary approach to cybersecurity education creates standardized training modules for industry wide adoption. Offered entirely online and self-paced, the program is designed to serve as a talent pipeline for employers across Tampa Bay and beyond, helping individuals transition into critical tech roles faster. 'Arnie Bellini's generosity accelerates our mission to educate ethical tech leaders and bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application,' said Steve Carroll, chief information officer at Saint Leo University. 'This gift will impact Tampa Bay's workforce for generations to come.' Saint Leo University has earned national recognition for its cybersecurity program and is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In 2023, the university established the College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science to meet the rising demand for high-quality education in the tech sector. More than 500 students are currently pursuing cybersecurity degrees at Saint Leo. ### ABOUT SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY Saint Leo University is a Catholic Benedictine university dedicated to helping learners of all backgrounds and ages gain the competence and courage to be more. Offering more than 55-degree programs to more than 13,000 students each year, the nonprofit university is known for providing a values-based education in the liberal arts tradition and a community of belonging for those who seek a greater purpose in life. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a campus in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, regional education centers, and several online programs. The university is home to more than 106,000 alumni. Learn more at or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SL Benfica President Rui Costa Inaugurates Portuguese club's new Residential Academy in Florida
The "Eagles" have taken their world-famous player development methodology to the United States TAMPA, Fla., June 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SL Benfica President Rui Costa officially inaugurated the club's new Residential Academy this Friday at Saint Leo University in Florida, marking a major step in the club's international expansion and long-term commitment to youth development in the United States. The event brought together members of the Benfica board, academy families, the Saint Leo University community, and guests from across the Tampa Bay area. First team players Florentino Luís, Joshua Wynder and Renato Sanches, who graduated from the academy in Lisbon, were also present. The ceremony was part of Benfica's visit to the U.S., where the club is participating in the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup. Benfica's player development training methodology is world famous with the club twice winning the award for best academy in the world at the Globe Soccer Awards and producing elite talent such as Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, João Neves, Gonçalo Ramos and João Felix. With this launch, Benfica becomes the third major European club to establish a residential academy in the U.S., beginning with 100 student-athletes and plans to grow to 500. Training will follow the club's training methods and will be led by Benfica-trained coaches. President Rui Costa said, "For us, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, it is a great honor to be here today, in person, to inaugurate this academy. We are known, beyond our borders, for the excellent work we do in player development, and being able to carry out this partnership with Saint Leo University, here in the United States, fills us with pride and honor, especially because this is a model we strongly believe in: where our players can combine sporting excellence with academic development," he emphasized. He added, "It's a fantastic project, a huge project, one of great scale—but scale in the Benfica way. It is the first, but it will not be the last. Above all, it is an important pillar for what we envision as the expansion of the Benfica brand, and for one of our highest priorities, as I mentioned earlier: to develop players the Benfica way." Benfica's academy footprint spans 5 continents with full academies in Portugal, USA, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and technical partnerships in Egypt, Dubai, India, Mauritius, Malta, Japan, Lithuania and Luxembourg and Poland alongside high-performance youth camps across the globe. Edwin Narain, chair of the St. Leo University board of trustees, said, "It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Saint Leo University, as we celebrate the official launch of a partnership between Saint Leo University and the Benfica Residential Academy," Narain said. "We are honored that the club has chosen Saint Leo University as the site of its first residential academy in the United States." View original content: SOURCE Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Saint Leo University's sees first graduates from nursing program four years later
The Brief The very first class of nursing graduates from Saint Leo University are done. They started the program in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when the world was very different. The hands-on experience the graduates received outside the classroom helped them out in a way they said they couldn't have imagined. SAINT LEO, Fla. - Four years of classes, stress and navigating a life post-covid paid off for nursing graduates of Saint Leo University's inaugural nursing program, and it's fitting during National Nurses Week this week. From scrubs to a cap and gown, the very first class of nursing graduates are done. They started the program in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when the world was very different. READ: WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy What they're saying "I feel like at that time we are all still kind of in a panic, and I really couldn't grasp how the world had changed with that," said Emily Edwards, who graduated on Wednesday from the nursing program at Saint Leo University. Edwards first spoke with FOX 13's Briona Arradondo four years ago as she began her journey. Now, she said she's a different person. "I honestly feel way more prepared than I ever thought I would," said Edwards. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube She learned from nursing instructors like Paige Porter, who teaches pharmacology, critical care, nursing transition and more. "COVID changed everything, for sure. And one reason that this program was launched was to address the nursing shortage," said Porter. Dig deeper Well-being and self-care became a priority as a response to nurses' burnout during the pandemic. "I always would tell them that you can't pour from an empty cup," said Porter. MORE: Hospital staff helps mother give birth to twins in lobby: 'A really special moment' She also taught them about the latest technology they'll come across in the field. "I like incorporating AI into familiarizing them with that, of course, using it ethically. But that's becoming more and more predominant in academia and in the healthcare field," said Porter. The hands-on experience the graduates received outside the classroom helped them out in a way they said they couldn't have imagined. Saint Leo University partnered with AdventHealth Zephyrhills as part of a Dedicated Education Unit program to pair working nurses with nursing students. "We had so many opportunities to be fully immersed into the clinical experience because I feel like what they teach you in nursing school is entirely different than the real world," said Edwards. "I was pretty much doing 99 percent of what I would be doing as a nurse. I just had someone watching over me." It has solidified what nursing means to her. READ: National Nurses Week 2025: Deals and discounts "It's not just giving meds and seeing patients, but it's also sitting there for patients when they're going through the hardest times of their life," said Edwards. What's next Now headed home up north, she said she hopes to take her board exams in June before returning to Florida as a licensed nurse, coming full circle. "I'm between a couple of hospitals in Tampa and Sarasota actually, but my dream job is actually to work in pediatrics," said Edwards. Future nurses like Edwards are needed in more ways than one. "It's not just a shortage of nurses in general, but people who really care about what they do. And I kind of hope I can at least fill my little part of the world with that care and compassion," said Edwards. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Briona Arradondo. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Jane Castor says now is ‘Tampa's moment'
The city of Tampa is having its moment, the mayor said. During her State of the City address at the Tampa River Center Monday, Mayor Jane Castor touted the city's work in building back from last year's brutal storms, developing neighborhoods and addressing aging infrastructure. With this year's hurricane season beginning in just over a month, Castor emphasized the city's mission to become more resilient: The city has spent $94 million on waste water updates, which includes 28 pump stations, and $350 million in stormwater system maintenance. The city is also adding back-up generators to pump stations, which move residential wastewater to the city's sewer system. An audit earlier this year showed that some of Tampa's pumps haven't been maintained properly, and city officials have said the failure of infrastructure contributed to flooding in neighborhoods that did not expect any. Castor acknowledged neighborhoods that were hit especially hard, including Davis Islands, Forest Hills and Palmetto Beach. When asked after her address what residents in these neighborhoods can expect moving forward, she said the city is anticipating the results of Hillsborough County's report on how cities faired during the storms last year. 'There is no system in America, or the world, that could handle the amount of water that came into some of these neighborhoods,' she said. 'We're working to make our city as resilient as possible.' Castor said the city is working with state, federal and local partners to continue supporting residents in neighborhoods that are building back. She said the county is set to receive more than $700 million in disaster assistance, with a portion going toward the city. Under Castor, the Tampa City Council passed the Progressive Infrastructure Plan to Ensure Sustainability program in 2019 to invest in sewer and water systems. She has also focused on other infrastructure needs, such as roads, sidewalks and public transit. Castor thanked U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents the Tampa Bay and is not related to the mayor, for securing federal funding for the city. 'This is all disruptive,' she said. 'But temporary inconvenience in one block means long-term protection for the entire neighborhood.' Housing demand has also been a key issue affecting residents in Tampa. The city's director of housing, among other city leadership, resigned last year, and in 2023, the Tampa Bay Times reported the mayor had inflated progress on affordable housing. But Castor on Monday said the city has built 20,000 residential units, thousands of which are affordable, and rental rates are back to 2021 levels. 'While we welcome new neighbors to Tampa, we will not price our residents out of the city that they built,' she said, which was met with applause. Former Mayor Bob Buckhorn attended Monday's speech and addressed speculation he may run for mayor. He spoke to a class of students at Saint Leo University Thursday, and said he was making a bid for the seat, according to the school. But after Castor's address he said he couldn't confirm his decision yet because the race is still two years out and there are 'a lot of things to figure out.' 'I'm really, really looking hard at it,' said Buckhorn, who was Tampa mayor from 2011 to 2019. 'I think the chances are probably pretty good that I will.' Overall, Castor's message was that Tampa is 'strong,' and she gave nods to the communities integral to the city's history, and, of course, Grammy-winning rapper Doechii, who grew up in Tampa. 'This is Tampa's moment,' she said. 'We used to have to fight to get on the map. Now, we are shaping that map.'
