Florida Biotech Day

Presenter:  Dr. Elaine Johnson, Bio-Link National Center

California now has two programs that offer Bachelor's degrees in Biomanufacturing.  In Northern California the degree is offered by Solano Community College and in Southern California the degree is offered by MiraCosta Community College.

Presenter:  Barbara Juncosa, PhD, MiraCosta College

In September 2014 Governor Brown signed SB850 that provided the authority for 15 community colleges to pilot baccalaureate degree programs.  MiraCosta College was one of those colleges and now has enrolled students into its Biomanufacturing Bachelor's degree. 

Take a look at what they have already accomplished and what lessons they have learned.

Presenter:  Alexandra Gorgevska, PhD, Palm Beach State College

Palm Beach State College has 2 degree programs in Biotechnology and two college credit certificates as well!

Two degree programs in Biotechnology

   – Associate in Science (AS) degree

   – Dual Associate in Arts (AA)/(AS) degree option • Designed for pre-med and other students planning to transfer to a four-year university

Two College Credit Certificates in Biotechnology

   – 19-credit CCC

      • Students with a life science bachelor's degree

   – 30-credit CCC

      • Students looking to stand out from the competition and add just a few Biotech courses to their AA degree plan.

      • The 30 Credit Biotech CCC (6160) is eligible for Title IV Financial Aid

Presenter: Matt Thomas, PhD, State College of Florida - Manatee Sarasota (SCF)

The Biotechnology program at SCF is a terrific example of what can be done when academia and industry working together to accomplish joint goals.

Details of the program include:

• 2 year AS degree (61 credit hours)

• In-line 19 credit hour certificate

• 5 technique classes

• Internship capstone

• Created in 2011 to meet local need – petition from local employers direct to SCF

• Investment in program also improved general science education at SCF

• Increased efficiencies at SCF

Presenter:  Russ Read, Forsyth Technical Community College

Skill Standards answer two critical questions:

What do workers need to know and be able to do to succeed in today's workplace?

How do we know when workers are performing well?

The Community College Consortium for Bioscience Credentials has developed a set of standards to help answer these questions.

Presenters:  Dr. Linnea Fletcher, Director AC2 Bio-Link Regional Center; Dr. Tamara C Mandell, Associate Director, Education and Training University of Florida CERHB; Russ H Read, CPP(LERN) Executive Director, National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce

The Community College Consortium for Bioscience Credentials (c3bc) has identified the need for credentialing both at the state level and in industry.  This presentation explores:

•  Learning Outcomes

• —  Specifics relating to the administration of the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam

• —  Discuss secondary-to-post secondary program content and skills in the context of the exam and the c3bc core competencies

• —  Learn strategies for developing laddered credentialing

• —  Identify strategies and best practices for student success

• —  Discuss career options and pathways

Presenter:  Heather Belmont, Indian River State College

Indian River State College (IRSC) is one of 28 community and state colleges in Florida.  It has a comprehensive offering of over 130 programs leading to Technical Certificates, Applied Technology Diplomas, Associate and, since 2008, twenty 4-year Bachelor's Programs.  It has both IRSC Sponsored Research and Industry Sponsored Research.

Presenter:  Abbe Kesterson, Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Bluegrass Community and Technical College has a brand new (2018) incubator space with capacity for 12 students per semester.  It takes its place as part of the CSO-Incubator Network, cincNet.org and is aptly named B-Cell, Bioscience Collaborative Educational Learning Laboratory. 

Presenter:  Dr. Linnea Fletcher, PhD,  Director, AC2 Bio-Link Regional Center

Austin Community College's next Generation Incubator is a cutting edge program with talent, lab space and equipment.  Take a look at what their partnership with business is achieving today!