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April 2025
To My Fellow Seahawks and Supporters of Broward College:
April is a month full of important commemorations, including Florida College System Month, National Community College Month, World Health Day and National Public Health Week. Broward College connects to all of these areas in so many ways.
Our College is proud to be a leading member of the “Great 28” colleges that comprise the Florida College System, which drives the state’s workforce talent pipeline. Together, we support economic growth, build stronger communities and empower Florida’s future. The College has been consistently named a top college by the Aspen Institute, which illustrates our commitment to student success, workforce alignment and access to higher education. The efforts of our students, faculty and staff achieving at high levels helped contribute to Florida being first in the nation for public higher education, ranked #1 by U.S. News and World Report for eight consecutive years.
On the national level, April being National Community College Month is an opportunity to highlight the transformational effects that local colleges have on their community. Our College’s programs are aligned with in-demand fields that fuel Florida’s economy. One example is the aviation programs under our Emil Buehler Aviation Institute, with most graduates securing positions in the industry shortly after certification. When it comes to workforce development and partnering with industry to meet high demand needs, look no further than our aviation program and its partnership with JetBlue for its Gateway University. This is a pilot development program designed to identify and recruit talented individuals into the profession, and we’re the first college in the country to join with JetBlue to train the next generation of pilots.
Another Pathway at Broward College that has a long history of excellence is Health Sciences. Every April, World Health Day and National Public Health Week celebrates global health and recognize the contributions of public health. For decades, Broward College has played a critical role in educating the next generation of health care professionals. As a leader in health sciences education, our College provides students opportunities in a number of health care fields, including vision care, nuclear medicine technology, respiratory care and nursing.
And you may know that Broward College is designated as a Military Friendly institution that offers a variety of programs to veterans, in-service personnel, and dependents of deceased or disabled Veterans. One of our pride-points is that veterans choose our College after their military careers to continue their education and begin a new chapter in their lives. As part of our commitment, I was honored to be part of the dedication of our new Veterans' Student Lounge. The lounge will serve veteran students currently enrolled, providing a central hub that complement the College’s broader efforts to create a veteran-friendly campus environment. A huge thank you to the donors who made this possible, including: Spirit Airlines; The Moss Foundation; and Aero Engine Solutions.
Looking at Broward College’s role in these areas – and so many more – it’s clear that we are on the right path to being the number one destination for academic excellence. Transforming lives through education isn't just what we do – it's who we are.
As April turns into May, it will be time to celebrate our graduating students who are about to enter the next phase of their lives. On May 6, our College will be holding its Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony - my first as President and CEO. I'm excited to celebrate with our students their tremendous accomplishments – I encourage you to visit our Commencement webpage to see this year’s graduate spotlights ONLINE!
Finally, as an update to an item I mentioned in the March newsletter, I am happy to report that we successfully completed the three campus student forums. I must thank the staff in Student Services for their hard work making these events a reality. One of my commitments as President is to keep the lines of communication open between students, faculty, staff, the community and our partners. These forums provided students with the opportunity to share feedback on how we can make Broward College even better as an institution. I learned so much from these forums, including the fact that Broward College is home to some of the state’s brightest and most talented young people. I look forward to these forums each semester.
And remember, as you read through this newsletter, please take a moment to nominate a student, faculty member or alumni you feel should be featured in an upcoming spotlight. We love sharing news about the amazing people who make up the Seahawk Nation!
As always, please feel free to contact me directly at officeofthepresident@broward.edu. I look forward to providing more information and updates in future Broward College Update newsletters.
Go Seahawks!
Torey Alston
President and CEO
The following are agenda items approved by the Broward College District Board of Trustees at its April 15, 2025, regular meeting.
To view the recording for this meeting, go HERE.
To read the full agenda, go HERE.
This month’s student spotlight focuses on Jordan Pericles, President of the Student Government Association at the Judson A. Samuels South Campus in Pembroke Pines.
Where are you from originally?
I was born and raised in Pembroke Pines.
What’s your major?
My major is Biology.
What is your ultimate professional goal?
My ultimate professional goal is to become a dentist, specializing in either pediatric dentistry or periodontics, with the aspiration of owning my own private practice.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
My advice to incoming students is to always seek opportunities to learn, even if the subject or task is unfamiliar or outside your comfort zone. Challenging yourself in different areas helps build valuable skills and experiences that will benefit you in the future. Stay open-minded, engage with your professors and peers and take advantage of the resources available to you. Growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone.
What is the best part about being a BC student?
The best part about being a BC student is having access to everything I need right on campus. I love the sense of community and familiarity that makes BC feel like home. Being able to pursue my education locally while feeling supported in my academic and personal growth has been an invaluable experience.
What’s one important thing you learned outside the classroom while at BC?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned outside the classroom at BC is that “you don’t know until you try.” My time here has pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and develop skills I never thought I would have. Without BC, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today—I wouldn’t have gained confidence in public speaking, event planning, or effective communication.
If you would like to nominate a student to be featured, please email us at mediarelations@broward.edu
This month’s faculty/staff spotlight focuses on 18 faculty members whose work has earned them various honors.
That includes 12 faculty members that were named this month as Professors of the Year and Adjunct Professors of the Year for the 2024-2025 academic year. Read the news release HERE.
Six faculty members were also named Endowed Teaching Chairs for 2025-2026. Read the news release HERE.
If you would like to nominate a faculty or staff member to be featured, please email us at mediarelations@broward.edu
This month’s alumni spotlight focuses on Rahjanni S. Iusi from the Class of 2019.
A proud graduate of Broward College, Rahjanni S. Iusi, MSW, RCSWI, had the honor of returning to her alma mater as the Commencement Speaker at the Spring 2024 graduation ceremony.
Born and raised in South Florida, Rahjanni’s early years were spent as the oldest of five, watching her parents continuously serve their community in ministry. This foundation would later shape her path in profound ways.
Her introduction to the military came as a young adult when she enlisted in the United States Army, embarking on a journey that would define much of her life. As a military intelligence analyst and paratrooper in the Special Operations community, Rahjanni faced the rigors of military service, exposing her to the harsh realities of combat and its toll on mental well-being.
Throughout her military career, Rahjanni witnessed firsthand the struggles of her comrades with post-traumatic stress, substance use disorder, and thoughts of suicide. In 2013, a tragedy hit her front door when her first husband, an active-duty service member, committed suicide, leaving her widowed at 26. His suicide was one of many taking place in her unit in a short amount of time.
These experiences ignited a passion within her to make a difference and provide support to those who served alongside her.
A month after leaving the military, Rahjanni enrolled at Broward College in pursuit of specialized training to tackle the pervasive mental health issues within the veteran community. She immersed herself in the Social Behavioral Sciences and Human Services Professional Enhancement Program (PEP). Upon completion, Rahjanni pursued a master's in social work at Florida Atlantic University, diligently refining her expertise in counseling and therapy to better serve her fellow veterans.
Driven by her unwavering commitment to her fellow veterans, Rahjanni joined Banyan Treatment Centers, a renowned institution dedicated to addiction recovery and mental health treatment. Here, she serves as a military and veteran liaison for the Military and Veterans in Recovery (MVR) Program, which allows her to engage in the community, develop programming, and advocate for change, directly impacting the lives of those who have served their country.
During her commencement speech, Rahjanni left the graduates with this parting insight:
Graduates, as you transition from this institution to the next phase of your journey, hold fast to the invaluable lessons you've garnered here: the significance of mentorship – the people who will draw out the best in you; the transformative power of choice – you cannot control what happens to you but you can decide how you respond; and the steadfast commitment to pursuing life with courage – the courage to be vulnerable, the courage to make difficult decisions and the courage to face life’s challenges and overcome adversity. Carry these insights with you as guiding lights, knowing that you possess the wisdom, capabilities, and resilience to conquer any trial that lies ahead.
Rahjanni currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Broward College in the Social Behavioral Sciences and Human Services pathway. In this role, she draws on both her lived and professional experiences to inspire the next generation of mental health and social service professionals.
Alongside her husband John, their adopted son Preston, and twin daughters Adalyne and Harper, Rahjanni remains rooted in South Florida and is dedicated to serving their community through ministry.
If you would like to nominate an alumnus to be considered for a Spotlight, please send an email to alumni@broward.edu
There’s always something exciting going on at Broward College’s campuses and locations. These are just some of the recent highlights of what our students, faculty and staff have been up to around the College:
If you have something that is newsworthy happening on your campus, in your classroom or on stage, please let us know - send us an email at mediarelations@broward.edu
Here are some fun facts and info about Broward College that you may not know.
