The University of South Florida System and seven regional Florida
colleges today celebrated the launch of FUSE,
a new guaranteed admission program that creates a seamless and timely
degree path for students to earn an Associate degree before transferring
to any of the USF System institutions for a Bachelor’s degree. FUSE
offers guaranteed admission to the USF System and degree program of the
student’s choosing. Hillsborough Community College and St. Petersburg
College are currently piloting the program, while the College of Central
Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, Polk State College, South Florida
State College, and State College of Florida will be joining the program
by fall 2017.
HCC
Fuse: Alejandra Dallo
HCC
Fuse: Logan Emerson
“As the largest transfer institution to the University of South Florida,
HCC is especially excited that FUSE will provide our students with
structured, fully articulated pathways to ensure that they remain on the
right path through the completion of their Bachelor’s degree at USF,”
said Hillsborough Community College President Dr. Ken Atwater.
HCC
Fuse: Michael Malcolm
HCC
Fuse: Katherine Ramirez
With climbing employer demand for employees with higher education, the
FUSE program will help the Tampa Bay region and surrounding areas meet
this need by producing more graduates with Associate and Bachelor’s
degrees.
“By 2020, 65% of Florida jobs will require a postsecondary degree or
certificate, so we need to make sure students are getting the education
and earning the degrees to fill those jobs,” said Laurie Meggesin,
executive director, Florida
College Access Network. “The FUSE program is another excellent step
by USF in developing an employable workforce so critical to our state’s
economy.”
Newly-released U.S. Census data shows that Florida has increased the
percent of college-educated Floridians for the sixth year in a row with
39.9% of working-age adults holding an Associate degree or higher, but
Florida still lags the national average of 40.9%.
“We are excited to offer students such a seamless transition from a
regional Florida Community College System institution to USF,” said
Ralph Wilcox, provost and senior vice president for the USF System.
“FUSE students will come to us with their Associate degree, already
familiar with an advisor, engaged in campus activities, and academically
prepared for USF—I consider that a formula for Bachelor’s success!
That’s a win for the student, USF, employers and the state of Florida.”
For more information about the FUSE program at Hillsborough Community
College, visit https://www.hccfl.edu/fuse.aspx.
