Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida - ICUF

09/14/2026

ICUF’s Labor Gap Analysis projects 18,757 job openings for Florida nurses in 2028 and 19,638 in 2032.

Powered by a first-of-its-kind microsimulation model, the analysis provides policymakers a clear picture of graduates from degree completion to job placement.

Florida’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities stand ready to expand programs and help meet the state’s growing workforce needs. Learn more >>https://icuf.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/ICUF-Labor-Gap-Analysis.pdf

09/10/2026

Florida’s Independent Colleges and Universities Bridge the Gaps in Florida's Workforce

Innovative microsimulation provides policymakers with a clear picture of how independent, nonprofit higher education institutions fill critical labor shortages, especially in nursing

The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) released a groundbreaking labor gap analysis that reveals the critical role Florida’s independent, nonprofit higher education institutions play in preparing our future workforce. Nearly 3,000 essential health care positions, according to the report, ranging from registered nurses and nurse practitioners to anesthetists and more, are filled in Florida each year by graduates of ICUF schools.

"Florida's workforce challenges demand better data to inform better decision making," said Bob Boyd, president and chief executive officer of ICUF. "For the first time, policymakers can see not just how many graduates Florida’s nonprofit higher education system produces, but exactly how those graduates help fill critical workforce needs across our economy. This model will serve as a guide to policymakers and key stakeholders on investments to strengthen our workforce and meet our state’s future needs."

Florida’s healthcare sector faces a compounding crisis. Population growth, a rapidly aging patient base and accelerating nurse retirements are driving demand higher faster than Florida’s existing higher education system can supply.

"There’s no question we have to come up with creative ways to expand our workforce and provide our students with the skills they need to fill the jobs available," said Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers). "This labor gap analysis provides a clear picture of both the challenges and opportunities before us, enabling lawmakers to make informed decisions and strategic investments that will prepare our students and power our economy.”

According to the ICUF Labor Gap Analysis, Florida is projected to have 18,757 openings for nurse positions in 2028. That gap grows to 19,638 vacant nurse positions in 2032. More than 15% of those positions are filled with ICUF graduates each year, and these institutions have the capacity to grow their programs to help fill gaps in the workforce.

The Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant helps Florida residents pay for college tuition, with $3,500 in assistance each year to attend independent, nonprofit colleges and universities. This program helps students access higher education and incentivizes Floridians to pursue higher education in Florida, increasing the likelihood they will join Florida’s workforce.

More than 180,000 students choose to pursue higher education at independent, nonprofit institutions because they offer smaller classes, greater flexibility, faith-based learning or other opportunities that may not be available in traditional public school settings.

The Florida’s ICUF Labor Gap Analysis was developed in partnership with the Regional Economic Consulting (REC) Group. The team used a first-of-its-kind microsimulation model capable of tracking graduates from degree completion through job placement.

Unlike traditional workforce studies that rely on statewide occupational projections, the microsimulation accounts for individual graduates, degree fields, migration patterns and real-world labor market competition. By incorporating these factors, the model provides a more accurate representation of workforce supply and allows researchers to better capture the impacts of education and workforce planning.

The inaugural analysis modeled more than 393,000 Florida job openings alongside 35,653 ICUF graduates, finding that ICUF graduates filled nearly 34,000 positions across the state.
For more information or to view the full analysis, visit www.ICUF.org

09/10/2026

LET’S TALK SPORTS! Are you a student athlete looking to continue playing sports while furthering your education? ICUF is spotlighting each of our schools that have athletic programs.

Ave Maria University
Ave Maria University Athletics

Ave Maria University competes in the Sun Conference (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics - NAIA)

Ave Maria University is proud to compete in the following sports:

Men
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Rugby
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Ultimate Frisbee

Women
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Cross Country
Dance
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball

Intramural Sports
Basketball
Coed Softball
Flag Football
Pickleball
Sand Volleyball
Soccer

Mascot: Jax the Gyrene
Colors: Blue and green

Fun Fact:
First applied to Marines as a jocular reference by other branches of the service, the Marines quickly adopted “gyrene” as an affectionate, self-descriptive phrase - one that made them stand out from other services. During World Wars I and II the phrase “GI” was applied to all service members as being “Government Issue.” Then and now, Gyrene was understood to be special kind of “government issue” - a “government issue Marine,” or “Gyrene.”

While not a commonly used term today, it is remembered with great nostalgia by older Americans who identify the name with that special breed of young men who fought the desperate battles of Belleau Wood and the island campaigns of the Pacific. These men formed the battle history of the United States Marine Corps and fashioned an ethos that inspires the men and women who serve in today’s Marine Corps.

Follow them on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gyrenes
Twitter: https://x.com/Gyrenes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gyrenes

Check out this ICUF schools athletic programs: https://avemariagyrenes.com/

09/09/2026

https://www.wusf.org/education/2026-09-06/southeastern-university-record-growth-bucks-private-college-enrollment-trends

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Southeastern University

Leaders attribute SEU’s growth to expansion strategies, local industry partnerships, and its conservative Christian identity.

09/09/2026

Saint Leo University Selected for Prestigious Partners in Peace Initiative with National Collegiate Honors Council, Nobel Peace Center

New Honors course on 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate connects Saint Leo students with Tampa Bay’s Venezuelan community and the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo

Saint Leo University's Honors Program has been selected to join Partners in Peace, an initiative between the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway. Saint Leo is part of the third cohort of institutions to receive the distinction, joining about 50 universities in the United States and Europe selected from more than 700 eligible honors programs and colleges.

“Being named a Partner in Peace is an incredible honor for our Honors Program and places Saint Leo in prestigious company,” said Dr. Jim Burkee, president of Saint Leo University. “It strengthens our commitment to global engagement, reflects the kind of scholarship we want our students to pursue, and reinforces the core values embedded throughout our academic programs.”

The university's selection was based on a new Honors course, HON 361: Democracy, Technology, and the Nobel Peace Prize, proposed and taught by Dr. Dan DuBois, associate professor of history and international studies and director of the Honors Program. The course will be offered for the first time in spring 2027.

"The Partners in Peace designation brings formal affiliation with one of the most consequential international organizations in history to Saint Leo. Honors students are now positioned to engage in topics of global significance through a structured educational exchange with the Nobel Peace Center and with the backing of the National Collegiate Honors Council,” said DuBois. “As Honors Director, I am humbled to oversee this new partnership and grateful for the opportunity to embed the ideals of Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Peace Prize in the curriculum of our Honors students."

Through Partners in Peace, participating honors programs develop curricular and co-curricular projects inspired by the work of Alfred Nobel and Nobel Peace Prize laureates. At Saint Leo, HON 361 will focus on 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado and examine the intersection of democracy, technology, and civic resistance in her efforts to advance free and fair elections in Venezuela.

As part of the course, Saint Leo students will conduct a community oral history project with members of Tampa Bay’s Venezuelan diaspora, documenting firsthand accounts and perspectives that have shaped the region’s Venezuelan community. This work will allow students to put their study of democracy, civic engagement, and political change into practice by connecting classroom concepts to lived experiences.

Saint Leo University will receive formal recognition as a Partner in Peace at the NCHC Annual Conference in November 2027, following the completion of HON 361 and its associated project.

Saint Leo University

09/09/2026

Stetson Board of Trustees Entrusts $4 Million to Student-Managed Investment Program

The allocation expands hands-on learning opportunities as Stetson prepares to launch a new Investments Center

The Stetson Board of Trustees has allocated $4 million from the university's $440-million endowment to the student-led Roland George Investments Program, reflecting confidence in the program's strong performance and sustained success.

The allocation coincides with plans by the School of Business Administration to launch a new Investments Center on campus to bring Roland George and other investment programs together in one location.

With the additional $4 million, the Roland George program ranks as one of the largest student-run investment programs in the country in terms of assets under management with more than $11.5 million.

A frequent winner in state and national competitions, the Roland George program has a history of outperforming the market. Student-analysts conduct their own research and recommend transactions from a state-of-the-art trading room in the Lynn Business Center.

In providing the $4 million, the Board of Trustees directed the program to match the benchmarks used for the university's overall endowment. This will require a longer-term strategy to buy and hold assets that follow a major market index, instead of trying to beat it.

By overseeing both active and passive investments, the student-analysts will gain a broader range of experience, better preparing them for careers with investment management firms.

"For the students, this is a differentiator because it gives them exposure to not just actively managing portfolios where they're trading and trying to beat the benchmark," said Matthew Imes, Director of the Roland George Investments Program, and the Roland and Sarah George Chair of Finance.

"On the passive side, which is increasingly a big chunk of asset management, they have a benchmark and they're trying to match it as efficiently as possible," he said.

Students in the Roland George program enjoy a 100% success rate after graduation. Many graduates receive multiple job offers and work for top investment firms like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, BNP Paribas and others.

Through programs like Roland George, Stetson takes students way beyond their course material and into real-world applications and immersive experiences. That means with a Stetson degree, students are ready to step into their next chapter with confidence.

The new Investments Center will build on this success and expand opportunities for students.

In addition to the Roland George program, the center will include the Hatter Angel Network, a student-led program that invests in privately held companies. The Certified Financial Planning program will be housed in the center, too, preparing students to work in the retail side of the industry, focused on wealth management and financial planning and advising.

"One of the benefits of the center is it allows students to get involved immediately, first in the Finance Club and then in their sophomore year, we are preparing and equipping them to go into the Roland George, Hatter Angel or CFP program with a broader range of knowledge, experience and credentials than we've seen in the past," Imes said.

"I think it will improve and increase the number of students who are involved in these programs and benefit from them, especially in their careers after graduation."

Stetson University

09/08/2026

https://hbcugameday.com/2026/09/03/hbcu-florida-memorial-university-announces-historic-enrollment/

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Florida Memorial University - Official-FMU

Florida's southern-most HBCU sees historic enrollment for the Fall. The increase is a staggering 100% increase from Fall 2025.

09/03/2026

Cultivating AI Judgment in UTampa’s Digital Literacy Course

Students explore when and how to use artificial intelligence in their studies and careers.

UTampa’s Digital Literacy course, required in the Spartan Studies general education program, will have a new focus this academic year: generative AI.

The course will use a “notice, test, verify, explain and defend” framework. This exposes students to AI tools and large language models and gives them an opportunity to try them and make the case for when to use them. And while the course will touch on academic honesty and prompt engineering, that’s not the focus.

Instead, the online course will largely address what students who participated in focus groups earlier this year said they wanted to learn about AI. “Students recognize AI as a tool they need to understand. They want guidance on how to use it the right way, when not to use it, and how to make decisions about it,” said Jessica O’Brien, coordinator of Spartan Studies online learning and digital literacy.

Students also want to understand how AI is used in the fields they are majoring in. So they will be encouraged to focus their assignments on their career interests. Plus, more than half of the 20-plus sections of the course this fall will be taught by faculty across UTampa’s colleges, creating opportunities for students to study with a professor in their area or have an interdisciplinary experience.

Some students in the focus groups expressed concerns about the environmental impacts of AI use or worry about being accused of misusing AI in their academic work. Understanding how generative AI works and exploring the ethical implications can help, O’Brien said.

“Students have to be accountable for their work, and they have to be able to say where they used AI. By equipping them with the right skills, we can prevent them from facing consequences in school or work.”

Ethics will be emphasized throughout the course. “Ethics is not just a single module you cover at the beginning; it’s how we address moments — we call them “everyday ethics” — when we’re using AI or any emerging technology,” O’Brien said. One way students will do this is through learning about real-world case studies involving Netflix and Tik Tok.

The course concludes with a “judgment portfolio” that serves as a capstone. It’s a way for students to reflect on what they’ve learned, form educated opinions and use new vocabulary to discuss it.

“The ethical reasoning and societal impact are important because we want to make sure that as part of a liberal arts education, we’re teaching skills that develop critical thinking and help students be good citizens of the world,” said Cheri Etling-Paulsen, associate dean for the Center for Teaching and Learning.

At the end of the day, O’Brien’s guidance for students is to “listen to what their faculty tell them.” Professors often include their AI policy on the course syllabus, and they might have assignment-specific requirements, she noted. “If it’s not clear, ask.”

The University of Tampa

08/31/2026

Forbes Names Beacon College to Global Accessibility 200 List

Beacon College has earned a second consecutive spot on Forbes’s Accessibility 200 list. Earlier this week, Forbes unveiled its list of 200 leading innovators and impact-makers in accessibility for people with disabilities. The list highlights top global organizations across fields including consumer products, software, education, AI-driven robotics, sports and recreation, travel, the workplace and the arts. Beacon was one of only six higher education institutions included.

Beacon’s inclusion underscores its national leadership in accessibility and reaffirms its pioneering role as the first accredited baccalaureate institution in the United States dedicated to educating neurodivergent students, primarily those with learning disabilities and ADHD. This international recognition places Beacon alongside leaders such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Amazon, Google, Apple, Microsoft and Sony.

Beacon College’s holistic model integrates rigorous academics with personalized support designed to foster student success. Key components of its accessibility framework include:

-Beginning in high school, Beacon’s Center for College Readiness offers transition programs, including on-campus summer experiences, virtual learning, and in-person dual enrollment.
-The Triadic Developmental Model — an integrated, student-centered approach connecting each learner with a three-member support team spanning preparation, academic engagement, and campus life — to strengthen persistence, retention, and overall student success.
-Universal accommodations embedded across all academic programs, including
---Step-by-step instructions delivered verbally and in writing with electronic or printed lecture notes
---Assistive technology support
---Testing options in a quiet, monitored room, including access to a reader
---Calculator use, when appropriate
---Ready access to instructors for clarification
-Academic support services that promote engagement, completion and effective use of learning strategies. At the Center for Student Success, students meet weekly with learning specialists who serve as academic and developmental mentors.
-A dedicated team of mental health counselors providing short-term individual and group counseling, skill-building workshops, crisis intervention, and on-campus screenings.
-An on-staff occupational therapist working with students, faculty and learning specialists to enhance accessibility and integrate assistive technology.
-A Sensory and Mindfulness Room offering a quiet space for students to decompress and refocus.

This latest honor continues a trend of growing national recognition for Beacon College and its specialized mission and its standing among accredited colleges and universities. Recent rankings include No. 21 among Regional Colleges in U.S. News & World Report, the No. 1 ranking in the Peterson’s Guide “20 Great Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities,” and No. 1 in Best Value Schools’ “20 Best Value Colleges for Learning Disabilities.”

Beacon College continues to set the standard for inclusive education, demonstrating that with the right support, students who learn differently can thrive in higher education and beyond.

About the Forbes Accessibility 200
The Accessibility 200 was compiled through interviews with more than 700 experts, along with an expert advisory panel. Emphasis was placed on breadth of true impact across the widest landscape. The final selections feature companies and individuals from more than 20 countries.

“Accessibility” is defined as products, software, and services that allow people with disabilities to have access to information, content, public spaces, employment, and life experiences. Examples include:

-Digital Accessibility: Features such as on-device text-to-speech, live captioning, and eye-control of devices like tablets
-Physical Accessibility: Wheelchair ramps, prosthetics, navigable doorways, home features, public transportation, and lighting
-Accessibility to Experiences: Access to employment, travel, healthcare, sports, education, hiking and other pursuits

"This international recognition reflects Beacon’s devotion to educating students with learning differences combined with unparalleled support services for our students. The honor affirms the hard work of Beacon students and the tireless dedication of our faculty and staff to their success. As we celebrate this achievement, we remain steadfast in providing a transformative educational experience for our students."
—Dr. George Hagerty, president

08/27/2026

Stetson Named a "Best College” for 2027 by The Princeton Review

Stetson University once again has earned national recognition from The Princeton Review as one of America’s Best 392 Colleges, joining an elite group of about 14% of colleges nationwide.

For the 12th year in a row, Stetson appears in The Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition, featuring schools that provide an academically outstanding undergraduate education.

Stetson also was named a Best College in the South and, based on student surveys, was ranked No. 24 in the nation for "Most Politically Moderate Students."

"We are so pleased by the continued recognition of Stetson University and its deep commitment to civil and productive discourse,” said President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD. “These honors reflect Stetson's reputation for putting students at the center of everything we do, from excellent academic preparation and meaningful experiential learning to pathways for lifelong success.”

The Princeton Review selects the top colleges based on data from surveys of 2,000 college administrators about their school's academic offerings. Students at each institution are surveyed and rate their schools on various topics and campus experiences.

At Stetson, students gave high marks to professors (on a scale of 60 to 99), saying instructors are accessible outside the classroom (92) and they are interesting and bring their material to life (90).

Students say they attend Stetson "because they are high achievers." They enjoy the beautiful campus, the vibrant and close-knit community, and the many international students from around the world. "It's easy to get to know people and create wonderful friendships," they said.

In addition to rigorous academics, Stetson provides “plenty of hands-on activities" and this practical focus extends to faculty who provide "concrete options" for students to pursue after graduation. “The university’s commitment to interactive technologies, collaborative projects, and experiential learning creates a vibrant educational environment,” one student said.

Stetson has a history of building phenomenal graduates for amazing careers. Students go beyond the course material and into internship, research, and global study opportunities. They live their experience, hone their skills, and work side-by-side with professors committed to helping them get ready to accomplish big things and bigger dreams.

"We are delighted to name Stetson University one of our Best Colleges for 2027 and we recommend it to students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review's Editor-in-Chief.

"The colleges we profile in The Best 392 Colleges vary by type, size, locale, and campus culture. In our opinion, each one offers an academically outstanding undergraduate education," he added. "They are truly a select group: they comprise only about 14% of America's nearly 2,800 four-year colleges."

Stetson University