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My Fellow Seahawks and Supporters of Broward College:
As you know, I continue to articulate a shared vision of Broward College becoming the #1 destination of academic excellence. I believe one marker of our progress is when our talented students win awards recognizing their work. Recently, our graphic design students won 12 ADDY Awards for the Broward/Palm Beach area, including two gold awards, 10 silver awards and best in show. The 12 winning projects will go on to a district competition in April and potentially win more awards. I’m proud of their achievements and believe that I speak for all Seahawks when I say we are all cheering for them at this next stage of competition.
Students are the backbone of that vision for academic excellence, which is why I think it’s important to check in with them. From the start of my tenure, I have scheduled conversations with students across all our campuses to hear directly from them about how we are doing—both in the things we are doing well, as well as things we could do better. This month, I hosted conversations at each campus, and hearing feedback from our students is always insightful and impactful. We value student input and are already working on several requests based on their feedback.
Broward College is also expanding programs and facilities to better serve students and equip them with the skills that will lead to successful careers after they graduate. That includes building a state-of-the-art STEM, nursing, A.I., and engineering complex on our North Campus. It also includes using a $908,000 state grant to expand the high demand Aviation Maintenance Accelerated Express Program (AvMaX), which allows students to graduate in just 13 months rather than the standard 20. I am also excited about the upcoming April reopening of the Buehler Planetarium and Observatory at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in Davie. In addition to some technology upgrades, the planetarium has a new director—who started out there as a student worker in the early 1980s! This is the kind of story that demonstrates the lasting impact that Broward College has on its students, for the better.
This year, as the America 250 celebrations mark the founding of our nation, Broward College is hosting a week of events under the banner of "America: 250 Years in the Making." From April 13-16, you can attend events including live readings of the Declaration of Independence on each campus, the America 250 Awards & Immersive VR Experience, and more. The full event schedule is available HERE. We have assembled an impressive calendar of events and I encourage all Seahawks to attend and reflect on the past, present, and future of our nation.
Whether it is a new facility, student awards or community events, these stories reflect how we are working together to create the environment for academic excellence, and I will continue to share them each month.
As always, please feel free to contact me directly at officeofthepresident@broward.edu.
Go Seahawks!
Torey Alston
President and CEO
The following are agenda items approved by the Broward College District Board of Trustees at its March 17, 2026, regular meeting.
Broward College continues to make strong progress toward the implementation of our new Student Information System (SIS), Ellucian, which will replace the long-standing CID platform. This transition represents a significant step in modernizing the systems that support our students while improving operational efficiency and enhancing the experience for faculty, staff, and students.
Since our last update, the project has reached several important milestones. In March, Admissions began transitioning to Ellucian, marking a major step forward in expanding the system’s operational footprint. Applications for fall 2026 will be processed in Ellucian, while summer 2026 applications continue to be handled in CID to ensure a smooth transition during this implementation phase.
Staff training is also underway across multiple departments to prepare employees for the new workflows and processes in Ellucian. Functional teams throughout the College are participating in targeted training sessions designed to ensure staff are well prepared to support students once additional functionality becomes available.
For students, these changes will be experienced through the new MyBC portal powered by Ellucian, which will provide the primary interface for accessing services such as registration and financial aid information. Communication with students is ongoing to build awareness of the new MyBC portal and the upcoming registration period. Outreach efforts are being conducted through multiple channels, including email and text messaging, social media, campus TV and computer screens, and announcements within D2L.
Over the coming weeks, several activities will move the College closer to full operational use of Ellucian for student services. The fall 2026 class schedule will be published in advance of registration, allowing students to begin planning their academic schedules. Financial Aid teams will also begin system preparation activities in advance of awarding, which is scheduled to begin in early April.
The next major milestone will occur in April, when fall 2026 registration opens. This will be the first time students register for classes through the new MyBC portal for fall 2026 classes, supported by Ellucian behind the scenes. Support teams across the College are preparing to assist students through this transition with additional resources, guidance, and on-campus support.
The progress achieved to date reflects the dedication and collaboration of the project team and the many departments across the College contributing to this effort. We will continue to provide monthly updates as we move closer to important milestones.
Visit the SIS website for additional information.
This month’s student spotlight focuses on Katie Chueire Rivera, who serves as a Senator of the Student Government Association for the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in Davie.
Where are you from?
I was born in Miramar, Florida. However, my mom is from Brazil, and my dad is from Honduras.
What’s your major?
Criminal Justice/Law.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
Don’t hesitate to explore the vast number of resources at your disposal, and that if you ever have an idea to improve something on campus, push for it as much as possible to make it happen.
What is the best part about being a BC student?
I would say the best part about being a BC student is the fact that I get to become part of a close-knit community of diverse individuals that I not only learn from, but also inspire me to become the best version of myself.
What’s one important thing you learned outside the classroom while at BC?
I learned that mistakes are often the best opportunities to grow. Outside the classroom, experiences challenged me in ways that forced me to adapt, learn quickly, and improve. Those hard times helped me grow both professionally and personally!
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 Anson Huckleby, a senior director in the Department of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. He has been with the College for just over a year.
What is the best part of working at Broward College?
The people are truly the best part of Broward College. Even though I’m still relatively new, everyone I’ve interacted with has been incredibly supportive, positive, and willing to help. In my role, that collaboration is essential as we work together to better prepare our students, faculty, and staff for emergencies. The openness to learning and the thoughtful feedback I receive make it easy to strengthen our training and preparedness efforts. Simply put, the BC community feels like a second family.
What is one thing you’ve accomplished working at Broward College that you’re most proud of?
One accomplishment I’m especially proud of is helping enhance the College’s emergency communication capabilities. Early on, I identified opportunities to expand our mass notification system by adding emergency-specific alert buttons for our Security Operations Center. We also installed new blue light emergency phones with speakers to provide audible alerts across campus exteriors. In collaboration with our Information Technology, Marketing, and vendor partners, we also integrated emergency alerts with digital billboards and monitors across campuses. These improvements help ensure our BC community can quickly receive critical information through multiple channels—including phone, text, email, on-screen messaging, and social media. I’m also honored that these efforts, along with the work of our entire team, recently contributed to me being recognized as the first recipient of the Inaugural Public Safety Associate Vice President Leadership Award.
Are you a morning person or a night owl – and why?
A little of both. I enjoy starting my mornings with a good cup of coffee, but I also appreciate winding down in the evenings and spending time with my better half, Jen, once the kids are finally asleep.
What is your favorite food?
Pizza—without question! I was born and raised in Illinois, so nothing beats a Chicago deep dish pizza.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
First and foremost, I would make sure my children and family are financially secure. After that, I’d probably buy a condo on the west coast of Florida and a large cabin in the mountains of eastern Tennessee. I would still want to work, but likely in a consulting role so I could continue helping organizations prepare for emergencies while having more flexibility with my time.
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 Mishal Raza-Taimuri, Ph.D., of the Class of 2019.
Where did you grow up and what motivated you to attend Broward College?
I grew up in Arusha, Tanzania, a place that shaped my curiosity and resilience from an early age. When I moved to the United States, I was looking for a college that offered well-structured coursework in engineering fundamentals, while also being affordable and close to family. Broward College stood out as the right choice; it offered a solid engineering pathway and a supportive environment.
Can you tell us about one or two moments that stand out about your time at the College?
There were many meaningful moments during my time at Broward College, but one of the most rewarding was working as a math tutor in the Math Lab at the Academic Success Center. Supporting other students and helping make challenging concepts more accessible was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my love for teaching. I especially remember students who began the semester struggling, some earning Ds, returning excited to share that they had scored in the 90s on their final exams.
Did you have any favorite professors or people at the College who were important to you as a student?
All of my professors at Broward College were incredibly supportive, approachable, and invested in student success. One individual who had a particularly lasting impact on me was Dr. Lulrick Balzora. I met Dr. Balzora during my time in the Professional Enhancement Program, and his encouragement and guidance left a strong impression on me. Dr. Balzora consistently offered thoughtful academic as well as personal advice, was always enthusiastic about celebrating my milestones, and remains someone I stay in touch with to this day. His door was always open, and I fondly remember the intellectually engaging conversations I had with him and other mentors who became more like family. His support had a lasting impact on my academic journey and personal development.
Were there any particular resources at the College that were important to you when you were a student?
One of the most important resources for me at Broward College was the Professional Enhancement Program. The program provided valuable exposure beyond the classroom and allowed me to gain hands-on experience through an internship at the Health Science Simulation Center. It also offered meaningful opportunities for collaboration and leadership and introduced me to an incredible community of motivated students and professionals. Together, these experiences helped me better understand how engineering and technology intersect with healthcare and reinforced the practical application of what I was learning academically. Another valuable resource for me at Broward College was the Engineering Club. Being involved in the club allowed me to work on hands-on projects, collaborate with other engineering students, and apply classroom concepts in a practical setting.
Where did you go after Broward College? How did what you learn at the College prepare you for your path?
After completing my Associate of Arts in Mechanical Engineering with Honors at Broward College in December 2019, I transferred to the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. There, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Energy Engineering with a minor in Mathematics, graduating Summa Cum Laude with Honors in May 2022, and then continued through a fast-track program to complete my PhD in Mechanical and Energy Engineering in December 2025, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout. Broward College gave me a strong foundation in engineering and a supportive learning environment that built my confidence, discipline, and problem-solving skills, helping me pursue ambitious academic goals.
What do you do currently and what are your future plans?
Currently, I am working on developing a first-of-its-kind, AI-driven health technology focused on improving personalized care. Looking ahead, as I embrace my role as a new mother, my goal is to deliver impactful products and solutions that advance healthcare equity and meaningfully improve patients’ quality of life.
What do you wish other people knew about Broward College, something you think is a best kept secret or a something that makes our college standout among other institutions?
Looking back, thinking about Broward College brings back happy and positive memories of the incredible people, meaningful friendships, and strong sense of community. Beyond academics, Broward College fosters an environment where students feel supported, connected, and encouraged to grow, making it a truly special place to begin one’s educational journey.
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.
