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To My Fellow Seahawks and Supporters of Broward College:
I am thrilled to connect with you again and hope this month finds you well and excited about the progress we are making together at Broward College. The energy and dedication of our students, faculty, and staff continue to drive our mission forward and this month’s newsletter is a testament to that momentum.
We're about halfway through the semester, but there are many opportunities for new experiences. If you're a student, I encourage you to go beyond the classroom and fully enjoy everything Broward College has to offer, whether that's joining a student organization or exploring what our Visual & Performing Arts Department has scheduled. We also brought back intramural sports this semester with a season that started in mid-September and runs through Oct. 30. Each campus offers options for different sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, and flag football. Also, Student Life is always hosting fun events like the recent "Clash of the Seahawks" pool tournament at the Judson A. Samuels South Campus. If you're faculty or staff, I hope that you attend the 2025 Osprey Awards on November 14 and join in celebrating the achievements and milestones of your colleagues and peers.
I'm also excited to announce an important milestone recently achieved by our Institute for Public Safety. The 368th police academy class recently received a 100% first-time pass rate. This achievement demonstrates not only the quality of our program and the dedication of our faculty, but also the perseverance of these new law enforcement officers who will be protecting our communities. A Broward College education can transform lives, and this is another example of how we are enacting our vision to be the #1 destination for academic excellence.
Finally, I would like to mention an upcoming public workshop that is relevant to all Seahawks, whether you are a student, faculty member, or staff. The workshop will be on the topic of future development at our A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in Davie. It will take place on Monday, Oct. 20. For more information, please visit this link: Protecting Our Campus Experience.
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 September 30, 2025, regular meeting.
Additionally, the Board will host a public workshop on the Central Campus development on Monday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. in Building 19, Room 104 on Central Campus.
This month’s student spotlight focuses on Valeria Guidice, who serves as President of the Student Government Association at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in Davie.
Where are you from?
I was born in Valencia, Venezuela.
What’s your major?
Public Relations.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
I'd tell incoming students to get involved, take advantage of all the resources Broward College offers, and never be afraid to ask for help. College is about more than just classes, it's about growth, opportunities, and the people you meet. The more effort you put in, the more rewarding your experience will be.
What is the best part about being a BC student?
The best part about being a BC student is the community; there are so many opportunities to get involved, meet people, and really grow personally and professionally. You're surrounded by support and resources that set you up for success.
What’s one important thing you learned outside the classroom while at BC?
Something I've learned outside the classroom at BC is how important it is to network and build relationships. The connections you make here, with classmates, professors, and through student organizations, can really open doors and shape your future.
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 Harold Garcia. He is Associate Dean of Student Services and has been with Broward College for nearly 10 years.
What is the best part of working at Broward College?
The best part of working at Broward College is having ample opportunities to grow, not just professionally, but also as a human being. Each day, we get an opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives – that cannot be taken for granted.
What is one thing you’ve accomplished working at Broward College that you’re most proud of?
I am proud to say that I helped revitalize the Seahawk Outreach Services (SOS) office on Central Campus in 2022. Due to sudden staffing changes, the largest campus at the College did not have in-person SOS support for several months before I arrived at the department in the summer of 2022. Upon my arrival, I hired a full-time team member and four part-time team members to help Central Campus students get the wrap-around services and holistic support they needed to overcome non-academic barriers. I also helped the SOS team adopt Single Stop, which is a one-stop shop for resources that help students overcome economic barriers that may help them continue their education.
Are you a morning person or a night owl – and why?
My toddler gives me no other choice than to be a morning person. But long before he came along, I always considered myself to be a morning person. The quietness and stillness of the morning, whilst sipping on a nice, hot cup of “cafecito,” produces an underrated feeling that helps get my day started on the right foot.
What is your favorite food?
Cheeseburgers (lately, I’ve been a big fan of smashburgers – Skinny Louie’s anyone?)
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Partner with anyone that is interested in making sure no child goes to bed hungry in Broward County.
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 Uchenna Okoye from the Class of 2011.
Alumna Uchenna Okoye is a software engineer who has excelled in her field and has worked for tech giants such as Google and Pandora. She is also an innovator and entrepreneur, having founded Gemstones, a pioneering app she has developed for learning African languages.
Uchenna’s Broward College story began with her arrival in the United States from Nigeria. She initially had doubts about starting at a community college right after high school; however, she quickly realized it was one of the best decisions she ever made: “Broward became the seedbed where I learned to believe in myself.”
She recalled two defining moments from her time at Broward College. The first was a video she created to showcase the College — a proud achievement that allowed her to express her gratitude and highlight the institution’s impact. The second was when her Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship application became lost in the online system. Her professors leapt into action and ensured the application was ultimately found and submitted on time. Their unwavering support left a lasting impression: “Their leadership, care, and persistence shaped my academic journey.”
Among the many influential figures Uchenna encountered at the College, she said that Dean of the Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences and Human Services Pathway, Lulrick Balzora, stood out in her memory as an exemplary leader who “poured into students’ lives through the Honors Society.” Dr. Sheila Jones was another favorite professor whose guidance was instrumental, as well as a third instructor, a history professor, who worked closely with Dean Balzora and played a pivotal role in helping her navigate the scholarship process.
Uchenna was the recipient of several scholarships, including the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship which offers significant funding for up to three years for community college students seeking to complete their degrees at selective four-year colleges or universities. These awards were more than financial relief for her — they were affirmations of her potential and gave the freedom to pursue excellence. She said, “As an international student, these scholarships were pivotal — they not only relieved the heavy financial burden but also made it possible for me to focus on thriving academically.”
After graduating from Broward College with Highest Honors, Uchenna transferred to the University of Florida and later earned a master’s degree in Computer Science from DePaul University. She credited Broward College as the underpinning of her success: “Broward College was truly foundational; it gave me confidence, opened opportunities I never imagined, and instilled resilience. Everything I achieved afterward was built on the firm foundation that Broward gave me.”
Reflecting on her experience and education, Okoye said Broward College is “not just a steppingstone — it’s a place where professors care deeply, where resources are abundant, and where students are prepared to go anywhere in the world. I wish more people knew that starting at Broward is not a limitation but an incredible opportunity that can launch you to the highest levels of success.”
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.
