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News Topic: Academic Programs & Education

Over 3,000 Incoming Students and Parents Welcomed at Fall 2025 Orientation
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (August 14, 2025) – Over 3,000 new students turned out at Indian River State College as it proudly welcomed its incoming class during New Student Orientation, continuing the College’s tradition of providing accessible, high-quality education to students across the Treasure Coast region. Many of these students will graduate debt-free through the College’s successful Promise Program.
Indian River State College President Dr. Timothy E. Moore, faculty, employees, and dignitaries celebrated the start of a new academic year with incoming students and families. The orientation featured an engaging atmosphere with various activities helping new students connect with peers and prepare them for their college journey.
New Student Orientation was in full swing on Day 1 as incoming students explored the campus before starting their college journey together.
Key Highlights:
- Strong Enrollment: Over 16,000 students have registered for Fall 2025, demonstrating continued confidence in Indian River State College’s educational value
- Promise Program Impact: 2,000+ high school graduates from the Class of 2025 committed to attend Indian River State College tuition-free through the Promise Program, which removes financial barriers for students pursuing Associate Degrees
- Sustained Growth: Indian River State College continues to buck national trends with robust enrollment while many colleges nationwide face declining student numbers
While college enrollment challenges persist nationwide due to rising costs and financial aid complexities, Indian River State College remains a beacon of accessible higher education in Florida.
“We are thrilled to welcome another outstanding class to Indian River State College,” said Dr. Timothy E. Moore. “This strong enrollment reflects our continued commitment to innovative, accessible education that transforms lives and strengthens our community. Through programs like Promise, we are ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from achieving their dreams and contributing to our community’s future.”
“The sustained trust families place in Indian River State College, even amid national higher education challenges, demonstrates the exceptional value we provide here at The River,” said Vice President for Student Success Beth Gaskin. “Our students choose Indian River State College because they know we deliver quality education that leads to meaningful careers and seamless university transfer opportunities.”
Indian River State College serves more than 24,000 students annually in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties, offering over 130 programs leading to Bachelor’s Degrees, Associate Degrees, Technical Certificates, Applied Technology Diplomas, and Career Training programs.
The Indian River State College Promise Program is a philanthropy-driven, “last dollar” tuition-paid program sponsored by the Indian River State College Foundation and funded through generous donor philanthropy, covering any remaining tuition costs after financial aid and scholarships have been applied to make Associate degrees accessible to qualifying high school graduates in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties.
For more information about Indian River State College and its programs, visit https://irsc.edu/.
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About Indian River State College: Indian River State College, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The College provides over 130 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas. To learn more, visit irsc.edu.
August 14, 2025
Dental Hygiene Students Achieve 100% Certification Pass Rate
Five-Year Track Record of Exceeding State and National Benchmarks
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2025) – Indian River State College’s 2025 Dental Hygiene graduating class achieved a 100% certification pass rate, continuing the program’s strong track record of student success. Over the past five years, the college’s Dental Hygiene program has maintained strong outcomes with a 98% graduation rate, 98% certification pass rate, and 96% employment rate, all above state and national averages for dental hygiene programs.
A dental hygiene student practices clinical skills during a hands-on training session with a patient under faculty supervision.
“This 100% pass rate reflects what we see every day – students who come in eager to learn and leave as confident professionals ready to make a difference in their patients’ lives,” said Anna Hubbard, Dean of Health Sciences at Indian River State College. “With our faculty and facilities, they get hands-on experience with the latest technology while learning from instructors who are invested in their success.”
The program’s focus on quality education extends beyond the classroom throughthe college’s Dental Clinic, where students gain practical experience while providing preventive dental services, including cleanings, to patients of all ages. These services are offered at reduced prices under the supervision of experienced, licensed faculty.
A young patient beams with excitement during a visit, supported by dental hygiene students gaining real-world experience in patient care.
“The clinic serves as a bridge between our students’ education and the community’s oral health needs,” said Anna DaCosta, Dental Hygiene Program Director. “Patients receive quality preventative care at affordable rates while our students apply their learning in real-world settings that benefit everyone involved.”
The dental hygiene field continues to show strong demand on the Treasure Coast, offering graduates career opportunities in private practices, public health settings, and educational institutions.
For more information about Indian River State College’s Dental Hygiene program, visit irsc.edu/program/dental-hygiene/. To schedule an appointment at the Indian River State College Dental Clinic for preventative services, call 772-462-7524.
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About Indian River State College: Indian River State College, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The College provides over 130 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas. To learn more, visit irsc.edu.
August 7, 2025
Indian River State College’s Project STAGE Program Leads State in Student Employment Success
Program achieves 70% employment rate for students with unique abilities
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Aug. 5, 2025) – Indian River State College’s Project STAGE program continues to prepare students with unique abilities for meaningful careers, as highlighted by a recent Employer Recognition Award presented to local business owner J. Evans of three UPS Stores in Vero Beach and Sebastian.
The UPS Store owner, J. Evans (left), displays his award for supporting students with unique abilities alongside his Project STAGE employee.
Evans was recognized following his nomination by Indian River State College’s Project STAGE team for hiring a program student as a kiosk assistant in January 2025, demonstrating the employer partnerships that support the program’s success.
The College’s Project STAGE program leads in Florida with enrollment of up to 36 students for the 2025-26 academic year, the highest among 35 similar college, university, and technical school programs. The program serves students from Martin, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties across Indian River State College’s Massey and Mueller campuses and is sponsored by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities.
“Our success is built on intentional relationship-building with local employers who share our vision of inclusive workplaces,” said JoAnn Pagano, Project STAGE Program Manager. “When employers open their hearts and minds to nurture the growth and development of our students, everyone benefits.”
The program combines classroom learning through the Specialized Career Training Course with paid and unpaid internships. Students develop job skills, create professional portfolios, and practice interviews while working closely with local employers.
Currently, 70% of Project STAGE students achieve gainful employment. The program provides ongoing support for up to five years post-graduation to ensure long-term employment stability for its students. Staff actively network with employers and provide onsite coaching during interviews and onboarding.
Indian River State College’s Project STAGE program demonstrates how strategic partnerships create meaningful opportunities for students with unique abilities while meeting community workforce needs.
To learn more about Project STAGE, visit irsc.edu/programs/special-programs/project-stage/,call (772) 462-4257, or email Kirsten Jerome at kjerome@irsc.edu.
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About Project STAGE: Project STAGE is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students with unique abilities for successful careers through specialized training, internship opportunities, and ongoing support services. The program serves students from Martin, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties and maintains partnerships with local employers throughout the region.
About Indian River State College: Indian River State College, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The College provides 175 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas. To learn more, visit irsc.edu.
Media Contacts:
Kathleen Walter – Public Information Officer/Public Relations Manager
Rodrigo Berlanga Rodriguez – Public Relations Coordinator
PIO@irsc.edu
August 5, 2025
Indian River State College Co-hosted Inaugural Trauma-Informed Care Summit (7/31/2025)
Educational symposium brought together caring professionals to strengthen healing-centered approaches
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (July 31, 2025) – Indian River State College and Peace for St. Lucie co-hosted the inaugural 2025 Trauma-Informed Care Summit, which raised awareness about trauma-informed care practices and provided valuable educational opportunities for healthcare professionals, mental health practitioners, educators, and community members interested in understanding trauma-sensitive approaches.
Healthcare professionals and community advocates filled the Kight Center auditorium as expert speakers shared trauma-informed care strategies.
The event brought together compassionate professionals at the Kight Center for Emerging Technologies, located at the Fort Pierce campus of Indian River State College. The symposium was open to the public and welcomed anyone interested in learning about trauma-informed care practices and their implementation in professional settings.
“We were moved by the enthusiasm and dedication of everyone who attended,” said Mariuxi Mejia, Director of Student Wellness at Indian River State College. “Seeing healthcare professionals, educators, and community members come together with such genuine commitment to trauma-informed care was incredibly inspiring.”
The summit featured:
- Keynote presentation from leading trauma-informed care experts
- Panel discussions with experienced practitioners
- Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that were available for nurses, mental health professionals, and other qualifying professionals
- Networking opportunities with fellow professionals and community advocates
The inaugural summit reached full capacity, reflecting the strong community interest in trauma-informed care approaches.
The collaboration between Indian River State College and Peace for St. Lucie reflected both organizations’ genuine commitment to nurturing trauma-informed practices throughout the community and supporting the professional growth of those dedicated to this essential area of care.
For more information, visit irsc.edu or call 772-489-7826.
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About Indian River State College: Indian River State College, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The River provides 175 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas.
About Peace for St. Lucie: Peace for St. Lucie is dedicated to building peace, fostering growth, and supporting the St. Lucie community through various educational and wellness programs.
Media Contacts:
Kathleen Walter – Public Relations Manager/Public Information Officer
Rodrigo Berlanga Rodriguez – Public Relations Coordinator
PIO@irsc.edu
July 31, 2025