Senate subcommittee hears brief interviews, then recommends 20 trustee nominees

The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee used a modified confirmation format of three‑minute in‑person and Zoom interviews for nominees to the boards of trustees of Florida’s state colleges. After hearing from nominees in person and by video, the committee took a block vote to recommend for confirmation the slate of nominees on tabs 2 through 22, except tab 8 (a nominee who was unable to appear). The nominations were forwarded to the Committee on Ethics and Elections for further consideration.

Why it matters: Appointed trustees set college strategy, oversee budgets and hire presidents; the nominees emphasized workforce training, nursing programs, fiscal responsibility and partnerships with local employers. The confirmations shape governance for multiple state colleges across Florida and influence workforce pipelines for nursing, cybersecurity, trades and other high‑demand fields.

Format and topics covered: Chair Harrell told nominees they would be given three minutes each to summarize who they are, their connection to the college, and goals for the institution. Nominees spoke about priorities including expanding nursing and health‑care programs, workforce and vocational training, dual‑enrollment and transfer pathways, fiscal stewardship and closer ties to local employers.

Who spoke and what they emphasized: Several nominees identified workforce development and nursing as priorities. Monte Stevens and Jonathan Kilpatrick spoke about Tallahassee State College’s workforce and nursing pipeline; Michael Couschett and other nominees highlighted NCLEX pass rates and nursing program growth; nominees from State College of Florida, Manatee‑Sarasota (Jaime Domenico, Britney Rainer) emphasized enrollment, strategic planning and a planned Parrish campus; nominees to South Florida State College (Terry Archley, Denise Grimsley, John Eason, Lisonbee Hancock, Belinda Kirkegaard, John Eason and others) stressed rural workforce and vocational training; nominees to Valencia College (Belinda Kirkegaard, Sean Hindle and others) and Palm Beach State College (Daniel Epstein, John Harrison) described partnerships with industry, new facilities and dual‑enrollment efforts.

Block vote and logistics: After the interviews, a motion to recommend confirmation of the slate (tabs 2–22, excluding tab 8) was moved and seconded, and the committee called the roll. Senators Burgess, Kalatiued, Davis, Leake, Smith, Trumbull, Vice Chair Bradley and Chair Harrell recorded affirmative votes; the nominations were moved forward to the Committee on Ethics and Elections. The transcript records that the nominee at tab 8 (John Aloco) was unable to appear due to a scheduling conflict and will be heard at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance: Confirmation slate (tabs 2–22 minus tab 8) — motion to recommend confirmation carried by roll call; recorded yes votes include Senators Burgess, Kalatiued, Davis, Leake, Smith, Trumbull, Vice Chair Bradley and Chair Harrell; nominees will advance to Ethics and Elections for final confirmation steps.

What the nominees pledged: Across interviews nominees pledged to maintain fiscal responsibility, expand high‑demand programs (notably nursing and allied health), strengthen workforce training and employer partnerships, increase dual‑enrollment and transfer opportunities, and support new campus expansions where applicable. Several nominees referenced recent hires of new college presidents and strategic planning efforts at their colleges.

Next steps: The slate will be considered by the Committee on Ethics and Elections; one nominee who did not appear will return to the subcommittee at a later date.