Page 21 - 2024 June report

SUSF ANNUAL MEETING REPORT
June 7, 2024
PARTICIPANTS:
Florida A & M University: Deborah Sullivan
Florida Atlantic University: Michelle Shaw, Ashley Erickson
Florida Gulf Coast: Cori Bright-Kerrigan
Florida International University: Yesenis DeLaPaz, Martha Wong
Florida Polytechnic University: Kelly Morgan, Rachel Pratt
Florida State University: Carla Larriviere Rosas, Lauren Stradley
New College: Jennifer Meier, Ryan Suarez
University of Central Florida: Missy Lesnewski, Alison Keefe
University of Florida: Jenna Gonzalez, Rita Inman
University of North Florida: India Hamilton
University of South Florida: Deb McCarthy, Allison Dinsmore, Kenny Renaud University of West Florida: Dawn Rockey, Jenny Matus
Florida Division of Colleges and Universities: Diego Fermin
Johnson Scholarship Foundation:
Bea Awoniyi, King Jordan, Lady Hereford, Tommy Pence, Lisa Loomis, Sharon Wood
WELCOME
Sharon welcomed everyone to this meeting and introduced Lisa and Tommy. Sharon expressed Bobby’s regrets that he was not in attendance this year due to a scheduling conflict. Self-introductions were made around the room. It was noted that there were quite a few first timers.
JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HISTORY
King gave a brief history of this program that started in 1992 with the stated purpose of assisting undergraduate students with disabilities on all ten of the campuses within the State system. Now, there are 12 universities in the system. Since its inception, a designated staff person in the Division of Colleges and Universities (DCU) has been responsible for coordinating data and providing oversight for the Johnson Scholarship Program. Thanks to an actual statute in the laws of the State of Florida, the State has provided a 50% match for the funds Johnson Scholarship Fund grants for these scholarships. As a response to several years that the State was not able to meet its match, JSF began offering matching funds for money that the 12 universities would secure for these scholarships. As of December 2022, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation has supported students with disabilities attending the 12 state universities to the tune of just over $13.3 million.
King pointed out that this is the 19th annual meeting of this group. He suggested we need to celebrate next year as the 20th.
JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Diego reported that 772 scholarships were awarded this year which was a substantial increase over last year. A total of approximately $1.3 million went to deserving students. There was a big freshman class compared to the 2022/2023 year. 26% of the student scholars reported multiple disabilities. 71 of the JSF scholars graduated. This year, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation has committed $560,000 to this program, with the State of Florida adding another $280,000. Diego reminded everyone that their reports/requests for scholarship dollars need to be in the Board of Governors’ office in the next few weeks.
Education / A Powerful force for change Page 19