History
www.pbsc.edu/history
From its humble beginnings in 1933 with 41 students in a building next to Palm Beach High School, Palm Beach State College has grown to become one of the largest institutions of higher education in Palm Beach County. More than 40,000 students enroll annually in face-to-face, online, live online and hybrid classes at five campuses: Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves. Over time, the College's mission has become more comprehensive to serve the educational needs of Palm Beach County residents. Palm Beach State College now offers bachelor's and associate degrees, professional certificates, workforce development and lifelong learning.
Establishing Florida's first public two-year college in the depths of the Great Depression may have seemed like folly in 1933. Large government expenditures were out of the question. Still, civic organizations and local citizens lobbied the County Board of Public Instruction to open a two-year public college for the area's high school graduates who were unable to find employment and couldn't afford to leave home to attend a university.
County School Superintendent Joe Youngblood and Howell Watkins, principal of Palm Beach High School, consulted with the University of Florida and the Florida State Women's College (Florida State University) and based Palm Beach Junior College’s curriculum on that of the two universities. Because of the Depression-era budget, teachers at Palm Beach High School volunteered to teach at the College for free.
John I. Leonard became the first president of Palm Beach Junior College in 1936. By 1948, the College had outgrown its original building and moved to Morrison Field, a retired Air Force base used in World War II. Just three years later, though, the Korean Conflict erupted, and Morrison Field was reactivated. The air base later became Palm Beach International Airport.
In 1951 Palm Beach Junior College moved yet again, to Lake Park Town Hall, where the quarters were so cramped students had to be turned away, and enrollment dropped significantly to less than 200. Chemistry class was held in the jail. The local media dubbed it "the little orphan college," but the Lake Park location is remembered fondly by its alumni for the camaraderie that existed there. Master English and Speech Professor Watson B. Duncan taught classes in the nearby church and even in the hallway.
Almost five years later the Board of Public Instruction of Palm Beach County donated 114 acres in Lake Worth to the College, and the state gave PBJC $1 million for buildings. The College finally had a permanent home. Harold C. Manor, Ph.D., became president in 1958 and began directing extraordinary growth in enrollment, services and offerings, including many technical and vocational programs.
In 1965, the state legislature ordered that black and white two-year colleges be merged, and the mostly white Palm Beach Junior College and the all-black Roosevelt Junior College became one. Six professors and staff members from Roosevelt were transferred to PBJC, and other faculty members were transferred to the school district.
In the 1970s and 80s the College established satellite centers, then permanent locations in Belle Glade, Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton. Edward M. Eissey, Ph.D., president from 1978 to 1996, was the driving force behind the building boom and the name change to Palm Beach Community College in 1988.
Dennis P. Gallon, Ph.D., served as president for 18 years, beginning in 1997. Dr. Gallon expanded the College’s comprehensive mission with more workforce education programs and expanded business and industry partnerships. In 2008, the College received State Board of Education approval to offer its first baccalaureate degree, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management. Upper-level courses in this degree program began in 2009, and the College was renamed Palm Beach State College in 2010 to reflect its expanded educational offerings.
Ava L. Parker, J.D., became Palm Beach State College’s first woman president in 2015. President Parker is leading Palm Beach County's largest higher education institution with a strategic approach emphasizing innovation, student success, and business and community collaboration. Under her leadership, the College has opened a fifth campus, improved student success rates and increased support for the College from both public and private sources.
Mission, Vision, Values
Mission
Palm Beach State College provides accessible, student-centered teaching and learning experiences in academic, technical and lifelong learning to transform lives and strengthen our community.
Vision
Palm Beach State College is nationally recognized as an innovative academic leader advancing student success through its unparalleled commitment to excellence, engagement and dynamic partnerships.
Values
Conscientious
We serve the College community and global society as we aspire to do what is right, ethical and fair.
Belonging
We value all persons and backgrounds, and cultivate an inclusive community that nurtures diverse, equitable and civil perspectives.
Perseverance
We inspire hope and encourage our constituents to achieve their goals and pursue lifelong learning
Transformational
We positively and profoundly change the lives of our constituents by adopting programs and services that meet their needs.
Accreditation and Membership
Accreditation
Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate and baccalaureate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Palm Beach State College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Accreditation also has been granted by professional organizations for certain specific programs. This is noted in this catalog on pages where the programs are outlined. The absence of such a notation indicates that professional accreditation has neither been sought nor granted.
Memberships
The College is an active member of the American Association of Community Colleges and the Association of Florida Colleges, as well as other professional organizations.
Institutional Advancement
The Office of Institutional Advancement provides value to the College by expanding awareness of, engagement in and philanthropic giving to Palm Beach State. Institutional Advancement engages in a broad range of activities that serve as the framework for creating lasting relationships and partnerships and building support from a variety of constituencies, including alumni, donors and community members. The Institutional Advancement team is committed to delivering responsive, professional and timely service to all stakeholders while pursuing the College’s vision and assisting in fulfilling its mission to transform lives and strengthen the Palm Beach County community. For more information, please visit www.pbsc.edu/Foundation.
Institutional Learning Outcomes
Palm Beach State College has five institutional learning outcomes (ILOs). Student achievement of the outcomes is used to measure the Associate in Arts degree and the competencies associated with general education. Other academic programs support these broad areas of learning. For more information about the ILOs, visit the ILO webpage.
Locations
Courses and programs are offered at College campuses in Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Loxahatchee Groves and Palm Beach Gardens. Each campus offers general education courses; however, certain programs may not be available at all campuses. View detailed campus maps at www.pbsc.edu/Locations.
Belle Glade
Serving residents of the western communities of Palm Beach County, the Belle Glade location opened in 1972. The permanent facility was built in 1977 and occupied in January 1978. With the support and guidance of local education, community and civic leaders and organizations, the College has expanded its general education offerings, occupational training, student services and community outreach to meet the diverse educational needs of the area.
The Belle Glade location offers the Associate in Arts degree for transfer to four-year institutions as well as an Associate in Science degree in Nursing, various career and technical programs and continuing education courses. The 467-seat Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center at Belle Glade presents a variety of entertainment and cultural performances and is available for rental by individuals and organizations. High-skills career programs are housed at the sustainably built 33,982-square-foot Technical Education Center and prepare students for immediate employment in welding, truck and heavy equipment maintenance, as well as cosmetology and barbering services.
Boca Raton
Palm Beach State College serves the greater south Palm Beach County area from its campus in Boca Raton, conveniently located adjacent to Florida Atlantic University. Many students take advantage of the close partnership between the two institutions, transferring into FAU baccalaureate programs after completing their associate degrees at PBSC. In addition, all Palm Beach State students enjoy full-use privileges at the FAU library.
The Boca Raton campus provides students with modern and fully equipped classrooms and laboratory facilities. Known for addressing the learning needs of the entire local community, the campus offers classes for those seeking a college degree as well as those interested in job training, upgrading of skills and in receiving industry certifications. Extensive courses in architecture and photography are offered as well as programs in business, computer science and massage therapy.
Lake Worth
Constructed in 1955, Lake Worth is the College's largest and longest-established campus. Bordered by Lake Osborne and John Prince Park, the 114-acre campus offers bachelor’s degrees as well as numerous programs for those planning to transfer to universities. The campus also serves as Palm Beach County's primary provider of workforce training and education in health, business, public safety and industry career pathways.
The campus serves the richly diverse population of the greater Lake Worth area and is home to the Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Cross-Cultural Equity Institute. The Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College is headquartered at the Lake Worth campus, as is the Dr. Kathryn W. Davis Global Education Center, an education and information resource center for immigrants residing in Palm Beach County. Outstanding campus features include the spacious Watson B. Duncan III Theatre, which serves as a performing arts instructional facility and presents world-class cultural and entertainment events and visiting artists for the public. The Panthers intercollegiate athletic teams play and practice at this campus.
Loxahatchee Groves
Palm Beach State College’s newest campus in Loxahatchee Groves opened its doors in 2017. Named in honor of former PBSC president Dr. Dennis P. Gallon, the 75-acre campus provides increased access and convenience for residents of central-western Palm Beach County.
Today, the campus offers Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, certificate programs, and credit and noncredit courses and workshops. The focus is on innovative technology and health science programs, featuring state-of-the-art virtual reality learning technology in the science laboratories. In 2020, the campus established the Frank DiMino Center for Medical Innovation, which will enable the campus to expand its training programs in high-demand health care fields. The campus also houses an exquisite 230-seat lecture hall which has become a popular venue for hosting community educational programs, events and meetings.
Palm Beach Gardens
The Palm Beach Gardens campus opened in 1982 as a permanent, full-time facility and in 1990 was named the Edward M. Eissey Campus in recognition of the College’s third president, who had presided over its opening. Today, the campus offers Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, certificate programs, and credit and noncredit courses and workshops. The campus sits on 123 acres in a lush, natural Florida setting that features many native plants, including a cypress preserve. The Myrna Rubenstein Pavilion at the center of campus features an ecological pond and waterfall. The pavilion and adjacent amphitheater serve as a gathering place for student activities and events.
The campus's Bioscience Technology Complex houses an expanded science curriculum and programs in engineering and electrical power technology, and its Center for Innovation in Health Sciences features programs in ophthalmic medical technology and diagnostic medical sonography. The campus also has a 50,000-square-foot Library Learning Resource Center, modern multimedia classrooms and laboratories, a horticultural nursery, Panthers basketball court, and community athletic fields. A cultural hub for northern Palm Beach County, the campus is home to the Helen M. Salzberg Center for Visual Arts, which provides opportunities for students and local artists to share and advance their work, and the 750-seat Eissey Campus Theatre, which presents community educational programs as well as entertainment for all ages.