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History

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 160 programs of study, bachelor's and associate degrees, professional certificates, workforce development and lifelong learning preparing Palm Beach County’s workforce for the jobs of the future. 

The College has transformed dramatically since its founding as Florida's first public two-year institution in the depths of the Great Depression in 1933. At the time, large government expenditures were out of the question. But civic organizations and local citizens successfully 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 could not 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 (PBJC) 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 transferred to PBJC, and other faculty members 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 female president in 2015. Under her strategic leadership, the College is focused on innovation and student success. Her emphasis on preparing a technologically capable workforce has resulted in PBSC emerging as a top institution for STEM education, with focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering technology and the implementation of advanced technologies in PBSC classrooms. Parker’s commitment to raising students’ information technology IQ led to the introduction of new Associate in Science degrees and related college credit certificates in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to meet growing industry demand. 

Since Parker took the helm, PBSC opened its fifth campus, located in Loxahatchee Groves, and continues to gain significant funding support from both public and private sources. Most recently, such funding supported the creation of a $50 million Dental & Medical Services Technology Building on the Loxahatchee Groves campus which opened in early 2025. The four-story, 83,500-square-foot building includes a fully equipped dental clinic, a surgical technology suite, and science labs that incorporate cutting-edge equipment and technology for students pursuing careers as dental hygienists, dental assistants, surgical technologists and other health care occupations.

To ensure the College’s curriculum is aligned to workforce needs, Parker collaborates closely with PBSC’s  500 industry partners. One high-profile example is PBSC’s partnership with TMRW Sports, founded by professional golfers Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and TMRW Sports CEO Mike McCarley. TMRW Sports chose PBSC’s Palm Beach Gardens campus as the first and only location in the world for TGL, its new tech-infused indoor golf league. The venture brings PBSC onto the global stage as TGL golf matches are broadcast live to 113 countries across the world from the SoFi Center, a 1,500-seat interactive arena, housed on the Palm Beach Gardens campus.

Parker has launched many other initiatives, including the Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Student Success Center and PBSC Online. PBSC has been recognized for the third consecutive year as one of the best colleges in the nation for online learning in Newsweek’s prestigious list of “America’s Top Online Learning Schools 2025.”
  
Today, PBSC is a major contributor to the county’s strong economic growth in sectors including healthcare, information technology, engineering and biotechnology. A 2024 economic impact study from workforce analytics firm Lightcast found that PBSC, one of the top producers of associate degree graduates in the country, has a $1.4 billion impact on Palm Beach County’s economy, which is the equivalent of supporting more than 18,100 local jobs. 

Recent PBSC accomplishments: The College has been named an Aspen Prize Top 150 Community College by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program seven times since the first biennial prize was awarded in 2011; is ranked among the Top Online Colleges by Newsweek and Statista; is recognized as one of the Top 100 Colleges for Hispanic Students by Hispanic Outlook magazine; has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security since 2023; has been chosen a “Top 10” or "Gold" Military Friendly® and Military Spouse Friendly School for the fifth consecutive year by VIQTORY, a highly regarded military publisher; and PBSC’s Ethical Hackers Club won second place for the second year in a row at the Florida Department of Education’s Second Annual Cybersecurity Competition. As an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, PBSC provides the global company’s hourly employees with access to the College’s more than 160 degree and certificate programs. Through PBSC’s “AI Across the Curriculum” collaborative initiative with the University of Florida, PBSC faculty are incorporating artificial intelligence into existing courses so that within five years, every student will graduate with a working knowledge of AI, the ethics of AI and the uses of AI in their majors.

AI and other emerging technologies are rapidly changing every industry, especially health care. With the new Dental & Medical Services Technology Building, PBSC’s health sciences programs will be at the forefront of these technological advances. New simulated learning labs will be equipped with virtual reality learning technology. One example is the Anatomage table, a highly advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection system for anatomy and physiology education brings the human body to life enabling students to dissect synthetic cadavers. Additionally, a fully equipped dental surgical operating suite provides hands-on learning for students. Such advancements are all part of PBSC’s commitment to providing its students with the technology and skills of the future today. 

 

 

 

 

Mission, Vision, Values

Student Experience Statement

Palm Beach State College is a welcoming and empowering learning environment where personalized service matters and communities thrive to support student success.

We inspire hope, foster intellectual curiosity, and advance learning and skills through innovative programs that accelerate upward mobility and transform lives. The student experience is one of connectedness, positive interactions, and engagement for all.

Accreditation and Membership

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. Palm Beach State College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. 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).

Foundation for Palm Beach State College

The Foundation for Palm Beach State College proudly expands awareness of and engagement in PBSC while accepting, stewarding and distributing philanthropic gifts in accordance with donors’ wishes. The Foundation establishes community relationships to further initiatives and opportunities to carry out the Palm Beach State College mission: transforming lives, strengthening the community and impacting the economic and cultural prosperity of Palm Beach County. Celebrating more than fifty years, today's Foundation for Palm Beach State College drives institutional advancement through philanthropic giving, grants and partnerships with friends, donors and alumni who are committed to the students we serve and a community we share. For more information, please visit https://www.pbsc.edu/Foundation.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs

The Office of Communications and Public Affairs is a multifaceted, multimedia department responsible for informing and engaging internal and external stakeholders on the mission of Palm Beach State College. OCPA partners across the institution to elevate PBSC’s brand and spread awareness of the College’s milestones, outcomes and impacts, while publicizing and marketing its academic programs, community and workforce initiatives, and the innovations and achievements of its students, faculty, staff and alumni. Visit the OCPA webpage to learn more.

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

Gainful Employment and Financial Value Transparency

Our non-degree programs (including CCP programs) are considered vocational programs and are subject to certain performance requirements under federal regulation. Information about the graduation rates of students enrolled in these programs, the median debt of students who completed these programs, the income of successful graduates of these programs, and other important information can be found on a Gainful Employment website provided by the U.S. Department of Education beginning July 1, 2026.

 

Students should review the Economic Security Report of Employment and Earnings Outcome report available from the Florida Department of Education's Policy Reports and Data page.

 

 

 

Locations

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 innovative, flexible classrooms and laboratories with virtual technology tools. 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 engineering technology are offered as well as programs in business, computer science and cybersecurity, massage therapy and photography.

The campus serves the richly diverse population of the greater central coastal area and features the spacious Watson B. Duncan III Theatre - a performing arts instructional facility and a world-class cultural and entertainment event venue for the public community. The campus is home to the Public Safety Training Center, providing first responder education programs and advanced training in EMS, firefighting and criminal justice.  Workforce programs, such as advanced manufacturing, welding, construction and automotive technology, are some of the signature components at this campus. The campus has a full-service library and many student amenities to support student life and wellness.  Lake Worth Campus is the primary and proud home to the Panthers intercollegiate athletic teams. Teams play and practice at this campus.

Today, the campus offers Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, certificate programs, dual enrollment for high school students, and credit and noncredit courses and workshops. With a focus on health science, business and computer science programs, the campus has cutting-edge facilities, including laboratories with virtual reality learning technology and an Anatomage Table, the highly advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection system for anatomy and physiology education.

In 2020, the campus established the Frank DiMino Center for Medical Innovation, which is enabling the campus to expand its training programs in high-demand health care fields. An integral part of the center will be the Dental and Medical Services Technology building, set to open in Fall 2025, which will offer programs in physical therapy, medical assisting, surgical technology, health information technology, in addition to the expansion of natural science programs. The four-story, 83,500-square-foot ultramodern structure will house a fully equipped and functioning dental clinic, surgical suite, physical therapy lab for workforce education and a 100-seat lecture hall. The campus also features the Julie and John Kime Library Resource Center and an exquisite 230-seat lecture hall, which has become a popular venue for hosting community educational programs, events and meetings.

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 features an expanded science curriculum and programs in engineering and electrical power technology. The Center for Innovation in Health Sciences houses the ophthalmic medical technology and diagnostic medical sonography programs, and radiography and respiratory care degrees are also offered at the associate and bachelor’s level. The campus has a 50,000-square-foot Library Learning Resource Center, modern multimedia classrooms and laboratories, a horticultural nursery, Panthers basketball court and a permaculture food garden. A cultural hub for northern Palm Beach County, the Helen M. Salzberg Center for Visual Arts provides opportunities for students and local artists to share and advance their work, and the 750-seat Eissey Campus Theatre presents community educational programs as well as entertainment for all ages. The campus is also home to the SoFi Center, a 1,500-seat interactive arena that houses TGL, the high-tech golf league developed by TMRW Sports in conjunction with the PGA Tour.