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General Information

History

Ava L. Parker, J.D., became Palm Beach State College’s first woman president in 2015 and leads with a strategic approach that stresses innovation, student success, and business and community collaboration. Parker’s 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. Under Parker’s leadership, PBSC opened its fifth campus, located in Loxahatchee Groves, gained significant funding support from both public and private sources, and launched many initiatives, including PBSC Online, the Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Equity Institute, and a partnership that makes the Palm Beach Gardens campus the future site of an interactive arena which will house TGL, the high-tech golf league being developed by TMRW Sports in conjunction with the PGA Tour. The partnership will provide internships and career development opportunities for students as well as access to new technologies and industry professionals. 

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; and 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. 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 130 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.

Mission, Vision, Values

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 its 50th year, 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 www.palmbeachstate.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 in 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 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 community athletic fields. 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 will house TGL, the high-tech golf league developed by TMRW Sports in conjunction with the PGA Tour.