Palm Beach State College strives to provide broad opportunities for the intellectual and cultural development of students in an atmosphere of order and respect. Various student services and organizations are available on each campus, as described in this section.
Academic Advisement
Academic advisors provide career pathway guidance through a case management approach to assist students in designing an educational plan that meets their academic and personal goals. They also serve as a referral source for the many supportive services and resources at the College. Students are urged to maintain contact with their assigned advisors to be certain they are on track to complete their program of study. Students assume the ultimate responsibility for course selection. For more information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/Advising.
Career Centers
Career Center services are available at each campus location. Students can meet with a career development advisor to discuss career pathway, college major and career options. Students can receive assistance with resume and cover letter writing, job and internship searches, career mentoring and LinkedIn profiles. The Career Center offers online career assessment inventories for students to become aware of their interests, values and skills and learn how these relate to career pathways, majors and occupations.
Meet with a career development advisor to facilitate your career advising needs or schedule an in-person or virtual appointment. We encourage all PBSC students and recent alumni to upload their resumes to the College Central Network online job portal to search for jobs and internships.
The Career Center offers career pathway planning and career exploration programs. Job readiness workshops include: resume writing, mock interviews, job search strategies, professionalism in the workplace, career fairs, industry career panels and other career events. We encourage students to explore our webpage and make the best use of online career planning tools.
Credit classes in career development and job searching are available to students:
SLS 1300 Career Self-Assessment - 1 credit
SLS 1302 Career Information and Decision Making - 1 credit
SLS 1303 Job Search - 1 credit
Visit the Career Centers webpage for additional information and to schedule an appointment: www.palmbeachstate.edu/Career.
Counseling Center
The Student Counseling Center provides services and programs designed to help students maintain their emotional well-being to achieve their educational goals. Services include individual counseling, group counseling, educational events, as well as linkage to community resources and additional services. All services are available by appointment either on campus or virtually and can be scheduled by calling (561) 868-3980, emailing the Student Counseling Center at studentcounselingcenter@palmbeachstate.edu or coming in person to the Lake Worth campus. Please visit us on our webpage for further information: www.palmbeachstate.edu/CounselingCenter.
Case Management
As part of the Student Counseling Center our Case Management Services assists students by linking them to community resources, e. g., SNAP registration, local food pantries, financial assistance, and housing issues. While Palm Beach State College does not provide student housing, the Student Counseling Center can provide links to community resources and housing emergency shelters.
Foster Care Liaison
Students who identify as having been a part of the foster care system are provided with additional support and community resource linkage. Please reach out to the Student Counseling Center for more information: www.palmbeachstate.edu/CounselingCenter or call (561) 868-3980.
Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund assists students who are facing unexpected financial crisis. Applications for this fund are limited. Please see the online application, which can be accessed via the Student Counseling Center webpage at www.palmbeachstate.edu/CounselingCenter.
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Student Counseling Center at (561) 868-3980 or visiting the Counseling webpage at www.palmbeachstate.edu/CounselingCenter.
Panther's Pantry
The Panther’s Pantry is available to any student, faculty or staff member experiencing food insecurities. Each PBSC campus has a Panther’s Pantry, and the hours vary by campus location. Appointments can be booked for both Pantry food pick up and SNAP registration by clicking on the following link: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/PanthersPantry1@palmbeachstate.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/
Panther's Closet
Panther’s Closet is a College-run thrift store that sells gently used, washed clothing and accessories to students, faculty, and staff for $1 each. Managed by the Dr. Floyd. F Koch Honors College, it is an Honors College service-learning credit course overseen by honors students. The store has locations on the Belle Glade, Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens campuses. All store proceeds go toward helping PBSC students in financial need. For more information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/Panthers-Closet.
Center for Student Accessibility
The College is committed to providing full access to all programs, services and facilities for qualified individuals with disabilities as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008. Services and accommodations are not automatic. It is the responsibility of the student or prospective student to notify the Center for Student Accessibility of the need for reasonable accommodations, services and academic adjustments and to provide appropriate documentation by a qualified medical or mental health professional that verifies and supports the student’s disability claim.
Services cannot be authorized until the student has officially registered with the Center for Student Accessibility (CSA). This voluntary self-declaration procedure is independent from the admissions process itself, and all disability records are treated as confidential and private and kept separately.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to meet with the Center for Student Accessibility representative on their campus before registration. A staff member from CSA will assist with accommodation needs and coordinate with other campus resources and academic supports to best meet the educational needs of students with disabilities. Visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/CSA for more details and contact information.
Ombudsman
The Ombudsman helps students understand College policies and procedures, facilitates communication, and assists in conflict resolution apart from engagement in the College’s formal grievance procedures. The Ombudsman provides an initial point of contact to ensure student concerns and appeals regarding issues such as student access to courses, credit granted toward the degree, and other matters are referred to the appropriate department to be resolved in a prompt, efficient and impartial manner. Through the Ombudsman, PBSC seeks to ensure that all students are treated in a fair and equitable manner.
The Ombudsman assists students by:
• Listening and helping to resolve student concerns or complaints.
• Clarifying college policies and procedures.
• Answering questions.
• Referring issues and concerns to the appropriate department or office.
• Helping define available options.
• Recommending revisions in college policies and procedures when appropriate.
• Maintaining open and constructive communications.
• Providing students with information and notification regarding opportunities for assistance and appeal, including the College’s formal grievance procedures.
The Ombudsman does not:
• Breach confidentiality without permission.
• Make final decisions on any issue.
• Conduct formal investigations.
• Act as a witness or advocate in any formal processes.
• Maintain documentation or record of any concern.
• Formally participate in any grievance processes or provide legal counsel.
• Ignore or circumvent existing college policies and procedures.
This office reports directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (see section 1006.51, Florida Statutes). The Ombudsman can be reached at (561) 868-3371 or (561) 868-3319.
PantherCard
The PantherCard is the College's official photo identification card and should always be carried while on campus. A student is eligible for a PantherCard once a credit or noncredit application has been completed. All students are encouraged to obtain a PantherCard by visiting their campus bookstore (or security office at the Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves campuses). Students can also submit a photo online and request to have the PantherCard mailed to a home address. A government-issued photo ID, such as a current driver's license, state ID, or passport, must be presented in order to obtain a PantherCard. The PantherCard serves as a student ID card, library card, debit card at campus bookstores, cafeterias, and vending machines, and for printing/copying on campus. It also is required to access many of the services on campus, including the student learning centers and the wellness centers. Certain programs may require students to display their PantherCard when in class or attending training provided by the College or an off-site location. The first PantherCard is included in a student's fees; however, replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged card is subject to a replacement fee. For more information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/PantherCard.
Workday
Students use Workday, the College’s online student services tool, to pay for tests, add, drop or withdraw from classes, pay tuition, view transcripts and academic progress, and change personal information. An assigned student ID and password are given to students when they apply. For more information, visit Workday.
Student Handbook
The Student Handbook is your "user guide" to Palm Beach State and is full of information to help you navigate our policies and procedures, understand your rights and responsibilities as a student, and explore all that the College has to offer you. The Palm Beach State College Student Handbook is updated annually.
Students are responsible for reading the information in the Student Handbook.
All regulations and policies pertaining to student conduct are listed in the Student Handbook located online at www.palmbeachstate.edu/StudentHandbook.
This includes the Student Code of Conduct. College students are considered to have reached the age of responsibility and discretion. Their conduct, both in and out of college, is expected to be dignified and honorable. Students must realize that the responsibility for their success in college rests largely upon themselves. Each student, by the act of enrolling, is obligated to obey the rules and regulations formulated by the College. Each student is responsible for observing all Board of Trustees’ policies and procedures as published in the Student Handbook.
Student Life
Athletics
Palm Beach State College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Florida College System Activities Association, the governing bodies for intercollegiate sports competition for the Florida College System. Palm Beach State competes at the Division II level in the Sun-Lakes Conference, Region VIII, in Baseball, Men’s and Women's Basketball, Volleyball and Beach Volleyball.
The Panthers play all of their home games on the Lake Worth Campus for all sports. All home events are free to Palm Beach State students, faculty and staff with a valid Palm Beach State ID. At the current time, admission to games is free to the public. For more information, please visit pbscpanthers.com.
Intramural and Recreational Activities
Intramural and recreational activities represent a broad selection of individual and team sports. Opportunities are available for students to participate in all phases of the intramural program, including planning and organizing, competing and officiating.
Student Government
Each campus has a Student Government Association. These groups provide guidance and direction to the student body, develop student programs and activities, promote student involvement, develop positive working relationships and provide students with opportunities to develop and exercise leadership skills. Contact the campus Student Activities office for more information.
Student Organizations and Clubs
The College offers assistance in the formation and official recognition of clubs and other organizations of students and faculty who have interests in common. There are well-defined procedures available through the Student Activities office for the establishment and sanctioning of a student club or organization.
To hold office in a student organization, a student must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA) at the beginning of the tenure of office and must achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA during each term in office. Clubs and organizations may have individual membership requirements; students can visit any campus Student Activities Office to obtain specific club requirements.
For the list of sanctioned clubs on each campus, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/StudentActivities.
Student Success Grants
The College has been awarded several grants to support student success programs.
Educational Opportunity Center
The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a U.S. Department of Education grant-funded program. The EOC grant provides assistance and information on the college application process to qualified high school students and adults who would like to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education. Services include vocational and career counseling, GED preparation, academic advising, and financial aid and college admissions workshops. The EOC assists residents of Palm Beach County and has a focus on low-income and/or potential first-generation college students. For more information, call 561-868-3681 or 561-868-4068.
TRiO Student Support Services
This program is a U.S. Department of Education grant-funded TRIO program serving 175 students who are low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. Services provided include personalized academic and financial aid, advisement, tutoring, career exploration, academic workshops, financial literacy, cultural events, and university tours. The program assists students with progression, retention, completion, and transition from one level of higher education to the next. Students must be enrolled at Palm Beach State College in a degree-seeking program and be U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for services. For more information, call 561-868-3392.
TRiO Student Support Services Veterans
This program is a U.S. Department of Education grant-funded TRIO program serving 120 veterans who are low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. Services provided include personalized academic and financial aid, advisement, tutoring, career exploration, academic workshops, financial literacy, cultural events, and university tours. The program assists student veterans with progression, retention, completion, and transition from one level of higher education to the next. Students must be enrolled at Palm Beach State College in a degree-seeking program and be U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for services. For more information, call 561-868-4287.
Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Equity Institute
As part of its commitment to fostering student-centered learning experiences, Palm Beach State College established the Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Equity Institute in 2019. The Equity Institute is named after Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler, a local philanthropist and former longtime educator and elected official. The Equity Institute supports the College's mission to provide "accessible, student-centered teaching and learning experiences" by providing support and resources to underserved, underresourced and underrepresented students to ensure their success. Students who participate in the Institute's offerings receive wraparound support, learn personal management skills, and develop their ability to advocate for themselves and utilize available resources to continue their personal and professional growth. For more information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/CCEI.
Testing and Certification Center
Test Centers are located on each campus and offer comprehensive testing services for faculty, students and the community. A variety of national and state exams for students, including PERT, CLEP, Accuplacer, Accuplacer ESL and TABE are administered, in addition to out-of-class and distance learning exams. Currently a hybrid model is being offered by the Testing Center where certain exams are offered onsite and online. Certification testing is also conducted on select campuses. The centers are certified by the National College Testing Association (NCTA) and therefore maintain a comprehensive set of standards, approved policies, and procedures to which students are expected to adhere.
For Test Center locations, hours of operation, a listing of exams offered, and policies and procedures, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/Testing.