College Vision
Palm Beach State College is our community's first-choice college. We commit to every learner's success by fostering excellence, cultivating dynamic collaborations, and leveraging new technologies.
College Mission
Palm Beach State College advances the economic and social growth of our community and global workforce through innovative, high-quality learning experiences that transform student's lives.
College 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.
Source: pbsc.edu/StrategicPlan
Accreditation
Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award 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)
This handbook is an information supplement to the College Catalog. Additional information is available from appropriate department(s) should further questions arise.
Upon request, this publication is available in alternative formats to persons with disabilities. The College's Center for Student Accessibility at 561-868-3371 (V/TTY) can assist with these requests.
District Board of Trustees
Patrice Bishop, Chair
Omar Soto, Vice Chair
Melissa Friedman-Levine, MD
Daniel Epstein, PhD
Jon Harrison
Daniel Gil-Sanchez, Student Trustee
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Palm Beach State College, an equal access/equal opportunity institution, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, and any other factor protected under the law, state or federal, in employment, admissions, or educational programs and activities.
The following offices have been designated to ensure compliance and handle inquiries or concerns regarding the nondiscrimination requirements of the Title II of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Center for Student Accessibility
Kathleen Karran-McCoy
Ombudsman
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue, MS #50, Lake Worth, FL 33461-4796
561-868-3371
karran-k@palmbeachstate.edu
Human Resources Director and Equity Officer
Juanita Benjamin
ADA Section 504 Coordinator
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33461-4796
561-868-3111
benjamij@palmbeachstate.edu
Facilities Access
Edgar Rafael Cintron
Facilities Director
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue, MS #42, Lake Worth, Florida 33461-4796
561-868-3416
cintrone@palmbeachstate.edu
Admissions
Davis D. Garwood
College Registrar
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue, MS #7, Lake Worth, Florida 33461-4796
561-868-3532
garwoodd@palmbeachstate.edu
Title IX Coordinator
Miriame Succes
4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33461
561-868-3277
speakup@palmbeachstate.edu
In addition, information concerning Title IX and all other discrimination laws may be obtained at the following Palm Beach State College locations:
Belle Glade: Center for Student Accessibility
1977 College Drive, CRA 105.3, Belle Glade, FL 33430-3699
561-790-9022
Boca Raton: Center for Student Accessibility
801 Palm Beach State College Drive, AD 134, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6490
561-862-4316
Lake Worth: Center for Student Accessibility
4200 Congress Avenue, BK 110, Lake Worth, FL 33461-4796
561-868-3046
Loxahatchee Groves: Center for Student Accessibility
15845 Southern Boulevard, LGA 103, Loxahatchee, FL 33470-9204
561-790-9022
Palm Beach Gardens: Center for Student Accessibility
3160 PGA Boulevard, BR 128, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-2893
561-207-5345
This publication can be made available in alternate formats to persons with disabilities. Please make requests well in advance of need to:
Kathleen Karran-McCoy
Ombudsman
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue, MS #50, Lake Worth, FL 33461-4796
Telephone: 561-868-3371 (V/TTY)
karran-k@palmbeachstate.edu
Palm Beach State College is committed to an academic and working environment free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation threatens the legitimate expectation of all members of the College community that the campus environment will be conducive to work or study. Preventing harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation is the responsibility of the entire College. It is contrary to the College policy for any individual to engage in retaliatory action against a person who files a harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination complaint. Accordingly, Palm Beach State College encourages all employees and students who believe they are being subjected to harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation by an employee or third party to follow the outlined complaint procedures. Students who believe they have been subjected to harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation by another student should consult the Student Code of Conduct/Student Handbook. The College will take prompt disciplinary action against individuals, including third parties, at any locations who engage in actions that violate this policy. The College will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
Palm Beach State College is committed to providing prompt and equitable resolutions to students' complaints in accordance with college policy, state statutes and federal regulations. If a student or prospective student believes their complaint has not been addressed satisfactorily after exhausting all available complaint procedures outlined by the College, they have the right to file an external complaint with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), the College’s accreditation agency, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Office of Civil Rights and for distance education students the FL-SARA PRDEC Council:
FLDOE--Contact the Division of Florida Colleges.
SACSCOC--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).
A student may file a complaint of discrimination with the Office of Civil Rights.
Distance Education students, who have completed an applicable internal institutional grievance process as described at:
- Academic Issues and Procedures Form
- Sexual Misconduct/Harassment Complaints Title IX report Form
- Harassment/Discrimination Involving PBSC Employees Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and/or Retaliation Form and the applicable state grievance process, as outlined above (FLDOE, SACSCOC and Office of Civil Rights) may appeal non‐instructional complaints to the FL-SARA PRDEC Council.
For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page.
Distance Education students, who have completed PBSC complaint process, may also file non‐instructional complaints to the FL-SARA PRDEC Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page.
For more information regarding the ADA at Palm Beach State College, visit pbsc.edu/StudentAccessibility. Or you may send an email to StudentAccessibility@palmbeachstate.edu, call 561-868-3734 or contact our office on your campus.