Florida SouthWestern State College Celebrates Regional Business and Community Partners at Annual Appreciation Luncheon
FSW Honors Three 2026 Award Recipients for Outstanding Contributions to Student Success and Workforce Development Across Southwest Florida
Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) Division of Workforce Education recently welcomed business and community leaders for its annual Business and Community Partner Appreciation Luncheon. The event brought together representatives from FSW’s 22 industry advisory boards spanning Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties, celebrating the vital role that employer and community partnerships play in preparing students for careers in today’s workforce.
“As I look around this room, I see more than just business leaders, I see partners who share our vision for transformative education and economic growth in Southwest Florida,” said Dr. Jeffery Allbritten, FSW president. “When a student graduates from FSW, they carry with them not just a degree, but real-world skills shaped by your input.”
Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Judith Bilsky noted that FSW’s partnerships serve as the bridge between academic knowledge and real-world application. “Whether it’s updating course content to reflect industry trends, creating internship opportunities, or providing mentorship to our students, your involvement ensures that an FSW education remains exceptional and relevant,” she said.
The luncheon highlighted the college’s ongoing commitment to aligning academic programs with regional workforce needs through curriculum collaboration, internships, clinical placements, and employer engagement. This year, FSW presented three awards recognizing partners whose contributions have had exceptional and measurable impact on student outcomes.
2026 Award Recipients
Workforce Pathways Award: School District of Lee County, Talent Acquisition Team. The Workforce Pathways Award recognizes a partner whose dedication opens doors for students and strengthens the pipeline between education and meaningful careers. This year’s recipient is the Talent Acquisition Team of the School District of Lee County, which has worked in close collaboration with FSW’s School of Education and Office of Field Experience to coordinate school-based placements for students in the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program, Early Childhood Education practicum courses, and Introduction to the Teaching Profession.
Each semester, the team’s coordination directly impacts more than 200 FSW students facilitating mentor teacher placements, verifying eligibility, and managing background screenings across the district. The team has also contributed to broader FSW initiatives including the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, participated in recruitment events, and actively hired FSW graduates into Lee County schools.
Clinical Champion Award: Lee Health Radiology
The Clinical Champion Award recognizes an organization that goes above and beyond to ensure FSW students receive exceptional hands-on learning experiences. FSW proudly honored Lee Health Radiology, a partner whose relationship with the college spans more than three decades, dating back to 1992, when Lee Health transferred sponsorship of their certificate program to FSW.
Lee Health Radiology provides the majority of clinical training rotations for FSW’s Radiologic Technology students, offering learning environments across outpatient, inpatient, surgical, interventional, and trauma settings. Their mentorship produces graduates who are credentialed, confident, and career-ready. This enduring partnership enables FSW to train up to 30 Radiologic Technology students per year.
Community Impact Award: Mary Beth Geier, The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
The Community Impact Award honors a partner whose investment in FSW and the region has created lasting, measurable change. This year’s recipient is Mary Beth Geier of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the foundation has invested more than one million dollars in workforce education and student success at FSW since 2021.
More than 4,800 students have directly benefited from Schulze Foundation support, earning industry-recognized credentials in emergency healthcare, technology, and education. Foundation funding has expanded FSW’s Career Connection Center into a multi-campus operation serving students across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, supported the renovation of the Radiology lab, and funded 178 scholarships with more than 75 percent of recipients already earning postsecondary credentials.
“Mary Beth, through your leadership and the Foundation’s extraordinary vision, you have helped FSW fulfill its mission in the deepest sense,” said Whitney Rhyne, AVP of Workforce Education. “You have invested in education today, and the results are blooming across our entire region.”
A Community Built on Partnership
The annual luncheon reflects FSW’s ongoing investment in the strength of its regional employer network. Through 22 industry advisory boards, more than 400 employer partnerships, and workforce programs that span multiple counties, FSW continues to align educational opportunities with the evolving needs of Southwest Florida’s economy.