Dr. Sobia Khan, Provost, East and Lake Nona Campuses, Valencia College
Invest: spoke with Dr. Sobia Khan, provost at Valencia College, about what sets the college apart in the region, its semiconductor and robotics program called Neo City, and its focus on eliminating learning barriers. “We call ourselves a learning center institute. As part of that, we have strategic goals. They center around creating college access, and leading our students towards graduation, as well as advancing career credentials,” she said.
What sets Valencia College apart from other higher education institutions, especially regarding student success and community engagement?
In 2011, we won the Aspen award, which is like the Oscars for community colleges. We were named No. 1 in the nation. Ever since – and even before –, we have been leaders in innovation and learning, while meeting the needs of our workforce in industry and the community. What sets us further apart is student success. We call ourselves a learning center institute which encompass our strategic impact plan goals. They center around creating college access, and leading our students toward graduation, ensuring transfer success, as well as advancing career credentials. We work to ensure students are on track to succeed, and we do this by creating the right conditions for anyone and everyone to learn. We surround our students with the support system they need to succeed and we take away as many barriers as possible.
What are some important initiatives at Valencia College?
One initiative is the Osceola Prosper program, in conjunction with Osceola County, that guarantees every high-school graduate in Osceola County free admission to Valencia College. Students who may not have considered going to college are taking advantage of it. We were able to improve the college-going rate in Osceola County from 61st in the state to fourth in the state. It has been an incredible journey, with many partnerships in the community. In addition, our graduation rate is incredibly high, and our Direct Connect program with University of Central Florida (UCF) is another important initiative that propels students to success. Through Direct Connect program, Valencia College students become UCF students once they are with us, receiving automatic transfer along with all the support systems we provide.
We also put a lot of focus on food and security. We have a food pantry called The Vcentials. It is an open-access food pantry so students can come to us and get fresh produce, baby products, and hygiene products. Our students’ needs are diverse, and we don’t want hunger to be the reason they don’t succeed in class. Thousands of students come to the pantry every semester.
We are famous and successful because our faculty are innovative and creative and committed to student success not just in words, but in action. We have the most robust professional development here at Valencia, and our tenure system is rigorous and action project-oriented.
How does the college engage with local businesses, organizations, and residents to serve the community?
It is a two-way street. We have partners who identify us, and many times we identify them. For example, the food pantry is made possible through the generosity of theFlorida Blue Foundation, Second Harvest, and members of the Valencia College community. Child care assistance at Valencia College is another great example of collaboration to provide support to our students. Through the federal grant supported program CCAMPIS-Child Care Access Means Parents In School we work with local child care providers to rpovide our students with low-cost child care.
Recently, Valencia College has received funding through the Florida Job Growth Fund to start a robotics technician program to support semiconductor and other advanced manufacturing in Osceola County as part of the NeoCity eco system, a future technology hub in Central Florida.
Valencia College serves the community and our program offerings originate from the needs of our community and industry partners.
We have multiple partnerships with government, business, industry, higher ed, and the community to ensure we are aligned and forward-thinking.
What programs have seen an increase in demand at the college?
One program that we are very proud of is all things related to our School of Arts, Entertainment, and Design. We are a direct feed into Disney and the entertainment, hospitality, and culinary industry. Our students graduate and enter industry, and they are some of our best performers. We have some famous alumni, like the Backstreet Boys. We are also focused on the workforce in our technical degrees and pathways like our Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program. That has seen a lot of growth, and our students are hired immediately after a few weeks-long program. The Accelerated Skills Training (AST) programs are created to align with the needs of industry, such as with our welding program, or our graphic design program. Our new bachelor’s program in education came about because there is a shortage of teachers in Central Florida. There is always a waiting list for our bachelor’s in nursing program, as well. Students are coming to us to advance their careers and make a stable, family-sustaning wage. The work we do has a generational impact.
How do you see education evolving considering recent global and technological changes?
The only constant is change. Everything is always changing. Nothing is the same from one season to another. As technology is evolving with generative AI and large language models, and with online learning becoming the norm, students want options, and they don’t want the same old thing. Integrating AI into learning is imperative. We are on the journey to be better at it, but it is also evolving at a high speed. It is a tool, and it is not going to overtake us, we need to learn how to use it to our advantage
What is your vision for the college over the next couple of years?
We need to understand who our students are and their needs, as well as the needs of the industry and community. Valencia College is in the middle of all of that, and we want to make sure we are preparing students for the jobs of the future. There are jobs we don’t even know exist, but we can prepare for them by imparting the right skills, and ensuring students have the right knowledge and critical thinking skills that can translate to the jobs of the future.