Seminole State graduates 2,300-plus students, boosts Central Florida workforce

Seminole State College of Florida’s spring graduates are moving directly into the jobs Seminole County and Central Florida need most, from health care and information systems to construction and public safety. The college said its Spring 2026 term produced 2,872 degrees and certificates for 2,354 students, and more than 2,300 of those graduates crossed the stage May 4 at Addition Financial Arena at the University of Central Florida.

That matters far beyond a single commencement ceremony. Seminole State said 273 of the spring credentials were bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields including business and information management, information systems technology and health sciences, the kind of training that feeds local employers looking for workers who can step in quickly. The college also used the spring season to spotlight career pathways through separate ceremonies for Construction, Fire Academy, Nursing and Adult Education between April 27 and May 1.

Dan Donovan, senior director of Talent Orchestration at Universal Destinations & Experiences and chair of Seminole State’s Foundation board, delivered the keynote address, underscoring the college’s role in the regional talent pipeline. Seminole State President Georgia Lorenz also framed the moment as a launch point, urging graduates to carry their preparation and perspective into the world around them.

The ceremony included faculty remarks from Simone Nelson, a professor of biological sciences, and a student challenge from Madeleine Coffee, the graduating president of the Student Government Association at the Sanford/Lake Mary campus. The formal event lasted about two hours, with graduate photo opportunities hosted by the Alumni Association before the ceremony and a cap toss capped by Seminole State-branded beach balls.

The college’s spring recognition extended beyond students. Four faculty members were named 2026 Endowed Teaching Chair honorees: Dr. Maya Byfield, Laura Dickinson, Terina Nusinov and James Rucks. Each received a $5,000 cash prize and a commemorative medallion. Seminole State said the awards honor outstanding teaching and student success, with finalists screened by a faculty and staff committee before Foundation board members made the selection.

The broader picture is a college built around workforce production. Seminole State says it serves more than 24,000 students across four campuses in Central Florida and online. In a region where employers compete for trained workers and families are watching for stable career paths, this spring’s graduating class added another wave of nurses, technologists, business graduates and skilled trades trainees to the local economy.