The Florida College System, previously known as the Florida Community College System, comprises 28 public community colleges and state colleges in the U.S. state of Florida. In 2013-14, enrollment consisted of more than 813,000 students.[1] Together with the State University System of Florida, which includes Florida's 12 public four-year universities, it is part of Florida's system of public higher education.

While governed by local boards of trustees, the colleges are coordinated under the jurisdiction of Florida's State Board of Education. Administratively, the Chancellor of the Florida College System is the chief executive officer of the system, reporting to the Commissioner of Education who serves as the chief executive officer of Florida's public education system. In 2009, the Florida Legislature changed the name from the "Florida Community College System" to the "Florida College System," reflecting the fact that some of its member institutions now offer four-year bachelor's degrees. As of 2014, only three members of the Florida College System retain "community college" in their official name.[2]

Section (s.) 1004.65, Florida Statutes (F.S.), establishes the primary mission and responsibility of Florida College System institutions as responding to community needs for postsecondary academic education and career degree education. This mission and responsibility includes:[6]

A separate and secondary role for Florida College System institutions includes the offering of programs in:

In addition, s. 1007.33(2), F.S., requires that any Florida College System institution that offers one or more baccalaureate degree programs:

The schools athletic teams are governed by the Florida State College Activities Association (FSCAA) and compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 8.

Dr. James L. Wattenbarger, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, University of Florida and Dr. Harry T. Albertson, Former Chief Executive Officer, Florida Association of Community Colleges, outlined the history of the Florida College System through 2009.[8]

Legislature approves creation of three new colleges: Palm Beach Junior College, Chipola Junior College, and Pensacola Junior College

Legislature approves creation of six new colleges: Gulf Coast Community College, Central Florida Community College, Daytona Beach Community College, Manatee Junior College, North Florida Junior College, and St. Johns River Community College. Legislature approves statutory revisions permitting junior colleges to separate from K-12 Legislature establishes the Division of Community Colleges

Legislature approves measure allowing community colleges to be governed under local boards

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Florida College System - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia