Education | Youth Programs

Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is proud to announce it has been officially designated as a Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus by the Florida Department of Education in recognition of its outstanding support and commitment to military-connected students and their families.

The Purple Star Campus designation is awarded to schools and colleges that demonstrate a major commitment to supporting the unique needs of veterans, active-duty service members and their families. PHSC is among a select group of institutions in Florida recognized for going above and beyond in fostering a welcoming, supportive environment for military-connected students.

“We are honored to receive the Purple Star Campus designation, which underscores PHSC’s unwavering commitment to those who have served our country,” said Eric Hall, Ed.D., PHSC president. “This recognition reflects our dedication to creating a learning environment where veterans, active-duty service members and their families feel supported, valued and equipped for success. We remain steadfast in our mission to remove barriers and provide educational pathways that empower those who have given so much to our nation.”

To earn this distinction, PHSC met several key criteria, including:

• Maintaining a dedicated Veterans Services office on campus to assist with GI Bill education benefits, academic advising, enrollment and transition support.
• Maintaining a web page that is linked from the PHSC’s home page.
• Offer professional learning opportunities for staff and faculty members on issues relating to military students.

PHSC currently serves 587 veteran and military-connected students across all 7 locations. This past academic year, 45 veteran and military-connected students graduated from PHSC, 18 of whom earned Honors, earning degrees and certificates across a wide range of programs that align with their skills, interests and long-term career aspirations.

“The PHSC Veterans Services team is honored to have been awarded the Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus Designation for Pasco-Hernando State College,” said Shelly Bearden, coordinator of veteran services at PHSC. “Since starting as a coordinator of veteran services three years ago, the team and I have been working together to create new ideas and processes to strengthen and expand our services to military-connected students.

We consider it an honor and a privilege to serve our nation’s active-duty, reserve, National Guard members, veterans and their dependents, helping them to navigate VA and Tuition Assistance Education Benefits and their Academic Journeys at PHSC.”