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The �������� invites the community to a ribbon cutting for the newly remodeled Allied Health Sciences building at the �������� Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. On Friday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m., the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership will join college officials to cut the ribbon for Building 6, which has been transformed into a hub for Health Sciences programs.

Attendees will be invited to tour the classrooms and laboratories that currently house the college’s Surgical Services program and will be home to new programs in Cardiovascular Technology, Respiratory Care and Sonography, which are expected to serve 200 students each year.

“We are committed to serving the health care needs of the community as we provide opportunities for high-wage careers for our graduates,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, �������� president. “This project was made possible by the generous support of the Florida Legislature and the Marion County Hospital District.”

To learn more about ��������, visit

The ��������’s Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series presents poet Adrian Matejka on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Matejka will read from his collection at 12:30 p.m. in Building 8, Room 110, and at 7 p.m. in the Dassance Fine Arts Center on the �������� Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Both readings are free and open to the public.

Born in Germany to a military family, Matejka grew up in Indiana. The editor of Poetry magazine earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Southern Illinois University and served as Indiana’s poet laureate in 2018-2019.

Matejka’s most recent collection of poems, “Somebody Else Sold the World,” was a finalist for the 2022 Rilke Prize. His third collection of poems, “The Big Smoke,” was awarded the 2014 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was a finalist for the 2013 National Book Award, 2014 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award and 2014 Pulitzer Prize in poetry. He has collaborated on mixed media projects, and his first graphic novel, “Last on his Feet,” will be released this year.

The poet’s other honors include fellowships from the Academy of American Poets, the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Rockefeller Foundation.

The Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series honors �������� English and creative writing professor Debra Vazquez, who died as a result of domestic violence in 2004.

For more details, visit

�������� will showcase the talent of its Visual Arts and Digital Media students in “The 2023 �������� Student Art Exhibition” on view March 27-May 4. This annual tradition provides students with an opportunity to present their work in a professional environment.

The exhibition will be open to the public at the �������� Webber Gallery located on the �������� Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Works will be judged by Nicholas Kalemba, a contemporary painter living and working in Orlando, where he graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree in 2016 and a master of fine arts in 2019 from the University of Central Florida. Specializing in acrylic and oil painting on a large scale, he works as a muralist, studio painter and instructor of drawing, painting and sculpture at U��������. Kalemba’s work has been exhibited in more than 25 group and juried exhibitions regionally and locally, where he has won multiple awards and recognitions, including a two-year residency at the Maitland Arts and History Center from 2019-2021.

An opening reception and awards ceremony will be held Wednesday, March 29, at 12:30 p.m. in the Webber Center next to the gallery. Best in Show, first through third place awards and honorable mentions will be presented. Works also will be selected for purchase awards, and one student artist’s work will become part of ��������’s permanent art collection through the People’s Choice Purchase Award, which is voted on by the �������� student body.

On Wednesday, April 12, Kalemba will give an artist talk about his art practice and the U�������� Visual Arts Program. The talk will take place in the gallery at 12:30 p.m.

The Webber Gallery is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and admission is free. For more information, call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

Community members are invited to learn how to join �������� students and faculty for the �������� Road Scholars 2023 study abroad trip to Ireland. The information session on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 12:30 p.m. on the Ocala Campus, Building 8, Room 110, will offer potential participants the opportunity to get details about the trip itinerary and application process.

This educational trip across Ireland will take place July 16-27. With a special focus on humanities and health sciences, trip highlights include a Dublin literary pub tour; Book of Kells and Trinity College tour; Cliffs of Moher tour; Irish dance and songs show; and visits to health care-related facilities.

Total cost is approximately $2,745 and includes 10 nights’ accommodations, all ground transportation, three traditional dinners, daily continental breakfast and a full-time guide. Program price is an estimate until tickets are finalized. Scholarships may be available to assist with program costs. Round-trip airfare is not included. Program application closes on March 6.

In partnership with the Study Abroad Association, the �������� Road Scholars program provides students with opportunities to experience learning internationally, providing a diverse and hands-on facet to their education.

Being enrolled as a �������� student is not required to participate in the program. Students can consult with an academic advisor for credit opportunities available with trip attendance.

For more information, visit or call Lois Brauckmuller at 352-854-2322, ext. 1374.

Sam Ajlani, associate professor and program manager of engineering technology at the ��������, will be honored with the American Association of Community Colleges 2023 Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition at its annual conference in Denver, Colorado, in April.

The award, named after former AACC President and CEO Dale P. Parnell, recognizes instructors who go above and beyond to help their students find academic success.

“In nearly 10 years at ��������, Associate Professor Ajlani has modernized our engineering technology program with cutting-edge technology and has leveraged community partnerships to create apprenticeship opportunities,” said Dr. Rob Wolf, dean of business, technology and career and technical education. “We are currently training more than 100 engineering technology students for high-skill, high-wage local jobs with a nearly 100% job placement rate.”

For more information about ��������’s engineering technology program, visit ��������.edu/Engineering. For more information about the AACC, visit

The ��������’s innovative educational series, “Patriot Project: Bringing History to Life,” continues on Monday, Feb. 6, with “Science in the Colonial Period” from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the �������� Webber Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala. Mark Taylor, �������� assistant professor of physical sciences, will dig into the history of science in America.

“In colonial times, even the word ‘science’ meant something else,” Taylor said. “The ‘natural philosophers’ of the time include people like Ben Franklin and we’ll look into his contributions as well as a few other early American scientists.”

The Patriot Project lectures are free and open to the public. Light refreshments and event giveaways will be provided.

Series Schedule:

March 1, 2023 – “History of the Colonial Period” presented by Jay Thompson and Jennifer Ambrosia

April 5, 2023 – “Religion in the Colonial Period” presented by Dr. Ron Cooper

For more details, visit .