Florida Trend Exclusive
Hiring hubs
Florida's research powerhouses dominate H-1B hiring: the University of Florida leads all state schools with 749 approved petitions over three years, followed by Florida State (279) and the University of South Florida (259). Private universities like Miami and Embry-Riddle are heavy users too, and aren't bound by the state pause. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida College System Council of Presidents announces new leadership
South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins has been selected to serve as chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents, a leadership body representing the 28 state colleges across Florida. Additionally, Valencia College President Dr. Kathleen Plinske will serve as the policy and advocacy chair. In these roles, Presidents Hawkins and Plinske will help guide statewide priorities for the Florida College System, working collaboratively with fellow presidents, state leaders, and policymakers to advance student success, workforce development, and institutional excellence. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida education workforce grows with more private school jobs, but less public
Florida’s education workforce is growing, but not where you might expect. New information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows private schools are adding jobs, while public schools are losing them. With more than 1,200 students, Carrollwood Day School is one of the largest independent private schools in Tampa Bay, and it’s growing. “We have been on a growth trajectory since we opened, but it has accelerated over the past five years,” said Sara Rubinstein. [Source: Spectrum News]
Florida ranks last in new national report on support of K-12 schools
Among other national education research institutions, the Network for Public Education ranked Florida last for its lack of commitment and support for K-12 public schools. The network, a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes and researches policies supporting traditional public schools, has evaluated and held states accountable for how public education is managed and upheld. With scores up to 100, each state was evaluated based on privatization, school finance, and student and teacher supports. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida high schoolers stand alone in exemption from state cellphone ban
Florida made history as the first state to pass a law regulating cellphone use in schools in 2023. Recent studies found that the initial cellphone ban increased student performance on reading and math tests throughout the state and resulted in fewer absences, despite a jump in suspensions, particularly among Black students. Since then, 40 more states have passed regulations addressing phone usage on school campuses. And now, Florida is the only state whose policy does not include all of its students, according to the Phone-Free School State Report Card. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami ranks low on list of where grads are finding jobs
When 26-year-old Angelina Mendez graduated from Florida International University in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, she thought her resume would help launch her career. She had participated in a project with the U.S. Department of Agriculture through FIU, where she’d collected plant data for a research project over the course of a year. But after graduation, Mendez sent out countless job applications. She heard nothing back in return.
› Hillsborough College may pair with Feeding Tampa Bay for culinary program
Hillsborough College’s Board of Trustees will vote Wednesday on a lease agreement with Feeding Tampa Bay for its culinary and hospitality programs. As local officials consider the Tampa Bay Rays stadium plan at the college’s Dale Mabry campus, the college is separately planning to relocate the culinary and hospitality programs to its Ybor City campus. Relocating the culinary program is part of a “larger strategic decision for optimal growth,” college spokesperson Angela Eveillard said.
› Third party will determine if University of Florida has a governance problem
The Florida Board of Governors put most of its agenda aside Wednesday, instead airing grievances about governance standards in the State University System. The disagreement revolved largely around Governors Chair Alan Levine and University of Florida trustees Chair Mori Hosseini. The two people previously picked to run the university left in controversy. Santa Ono enjoyed unanimous support from UF trustees but was bucked by the state BOG. Earlier, Ben Sasse resigned amid controversy that he overspent and hired remote-working former Senate staffers of his to help run the university.
› UCF partners with major employers to integrate AI training across medicine, business and gaming programs
The University of Central Florida is quickly building out its artificial intelligence infrastructure, including bringing companies into the process. For example, global financial firm BNY and Central Florida health system Orlando Health are both located in the college’s SPRK building, which also houses its Institute of Artificial Intelligence. Both organizations are participating in UCF’s Pegasus Partnerships program — a system in which the private sector works closely with UCF students to create employment opportunities — to expand opportunities and advance emerging technology.