education

By Aakash Patel The importance of early childhood development, in building a solid foundation for students to be successful in the classroom, is well-established. It’s also been clear that children living in poverty have a tougher time reaching their full potential — and that a coordinated effort is essential to ensuring every child has an

► The Explorations V Children’s Museum, at 109 N. Kentucky Ave. in Lakeland, will change its name to the Florida Children’s Museum, effective when it opens its new 47,800 square feet at Bonnet Springs Park in mid-2022. (Rendering above) ► Steven Pacheco, a 34-year veteran of the Lakeland Police Department, was promoted from captain to

Think Big for Kids, a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged youth discover their untapped potential by providing opportunities for career exploration, mentorship and skills development, will expand into the Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas markets. The organization was developed, in 2016, by tech entrepreneur, and former Tribridge CEO, Tony DiBenedetto – after working with teens at

Will Weatherford, chair of the board of trustees for the University of South Florida, has recommended Rhea Law as interim president for the college. Law is was previously Of Counsel for Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney and has a long resume of service, both in business and the community in Tampa Bay. She was president, CEO

► Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been selected as a correspondent academician to the Royal European Academy of Doctors. (Pictured above)  ► Florida Southern College will move its graduate nursing program into the former campus of St. Joseph Academy, a private K-8 school that the Catholic Church’s Diocese of Orlando shuttered

► Sarasota-based LifeStar Living closed on a 5.25-acre property at 4595 34th Street South for $9 million and will build a The Manhattan, an active senior living community. (Pictured above) ► St. Petersburg College President Tonjua Williams was elected to serve as a representative on the board of directors for the American Association of Community

By Aakash Patel I spent a Friday morning, this spring, on the car line in Gorrie Elementary School in Tampa. Instead of sitting in an office or a breakfast meeting, I greeted parents as they dropped off their kids. I waved to students as they walked into their classrooms. And I witnessed what a school

Modern Campus, based in Toronto, Canada, has acquired Presence, a campus engagement and learning platform company in St. Petersburg. The acquisition of Presence extends Modern Campus’ learning partners to more than 1,400 colleges and universities in North America, according to a statement. Presence employees will join the Modern Campus team with founder and CEO, Reuben

► Cushman & Wakefield arranged the sale of a 710,962-square-foot distribution center located at 8100 State Road 33, in Lakeland. (pictured above) ► Brightway, the Charlene Rodriguez Agency, an insurance firm, moved to 231 N. Kentucky Ave., Suite 216, Lakeland. ► Ohio-based coworking company CoHatch is opening at 211 E. Main St. in downtown Lakeland.

► The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods, an independent and assisted living community in Sarasota, completed a nearly $150,000 renovation of its independent living community. ► Construction on the Metropolitan, a 200-unit apartment community on the site of the former Manatee Inns, in Bradenton, by developer Pearl Homes, is expected to begin in the second

► Sarasota Architectural Foundation and Center for Architecture Sarasota will merge as a single entity to be called Architecture Sarasota and will be led by Anne-Marie Russell as executive director. ► Certified Collectibles Group purchased a 20,809-square-foot standalone office building at 6802 Energy Court, Sarasota, for $4.4 million. ► PGT Innovations, a window and door

► The Humane Society of Sarasota County announced the expansion of the HSSC, involving demolition of the current facility to lead into the final phase of the planned expansive renovation, creating space to save 50% more lives of animals throughout the community. (Pictured above)  ► The New College Foundation launched a $15 million fundraising campaign