Gulf Coast State College is proud to stand alongside Florida's 27 other state colleges
and 12 state universities in affirming a shared commitment to academic and operational
excellence. Our president joins all 28 Florida College System presidents and 12 State
University System presidents in a joint response to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon's
National Call to Action. Together, we affirm rigorous academic standards, free expression
and open inquiry, affordability, and the preparation of students for meaningful careers,
citizenship, and lives of service.
Gulf Coast State College is committed to academic rigor, transparency, accountability,
student outcomes, and meeting Florida’s workforce needs.
We maintain clear, published learning outcomes for every program and uphold grading
that reflects true mastery. We are adapting instruction and assessment for the age
of artificial intelligence, so that students demonstrate what they know.
We protect free speech, vigorous debate, and a campus open to differing viewpoints.
We enforce viewpoint-neutral conduct policies that safeguard peaceful expression while
ensuring that no protest harasses students or disrupts classes and operations. Faculty
hiring and evaluation will remain grounded in expertise, teaching effectiveness, scholarly
merit, service to the college and the community, and professional development.
We publish admissions and program-entry criteria in plain language and make decisions
on merit and readiness, in full compliance with federal and Florida law. We post tuition,
net price, and program outcomes, including completion, retention, and job placement,
and report annually on our progress to the State of Florida and the public.
We keep tuition affordable and contain costs unrelated to teaching and learning. We
review programs regularly for completion and labor-market return, and we support students
with advising, tutoring, and responsible financial guidance so that every credential
is worth what it costs.
We align programs with regional and statewide demand in fields such as healthcare,
public safety, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, IT and cybersecurity, and education.
We work with local employers to offer industry-recognized credentials, integrated
learning, and clear pathways to bachelor's degrees.
Where we engage in grants, and partnerships, we direct that work toward the public
good, safeguard sensitive data, and guard against undue outside influence. We prepare
students for citizenship and lives of service through civic education, service-learning,
veteran and military-connected student support, and community partnerships.
Gulf Coast State College makes these commitments to our students, our community, and
the citizens of Florida. We also pledge to transparently measure and report our progress
toward achieving Secretary McMahon’s “National Call to Action.”
Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs,
activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national
origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation,
gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions
or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all
complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Amanda Reed, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Civil
Rights Compliance Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama
City, FL 32401.