BCC Unveils Plan for Changing College's Name

August 27, 2012 - For more than five decades, Brevard Community College has provided Space Coast residents and their families with quality, affordable higher education.

In August of next year, that commitment will expand as BCC starts offering four-degrees, becomes a state college and changes its name to reflect its enhanced mission.

The name change is necessary because the new four-year programs mean BCC will no longer be a college that only offers two-year degrees and certificate programs.

“As we embark on this expanded mission, we have a unique opportunity and obligation to market the College — and with it the Space Coast community we serve — to broader audiences,“ said College President, Dr. Jim Richey.

“In doing so, we will ensure the College’s success for generations to come by providing Brevard citizens with more educational opportunities to lead productive lives. We’re honored to serve them.”

Richey unveiled the College’s name-changing plan Aug. 27 during a meeting of BCC’s Board of Trustees, saying the College would reach deeply into the community for ideas. The process will include surveys and focus groups conducted among Brevard County leaders and residents, along with BCC faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Recommendations based on the research will be given to Richey, who will recommend a College name to the Board of Trustees. The trustees will then make the final decision.

The College plans to have a new College name selected by the end of the year.

The Florida Legislature must also approve the change during its 2013 session that begins in March.

“BCC is an institution beloved by many Brevard residents. It belongs to the community. That’s why we are intent on listening to what people have to say,” said Richey. “We want a name that reflects the College’s new academic mission, and with it the important role it plays as a driver of economic development and the creation of jobs to meet local workforce needs.

“We’ll also take into account BCC’s rich history, which is very important to our alumni, friends and all us at the College."

Initially, the college will offer a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Organizational Management with two concentrations — general management and health care management — starting in August 2013. At the same time, the College remains firmly committed to its roots and will continue to offer a wide range of two-year degrees and certificate programs.

Some 22 other institutions in the 28-member Florida College System have changed their names in recent years when they started to offer four-year degrees. Some simply dropped “community” from their name such as Valencia College and St. Petersburg College. Others added the word “state” such as Seminole State College and Indian River State College.

Still others changed their names entirely. They include Lake City Community College, which is now Florida Gateway College, Central Florida Community College, which is now College of Central Florida, and Okaloosa-Walton Community College, which is now Northwest Florida State College.

Those changes were made to reflect the colleges’ growing reach and economic impact in their regions.

BCC’s name change will include a plan to “rebrand” the college for its expanded mission.

Branding is a business strategy that allows an organization to differentiate and better position itself from others in the market.

As a result, launching four-year degrees and changing BCC’s name presents the perfect time to reevaluate, or “rebrand," the College’s mission to ensure it's properly focused to meet its future goals for students and the community.

BCC has chosen Curley & Pynn of Maitland, Fla., to serve as consultants in the effort and work closely with BCC staff. Curley & Pynn is a leading strategic public relations, marketing and public affairs firm. It serves major corporations and organizations in Central Florida, including the University of Central Florida and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, for which it provided similar rebranding support.