EFSC Launches New Education Center at Patrick Air Force Base

Eastern Florida State College is opening a new education center at Patrick Air Force Base where military members, their families and local community civilians can study toward a degree.

Classes are set to start in October with courses in fields such as aerospace technology, health care, public safety and human resources. More will be added later.

Air Force officials say the programs will help service members successfully accomplish their missions in an era of rapid mobilizations and deployments, and provide valuable training for civilian life.

The classes will open a pathway that can eventually lead to a Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree or College Certificate.

“The men and women who serve at Patrick and throughout the armed forces make enormous sacrifices to protect our nation and all of us every day,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

“Providing these classes on base and online will make it convenient for them to learn new skills they can use in uniform and when they leave the service. We’re very proud of this important partnership.”

Patrick officials also applauded the step, saying there's never been a better time for military personal to achieve their educational goals on the Space Coast.

"The Patrick Air Force Base Education Center would like to welcome Eastern Florida State College to our on-base campus," said Mark Watford, Chief of Patrick's Education and Training Center.

"By aligning with other institutions who have a satellite campus at our center, we will increase the educational opportunities and degree program options for active duty military, reserve, National Guardsmen, Department of Defense civilians, adult family members of military personnel, military retirees and local community civilians.

“The educational learning process continues to expand for degree seekers who explore the academic programs with our on-base schools. With the addition of Eastern Florida State College, our community now has greater options and we are looking forward to working with them and their potential students in the future."

Patrick is home to the 45th Space Wing that performs a critical national security mission there and at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

It launches reconnaissance, communication and navigation satellites for the Department of Defense that play a central role in the Pentagon’s national defense and war-fighting capabilities.

It also oversees commercial satellite launches for private companies and is working closely with NASA as the agency prepares to resume flying astronauts to the International Space Station in 2018.

The first classes will get underway Oct. 10 for an eight-week session. The registration deadline to avoid a late fee is Sept. 29. For more information on the EFSC Patrick AFB Center visit easternflorida.edu/go/pafb or call 321-433-5110.

Patrick is the latest step in Eastern Florida’s commitment to make programs easily accessible to the community by expanding them to off-campus locations.

Last year, the college opened an Aviation Center at Melbourne International Airport that’s training mechanics and technicians for two key industries: The rapidly growing commercial aviation sector at Melbourne airport where aircraft are manufactured and refurbished, and commercial space companies at Kennedy Space Center that are launching and building rockets and spacecraft for the next-generation of human spaceflight.

KSC’s Center for Space Education is also home to a new Eastern Florida program this fall where students can study for a certificate in Geographic Information Systems.

Eastern Florida offers more than 100 degrees and programs on its Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne and Palm Bay campuses and online. For more information, visit easternflorida.edu