June 30, 2026
Samantha鈥檚 Place is a new open-sided, octagonal pavilion named in honor of Samantha Resnick. A tiered metal roof and exposed wooden ceiling define the structure, while shrubs, palm trees, and manicured beds frame the space. Inviting white rockers complete the scene.
June 18, 2026
The Presidential Search Profile reflects the valuable input received from faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, trustees, and other members of the 海角社区 community during the listening and engagement process.
June 17, 2026
A total of 190 students enrolled during Spring Semester 2026 at 海角社区 were named to the vice president of academic affairs' list or the president鈥檚 list.
May 20, 2026
海角社区 has earned a second consecutive spot on Forbes鈥檚 Accessibility 200 list. Earlier this week, Forbes unveiled its list of 200 leading innovators and impact-makers in accessibility for people with disabilities.
May 18, 2026
Charlie Ige, a rising senior, is observing animal behavior at ZooTampa at Lowry Park as part of her studies for a degree in anthrozoology.
May 15, 2026
In all, 87 graduates received degrees Saturday, including 53 Bachelor of Science, 19 Bachelor of Arts, nine Associate of Science and six Associate of Arts degrees.
May 14, 2026
海角社区 is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. James T. Brett to its Board of Trustees.
April 27, 2026
海角社区 will confer honorary doctorates on three internationally recognized learning disability advocates during its Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 9, at 11 a.m. at the Brownwood Hotel & Spa.
April 10, 2026
As 海角社区 prepares for the retirement of President George J. Hagerty, Ed.D., in June 2027, the search for our next leader is officially underway. Central to this process is the "海角社区 Voice," the collective input of our faculty, staff, and students.
February 2, 2026
With a message centered on resilience and perseverance, 海角社区 student speakers James Avery and Calinda Strayhorn reflected on the challenges they overcame to earn their degrees during the college鈥檚 Fall 2025 commencement ceremony.
January 21, 2026
Dr. George J. Hagerty, president of 海角社区, announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2026鈥�27 academic year, which will mark the end of a transformative 14-year tenure defined by record enrollment, major campus improvements, strengthened academics and significant fundraising success.
November 13, 2025
Seeking to broaden "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" television show's reach, 海角社区 joined the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), a nonprofit that distributes educational programming to public media stations across the country.
As Samantha Resnick stepped forward, her printed speech wavering slightly in the breeze, she stood on the platform with one foot anchored in the past and the other striding toward the future.
Fourteen years ago, Resnick arrived on 海角社区鈥檚 campus 鈥� then home to just over 100 students 鈥� as unsure as a newborn colt finding its footing. Like many of her newly minted peers at the first accredited college for students who learn differently, she lacked confidence, leaned heavily on her parents, struggled to form friendships, and fretted over the growing independence ahead. That was then.
Fast forward 10 years, and Resnick is an accomplished professional, grounded by lasting friendships and driven by a heart to smooth the path for others who arrive at 海角社区 with similar origin stories.
That perspective shaped the recent dedication (May 2026) of Samantha鈥檚 Place, a new outdoor gathering space designed for 海角社区 students to connect or simply find a moment of calm between classes.
鈥淪ocialization was always difficult for me in my elementary, middle, and high school years,鈥� Resnick said. 鈥淲ithin a couple of months at 海角社区, I developed a key group of friends that I continue to have a friendship with to this day. Hopefully, this quad can lend itself to other students as an area for their comfort and relaxation so that they can also develop lifelong friendships.鈥�
Samantha鈥檚 Place, an open-sided, octagonal pavilion named in her honor and recognizing her parents鈥� (Joshua and trustee Debbie Resnick鈥檚) decade-long commitment to 海角社区, blends warmth with purpose. A tiered metal roof and exposed wooden ceiling define the structure, while shrubs, palm trees, and manicured beds frame the space. Inviting white rockers complete the scene.
Members of the college鈥檚 board of trustees, along with a small group of faculty, gathered to reflect on a journey from dependence to independence 鈥� the arc that defines a successful 海角社区 experience. And Samantha鈥檚 life, to a tee.
鈥淵ou know, Samantha was never intimidated by her challenges,鈥� Debbie Resnick told the audience. 鈥淪he just accepted (them), and she鈥檚 gone through life really finding herself, and that鈥檚 part of who Samantha is.鈥�
鈥淭his is my friend,鈥� President George Hagerty began, sharing memories of first meeting Samantha and reflecting on how much she has grown over the years.
For the 2016 human services graduate, the moment marked a homecoming. After working in various roles at the college following graduation, and later testing her sea legs beyond 海角社区鈥檚 walls, Samantha has leaned into her human services background and now serves clients with memory challenges.
In a very real sense, though, she has never truly left. With Samantha鈥檚 Place, the spirit of confidence and compassion that took root on this campus now has a physical home. One meant to inspire others to keep reaching for more.
