Category Archives: News

Meet Zack Potts: PSC alumnus is now Financial Aid Specialist

When Zack Potts was a Pensacola State College student, he didn’t really know that much about all the financial aid opportunities available to students.

Now it’s his job to let PSC students and prospective students know about the many ways to receive financial assistance to attend the College.

Potts became a PSC financial aid specialist in March, just weeks before his May graduation where he earned a Dr. Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business and Management. He previously earned an Associate of Arts degree from the College in 2018.

New Student Services Adviser Tyra Henderson is a PSC alumna who knows the challenges students face

Tyra Henderson started out at Pensacola State College as an EKG student, earning her certificate in the health care field in 2016.

She worked in health care for a few years, but when the pandemic hit, she said she just “couldn’t take it anymore.”

“I was steered into health care because of the job market,’’ Henderson said. “But it wasn’t for me. I always wanted to be in academics.”

Dr. Sueann L. Donahue Beginning Teaching Endowed Scholarship helps next generation of educators

Dr. Sueann L. Donahue was known as a teacher’s teacher. She was the teacher that other teachers came to for advice. She was the teacher who helped instruct the teachers who would follow her.

Donahue, a PSC alumna, died on Monday, April 4. She was 82 years old.

An endowed scholarship in her name will now help the next generation of educators studying at Pensacola State College.

The Dr. Sueann L. Donahue Beginning Teacher Endowed Scholarship was established in 2019. The first scholarships were awarded in spring 2021. The endowment total is $25,001.

Pensacola State College Alumni Association members create two new Endowed Scholarships

Two new endowment scholarships at Pensacola State College have been created by longtime supporters of the College. Ret. Army Brig. Gen. John Adams and his wife, Dr. Laura Magan, along with friends Gerry and Mitzi Goldstein, have funded an endowment to provide scholarships for students in any field of study, including certificate programs. Also, Dave and Mary Hoxeng, owners of CatCountry 98.7 and NewsRadio 1620 AM, two popular area radio stations known for community outreach and service, have established an endowment to provide scholarships for journalism students. Both endowments were established through the PSC Alumni Association. Adams, Gerry Goldstein and Mary Hoxeng are Alumni Association Lifetime Charter Members.

PSC Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Vann

Ryan Vann’s business is the fast-growing sport of disc golf. And Vann’s business education began at Pensacola State College.

Today, Vann is the owner of Flight Factory, a disc golf store that operates both online and from its brick-and-mortar store on Tippin Avenue near the Pensacola campus. Vann is one of the prime-movers in the Pensacola disc golf scene and not only because of his Flight Factory shop. 

PSC New Employee Spotlight: Carlita Williams, PSC Alumna

C
arlita Williams has spent two decades trying to help those who are suffering ─ people in need. 

She’s worked at a women’s shelter for domestic violence survivors, as a family assessment worker visiting homes to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect, and as a behavioral health counselor and service coordinator for families in need.

Now, she’s bringing that compassion, concern and expertise to Pensacola State College where she is a new Mental Health Services Specialist ─ a position where she provides mental health counseling to students.

PSC Alumni Spotlight: Mike Ensley

Mike Ensley knows more famous people than you do. It’s a fact.

But Ensley also has helped tens of thousands of Pensacola and Northwest Florida residents meet their pop culture heroes – from actors and musicians to professional wrestlers and authors.

Ensley, a Pensacola State College alumnus, is the founder and CEO of the hugely successful Pensacon comic/pop culture convention, an annual star-studded hootenanny that draws dozens and dozens of celebrities to town each year, along with tens of thousands of paying customers.

The 2022 Pensacon is from Feb. 18-20. Most Pensacon events take place at the Pensacola Bay Center, though some will take place at other venues throughout Pensacola.

Former Pensacola State basketball star Hassani Gravett finishes attention-gaining stint with NBA’s Orlando Magic

When the Orlando Magic’s roster was devastated by COVID-19 in December, the NBA team called on former Pensacola State College basketball star Hassani Gravett to help.

The Magic signed Gravett, a player for the Magic’s G League affiliate the Lakeland Magic, to two 10-day contracts. The first was signed on Dec. 17, 2021, and the second on Dec. 27, 2021. Both contracts have expired and Gravett is back with the Lakeland Magic. Still, Gravett made an impact with the NBA squad.