Jan 21
Read StoryFebruary 3, 2026
Beacon College is reaching a growing number of students with new opportunities to build professional credentials for the workplace — from math and public speaking to first aid and computer certifications.
February 2, 2026
With a message centered on resilience and perseverance, Beacon College student speakers James Avery and Calinda Strayhorn reflected on the challenges they overcame to earn their degrees during the college’s Fall 2025 commencement ceremony.
February 2, 2026
The Center for Career Preparation is launching this month PITCH — Portfolio Integration for Talent, Career and Hireability, a free 10-week program designed to help students create digital portfolios to showcase their work and skills to potential employers.
January 30, 2026
For Averbeck and Thompson, who recently completed their service as trustees, watching that transformation has been a source of deep pride. Much of Beacon’s progress, they said, was shaped under the leadership of President George Hagerty, who also began his tenure in 2013.
January 21, 2026
Dr. George J. Hagerty, president of Beacon College, announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2026–27 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.
December 9, 2025
As a travel agent, Kaminski says he can book “any type of travel for anyone anywhere.” He plans to direct 5% of his net commission of any bookings from Beacon staff, alumni, parents or students to the college for student groups and clubs.
November 13, 2025
A group of Beacon College students recently earned a microcredential toward WISE certification through Techtonic SkillCircuits, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Jonathan’s Landing. The Techtonic Workforce Academy hosted two sessions for 22 students at the Palace on the Beacon College campus.
November 13, 2025
Seeking to broaden "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" television show's reach, Beacon College joined the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), a nonprofit that distributes educational programming to public media stations across the country.
November 12, 2025
The many post-pandemic learning challenges erupted in the years since have also flowed into classrooms at Beacon College. But thanks to its mission-driven focus on neurodivergent learners, the college has made good strides in helping students recover and thrive.
November 12, 2025
Alum Jaymes Fowler’s family tree includes ancestors who fought in the Civil War, World War I and World War II. His grandfather served in Vietnam. His younger brother, T.J., a nuclear engineer specialist, is a U.S. Navy veteran. And, Fowler now serves as a U.S. Army sergeant stationed at Fort Drum in New York.
November 11, 2025
About 25 freshmen are enrolled in the peer program, receiving one-on-one check-ins from mentors. Groups are paired by shared interests and meet every other week for activities such as movie nights, pizza parties or gaming sessions.
November 11, 2025
As autumn paints much of the nation in gold and crimson — even if Florida skips the show — thoughts turn to turkey, togetherness and gratitude. At Beacon College, November brings its own spirit of Thanksgiving, and a recent campus survey reaped a bounty of appreciation among students, faculty and staff.
Beacon’s faculty experts, our unique teaching model, and our students often are featured in electronic and print media because of the college’s expertise in learning differences and other disciplines.
Reporters who wish to interview Beacon College experts or pursue stories about the college should contact the Office of College Communications at (352) 638-9789 or email dowens@beaconcollege.edu.
Associate Vice President of Communication and Engagement
352-638-9789dowens@beaconcollege.eduDirector of Communications
352-638-9709mwymer@beaconcollege.edu