STU DEAN LEADS
FLORIDA COLLEGE CONFERENCE
St. Thomas University’s School of Business Dean and former Director of Economic Development for the State of Florida Tony Villamil was the keynote speaker at the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities (FACU) state annual meeting on higher education. Villamil spoke to Florida university presidents and decision-makers about the state of the economy and the alternatives for private and public universities to work together in these economic times. At this critical moment in higher education, when public institutions of higher learning are capping enrollment due to government cuts, Dean Villamil presented an in-depth report on Florida’s economy and future trends, urging for joint action.
The STU Dean pointed out to the state leadership team that “In order to meet the serious challenges of higher education in Florida, there MUST be a collaboration between state and private colleges and universities”, says Dean Villamil. “It is imperative to launch this action plan if we want to expand academic opportunities to Florida undergraduate students interested in certain study areas that have been cut from public universities’ curriculum due to economic factors”. St. Thomas University is already spearheading efforts to work with the public sector for the benefit of South Florida’s undergraduate population.
