Keys college looks to attract Miami-Dade students with expansion

Attracting prospective college students from Miami-Dade County by way of a stand-alone Upper Keys campus is on the agenda for Florida Keys Community College’s Board of Trustees at its meeting Monday in Marathon.

According to the proposed resolution, FKCC wants to work with Monroe County to acquire land for an Upper Keys facility, which would allow the college to expand offerings in associate-level programs including criminal justice and nursing.

FKCC wants a facility up to 30,000 square feet that would offer new programs such as emergency services, pharmacy technician, plumbing and electrical. The new facility would host about 300 students, doubling the college’s current capacity at its Upper Keys Center at Coral Shores High School in Tavernier.

“It’s to have a separate presence,” Trustee Kevin Madok said. “It’s more like a separate college than a continuation of high school in some students’ minds.”

Madok said a potential site for the new facility is on a county-owned parcel near or adjacent to the Key Largo Community Park at mile marker 100 oceanside.

He said the new facility could attract students from the mainland who may be looking at Miami Dade College.

“This is a major part of the president’s strategic plan to reach critical mass,” Madok said.

Asked about the college’s plans Friday, trustee Stephanie Scuderi said she wants to hear from the full board first.

The board is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Monday at the college’s Middle Keys Center at Marathon High School on Sombrero Beach Road.

This story was originally published July 26, 2015 at 8:34 AM with the headline "Keys college looks to attract Miami-Dade students with expansion."