Full Sail Stories
Published Aug 15, 2014
Full Sail Earns Top Honors from the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges
Full Sail University, a leader in providing degree programs in the fields of entertainment and media, received two of the highest honors given by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC).
Full Sail University, a leader in providing degree programs in the fields of entertainment and media, received two of the highest honors given by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC).
Full Sail student Harmony Jones was named the 2014 Graduate of the Year for her outstanding civic contributions and educational success. Full Sail University, based in Central Florida, was named the 2014 School of the Year at the FAPSC annual conference held recently in Miami.
Military veteran Harmony Jones first graduated from Full Sail University in 2002 with an associate in Recording Arts, then enlisted in the U.S. Army. Her talents and skills led her to be assigned to the Army band and chorus during a tour in Europe. Her active duty and civilian assignments included Germany, Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Jones was seriously wounded in a vehicle accident in Kuwait. After months of physical therapy, she decided upon recovery to take on a new challenge – going back to school. She returned to Full Sail University and completed her second degree, a bachelor’s in Entertainment Business.
Upon graduation, Jones moved to Dubai to work as a program and presentations coordinator for a company involved in a multi-billion dollar airport expansion. Her passion for learning continues as she pursues a master’s degree in Business Intelligence at Full Sail University.
“Harmony’s journey has clearly been an incredible one. But what is more incredible is her courageous and giving attitude,” said Curtis Austin, executive director of FAPSC. “She continues to serve others – offering advice and assisting them with their decision making about post-graduation life.”
As FAPSC School of the Year, Full Sail was recognized for its many unique offerings, including the Global Professional Standard program. GPS tracks students throughout their education to ensure they are well rounded in the technical and professional skills sought by potential employers.
Full Sail also is a model for forging civic and creative partnerships that extend learning outside of the classroom. One initiative is Pure Motivation, a series of monthly events that bring Full Sail’s student body together to help aid Central Florida community-based organizations in need. Among the university’s industry collaboration initiatives, Full Sail University and the sports entertainment company WWE announced a partnership where episodes of the WWE’s NXT series are taped in the Full Sail Live Venue, and Full Sail students receive hands-on learning opportunities and unprecedented access to participate in production roles behind the scenes with the WWE’s professional production crew.
“Full Sail University strives to provide students with an innovative style of education delivered by a staff of dedicated individuals focused on preparing students for career opportunities available in the ever-growing and constantly evolving creative fields of entertainment and media,” Austin said.
FAPSC has been the voice of Florida’s career schools since 1956. The association of more than 250 members works on behalf of the more than 1,000 licensed private career schools and colleges in Florida that prepare 300,000 students each year for employment by offering degree programs, certification and training.