Four diving students at The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) have advanced from the role of student to instructor: Courtney Woods, Eric Lahti, Robert Frink, and Eddie Bryant. Each successfully completed the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) Instructor Development course at CFK and passed the PADI Instructor Examination (IE), certifying them as open water scuba instructors.
Eighteen students from The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) were awarded scholarships during the celebrated, annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. For 27 years, the “Papas” of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society (HLAS) have supported the dreams of hundreds of CFK students. The festivities kicked off on Sloppy Joe’s stage with the Papas awarding $40,000 in scholarships to students attending CFK. HLAS Scholarship Chair and “Papa 2013” Stephen Terry congratulated the CFK students, each receiving $2,500 to apply toward tuition and fees.
The College of the Florida Keys’ (CFK) Institute for Public Safety (IPS) graduated 15 cadets in Basic Law Enforcement Academy #95. The graduation ceremony was held on July 15 at Coral Shores High School Auditorium. All 15 cadets successfully completed the 770-hour training program at CFK’s Upper Keys Center. Graduates are eligible to become a Florida Law Enforcement Officer upon passing the state certification exam. Nine graduates have already passed the exam and two have secured employment including: Misley Quintero who was pinned by Captain Spenser Bryan from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and Kevin Laguardia Perez pinned by Assistant Chief Armando Aguilar of the City of Miami Police Department.
At a special meeting on Monday night, the District Board of Trustees of The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) appointed Dr. Brittany Snyder to serve as Interim President. Dr. Snyder previously served as CFK's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The appointment followed the Board's decision to end Dr. Jonathan Gueverra's tenure as President.
CFK, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are actively collaborating to safely remove Key deer from the College’s Big Pine Key property. USFWS wildlife professionals continue to monitor the deer, which remain healthy while the agencies refine plans to safely remove them from the site.
The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) announced its "Fast Track to Fall" event will be offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations this year: the Key West Campus on Wednesday, July 29 and the Upper Keys Center (UKC) on Thursday, July 30. CFK’s Fast Track to Fall connects current and future students and their families directly with knowledgeable staff for easy access to essential information about degree and certificate options as well as scholarships, financial aid, and payment plans, and personalized guidance through the application process.
The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) received a grant of $25,220 from the Ocean Reef Community Foundation (ORCF) to support the launch of CFK’s Entrepreneurship Incubator Lab (EIL). This innovative, hands-on program based at CFK’s Upper Keys Center will help aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and local business owners transform ideas into viable ventures. The ORCF grant will cover the program’s inaugural costs and allow the first cohort to attend free of charge. Participants will compete for $7,500 in awards during the program’s culminating “Pitch Night Showcase.”
As of July 1, 2026, The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is fully and solely accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The College has been transitioning to HLC since it was granted initial accreditation in November 2025—maintaining dual accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) during that time. CFK’s membership with SACSCOC, which has accredited the College since 1968, concluded on June 30, 2026.
The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) launched its 28th Annual Water Safety Program to equip local children with the skills they need to be safe as they take to the water this summer. This year, CFK expects over 400 students from Sigsbee Charter School, Poinciana Elementary, and Gerald Adams Elementary to participate in the program. “Living in the Florida Keys means water safety is an essential life skill,” said Lori Bosco, CFK Athletic Director. “Getting children comfortable and safe in and around the water is vital.”
he College of the Florida Keys (CFK) has been awarded a grant from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Foundation to support physical conditioning for its men’s and women’s swimming teams. The grant will provide CFK athletes with a dryland trainer, a specialized machine designed to improve strength, stamina, and stroke mechanics outside of the pool. Utilizing the trainer will boost the athletes' efficiency in the water, lower the risk of impact-related injuries, and promote long-term health and performance.
