Osceola Prosper credited with large rise in college-going rates; county hears update from Valencia College president

Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske told the Osceola Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 12 that Osceola Prosper, the county—s scholarship program launched in 2022, has substantially increased the share of high school graduates enrolling in postsecondary education and produced thousands of credential completions.

Plinske said Osceola Prosper guarantees graduating high school seniors no out-of-pocket tuition cost to attend Valencia College or Osceola Technical College, and that eligibility is open to graduates of public, private, charter and home schools in Osceola County. "You allowed students five years of eligibility to complete their degree program," Plinske said, noting many students attend part time to balance work and family responsibilities.

The president told commissioners that countywide college-going rates rose markedly after the program began. "In the first year in 2022, Osceola County ranked fourth out of the 67 counties," Plinske said, adding that the most recent state data show Osceola now ranks third in Florida for the percentage of high school graduates going on to college. She said the county moved from 61st (reported as "60 first" in earlier local records) in 2010 to third in the state, and that several individual high schools showed notable increases: Poinciana (from 45% to 64%), Tohopekaliga/Toho (from 47% to 66%), Gateway and Celebration (each from 49% to 62%), and one high school rising from 40% to 60%.

Plinske told the board more than 10,000 students have participated in Osceola Prosper since 2022. She said Valencia has celebrated the first 1,000 associate-degree recipients supported through the program and that more than 1,700 students have completed a technical certificate or vocational program, putting the program near 3,000 total credential completers.

Commissioners asked for follow-up data on completion rates among students who start programs under Osceola Prosper. Commissioner Peggy Chaudhry asked what percentage of students who begin a program later complete it. Plinske replied that Valencia measures graduation on a five-year basis and that the program is only now maturing enough for cohort-based completion statistics. "We're probably one year away," she said, and added she expects more precise cohort data for the class that began in August 2022 within the next year.

Board members praised the program. Commissioner Harrington thanked Valencia and the board for the partnership and said other jurisdictions are modeling similar efforts. Commissioner Shrager called Osceola Prosper "one of the greatest things we're doing" and noted hearing students directly express gratitude. Several commissioners said the program is a major investment in the county—s workforce and economy.

Plinske closed by thanking the commissioners and showing a short video that highlighted Osceola Prosper students.

Plinske's presentation and the commissioners' remarks were delivered during the board's scheduled meeting; no formal vote or ordinance was required to receive the presentation.