Florida Department of Education Commissioner Recognizes NFC Student at State Board Meeting
MADISON, FL (March 28, 2023) – On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, during the Florida Department of Education State Board meeting in Tallahassee, Florida, the Board recognized Michael Norwood, a Registered Nursing student at North Florida College, with the Commissioner’s Leadership Award.
This honor, presented by Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., was given in response to Norwood’s dedication to overcoming hardship in his pursuit of higher education.
As a single father working a full-time job, Norwood’s greatest goal was to be an example for his children; someone who perseveres to obtain his dreams.
While scrolling through Instagram, he came upon an advertisement for NFC’s nursing program. This was the sign he needed to enter a new career path. In the spring of 2022, he was accepted into the College’s Associate in Science Registered Nursing program.
Initially, Norwood could not afford college and didn’t qualify for financial aid. He met with an NFC advisor who, along with staff at the NFC Foundation, identified a scholarship, which he was awarded and continues to receive, that covers the cost of tuition and fees.
Norwood, originally from Madison County, now lives and works in Leon County and his children live in Gadsden County. Traveling between these locations for school, work, and family was another obstacle to overcome.
“NFC embodies what I believe small towns represent,” states Norwood. “It is where everyone helps everyone, and there is an overabundance of support to make sure students succeed.”
“For many of NFC students, the demands of life never stop, despite best efforts to achieve their goals,” states John Grosskopf, NFC President. “The Commissioner’s recognition of Michael is a testimony to his relentless pursuit to complete a degree that will advance his future career.”
After his R.N. Degree, Norwood plans to stay at NFC to complete his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with a long-term goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner with a specialty in psychiatry.
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PHOTO: (L-R) Board Member Joe York, Board Member Ryan Petty, Board Member Monesia Brown, Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., Mona Clark, Patricia McGhee, Michael Norwood, Board Chair Tom Grady, Board Vice Chair Ben Gibson, Board Member Esther Byrd.