State budget sends nearly $3 million to Saint Leo
ST. LEO — Saint Leo University and the town of St. Leo will share nearly $3 million from the state to expand workforce training and improve local infrastructure.
The money, part of Florida’s 2026-27 budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, includes $1.2 million to expand the university’s nursing program, $602,000 for its Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics Training and Education Center and $995,000 for stormwater work tied to the town’s proposed town center.
“Our Benedictine mission has always been rooted in service,” university President Jim Burkee said. He credited DeSantis, Sen. Danny Burgess, Rep. Randy Maggard and the Legislature, saying the money will “prepare the next generation of nurses, cybersecurity professionals and other in-demand workers.”
The nursing expansion targets a projected statewide shortage of 60,000 nurses by 2035. Saint Leo’s program has grown fast, from 77 incoming pre-nursing students in fall 2024 to 124 in fall 2025, with more than 150 expected this fall. The project will add three classrooms, a nursing lab, and faculty and staff offices in reconfigured campus space, along with new simulation and teaching equipment.
The cybersecurity money will fund a security operations center and a forensics lab for hands-on training in digital defense, network monitoring and forensics. It also will pay for new faculty in the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs. The U.S. is projected to face a shortage of more than 1 million cybersecurity workers by 2027.
The town’s $995,000 will cover stormwater improvements for the proposed St. Leo Town Center, a mixed-use development planned as a gathering place for residents, visitors and the university. Plans call for restaurants, retail and market space, walking trails, a pavilion, botanical gardens and shaded public areas, plus a history center opening this summer.
“The improvements ... will enhance the quality of life for our residents, support the university’s continued growth and strengthen our community for years to come,” Mayor Mike D’Ambrosio said.
Student achievements
• Justin Wells of Land O’ Lakes has graduated from SUNY Canton with a Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity.
• The Georgia Institute of Technology awarded degrees to 7,129 undergraduate and graduate students during its 270th commencement May 7-9.
Local graduates included Danni Chen of San Antonio; Sarvesh Gade, Rishabh Kanodia, Akhila Katkoori, Sohan Malladi, Andres Quast and Ethan Rampersaud of Wesley Chapel; Tijana Igic, Ayush Pai and Shailesh Pai of Palm Harbor; Pratik Lamsal of Land O’ Lakes; David Neal of Tarpon Springs; Tucker Spires of New Port Richey; and Sahil Vora of Trinity.
• Anneliese Gonzalez of Wesley Chapel has graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Megan Loftis of Land O’ Lakes has graduated from Troy University.
• Frank Feitz of Port Richey has graduated from Roger Williams University with an associate degree in professional legal studies.
• Devin K. Canino of Trinity has graduated from Washington and Lee University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Area students earn honors at national SkillsUSA competition
ATLANTA — Several Tampa Bay area students earned Skill Point Certificates at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, held June 1-5 in Atlanta.
The certificates went to competitors in the SkillsUSA Championships who topped a set score in their event. A record 7,000 students competed this year.
Local recipients were Isabella Smith of Hudson, a student at Marchman Technical College in New Port Richey, in T-shirt design; Bryan Thach of Port Richey, a student at Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater, in barbering; and a team from Tarpon Springs High School — Sydney Young, Park Chase and Kaulan Dunbar — in community service.
To reach the national competition, students first had to win their state event.
Pasco County launches parks app
Pasco County has launched a mobile app that lets residents look up park information, reserve campsites and facilities, buy annual passes, register for programs and scan a virtual recreation membership.
The app, called Pasco Parks FL, is available free for Android and Apple devices. The county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department released it to coincide with Park and Recreation Month, marked each July.
“Launching this app brings our community an exciting, faster and easier way to connect with Pasco County Parks,” department Director Keith Wiley said.
More information is at mypas.co/PRNR.
Local libraries win state grants for America 250 books
ST. PETERSBURG — Three Tampa Bay area library systems are among more than 120 statewide that won Florida Humanities grants to add books marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Pasco County Libraries received $6,000 to buy more than 120 books for nine branches. In Pinellas County, the East Lake Community Library received $2,392 for more than 130 books, and the Palm Harbor Library received $1,400 for more than 90.
The grants are part of the group’s America 250 Book Collection initiative, which is sending more than $78,000 to 121 libraries and systems in 28 counties to buy nearly 4,000 books. Participating libraries also get materials for America 250-themed displays and reading lists for children and adults.
“Public libraries are vital spaces for democracy in our nation, providing community members of all ages with access to a wealth of knowledge,” said Patricia Putman, associate director of Florida Humanities.