State College of Florida & its Foundation

Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, Tracy Knight, Cassandra Holmes, and Dorothy Korszen

For the first time in its 64-year history, four women are leading the State College of Florida and its foundation. 

Serving as president since 2013, Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld is boldly leading the higher education institution to increase opportunity, growth, quality, and diversification. “To know us is to love us!” she says. As SCF’s biggest fan, Dr. Probstfeld is passionate about helping each student succeed by engaging them as well as SCF’s faculty, staff and community partners to achieve the vision of being the community’s first choice. 

Supporting SCF’s vision and its leadership is District Board of Trustee Chair and Vice President of Knight Strategic Communications, Tracy Knight, serving as the first female chair in more than 50 years. She is committed to supporting SCF’s faculty and staff in breaking down barriers to education including financial, logistical, technological and social challenges.  

Raising awareness of SCF’s student, capital and programming needs since 2014 is SCF Foundation Executive Director Cassandra Holmes. Holmes and her team spend their days connecting the community, especially those vested in education, with the programs and students at SCF. “It’s one of the things we pride ourselves in, making a difference for those who want a college education and that American dream,” she says.

“I am always humbled when reviewing SCF students’ stories in their scholarship applications and hearing firsthand from them at our annual Scholarship Luncheon,” shared Foundation Board Chair, Farr Law Firm Partner and alumnus Dorothy Korszen. Korszen, who leads by example, is an excellent board member who dedicates hours of her time to the organization, is a generous donor, attends the Foundation’s events and supports capital projects, such as SCF’s new Studio for the Performing Arts. 

Together, these ladies are charged with “making higher education possible” for our community. “SCF provides opportunities for people of all ages, at all stages of life, to obtain an affordable, quality college education and job training,” says Knight. “SCF allows our community members to improve their lives and the lives of their family,” added Korszen. Together, they also hope to raise the more than $2.5 million needed each year to support the college’s operations, academic programming and campuses in Parrish, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Venice. 

SCF is the community’s state college offering associate, workforce, and bachelor’s degrees as well as lifelong learning and professional development training. Educational and community programming also includes music, art, theatre, and athletic events. A community partner at its core, it may be easier to ask what the college does not offer. In addition to serving its more than 20,000 credit and noncredit students annually, the college serves as a venue to the community, partakes in grant programs such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, and offers budding entrepreneurs, through 26 West Center, a place to learn, launch, and lead.

SCF and its Foundation are proud to have four women fostering the future of the organizations. Together they will fulfill the vision to be the community’s first choice for higher education, economic development, philanthropic investment, and cultural fulfillment. “The fact that all our top leadership positions are held by women demonstrates that we break down barriers and provide opportunities for all,” concluded Knight.

To learn more about State College of Florida, the SCF Foundation and their leadership, visit SCF.edu or SCF-Foundation.org.

Probstfeld, Carol F.
SCF President
Knight, Tracy
District Board of Trustees
Holmes, Cassandra
Executive Director, SCF Foundation
Korszen, Dorothy
Chair of the SCF Foundation 
Board of Directors
SCF Bradenton:
5840 26th St. W.
Bradenton, FL 34207
941-752-5000
SCF Lakewood Ranch:
7131 Professional Pkwy.
Sarasota, FL 34240
941-363-7000
SCF Venice:
8000 S. Tamiami Tr.
Venice, FL 34293
941-408-1300
SCF Online:
941-752-5000
scf.edu