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America's 250th Anniversary Student Contest Winners
In celebration of our nation's historic milestone, Daytona State's College of Arts & Sciences hosted co-curricular, juried student contests for Video & Photography, Essay & Poetry, and Studio Arts. The winners are listed below and the Daytona State College Foundation will award each winner with a $250 scholarship!
Essay Contest:
Title: Building Dreams: Reflections on the 250th Anniversary of the United States
Student: Laura Salas
Poetry Contest:
Title: The Journey of 250 Years
Student: Jenamary Ortega-Rodr
Photography Contest:
Title: Fireflies Under the Milky Way
Student: Ashton Guitard
Video Contest:
Title: America's 250th Celebration
Student: Ariana Larwa
Studio Art Contest:
Title: n/a
Student: Marceli Miranda
Visit our special 250th Anniversary webpage for more details and links to the winners' work.
Expanding the On-Campus Living Experience
Our capital campaign to build a second student residence hall on the Daytona Beach
Campus is underway and you are invited to help our students!
Our first residence hall has been a resounding success, opening to full capacity in Fall 2022. It is remained at full capacity since then, and we continue to receive hundreds of student housing applications each semester.
When we began studying the possibility of building housing on campus in 2018, a study we commissioned showed the College could support more than 500 students. Initial plans for the second residence hall call for approximately 52,000 square feet of space and approximately 256 beds.
We know that students who live on campus are more engaged with their instructors, utilize academic support systems more frequently, and participate more in on-campus activities.
With the DSC Foundation, we’ve launched a $16 million capital campaign for a new facility and we've already raised $5.2 million. Donations from the community will ensure our residence hall will be an affordable and accessible option for students.
We need your support. Make your gift here, or contact the Daytona State College Foundation at Foundation@DaytonaState.edu or by calling (386) 506-3195.
You can learn more at the new residence hall web page and keep tabs on the campaign’s progress.
Honoring Employee Ellie Baker
It is with great pleasure that we share news of Ellen “Ellie” Baker receiving a Service Excellence Award this week at our Senior Executive Staff meeting.
Ellie joined Daytona State in November 2023 as an Administrative Assistant in the Marketing & Communications Department, bringing with her extensive experience providing high-level executive administrative support to the City of Barrie in Ontario, Canada.
Before joining the College, she most recently worked with Tomlinson Aviation, Helicopter Flight School and Maintenance in Ormond Beach. An Ohio native, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Technology from Kent State University and has maintained an avid interest in aviation ever since.
Ellie brings her “can-do” attitude to any task, project or meeting. She participates in planning meetings for college wide special events such as Homecoming, Groundbreakings, Ribbon Cuttings, Commencement and more. With her finance background, she submits the Marketing & Communications Department’s multiple purchase and blanket purchase orders and stepped up to assist Drs. Erik D’Aquino and Michelle Goldys with purchases and budgeting when needed. She regularly updates the College’s main homepage and events calendar and took on the responsibility to review and completely rewrite the internal photo studio’s processes while cross training everyone in the department to be able to take employee headshots.
Most recently she graduated from the College’s LEAD Academy, and her group’s capstone
project centered on Health and Safety, educating staff and faculty on the importance
of AEDs, their locations on campus, and offering AED/CPR Training for employees.
Please join us in congratulating Ellie and thanking her for her continued commitment
to our students and our mission.
Honoring Employee Mercedes Toala
It is our pleasure to share that Mercedes Toala received a Service Excellence Award this week during our Senior Executive Staff meeting.
Mercedes joined Daytona State in 2011 as a work-study student, quickly distinguishing herself through the talent and compassion she brought to helping students navigate questions and challenges. After earning her B.S. in Education, she continued her career with the College, joining Financial Aid in 2013 and moving to Admissions the following year. She also continued her education, earning a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with a College Teaching track from UCF in 2020.
Since then, Mercedes has become a cornerstone of the Admissions team, helping incoming students navigate the enrollment process and begin their educational journey with confidence.
Her impact extends well beyond her primary role. Mercedes coordinates the Admissions Ambassador Program, where she mentors and develops student leaders, and she serves as a COMPASS Mentor, providing guidance and encouragement to new students. Earlier this year, she also began serving as an adjunct instructor for Freshman Composition II, extending her commitment to students into the classroom.
Colleagues across the College know Mercedes for her warm smile, willingness to help and her positive, solutions-oriented approach. She consistently demonstrates the professionalism, compassion and commitment to service that we value at Daytona State.
Please join us in congratulating Mercedes and thanking her for the many ways she supports our students and our College.