OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The College of Central Florida (CF) is experiencing unprecedented growth, adding new academic programs and expanding its facilities to better serve students and the local workforce.

According to CF President Dr. Jim Henningsen, the college’s commitment to excellence has earned national recognition, ranking among the top 150 colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute and achieving high placements in Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges of 2025.

“Not only has CF consistently been ranked among the top 150 colleges nationally by the Aspen Institute, we also recently received national recognition in the Newsweek America’s Top Online Colleges of 2025, placing highest among Florida State Colleges and coming in above most of Florida’s top universities,” Dr. Henningsen says.

College of Central Florida nursing degree graduates.
CF has been ranked No. 3 for the Best Online Nursing Programs
in Florida by Research.com. Courtesy: College of Central Florida

One of the most significant developments is the opening of the $20 million AdventHealth Center for Nursing, which features state-of-the-art classrooms, skills labs, and simulation rooms for over 300 students. “Welcome to our brand new $20 million AdventHealth Center for Nursing, the new home for high-tech, high-touch training for future nurses,” Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Dr. Stephanie Cortes says. Thanks to a $3 million endowment from AdventHealth Ocala, students will have access to scholarships and cutting-edge equipment to support their education.

CF is also expanding health sciences programs, launching new offerings in cardiovascular technology and respiratory care this spring. Additionally, a $7.2 million renovation project for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program is set to begin this summer.

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Beyond health care, CF is making strides in agricultural innovation at its Vintage Farm campus. “We are honored to work closely with the state of Florida and University of Florida, IFAS, toward the goal of making Marion County a regional technology hub for agricultural innovation,” Vice President of Workforce Development and Innovation Dr. Jennifer Fryns says. The college recently earned certification as a National Institute of Food and Agriculture non-land-grant college, joining an elite group of Florida institutions eligible for exclusive USDA grant funding.

A CF student poses next to his thoroughbred horse.
Courtesy: College of Central Florida

The future of CF includes expanding the Vintage Farm campus with a state-of-the-art classroom building featuring an ultra-modern simulation lab, vocational lab, and additional classroom space. “This campus is on track to help Florida become the Silicon Valley of agricultural technology,” Dr. Fryns adds.

As CF continues to grow, its dedication to affordability and student success remains at the forefront. “We’re so blessed to have an affordable, great college right here in our community,” says Ocala mayor and CF alum Ben Marciano. “You can count on CF to stay responsive to the needs of our local community.”

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