Panther Proud: Alumni Spotlights

PBSC has prepared generations of leaders to achieve lifelong success and give back to our communities. Alumni enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge to innovate in fields such as business, finance, technology, public service, healthcare, law, criminal justice, and other industries. To commemorate our 90th anniversary, we will be highlighting the accomplishments of many of our graduates through our Panther Proud: Alumni Spotlight series below.

Want to be featured? Complete our short questionnaire and someone from our Alumni Team will reach out.

In addition to these spotlights, we've also collected 90 of our past alumni stories in our Panther Proud 90 series.

Bernard Harrigan

Bernard Harrigan has interned with local constituencies to use the power of cultural expression to empower communities impacted by environmental injustice. His goal is to work in the environmental justice field as a community change agent to mitigate climate change impacts and seek environmentally focused funding through state and federal grant programs for the Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities in South Florida. Read full story

David Baldeo

Nursing alumnus helps accelerate Foundation chair’s ICU recovery

The fear and loneliness of an intensive care unit can be devastating. When Palm Beach State College Foundation Board Chair Ricky Wade found himself at Good Samaritan Medical Center, he expected quality care but not from who would give it, his own good Samaritan. Wade spent 17 solitary days in the ICU. “The nights were the worst,” recalls Wade. “I was afraid to sleep, the anxiety unbearable.” Several nights into his stay, Wade was greeted with something unexpected: a familiar voice. “Is that you, Mr. Wade?” Read full story

Matt Cox and his wife, Laura.

Alumnus becomes successful artist and entrepreneur in Boynton Beach

PBSC alumnus Matt Cox has been brewing since 2000. When Cox opened

Copperpoint Brewing Company in 2015, he brought a gem to Boynton Beach. Keeping everything close to home with local resources for both beer and bar—from the ingredients for brewing to the tables for gathering—Copperpoint is a true neighborhood establishment that has become a staple of local craftsmanship. Read full story

Isabella Henderson (left) with her mom Paula McLeod.

Daughter continues mom’s legacy at Palm Beach State College

When Isabella Henderson started taking classes at PBSC, she was confident she would get a great education. That’s because Henderson was following in the footsteps of her mother, Paula McLeod, who not only shared with her the benefits of attending but that the College would offer her a great path to a university like it did for her. McLeod, the vice president of major gifts at the United Way of Palm Beach County, and Henderson, who is pursuing an Associate in Science degree in Human Services, are an example of the many alumni legacies being built within families at PBSC. Read Full Story