Molly Kostenbauder new AVP of School of Business, Health and Public Safety

Dr. Molly Kostenbauder has been named the new Associate Vice President for Seminole State College of Florida’s School of Business, Health, and Public Safety. Kostenbauder, who was promoted from her most recent role as Dean, Allied Health Professions, has been with Seminole State for 18 years leveraging her extensive background in healthcare education, including advising, program development, educating, and helping students transition into the workforce.  

The School of Business, Health and Public Safety houses the College’s accounting, business and entrepreneurship, healthcare, hospitality, legal studies, nursing, and public safety programs and provides educational pathways to high demand and high wage careers that enable individuals to be financially self-sufficient. These programs strengthen the region's economic health and prepare individuals for lifelong rewarding careers. Central Florida's major employers participate as advisory board members, helping to design curricula so that graduates are able to integrate technical skills, critical thinking, and leadership. Each of the program’s readies graduates for immediate employment in their career field and provides the option to continue their education to a bachelor's degree. 

She has proficiency teaching biological sciences, animal sciences, healthcare, and first year experience courses. Kostenbauder holds a master’s in animal science from the University of Florida, a doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Central Florida, and graduate certificates in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of South Florida. 

In 2018, she facilitated a partnership with Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., and CareerSource Central Florida to develop an apprenticeship program for Associate in Science health students. She is currenting working with community partners to expand the program to include Associate in Science business students. Students apply what they learn in the classroom each day while also developing their professional skills.  This program provides a great opportunity for students to “learn and earn” concurrently in their chosen career field. 

Additionally, she collaborated in the development and successful launch of the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in 2016. The program currently has 62% minority enrollment and a 63% minority graduation rate.  The absence of an equity gap in this program is a success that benefits students, employers, and the community. 

In her new role, Kostenbauder strives to continue to remove barriers to success for students and the faculty and staff who support them; promote collaboration across programs, departments, and with other academic institutions; and encourage innovative programs with current and future community partners. 

In related news, Seminole State College was awarded approval for three new bachelor’s degree programs during the Florida State Board of Education meeting on Feb. 9, 2022, including a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration. The degree program will prepare students for management level employment opportunities in the sectors of law enforcement, fire services, corrections, and emergency medical services as first line supervisors of police and detectives, forensic science technicians, community and social service specialists, police and sheriff’s patrol officers, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, firefighters, and first line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers. 

The bachelor's degree will offer three different specializations in criminal justice, emergency medical services and fire science. As public safety professionals work together daily, the coursework will reinforce the interagency cooperation that is critical to success in the field and will include real-world scenarios to heighten students' critical thinking to work in partnership. 

The degree, along with two other bachelor's degrees focusing on education, are pending accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.