New partnership equips emerging professionals with industry-recognized credentials while investing in the region's future talent
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — July 23, 2026 — City Year Jacksonville and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) announced today the launch of a new workforce development partnership that will provide City Year Jacksonville’s Student Success Coach AmeriCorps members with industry-recognized microcredentials at no cost to the participants.
As City Year continues to reimagine the future of national service, City Year Jacksonville's innovative partnership with Florida State College at Jacksonville is attracting attention across the organization's 29-site network for its forward-thinking approach to workforce development. The 2026-2027 class of Student Success Coaches will be the first to participate in the pilot program which began on July 20, 2026.
The partnership reflects both organizations' commitment to preparing Northeast Florida's next generation of leaders by pairing meaningful civic service with workforce-ready skills training to help young professionals succeed long after their service year ends.
"At City Year, we often talk about our 'double bottom line': the impact our Student Success Coaches have on the students they serve, and the transformation they experience themselves," said Dawn Emerick, Ed.D., Executive Director and Senior Vice President of City Year Jacksonville. "This partnership with FSCJ strengthens that second outcome by providing our AmeriCorps members with tangible credentials that demonstrate they are prepared to contribute to today's workforce."
Through the one-year pilot program, FSCJ's Workforce Education department will deliver faculty-led, non-credit microcredential courses throughout the City Year service year. The training will be integrated into City Year's existing professional development schedule, allowing Student Success Coaches to complete the coursework before graduating from their year of service. Participants who complete the microcredentials may obtain official FSCJ transcripts documenting their achievement within 12 months of completing their City Year experience.
“We’re preparing the next generation of professionals with the knowledge and skills to lead with confidence,” said FSCJ Associate Vice President for Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development Dr. Cedrick Gibson. Workforce development is strongest when education, community organizations and employers work together, and our partnership with City Year furthers that vision.”
The selected microcredentials were chosen based on the skills employers most frequently request through FSCJ’s workforce development programs, JAXUSA's targeted industries seeking skills staff and annual Student Success Coach surveys. The curriculum combines technical competencies with durable professional skills including critical thinking, communication, leadership, project management, digital literacy in Excel and Artificial Intelligence, problem-solving and collaboration, as well as the Six Sigma Yellow Belt. A second phase of the program will also offer microcredentials in entrepreneurial mindset, servant leadership, creative problem solving, project management, marketing basics and media and public relations.
“This program will expand leadership and durable skill development for our Student Success Coaches at a pivotal moment at the beginning of their career paths,” said Quintin Griffin, Managing Director of Impact for City Year Jacksonville. “At a time when young adults are navigating a challenging hiring environment, every additional opportunity provides an advantage.”
FSCJ serves more than 46,000 students annually and is one of Northeast Florida's leading workforce development institutions, providing affordable, career-focused education designed to meet regional employer needs. As the pilot program progresses, City Year Jacksonville and FSCJ will evaluate outcomes to explore opportunities for expanding the partnership in future years.
“FSCJ is proud to partner with City Year Jacksonville in supporting our community’s future workforce, said FSCJ President Dr. John Avendano. This collaboration reflects what is possible when organizations come together with a shared purpose and combine their efforts to create meaningful opportunities for students.”
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About City Year Jacksonville:
City Year helps students and schools succeed, while preparing the next generation of civically engaged leaders who can work across lines of difference. Teams of City Year Student Success Coaches provide holistic support to students, classrooms and the whole school. A 2020 study shows that the more time students spend with Student Success Coaches, the more they improve on social, behavioral and academic skills – skills that help students thrive in school and contribute to their community.
A proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network, City Year is supported by AmeriCorps, local school districts and private philanthropy. City Year partners with public schools in 29 communities across the U.S. and through international affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa. Learn more about City Year Jacksonville at https://www.cityyear.org/jacksonville.
About FSCJ
Known as “the community’s college,” Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) empowers students to achieve their goals by providing exceptional learning experiences that promote intellectual growth, civic engagement and workforce connections. Serving more than 46,000 students and awarding over 5,000 degrees and certificates annually, the College plays a significant role in equipping and supplying the region’s workforce of tomorrow