Located in the heart of downtown St. Augustine, Flagler College creates an inviting and personal experience for students looking for an excellent education. Flagler is consistently voted one of The Princeton Review’s “Best 388 Colleges” and recently ranked as the #3 Regional College in the South by U.S. News & World Report. The school’s academic prestige is paired with a beautiful environment for learning – its iconic Spanish Renaissance architecture is best seen in the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, which remains a staple of the St. Augustine community that Flagler College is committed to preserving and renovating.

Success in Northeast Florida
Flagler College offers many degree programs that align with the region’s target industries. Majors in Business Administration, Accounting, Marketing and International Business prepare students to succeed in Corporate Operations. Flagler’s Finance and Data Science majors funnel into the world of Fintech after graduation. Additionally, Flagler students studying Computer Information Systems, Data Science and Health Science programs are positioned to excel in the Health Tech field.

Flagler designs academic programs that leverage the college’s location. A few of these stand-out programs include Coastal and Environmental Science, Business and Entrepreneurship and Hospitality and Tourism Management. This historic, yet forward-thinking, community in the First Coast allows students to learn by doing and simultaneously benefits St. Augustine.

Flagler often partners with regional businesses to help students gain real-world experience. One instance of this is seen by students in the Operations Management course, who work with local manufacturing firms to analyze and improve their operations and supply chain processes. Additionally, the Business Advisory Board members provide mentorship, networking and internship opportunities for Flagler students.

Student & Alumni Stories
Flagler students are set up to succeed during their college career and after graduation. Jacob Goldman, a current student at Flagler College, has made a name for himself as a successful entrepreneur on campus. Seed money for his third-place business pitch in the 2-23 Lion’s Cage Competition helped Goldman and his cousin co-founder further develop their startup, “Layoff Lookout,” an employee-minded automatic alert system, into successful operation. Goldman’s drive for innovation led him to pitch a new idea: Suits.AI. Suit.AI aids individuals who cannot afford to hire a lawyer by combing through contracts and legal documents to break down complex jargon, highlight key points and offer tailored assistance.

Notable Flagler alumni have made a name for themselves in the region. Viv Helwig, Flagler College Class of 2008 and current Board of Trustee member, founded Vested Metals International, a specialty metals supplier for the medical, aerospace, defense and transportation industries. The company has been recognized by Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing private businesses and by the Jacksonville Business Journal as a Fast 50 honoree in 2023. Helwig has served on the St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to serve on the U.S. Central & North Florida District Export Council.

Research Opportunities
One way that Flagler College creates a well-rounded student experience is by offering research opportunities, either with professors or as independent studies. The Office of Undergraduate Research provides grants of up to $750 to help students gather data, assemble research materials and present and publish their work. Students have worked alongside faculty on research projects centered on gopher tortoises, usages for discarded oyster shells, water quality, archaeological discoveries, mathematics, public history and criminology.

Recently, Flagler College received a $30,000 grant from Siemens’ EMPOWER+ to support Professor Matt Brown’s San Sebastian River Water Quality research project. The results of this study will help the City of St. Augustine target their funding for sewer conversion to the areas that need it the most.

The Flagler College Difference
Flagler creates opportunities for both students and faculty to thrive during their careers. As many faculty members seek ways to merge their teaching and professional development, Flagler has embraced the innovative methods of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) – this initiative allows faculty to focus on teaching development as part of their annual evaluation plan. Campus resources, such as the Center for Teaching and Learning, organize various activities throughout the school year to share these practices with the faculty.

Flagler students also benefit from the institution’s innovative practices. Flagler’s CORE Experience leverages experiential learning instead of traditional general education practices during the students’ first two years. This program is centered around nine key skills that employers seek, preparing students to be knowledgeable thinkers who can move the industry forward. Additionally, through the Flagler Forward Campaign, the college has received grants toward the FlagSHIP program, which stands for Flagler Sophomore High Impact Practice. With a focus on real-world learning experiences like Study Abroad and collaborative, community-based partnerships, the FlagSHIP program prepares students for life in a diverse and ever-changing world.

Flagler College is an anchor institution in St. Augustine and provides outstanding educational opportunities for students in the region. Flagler’s programs are designed to leverage the region’s resources and strengths, and the school continues to produce excellent talent for Northeast Florida’s target industries.