Bridging Campus And Community: IPCE Courses At Florida Southern College

From the moment they begin the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, students at Florida Southern College are immersed in community-based learning through the Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) courses. From Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine to the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center to One More Child, DPT students bridge campus and community through hands-on, engaged learning.  

Through partnerships that build clinical, communication and educational skills, students gain diverse opportunities to work with local nonprofits that support children, seniors, individuals with cognitive decline or Parkinson’s disease, patients who are uninsured or underinsured, and populations affected by homelessness. In these settings, students provide health education, wellness activities and pro bono clinical care, while also mentoring peers and supporting FSC student-athletes. These experiences prepare them to serve a wide range of communities with compassion and expertise.  

Introduced in 2019 alongside the inaugural DPT class, the IPCE courses were created by Dr. Prisca Collins and Dr. Nancy Nuzzo to help students expand their skills beyond the classroom in real-world scenarios. That vision continues today under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Kuba, with each new class strengthening the program’s community relationships.  

“Witnessing students’ growth and what they take with them professionally as they move forward in the program and their careers is life-changing,” said Dr. Kuba. “I gain new perspective and feel honored getting to work with the servant leaders of tomorrow that Florida Southern is known for.”  
 
The IPCE series stands out for its dual focus: helping students grow into skilled, empathetic practitioners while improving the health and well-being of greater Lakeland. With each new cohort, the courses evolve as partnerships flourish and students take an active role in enhancing their community. Designed to align with students’ academic progression, the experiences become more advanced as their education continues. 

The newest partnership is with Gospel Inc., a nonprofit that provides housing and microenterprise opportunities for the formerly homeless. Launched in spring 2025, the collaboration allows students to lead wellness sessions that have already received positive feedback. To shape a needs-based curriculum that will strengthen the partnership, input is being collected directly from Gospel Inc. participants.  

As Florida Southern’s DPT program continues to grow, the IPCE courses remain a cornerstone of its mission to connect learning with service. By pairing classroom knowledge with meaningful community engagement, students graduate not only as skilled clinicians but also as compassionate leaders prepared to make a lasting impact wherever their careers take them.