Agriculture Commissioner Returns to PHSC for First Homecoming Week

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson returned to Pasco-Hernando State College on Oct. 12 to demonstrate the career paths available to its graduates. His visit marked the college's first homecoming week, an initiative designed to connect current students with alumni from diverse professional fields.

The event took place at the Wilton Simpson Science and Innovation Center on the East Campus. It gathered students and graduates working in public service, education, law, and business. The college had named the building for the commissioner, who delivered the keynote address to the assembled crowd.

Following Simpson's speech, a moderated panel featured three additional alumni. The group included Pasco County Schools Superintendent John Legg and Nicole Deese Newlon, a local attorney and immediate past chair of the PHSC District Board of Trustees. Samantha Mutter, who is pursuing an MBA at the University of South Florida, also joined the discussion.

PHSC President Eric Hall emphasized the value of these connections. "One of the greatest measures of our success as a college is what our students go on to accomplish," Hall said. "Bringing them back to campus allows our current students to see what is possible and recognize that the experiences and relationships they are building today can shape their futures."

Simpson spoke about the role of perseverance and opportunity in his own career. The panelists discussed their decision-making processes and how they managed setbacks. They advised students to engage in mentoring, networking, and community service to build relationships that extend beyond graduation.