Sunshine State Scholars

 

Higher Ed Recruitment Fair

April 10, 2025, 5:00 pm - 7:00 p.m., Doubletree by Hilton Hotels at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

 

Meet the Scholars

Each year Florida school districts send their top scholars to Orlando to be recognized for their accomplishments in STEM academic areas. These 112 scholars are eleventh graders who start their time at the event with a higher ed recruitment fair. The fair's main goal is to connect admissions representatives from Florida's universities and colleges with these highly sought after students before college applications are due.
Go to Scholar List

 

Scholar Pre-Event Survey

Please take a few minutes to review the results of the pre-event survey the scholars were asked to complete. Their responses will help you gain an idea of what scholars are looking for in their higher ed experience. Your school may be a perfect fit.
Go to Pre-Event Survey Results

 

Set-up

A skirted table with two chairs will be provided with each reservation. Table displays may be set up starting at 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 10, 2025, to be ready by 4:45 p.m. for a 5:00 p.m. opening. Pop-up banners may be used, but must not block neighboring table displays.

Internet access is available. Please see a SSS staff member for access instructions. Electricity is not available. Food and beverage such as bottles of water, may not be brought into the hotel. A bowl of candy is allowable.

Please email Noelle Bonard if you have any special requests regarding your display.

 

Parking

A self-parking rate is available for all in-house guests with reservations made in the SSS block at $15 per night/per vehicle, otherwise it is $26/night/vehicle. This provides unlimited in-out access with the use of your hotel room key. Please check in before parking as you will need your room key to get through the gate.

If you are driving in for the event and not a guest at the hotel, parking is $15 per entry into the gated parking lot. Please take a ticket from the gate as you enter. When leaving, you must pay at the Parking Desk to receive the SSS rate or pay full price of $26 at the exit gate with a credit card.

 

Hotel Sleeping Room Reservations

The group rate for hotel rooms is $139/night plus tax with a deadline to book of March 20, 2025. Please go to the hotel reservation page to reserve your room(s).

 

Sponsorship Opportunities

The following sponsorship tiers are available to enhance a school's visibility.

Gold: $2500
Benefits: logo on recruitment fair signage and relevant sponsorship signage, logo in rotating slide deck and event web pages, two tickets for Thursday dinner with the Scholars after the Recruitment Fair, one social post acknowledging participation in the SSS Recruitment Fair

Silver: $1500
Benefits: logo on recruitment fair signage and relevant sponsorship signage, logo in rotating slide deck and event web pages

Bronze: $500
Benefits: logo on recruitment fair signage and relevant sponsorship signage

 

Cancellations

Please email Noelle Bonard as soon as you learn you need to cancel so other organizations on the waiting list can be included.

 

Questions

Still have questions? Please e-mail Noelle Bonard.

 

Participating Institutions of Higher Education

The following organizations will be exhibiting during the Higher Ed Recruitment Fair:

Daytona State College

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Everglades University

Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida International University

Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Southern College

Florida State University

Lake-Sumter State College

New College of Florida

Nova Southeastern University

Palm Beach State College

Ringling College of Art and Design

Rollins College

Saint Leo University

St. Petersburg College

Stetson University

University of Central Florida

University of Florida

University of North Florida

University of South Florida

University of West Florida

Valencia College

Edits to exhibitor listings can be emailed to Noelle Bonard.

 

Reserve a Table Display

The deadline to reserve a recruitment fair table has past.