Nov. 13, 2026 鈥� 黑瓜吃料网 (黑瓜吃料网) has been granted initial accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), effective Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026.
The institution earned accredited status after completing the and demonstrating it meets all .
Founded in 1895, HLC is a private nonprofit accrediting agency and the nation鈥檚 largest institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC accredits approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States.
鈥淭his achievement reflects the dedication, expertise, and shared commitment of employees across 黑瓜吃料网,鈥� said 黑瓜吃料网 President Fred Hawkins. 鈥淯nder Dr. Heston鈥檚 leadership, our team came together to demonstrate the quality of our institution, our impact on our region, and our commitment to student success.鈥�
As an accredited member, the institution is committed to continuous improvement of its institution, providing high-quality education to students.
鈥淎ccreditation is not given; it is earned by a community,鈥� said Dr. Michele Heston, vice president for academic affairs and accreditation liaison at 黑瓜吃料网. 鈥淭his belongs to our faculty, our staff, and our partners across Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties. Together, we made Mission: Possible real for every student we serve.鈥�
Accreditation is an ongoing relationship. As a member of HLC, 听the institution will participate in ongoing reviews for compliance with HLC standards. More information about the institution鈥檚 accreditation is available in HLC鈥檚 .
鈥淲e are always thrilled to welcome new members into the HLC community, and look forward to a partnership that will benefit students and the future of higher education,鈥� said HLC President Barbara Gellman-Danley.
From her days as a student–athlete at 黑瓜吃料网 (黑瓜吃料网) to earning her doctorate in audiology, Lexy Barraza has built a career dedicated to helping members of her community reconnect with and hear the world around them.鈥�听
Barraza never imagined she would one day become a doctor; back in 2017, when she was a student at 黑瓜吃料网, her initial professional goal was to become a teacher. However, as she progressed in her studies, she discovered that her future was taking a different path鈥攐ne that would ultimately lead her to a specialization in audiology and a return to Sebring to serve her community through her professional skills.鈥�听
鈥淚n my family, I would always hear, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e going to be a doctor; you鈥檙e so smart.鈥� And I would always reply, 鈥楴o way! That involves so much reading, and I hated reading,鈥� Barraza said. 鈥淟ooking at where I am today, it鈥檚 incredibly rewarding to realize that, even though I never pictured myself here, I ended up exactly where I was meant to be.鈥濃��听
Now 27-years-old, Barraza was born and raised in LaBelle, Fla. She graduated from LaBelle High School in 2017 and began her studies at 黑瓜吃料网 that same year. In 2019, she earned her Associate in Arts degree, a period that shaped both her academic and personal development.鈥�听
For two years, she was a member of the 黑瓜吃料网 Cross Country team, an experience that took her to places like Kansas and beyond to compete at a national level. During this time, she also balanced full-time studies with part-time jobs both on and off campus.鈥�听
As the second oldest of five children, Barraza was the first in her family to attend college. She inspired her siblings, who later followed in her footsteps and earned their own university degrees. Her journey at 黑瓜吃料网 taught her how to balance her academic, athletic, and professional responsibilities, making her far more independent.鈥�听
鈥淚 was a very busy person while I was a student; I held several jobs because, as a first-generation student, financial matters and access to resources were a bit more challenging for me,鈥� said Barraza.鈥�听
These challenges taught her to manage her schedule efficiently. At 黑瓜吃料网, she lived in student dorms at The Hotel Jacaranda, where she spent time with students from various sports teams. Sharing long conversations, laughter, trips, and time spent preparing meals together with other students became an unforgettable experience that remains in her memories.鈥�听
鈥淚 can honestly say that some of the best laughs I鈥檝e ever had were with the people I studied and graduated with,鈥� she said.鈥� 
Looking back on her time at 黑瓜吃料网, she still remembers her Cross Country coach, Krista Schultz, with great gratitude; Schultz gave her the chance to continue pursuing the sport she loved. For Barraza, being on the team meant more than a spot on the team鈥攊t meant living experiences that still endure in her memory.听
A plan that took an unexpected turn听
Barraza dreamed of becoming a teacher and began in the Elementary Teacher Education program at 黑瓜吃料网; however, after failing the teacher certification exam, she felt that something needed to change. After some reflection鈥攁nd taking courses in chemistry, anatomy, and microbiology鈥攕he became interested in nursing, though something inside told her it wasn’t the right path. Later, she explored speech –language pathology.听
While studying at the University of South Florida (USF), she took an audiology course that shifted her perspective. That’s when Barraza discovered the profession she wanted to pursue.听
In December 2021, she earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Sciences from USF. This was not the end of her academic journey, however; she went on to Auburn University, where she began a Doctor of Audiology program in 2022.听
Her extensive training required her to balance various responsibilities: while studying, she worked as a pharmacy technician at Walmart, served as an assistant to the Honors College for Undergraduate Research department at Auburn University, and participated in the Auburn Rural Health Fellows program.听
Each experience demanded responsibility, discipline, and careful planning. She also learned which study methods worked best for her, allowing her to make the most of the resources available throughout her academic training. Yet, nothing stopped her; Barraza overcame her challenges without letting them define her story.听
Her time at 黑瓜吃料网 left a lasting impact on how she approaches challenges. “I learned to live on my own. While at 黑瓜吃料网, I was very active, which helped me learn to manage my time. I also learned how to handle tasks and build connections, which provided me with a very solid support system,” she said.听
In May 2026, Barraza graduated from Auburn University, completing her doctorate in Audiology and bringing years of academic preparation and hard work to a successful conclusion.听听
Behind this commitment, however, was the support of her family鈥攅specially her father, Raul, and her mother, Melisa. Her mother provided unconditional support and was someone with whom she discussed her journey every single day while she was studying at 黑瓜吃料网.听
鈥淒uring difficult times, she would encourage me and help me keep moving forward,鈥� she said.听
Her grandfather also offered guidance, sharing a piece of advice that continues to steer her today: keep studying for as long as you are able. This counsel has served as a guiding light, even when she wasn’t sure which professional path to take.听
More than just a profession鈥攁 way to reconnect people听
Her professional journey led her back to Sebring. In May 2025, she began her residency at Central Florida Hearing Services, where, upon graduation, she continued to work as a clinical audiologist.听
For Barraza, this role offers the chance to return to the county where her education began, making it especially meaningful. As a clinical audiologist, she works with patients of all ages, evaluating a variety of conditions related to hearing, balance, and tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears.听
To her, audiology goes far beyond simply fitting hearing aids; it is about thoroughly evaluating patients to understand what is affecting their hearing and helping to restore that sense.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 about looking at the person. We can assess the health of the ear, how the eardrum moves, and how the nerves that transmit auditory information connect to the brain. A person may hear sounds, but it is the brain that interprets them,鈥� says Barraza.听听
One of the greatest rewards of her work is reflected in the reactions of her patients when they find a solution that allows them to hear more clearly and resume their lives.听
鈥淵ou are connecting people鈥攏ot just to sounds, but also by restoring their relationships with the people who are part of their lives,鈥� she says.听
For her, it’s more than a profession; it is a way to help the community, one patient at a time. As she watches their eyes fill with hope when they receive hearing aids, carefully fitted to their specific needs, she shares in that intimate moment when they regain a sense they may have thought was lost forever.听
鈥淚 can see their faces light up like a Christmas tree, and I truly enjoy that with every single patient,鈥� she said. 
Contributing to her community听
For Barraza, returning to Sebring is an opportunity to give back to the community that witnessed much of her personal and professional growth. Her time at 黑瓜吃料网 let her begin her education, discover new opportunities, pursue the sport she loves, and develop skills she later applied during her further training at USF and Auburn University.鈥�听
Her profession allows her to assist patients in Highlands County, helping her understand and care for them according to their specific needs.听
鈥淭his county has given me so much; I have fond memories here, and this is where I held my first job. I am very happy to be able to give back to the community that helped me build my professional career,鈥� said Barraza.听
Looking ahead, she hopes to keep growing professionally and contribute further to her workplace, Central Florida Hearing Services, and the community.听
She now acknowledges that no one needs all the answers from the start. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 know what you want to do, that is perfectly fine. Keep moving forward, because, in time, you will end up exactly where you are meant to be,鈥� Barraza advises.听
Without a doubt, her story serves as a reminder that the path toward a profession can take unexpected turns and that it is perfectly okay to change course. It highlights the importance of remaining open to continuous learning until every student discovers what they are truly passionate about.听
Nov. 5, 2026 鈥� 黑瓜吃料网 (黑瓜吃料网) has officially received the Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation from the Florida Department of Education, a recognition that highlights the institution鈥檚 commitment to supporting active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families as they transition into higher education.鈥�听
The designation recognizes educational institutions that demonstrate a commitment to the specific needs of students connected to the military and their families, particularly as they adapt to the college environment.鈥�听
To earn this designation, 黑瓜吃料网 met all state established requirements, which include having a military liaison to serve as a point of contact, maintaining a webpage dedicated to military-related services, establishing a student-led transition program, providing professional training for staff on matters concerning military-affiliated students, and offering priority registration to military students and their families.鈥�听
Through this initiative, 黑瓜吃料网 provides resources and support to military students, veterans, and their families across all campuses. The designation remains valid for three academic years, after which 黑瓜吃料网 may reapply to maintain the Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation.鈥�听
As part of this distinction, 黑瓜吃料网 will be featured on the Florida Department of Education鈥檚 website and will receive an official Collegiate Purple Star Campus digital badge to display on the institution鈥檚 own website.鈥�听
This recognition reaffirms 黑瓜吃料网鈥檚 commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment that supports those who have served in the nation鈥檚 armed forces and their families. Additionally, in observance of Veterans Day, 黑瓜吃料网 invites the Highlands County community to attend a Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov.11, at 11 a.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus. This event is free and open to the public.听
For more information about the services 黑瓜吃料网 offers its veterans and active military, visit southflorida.edu/future-students/veterans.听
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