Florida is no longer just a regional education hub. It is emerging as a launchpad for a new model of workforce-driven higher education—one built without geographic limits and designed for the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. labor market: Hispanics advancing careers in English or Spanish.
At the center of this shift is Northbridge University, formerly NUC University – Florida Technical College. The institution recently unveiled its new identity, marking its evolution from a Florida-rooted college into a multi-state university system with expanding academic breadth and national ambitions.
With more than five decades rooted in Florida, Northbridge is pursuing a focused mission: to become the leading higher-education alternative for the U.S. Hispanic community. Its strategy is market-driven—developing academic and technical pathways aligned with labor shortages across health care, construction, technology and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence.
The rebrand also signals accelerated academic growth. Beginning in 2026, the university plans to launch more than 30 new academic programs, including bachelor’s and doctoral degrees, with 10 debuting in the first phase. At the same time, Northbridge is developing 20 short-term credential programs designed to address workforce shortages and support rapid entry into high-demand sectors. Additional campus expansion is under evaluation in Florida and select markets nationwide.
“Northbridge University is not a departure from who we have been; it is a clear articulation of who we have become,” said James Michael Burkett, president of the university. “This unified identity reflects the scope of our academic offerings and reinforces our long-term strategic direction.”
Workforce alignment remains the institution’s defining feature. Programs are structured around real-world employer demand, enabling graduates to move directly into roles where talent gaps are most acute. That approach has resonated with both students and industry partners—particularly in nursing and allied health.
A flagship example is the Nursing Destination Program. Launched in 2024, the hybrid, 24-month associate degree targets U.S.-based Hispanic professionals, many of whom bring prior medical training from abroad. The program allows students to complete part of their education in Puerto Rico while maintaining U.S. licensure pathways. What began as a pilot has scaled rapidly, attracting students from Florida, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois and Ohio.
Florida remains the university’s primary growth engine. In 2025, the institution expanded its nursing footprint with new schools in Kissimmee and Tampa, increasing access to bilingual health-care talent in regions facing critical shortages. The Kissimmee campus also introduced the veterinary assistant with pet grooming program, broadening pathways into allied health careers.
Today, Northbridge operates eight campuses across Florida, nineteen in Puerto Rico, and three aviation campuses in Oregon through Hillsboro Aero Academy, while serving more than 25,000 students nationwide through online learning. Its academic portfolio also includes specialized units such as The DAVE School of Digital Arts, based at Universal Studios, Orlando.
As Northbridge University charts its next chapter, Florida stands as a launchpad—powering a higher-education ecosystem built around bilingualism, workforce mobility and scalable growth for the next generation of professionals.
