Life is full of big moments and big decisions.

One of the first big decisions in my young life was going to college.

It is one decision that I have never regretted, and it has made a world of difference in my life.

It’s a well-known fact that people who finish college generally have higher lifetime earnings and a myriad of fringe benefits, including a better quality of life.

A college degree may well be one of the best investments of time and money for someone’s career.

At Pensacola State Colllege, students seeking a college education now can get some help from the first PSC endowed scholarship.

The PSC Foundation was blessed with a $250,000 gift to establish the Marjan Mazza Business and Management Endowed Scholarship.

College graduation is one of 16 metrics the Studer Institute has devised to measure the economic, educational a social well-being in the Pensacola metro area.

Research shows that communities with higher percentages of college-educated residents have higher wages and an overall better quality of life.

In recognition of the endowed gift, the PSC District Board of Trustees approved a request the college’s president to rename the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management program as the Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Management program.

This program offers a bachelor’s degree for $10,000 with a curriculum designed for students who wish to translate existing skills into higher level supervisory and management positions in their career field. Northwest Florida is poised for industry growth and the Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Management is designed to provide highly-skilled employees for leadership roles in our area.

Since PSC began the program in 2010, 256 students have received the bachelor of applied science in supervision and management.

Currently 418 students are enrolled in the Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Management program.

Mazza has more than 26 years of professional experience in public transportation including positions with the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Broward County Aviation Department, Aviation Department at Miami-Dade College, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Management currently offers bachelor’s degree concentrations in seven areas: Graphic Design Management, Health Care Management, Organizational Administration, Public Safety Management, Project Management, Law Enforcement Administration, and Human Resources.

These concentrations were selected based on a needs assessment, employer demand for graduates, economic development trends, projected job growth, and student interest.

Most people know that going to college is vitally important. It opens so many doors and provides advantages and opportunities.

The Marjan Mazza Business and Management Endowed Scholarship ensures that more people can find open doors and opportunities with a college degree.