Manatee Technical College leader dies | From the Herald Tribune
A school administrator on the verge of retiring after helping students train for health occupations has died.
Priscilla Haflich, 81, assistant director at Manatee Technical College and site administrator for the East Campus in Lakewood Ranch, died early Friday.
She began her 31-year career at the school in 1984 as the financial aid coordinator, a position she held until she was promoted to assistant director in 2001. She planned to retire at the end of May.
“Dr. Haflich had a positive impact on this school, our staff, the local community and the thousands and thousands of students she interacted with over the years,” said Doug Wagner, director of MTC and Adult Career and Technical Education for the School District of Manatee County. “Priscilla will be missed, and her legacy will live on as students past, present and future will continue to benefit from her leadership as they pursue wonderful employment opportunities upon graduation and beyond. Dr. Haflich was a true professional who loved MTC and made a difference every day.”
At MTC, Haflich was instrumental in creating health occupations programs to meet local demands for highly qualified healthcare employees. Some of the programs started under her direction were optometric technician, pharmacy technician, surgical technologist, orthopedic technician and massage therapy.
She was also instrumental in working with funders to create scholarships for students, and she helped thousands of students find financial aid.
Haflich started her education career as an English teacher in New York City Public Schools. Before coming to Manatee County, she held various positions at the University of Delaware and several colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. She earned a master’s degree in English from Columbia University and a doctorate in adult and vocational education from Temple University.
The family will receive friends and colleagues from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. A memorial service is planned for 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota.
