The vision for the Institute originated in the mid-2000s with the late Congressman C. W. Bill Young and then St. Petersburg College (SPC) President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. In recognition of Congressman Young’s leadership in Washington and Tallahassee as well as his commitment to educational and economic development initiatives. In 2007 and 2008 the Florida Legislature appropriated a one-time $7.5 million endowment to establish the government institute.

Based at SPC, it is designated as an institute serving the entire Florida College System. It was envisioned as a way to offer a broad array of research, training, educational, and policy analysis to support activities at the local, state, regional, and national levels of government. The institution came to fruition in 2011 under the former College President, Dr. Bill Law.

October 18th, 2023 marked 10 years since the passing of Congressman C.W. Bill Young, the visionary and inspiration behind the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions (ISPS). We are honored to celebrate and reflect on his legacy, including the institute’s history, through our short documentary.