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VIP Series

CFK VIP Series

In its twelfth season, The College of the Florida Keys’ VIP Series presents new opportunities to educate, entertain, and enrich our community. The 2026 CFK VIP Series features speakers and performers of local, regional, and national prominence to share their visions, ideas, and perspectives on an array of topics.

Four evening events will be held in the College’s Tennessee Williams Theatre and one in CFK's Upper Keys Center. Tickets are $5 at the door; admission is free for CFK and Monroe County School District students.

Thank you to our sponsors:

       David & Annette Curry

   

           

Anchors & Atolls - The life and adventures of a 20th Century naturalist in the Tropical Pacific

January 14 - 7pm Location: CFK's Upper Keys Center in Key Largo
January 15 - 7pm Location: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West

Dr. Jack Stein Grove - Marine Biologist and CFK Distinguished Alumnus 2025

Dr. Grove explores how atolls form and examines the cultural impacts of rising seas across Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. He also recounts a dramatic expedition—raising a two-ton anchor from 150 feet of water amid tiger sharks, strong currents, and fading light on one of the world’s most remote uninhabited islands.

Dr. Jack Stein Grove, a 1972 graduate of the College of the Florida Keys. Dr. Grove began his research in the Galapagos in 1975 when he sailed out of Miami on a three-month expedition. Since then, Jack has published numerous scientific and popular articles on his research. He worked with Jean Michele Cousteau, who wrote the foreword to his first book, published by Stanford University Press in 1997. During the presentation on January 15, Jack will share with the audience the natural history of the Islands and his adventures of the past five decades, guiding thousands of snorkelers and divers through this enchanted archipelago.

The Best Diet and Other Myths About Nutrition - tackles confusion and fads with science-based Insights

Licensed dietician, nutritionist, and health educator, Leigh Pujado will discuss how the internet and social media bombard us with confusing and conflicting nutrition and dietary advice, many of us are left wondering what’s fact and what’s fiction! Gain science-based insights that will empower you to make choices right for you. You’ll learn about the evolution of nutrition advice, where dietary guidance took some wrong turns, and how that launched decades of fad diets. Leigh will include a little biochemistry so that you can understand how the body responds to certain foods to better equip you to choose foods that sustain health.

Leigh Pujado: Leigh, MS, CNS, LDN, is a licensed dietician nutritionist and health educator operating the clinical practice, “Hibiscus Nutrition.” Using a whole person, integrative approach, Leigh’s training is based on a Functional Medicine model and rooted in modern, evidence-based medical nutrition therapy. Her focus is on guiding individuals to better health through laboratory analysis, lifestyle and behavior change, supportive nutrients, and personalized dietary planning. She can also teach you how to cook!
MS, CNS, LDN: Master of Science (MS) in nutrition, Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS) designation from the American Nutrition Association, Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN) state license