(Photo by: Miranda Sue Philpot)

If you’ve dreamt of working in flower shops, event studios, or even starting your own floral business, the JCCC Floral Design program is the place for you.

The JCCC Floral Design Certificate is about a one-year year process that focuses on hands-on floral design and business skills. It also helps prepare you for jobs in the floriculture industry, according to floriculture, interior and floral design Professor Natalie Goodwin.

“Floral design is such a unique blend of art, science and business. Our program gives students hands-on experience where they learn not only design principles, but also the mechanics, plant knowledge and industry practices that prepare them for real careers in the floral and event industries,” Goodwin said.

As the lead instructor of the program, Goodwin creates a collaborative and creative learning environment. Because the program is small and specialized, students get a more hands-on approach.

“We focus heavily on real-world applications. Students learn how to design for weddings, events and everyday floral work while also understanding industry trends, pricing, mechanics and how a floral business operates,” Goodwin said.

This is the only program of its kind in the Kansas City area. Students don’t just arrange the flowers–they get to grow and design their own. The program helps build strong connections with local florists and businesses, as well as prep a portfolio to use when you graduate.

“Our program is unique because students aren’t just learning arrangements—they’re learning design thinking, plant knowledge, event styling and industry professionalism. I take them on industry field trips to network and familiarize them with key members of the floral industry for later possible employment,” Goodwin said.

The Unexpected Blooms scholarship is designed for students who are in this program and awards $1,000 to five students per year.

Here are the requirements and steps to apply:

1. Be enrolled at JCCC.
2. Enroll in a certificate/degree program, such as floral design.
3. Complete the FAFSA, which is recommended for more aid.
4. Fill out the JCCC Scholarship Application.
5. Submit high school and/or college transcripts.
6. Wait for offers via your student email.
7. The priority deadline is usually April 1.
8. Reapply every year.

The Floral Design certificate program elevates floral design as an art as well as a profession, and JCCC plays an important role in making specialized, creative education available.

“Flowers are part of life’s most meaningful moments—from celebrations to memorials. Teaching students how to design for those occasions is really about teaching them how to contribute beauty and emotion to people’s lives,” Goodwin said.