Santa Fe College hosted its 21st annual East Gainesville Initiative Community Forum

Faculty and staff members from Santa Fe College talked about programs and the creation of future facilities aimed at enriching the lives of east Gainesville residents during the school's 21st annual East Gainesville Initiative Community Forum.

SF College community forum

“Community service is at the core of Santa Fe College,” said Mable Baker, interim director of the SF College Blount Center in downtown Gainesville, as she welcomed those attending the forum Thursday at the center. “We’re making sure we’re closing the gaps of equity and encouraging diversity on campus.”

SF College president speaks at forum

Baker’s welcome was followed by the president’s address from Paul Broadie II, Ph.D.

“What I love about this is that it is not 21 years of standing still, it is 21 years of evolution,” said Broadie, who has been president of SF College since February 2020. “We need the community to stand side by side with us. Through the power of education, we can turn hopelessness into hope and dreams into reality.”

Broadie shared student testimonials about how the college’s laptop loan program and its student life food pantry has helped students pass their classes.

ACB Excel program targets families

He also talked about the college’s ACB Excel program, which is a community-funded initiative that provides parents and school-aged children with access to academic programs and services simultaneously.

“It starts with the family unit,” Broadie said. “If that member can sustain themselves, we can break the chain of poverty. It’s a part of our mission as an institution to be a part of the fabric of this community. We want to be an example of what success looks like in the community.”

College plans discussed

Broadie also talked about the college’s plans to build an automotive tech training center and the Ralph W. Cellon Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing, for which a groundbreaking ceremony was held last month for the facility that will be built across the street from its gymnasium on its main campus at 3000 NW 83rd St.

Helping students become highly skilled workers in trades is one of the college's main goals, especially in the fields of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, Broadie said.

Officials discuss programs offered

Jodi Long, SF College's associate vice president of academic affairs in the health sciences department, talked about the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at the school.

The CTE program gives students an opportunity to get hands-on training for jobs in business, construction, fine arts and entertainment technology, education, health sciences, information technology, public safety and zoo animal technology.

Lexley Shelton talked about the enrollment and retention initiatives targeting Black students, such as creating networking programs for students to get to know each other to have a better college experience.

“Yes they get here, but do they enjoy their time here,” Shelton said. “If you work hard, I will meet you halfway to find opportunities for you. You’ll be shocked at what one conversation can do for students.”

Ann Thebaut, Ph.D, and Jason Frank, Ed.D., talked about the Free To Learn program that provides a platform for sharing stories and information about the role education can play in breaking the cycle of incarceration.

Dan Rodkin, Ed.D., Quinten Eyman, Terrell Jenkins and MyQueal Lewis gave a presentation about SF Achieve, a program where students receive mentorship inside their high schools about careers, financial aid and more.

Rodkin is the college's associate vice president of student affairs, Eyman is the director of recruitment and SF Achieve and Jenkins and Lewis are mentors in the program.

“We are seeing slow generational change overtime,” Rodkin said.

JoAnn Wilkes spoke about the college’s Displaced Homemaker Program, which offers educational assistance and support to empower people in the community who are transitioning into employment after working primarily in the home.

“Education and empowerment are our main focus,” Wilkes said.

Trenton Hightower, the college's director of workforce development, discussed entrepreneurship and the Center for Innovation & Economic Development (CIED), which offers business incubation services to support entrepreneurs and local startup companies.

Linda Mussillo, coordinator Project Saint, talked about how the program she coordinates helps students with disabilities have a good college experience on campus.

Help needed: Initiative needs your help

Naima Brown, Ph.D, vice president of student affairs, discussed the college’s partnership with the mental health app called TimelyCare, which provides students with free, 24/7 access to virtual mental health and physical well-being care services.

Final remarks

Broadie gave the final remarks at the forum.

“We want to ask you to spread the word to have more individuals in our community to witness the power at Santa Fe College,” Broadie said.” You are our biggest supporters.”

For more information

For more information, visit www.sfcollege.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: SF College officials informs Gainesville public about programs, plans