From the President
We entered 2026 on a strong foundation of growth and community service. This Report to the Community reflects on Santa Fe College’s accomplishments of this past year, and sets the stage for exciting work to come.
As we turn the corner on our 60th anniversary, we are building on tenants of our Strategic Plan that by 2030 SF will be uncompromisingly Student Driven, Future Focused, Community Connected and Organizationally Resilient.
This focus drives our efforts to expand access to educational opportunities across our region, while providing comprehensive support to ensure that our students are ready for whatever comes next.
At Santa Fe College, we have a thriving culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement, never standing on today, but always looking ahead. We owe that to our students - our next generation of leaders, problem-solvers, and innovators.
We continue to build partnerships and strengthen relationships, deepening our mission to serve our community.
It is our commitment to excellence and high quality education that will help ensure that Santa Fe College meets the needs of Alachua and Bradford counties at the highest standard for the next 60 years and beyond.
Please enjoy this Report to the Community, Spring 2026.
Paul Broadie II
Greater Reach. Greater Impact.
Santa Fe College entered 2026 celebrating 60 years of providing essential liberal arts education, preparation for university, career and technical education, certification, apprenticeship, and a ticket to upward mobility for students in the Alachua and Bradford counties area in more ways with more success.
SF finds itself strategically poised to have even greater reach into its community, finding innovative ways to meet students from all backgrounds where they are — academically or geographically — using novel methods to accelerate their success, and prepare them to satisfy Florida’s high demand for a skilled workforce.
As new programs are filling up and enrollment increasing at all of its seven campuses and centers, Santa Fe College is broadening its education delivery by both growing its footprint with new facilities — like the state-of-the-art
Ralph W. Cellon Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing — and through partnerships with Alachua County and Bradford County, who have provided existing space for students pursuing careers in Diesel Systems Technology and Nursing.
Winner of The Aspen Institute Award for Community College Excellence in 2015, Santa Fe College bolstered its reputation as one of the nation’s most accomplished state colleges in 2025 with two more prestigious accolades. In April 2025, it was one of only two Florida public colleges to earn designation “Opportunity Colleges and Universities” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, recognizing the college’s elevated level of access and the higher wages of our graduates — 30 percent more than the regional average. And, in August, they were the inaugural recipient of the 2025 “Impact and Success Award” for the Southern Region from the Association of Community Colleges Trustees (ACCT).
Santa Fe College boasts the No. 1 graduation rate for Florida College System institutions, high rates of admission for transfers to four-year institutions, and top-percentile job placement among graduates in vocational/trades, Nursing and several disciplines in Allied Health.
Staying true to its commitment to being a student-centered institution that seeks to broaden access and opportunity for every sector of the community, Santa Fe College has been proactive about creating initiatives and programs that meet the needs of potential student populations who want to reengage in the workplace after a significant life change, upskill to open doors to career advancement or even
Impact.
reimagine their productivity in older age or after a term of incarceration, thoughtfully crafting them in ways that serve to balance the needs of working parents.
As costs for four-year universities continues to skyrocket, Santa Fe College’s per-credithour rate is driving enrollment of students who see the combination of high-level instruction, institutional reputation, high job placement, program availability and low cost as an irresistible lure that offers high return without years of indebtedness. Add to this the fact that more than half of enrolled Santa Fe College students typically receive some form of financial assistance — 62 percent for the Fall 2025 cohort.
This attractive formula has drawn the attention of students from throughout the state and globally. SF’s International Student Services staff supports a high achieving community of learners. ISS often works in partnership with the College’s Honors Program, whose graduates go on to distinguish themselves as transfer students and in the workforce.
Having been recognized in 2025 as Gainesville’s favorite among area employers, and as a preferred educational destination for veterans as voted by a major military magazine, Santa Fe College is setting itself apart as a very clear choice in several ways going into its sixth decade of serving its community, the region and beyond.
Alumni and employer earnings lead SF economic impact
The increased earnings of Santa Fe College alumni and the businesses that employ them, play a significant part of the college’s $413 million economic impact in Alachua and Bradford counties.
A study by Lightcast, a leading prover of economic impact studies and labor market data in the U.S., found a $250.8 million impact from alumni alone.
“Over the years, students gained new skills, making them more productive workers by studying at SF,” reads the report. “Today, thousands of these former students are employed in Alachua and Bradford counties.”
The economy also benefits from SF’s operational and student spending, which combined with alumni, support 4,866 jobs. In other words, 1 out of every 42 jobs in the two counties is supported by the activities of SF and its students.
Further, the average associate degree graduate will see an increase in earnings of $8,100 each year compared with someone with a Florida high school diploma.
New Facilities
Responding to employer demand and rapid changes in technology, Santa Fe College is adding capacity in 2026 with new buildings, partnerships and reimagined classrooms.
Ralph W. Cellon, Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing
The 33,725-square-foot Ralph W. Cellon, Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing was opened in August on the Northwest Campus, doubling capacity for Welding and HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration) programs and adding a program in Engineering Technology Advanced Manufacturing (ETAM) with a focus on semiconductor training, a new program supported by a $3 million Job Growth Grant from Florida Commerce. Groundbreaking Story
Expanded Access for Engineering Technology Advanced Manufacturing
Thanks to a $1.57 million state Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant, the ETAM program will expand access to in-demand workforce programs at SF’s rural centers and other locations within its service district with the addition of a high-tech mobile classroom.
Automotive Technology Training Center
Set to break ground Summer 2026 at the Blount Center campus in downtown Gainesville, the 17,200 square-foot, state-of-the-art center will prepare students for today’s high-tech automotive service environments.
Alachua County Public Works Becomes Home to Diesel Systems
Technician program
Further expansion was made possible when the college partnered with Alachua County Public Works and the U.S. Army Reserve’s new equipment site to create a Diesel Systems Technician program, housed at the county’s Fleet Maintenance Shop. The program filled to capacity immediately after launching. Ribbon Cutting Story
Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology
The College completed Phase III renovations of G Building on the Northwest Campus to accommodate the growing needs of the Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology. The Academy, a charter school where students can earn college credentials, will welcome its fourth freshman class in Fall 2026. The first commencement will be in Spring 2027.
Innovations and partnerships drive nursing program growth
Santa Fe College and UF Health are preparing for a fourth year of a critical nursing training partnership thanks, in large part, to the latest round of state “LINE” funding.
The partnership supports goals of grant funding from the State of Florida’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund. LINE funding provides a 1:1 state match for funds contributed by healthcare partners.
For 2025-26, the match was provided primarily by UF Health, with support from Haven Hospice and HCA.
“LINE funding provided by the State of Florida is a powerful example of what can happen when institutions come together under a shared vision,” said UF Health’s Shakira Henderson, dean of the UF College of Nursing and chief administrative officer. “It is not a financial investment; it is a vote of confidence in programs like those at Santa Fe, which continue to set the bar when it comes to nursing excellence.”
The partnerships, along with matching state funding, added $1.29 million in support for SF’s nursing programs, helping to support critical nursing workforce needs in the community.
“LINE funding... is a vote of confidence in programs like those at Santa Fe.”
- Shakira Henderson, Dean, UF College of Nursing
partnerships growth
The UF Health matching funds are used for student scholarships, removing financial barriers. This year, 35 students pursuing their RN received a $10,000 scholarship in exchange for a 2-year service commitment across UF Health facilities.
Other matching funds are used for scholarships and general program support.
“We are grateful that our partners recognize the quality of SF’s nursing programs and contribute to both their success and our community’s ability to meet a growing need for nurses and other healthcare employees,” said Paul Broadie II, college president. “This vital work can be accomplished only when we work together.”
LINE funding supported creation of a specialized healthcare-focused study and academic support space for students. New funding will support increased associate degree nursing enrollment, retention and graduation by, among other things, enhancing skills lab and simulation training.
Santa Fe College has consistently surpassed state and national averages for first-time pass rates on the NCLEX certification exam.
Nursing expands to Bradford County
Continued growth in nursing enrollment is expected from a new partnership with Bradford County School District launching in Fall 2026, to create an Associate Degree Nursing bridge program.
Students will transfer from North Florida Technical College’s LPN program without leaving the Starke campus. Bradford County students currently must travel to the SF’s Northwest Campus in Gainesville to continue their nursing education.
A new nursing lab and classroom will support the program. The partnership was made possible by a $4 million grant received by BCSD, and formalized on January 28, 2026, with a signing ceremony.
ANEW
expands nursing to working adults
Enrollment in SF nursing programs is further supported by the Nursing Evening and Weekend (ANEW) program for working adults. The program has grown by 26 percent since launching in 2022. LINE funding allowed SF to add an additional cohort in Fall 2025.
26% growth in enrollment of ANEW Program since 2022
Innovations Lead to More Math Success
Adam Christopherson Ph.D., academic chair for SF Mathematics, and his faculty team, formulated a modular approach to instruction that has changed the game for students who come to the college in need of some remediation in the subject.
When students in the developmental Math curriculum who couldn’t get through the first unit test were very unlikely to complete the requirement, SF saw student success rates in
a revamped developmental Math curriculum skyrocket after transforming the old, two-course track to one pass-fail course with six modules throughout that allowed students to take all six or as many as they can complete. If they passed the first three, they received a passing grade in the course, even though they haven’t completed all the modules, because they have moved from one tier of fundamentals to another.
“We look at this approach as a progression rather than ‘passing,’” Christopherson said.
“And, the pass-fail completion isn’t calculated into the student’s GPA, which would factor into their eligibility for financial aid.”
Dr. Stefanie Waschull, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for Liberal Arts and Science at SF, calls this a “lower-stakes” approach that has reduced the number of students who leave the college because they cannot successfully complete developmental Math. “Just providing more face-to-face sections for a gateway Math course, in lieu of online ones resulted in a 10 percent improvement in the course outcomes, according to student success data, positively impacting retention and enrollment,” she said.
“The Math Studio has been instrumental in providing a space for specialized developmental instruction and assistance.”
- Dr. Adam Christopherson
BANCF Partners Growing Apprenticeship Program
When graduates from SF’s Apprenticeship program cross the graduation stage, they typically do so debt-free and with a job in a high-wage, high-growth field, all thanks to a 19-year partnership with the Builder Association of North Central Florida (BANCF).
The College currently has apprenticeship programs in electrical construction, plumbing, HVAC/R, and a new program in building maintenance. In 2025, the program celebrated record graduation. Students work full-time in their trade while attending class in the evening. The four-year program currently serves 327 students.
“BANCF brings the employers and the workforce demand; Santa Fe College brings the education and infrastructure. Together, we turn local talent into skilled professionals with paychecks, not debt,” said Sara Emmanuel, BANCF Executive Officer/Director of Apprenticeship.
Building a Habitat for Humanity Home
Currently in partnership with BANCF and Charles Perry Construction, SF students help build a house each year for Alachua Habitat for Humanity. The 16th home is currently under construction.
60th Anniversary Recognized with State Resolution
Established by the state legislature the year before to serve students in Alachua and Bradford counties, Santa Fe Junior College opened its doors in Fall 1966 to 889 students.
Today, Santa Fe College serves more than 20,000 students annually in transfer, career and technical, adult education and workforcebased programs, offering certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees.
The College’s 60th Anniversary celebration began, fittingly, with the state legislature recognizing the college’s significance and progress.
A resolution presented by State Representative Charles “Chuck” Brannan III was read of the floor of the Florida House of Representatives on March 5, 2026.
“Santa Fe College was established in 1965 to expand access to affordable, high-quality higher education for the citizens of North Central Florida,” Brannan said. “Santa Fe has grown from a modest beginning to a comprehensive institution supporting the citizens of Alachua and Bradford Counties.”
The resolution noted the College’s longstanding impact on workforce development, community engagement, culture of teaching excellence and student success, as well as its distinction as a 2015 Aspen Award winner for “Community College Excellence,” being the inaugural
recipient of the “Impact and Success Award” from the Association of Community Colleges (ACCT), its highly ranked standing for veterans and their families, and for being the top state college for sending transfers on to the University of Florida.
The anniversary will be marked in various meetings and events throughout the 2026-27 academic year.
For more on the College’s 60 years of student and community impact visit SFCollege.edu/60
Changing Her Stars
SF helps student find her path, brighten her future
An Honors student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration at SF, Charlotte Barone is a campus leader, mentor and overcomer whose most recent accomplishment is being the 2026 Student Pillars of Service Award recipient.
Barone is a mom and former Marine who experienced a series of devastating life circumstances, that eventually forged a path to renewed hope and purpose though community support and a new world of opportunity at Santa Fe College, where she fully leveraged her campus involvement to inspire others, using her own story to light a path forward to educational, professional and interpersonal possibilities.
Barone’s achievements include service in SSS/ TRIO, Phi Theta Kappa, the Freedom to Learn initiative, and the Global Scholars Program, where she was recognized as a Global Scholar Citizen. A Peer Coach in the Learning Commons who plans to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work, she has served as treasurer for the Student Veterans of America chapter, treasurer for the Health Care Professionals United Club, senator for the Equestrian Club, and as a member of the Intercollegiate Civil Disagreement Partnership.
Barone earned first place in the College’s Blount Hall Business Pitch Competition, with an equineassisted therapy program designed to support individuals healing from trauma — people like her.
“I’ve found that the whole purpose of life is service: to learn; to grow; and to try to better the lives of everyone around you.”
- Charlotte Barone
Alumni Spotlight: SF leads to dream job and family of Saints
Santa Fe College alumna Teresa Dorman has an enviable position, walking through the doors each day to her dream job, one that helps build better lives for students and families.
Director of the B’nai Israel Community Day School Director in Gainesville, it seems hard to imagine that there was a time her life when her path forward was uncertain.
But as she was raising her five children, Dorman made a leap of faith and enrolled in Santa Fe College’s Early Childhood Education program, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2021 with magna cum laude honors.
“My kids were honestly my biggest cheerleaders,” she said. And her family quickly became a Santa Fe College family, with four children now also alumni.
“I really loved my time at Santa Fe,” Dorman said “My professors were so supportive, and I always felt like they truly wanted me to succeed. The Early Childhood team with Ritsa Mallous, Kimberly Davis, Brooke Downs and others, each brought something different to their classes. They really prepare future educators in a way that feels both meaningful and doable.”
Dorman still enjoys her connections to Santa Fe College and the Early Childhood program.
“I still see Teresa when I observe students completing internships at her center,” Davis said. “She is welcoming, approachable, and clearly respected. Her leadership is evident the moment you walk in. Teresa is deeply invested in her teachers and supports them in creating a strong, collaborative team—one that makes an impressive impact on the children they serve.”
See more of Teresa’s story.
“I really loved my time at Santa Fe. My kids were honestly my biggest cheerleaders.” - Teresa L. Dorman
15,300 SF Undergraduates (Fall 2025)
8,177 Full-Time Students
1,226 Dual Enrollment Students
866 International Students 88 countries represented
342 Veterans
1,949
#1 Graduation Rate for Florida College System Institutions
Students from 32 rural counties statewide served 2024-2025
49% Students from out of district 64 of 67 countries represented
3,693 Credentials earned in 2024-2025
85%
Current Overall Success Rate
Honors & Recognition
Carnegie Classification as an Opportunity College (high graduation rates; high graduate salaries) More
Win Phillips Town Gown Relations Award More
Gainesville’s Community Choice Awards Best Place to Work More
2025 Impact and Success Award for the Southern Region, Association of Community College Trustees More
Military Times Best for Vets Top 10 Ranking More
Santa Fe College Police Department – Rocky Pomerance Award More
Notable Gifts & Grants
Mobile Engineering Classroom - $1.57 million state Workforce CAP grant More
SF Teaching Zoo Elevated Tree House$300,000 Rotary Clubs of Gainesville More
TRIO Student Support Services - $4.47 million in federal grants More
Saints Care Center - $900,000 – Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Grant More
ACB Excel – $26,510 – Truist Foundation More
Strategic Plan 2030
Our Mission
In keeping with our values and goals, Santa Fe College, a comprehensive public institution of higher education serving North Central Florida and beyond, adds value to the lives of our students and enriches our community through excellence in teaching and learning, innovative educational programs and student services, and community leadership and service.
Our Vision
Through strong community bonds and a commitment to inquiry, innovation, and lifelong learning, we will create an environment in which all people thrive.
By 2030, Santa Fe College will advance our mission by being uncompromisingly Student Driven, Future Focused, Community Connected, and Organizationally Resilient.
Strategic Plan 2030
Student Driven
Facilitate strong interpersonal connections, provide personalized support, and design and deliver high-quality learning experiences to boost unimpeded access to higher education pathways, academic engagement, and student success.
• Expand access to educational opportunities.
• Provide seamless, comprehensive support designed to advance every learner’s participation and achievement.
• Enhance student engagement and belonging.
• Ensure students experience high-quality learning, regardless of their selected paths, modalities, or location.
Future Focused
Ensure that students are ready to meet the future by cultivating a creative, forward-thinking learning environment that anticipates and adapts agilely to an evolving world and focuses on continuous improvement.
• Champion forward-thinking teaching and learning to ready students for the future.
• Leverage design and technology to support modern, engaging learning environments.
• Promote a workplace culture that values collaboration, creativity, experimentation, and agility to innovate and improve.
Community Connected
Make community engagement a hallmark of our culture, deepening our relationships and partnerships to advance the public good.
• Drive workforce development and economic opportunity in our region to build strong, sustainable communities.
• Support lifelong learning opportunities.
• Cultivate a culture of community service and civic engagement as integral to the student and employee experience.
Organizationally Resilient
Foster a supportive, empowering, and sustainable workplace culture and engage in intentional organizational development to drive positive student outcomes and better serve our communities.
• Build a thriving work environment.
• Advance operational excellence.