HEY! FIND OUT WHY
WE’RE NO. 1
S
tudents attend Santa Fe College because we offer courses that lead to transfer and jobs. This was documented at the national level when SF was named the number one college in the nation in these areas. We received the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Santa Fe College also is a charter board member of the prestigious League for Innovation in the Community College. We offer more than 90 career and technical education programs to meet student needs and those of employers. Education at SF is rewarding and enjoyable. We keep good company. Our best partner is the University of Florida. We share numerous programs and activities with UF. These are reasons SF sends more students to UF than any other institution. SF students are successful at UF and at other institutions of higher education. Classes are small so you learn the subject being taught and meet other students. Our professors are dedicated to teaching and see each student – you – as a unique individual. I am proud of Santa Fe College. More importantly, I want you to be proud of the complete college experience. Sincerely,
President Jackson N. Sasser (left) sharing a photo op with the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
President
See “Why Choose SF?” at www.sfcollege.edu/vb01
instagram.com/santafecollege
SF by the Numbers Established: 1966 Annual Enrollment: 22,000+ Top Ten Status: We Are Number One!
Santa Fe College - a top 10 community college since 2012 - was named “best in the nation� by the Aspen Institute on March 18, 2015.
Locations: 8
Northwest Gainesville, Downtown Gainesville, Alachua, Archer, Northeast Gainesville, Keystone Heights, Starke, Cyberspace
santafecollege.tumblr.com
Gender Diversity
Student Diversity*
16.1% 0.4% 3.4% 16.1% 3.2% 58.9%
45% 55% Male
Female
African American
American Indian/Alaskan Native
Asian/Pacific Islander
Hispanic/Latino
Multi-Racial
White * 1.9% not reported
Facebook.com/santafecollege
Number of Steinway Pianos: 11
In fact, all pianos at SF are Steinway, giving us the rare, official “All-Steinway” distinction. Only 165 schools worldwide can claim that.
Favorite Color: Blue (second favorite: Orange) Secret Power: Guinness World Record
Santa Fe College currently holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of letter openers. (btw, there are 5,000)
More than
67
50%
of our students come from out of district, including
Florida counties
Among those …
46
Top
5 Countries
states and over
Venezuela Colombia China Cuba Haiti
100
countries!
Top
5 Counties
Dade Marion Clay Broward Levy
NO EXC
USES. A
CAMPU
S IS NEA
R YOU.
Educational Centers Andrews Center – Starke, Fla. In 1985, the old Bradford County Courthouse in Starke (which is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places) was renovated to include classrooms and became SF’s Andrews Center. Blount Center — Downtown Gainesville Classes, advising, and everything else you’d expect from Santa Fe College are available in the heart of downtown Gainesville at the Blount Center. Davis Center — Archer, Fla. While the city of Archer is small, the educational opportunities at the Davis Center are bigger than ever, including SMART classrooms, day and night classes, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, and dual enrollment. Kirkpatrick Center — Northeast Gainesville Conveniently located across the street from the Gainesville Airport, the Kirkpatrick Center is home to SF’s aviation and public safety programs. Perry Center for Emerging Technologies — Alachua, Fla. The Perry Center was the brainchild of Chuck and Nancy Perry (thus the name). The center was intentionally built in Florida’s high-tech corridor in Alachua to focus on emerging technology degrees. Watson Center — Keystone Heights, Fla. The Watson Center in Keystone Heights backs up to a 40-acre natural habitat of pine and oak trees known as the Watson Woods. The area of undisturbed upland sand hills is used as an outdoor classroom.
WE TEACH YOU
ROOMS!
IN TRUE CLASS
Seahorse Key The marine laboratory located on Seahorse Key is a unique learning opportunity for our students, and another example of the deep relationship we have with the University of Florida.
Learning Opportunities “The world is the true classroom. The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes.” - Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium We take the sentiment of Mr. Hanna’s statement to heart, not simply because he’s a member of our AZA accredited teaching zoo advisory board, but because we deeply believe it. Santa Fe College is abundant with opportunities for experiential learning.
Art Galleries The SF Northwest Campus alone boasts three distinct venues for the visual arts. A near constant cycle of exhibits gives our students the opportunity to experience works of art from fellow students, professors, community artists, and nationally recognized master artists.
Zoo The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is home to more than 75 native and exotic species of animals and is maintained by students enrolled in the college’s premier Zoo Animal Technology Program.
See “Bat Cave” at www.sfcollege.edu/vb02
Bat Cave SF’s Bat Cave is a truly unique asset to the college. Its dry cavern is a geological anomaly and is the only subterranean classroom of its kind among Florida’s 28 state colleges.
University Transfer Hey, we get it. Many of you are less concerned with our small class size, teachers who care, low cost of attendance, yada yada yada… You’re here because you want to transfer to a university (one with a reptilian mascot, probably, and a storied legacy of division one athletics prowess). We know, and that’s why we’ve geared ourselves to help you get there.
GET PSST, WE CAN HELP
YOU IN ;-)
University of Florida Connections More Than
1300
Transferred to UF in 2013-2014
Santa Fe Sends
3x
More Students
To UF Than Other Colleges
More Than
62%
Acceptance Rate
The UF at SF Center Located on the SF Northwest campus, the UF at SF center, or “Gator Den” as it is better known, is the physical embodiment of our partnership with the University of Florida. Part study hall, part advisement center, it’s essentially the home base for current and future Gators at SF.
No Place Like Home(room)
State colleges have a bit of a reputation as commuter schools. While that’s 100 percent true for many of our sister colleges, it’s very different at SF. Yes, our campuses and centers are conveniently located in the communities we serve, but our student population is only about half local. According to our fall 2014 statistics, more than 50 percent of our students came from somewhere other than Alachua and Bradford counties. So if you’re thinking SF is going to resemble your high school homeroom, think again.
See Layne’s “SF to UF” story at www.sfcollege.edu/vb03
7
34 48
BACHELOR
A.A. & A.S.
VOCATIONAL
DEGREES
DEGREES
CERTIFICATES
Career Education If you’re thinking that our 90+ clubs and organizations, top-tier athletics program, and deep commitment to liberal arts might not exactly help you land that next big promotion, you might be right. But, our career training programs will. We’ve got everything from six-month vocational certificates designed to get you up and running in a new career, to the bachelor’s degree you need to level-up in your current field. All of our Career Education programs are designed, in part, by industry advisory boards. This ensures that our graduates possess skills that are in high demand by employers.
Habitat House To date, SF students have built four houses from the ground up as the core of their coursework in our LEED certified, state-of-the-art construction institute. The houses are part of local Habitat for Humanity projects in association with the Builders Association of North Central Florida (BANCF).
GET IN. GET OUT. GET A CARE
ER!
The record-setting 2009 Saints Baseball team celebrates after clinching the Mid-Florida Conference for the second time.
The first open tryouts for the newly minted Saints volleyball team were held in the spring of 2014.
SINCE 2004
31
4
252
Mid-Florida Conference Championships
FCSAA State Championships
SF Athletes Went to Upper Division Institutions or Pro
Go Saints! Our four athletic teams consistently rank high among NJCAA competitive teams. Men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and fastpitch softball combined to win 16 Mid-Florida Conference Championships over the past six years. Two teams, the 2008 Softball team and the 2009 Baseball team, won the State Championship and finished national runners up. Beginning fall 2014, SF will become home to a women’s volleyball team. We have the coach; the team is being recruited; now all we need is YOU, the fan. But don’t think our success is limited to the playing field. Twenty-five student athletes were named All-State and All-MFC Academic team members in 2012 and one student was named NJCAA Academic All-American. Even if you’re not a student athlete, you can take advantage of the free fitness center, or become involved with our intramural or club sports. The Athletics department is here to serve you. Take advantage of a great college atmosphere by getting involved.
WE GOT TOP NOTCH
PLAYERS
The annual Saints v Gators fastpitch bout is another item on the long list of reasons why UF plus SF equals BFF.
Sustainability
A big word for a simple idea. Let’s just say we are as concerned about the environment as you are. We feel like it’s our responsibility to use our natural resources wisely and conserve energy whenever possible.
WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT BEING GREEN!
Solar Energy
Since 2010, SF has been generating energy through solar panels on the roof of our library. There is even a website where you can see the energy savings generated by the solar panels.
Recycling
You will find bottle and can recycling stations all over campus, and a paper recycling bin in each building, but that’s not all. We send all of our e-waste (computers, monitors, fax machines from the 1990s, etc.) to the ARC of Alachua County for recycling.
Students and Faculty
The Sustainable Santa Fe committee is made up of students, faculty and staff who care about the environment. The committee was President Sasser’s vision to initiate a college-wide culture of sustainability. One of the cool things the committee does is plant, tend and harvest an organic garden in the center of campus.
Santa Fe College is home to an impressive tree canopy that covers many of our outdoor spaces. Some of these trees are over 100 years old. And some of them have names. One tree, named the “Three Sisters,” is actually a group of three tree trunks closely intertwined in the natural basin found in front of the Administration building. The “Three Sisters” have been on campus for many years and are among the oldest trees anywhere on SF property. Several years ago, one of the “sisters” was not doing well and her bark began to split. A cable connecting all three trees was installed to provide a support system for the dying tree, being kept alive by the other two “sisters.” Another unique tree is the “Keyhole Tree,” and can be found near the library, behind the planetarium. The tree has a unique feature in which the trunk began to split in two while it was growing. The tree then rejoined on the top leaving a small opening in the center that resembles a keyhole.
Sustainable Transportation
Want to reduce your carbon footprint? We’re on board with that, too. Student Life has a Facebook group that helps connect students who want to carpool to SF, and we have a dedicated carpool lot. There’s also free bus transportation. Just flash your SFID and you can enjoy pre-paid RTS access.
Not all the trees are old, though. In front of the Fine Arts Hall is a young tree named “Junior.” In 2011, during the construction process, a historic oak tree was struck by lightning and died. A brand new oak tree was planted in its place, and fittingly named “Junior.” So, when you walk through the Northwest Campus, be sure to stop and visit the Three Sisters, Junior, and the Keyhole Tree. Take the time to notice the beautiful display that the spiraling branches create above the sidewalks and appreciate the history that SF has preserved in its outdoor areas.
Student Life We don’t want to distract you. You’re here to learn. That’s what college is all about, right? Right. But, we do want you to know that SF boasts a vibrant student life with a full calendar of events put on by scores of student organizations. Seriously, though, not until you’re done studying, OK?
60+
Student Organizations
Top
10
Fields of Interests • Academic • Arts • Cultural • Political • Religious • Service • Social • Sports
Professors Teach Here
RateMyProfessors.com, the largest online destination for college professor ratings, annually releases a list ranking the nation’s top university professors based entirely on students’ input. SF math professor Bridget Middleton has consistently ranked among the top ten university professors. “Humbled,” said Middleton when asked how she felt about being rated number five. “It means a lot that students take the time to express their opinions of my teaching.” Middleton credits her success in the classroom to simply taking the time students need to gain an understanding of the subject. “I am always amazed when students take the time to thank me, and let me know that my class provided a foundation and understanding for math that helped them through the rest of their classes,” Middleton said.
See “Dodgeball” at sfcollege.edu/vb04
SF Student Benefits Package: Your SF student ID doubles as a free RTS bus pass and discount card for tons of businesses in the Gainesville area. SF students have access to many free or low-cost services at the health care center staffed by a full-time registered nurse specialist.
Italy Egypt
Study in
12
Different Countries
Germany
Ghana
China
TOP
15
COUNTRIES OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COME FROM
Venezuela
Columbia
China
Cuba
Haiti
Brazil
Mexico
South Korea
Honduras
India
Vietnam
Philippines
Peru
Dominican Republic
United Kingdom
International Education
Ecuador
At Santa Fe College, international education isn’t just about snapping a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower on a spring break study abroad trip. Our goal is for every SF student to have an international experience. And, yes, that may take the form of the epic selfie (please don’t forget to tag #SantaFeCollege), but it’s also about all the experiences SF has to offer that can take you a world away without leaving campus.
Sweden via Skype©
See “Charter for Compassion” at www.sfcollege.edu/vb05
THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENC
E THE WORLD
Scholarships Available
60+
GPA To Maintain A Scholarship
2.0 - 2.5
Scholarships At SF, we think everyone should have a shot at a quality education. Open access is our promise to you. We consider that promise in everything we do, including affordability. Santa Fe College has one of the lowest costs of attendance of all higher education institutions in Florida. In fact, while many schools have raised tuition year after year, SF has kept rates flat. We know that your SF college experience will challenge you in many ways, but paying for college shouldn’t. Santa Fe College provides tens of thousands of dollars each term in student aid in the form of grants and scholarships, and in most cases, you don’t need to be a Rhodes Scholar to qualify. Visit www.sfcollege.edu/scholarships to begin exploring the possibilities.
www.sfcollege.edu/scholarships
WE GOT $$$ WAITING FOR YOU!
Most Scholarships Award
$800
On Average Per Semester
What’s Next? Take a Campus Tour Tours of our Northwest campus are conducted twice daily or by appointment. The tours are lead by currently enrolled student ambassadors. They’re ready and willing to field your toughest questions, so that you can get the inside scoop on life at SF.
Need Help With the Details? You might still have a few nagging questions about transcripts, majors, and placement testing. That’s where our admissions advisors can help. Stop by the admissions office or give us a call.
www.sfcollege.edu/admissions You’re Already Sold? That’s what we like to hear! Getting started couldn’t be easier. Visit www.sfcollege.edu/admissions to begin your online application. There’s no deadline to apply, but registration closes just before the start of each term. EA/EO
Santa Fe College is committed to an environment that embraces diversity, respects the rights of all individuals, is open and accessible, and is free of harassment and discrimination based on, but not limited to, ethnicity, race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, national origin, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, and veteran status in all its programs, activities and employment. EA/EO notice inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Lela Frye, Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Coordinator, 3000 NW 83rd Street, R-Annex, Room 105, Gainesville, Florida 32606 , 352-395-5420, lela.frye@sfcollege.edu
SACS
Santa Fe College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Santa Fe College. Design Communications & Creative Services, Santa Fe College Photo Credits Aaron Daye, Brenton Richardson, Brad McClenny, Scott Jamison, SF Study Abroad, Jessica Mayhew, Matt Stamey
READY FOR US?
WE’RE READY FO
R YOU!
NOT COUNTY, STATE OR SOUTHEAST.
WE’RE NO. 1 IN THE NATION!
sfcollege.edu