First Generation Students

Overview

About one in every three students here at Santa Fe College self-identify as a first-generation (First Gen) college student. SF welcomes and supports the success of our First Gen college students.

Who are First Gen students?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree. This means that you are the first person in your family to attend a four-year college or university to attain a bachelor's degree.

Why it matters.

Being the first in your family to go to college is something that should make you extremely proud! When you identify as First Gen at SF, you are matched with unique opportunities and resources, and get invited to participate in First Gen events. The college also recognizes the success of First Gen graduates with a single stranded honor cord to be worn over your gown at graduation.

Note: First Gen graduates will be contacted about receiving their cords by their academic coaches in the SSS program or by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

You're certainly not alone.

It takes a certain courage to set out into uncharted waters. First Gen college students at SF are in good company with faculty and staff ready to offer you the support, guidance, and skills you need to be successful. Moreover, many SF faculty and staff members also represent a First Gen background and know the unique challenges of being first in their family to attend college.

Before Attending SF

First in My Family Admissions events provide first-generation college students and their families with a comprehensive introduction to Santa Fe College.

As a First Gen Student

College Achievement Program

A summer program that facilitate a smooth transition from high school to college by helping first-generation participants develop the skills they will need to succeed in any degree track.

First Gen Day at Santa Fe & Other First Gen Events

This is an annual celebration of First-Generation students, faculty, and staff that you want to make sure to attend! For more on events and activities, be sure to check your student email. For specific information, please contact Joseph Jester at 352-395-5648 or joseph.jester@sfcollege.edu.

Student Support Services (SSS)

SSS helps qualified first-generation college students succeed by assisting them in navigating the various aspects of college life. SSS scholars have a designated academic coach who can help with academic inquiries and apply for financial aid, and offer free tutoring, personal mentoring, transfer assistance, or connect with valuable college and community resources.

Grants and Scholarships

There are many ways to pay for college, including grants and scholarships designated to fund first-generation college students, such as the first-generation Matching Grant. To apply for incredible funding opportunities, complete the FAFSA and the SF scholarship applications.

Additional Resources

View Complete List

A considerable number of faculty and staff at Santa Fe college were like you in being the first in their family to attend college. They self-identify now because they want you to know that you belong here at SF, that there is support for you, and that like them, you can achieve your goals. Below is a list of first-generation faculty and staff.

Last First Title Department
Albright Heather Academic Assistant Fine Arts
Anderson Michael Associate Director EMS Programs EMS
Arciola Jeff Assistant Professor Natural Sciences
Arnold Christina Office Supervisor Teaching Zoo
Asimbaya Olga Assistant Registrar Registrar Office
Austin Amanda Assistant Professor Nursing
Awoniyi Bea Associate Vice President & Ombudsperson Student Affairs
Badea Lucian Director of ITS ITS
Badics Stacy Interim Assistant Professor Humanities, Communications & Languages
Barnes Andy Vice President and CFO Administrative Affairs
Beavers  Sarah Executive Assistant Academic Affairs
Bergens Jennifer Academic Advisor AA Advising
Bishop Sheila Designated Faculty Humanities, Communication, and Languages
Blosser Katherine Educational Aid Health Sciences
Boswell Palenthia Assistant Registrar Registrar Office
Britton Naeema Director Counseling and Wellness Center
Brosky Lisa Associate Vice President Marketing and Communications
Brown Naima Vice President Student Affairs
Caballero Sergio Academic Laboratory Manager and Adjunct Assistant Professor Perry Center for Emerging Technologies
Cabral Danielle Math Professor Mathematics
Cabrera Monica Career Pathways Program Specialist Perkins Program
Camps Jalena Student Services Connector Contact Center
Carroll Andrew Adjunct Instructor Institute of Public Safety
Casanas Eva Adjunct Associate Professor Foreign Languages
Cervone Sarah Assistant Professor Humanities, Communications and Languages
Chamusco Larry A Professor Natural Science - Chemistry
Chestnut Artie Adjunct Instructor ITE
Childers Pamela Acces Specialist Disabilities Resources Center
Chipman Krista Project Saint Mentor Coordinator Adult Education
Christopherson Adam Chair Math Department
Clark Melisa Administrative Assistant Trio - Upward Bound
Clarke William Data Analyst and Developer Institutional Research
Clemons Chuck Vice President Advancement
Cleveland Loretha Designated Faculty Speech Humanities, Communications and Languages
Coggins Victoria Programs support specialist Davis Center
Coker Terry L Coordinator SERVE TRIO
Cothren Theresa Academic Coach TRIO Educational Talent Search
Crosby Julie Coordinator UF @ SF Center
Crumpton Chavon Senior Financial Aid Specialist Financial Aid
Cunningham-Smith Petra Adjunct Instructor Social and Behavioral Sciences
Denton Christy Santa Fe Achieve Specialist Admissions
Domin Heather Purchasing Assistant Purchasing (Office for Finance)
Downs Brooke Adjunct Professor Student Development and Leadership/Education
Duhart Farrah Academic Coach Trio Student Support Services
Dunmore Shanita Coordinator Student Support Services
Durkee David Engagement Specialist Student Life
Ellerbe Tone Central Receiving Facilities
Elliott Karen International Admissions Advisor ISS
Evans Tracey Administrative Assistant Institutional Research
Eyman Quinten Director, Recruitment and SF Achieve Admissions
Ferns Brent Associate Vice President, Career & Technical Education Academic Affairs
Flanagan Melissa Chair English
Forrester Sheila Adjunct Professor of Music Fine Arts
Forshee Jennifer Associate Professor Social and Behavioral Sciences
Foster Theresa Advising Specialist & Professor UF@SF Center, Gator Engineering and Gator Design and Construction Programs
Fox Brian Professor Business Programs
Freas Michelle Associate Professor Humanities, Communities, and Languages
Frye Lela Director Human Resources
Fults Jason Instructor Adult Education
Garcia Jacki ETS Academic Coach TRIO
Gentry Vivian Senior Financial Services Representative Office of Finance
George Sarah Professor Math
Grosteffon Steve Professor Mathematics
Haddock Betty Pollard Help Desk Manager Information Technology Services (ITS)
Hernandez Annette Financial Aid Representative Financial Aid
Heslep Jeff Academic Lab Manager Perry Center for Emerging Technologies
Hom Bobby Director Quality Enhancement Project
Hughes Angel Adjunct Instructor Mathematics (Dev Ed)
Hundley Noah Advising Specialist Academic Advising
Hutton Stacy Adjunct Assistant Professor, Surgical Technology Program Health Sciences
Irwin Melissa Assistant Professor Nursing
Jeffers D'on Academic Coach Upward Bound
Jerzak Page AVP Academic Technologies and Training (CATT)
Johnson Joe HVAC Trades Helper Facilities Services HVAC
Jones Karen Adjunct Professor, Spanish Humanities, Communications and Languages
Jordan Marina Coordinator International Student Support & Advising
Josey Victor Software Developer IT
Judge Keri Program Assistant Watson Center
Kenyon Angel Adult Education Specialist Adult Education
Lafferty Sharon Assistant Professor, NMT Program Director and Clinical Coordinator Health Sciences
Landon Patricia Administrative Assistant Andrews Center
Lapuma Brigitte Professor Nursing
Launiere Emily Academic Coach Student Support Services
Lempinen-Leedy Nance Library Director L.W. Tyree Library
Lien Iva Advising Specialist AA Advising
Linnens Dana Academic Assistant L.W. Tyree Library
Locascio Patti Sr. VP, Chief of Staff, and General Counsel Legal Affairs
Lopez Nilda Nursing Educator Nursing
Lopez Jr Francisco Comptroller Finance
Lounds-Singleton Angela Assistant Adjunct of Nutrition Sciences for Health Programs
Ludwig Jess Admissions Specialist Office of Admissions
Mallous Ritsa Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education Education Programs
Mansfield Shawna Associate Professor Graphic Design & Digital Media Technology
Marks John Adjunct Professor ITE
Mason Tom Advisor for Construction and Technical Programs Construction and Technical Programs
Matthies-Barnes Lisa Advising Specialist Career Exploration Center
McCray Alisha Associate Director Financial Aid
McIntyre Tim Assistant Professor Anatomy & Physiology Sciences for Health Programs
McKnight Lashay Assistant Professor Business Programs
McLeod Marisa Adjunct Faculty Social and Behavioral Sciences
McMillen Nicholas J Veterans Specialist Student Services
McNair Lisa Academic Assistant English
Melendez Steven Coordinator Educational Media Studio
Mercier Danielle Assistant Professor English
Merritt Joyce Adjunct Professor Natural Sciences (Biology)
Milfort-Vasilyeva Carmelita Advising Specialist Student Affairs
Miner Lorne Student Services Connector Contact Center
Montero Helda Professor Social & Behavioral Sciences
Moretti Janna Assistant Professor English
Mosley Amanda Assistant Professor Library
Mott Rhonda Academic Assistant Business Programs
Muggeo Susan Ann Systems Administrator, ITS ITS
Murano Joni Graphic Designer Workforce Development
Murphy Jennifer Adjunct Professor Mathematics
Murray Sybille Unit Aide Academic Affairs
Nagle Shelby SF Achieve Specialist Admissions
Nelson Keith System Analyst Information Technology Services
Norman Stephanie CCAMPIS Grant Coordinator Academic Affairs
Novak Kyle Director, Cultural Affairs Fine Arts
O'Hearn Dennis Restricted Funds Manager Office for Finance
Patterson Jodie Librarian L.W. Tyree Library
Paul Deloris Associate Professor Nursing
Paulsen Danielle Administrative Assistant Career and Technical Education
Penney Bill Acting VP & AVP ITS / CIO ITS
Perry Takela Advising Specialist AA Advising
Pfaff Lawrence Assistant Adjunct ITE
Puls Dakota Administrative Assistant Student Life
Rackley Jennifer Adjunct Instructor Health Professions
Randrianasolo Voara Adjunct Professor in Biology Natural Sciences
Raphael Nancy Advising Support Specialist A.A. Advising
Ratliff Shanna Academic Coach SSS STEM
Reynolds Elizabeth Lighting Director and instructor Fine Arts
Riley Lorisha Associate Professor Math
Rivera Karina Workforce Development, Industry & Career Pathways Specialist Perkins Grants Programs
Robinson Debora Advising Specialist Health Sciences
Rush Kathryn Assistant Adjunct Professor Fine Art
Sandbach Robert Professor Mathematics
Schwab Jessica Assistant Professor Nursing Program
Scott Carjie Adjunct Assistant Professor Student Development and Leadership
Seavers Natasha Associate Professor Nursing
Semegon Angi Adjunct Professor Social Sciences
Shay Julie Health Information Technology Program Director Business Programs
Simken Shelly Compensation and Compliance Coordinator Human Resources
Siwiecki Alex Assistant Professor English
Smith William Clay Kinchen Professor English
Smith Kimberly Academic Advising Specialist Academic Advisement
Southerland Nate Provost & Vice President Academic Affairs
Sprenger Audrey Adjunct Professor Humanities and Social Science
St. Clair Sally Academic Assistant Institute of Public Safety
Steff Julia Assistant Professor Health Information Technology
Stenftenagel Chris Payroll Manager Office for Finance
Stephenson Bill Chair Humanities, Communications and Languages
Tegeder David Department Chair Social and Behavioral Sciences
Thebaut Ann T Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy/Instructional Specialist Humanities, Communications and Languages
Thomas Yolanda Coordinator Upward Bound
Thompson Mathew Systems Administrator ITS
Thornton Allan Adjunct Assistant Professor Business
Torres-Pintos Sandra Veteran Services Coordinator Student Affairs
Trebour Justin Financial Aid Representative Financial Aid
Usrey Katie Academic Coach  Student Support Services
Valentine Martin Inventory and Assets Manager Office for Finance
Weigl Ann Veronica Associate Professor English
Whitton Rhonda Associate Professor Nursing
Widerman Jennifer Advising Specialist Health Sciences
Wilkes JoAnn Coordinator Displaced Homemaker Program
Williams Anedria Adjunct Faculty ITE
Wilson Susan Counseling Specialist Counseling and Wellness Center
Wolf Cameron Instructional Specialist (Zoo Educator) Natural Sciences
Woods Ryan Police Major Police Department

Are you are staff/faculty member who wants to be added to this list?

Please complete the First Generation Form.

The First-Generation Student Advisory Group is a group of first-generation students who 1) meet monthly with college officials, 2) represent the voice of first-generation students at Santa Fe College, 3) Share experiences, ideas, and advice 4) Promote college services and activities to other First Gen students and 5) Participate in first-generation programming, activities, and campus events.

2024-2025 Members

The members of the 2024-2025 first-generation Student Advisory Group include:

  • Renee Ashbaugh
  • Makyah Burnett
  • Janell Cruz
  • Maya Johnson
  • Nijah Grimes
  • Nancy Raphael
  • Cristina Rodriguez Acosta
  • Nya Wimes
  • Jamari Woods

Staff members offering direct support to the Student Advisory Group include:

  • Naeema Britton
  • Naima Brown
  • Bobby Hom
  • Joseph Jester
  • Emily Launiere
  • Nance Lempinen-Leedy
  • Iva Lien
  • Andrea Mender
  • Danielle Mercier
  • Shanna Ratliff
  • Emly Reinhardt

Next Steps

. Apply for admission to SF using our online application.

  • The official college application for admission or the FAFSA asks you to declare if either of your parents have completed a 4-year college degree. Your response helps the college identify you as a first-generation college student.

    If you need to update your answer to identify as first-generation, you may do so by taking the following steps:

    1. Log in to eSantaFe.
    2. Select Documents, then Public Documents, and
    3. Select Admissions Documents, then complete the Parent or Guardian Education Declaration by inputting the education level of your parent(s)/guardian(s).

2. Log in to eSantaFe and go to "My Status" to complete the following:

  • Submit High school transcripts and college transcripts (if applicable)
  • Submit test scores such as SAT, ACT, or PERT in person or email them to admissions@sfcollege.edu
  • Orientation – Complete orientation online
  • Meet with an Academic Advisor*
  • Submit Florida Residency Declaration form, if applicable

*Who is an Academic Advisor?

An academic advisor is someone who helps students navigate their career and educational choices. Academic advisors assist students in the degree they decide to pursue by making sure the student is completing the correct classes for the degree. Santa Fe College offers academic advising to students where advisors can help students who are completing an A.A. degree, A.S. degree, C.T.E. certificate or a bachelor's degree.

  1. Apply for Financial Aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will complete FAFSA according to your dependency status.
  1. Complete College Scholarship and Foundation Scholarship applications.

Upon completion, check verification or awards status on your "My FA Status" in eSantaFe.

When you are ready to enroll for classes:

  • Schedule an appointment with your Academic Advisor.
    • Note: Be sure to discuss your degree audit before registering for classes. You can also review your degree audit and schedule an in-person, phone or online appointment in eSantaFe in the Advisement tab.
  • Login to eSantaFe and navigate to "My Classes".
    • Select Term and search for classes.
    • Choose classes – online or in-person. SF offers classes at various locations.
    • Register and pay for classes.
  • View "My Schedule" for your complete list of classes for the semester.
    • Fees must be paid prior to the date posted on your "My Schedule" or you will be purged from your classes. Classes will not be purged for students whom have been awarded financial aid prior to the fees due date.

As a current SF student, you can access the SF Fitness Center, Rec Room, Lawrence W. Tyree Library, Northwest Campus Testing Center, ride standard RTS buses for free with an SFID and more.

Learn more about what you need in order to get an SFID.

Good to Know

How it works
There are multiple ways to pay tuition. If you have applied for financial aid and have verified your awards, your financial aid will be used first to pay your tuition. Any scholarships, through SF or SF Foundation or other sources, will also be applied. Any amount remaining after financial aid and scholarships have been applied will be the student's responsibility to cover.

Financial Aid
Applying for FAFSA can help pay your college expenses by offering grants, work study, loans and scholarships. Need help completing the FAFSA? Reach out to the SF's Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to students who meet specific criteria set by the organization or donor who awards the scholarships. This type of aid does not have to be repaid and can help with paying for college expenses.

Work Study
This is also known as "earned aid". As you work, you earn funds just like you would any other job. You are not required to pay this money back. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for work study.

Self Pay
Santa Fe College accepts a number of payment methods for college tuition, including payments by mail, online, or in person.

Learn more about Ways to Pay.

Students who have financial aid receive a bookstore line of credit (BLOC) that can be used for textbooks and supplies needed for the semester. This line of credit can be used at the Santa Fe College Bookstore. Students who prefer to order online for supplies and textbooks can also use their line of credit.

  • Items you can charge: Textbooks (including rentals), supplies, digital materials.
  • Items you can't charge: Specialty food, clothing, drinks. (These items are considered non-essential convenience items.)

Learn more about Financial Aid Book Charging.

The Federal Work Study program helps students add experience to their resume while earning money. The program provides part-time jobs for students on campus. Students must complete FAFSA and indicate that you're interested in getting Federal Work-Study in order to be eligible.

Learn more about Federal Work Study at SF.

To find student jobs on campus, visit SF Job Opportunities.

Faculty Resources

Literature
You can access the reading guide Supporting First-Generation College Students, a collection of resources and research, including an annotated bibliography (created Diana Matthews and Leana Fitzgerald) and access to the Journal of First-Generation Student Success.

Seminars
The Student Affairs Professional Development Calendar includes a few seminars on first-generation students each year. To host a special presentation on first-generation students in your department, please contact Andrea Mender at andrea.mender@sfcollege.edu, Roxanna Ruiz at roxanna.ruiz@sfcollege.edu or Keyna Wintjen at keyna.wintjen@sfcollege.edu.

Webinars
There are several webinars sponsored by NASPA that SF faculty and staff can access.

Please contact naima.brown@sfcollege.edu for more information about professional development opportunities on first-generation students.

First-Gen Forward Network Member

SF has been designated a first-gen forward institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation. This designation recognizes institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students.