Meet Our SF Family: Drew Hill
September 27, 2010
Drew Hill is the new UF@Santa Fe Advisor for four online programs at UF: Business Administration and Sport Management (offered now), and Health Education and Fitness/Wellness (scheduled to begin in January).
“I really like the impact of the learning environment at Santa Fe,” Hill said. “I wanted to be a part of something like this and help grow these new online programs. And I wanted to further strengthen the college's relationship with UF.” Hill's journey to Santa Fe began when he joined the Marine Reserves as a tank cewman right out of Santa Fe High School in Alachua, where he grew up.
“A year later, I did my first overseas tour in the Horn of Africa as a guard for Camp Lemonier in Djibouti,” Hill said. Once Hill returned, he started his studies in Business Administration at Santa Fe College, where he served as president of the campus veterans group, Collegiate Veterans Society, and as fundraising director for Student Government.
“I was very active,” he recalled. “I was involved in many patriotic activities on campus including the building and dedication of the 110-foot Veterans Memorial Flagpole. I graduated from Santa Fe in 2007 and was inducted into the college's Hall of Fame.”
The Hall of Fame is reserved for those students who have shown truly superior leadership and achievement through their activities and scholarship while members of the Santa Fe community. Hill was accepted into the UF Warrington College of Business and later joined the honors group, the Warrington Finance Scholars. He obtained a BS in Business Administration with a major in Finance from UF in December 2008. He also became the vice-president for the Collegiate Veterans Society UF Chapter.
“The president and I laid the groundwork approval and funding of the Veterans Memorial Fountain located in the pond adjacent to the Reitz Union at the UF campus,” Hill said. “That project was completed and dedicated in early 2009.” Hill was recalled to active service to support his reserve unit's deployment to Al-Anbar, Iraq. Upon returning home in 2010, he joined Santa Fe's staff, continuing his work advising and encouraging veterans to use the benefits they've earned. When he's not at work, Hill enjoys volunteering within the veteran community and attending Gator football games. A native of Alachua, Hill has a mom, stepfather, a brother, and two tabby cats.
Drew is most grateful for his fellow Marines and safe travel overseas in Iraq and Africa.
It's been quite a journey for this 25-year-old young man, born to lead, and passionate about veterans and service to others.
For more information about UF's new online programs, email to drew.hill@sfcollege.edu or call him at 352-381-7137.
PHOTO: Drew Hill is addressing the audience at the Sept. 10 Flag Retirement Ceremony at Santa Fe College.
~ This profile was written by Nequana Thomas, Communication Specialist, College Relations
