Sandra Torres-Pintos, Coordinator
Sandra Torres-Pintos served over 25 years in the United States Marine Corps retiring as a Sergeant Major in 2006. While in the service, she served in various leadership roles and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After retiring Sandra moved to Gainesville to pursue her education attending both Santa Fe College and the University of Florida. She currently holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Florida. As the Veteran Services Coordinator at Santa Fe College, she provides leadership and oversees all functions of the Veterans and Military Success Services (VMSS) Office. She is passionate about helping veterans, service members and military families successfully transition into higher education.
Nick McMillen, Specialist
Nick McMillen is a 3rd generation United States Navy who served on board the US Gonzalez (DDG-66) and the USS Laboon (DDG-58) as a 2nd Class Petty Officer Fire Controlman. After serving his country, he pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering, graduating with his Associates in the Arts from Santa Fe College and moving onto the University of Florida. During this period, he shifted his career goals instead to help his fellow veterans, acquiring a job at the Alachua County Veteran Services office to assist veterans file for their disability/compensation. He uses his knowledge on Veteran Benefits (both educational and compensation) to give everyone who walks into the VMSS office a holistic approach to succeeding academically.
Our work-studies are given a thorough understanding on how all of the benefits work, and are all a part of our certifying process. They are trained to assist in every student veteran and dependent in any VA or campus question they might have, or at least help guide them in the right direction.
All Veterans, National Guard/Reservists, and Dependents utilizing any of the VA educational benefits (Chapter 30, 31, 33, 1606, 35) and are enrolled in classes at at least three-quarter of full-time are eligible for student work-study. This means every work-study in our office has prior military background along with being in the shoes of a new student entering a college campus for the first time and unsure of how their benefits work. Interested in becoming a VA work study? Complete and email this form to Sandra Torres-Pintos (sandra.torres-pintos@sfcollege.edu) and specify your preferred work study location: VA Hospital or VMSS Office (R-110).
