2023 Honorees
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2023 Women of Distinction
Dr. Bea Awoniyi
As a girl, Dr. Bea Awoniyi was not supposed to be where she is today. Originally from
Nigeria, gender was meant to determine her future. The simple fact was that girls
were not meant to be educated. Now, as the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs
at Santa Fe College, she oversees the Disability Resource Center, the Displaced Homemaker
Program, the National Achievers Program, the My Brother’s Keeper Program, and serves
as the Ombudsperson; she has made it her mission to make a difference and serve the
underserved.
"Because education has changed the trajectory of my life, I make it my business to be the change agent in other people’s lives. The inattention to engage and include people with disabilities in the educational environment has always been the driver of my energy and passion."
She ensures that every voice is represented and has noticed how some policies exclude people who do not fall within the box we have drawn for them and are disadvantaged through no fault of their own whether intentionally or unintentionally, and has become a champion for those who have been excluded.
As an active member of the community, Dr. Bea serves on the board of the Education Foundation of Alachua County, the Center for Independent Living, and the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. She also serves on the governing board for Eye to Eye, which works with middle and high school students who learn differently or are neurodivergent to help develop strong social-emotional, connection, and leadership skills.
The goal of the Boards is to empower them so they don’t live under the limits that people and society impose on them. The work of the Board is strategic to ensure that educators are trained and students are mentored to develop their own leadership and advocacy skills and voices.
She is also a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability, an organization that works with higher education disability professionals and their institutions to make them more accessible so that students with disabilities will have an equitable and accessible experience. The goal of the association is to ensure that students understand their access needs and that colleges and universities are ready not only to admit them but to support the persistence and graduation of students with disabilities.
Dr. Bea has always felt a certain responsibility to give back to her community. "My grandmother saying is always, 'to whom much is given, much more is desired.’ She raised me to have a sense of community and a sense of responsibility to my community." Her grandfather, in particular, instilled in her that she belonged to her community and, therefore, must do all she could to contribute to that community.
She also sees herself as a "Care Ambassador" to Santa Fe College.
"My community of service is first, Santa Fe College. We have many needs in this community—we have students who only want to do better, but many times, the cards are stacked against them—be it their own bad choices, immaturity, or through no fault of their own. I want to stand by them; I want to stand with them; I want to cheer them on, and when their voice is not heard or not heard enough, I want to be their voice."
Annette Bauer
Annette Bauer was a force to be reckoned with; as described by her husband, Shane
Bauer, "she was comfortable being uncomfortable." An entrepreneur and visionary with
a heart for community service and education, she created a lasting impact on the community.
Regrettably, Annette passed away in 2020, but her legacy and impact on those around
her are everlasting.
"She was always goal driven. She set on a course and would follow it through to the end. And along the way, she inspired others," recalls her brother, Carlos Malpartida.
As a pioneer of the ACB Excel program at Santa Fe College, Annette envisioned a dual-generational program that would simultaneously allow parents and their school-aged children access academic programs and services. ACB Excel saw its first graduates earlier this year, and a new class of hopefuls will begin this spring.
Annette’s dream was to follow in her father’s footsteps and create a first-class design and construction company. She made this dream a reality when she founded Blakeland Construction, LLC. Blakeland Construction has become a household name, providing services to Santa Fe College, University of Florida, and various military bases throughout the southeast. Blakeland received recognition as a Gator 100 recipient for several years, achieving its highest ranking of 2nd in the Nation in 2017. She also had success at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA, which led Blakeland to be recognized in 2019 in Washington, DC by the US Department of Homeland Security.
Each year through community outreach and support, Annette and Blakeland Construction contributed to the improvement of the construction trades and expanded minority success in the construction and engineering fields through her participation as a chair of the Master Trades Committee and as the Board of Director’s member for the Builder’s Association of North Central Florida.
"She felt that the construction trades were lacking new recruits and craftsmen. But more importantly, she saw the apprenticeship program as an opportunity/alternative, for those that were not college bound, to have a productive and successful career," recalls Carlos. "Most importantly, her success gave her the opportunity to pass it forward. She helped other minority, women-owned businesses, and new entrepreneurs and guide and mentor them to expand their business."
In addition to these stellar achievements, Annette took time to give back to her community. She was passionate about helping her community and participated in Guardian ad Litem, dedicating her time to helping children in need of care and support.
"She always said she had to be the voice of the child and say the things the child
may be scared to say. She had very little tolerance for guardians that were not performing
appropriately.
She was a perfect volunteer for this role because she was so inviting and welcoming
that she could get even the most introverted child to open up and talk to her," recalls
her husband, Shane.
Despite her many achievements, her focus was always on her family and being a loving and devoted mother. She enjoyed a multitude of outdoor activities in her spare time; however, her favorite activity was always anything that included her family and friends.
"She was driven. Driven for success, driven to be the best mom, wife, boss, friend, etc." Shane said.
Yvette Carter
Yvette Carter didn’t have a set career path in mind when she first moved to Gainesville
33 years ago to attend the University of Florida. However, she naturally began to
gravitate towards what would become her life’s purpose, being in service to others.
As the Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations at the City of Gainesville
for the past 11 years, Yvette has been instrumental in maintaining outreach, partnerships,
engagement, and investments within the community.
"Over the past 30 years, I have elevated from working at a convenience store to becoming a public servant for the City of Gainesville. Discovering and following my true north has been the guiding force in my journey."
Yvette’s passion for being of service to others is particularly felt for empowering youth and women. She believes that women are essential in order for any community to thrive and are the backbone of not just our local community but communities across the world. Her belief in supporting young women is instrumental because "they are not only our future, but they are our present."
In college, she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter, today she is a member of the graduate chapter, Delta Sigma Zeta. She credits the sorority with solidifying her love of being a community resource and servant.
"My sorority is founded on the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. I was drawn to the sorority at the University of Florida because of the many service projects the organization was involved in. Over the 30 years, I have been a member, Zeta’s commitment to help others excel has been embedded in my heart. It has become a part of who I am."
She is also an active member of the community, where she is involved in numerous local non-profit organizations and community advisory teams. Some of them include the Greater Gainesville Chamber’s Foundation, where she is the chair/president. The Alachua County Branch of the NAACP, where she is an executive board member. As well as The American Cancer Association, Dream on Purpose, and numerous others.
"This is my mission in life, so I gladly lend my voice and sweat equity to these causes. Giving back to the community is my personal ministry. It is the core of who I am."
Lisa Prevatt
Lisa Prevatt has always loved children and giving back to the community. As a graduate
of Santa Fe College, she embarked on a 10-year career in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
However, later working with pediatric patients proved emotionally challenging, so
she decided on a career change.
Given her love of children, Lisa settled on education, where she enjoyed a long and varied career teaching elementary education for 12 years and then earning a master’s degree in Educational Administration. She then worked as an assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent for over nine years.
Her experience has given her a wealth of knowledge and advice regarding educating the younger generation.
"There is so much more to teaching than knowledge and skills. When a caring relationship is established, students will want what you have to share and teach them. Think of a nest of baby birds willingly and excitedly opening their little beaks to take in and ingest the nurturing food. Frighten them, and their beaks shut tightly, closing off any sustenance they need."
Her passion for teaching stemmed from her own experiences as a struggling student. Reading proved challenging for her, and she had a variety of patient and impatient teachers that set an example of what she wanted to be and what she wanted to avoid as a future educator. She never forgot what it was like to struggle and how patient and caring teachers turned it around for her. As a result, her passion bloomed, and she was determined to be an educator that helps inspire students and help them overcome their educational obstacles.
Lisa is now enjoying retirement and dedicates her time to various community service efforts. She has taught Sunday School classes for over 20 years and served as a Trustee of Santa Fe College. She is also a CIS Take Stock in Children Mentor which aims to provide mentors and college scholarships to low-income students in Florida.
Recently she has been a participating Board Member of Chesed House, a shelter for homeless expecting mothers in need that will provide a safe space for those women who want the opportunity to reset their lives, which will open in Spring 2023.
Lisa credits her mother as the source of inspiration in her life and career. "She is a sweet and loving lady, but she didn’t always have an easy life. She didn’t let setbacks shut her down but kept putting one foot in front of the other. That determination inspired me. She insisted that I get an education so I wouldn’t have to depend on anyone else to take care of me, and I listened."
2023 Woman of Promise
Emma Katie-Grace Hutto
Emma Katie-Grace Hutto always knew she would work in the medical field. With the initials
"EKG," her family told her she would be a heart doctor one day. Her interest changed,
however, upon entering high school when she realized that being a pediatric ICU nurse
was the path for her. "Being a nurse will allow me to build a relationship with my
patients, and it offers so many jobs. Once I realized I could have a job where I could
not only help but help kids, I made my decision."
She began dual enrollment in the 9th grade, in the fall of her senior year, she graduated from Florida Gateway College with her Associate in Arts degree. Following that, she was accepted into the nursing program at Santa Fe College.
"Santa Fe College is extra important to me because it is my future. Santa Fe College does a really good job of accommodating everyone's needs and supporting their students in any way they can."
She is also an active member of the community, volunteering in a variety of activities such as church and school functions, including being a leader for the past three years at her church camp. She also reads to children at summer school. "I was raised in a family that taught the importance of giving back to the community."
Education has always been an important part of Emma’s life. With influence from her grandmother and mother, who are both involved in the school system, she was always taught the importance of education and feels that Santa Fe College is the best place for her to accomplish those goals.
"My experience with the Santa Fe Nursing Program has been nothing but amazing. The program itself is very fast and difficult. I rarely see my family and I am constantly studying, but it will be so worth it in the end. The professors here are so helpful and really do want us to succeed."
When self-doubt creeps in, Emma reminds herself that she wasn’t admitted into the program by sheer luck but by hard work and determination. She has accepted that hardships are a part of the process in order to get to where you want to be in life and is resolved to push through no matter what and to keep those who are important to her close.
"My biggest advice that I could give would be that you need a support system. I seriously do not know where I would be without my family and friends."