Mission, Values and Goals

Our Mission

In keeping with our values and goals, Santa Fe College, a comprehensive public institution of higher education serving North Central Florida and beyond, adds value to the lives of our students and enriches our community through excellence in teaching and learning, innovative educational programs and student services, and community leadership and service.

Our Values

Four values shape how Santa Fe College serves students and the community: Connection, Opportunity, Growth, and Student-Centeredness.

How these values work together

These four values reinforce one another. Connection creates belonging and relationships. Opportunity opens pathways to education, careers, and personal fulfillment. Growth promotes continuous development, adaptation, and achievement. Student-Centeredness ensures that all decisions and actions begin with students' needs and success.

Connected by purpose; united in care.

We are fiercely committed to our mission, and we care about—and for—our students, our community, our world, and one another. We invite partnerships and collaborations, cultivating relationships that strengthen our collective impact. We link people with resources to deepen learning, broaden understanding, and support individual achievement, cultural enrichment, and community development. At Santa Fe College, every person belongs.

How SF lives Connection

Connection is evidenced when the college intentionally builds meaningful relationships among students, employees, and the broader community.

  • Faculty, advisors, tutors, and staff give individualized guidance.
  • Clubs, Student Life, and Honors build friendship and belonging.
  • Learning Commons and library spaces support collaborative learning.
  • Outreach, arts, zoo, and planetarium programs connect campus and community.
  • Transfer and workforce partnerships link students to next steps.

How SF lives Opportunity

Opportunity is evidenced when the college creates multiple pathways for students and community members to access education, careers, personal enrichment, and upward mobility.

  • Open-access admissions welcome students regardless of prior academic record.
  • Fresh Start, Finish at the Top, workforce, and Community Education open second chances.
  • Transfer pathways and workforce programs create clear routes to degrees and careers.
  • Peer coaching, TRIO, SF Achieve, and First-Generation programs expand access.
  • Online learning, flexible schedules, and financial aid remove barriers.

How SF lives Growth

Growth is evidenced when the college helps students, employees, and the institution continually learn, improve, adapt, and achieve greater potential.

  • Faculty help students learn from setbacks and build confidence.
  • Hands-on learning, tutoring, and peer coaching drive continuous improvement.
  • Leadership and civic experiences grow ethical reasoning and responsibility.
  • Professional development and adaptive programs keep people and the college moving forward.
  • Student success work focuses on persistence, completion, transfer, and careers.

How SF lives Student-Centeredness

Student-Centeredness is evidenced when decisions, services, and interactions are guided by an understanding of students' needs, circumstances, and success goals.

  • Faculty and staff meet students where they are with flexible, individualized support.
  • Saints Care, Food Pantry, counseling, TimelyCare, and Veteran Services address whole-student needs.
  • Advising, tutoring, and peer coaching keep academic help accessible.
  • Programs serve first-generation, rural, veteran, adult, and nontraditional students.
  • Student voice in surveys and governance shapes college decisions.

Our Goals

Nine institutional goals guide how Santa Fe College turns its mission and values into practice—across outreach and access, learning, student support, workforce, people, technology, resources, and sustainability.

  1. Outreach and Access

    Identify, assess and meet community needs to promote open access to the college.

  2. Delivery Alternatives

    Assess student needs and outcomes as well as create innovative and flexible learning opportunities.

  3. Educational Programs

    Provide learning opportunities and academic support to ensure the highest levels of academic performance.

  4. Student Affairs

    Provide research-based, learner-centered program of services that supports access and student engagement from matriculation to goal attainment.

  5. Workforce Development

    Provide student-centered workforce programs in collaboration with local employers and economic development agencies.

  6. Human Resources

    Recruit, develop, assess and retain quality full- and part-time faculty and staff.

  7. Technology

    Provide information and communications technology infrastructure and services to support the college's mission.

  8. Resources

    Develop, obtain and allocate the necessary resources to implement the college's mission.

  9. Sustainability Education and Operations

    Create, develop and enhance programs to reduce waste, conserve energy and green space, protect water resources, and promote wellness of students, faculty and staff.