Overview
Learn more about each of our SF college ambassador rosters below.
Bruno Giovanni Carballo Tapia
Hometown
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Major
Computer science
Why Santa Fe College
I chose Santa Fe College because it was the perfect place to transition from my home country Mexico to an education here in the states. Especially because it allowed me to start my college education in a more comfortable environment with smaller classrooms, great advisors, and endless resources that would prepare me to transfer to a bigger university.
Five Year Goals
My main goal is to transfer to the University of Florida, graduate, and find a career in web development.
Advice for freshmen
Use all the resources available, be social, and be open to new ideas and concepts.
Eric Williams
Hometown
Gainesville, FL
Major
Organizational Management
Why Santa Fe College
I chose Santa Fe College because I knew this college was more of a community than most colleges are. I know this school can lead its students to greatness.
Five Year Goals
My 5-year goal plan will be to create a nonprofit organization that will help high school students reach their full potential through college student mentorship and support.
Advice for freshmen
Advice that I have for freshmen would be to reach out for help. I understand that it is scary to speak up but just go for it because we are here to help you.
Jonathan O. Cooper
Hometown
Miami, FL
Major
Biological Sciences
Why Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College provides a motivating and conducive environment to produce successful students in their field of expertise. I wanted to be a successful student, well-equipped with skills and knowledge so I selected Santa Fe College.
Five Year Goals
Attend medical school, do biomedical research on osteosarcoma and bone-related diseases, and become a pillar of determination and success in my family.
Advice for freshmen
Utilize Santa Fe College’s endless resources to propel your education further than ever before. Your foundation of academia will be constructed at Santa Fe College and make you a successful and well-equipped student.
Lalita Garofalo
Hometown
Palmetto, FL
Major
Exercise & Sports Science
Why Santa Fe College
Santa Fe was very welcoming to myself and my family. There are great partnerships with several universities which I found great for me particularly because I could have the opportunity to be in the Gator Marching Band. SF has a large verity of amazing classes along with small class sizes, and it really feels like a community.
Five Year Goals
Athletic Trainer. Interest in the Music production/performance field.
Advice for freshmen
Be open-minded to everything college has to offer and remember that it is ok to try different things. It's great to get involved with as much as you can on campus so you can make friends and have a support system. I would also encourage them to always ask and learn about every resource SF has to offer. Lastly, my advice is to have time management because college can be very overwhelming and stressful. Remind yourself that it is important to keep your mind and body healthy to have a well-balanced college experience!
Linda England
Hometown
Bonn, Germany
Major
Business Administration
Why Santa Fe College
I chose to move to the US and pursue a degree at Santa Fe College because of the amazing resources the college offers, the small classes, and the support services available for students. Santa Fe is a great first step into higher education and has already opened many doors for my academic and professional career.
Five Year Goals
My 5-year goals are completing my A.A at Santa Fe College with a GPA over 3.9 then completing my bachelor's degree at the University of Florida. I want to travel through the US, Australia, and Europe during my years of study and make valuable connections with new people from all around the world. Finally, I plan to start my career in Marketing in Tampa or New York City.
Advice for freshmen
Take advantage of the resources available as soon as possible and don’t feel like you need to know and do everything at once. There are lots of people who want to help you become your best self. Look forward to the time ahead and enjoy your time at Santa Fe!
Tedreyonce Yonce Moore
Hometown
Gainesville, FL
Major
Health Sciences
Why Santa Fe College
I decided to continue my education here at Santa Fe because I had felt that SF would be the perfect place to foster my dreams, and it truly has! Santa Fe has a variety of resources and tools that I believe are essential for success. Personally, SF has also allowed me to talk one-on-one with my professors, which I feel is essential in succeeding in the classroom.
Five Year Goals
After I obtain my AA degree, I plan on traveling a bit across the U.S. (and maybe even the world) for a few months. I have always had a dream of traveling to new places and having the opportunity to experience different cultures. I hope that by traveling, I also gain better insight on myself and my aspirations in life. After traveling, I plan on transferring to UF and eventually medical school to become a radiologist. Becoming a radiologist is another dream of mine that I plan to accomplish one day.
Advice for freshmen
I believe that the most important piece of advice that I would give to freshmen is that all the goals and life plans that you have set for yourself do not have to be permanent. I truly believe that as you graduate high school and become more independent, you begin to really learn more about yourself as an individual. As you discover yourself, your dreams and goals in life may change and that's 100% okay. You should always give yourself room to grow because we learn something new about ourselves every day!
Vinny Prospal
Hometown
Tampa, FL
Major
Business Administration
Why Santa Fe College
I knew that Santa Fe was the right fir for me to achieve my career goals. Campus feels like home, and the faculty and staff offer tremendous support to students. This environment has helped me maintain a 4.0 GPA and make connections across campus that will serve me well when it comes time to apply to transfer to UF.
Five Year Goals
Graduate from the University of Florida with a Masters in Real Estate as well as a Bachelors in Business Administration and begin working in the real estate field.
Advice for freshmen
My best advice for incoming freshmen is to just enjoy it! Sometimes you don’t realize you’re in the moment until it’s a memory.
Adrian Martinez
Hometown
El Paso, Texas
Major
Psychology
Why Santa Fe College
I moved down here in my last semester of high school. I didn't know what to do, but once my parents recommended Santa Fe College, I knew I had a better chance of getting into a four-year university, so I had to take the opportunity. Also, I saw Santa Fe as one of the best colleges in the nation, which convinced me even more to be a Saint.
Five Year Goals
1. Get an internship that can help me narrow down my options for a job. 2. Get my AA at Santa Fe College. 3. I plan on transferring to the University of Florida and getting my bachelor's in Psychology. 4. Once I figure out my job after my undergraduate, then I will pursue a master’s degree. 5. Afterwards, I would love to start a family, travel, and live life to the fullest.
Advice for freshmen
I would always suggest to incoming freshmen to use all their resources as much as possible because at Santa Fe you aren't treated as a number but as a member of the culture. Be patient. Nothing has to be set in stone because life throws obstacles at you from all directions, but what you can do is change your attitude to make your future a reality. Surpass your limits!
Romina Hornsby
Hometown
La Paz, Bolivia
Major
Journalism
Why Santa Fe College
I chose Santa Fe College because of its great environment. The people that work in the college really want to help and want to offer the best experience for the community. And I really wanted to be part of that.
Five Year Goals
My 5 year career goal is to get my bachelor’s degree in public relations, as well as achieving my master’s degree in mass communication. With my degrees, I hope to work as a marketing directing in the fashion industry.
Advice for freshmen
My advice for freshman is to always take advantages of the opportunities that Santa Fe offers and to never be scared to ask for help.
Vanessa Quintero
Hometown
Miami, FL
Major
Health Sciences
Why Santa Fe College
I chose Santa Fe College because I knew it would be the perfect stepping-stone for my career path as a healthcare professional. Santa Fe College has a welcoming community that makes me feel at home and helps me be the best student possible.
Five Year Goals
After finishing my A.A. here at Santa Fe College, I plan to transfer to University of Florida to compete my bachelor's degree while volunteering at a local hospital. After graduating, I plan on attending P.A. School. My ultimate goal is to work with at-risk populations and children in particular.
Advice for freshmen
Do not be scared to get involved and reach out to people. There are plenty of opportunities out there and you will never find them unless you come out of your shell. I also advise you to see academic advisors and set a clear educational plan as soon as possible. It will save you some time, money, and possible headaches in the future.
Ian Truelsegaard
Hometown
Mar del Plata, Argentina
Major
Engineering
Why Santa Fe College
The first time I looked at Santa Fe College was because of the great number of students that transfer successfully into the University of Florida. Being an international student, I was not familiar with community colleges and their advantages. What first caught my attention was the class sizes. At Santa Fe, the average class size is 30 students, which allows students to have a closer relationship with their professors. Greater chances of transferring to UF and smaller size classes were the main reasons why I chose Santa Fe College.
Five Year Goals
After graduating from Santa Fe, I am planning to transfer to UF to major in aerospace engineering. I plan to complete my bachelor’s degree and then start a master’s degree also in aerospace engineering. While I am studying, I will apply to different internships so I can gain experience in the field of aeronautics and aerospace. I would like to work designing aircraft or even spacecraft for the major companies in the field like SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, or NASA. Working to help humanity explore the universe has always been my dream job, and I am glad that Santa Fe College is my first step into this amazing career.
Advice for freshmen
My advice for freshmen would definitely be to join any type of club or organization that interests them at Santa Fe. Joining a club is the easiest way to make new friends, which is helpful if you are new in Gainesville and don’t know many people. I would also recommend going to office hours if you ever have any questions about a course. Office hours can really help you get your grades up.