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.
Sabrina Bardi
Hometown
Maracaibo, Venezuela
Major
Computer Engineering
Why Santa Fe College
Santa Fe is a small school that is full of opportunities. At SF, every single student matters and has a voice. There are many student support services that remind us we are not alone and that SF is our family! Everyone in our community truly wants us to succeed and provides a welcoming space where you can just be yourself. Here, you can make meaningful connections while preparing yourself in the best way for your career goals. Thanks to Santa Fe College, I have grown in every aspect of my life.
Five Year Goals
My goal is to graduate with an A.A. from Santa Fe and transfer to the University of Florida to pursue my Computer Engineering major and Engineering Innovation minor. I plan to get involved as much as I can during my time at UF. I will possibly do a semester abroad in Italy and secure internships wherever I can. After graduating I would love to move to a big city like New York and work for a big tech company.
Advice for freshmen
Become comfortable with being uncomfortable! Push yourself out of your comfort zone- don’t be afraid to reach out and make connections. Work hard, get involved, and take advantage of all the amazing resources that SF has to offer. Surround yourself with people you admire and want to be more like, those who bring out your best self.
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!
Leon Li
Hometown
Tainan, Taiwan
Major
Exercise/Sport Science
Why Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College is an amazing place that provides you with endless opportunities. Here, people truly care about your success and there are countless resources available to help you succeed. I also really enjoy the small class sizes that allow more engagement and interaction during class. At Santa Fe, you’ll get a real sense of the community, and you will meet amazing people from all types of cultures and backgrounds!
Five Year Goals
After the completion of my A.A. degree, I would like to transfer to UF for a bachelor’s in Applied Kinesiology and Physiology. This will allow me to apply to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) school with the ultimate goal of becoming a physical therapist.
Advice for freshmen
I would say get involved as much as possible. At first, when I decided to study at a ‘community’ college instead of a big 4-year university, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the ‘university’ life as much. But, in fact, there are so many different opportunities and resources within the campus available to you. As Dumbledore once said, “Help will always be given at Hogwarts for those who ask for it.” The same goes for students at Santa Fe! So, enjoy your time here, make the most of it, and don’t forget to ask for help when you need it!
Sofia Hernandez
Hometown
Caracas, Venezuela
Major
Business Administration (Marketing)
Why Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College is an organization dedicated to the development and well-being of its students and one that cherishes family and the community. Every student matters and giving a voice to us is the school’s best feature. Everyone in our community sincerely desires us to succeed, and they foster a welcoming atmosphere where you can be who you are. Here, you can make fascinating connections and position yourself optimally for your professional objectives. Thanks to Santa Fe College, I can now adjust to independence and feel at ease being away from home.
Five Year Goals
My most recent objective is to earn an A.A. degree and transfer to UF to major in marketing. Additionally, I would like to expand my marketing and management skills while working for a reputable organization.
Advice for freshmen
To further your studies, make use of Santa Fe’s limitless resources, like the Learning Commons, the Counseling Center, and the Career Exploration Center. Santa Fe will lay the academic groundwork for you, ensuring you graduate with the skills necessary to succeed. Reach out without hesitation, and most importantly, be your authentic self!
Megan Gonzales
Hometown
Wellington, Florida
Major
Journalism
Why Santa Fe College
After visiting Gainesville my freshman year of high school, I fell in love with the town. When I first enrolled at Santa Fe, I was immediately caught off guard with how welcoming the students and faculty were. I was presented with many opportunities outside of class to further my education and enrichment. The Santa Fe community is made up of teachers who genuinely want you to succeed which makes the college experience that much better.
Five Year Goals
After graduating with my A.A. Degree from Santa Fe, I plan on transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism. I hope to use the resources and insight from Santa Fe and UF to apply to the Levin college of law at the University of Florida.
Advice for freshmen
My biggest piece of advice for incoming freshman is to worry about your path and your path only. It feels intimidating to be surrounded by people going in different directions, and it may even cause you to question your decisions. Staying loyal to your ambitions and goals is the most valuable tool you possess. Nobody will ever live your life or experience the things you will- that is your greatest advantage!
Greco Pinzon
Hometown
Anzoátegui, Venezuela
Major
Civil Engineering
Why Santa Fe College
I chose Santa Fe because it opens the door to new experiences and knowledge. It has also allowed me to better understand myself while being surrounded by new people, cultures, and experiences. Santa Fe is incredibly supportive of everyone and welcomes all with open arms. When I visited campus for the first time on a tour, it was a very welcoming environment that made me and my parents feel extremely comfortable and at ease, so I knew this was a great college and likely where I would attend.
Five Year Goals
After graduating from Santa Fe College my plan is to transfer to UF and get my major in Civil Engineering. I will apply to different companies such as Tesla, Nasa, AECOM while I am studying to get internships and gain experience in the field before getting my degree.
Advice for freshmen
If you want excellence in college you need to put the work in, be patient and do not procrastinate. Use all the resources and opportunities that are available for free on campus and make connections and relations with other students for the future.
Lee Gladden III
Hometown
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Major
Criminal Justice
Why Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College genuinely cares for their students within and outside of their academic careers. Santa Fe offers a variety of resources and programs to assist students in their overall success in life. The students and staff are very welcoming and overwhelmingly supportive of every student. Transitioning to college life can be challenging for some, but Santa Fe College makes this transition very easy. The professors are very nice, respectful, and understanding as they want to see each and every one of their students succeed. Being a part of Santa Fe College was the best decision I could have made.
Five Year Goals
I plan to transfer to the University of Florida to earn my bachelor's degree. Afterwards, I would like to join the military as an officer. I plan to use my degree and military experience to land a government job in the FBI or CIA.
Advice for freshmen
Utilize the many resources provided by Santa Fe College, make new friends, and never doubt yourself. Putting in the work now pays dividends later.
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.