Santa Fe College Helps Students Discover What’s Possible
Sponsored by: Santa Fe College
At Santa Fe College, the sound of groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings blend with the usual commotion of classrooms and laboratories as the college meets ever-evolving student and employer needs.
Located in Gainesville, FL, the home of the Saints is turning out sought-after transfers for major universities and employees who earn 30% more than the regional average.
“Santa Fe College enjoys an unwavering commitment to student success, access and economic mobility,” says President Paul Broadie II. “Our foundation is grounded on academic excellence and providing a culture of care for all students.”
Santa Fe College has the receipts, racking up national recognition as a Carnegie Classification “Opportunity College,” winner of an Association of Community College Trustees “Impact and Success Award,” “Best for Vets,” “Best Place to Work” and others, never resting on their laurels after being named the nation’s No. 1 community college by the Aspen Institute in 2015.
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Technical and Career Education
On June 3, 2026, the college held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Automotive Technology Training Center.
“This project represents far more than a building,” says Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees Chair Caridad “Carrie” Lee. “It reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality education and workforce training throughout our district – one that is accessible, responsive and connected to the needs of our community.”
This followed the August 2025 partnership launch at Alachua County Public Works for a diesel systems technician program and the fall 2025 opening of the Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing, home to Santa Fe College’s HVAC/R, welding and engineering technology – advanced manufacturing programs.
Not to be outmatched, Santa Fe College’s nursing partnerships with University of Florida Health (UF Health) and others are helping to ensure high-quality nursing training in associate and bachelor’s degree programs, thanks in part to the state of Florida’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund, created to address nursing shortages in the state.
“I am very proud of the long-standing relationship University of Florida and UF Health have with Santa Fe College,” says UF Health President and System CEO Stephen J. Motew. “We have to really put into perspective the opportunity to train together highly skilled, compassionate nurses who deliver exceptional care to our community.”
Related, Santa Fe College and Bradford County Public Schools cut the ribbon on a new location for Santa Fe College’s associate degree nursing program at North Florida Technical College on Aug. 19, 2026. Students can complete the practical nursing program and move seamlessly into the associate of science nursing program, increasing access to this vital program in rural communities.
Santa Fe College also is home to the only Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo on a college campus. Here students study zoo animal technology, and many go on to work at zoos around the world.
Students have access to more than 100 career and technical training program options in a wide range of fields, including business and information technology, construction trades, nursing and allied health, as well as fine arts and digital media technology. Santa Fe College also has a nationally recognized apprenticeship program in construction trades, working in partnership with the Builders Association of North Central Florida.
Academy of Science and Technology
Santa Fe College’s public charter high school, the Academy of Science and Technology, is a four-year program on the Northwest Campus. Students can simultaneously earn their high school diploma and a college degree or certificate. Now entering its fourth year, the Academy of Science and Technology is an A-rated school by the Florida Department of Education.
Transfer Pathways
With innovative programs like Going Gator, which provides guaranteed admission to qualified individuals in liberal arts and sciences programs, it’s no surprise that the University of Florida is the first choice for many Santa Fe College graduates.
Transfer pathways also include Gator Tracks at the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Gator Engineering with UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, and Gator Design and Construction with the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning.
More than 70% of Santa Fe College’s associate in arts graduates transfer to UF, more than all 27 other Florida College System institutions combined. Also, 88% of Santa Fe College Honors Program students enroll at UF.
Santa Fe College also has transfer agreements with the University of North Florida, Florida A&M, Florida International, New College of Florida, University of South Florida and the University of the Virgin Islands.
And Florida’s statewide articulation agreement guarantees that all students who earn an associate in arts degree at a state public college will be granted admission to one of the 12 public universities in Florida.
Thanks to lower tuition costs, quality programs, advising and academic support, Santa Fe College graduates are ready for what comes next.
Special Programs
Ensuring that everyone in Alachua and Bradford counties have access to higher education, two programs are leading to college credentials for residents who may never have thought college was possible.
SF Achieve is a high-school based mentoring and scholarship program that works with both students and parents to ease the transition into college.
ACB Excel is a community-funded initiative that empowers entire families by providing parents and their school-aged children with access to academic programs and services, simultaneously. Parents get rapid credentialing for high-wage, in-demand jobs, while their children engage in enriching activities that support their well-being.
Discover What’s Possible
At Santa Fe College there is always “more to discover.” Santa Fe College’s 175-acre Northwest Campus and centers in downtown Gainesville, East Gainesville, Starke, Archer, Alachua and Keystone Heights open the doors to education, exploration and discovering your passions.
Cheer the Saints as they compete in FCSAA and NJCAA athletics in men’s baseball, women’s softball, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. Sic ’em Saints!
Explore the solar system at the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium. Stroll through the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, while learning about animal conservation, and maybe take a moment to enjoy the antics of their gibbon family.
Indulge in music, dance and theater productions at the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall.
Find your community among numerous clubs, organizations and programs, including the Honors Program and Global Studies.
For more information about Santa Fe College, visit sfcollege.edu.
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