August 21, 2023 – Last Friday, Santa Fe College opened the 2023-2024 academic year at Fall Convocation. Faculty and staff from across the college filled the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall to reconnect following the summer and to get updated on initiatives at SF.
In his speech, President Paul Broadie II, Ph.D. talked about the importance of the faculty and staff, frequently referring to them as “superheroes.” The president updated the college community on the opening of the Academy of Science and Technology, upcoming renovations in Building M for the Fabrication Lab and Building P for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. He also talked about his recent trip to the Philippines as part of the Community College Administrator Program (CCAP), and how institutions there are implementing student services like Saints Share Wear as well as putting a focus on first-generation students based on what they learned when the delegation from the Philippines visited SF last academic year.
The president welcomed 126 new full-time employees and congratulated the 57 SF employees who were promoted over the last year. He also updated the college community on proposed upgrades to the SF Teaching Zoo and Museum of Earth Sciences and plans to build a state-of-the-art dealership-quality Automotive Technology Training Center.
Human Resources Director Lela Frye congratulated SF employees hitting years of service milestones, including Mark Dicks (30 years) and Tari Kendall (35 years). HR Director Frye reminded employees about Professional Development Day, which will be Friday, March 29, 2024, and that the college will be resuming the Provost Search process beginning in September.
Interim Provost Dr. Mercy Quiroga and Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Naima Brown provided updates from their respective departments. Dr. Brown announced that the college was utilizing TimelyCare – a health and wellbeing platform to provide students with 24/7 access to physical and mental health resources.
Dr. Lisa Armour updated the college community on the upcoming Strategic Plan, and AVP Liam McClay informed those in attendance about the many current and upcoming projects being undertaken by Facilites Services.
Anyone who missed convocation, can watch a recording available to the college community.