Graduation spells success in pandemic year
Special message delivered by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen
This spring’s graduates had a lot to celebrate during SFCC’s virtual commencement. The Class of 2021 spent much of their time online and overcame many challenges to complete the academic year. More than 300 graduates received 357 awards: 212 certificates and 145 associate degrees. Twenty-five students earned multiple awards.
“I’m excited and proud to recognize the Spring 2021 graduating class. These students really persisted through the pandemic while with taking online classes, and dealing with connectivity issues, stress and uncertainty.” said President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., who provided welcoming remarks. She encouraged the graduates to stay hopeful, do the work, not let anybody else do their thinking and to learn from mistakes.
Governing Board Chair Jack Sullivan noted the students’ commitment to completing their education, in spite of extraordinary circumstances and overcoming personal challenges. “You, your friends, your family deserve to be proud of your achievement, just as we are. You are our hope for the future to create a healthier, fairer, diverse society, and we know you can do it.”
“The world needs your talent,
your passion, your empathy,
now more than ever,”
Chef José Andrés.
World Central Kitchen founder and humanitarian Chef José Andrés shared a special message with the graduates. “The world needs your talent, your passion, your empathy, now more than ever,” he said. He spoke with deep appreciation of World Central Kitchen’s partnership with SFCC last summer when they distributed more than 50,000 free, fresh meals to community members in need. Chef Andrés cited his mentor and friend Robert Egger, who coordinated the effort with the Culinary Arts chefs, students, and volunteers and SFCC Foundation: “Charity is too often about ‘the redemption of the giver’ when it should be about ‘the liberation of the receiver,’ he said. “This project demonstrated what’s possible when we think about the liberation of the receiver! I invite all of you – the newest graduates – to continue to help your community with the skills you’ve gained at Santa Fe Community College.”
“In spite of the challenges of this past year, you stayed strong, dug deep, and faced them with tenacity, and it’s paid off. You did it,” said Student Government Association President and graduate Ian Widrick Martinez. “Congratulations, Class of 2021!” SGA implemented a regular practice of food distribution to students, he noted.
For more, watch the Commencement Ceremony, read about the Class of 2021, and view the Commencement Program.
Meet some of SFCC’s Class of 2021
Inside SFCC interviewed a cross-section of 2021 Spring graduates. These graduates are open to new opportunities and treasure the time they have spent at the college.
Rebecca Roibal, Associate of Arts in Accounting and
Associate of Arts in Business Administration
Rebecca Roibal
Q: What was the best part of your experience at Santa Fe Community College?
A: The best part of my journey here at SFCC is the knowledge I am taking with me.
Q: Are you grateful to anyone who supported you on your educational journey?
A: I am grateful for the support and encouragement I received from my family, especially my partner Johnny Maestas. He was my rock throughout this journey. My kids were my inspiration to keep on going to college in the evenings. They and Johnny were there for me – every step of the way.
Q: What would you like to do next?
A: I would like to take some time to spend with my family. With school and work I have not had much time to spend with them.
Q: Do you have plans to continue with further education?
A: I have not decided if or when I will continue my education, but I do see more school in my future. I am just not sure where.
Q: Do you plan to look for work in a particular field?
A: I do have plans to continue my profession in the finance field.
Q: Do you have a job yet?
A: Yes, I do have a job. I work for the Department of Public Safety in the finance department.
Q: Did you have a favorite teacher while at SFCC?
A: The teacher who stands out is Mr. (Jonathan) Haack. He took time to make sure we all understood what he was teaching. He didn’t just give you a lesson to do, he would make sure we all knew what we were doing. His way of teaching was a nice way to learn. I could take what he taught and use it in my real-life job. Thank you, Mr. Haack.
Jonathan Haack teaches mathematics and computer science.
Cynthia Rose Adams, Certificate in Controlled Environment Agriculture
Cynthia Rose Adams
Q: What was the best part of your experience at SFCC?
A: There are a few standout experiences: I was supported by the extraordinary Controlled Environment Agriculture faculty and staff through the challenges of Covid-restricted education. They went above and beyond to make it the best experience possible. And I loved the spring semester internship where I was given the opportunity to care for the greenhouse dome. It was a highlight of my learning experience to have the responsibility of fish, plants, and general management of this lovely small space on campus. With the coaching from the staff, this opportunity really anchored the classroom learning with practical hands-on experience.
Q: Are you grateful to anyone who supported you on your educational journey?
A: I am grateful to Charlie Shultz and his staff for their extraordinary efforts to help me, and all CEA students, obtain the best education possible during these Covid times. He is an exceptional educator who also took personal interest in my success as a student. I am also grateful for Steve and Kim Martin at Growing Opportunities in Alcalde for my fall internship at their hydroponic tomato farm.
Q: What would you like to do next?
A: I am aiming to find my niche to help create a better world through regenerative agriculture and community building to address food security issues as we adapt to our changing world. Water efficiency, soil regeneration, local community food production, waste treatment are a few of the opportunities to solve current problems and bring innovation to local and global communities. I would like to be a part of the solution.
Q: Do you have plans to continue with further education? What will you study and where?
A: I am returning to SFCC this fall to complete my CEA associate degree. This, combined with my bachelor’s degree, is a solid foundation to focus my energy on creative ventures.
Q: Do you plan to look for work in a particular field?
A: CEA is an exciting field, and it is just beginning to flourish. I am looking for work that is addressing both community and conscious food production/distribution. I love the elegant use of aquaponics for both fish and plant production and realize that my ideal work situation may need to be created with other visionaries who are ready to bring innovation to agriculture and our communities.
Q: Do you have a job yet?
A: I am looking for work and I am also open to entrepreneurial collaboration.
Q: Did you have a favorite teacher while at SFCC?
A: Charlie Shultz. Charlie is passionate about aquaponics and sharing his extensive knowledge. His enthusiasm and knowledge are contagious. As a world-renown aquaponics ‘guru,’ I am fortunate to learn directly from him. What really made him an exceptional teacher, however, was his genuine care and concern for his students and the earth, his commitment to show up, and his approachable, kind personality that encouraged me to meet high educational expectations.
Richard C. “Charlie” Shultz is Lead Faculty in the Controlled Environment Agriculture Program.
Sergio Gonzalez, Associate of Arts in Film
Sergio Gonzalez
Q: What was the best part of your experience at SFCC?
A: The best experience I’ve gotten is the whole learning experience. It helped me develop the skills I need for my future career and set down a foundation for me to take the next steps to achieve my goals. Also, meeting fellow classmates wanting to continue their education like I did was a great experience.
Q: Are you grateful to anyone who supported you on your educational journey?
A: I want to thank everyone who supported me to keep on going and for them telling me they regretted dropping out and they didn’t want me to make the same mistake. Also, one of my biggest thanks is to my folks for their sacrifice to leave their home country and to move here to the States in order to give my sister and me a better future.
Q: What would you like to do next?
A: My next step is trying to get my foot in the door in the film industry. I know it’ll take some time, but it will pay off in time. In a couple of years down the line, I am hoping I can work for National Geographic or Animal Planet because I am very passionate with this world and everything this world has to offer. I believe the power of the camera can help capture the beauty of the subject and it can inspire us to do greater things.
Q: Do you have plans to continue with further education?
A: I would want to continue with my education, but I believe some education can’t be taught at school. Some education is sometimes taught by a mentor, or you have to get the experience yourself. I am wanting to work on sets and gain experience and ask questions and guidance for my career path.
Q: Do you plan to look for work in a particular field?
A: I want to work in the film industry. I’m not sure what exactly I want to do but time will tell.
Q: Do you have a job yet?
A: Yes, I currently work in the hospitality industry.
Q: Did you have a favorite teacher while at SFCC?
A: This is a tough one. Milton Riess and Thomas Jones are my favorites. But all the professors I had the past few years all inspired me because they helped shape me to be a better person than what I was yesterday. The mutual respect they give is like a parent; they help us by guiding us to the right direction. Teachers can be like your second parent: even if you aren’t close with your teachers, they still want to see you succeed and reach for your goals and dreams.
Milton Riess is Lead Faculty and Thomas Jones is an instructor in the Film Program.
Phillip Westen II, Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technologies
Phillip Westen II
Q: What was the best part of your experience at SFCC?
A: The best part of my SFCC experience was being able to explore new worlds. I was able to delve into a new course and was accepted fully into it. The Welding Program was an immense and wonderful experience.
Q: Are you grateful to anyone who supported you on your educational journey?
A: I am grateful to my instructors who never gave up on me and supported me at every turn. I am particularly grateful to Jake Lovato who seemed to go above and beyond for me and fellow students. He really supported me in my metal and welding learning.
Q: Do you plan to look for work in a particular field?
A: I plan to go into the working world. I hope to use my degree in my future. I was fortunate that Jake Lovato was able to connect me with the Santa Fe Southern Railway and assist me in getting a job I can turn into a career.
Q: Do you have plans to continue with further education?
A: After completing the welding program I would like to take the metal sculpture classes and see what more I can learn about metal work and creating art with it.
Q: Do you have a job yet?
A: I do. I was able to get a job right away and already started for the Santa Fe Southern railway, the Lamy to Santa Fe line.
Jake Lovato is Lead Faculty in the Welding Program.
