FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Andrea Bermudez
Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.
Phone: (505) 428-1351
Jill Janov
Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: (505) 428-1776
More than Two Dozen SFCC Employees Graduate Tonight
May 14, 2004 — More than two dozen Santa Fe Community College employees will earn
associate degrees or certificates tonight at the 2004 SFCC graduation ceremony. The employees
include eight staff members and 19 student employees.
These graduates have undertaken their studies while working at the college either full or part
time.
Santa Fe Community College encourages its employees to pursue higher education, recognizing
that staff development plays a role in the quality of their work and the overall direction of the
college. Nearly half or 46 percent of all SFCC faculty and staff members took at least one class
at the college this spring semester.
Magdalen Keith, teacher assistant at the SFCC Early Childhood Education Center, is one of the
employee-graduates who will receive an associate in arts degree in teacher education.
“I love my job, and I love being able to work and go to school at the same place. It’s very
convenient for me, and I’ve had a lot of really good teachers here. After I graduate, I’ll continue
working at the SFCC Early Education Center and work toward a bachelor's degree from
Highlands University at Santa Fe Community College,” Keith said.
The other seven SFCC employees graduating tonight have earned degrees or certificates in
architectural drafting and construction management, business administration, computer science,
general studies, media arts and nursing.
“I have a high regard for staff members who have benefited from the exceptional education we
offer at SFCC and are graduating tonight. Being able to handle their work and families while
receiving an education is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Andrea Bermudez, the
college’s vice president for academic and student affairs.
(more)
SFCC Employee Graduates (page 2)
The 19 SFCC student employees who will graduate tonight have earned degrees or certificates in
architectural drafting and construction management, biology, business administration computer
science, criminal justice, dental assisting, fine woodworking, general studies, health and physical
education, human services, media arts or Southwest studies.
As an incentive to further their education, staff and faculty at SFCC receive tuition scholarships
for credit or noncredit classes each semester and additional incentives for courses that are
directly related to their jobs. Student employees earn $7 an hour for their work at SFCC.
Santa Fe Community College will award 192 degrees and certificates to 187 graduates tonight.
This includes a total of 22 certificates and 170 degrees to all students. Three students will earn
two degrees, two students will receive a degree and a certificate, and 83 students will graduate
with honors.
The ceremony is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. in the William C. Witter Fitness
Education Center at Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe. Former New
Mexico Gov. Toney Anaya is the commencement speaker.
About Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe Community College serves more than 14,500 students per year in its credit, noncredit
and adult basic education programs. The college contributes to the area’s economic,
technological and cultural development by offering programs ranging from art to business
management and directly addresses regional job shortages through its nursing, teacher education
and culinary arts programs. For further information, visit www.sfccnm.edu or call (505) 4281000.
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