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Jill Janov
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Phone: (505) 428-1776
Seven SFCC Employees Earn Associate Degrees While Working Full, Part Time
May 25, 2005 — Seven Santa Fe Community College employees earned associate degrees at the
2005 SFCC graduation ceremony this month. 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 50 percent of all SFCC faculty and staff members took at least one class at the
college this spring semester.
Leanne Martinez, the SFCC’s bookstore manager, received an associate in arts in business
administration with high honors.
“I didn’t graduate from high school with my peers but dropped out and took my GED. Receiving
my degree has been a great accomplishment and has meant a lot to me,” Martinez said. “It’s
important that I continue with my education. I’m going to Highlands University in the fall to
start working on my bachelor’s degree.”
The six other SFCC employees who earned degrees included Patricia Abeyta, the human
resources receptionist and member of Phi Theta Kappa national honor society who received an
associate in arts in Spanish; Erin Damitio, a part-time lifeguard who earned an associate in arts
in general studies; Peter Gabriel, the bookstore textbook buyer who received an associate in arts
in business administration with honors, Mark Gurule, a part-time fitness instructor who earned
an associate in applied science; Pamela Herrera, a network telecommunications technician who
earned an associate in applied science in computer science; and Darlene Salazar, a early
childhood development instructor who earned an associate in arts in early childhood
multicultural education.
“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 Bermúdez, the
college’s vice president for academic and student affairs.
(more)
SFCC Employee Graduates (page 2)
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.
“I’ve been working at the college for 15 years, and I didn’t take advantage of the benefits until
recently,” said the 44-year-old Martinez, who also owns her own disc jockey business. “I finally
decided I wanted to do something for myself. In addition it helps with my job here at the college.
Now I’m thinking about getting my master’s degree before I’m 50.”
Santa Fe Community College awarded 229 degrees and certificates to 225 graduates, ranging in
age from 19 to 61.
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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