SF Unscripted

Dr. Jackson Sasser launched his term as the fourth president of Santa Fe College in the shadow of 9/11. The event literally affected his travel during his interview process. Over the 17 years that followed, he developed many programs to internationalize the college. In this interview with host Vilma Fuentes, he discusses these programs and his motivation in taking a community college in a global direction. 

The American Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in the United States in 1990, creating a culture shift for many Americans. Ukraine has no such legislation in place, and life for Ukrainians with disabilities can be very limited. In this episode of Developing Global Citizens, your host Vilma Fuentes speaks with Santa Fe College AVP Dug Jones, alumna Natalia Prior and current bachelor's program student Sith Waters, all of whom traveled to the Ukraine to explore accessibility and inclusive education. 

Twenty-five years after the end of Apartheid, 16 delegates from South Africa visited Santa Fe College and shared their rich experiences of living, and educating, in a young democracy. Their visit was part of the Community College Administrator Program (CCAP) funded by the United States Department of State. In this episode of Developing Global Citizens, our host Vilma Fuentes discusses the progress and challenges of the last 25 years with special guests:

• Azwinndini Christopher Tshivashe, Principal of the Limpopo Region CET
• Bhekifini Sibusiso Vincent Mthethwa, Principal of the Kwazulu-Natal Region CET
• Noluthando Balfour, Principal of King Hintsa TVET College in Gauteng Province

With high unemployment numbers, particularly for blacks, the role of education in South Africa is critical. These three college administrators are entrenched in the work of bringing about social change with the power of education, and they share their stories here. 

Between the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018, Dan Rodkin, our Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, traveled to both Ukraine and Russia. His first trip was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State as part of its Community College Administrator program. The second trip was a Fulbright opportunity. 

He left with the missions of opening up the world for more students and of talking about the importance of academic integrity. He returned with a rich collection of impressions and experiences, which he shares in this episode with our host, Dr. Vilma Fuentes.

Did you know Santa Fe College has an AZA accredited Teaching Zoo? Our host Dr. Vilme Fuentes speaks with the zoo director, Jonathan Miot and Jade Salamone, the zoo's conservation education curator. They share stories about species they have helped rescue from habitat loss and near total extinction and tips for being a more sustainable global citizen.

This fall, Santa Fe College welcomes the American Ballet Theatre and the New York Dance Project to its Fine Arts Hall for an historic event. For the first time since 1974, a U.S. audience will experience “Carmen Suite” performed with a live orchestra. The ballet was choreographed by the legendary Alberto Alonso, who after leaving Cuba came to teach at Santa Fe College. Produced by his wife, Sonia Calero-Alonso, the performance will showcase the talents of principal dancers Sarah Lane and Corey Stearns.

In this episode, Vilma speaks with Alora Haynes, chair of the Fine Arts Department at SF. When the Alonsos defected from Cuba, it was Alora who took them into her home and then brought them to the college where they would teach for over a decade. She shares her intimate knowledge of Carmen Suite and the significance of it coming back to the stage.