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There are many paths a student can take at SFCC, but today we want to shine a light on two programs that are making a real difference in the lives of students and in our community. Though they work in very different fields, they share the same heart, which is giving every student the best possible chance at their dreams.
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Sparks Flying in the Welding Department
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There is something special happening in the Welding Department, and Lead Instructor Estevan can feel it. “When you put the hood down, everything is dark until you start this electrical art. Then everything becomes these amazing colors of purples and greens. It is that moment of tranquility.”
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From Sparks to Success: Estevan Ortega Lights the Path for SFCC Welding Students
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SFCC’s Welding Program gives students the hands-on training they need to walk into the workforce ready to contribute from day one. Graduates can enter the trade as second-year apprentices, which means better pay and a head start into the field.
Picking up a new skill can feel intimidating at first, but SFCC students discover that the right support makes all the difference. Sarah Tapia’s story is a testament to that. Now working her first apprenticeship after joining the union, she credits her training at SFCC for getting her there.
“It takes time and practice,” Sarah says. “You have to do it over and over to really get it. It was challenging, but the classes were fun and the teachers at SFCC were awesome.”
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A healthy smile is about so much more than teeth. It is a window into a person’s overall health, and for many families in Santa Fe, access to quality dental care makes a real difference in their daily lives. That is exactly why SFCC’s Dental Program has been showing up for this community by training the next generation of dental professionals.
What makes this program so special is that it meets students where they are. Whether someone is starting fresh or looking to build on existing skills, there is a path forward that fits their life. That kind of flexibility matters deeply for students who are balancing school with work, family, and everything else life brings.
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SFCC Dental students putting their skills to work in the community, teaching the next generation the importance of a healthy smile.
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Learning at SFCC goes far beyond the classroom walls. Throughout February, dental students went out into the community to celebrate Give Kids a Smile Day (GKAS), providing free oral screenings and health education to children at the SFCC Kids Campus and to first and second graders at Santa Fe Public Schools. These events give students the opportunity to practice their skills alongside their instructors in the real world, while teaching children habits that will last a lifetime.
Don’t forget World Oral Health Day on March 20th! This year the focus is celebrating the idea that a happy mouth is a happy life, a message that feels right at home here at SFCC. It is a reminder that taking care of your smile is one of the simplest ways to take care of yourself, and a great day to schedule that dental visit you have been putting off.
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Any path a student chooses at SFCC, whether dental, welding, or any of the many other programs available, they do not have to walk it alone.
The SFCC Foundation is here to make sure that financial barriers never stand between a student and their goals. Through the generosity of our donors, we fund scholarships, a student emergency assistance fund, and everyday essentials through the Campus Cupboard. Every gift, no matter the size, brings a student closer to the future of their dreams.
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Kelly A. Marquez, MBA
Executive Director
kelly.marquez1@sfcc.edu
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