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Featured Learner - Fred Santana

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Seeing the bigger picture

After taking a few classes at another institution, Alfredo Santana landed a position with a large cable company. However, something was missing. "I felt I had lost focus of what was important," he said. "I knew I needed a college education and decided to finish what I had started."

Fred enrolled at Peirce in the Fall of 2005 and completed his Associate degree in Business Administration in June 2008. He noticed the change in himself as well as at his place of employment, "where many doors began to open," he said. "There were opportunities that were not there before. Once I complete my bachelor's degree program I want to continue to advance, utilizing and implementing all of the knowledge I have gained at Peirce."

Achieving his goal has been challenging yet enjoyable. Fred likes to meet new people, primarily adult learners, who share the same passion for higher education and who are looking to improve themselves and their futures. His tips to other students? "Congratulations on taking the first step to a successful future. Keep your head down and your motivation up, and always remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel."

Fred points to the help he has received at Peirce and likes the flexibility of being able to complete his degree program through the combination of online, on campus and on site courses at the Cardinal Dougherty cluster. Eileen Snyder, a Peirce Representative at the Cardinal Dougherty cluster says of Fred, "he has a strong commitment and high academic standards," she pointed out, "and has made the Dean's List and President's List."

"I am very focused on my career, my family, and my future," Fred added. As a newlywed and first-time homeowner, Fred and his wife are expecting their first child. "This gives me even more motivation to be successful and to be the best I can be," he said. "I owe a lot to my mother who has always encouraged me to strive for greatness, to become a better person. I want to demonstrate to my family that hard work pays off, and instill in my children the value of education."