ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø

Saint of ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø | Andy Barnes

January 11, 2021

January 11, 2021 - I came to ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø after graduating from Buchholz. I literally grew up just on the other side of what is now Meadowbrook Golf Course. So, proximity and ease of access was a big factor. Also, as a first-generation college student, it really worked for me. I got my A.A. here at ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø before transferring to UF. I majored in advertising with a minor in business, but kind of stayed in the business track after I graduated.

I've always been good with numbers, but being a first-generation college student, I really didn't know what that meant. Math was always just what I gravitated toward, it was just something that came natural to me. But again, my parents had never gone to college, so I really didn't know what it took and what it looked like to get there. I took a slightly different path and I think I'm where I'm supposed to be.

ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø really helped me because it was really rigorous. You know your instructors, they know you, they know when you are in class, they can tell if you miss classes – or if you are struggling. They work with you, but they really hold you accountable. ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø prepared me. It made me disciplined. I had to structure my schedule in a way to be able to work and still accomplish all the things I needed to do in school.

You know there may be times where it's feels grueling and tedious, but it's unparalleled. The critical thinking skills I developed at ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø have helped immensely.

- Andy Barnes, VP Administrative Affairs and CFO