Employee Spotlight: Sandra Quintero Franco, Student Support Services Coordinator

Meet Sandra Quintero Franco, Student Support Services Coordinator

What do you do when you’re not sure where to turn for help at college? You ask Sandra Quintero Franco, our student services coordinator. Sandra is a wealth of knowledge and resources, and has a passion for helping students succeed. Keep reading to learn more about Sandra and how she supports our students at Florida Technical College through a brief Q&A!

Briefly describe your job in a way the the students can understand the benefits to them

I provide resources for students facing difficult situations that prevent them from successfully finishing their careers, like homeless, domestic violence, food pantry, housing assistance, mental health support, and transportation when they qualify. Also, I help them to understand how to use Canvas, Cengage, and Microsoft Office.

How long have you worked in education?  How long at FTC?

I have worked in HE for 14 years and at FTC for 8 months.

What is a fun fact about you that you are willing to share?

I love cooking, and I have an Instagram account for my recipes @sasy_cooks Follow me! I’m a future cooking influencer!

What is a quote or word of wisdom that is important to you?

It might look difficult, but never impossible to follow your dreams or achieve your goals.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment has been finishing two Master’s in the US (in English) as a native Spanish speaker.

What do you love about your job?

I love to see my student achieving their goals. Graduation is my favorite part.

Briefly describe your background/journey.

I am originally from Venezuela, where I went to Law School and had my own Legal Office. My father, who is also a lawyer, recommended I should go back to Law School, which I did. My husband, two kids, and I came to the US in 2007 seeking political asylum, so we started over here. In 2008, I was learning English in a community college and got a job as Student Worker; soon, I was promoted and became a Student Services Associate at the Admissions Office. Higher Education started to be my new passion, and I decided to do my Master’s in Higher Education, College Administration, and leadership at Drexel University. Years later, I received another promotion working with the Dean of Students. Because I love studying, I was between going to my roots as a layer and taking the Bar exam or doing my Ed.D. I finished my second Master’s, this time in US Law, and realized that I love Higher Education. Hopefully, one day, I will do my Ed.D.
My family is the most important in my life, and I have two children: Daniela (23) and Daniel (22). I’ve been married for 24 years and have a Mini Schnauzer named Bruce Alejandro. Cooking, traveling, and speaking other languages are my passions and hobbies.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new student considering making a change?

Read everything carefully and ask all the questions you have.