Approximately one hour North from University Campus, The Ocala Education Center has been holding classes strong, for just over than two years since officially opening at 1930 SW 38th Ave. The centers’ Director Rena Thomas said that even though they may not be on of main campus, they are still connected as a result of stellar leadership from V.P. of Saint Leo World Wide Dr. Melanie Storms.
Dr. Thomas has been with Saint Leo University for seven years and the Centers’ Director for the last two spoke about the benefits of being within close proximity to Main Campus. Thomas said, “I think Ocala has a benefit over the centers because we are physically close.” Thomas continued, “Our staff and students can also attend events that happen at Main Campus, so even though we are apart, we do have a good connection with the University.
Speaking to the student engagement with students at the Center, Thomas said of the 200 students that are registered under her, many of them are non-traditional students with families and other obligations. Thomas expressed that enjoy both on ground and online classes and events are held regularly however many find it hard to come to the Center in lieu of their many obligations.
Despite this, the students have two lounges where they can eat or watch T.V. that will encourage them to stay around. Reiterating these words was senior majoring in Marketing and advertising Akshita Sahgal expressed her elation for the experiences in the times she has attended the Center. Akshita said, “Because I am from India, the way they accepted me with open arms has been really interesting to me.” She continued to recount of an experience where a Regional Spotlight was placed on and highlighted India, which gave her an even warmer and welcoming feeling into the environment.
Akshita Sahgal 2019 Ocala Center graduate and Marketing major, expressed her elation for the experiences in the time she has attended the Center. Akshita said, “Because I am from India, the way they accepted me with open arms has been really interesting to me.” Credit: Saint Leo University
Akshita said that there was more attention given to students at the admissions office as opposed to other universities. Akshita said that the Admissions department called her and followed up with her every step along the way, which encouraged her to attend the university.
Since enrollment, Akshita joined the Alumni board of directors as a student representative which has opened many doors for her. “I got to experience a lot through my studies, but also outside of the classroom through networking opportunities via the International Desk and Career Services,” said Akshita. Despite graduating in May, Aksheda intends to return to Saint Leo to complete the Masters degree program in Marketing, grounding herself into the Community even more.
Anton McCullough Admissions Director has been with the university since 2013 and with the Ocala center since 2015. As an alumnus one of the challenges McCullough expressed was the difficult of expressing the importance of writing papers.
The Ocala center is outfitted with ten classrooms, featuring the latest technology similar to that found in the School of Business and Kirk Hall on University Campus. Credit: Saint Leo University
As a part of the Doctoral program in Management at the University, McCullough finds it the best practice to remind students why they started to pursue the degree initially, and through this process he encourages himself to continue pursuing his endeavors.
Looking forward to the second half of the year McCullough expressed his ambitions from his office stating, “I hope to continue bringing more students to the center, while spreading the word of the great things not only the University is doing, but the Ocala Center.
Additionally, a potential new student Mr. Emmanuel Denunzio fascinated by what he heard about Saint Leo expressed his view of joining the Center as a result of culture he had seen.
Having experienced the enrollment process before Emmanuel said that it was not a pushy process, he was being advised and accommodated while having a clear path for the next years for his life. Emmanuel said, “I have a passion for Computer Systems Information, and I think Saint Leo is going to be a great fit for me.” Emmanuel conveyed that there was a sincerity and homely feeling to speaking with the staff there that has prodded him to halt looking at any other colleges, as he will enroll as soon as possible.
As 25 Ocala Center students prepare to walk in the May graduation, the machinery driving the Center is in full operation, attracting new students while fostering better relationships with those that are already apart of the Community.
