Danny Santiago

For Danny Santiago, Broward College was more than a place to earn a degree. It was the foundation for a career in aviation that would take him from the cockpit and the hangar to the executive level, where he now serves as Director of MRO Sales and contributes to the future of aviation through industry leadership and workforce development.

Danny attended Broward College from 2006 to 2008, pursuing Aviation Maintenance and Management while simultaneously taking part in both the Pilot and Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) programs. He graduated in 2008 with an Associate degree, having immersed himself in virtually every aspect of the College’s aviation offerings.

His decision to attend Broward College was both practical and purposeful. At the time, the College offered the programs he needed in a location close to home, with qualified professionals who could provide the hands-on knowledge and technical expertise necessary to succeed in aviation.

“I practically lived there,” Danny recalls.

It was not unusual for him to spend 12 to 14 hours a day at the College, balancing the pilot program, A&P training and his associate degree. That demanding schedule was made possible by a staff that Danny describes as exceptionally accommodating, supportive and motivating. Over time, the people who taught and encouraged him became much more than educators.

“They became family,” he says.

Among the many people who left a lasting impression on Danny were Jorge Guerra, Tim Griffin, Cookie, Evelyn Ruiz, Cesar, Bob Lumley, Emilio, Donnie and Jane. Each played a role in inspiring him and helping him stay focused on his goals.

The College’s aviation resources were equally important to his development. Danny remembers the strength of the pilot program and the quality of its aircraft, while the A&P program provided the tools and technical environment needed to train to relevant industry standards. Together, those experiences gave him a uniquely well-rounded perspective on aviation.

After graduating from Broward College, Danny continued his education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where his Broward College credits were accepted. Thanks to the strong academic foundation he had built, he completed his bachelor’s degree in just a year and a half.

But Danny’s education at Broward College prepared him for much more than completing another degree. It equipped him to understand aviation from multiple perspectives—as a pilot, technician and manager—and ultimately helped prepare him for leadership.

Today, Danny serves as Director of MRO Sales and has become an active contributor to the broader aviation industry. His professional experience has led to service on multiple boards of directors across the country, as well as involvement in workforce development initiatives designed to help prepare the next generation of aviation professionals. He also serves on the boards of Atlantic Technical College and Universal Technical Institute (UTI), supporting the advancement of aviation education and workforce programs.

Looking back, Danny sees a direct connection between the student who spent long days at Broward College and the aviation leader he is today.

“Broward College prepared me as a pilot, tech, manager, and now director,” he reflects.

Yet perhaps the most valuable thing he gained at Broward College cannot be measured by a transcript or certificate: relationships.

For Danny, the people he met at the College became connections for life. The mentorship, encouragement and friendships he experienced continue to influence his career and his commitment to giving back to the aviation community.

If there is one thing Danny hopes prospective students and others in the aviation industry understand about Broward College, it is that the opportunities extend far beyond the classroom.

“This program is amazing and can allow you to grow in so many facets, particularly in aviation,” he says. “The people I met here were connections for LIFE.”

Danny remains deeply grateful to the institution and the people who helped shape his path. His story is a testament to what can happen when strong educational programs, dedicated instructors and a determined student come together.

“I would NOT be where I am in my career without them.”

From spending 12-hour days learning to fly and maintain aircraft to helping shape the future of aviation workforce development, Danny Santiago’s journey demonstrates the lasting impact of a Broward College education—and the many places an aviation career can take you.

Reginald Andre

For Reginald Andre, Broward College wasn’t just a steppingstone, it was the launchpad that propelled him from a young student in Miami Gardens to an award-winning technology CEO, philanthropist, and community leader.

Reginald’s journey with Broward College spans two decades, two degrees, and a lifetime of dedication to continuous learning.

Growing up in Miami Gardens, Reginald was searching for an accessible, affordable, and practical pathway to build a meaningful career. He found that starting point at Broward College, earning his Associate of Science in Business Administration in 2003.

During his time on campus, it was the people and one professor in particular—that left an indelible mark on him.

"My favorite professor was Brian Faris," Reginald recalls. "He truly cared about his students beyond just passing a class, he genuinely cared about our development and our future. Having someone who believed in you made a lasting impression."

Armed with a solid business foundation, Reginald stepped into the professional world. In 2010, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he launched ARK Solvers, starting as a small computer repair and IT support business.

As ARK Solvers began to expand, Reginald recognized that true leadership in tech required deep, specialized expertise. Demonstrating that learning has no age limit or finish line, he returned to Broward College as a working adult and earned his second degree—an Associate of Science in Network Service Technology—in 2013.

This combination of business acumen and technical mastery proved to be a powerhouse formula. Under Reginald’s leadership, ARK Solvers evolved into a premier cybersecurity, IT, compliance, and AI consulting firm serving organizations across South Florida and beyond. Recognized as South Florida’s fastest-growing IT company for three consecutive years, Reginald’s success also earned him a coveted spot on the South Florida Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list.

Reginald’s deep connection to Broward College came full circle twenty years after earning his first degree. In Fall 2023, he stood before thousands of graduating Seahawks—not as a student, but as the Commencement Speaker, offering inspiring words to the next generation of leaders.

Today, Reginald continues to pay his success forward. Building on his past service on the Broward College Foundation Board of Directors, where he championed student scholarships and academic programs, he remains actively involved in the community and co-founded The Mavuno Project, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking.

When asked what he wishes more people understood about his alma mater, Reginald is clear: Broward College is not a lesser option—it is a powerful catalyst for transformation.

Alfredo Aguirre

For Alfredo, attending Broward College wasn’t simply the next step in his education—it was the opportunity that made his future possible.

In 1992, Alfredo earned his associate degree from Broward College at a time when leaving home to attend college simply wasn’t financially realistic. “I didn’t have the money to go away,” he recalls. Broward College gave him a way to pursue his education, improve his grades, remain close to home, and save money while preparing for the career he wanted.

One of the places that became especially important to Alfredo was the College library. It gave him something deceptively simple but incredibly valuable: a place to study, focus, and put in the work. Those years provided the foundation he needed to take the next step.

After Broward College, Alfredo went on to the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He began his professional career as an engineer, spending four years in the field before realizing that his true calling was elsewhere. He made a bold career change and entered the world of financial planning.

Today, that decision has taken him farther than he could have imagined. Alfredo is a Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch and leads his own team at Aguirre Wealth Management Team, helping clients navigate important financial decisions and build their financial futures.

Looking back, Alfredo sees his time at Broward College as a pivotal chapter in that journey.

“BCC allowed me to attend school and further my education,” he says. “I did not know it at the time, but it was one of the best decisions I have made.”

For Alfredo, Broward College was never about settling for less. It was about making a smart investment in his future. He believes that perception—that attending a community college means settling—is one of the biggest misconceptions about the institution.

“Many think about it as settling, but it provides an excellent education,” he says. “It truly is the best way to go—smaller classes, stay home to save money.”

His story is a powerful example of what can happen when an accessible education meets determination and ambition. Broward College gave Alfredo the chance to start close to home, strengthen his academic foundation, and move forward without taking on the financial burden of attending college far away.

What began as a practical decision in 1992 ultimately became a defining one.

Today, as a senior leader in wealth management, Alfredo can look back and see the value of that first step clearly. Broward College didn’t limit his possibilities—it expanded them. It gave him the opportunity to continue his education, pursue a degree at the University of Florida, change careers, and ultimately build a successful life in a field he never initially imagined entering.