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Gabriel Hippo

When it comes to hard work, determination, and turning opportunity into lasting impact, Gabriel Hippo stands out as a rising star in SPC’s Information Technology team.

Gabriel’s SPC journey began as a student pursuing an A.S. Degree in Networking Technologies—and he hasn’t looked back since.

“I was having a hard time finding an internship to graduate and was ready to give up,” Gabe recalls. “Thankfully, the workforce team at Clearwater reached out and helped me prepare to apply [for an internship at SPC]. I got the internship—and that changed everything.”

During the three-month internship, Gabe gained hands-on experience and mentorship that helped him build not only technical knowledge, but also invaluable soft skills. That internship opened the door to a full-time Technical Support Specialist role at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs campus. And just four months later, he was nominated for IT’s first Rising Star Iron Titan award.

“In that role, I worked continuously to contribute to the organization that had given me so much,” Gabe shared. “My experience at SPC has been transformative, and I wouldn’t change a single moment, starting with that first class.”

Now, nearly two years later, he’s thriving in his current role as a Virtual Desktop Systems Specialist, supporting virtual desktop infrastructure across the College.

Last year, Gabe was featured in SPC’s Illumination magazine, where he shared more about his inspiring journey—from overcoming career setbacks during the pandemic to supporting his family while pursuing a new career path. To read more about how CTE programs helped him launch a fulfilling career in IT, read the full article.

Thank you, Gabe, for turning your SPC experience into a launchpad for excellence—and for helping keep our college running smoothly behind the scenes!