From Colleagues to Soulmates, Two Titans Tie the Knot

For Carissa Roldan and Jason Nicholson, St. Petersburg College isn’t just a workplace — it’s where they fell in love. Roldan, a Career Readiness Navigator and Adjunct Professor, and Nicholson, a Student Life & Leadership Coordinator, both work at the Tarpon Springs Campus, but SPC has been part of their story long before their paths converged.

A connection rooted in SPC

Shortly before SPC got a name update in 2001, Roldan graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College. Unbeknownst to her, Nicholson was also taking classes at SPC and stayed in the area to earn his degree from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Their shared connection to SPC would later make it the perfect backdrop for their relationship and eventual wedding.

Roldan was the first to return to SPC as an employee, starting in December 2013. Nicholson joined the College less than a year later in August 2014. Another year passed before they finally met in August 2015 during a virtual advising rotation. They were drawn to each other immediately.

“He had nice eyes, and I loved hearing him present on the College Experience,” Roldan said. Nicholson remembered noticing her confidence during a presentation. “She caught my attention right away. At one point, we were reviewing group feedback, and I told her I had none just to have a chance to talk to her a bit,” he said.

Their professional connection soon blossomed into more. They began collaborating on College Experience calls about student support measures in June 2016. By October of that year, they were dating. Over the years, their shared workplace has become a source of support.

“He helps me get through the hard days,” Roldan said. “We work so well together.”

Nicholson agreed, noting that while their roles rarely overlap now, it’s a joy to share moments both big and small, from collaborating on projects to simply having lunch together. They both love SPC and feel a sense of pride when they help students succeed.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever had a job that’s more fulfilling, and I’ve dabbled in a lot of things in my time wandering the Earth,” Nicholson said.

A wedding on familiar ground

In June 2022, Nicholson proposed at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory — a carefully orchestrated surprise captured via a live webcam for friends and loved ones, including Roldan’s son Ashton.

When it came time to plan the wedding, SPC felt like the right place to tie the knot. After the couple joked about getting married in the Chris Sprowls Workforce Innovation Hub at the Tarpon Springs Campus, Dr. Rodrigo Davis, Provost for Tarpon Springs, suggested the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art (LRMA) as an alternative venue. The two agreed and set a date for March 8, 2025.

“The campus holds a special place in my heart, from being an alum to working here, and now marrying my husband here made it unforgettable,” Roldan said. Nicholson echoed her gratitude, praising museum staff, the facilities team and everyone who helped make their day feel magical. Several current and former SPC employees also participated in the ceremony in addition to attending.

“It felt like a movie,” Roldan said. “Who else gets to visit their wedding venue every day?” Nicholson said. Their wedding was also the first one ever hosted at LRMA, making the occasion even more special.

With their wedding behind them, both look forward to creating more memories together on and off campus. For them, SPC isn’t just a job — it’s a place where love, community and shared moments set the foundation for the next chapter of their lives.