Our SABER College leadership team reflects the commitment, experience, and integrity that have guided the institution since its founding in 1972. The strength of SABER College lies in its people—dedicated professionals who guide, support, and uphold the institution’s mission of academic excellence and student success. With a long-standing reputation in healthcare education and career training, SABER College is proud to highlight the leadership team that ensures the delivery of high-quality programs and services.

This team of executive and administrative professionals brings decades of combined experience in postsecondary education, healthcare, finance, compliance, and student support. They work collaboratively to ensure that SABER College operates in full alignment with its not-for-profit mission, accreditation standards, and commitment to serving the community through accessible, career-focused programs.

SABER College leadership plays a central role in supporting academic integrity and operational excellence across all departments. From admissions and financial aid to academic affairs and student services, each member of the leadership team contributes to a student-centered culture rooted in service, structure, and results.

Executive Staff

The Executive Staff oversees SABER College’s strategic direction, institutional operations, and executive-level planning. Their work supports the mission and long-term goals of the institution.

• Josefina Habif, MPA – Chief Executive Officer

• Maria Palacios – Chief Financial Aid Officer

• Alex Montorro, MBA, CPA – Controller

• Sergio Wong – Director of Executive Affairs

Educational and Administrative Leadership

This team is responsible for academic program management, administrative policy, faculty coordination, clinical education, admissions, and institutional support.

• Amarilis Somoza – Dean of Academic Affairs

• Karen Arocha, PT, BS, MS – Director of Physical Therapist Assistant Program

• Pavel Pugh, FNP, RN, MSN, APRN, PMHNP – Director of Nursing and Health Sciences

• Gaspara Bardritch, PT, MSPT, DPT – Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE)

• Alexandra Lis – Director of Distance Education

• Kirssis Fabre – Associate Director of Admissions

• Dulce Estevez – Policy and Procedures Coordinator / Personnel Manager

• Dulce Estevez – Accreditation Coordinator

• Marivi Rodriguez – Placement Coordinator

• Julian Perez, MS – Librarian

The SABER College leadership team is actively involved in all phases of student success—from enrollment and orientation through graduation and job placement. Together, they uphold regulatory compliance, academic rigor, and student-centered operations while fostering a welcoming environment that reflects the college’s values.

SABER College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and licensed by the Florida Department of Education Commission for Independent Education. The leadership team works to ensure full institutional compliance and continued alignment with evolving accreditation standards and educational regulations.

In addition to academic and operational leadership, SABER College proudly supports students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. While all healthcare programs are taught in English, the college offers bilingual support services across admissions, financial aid, and academic advising to ensure that students and their families have full access to the resources they need. Information is available in both English and Spanish, and the ESOL program provides additional pathways for students who wish to improve their English skills before entering a career-track program.

The leadership team also maintains close relationships with faculty, clinical site coordinators, and community partners to ensure program relevance and graduate readiness. Through collaborative planning and ongoing evaluation, they ensure that SABER College students are not only prepared academically, but also equipped with the confidence and competencies required in today’s healthcare workforce.

Our SABER College leadership team is committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Their shared vision is to guide the college forward while remaining true to its founding mission—serving students, supporting faculty, and strengthening the community through education.

To learn more about SABER College or to explore our accredited programs in Nursing, Physical Therapy, or our Online ESOL program, we invite you to contact us, or call our admissions team at (305) 443-9170  to begin your journey.