Exceptional Academic Excellence Awardee
Shahar, a third year Communication student in the Marketing Communications and Digital Media Track, lives in Kibbutz Nir Am in the Western Negev.  In March 2021, she was one of the nine outstanding students awarded Sapir's Exceptional Academic Excellence Award, named in memory of the founders of Sapir College. In addition to excelling in her studies, Shahar excels in her community engagement projects. She volunteered as a peer mentor for college students with learning disabilities; and in a unique community resilience program operated by Sapir's Hillel chapter called "Humans of Otef Aza".  In addition, Shahar is the spokesperson for Sapir's Student Council.

In her words: "I enjoy outstanding courses, making new friends and studying with the best dynamic lecturers in the field. This has made my time at Sapir unforgettable. Before the Coronavirus, I was amazed at Sapir's campus life. Students have an intense craving to return to the full college experience: meeting people, sitting on the grass, enjoying live music performances, parties and breaks between classes. I hope that very soon we will be back on campus. I am proud to be part of the Student Council working with a dedicated team that goes the extra mile to help students".

Maor, is 26 years old, a third year Technology and Marketing Student.  He served as an IDF combat engineer in an elite Paratrooper Reconnaissance Unit; following his discharge, he traveled the Far East. Focused on marketing studies, Maor looked for a college that would offer high-level studies combined with practical experience in a welcoming environment. He found all of this and more at Sapir College. He worked as the student content director for his department's Facebook page. An active social entrepreneur, he volunteers in Sapir Community Engagement Program, 'Dear to Us', visiting and interacting with lonely senior citizens.  In Maor's words, "my college studies integrate theory and practice and selected course in English have all have expanded my understanding of marketing; and have a meaningful impact on my personal and professional growth. My lecturers are always available to help in the classroom and after hours."

Sapir's Transformative College Education→ from Student to Faculty

Dr. Villy Abraham is a graduate of Sapir College's Technological Marketing Department. He is now a tenure track lecturer in the same department!
In addition to his unique tech-marketing lectures, he directs the department's Student Digital Marketing Internships and Marketing Clinic and serves as the department's Teaching Committee Chair. Dr. Abraham is currently leading international research in tourist behaviours and appears regularly as an economic commentator on ILTV, broadcast globally.
Dr. Abraham tells his students that he finds tremendous inspiration in Theodor Herzl's famous phrase “If you will it, it is no dream!” He teaches his students that to achieve success you must believe in yourself and in your abilities, strive as high as you can, persevere, and stick to your goals.

Sapir had a significant impact on Dr. Abraham; he is the first in his family to obtain a college education. Villy is convinced that his degree studies gave him a significant boost, contributing to his personal and professional development, resulting in his own socioeconomic mobility. In his own words, "The person that I was when I started Sapir College−was not the same person when I graduated".

Mofeed Krenawi is an alumnus of the first cohort of Sapir's Gateway to Academy: Higher Education Program and is the program's first Law School graduate.

He worked as an academic peer advisor at Sapir's Student Information & Registration Center offering both Hebrew and Arabic language assistance to applicants and students.  An Excellence Certificate awardee for his clinical work at the Law School's Human Rights Clinic, he is the College's first Arab Bedouin alumnus interning at the Israeli Police Ombudsman's Office. He is currently pursuing an MA degree at Sapir College Public Administration and Policy:  The National Security, Homeland Defense and Cyber: MA Degree in association with The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS).
 
Mofeed chose to study at Sapir due to its excellent reputation for high-level and accessible academic studies together with supportive student services that meets the needs of Israel's diverse populations. In his view, Gateway to Higher Education is one of Sapir's flagship programs, now replicated in multiple institutions. In his words "Given that the College provides an exemplary and challenging academic climate, I felt and continue to feel the warm embrace of Sapir's educational and social support. The high quality of the teaching, together with the faculty's' commitment to realize each student's potential, makes for the best experience in higher education. I personally went through a great process that increased my self-confidence and academic expertise to help me become a young entrepreneur. If you are looking for an academic challenge with a broad spectrum of subjects, enjoy a supportive atmosphere and wish to acquire a high quality academic degree that every government or private institution respects, your place is at Sapir College."

David is a graduate of the Public Administration and Policy Department. He works as an aide of the Director General of the Ministry of Digital Affairs.  

Reflecting on his time at the College, David reported that it was one of the most meaningful and empowering periods in his life, providing him with the skills needed for success in government service. 

In his words: "I was privileged to learn from the best lecturers. They gave me the practical tools that help me daily in my career, from formulating policy to its implementation. I have no doubt that my studies at Sapir Academic College will continue to contribute to my personal and professional life".

Sometimes it requires technological finesse.  Sometimes just brute force. Either way, nothing can stop Rotem Efroni in her simultaneous pursuit of an academic degree – and an Olympic championship.  Rotem is in her second year of a degree in digital marketing at Sapir Academic College.  She also happens to be Israel’s karate champion for her weight class, and a member of the national karate team.   So while studying for exams and writing papers on new media, Rotem is also gearing up for the biggest test of her life: winning a spot to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

Rotem, 25 years old, has been practicing martial arts since the age of five. She starting competing at age seven, battling her way from local to international contests.  The defining moment of her sporting career came in 2019, when she beat the world karate champion at the European championship in Spain.  The way to Tokyo, however, has been more circuitous than she imagined.  COVID19 has put competitions on hold for more than a year, though she has been able to train with the team, albeit wearing a mask.  Rotem faces her next hurdle in Paris on June 11, where she will have to compete for her spot at the summer Olympics.

So how does she combine a demanding academic program with a grueling training regimen?  “People at Sapir have been very supportive.  They help me resolve scheduling conflicts between courses, exams and training events.  Honestly, I don’t know how I could have done it without them.”  Faculty and fellow students at Sapir are thrilled at the prospect of studying with an Olympic medalist.  And as everyone knows, you just don’t mess with Rotem. 

Nofar Kukbanker lives in Dimona, she graduated in 2006, with a BA in Technological Marketing. She chose to study at Sapir College as the innovative Technological Marketing degree course looked interesting and was not available at other colleges.  
A serial entrepreneur, after two years of working in the industry, Nofar started the first of her own businesses. She then pursued a MBA and MA degree from New York University. Today, she is a Marketing Communications Manager at Risco. In parallel, she operates her own business, NK Marketing, for large and small clients such as the Ministry of Housing and Israel Nature and Parks Authority, etc. In addition, she is working on her own startup and investing in other startups.

In her own words: "College studies were fun and instructive. When I started work in the high-tech market, I realized the importance of each course and I use all the methods and tools that I acquired during my degree studies. In addition, I gained friends for life; we meet up regularly for business and pleasure. I believe that the college education provided by Sapir−offers the best chance for success−to get the job that you want or to start your own business. It is up to you! Learn as much as possible, enjoy, do lots of networking- the sky is the limit!"