REVEREND GERALDINE A. H. SINGLETON: A Legacy of Love and Leadership

Reverend Geraldine Ardelia Howell Singleton is a woman of many talents and blessings. She has dedicated her personal and professional life to her Savior, family, students, friends, and community. Reverend Singleton is a hard-working, focused, dedicated, and committed person. Through a lifetime of service, she has commanded the respect of those with whom she has used her God-given talents to lead effectively and lovingly.

Reverend Singleton’s spiritual life demonstrates a proper walk of love. According to her philosophy of living, Singleton loves people no matter their situation or station in life. She believes that despite life’s challenges, we are placed on Earth to effect positive change. Singleton states, “We are our “brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Philippians 2:4 tells us, Let each of you look not only to his interests but also to the interests of others.” This philosophy is constantly exhibited in her daily life as she seeks to provide opportunities for others.

Early Life

Reverend Singleton was born in Brooker, Florida, the third of 12 children, to Winford Alfonso Howell and LuGladys Howell (nee McAlister). Singleton mentions that her grandmother, Mrs. Eliza Jane McAlister, was also instrumental in her life. She served as a certified midwife in the Brooker area and was a role model for Reverend Singleton and her siblings.

She also vividly remembers how her mother began college study at 60 at Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Florida, and subsequently taught in Alachua County Public Schools as an elementary teacher for ten years. Singleton reminisces, “The parents and elders in my family and community modeled hard work, determination, perseverance, and success. Without question, one of their favorite scriptures was ‘Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’”

Singleton began her postsecondary education at Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida, earned her associate degree from Santa Fe Community College in 1971, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville, in 1973, and a master’s degree from the University of Florida in 1974. She completed advanced studies and doctoral coursework in educational administration at the University of Florida from 1978 to 1979. In each educational setting, Singleton completed her studies with academic honors.

Professional Career

Reverend Singleton’s professional background demonstrates a steady progression in leadership advancement, beginning with secondary classroom instruction in the 1970’s. Reverend Singleton has faculty and administrative experience that spans five decades in institutional settings, including secondary and higher education. Among her professional experiences, Singleton was employed with the Alachua County Public School District as a classroom teacher from March 1973 to September 1975. After graduating from Santa Fe Community College, she began working there full-time in 1975. She served in various leadership positions, including coordinator and director, for 28 years at Santa Fe.

One of her most notable positions at Santa Fe was the Director of Minority Affairs, later renamed the Office of Ethnic Diversity, where she served for over 12 years. Singleton remarks, “I had the opportunity to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) before those became buzzwords. I praise God for the limitless opportunities to positively impact the lives of students and staff with whom I interacted at Santa Fe. I am proud of the work I completed there.”