Dr. Christina Belotti has served the Monroe County School District for the past 19 years. She began her career teaching fifth grade at Sugarloaf Elementary School before spending 15 years at Marathon Middle High School, where she taught Language Arts, Critical Thinking, Intensive Reading, and AVID. Remaining at her alma mater, three years ago she had the opportunity to work in a new capacity, teaching high school Leadership, AVID, and Intensive Reading, while also serving as the Student Government Association Faculty Advisor.

Dr. Belotti was selected by her colleagues as Teacher of the Year in 2012–2013 and 2022–2023. In her current role, she is dedicated to guiding students as they explore post graduation pathways and champions The College of the Florida Keys as a strong postsecondary option for many of her AVID students.

Dr. Belotti earned an Associate in Arts from CFK in 2004 before completing Barry University’s 2+2 program on the CFK Key West Campus, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She later earned a master’s degree in Secondary Literacy and a doctorate in Education with a concentration in teacher leadership, both from Walden University.

Deeply committed to service, Dr. Belotti is a board member and active volunteer with the Educational Coalition for Monroe County (ECMC). Through ECMC, she co-sponsors the Marathon High School Champions for Change youth organization, empowering students to serve as peer to peer prevention leaders and support classmates facing poverty and other challenges. She oversees several initiatives, including the Teen Weekend Food Bag Program, the Champions for Change Clothing Exchange, and the Gifts for Teens Program.

An avid runner, reader, fitness enthusiast, Disney fan, and dedicated community volunteer, Dr. Belotti credits her mother, Tina Belotti—also a CFK alumna—for inspiring her passion for education and service.

Associate in Arts, 1971

A Pennsylvania native and graduate of Red Lion Senior High School, Dr. Grove became SCUBA certified at 16 and spent summers serving ice cream in Rehoboth Beach to fund his travels. It was there he fell in love with surfing and developed a deep interest in marine biology. In 1970, he journeyed to the Florida Keys, and by 1971 had enrolled at what is now The College of the Florida Keys. After graduation, he worked aboard yachts in the Caribbean and at a turtle farm in the Cayman Islands before beginning his undergraduate studies at the University of West Florida. A pivotal opportunity arose when he was invited to sail from Miami to the Galápagos Islands, setting the course for a lifelong dedication to the ocean.

Dr. Grove's first sail in the Pacific in 1975 marked the beginning of a 50-year journey in marine science. He has traveled to over 100 countries, working as a naturalist, dive master, and expedition leader, and spent seven years living aboard the Bucanero in the Galápagos, conducting research for the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History and Ecuador’s Instituto Nacional de Pesca. He authored the definitive guide Fishes of the Galápagos Islands in 1997, with a new edition set for open access release in 2026. Now based in Tavernier in the Upper Keys, Dr. Grove continues his work in conservation, education, and marine research as Executive Director of the East Pacific Corridor Alliance Foundation.

Associate in Arts, 1979

Andy Griffiths is a long-serving member of the Monroe County School Board, first elected in 1992, making him the longest-serving elected official in the county. A 1979 graduate of The College of the Florida Keys, he soon earned his Captain’s License and launched a fishing charter business. While growing his enterprise, Griffiths commuted weekly from Key West to Miami to complete a Bachelor of Arts at Florida International University. He eventually expanded his business to include six 43-foot charter boats offering overnight trips to the Dry Tortugas. In 2006, he sold the property housing his fleet and transferred ownership of the boats to his captains, shifting his focus to rental property.

Griffiths has held leadership roles on numerous local and state boards, including the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, Keys Federal Credit Union, United Way of the Florida Keys, Rotary Club of Key West, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He has served as president of several organizations, including the United Way of Florida, the Monroe County School Board, and the Florida School Board Association. A passionate fisherman and advocate for education, he supports public engagement in both fields and is a major donor to the Take Stock in Children Program and the Key West Community Sailing Center. Griffiths resides in Key West and is the proud father of two daughters.

Associate in Science, Nursing, 1987

After a career as a professional firefighter, Dr. Mallinson began his journey in healthcare in Key West, earning an Associate in Science in Nursing from CFK in 1987. While working as an ICU nurse, he completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Miami and became a nationally recognized expert in HIV/AIDS nursing. He later earned both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University. With over 36 years of experience caring for individuals with HIV in the U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Mallinson secured $3.5 million in funding for a multi-year project to strengthen nursing capacity in South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. As a Fulbright Scholar, he lived in Swaziland for a year, teaching and conducting research.

Dr. Mallinson has authored numerous scholarly articles, policy briefs, and book chapters, and has presented his work on five continents. He has served on the National Board of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care and was President of the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2008. He has also worked as a consultant to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher and several African health ministers. Recently, he published a memoir recounting his years as a firefighter in Key West during the early 1980s. Now retired as Associate Professor and Director of the Ph.D. in Nursing program at George Mason University, Dr. Mallinson lives on the Eastern Shore of Delaware with his husband and their son.

Class of 2019
Associate in Science, Marine Environmental Technology

Caitlin McCall is a passionate “eco-preneur” who has combined her education in marine conservation, marketing, and scuba diving to create a social media platform for herself, as well as multiple businesses that focus on education and amplifying conservation brands.

She is the owner of Eco-Conscious Diver, a marine conservation education platform, which provides three online courses, including PADI certifications and certificates, free learning resources, in-person diving events, a podcast, and merchandise. She also owns McCall Digital Marketing, an online marketing agency which specializes in eco-products, scuba diving industry, and marine conservation businesses and non-profits.

Caitlin proudly tells anyone who will listen that attending CFK for Marine Environmental Technology changed her life and career, as it gave her hands-on experience and allowed her to niche down in an industry for which she’s passionate and create a life of which she is proud and loves. Follow her journey and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at @SeaCaitlinMcCall.