On Saturday, August 17, over 175 new students participated in X-Treme Saturday, an all-day one-stop event for students to complete the matriculation process and register for courses.  Throughout the day, students were able to be assessed for placement, meet with a counselor, attend an orientation, see eligibility for BOG waivers and other types and financial aid and register for fall classes.

In addition, new Skyline College students participated in a Program Showcase where over 15 departments, clubs and organizations such as EOPS, TRiO, Associate Students at Skyline College and Public Safety provided information on how to further connect with the College community.  Students were also introduced to the Benefits Access for College Completion Program, Financial Coaching Program and information about the Food Pantry on-campus.  After the Counseling Department provided an orientation, students were entered into a raffle for giveaways such as gas cards, gift cards and a Netbook computer provided by the Skyline College Bookstore.

Many thanks to the following offices and departments for their assistance in creating a successful program: Office of the Vice President, Student Services and Instruction, Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Office, Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, Cashiers, SparkPont at Skyline College, Student Life, Counseling, Assessment and Public Safety.

The event was funded in part by the Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges, through a grant managed by SparkPoint at Skyline College.

 Article by Nohel Corral, Dr. John Mosby, Dr. William Watson. Photos by Raul Guerra.

Friday, August 23, 2013

• 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Welcome Week sponsored by the ASSC, Ice Cream Social, Skyline College, Quad

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

• 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Skyline College – Men’s Soccer, San Pablo

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

• 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Transfer Center – Notre Dame de Namur Rep Visit, Skyline College, Building 6 – Main Cafeteria
• 12:10 p.m. – 1:40 p.m., Transfer Center – Transfer Admissions Guarantee (TAG) Workshop, Skyline College, Building 2, 2117B
• 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Transfer Center – Transfer Admissions Guarantee (TAG) Workshop, Skyline College, Building 2, Room 2117A

Friday, August 30, 2013

• 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Skyline College – Women’s Soccer, Skyline College

For the latest information on events and activities happening at Skyline College, please view our calendar at the following link:

http://www.skylinecollege.edu/events/index.php

If you would like to include your college event or activity on the calendar, please submit the event, date, time and location to Cherie M. Napier via email at napierc@smccd.edu.

We’re making a few changes in the Office of the V.P. of Instruction that will allow us to serve the faculty, staff, and students more effectively. Sherrie Prasad is our new Administrative Assistant and will be moving to 4-322 directly across from the entrance into the Administration Office area. Her duties will include managing work flow in the office, supporting projects and taking the lead on coordinating the schedule of classes.

Brian Besnyi will be moving from the reception desk and joining the office in his new role as Administrative Secretary.  He will be located at the workstation outside the VPI office. His work will include facilitating the production of the catalog for instruction, supporting various committees, and keeping instruction websites updated.

Maria Norris, our Curriculum and Instructional Systems Specialist, will continue her work with CurricUNET, audit support, data-related reporting, and managing curriculum systems for the college. She is staying in her current location in 4-310.

Now, the fun information: Sherrie lives in South San Francisco; her hobby is being an extraordinary Giants fan; her favorite food is mango. Bryan lives in Half Moon Bay; his hobby is hiking; his favorite food is steak and chees nachos with hot sauce. Maria lives in San Mateo; her hobby is all things cats; her favorite food is anything Italian.

Article by Dr. Sarah F. Perkins.

Using the latest advancement in neuroscience of neuroplasticity and Interactive Metronome neurotechnology, researchers Tony Jackson, Ph.D. and Raymond Jones, Ph.D. have piloted a small research evidence-based brain training program at Skyline College in the spring semester of 2013.  Contemporary evidence-based neuroscience research indicates that the rhythm-timing based IM neurotechnology can rewire the brain so that it can function faster and more efficiently by (1) repairing or developing efficient neural pathways; and (2) increasing cortical reorganization through sensory stimulation. The rewired brain improves the brain’s processing speed in milliseconds (1/1000) for fast synchronization between the brain’s major networks.  If this millisecond timing is compromised, efficient and normal cognition and motor behavior can be negatively impacted.   The IM process has proven to be extremely useful in improving attentional control of focus, concentration and brain speed in brain-related cognitive dysfunctions such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder; behavioral challenges of post-traumatic stress syndrome and traumatic brain injury; and with improving athletic performance.

The Brain Training and Peak Performance Project Student Learning Outcomes were as followes:

• To improve task millisecond (ms) average (TMA) increase brain speed as measured by IM normative data for subject’s age
• To improve variability ms average (VMA) to enhance rhythm and timing as measured by IM normative data for subject’s age
• To improve super-right-on (SRO) percentage to strengthen concentration and focus as measured by IM normative data for subject’s age
• To improve the in-a-row (IAR) hits to gain impulse control as measured by IM normative data for subject’s age

Through the initial support of President Innovation the Interactive Metronome (IM) was purchased, subsequent funding sources were requested to conduct the actual research but were unavailable.  Undaunted, the researchers proceeded, volunteering their time and revenue to finance the two Skyline College student research assistants that volunteered their time to work with the subjects.  The lack of funding resulted in a narrower research focus on Skyline College students with cognitive dysfunctions and behavioral challenges.

The subjects self-referred themselves to participate in the research project.  S.1 was a 47 year old male who suffered from a left hemispheric stroke that had caused cognitive deficits including poor memory recall, difficulty remember names, and slow processing, i.e., difficulty with math.  S.2 was a 36 year old male, who was an Iraqi Conflict veteran presented with complaints of having difficulty of paying attention and “staying on track” with his thoughts.  The subjects were assigned to a trained research assistant that implemented the brain training work plan for each session.  Subjects worked out twice a week, 45 minutes per session for a total of 18 sessions.  The work plan detailed the type of exercise, along with number of repetitions, level of difficulty, and the number of beats-per-minute for each exercise.

A multi-method approach of quantitative and qualitative evaluation was used to collect data.  Quantitative data was collected and interpreted for each specific exercise during each session; it provided the benchmark for measuring progress.  The quantitative data collected included the following:  task ms average which indicates how close the responses were to the reference tone (lower the number the better); variability ms average measures how close the responses were to each other instead of the reference tone; super-right-on percentage tell what percentage of the responses were in the 15 MS range of the reference tone; early/late percentage which measures the how many responses were early or late; in-a-row is the highest number of responses in row that were within 15 ms of the reference tone.  The qualitative data collection consisted of self-reflection pre/post survey intended to identify how daily life function may be improved by IM, subjects self-evaluated themselves in the areas of:  memory recall, organizational skills, concentration/focus, multi-tasking, coping skills and rhythm/timing.

 Pictured from L-R: Dr. Ray Jones, Research Assistants: Tatyana Alfaro, Brian Doan and Dr. Tony Jackson

Article by: Dr. Tony Jackson. Photos by: Raul Guerra.

It is with great pleasure that I announce Karen Wong as the newest member to Skyline College’s Office of Planning, Research & Institutional Effectiveness team.  She will be serving as the Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness. Her responsibilities will range from further developing institutional practices to assisting in the implementation of efforts to meet local, state, regional, and national requirements. The PRIE office is very excited to have someone with the experience, background, knowledge, and dedication Karen brings. Please join us in welcoming her to this new role and feel free to contact with her with any questions you may have.

Welcome Karen!

Article by Dr. David D. Ulate.

On July 24, 25, and 26, 2013 The Skyline College Learning Center hosted a series of Supplemental Instruction (SI) training workshops for student leaders, faculty, and staff. These trainings covered the key concepts that have made SI successful at other colleges, the roles and responsibilities of student SI leaders, SI faculty, and SI program staff, and some very helpful examples of approaches and materials.

The trainings were led by Janice Levasseur, SI coordinator at Mt. San Jacinto College, and based on the model of SI developed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Twelve faculty members from the Math, English and Biology departments were in attendance, as well as twelve current and prospective student SI Leaders who will be paired with each instructor for fall 2013.

The response from participants was very positive, both faculty and student participants left the training with a solid understanding of SI and the key concepts that guide it.

“I have a much better idea of what SI is, I only knew a few things about it before this training” – faculty participant

“I have a much clearer understanding of my role as an SI leader now than I did before, I know what my job is and what it is not” – returning SI Leader

Nationally, established SI programs aligned with this model have shown improvement of one half to a full letter grade for students who participate – this is significant given that student persistence and success rates have been a challenge to improve throughout higher education in spite of many approaches and efforts.

The goal of Skyline College’s SI program is to significantly improve student completion in “gatekeeper” courses – so called because they often determine the ability of students to complete critical transfer requirements, advance from below college-level to transfer level, or move from ESOL to regular English.

Other key elements of the SI program include peer-to-peer learning and active learning, both of which are proven methods of increasing students’ understanding of course content and key concepts.

  SI Leaders used their imagination for the “Human Machines” exercise

SI Faculty and SI leaders honed their dramatic skills in the Friday session icebreaker exercise “All the World’s a Stage”

SI leaders Jennifer Montanez and Jessica Belluomini led an excellent mock SI session

Article submitted by David Reed, Learning Center Director.

At-Risk for Faculty, Staff, Administrators and Students is an online, interactive gatekeeper training simulation used at more than 200 campuses nationwide.  Learn to identify and talk to students exhibiting signs of psychological distress and motivate them to seek appropriate help.  Possible signs of distress include depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.

Available for immediate use:  Access simulations 24/7 at:  http://kognito.com/ccc

 

 

These online courses are available 24/7, approximately 30-45 minutes in length and can be completed in multiple sessions allowing you to return at your convenience as many times as needed.  Two hours of flex credit available for faculty who complete all three courses. 

Don’t wait! This offer will expire.  For more information contact Liz Llamas, MFT 650-738-4351 and/or Bev Muse, MFT 650-738-4459 with Psychological Services and Personal Counseling.

Article submitted by Liz Llamas.

Skyline College Classified Senate President, Linda Allen and Secretary Nancy Lam attended this year’s Classified Leadership Institute Capitalizing Shared Governance to Ensure Student Success.  This year’s conference, held in Sacramento at the Red Lion Woodlake Conference Center, focused on effective classified participation in the participatory governance process at both state and local levels.

The Institute promotes personal development and trains classified staff in professional leadership skills, leading to increased confidence and the ability to communicate effectively.  The event offered classified staff from around the state an opportunity to interact and network with their peers in formal sessions as well as in casual discussion groups.

The Classified Senate encourages all classified staff to attend this leadership training next year. You may apply for Classified Staff Development Funds if you wish to attend the Institute

Article submitted by Linda Allen.