The past 2 weeks have been busy for the popular Science in Action Lecture Series. On Wednesday, October 2, current PhD student Karmela Ramos visited Skyline College from the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at UCSF. Born and raised in the Philippines, Karmela moved to the United States at 17 years old. She discussed her journey beginning with American River Community College in Sacramento, and emphasized the importance of finding a mentor during school. She said that her mentor relationship with one instructor at ARC was the key to her success, because of the guidance provided to her.

Karmela was very clear and well-spoken while breaking down her experience as a student, specifically discussing how research and rotations work in graduate school. She shared tips and resources that she most valued, including learning to think critically, ask questions, apply new technology, and appreciate the value of resources.

This Wednesday afternoon, October 9, Dr. John Sauceda spoke about his experience working at the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies and concurrently pursuing an additional MS at UCSF. Dr. Sauceda was born and raised in Texas. He received a BA in psychology at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas in 2006. Afterwards, he earned a MA in Clinical Psychology, a Certificate in Quantitative Methods, and a PhD in Health Psychology from The University of Texas at El Paso, focusing on health disparities in underserved and understudied Latinos living with HIV/AIDS on the U.S.-Mexico Border.

Dr. Saucedo shared his “turnaround” experience in college – receiving a “C” in Statistics class. He admitted being extremely unfocused when he began his college career, and this grade made him change his course and really embark on an educational journey. Over 100 students were in attendance and were very responsive to his discussion entitled “Mental health and HIV: A journey to the world’s largest and top-ranked HIV research center.” There was a lengthy question and answer time at the end of his presentation.

The weekly Science Lecture Series contains valuable information, tips and advice for students in every area of academic study, not just science. It is free and open to anyone who would like to attend. It meets every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in Bldg. 7, Room 7106.

 Article by Alana Utsumi and Carmen Velez, Photo by Carmen Velez.

 

 

The City of San Bruno and the San Bruno Beautification Task Force presented Skyline College with the 2013 Beautification Award for Public Arts Contributions. The award was presented to Skyline College President, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, by Ms. Irene O’Connell, Vice Mayor & Chair of the Beautification Task Force on October 8, 2013.

The San Bruno City Council bestowed Beautification Awards in several categories including residential, commercial, and public arts.

The Mission of the Beautification Task Force of the City of San Bruno is to promote “….the quality of life in San Bruno by creating, supporting and participating in activities and programs that improve the physical and aesthetic environment of our community… by:

• Educating the community about enhancing and protecting San Bruno’s environmental assets;
• Advocating a high standard of community responsibility, cleanliness, maintenance and attractiveness for our developed and natural environment;
• Creating and promoting partnerships and resident participation in improving our community;
• Monitoring neighborhood and citywide cleanups, Earth Day activities, Beautification Awards, and similar programs.

On the behalf of the Board of Trustees for SMCCCD, Chancellor Galatolo, the esteemed faculty, staff and students of Skyline College, President Dr. Stanback Stroud accepted the award and acknowledged the attendees including:

• Karen Powell, Director of Maintenance and Operations and representing Vice Chancellor José Nuñez whose leadership and support made it possible along with the Honorable Mayor Jim Ruane.
• Eloisa Briones, Vice President of Administrative Services, and Donna Bestock, Dean of Social Science, Creative Arts and Chair of the Art-on-Campus Task Force.
• Art faculty members Professor Ellen Lowenstein, Paul Bridenbaugh, Bridget Fischer, and Amir Esfahani.

The college received a beautiful Certificate of Special Recognition that will be placed in the Building 4 case on the third floor. Congratulations to Skyline College and thank you to the community, the district and the college community for the support and pride bestowed upon the college. And most of all, thank you to Carolyn Livengood for nominating Skyline College and for her longtime support of the college and for her efforts to ensure that the city knows what a gem we all have here in Skyline College. It is precisely the beautiful place that our students deserve.

Article by Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud.

 

The Skyline College Center for Workforce Development (CWD) has entered into a contract with the California Corporate College through Covered California to provide training in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Covered California is a new health insurance marketplace where individuals and families shopping for insurance can compare and choose health coverage that best fits their needs and budget. The marketplace is designed so people who qualify can easily get financial assistance to make coverage more affordable.

The CWD is providing Covered California trainings to two groups – Certified Enrollment Counselors and Insurance Brokers. The trainings will allow participants to gain knowledge about Covered California, the Affordable Care Act, and the programs and assistance it provides so that they can help their clients better understand the health insurance options available to them. The CWD may train as many as 600 counselors and brokers during the fall semester.

Fully understanding Covered California is important because the program can provide a number of ways to help individuals and families without health insurance make coverage a reality. The trainings will continue throughout the fall semester on the following dates:

• October 21-23
• November 4-6
• November 18-20
• December 2-4

Article By Connor Fitzpatrick, Photos By Jeremy Evangelista.

 

 

 

 

 

The Center for Student Life & Leadership Development presents:

Jimmy Santiago Baca,
award winning poet and writer,
Tuesday, October 15 at 12:30 p.m.
in the Theater, Building One.

Please join us as Mr. Baca reads from his new book Singing at the Gates and discusses the upcoming documentary adaptation of his award winning memoirs, A Place to Stand.

“His voice, brutal and unflinching is unique in America… one worth paying attention to.” – The Nation

Born in New Mexico of Indio-Mexican descent, Jimmy Santiago Baca was raised first by his grandmother and later sent to an orphanage. A runaway at age 13, it was after Baca was sentenced to five years in a maximum security prison that he began to turn his life around: he learned to read and write and unearthed a voracious passion for poetry. He is the winner of the Pushcart Prize, the American Book Award, the International Hispanic Heritage Award and for his memoir A Place to Stand the prestigious International Award

Other works by Jimmy Santiago Baca include:
A Place to Stand
A Glass of Water
Martín & Meditations on the South Valley
Adolescents on the Edge
Stories from the Edge

For more information about Jimmy Santiago Baca visit www.jimmysantiagobaca.com.
Additional information about the documentary film A Place to Stand is available online at http://aplacetostandmovie.com.

The Kababayan Learning Community presents:

A Concert of Songs & Dances of Philippine Indigenous Tribes

 Featuring

Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig

“Children of Mother Earth”

 Saturday, October 12, 2013

Matinee: 2:00 p.m.

Gala: 7:00 p.m.

 Skyline College Main Theater

 These young performers were born and raised in the third largest untreated garbage dump in the world- SMOKEY MOUNTAIN in Tondo, Manila, Phillipines.  This rigorous and disciplined group of performing artists rose above the rubbles of their environment and found meaning in their lives through their talents and creativity.  Their songs, dances and stage drama depict the importance of protecting God’s creation and inspire people to treat each other with love and respect.

 “Dance by the Poorest”

“Dance for the Forest”

 Donation $20

All proceeds will be donated to the Children of Mother Earth Foundation.

Thank you for your generosity.

Tickets available by calling Joe Espinueva, (650) 892-7184, Serramonte Music Center and Victor Medina, (650) 755-6789 JMJ Uniforms, 6789 Mission St. Daly City, CA.