Under the leadership of Learning Center Manager David Reed, Skyline College Learning Center Student Assistants greeted the students attending this year’s Skylloween event to promote TLC services and share information. Students learned that TLC provides free services such as tutoring, skill-building workshops, and computer lab access to help students in all Skyline College courses succeed.

The Learning Center was identified as one of the key strategic priorities in the 2012 – 2017 Strategic Plan. Part of that plan is focused on supporting students learning experiences by expanding their technological capacity, such as offering online tutoring. An online tutoring platform is currently being piloted in several Math and English courses this semester, with plans for expansion in the coming semesters. David Reed will be working with faculty and staff to further design a vision for the future of the Learning Center and how it aligns with the strategic priorities.

If you have ideas or suggestions for ways TLC can serve our students and community, please contact David Reed at reedd@smccd.edu

Article by David Reed | Photo by Regina Stanback Stroud

Skyline College and the CTTL are pleased to announce “Cultural Competency: A Cross Race/Gender Conversation,” an all-employee Flex Day/Professional Development event that will offer the opportunity to learn strategies for beginning difficult conversations about race and gender.  This special event will feature Lee Mun Wah, an internationally renowned Chinese American documentary filmmaker, author, poet, Asian folkteller, educator, community therapist and master diversity trainer.

Stolen Ground, Lee Mun Wah’s first documentary about the experience of Asian Americans, won honorable mention at the San Francisco International Film Festival and is his most famous film about racism.  The Color of Fear, won the Gold Medal for Best Social Studies Documentary, and Part Two of this film, Walking Each Other Home, won the Cindy Competition Silver Medal for Social Science.  In 1995, Oprah Winfrey did a one-hour special on Lee Mun Wah’s life and work that was seen by over 15 million viewers internationally.  In 2005, Lee Mun Wah directed and produced the film, Last Chance for Eden, a three-part documentary on sexism and racism. His book, Let’s Get Real—What People of Color Can’t Say & Whites Won’t Ask About Racism, was released in 2011, and in 2013 he released his latest film, If These Halls Could Talk, a documentary that focuses on college students and their dialogue about race and racism, as well as other diversity issues, in higher education.

Diverse institutions offer tremendous potential for learning and enrichment, yet there are also moments of conflict and tension over differences in perspective.  It is Lee Mun Wah’s belief that we cannot wait until tomorrow for some charismatic leader to appear who will bring us all together.  We each must take a stand and personally participate in this important journey of confronting our fears and beginning a conversation not only with those we love, but also those we have been taught to fear.  We cannot continue being separate and unequal without there being a cost to each and every generation.  Our survival and the very future of our children depend on all of us embracing our differences as well as our mutuality.  If we can accomplish this in our lifetime, we can then look back and know that we have found a way to live together authentically and harmoniously, using and honoring all of our gifts and special contributions.  To Lee Mun Wah, this is the true meaning of multiculturalism.

Join Lee Mun Wah and Skyline College colleagues at this special, all-employee Flex Day/Professional Development event on November 26, 9:00-12:00.  RSVP via Eventbrite at https://culturaldialogue.eventbrite.com by Monday, November 24.  For more information, contact Nina Floro, Professional Development Coordinator, at floro@smccd.edu.

For a trailer of Lee Mun Wah’s latest documentary film, If These Halls Could Talk, go to http://youtu.be/o_81DwriCNc.

Article by Nina Floro (some article content from www.stirfryseminars.com)

Next Thursday, November 6, from 6-8 p.m. in Building 6, Room 6202, TRiO Student Support Services will be celebrating our Family Night reception with refreshments and food, an introduction of new TRiO students and staff, replete with updates regarding the TRiO Club and Service Learning Ambassadors. As well, we will provide information regarding other notable events such as campus visits. Family Night will feature educational break-out sessions related to budgeting, student loans, and scholarships facilitated by our partners in the Financial Aid Office and SparkPoint Programs. Students are encouraged to bring two guests as we extend this celebration and educational opportunity to their immediate communities. Family Night will be concluded by an opportunity drawing, with prizes donated, courtesy of our colleagues in the college Bookstore.

Please RSVP for this event by visiting the TRiO Office located in the Learning Center on the first floor of Building 5.

Please Note: TRiO is now accepting New Student Applications for the 2014-2015 school year. Please refer students who may benefit from TRiO services while spaces are still available. Returning students who wish to continue their TRiO services are advised to complete a Returning TRiO Student Form in the Enrollment Center of Building 5, and to schedule their first counseling appointment for the fall semester.

For more information, please contact Judith Cheung—at cheungj@smccd.edu or call 650-738-4144, located in Building 5.

Article by Arash Daneshzadeh

Skyline College hosted a successful “Network at Night” Community Mixer Thursday evening, October 23 for about 50 attendees. Community members from around San Mateo County, along with Skyline College faculty and staff, came together to mix and mingle over wine and food, connect with other educational and business leaders and visit the beautiful campus that serves as a resource for so many in our community. For some of the attendees, this was a chance to revisit Skyline College after a long absence, and they were pleasantly surprised by the progress the college has made with its campus and facilities – progress made possible thanks to several bond measures passed over the last 15 years.

With past progress in mind, and an eye toward the future, Jose D. Nunez, Vice Chancellor of Facilities Planning, Maintenance & Operations for SMCCD, gave a brief presentation that highlighted the distinct need for continued improvements throughout all three SMCCD campuses, including Skyline College. An upcoming bond measure on the November ballot would raise $388 million, and if passed, would provide funds to make further improvements for the colleges across the district. Nunez outlined how these funds would be used, including completely demolishing and rebuilding Building 1, revamping the interior of Building 2, expanding parking lots, and creating a new Energy Systems Technology building on the current site of Pacific Heights.

The networking event was a great chance for participants to reacquaint themselves with the Skyline College campus, connect with other local leaders and learn about how existing resources at Skyline College may be improved in the future.

Article by Connor Fitzpatrick | Photos by Maryam Ali

Students in the Skyline College Bécalos Program enjoyed San Francisco’s sights and sounds this past Saturday, October 25, as they toured Chinatown as part of the Cultural Immersion Series. The visiting students from Mexico experienced the culinary and historical outing by sampling hot-off-the-press fortune cookies, weaving through outdoor markets, and experiencing the reverence of Chinatown’s earliest place of worship, Tin How Temple.

The students participated in guided tours of the Chinese Cultural Center and the Chinese Historical Society Museum led by local staff members. The oral presentations shed light on the history and influence of Chinese immigrants documented through art, murals, relics, and photography.  Students learned about significant contributions of past decades and obtained a personal view of San Francisco’s rich cultural diversity. Throughout the day, they snapped photos of landmarks as they chronicled their trip on BART and walked the hills between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street. The group was also accompanied by Skyline College staff member, Brian Jenny who served as a chaperone.

Upcoming Immersion trips will focus on higher education, and civic organizations in an effort to increase awareness of American institutions.

For more information or to particiapte in the Becalos Program Cultural Immersion Series, please contact Alessandra Zanassi at zanassia@smccd.edu .

Article and photos by Alessandra Zanassi

The Skyline College SSS Program is proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of this month’s TRiO Student Spotlight: Griselda Erazo.

A word from Griselda:

“My name is Griselda Erazo and I am a TRiO ambassador. Currently, I also serve as the TRiO Club President and Secretary for the Latin American Student Organization, another student club on campus.  For three years now, I have been part of the TRiO program at Skyline College. TRiO has helped me tremendously and I have gained so much knowledge as a result of my participation and involvement with the program; TRiO has shaped me into a responsible and successful college student. I am a Zoology major and hope to transfer to San Diego State University by fall 2015.   I hope to one day work with large animals such as giraffes and elephants.”

As part of her outreach, Griselda and the rest of our TRiO Ambassadors will also liaise each of your programs and will be consigned various support programs whose missions complement the focus of TRiO, as guided by the United States Department of Education. Please do not hesitate to reserve a presentation to your classroom or program by any one of our outstanding TRiO Ambassadors. To reserve a classroom presentation today, please email our Ambassador Coordinator—Arielle Smith—at smitha@smccd.edu. For other queries or possible opportunities for collaboration, please contact the Interim TRiO Director—Arash Daneshzadeh—at daneshzadeha@smccd.edu.

Article by Arash Daneshzadeh

Beta Theta Omicron (BOO) officers made a presentation to the Board of Trustees at the October 22 meeting.  Everyone present commented on the professionalism of the officers and the quality of their presentation. Involvement in Phi Theta Kappa encourages members to grow as scholars and servant-leaders. The officers highlighted accomplishments since the chapter was chartered in 1999 and reported on their current projects.  The Skyline College BOO chapter has earned five-star status, the highest ranking awarded by Phi Theta Kappa, every year. This ranking required that Chapter officers submit written reports on their Honors in Action and College Projects.

The written reports are judged, and scores are ranked against the 1400 other chapters. Beta Theta Omicron is currently the highest ranked chapter in the Nevada/California Region and one of the 10 distinguished chapters in the world. BOO members have won nearly one million dollars in scholarships, and every year, two chapter members have earned the All-California Academic team scholarship.

The Honors in Action project must address a question in the annual Honors Study Topic, which involves academic research and a service project. The Chapter’s 2014 winning Honors in Action project involved doing original scientific research on Cape Ivy, an invasive plant on the Skyline College campus. Members investigated both the effects and the biology of this plant – information that is not available in the literature. Members and non-members from a variety of majors were involved in mapping, field collecting, and laboratory research.

For the service component of the current Honors Study Topic, members are teaching senior citizens how to use their laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The current College Project is teaching science laboratories at local middle schools.

Since 2003, USA Today has sponsored a Case Study Challenge on the Honors Study Topic. Chapter members develop the essay, study questions and future implications to address an issue within the Honors Study Topic.  Beta Theta Omicron has won the Case Study Challenge eight times.

Shown in the photo, from left: Christian Galang, Livius D, Jaimelynn Alvarez, Susan Wu, Aulani Saizon, Regina Stanback Stroud, Christine Case

Article by Christine Case | Photo by Sarah Perkins

On October 16, 2014, the Capuchino High School Band and the Skyline College Concert Band joined together to present an exciting concert of classical and popular music in the Skyline College Theater.

The 28-member ensemble from San Bruno’s public schools, under the direction of veteran music teacher Justin Cottrell, began the night with a set of diverse selections, from a Henry Fillmore march to an arrangement of the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back.”

Following a brief intermission, the 47-member Skyline College ensemble took the stage and performed pieces celebrating friendship: “Old Friends” march, Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, and a medley of tunes from Disney’s Aladdin (including “Friend Like Me”).

The Capuchino Band then joined the Skyline College Band on stage, forming a massive combined band. The joint ensemble performed Karrick’s “Companions on the Journey,” the Skyline College “Alma Mater,” and a surprise encore piece, the Capuchino High School fight song, “Cheer Cap.”

The next concert to feature the Skyline College Concert Band will also feature the brand new Skyline College Symphony Orchestra in December 2014.

Article by Zack Bruno

Carlos Rojo, a Doctoral student at UCSF, recently gave an exciting lecture to over 30 Skyline College students and faculty, many of whom are interested in entering the medical field.  The Science in Action Seminar series is open to the public on each Monday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  Topics vary, but all invited speakers will talk about why they chose their career path and how they managed to balance their family life and school life and how they are paying for their education.

Carlos’ talk was particularly interesting because he stressed that students need to believe in themselves in order to earn their degree. He gave examples of how professors and colleagues can seem so knowledgeable, and you feel inadequate in comparison, but he stressed that feeling inadequate is the way everyone feels when they are just starting out at school and that If students believe in themselves then they have the opportunity to know just as much as everyone else.

For more information on future talks see the Science in Action website at http://www.skylinecollege.edu/scienceinaction/

Photo: Skyline student Jeremy Sarnecky shares a laugh with Carlos Rojo, a Doctoral student at UCSF

Article by Nick Kapp

On Friday, September 26, TRiO Student Support Services took 25 students for a campus visit to Sonoma State University. Students enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the campus led by admission representatives and student liaisons. Among the unique components of this tour, students were provided an opportunity to visit transfer residential learning commons, walk around the lake on campus where students actually fish, and to partake in lunch on campus in the dining hall with other SSU students. As well, current undergraduates provided a panel presentations that interweaved personal anecdotes and insights related to their undergraduate college experiences. This information profoundly resonated with our students, many of whom intimated their interest in the institution and the opportunity to explore other campuses before cultivating their list of prospective four-year institutions.

Please Note: TRiO is now accepting New Student Applications for the 2014-2015 school year. Please refer students who may benefit from TRiO services while spaces are still available. Returning students who wish to continue their TRiO services are advised to complete a Returning TRiO Student Form Enrollment Center of Building 5, and to schedule their first counseling appointment for the fall semester.

For more information, please contact Judith Cheung—at cheungj@smccd.edu or call 650-738-4144, located in Building 5.

Article by Arash Daneshzadeh