On Monday, January 26 Skyline College was featured on the KQED radio show “Forum with Michael Krasny.” President Dr. Stanback Stroud and Skyline College instructor & alumna Heather Esparza took part in a discussion around the announcement of 4-year bachelor’s degree pilot programs at 15 California Community Colleges, including Skyline College, which will house a planned Respiratory Therapy Bachelor’s Degree Program.

They were joined by California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris who also spoke about the latest developments for community colleges in California and nationally, as announced by President Obama and the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.

Dr. Stroud and Ms. Esparza both offered compelling commentary strongly supporting the creation of Bachelor’s Degree programs at California’s community colleges, arguing that the programs would provide students with an affordable way to become more competitive in industries where 4-year degrees are increasingly a base requirement for employment or advancement in the field.

Listen to the entire interview at KQED’s website.

Article by Connor Fitzpatrick

The Career Services Center is excited to begin the Spring Semester by offering an array of workshops and presentations to help you survive and thrive in your job, your career and your life! Check out our upcoming workshops and Career Conversations Series by clicking on the link below:

http://www.skylinecollege.edu/careercenter/workshops.php

Wednesday, January 28, the Career Services Center kicked off “Get Work Wednesday” in the Dining Hall, by hosting Sprig, a “dine on demand app” that connects users with high-end healthy food choices. Drivers for Sprig can make anywhere from $16-$25 an hour and even receive a free, healthy meal during each shift!

Look out for more employers and job opportunities each Wednesday in the Dining Hall from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. or by checking Skylinejobs.com.

Article by Brian Jenney

The TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) is a special program designed to help Skyline College students shine. “SSS” helps historically marginalized student populations to overcome social and cultural barriers to higher education. Degree and transfer-bound first-generation students, those on financial assistance, as well as students receiving disability resources from the DRC are highly encouraged to apply to Skyline College’s TRiO Program.  TRiO-SSS services include:

• Personalized counseling/tutoring;
• Opportunity to win $1000 grant aid scholarship;
• Priority course registration;
• Leadership Development and Service Learning Opportunities with our TRiO Ambassadors—including a service project day with the SF Food Bank (April 3rd)
• Myriad of career related workshops and events—including trips to Electronic Arts, DreamWorks Studios, Resume Writing, Interview Strategies;
• A wide assortment of financial aid and transfer-related resources;
• Experiential learning—such as personal statement workshops, College Navigator online college search tool, visits to UC Berkeley, Stanford University, UC Davis, Cal Poly-SLO, Sonoma State, SF State, Santa Clara University
• Cultural-appreciation activities—including spoken word, poetry slams, pot lucks
• National TRiO Day academic exposition on February 21, including college fair, a college keynote address by TRiO Alumnus Honorable Councilman Michael Tubbs …. And much more!

Please encourage eligible students to apply immediately, as space within the program is limited. TRiO applications are available in the Learning Center in Building 5, Room 5100 or on our website www.skylinecollege.edu/trio.

For more information, please contact Judith Cheung at cheungj@smccd.edu, call 650-738-4144, or visit in person in Building 5, inside the Learning Center.

Article by Arash Daneshzadeh, TRiO Director

The drop-in computer lab relocation project has been completed. The drop-in lab is now located in the library on the second floor of Building 5 and it is open to students and the public from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday. Students can log in with their Peninsula Library System library card number. Students can apply for a library card at the Circulation Desk.

Students have access to 46 PCs, located at Tables A-F. Table A is designated as 15 minute express stations for students in a hurry (no log-in required). The computers come with Microsoft Office 2013, Adobe Creative Suite 6, Windows Movie Maker, etc. Students also have access to pay-as-you-go print services through Pinnacle. Black & White printing is available at 12 cents per page after the purchase of a Vend Card.

The drop-in lab is now managed by Instructional Aide II Allison Hughes. Allison is available to assist students and answer questions from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Fridays. Allison will also be offering students technology workshops this semester. The first series of workshops is coming up in February:

• February 4, 2015 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Technology Survival Skills Workshop; Library Classroom 5200A
• February 11, 2015 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Microsoft Excel Basics Workshop; Library Classroom 5200A
• February 18, 2015 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Microsoft Word Basics Workshop; Library Classroom 5200A

Please encourage students to visit the library, apply for a library card and begin taking advantage of the resources available to them!

Article by Allison Hughes

As we begin the Spring 2015 semester, TRiO would like to reintroduce our outstanding and very talented TRiO Student Ambassadors, Jessica Baumann, Daniel Erazo, Griselda Erazo, and Andrea Gabriel. Last semester our TRiO Student Ambassadors collaborated with professors on campus and spent countless hours giving presentations and outreaching to Skyline College students.

As a result of their efforts, TRiO currently has 251 active students, who are able to access the multitude of services that TRiO offers, including academic, personal, and career counseling, transfer support, campus visits, access to tutors, and various workshops. The students have also coordinated an upcoming “Day of Service” for their peers in the TRiO Program in conjunction with the San Francisco Food Bank, on April 3, 2015.

The TRiO Ambassadors also worked to create curriculum for future ambassador and leadership training, volunteered with various on-campus events, and participated in a semester-long leadership training.

TRiO serves students who are first-generation, low-income, or have a documented learning/physical disability. The program is still accepting applications for the 2014-2015 school year. Please support us by referring any students who may benefit from TRiO services, while spaces are still available.

Returning students are encouraged to schedule their first counseling appointment for the spring semester as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact Judith Cheung at cheungj@smccd.edu, call 650-738-4144, or visit in person in Building 5, inside the Learning Center.

Article by Arielle Smith

Please join me in welcoming Roger Marcelo to the position of Multimedia Services Coordinator in Media Services. Roger will coordinate the work of Media Services, supporting the use of multimedia for instruction within the classroom, supporting media for meetings and events for Skyline College staff and community guests, and assisting with technology purchasing for the campus.

Roger comes to Skyline College from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where he served as the Lead Music Technician supporting classrooms, recording studios and music production labs for students, faculty and staff. Roger is a College of San Mateo alum, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in Electronic Music. Roger went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology from the California Institute of the Arts.

Roger is excited to join the Skyline College Academic Support & Learning Technologies team and looks forward to working with everyone on campus.

I would like to thank Ricardo Flores, Instructional Technologist with the CTTL for his work in providing leadership and direction for Media Services during this time of transition. With Roger’s arrival, Ricardo will be able to devote all of his time to supporting faculty with the integration of technology into teaching using WebAccess and other tools and in helping faculty design and build successful and engaging online learning experiences.

The ASLT Division also welcomed Karen Dimalanta as our Division Assistant in November. Karen has been with Skyline College since December 2013. Prior to moving to the ASLT Division, she worked in the Counseling Department as an Office Assistant II and served a detail assignment as Division Assistant with the Business, Education, and Professional Programs Division. Before joining Skyline College, Karen worked at American River College and the Los Rios Community College District in Sacramento. Karen has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Export Management from De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, Manila, Philippines.

Article and Photos by Jonathan Paver

It is our pleasure to introduce Victor Barrios to the Skyline College community.

Victor joined the TRiO SSS Program in Fall 2012, during his first semester at Skyline College.  During his time in TRiO, Victor has been an inspiration to many of our students. Victor’s story is truly remarkable.  Due to extenuating circumstances, Victor did not attend high school. However, in Fall 2012, he enrolled at Skyline College to pursue a degree in Engineering.

His passion for learning and his commitment to having a better future for himself and his loved ones have motivated him to excel academically. He has received numerous recognitions and awards at Skyline College. Victor works part-time as a TRiO peer tutor in the Learning Center and at SparkPoint.    In spite of his busy schedule, he is an active student in TRiO, EOPS, and MESA.  He is also an active member of SHPE.

In Victor’s own words:

“When I arrived at Skyline College, I didn’t have much but a goal to transfer to a university. Once I discovered TRIO and met the people involved in the program, I felt that I found a group of people that truly wanted me to succeed and people I could count on. Because of the program, I was able to remain in school when I had no money after receiving a grant from the program. Also, I was able to explore the UC Davis campus, which is my number one choice, only because TRIO allowed me the opportunity to visit. It was a hard transition enrolling into college but it was the greatest decision I made in my young life. I am truly living a dream by being a student at Skyline College, a humbling reality that was made possible by my TRIO family.”

Victor will be transferring in Fall 2015 to continue pursuing his degree in Engineering. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!

Article by Jessica Lopez

TRiO-SSS at Skyline College is continuing its partnership with Cañada College to celebrate five decades of TRiO programs during the National TRiO Day Conference slated for Saturday, February 21, 2015. This year’s event will be hosted by Cañada College and will run from 8:00 am until 2:30 pm. National TRiO Day is a time when TRiO programs from across the nation celebrate the transcendence of historically marginalized first-generation, low-income, and disabled students through interactive learning opportunities designed and spearheaded by student leaders on our respective campuses.

These opportunities include but are not limited to: college success workshops, a college and resource fair, alumni transition panels, personal statement writing seminars, workshops on confronting and mitigating test anxiety, and motivational student and community speakers.

Our keynote speaker for the event is the Honorable Councilman Michael Tubbs, a former Upward Bound student taught by our current TRiO Director at Skyline College, who also partnered with Mr. Tubbs to create the Phoenix Scholars an educational opportunity program akin to TRiO at Stanford University. As a true son of Stockton, Councilman Michael Tubbs’ experiences in the White House, at Stanford University, in East Palo Alto, and in the Stockton community have compelled him to return to his neighborhood to make an impact and to bring about change. Since his election as the youngest African American Councilman in California’s history, he has sought to create a more inclusive and equitable Stockton community. You can learn more about Councilman Tubbs’ personal arc and perspective of educational equity by viewing his TEDtalk.

The TRiO plenary committee is still accepting volunteers and any Skyline College support services who would like to publicize their program at the afternoon’s Resource Fair. TRiO-SSS will provide bus transportation from the Skyline College campus to Cañada College for those who register with the TRiO office, located in the Learning Center of Building 5.  To register for the event, please contact Judy Cheung or Arash Daneshzadeh: (650)738-4144 or at daneshzadeha@smccd.edu.

Article and Photos by Arash Daneshzadeh

Friday, January 30, 2015

• Sustainability Grant Proposal due, Skyline College, Building 1, Room 1311-D
• 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Women’s Basketball v. College of San Mateo, Skyline College
• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Men’s Basketball v. Canada College, Skyline College

Saturday, January 31, 2015

• 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Baseball v. Cosumnes River College, Skyline College

Monday, February 2, 2015

• UC Santa Cruz Pister Leadership Opportunity Award Program Application due, Skyline College, Building 2, Room 2234

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

• 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Workshop on Financial Aid & Scholarship Resources for African Americans, Skyline College, Building 6, Room 6203
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Scholarship Writing Workshop presented by The Learning Center, Skyline College, Building 5, Room 5115
• 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Sustainability Ambassador Network – Building 6, Room 6203
• 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Baseball @ Cosumnes River College, Cosumnes River College

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

• Last day to add semester length classes
• Last day to drop semester length classes with eligibility for partial refund
• 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Covered California Application Assistance, Skyline College, Building 1, Room 1214, 2^nd Floor
• 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Black History Month Kick Off Event, Skyline College, Building 6, Fireside Dining Hall
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., Introduction to Google Drive Workshop presented by The Learning Center, Skyline College, Building 5, Room 5115
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., LinkedIn Workshop, Skyline College, Career Services Center, Building 6, Room 1219B
• 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Women’s Basketball @ City College of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco
• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Men’s Basketball @ City College of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco

Thursday, February 5, 2015

• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., Classified Senate Meeting, Skyline College, Building 6, Room 6203
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., Scholarship Writing Workshop presented by The Learning Center, Skyline College, Building 5, Room 5115

Friday, February 6, 2015

• 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., TRiO Kick Off Event, Building 6 Room 6202
• 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Women’s Basketball v. Ohlone College, Skyline College
• 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Men’s Basketball v. Ohlone College, Skyline College

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

If you would like to include your college event or activity on the calendar, please submit the event, date, time and location to Jennifer Owen-Blackmon via email at owenblackmonj@smccd.edu.

Skyline College President Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud welcomed faculty and staff back to a new semester at a brief welcome ceremony on Wednesday, January 21. Faculty and staff gathered together for coffee and pastries before settling down in the theater to listen to remarks by Dr. Stroud.

Giving an address on the state of the college, Dr. Stroud highlighted her goals for the college in the coming months along with some major recent milestones.

Touching on changes to campus facilities, Dr. Stroud noted that seven computer labs were upgraded over the winter holiday which translates to access to more efficient and effective technologies for our students. Additionally, thanks to the passage of a recent bond measure, Building One, including the theater, will be completely rebuilt creating a more open and inviting entrance to the campus. And a new sustainability building will be added at the overlook where Pacific Heights currently stands. These are hard-won improvements that will help bolster Skyline College’s offerings for all its students.

Dr. Stroud also noted a few things she’d like to concentrate on in the new semester. The current placement test system suffers from self-imposed rules that often prevent students from retaking tests. This can mean students get locked into a course track that they might have been able to test out of had they been allowed to retake a placement test after completing the first course on their track – this can add semesters to a student’s educational track.

Education plans are another top priority. The plans, currently in development, are intended as helpful roadmaps for students who have an educational goal in mind, like earning an Associate Degree in Mathematics, but might need some help planning the steps they need to take to get there. By mapping out which classes students should take, during which semesters, education plans can create a framework from which a student can develop their own unique pathway to graduation.

Additionally, Dr. Stroud stressed the need to award degrees automatically to students who have completed the requisite coursework. Instead of requiring students to “opt-in” to a degree once they’ve completed their courses, students will automatically get awarded a degree once they complete the requisites unless they actively “opt-out” for other reasons. This will help prevent students from missing out on degrees they’ve earned through their own hard work.

Finally, Dr. Stroud congratulated the Skyline College family on its landmark preliminary approval for the development of a Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy. As one of just 15 programs selected across the State, this is a huge achievement that will allow Skyline College to help fill a serious workforce gap in California.

Dr. Stroud concluded by echoing President Obama’s State of the Union address from the night before, stating “The state of the College is strong!”­

Article by Connor Fitzpatrick