On Monday, February 9, 2015, the California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC) held a Legislative Day on Capitol Hill in Sacramento, California.  The CSRC is a non-profit state professional organization whose mission is to represent and support its Respiratory Care Practitioner members and health consumers through public and legislative advocacy, educational opportunities, and standards for excellence in the cardiopulmonary profession.

Skyline College Respiratory Care students accompanied by Dr. Ijaz Ahmed, Director of Respiratory Therapy and Allied Health, participated at this event. The purpose of the legislative day was to provide CSRC members and supporters an opportunity to meet with state elected officials and share the role of Respiratory Care Practitioners and the positive impact they have on the health of Californians. Students had the opportunity to practice their professional skills as they met with legislators and shared with them their passion and enthusiasm for the profession of respiratory care.

Pictured left to right: Darren Wong, Ranielle De La Rosa, Jamie Gensel ,  Jamela Manglicmot,  Gaylord Garcia, Dr. Ijaz Ahmed (Director of Respiratory Therapy), Brian Jones (Assemblyman), Joel Cayanan, Elizabeth Williams, Jack Su, Liezl Bustos,and Ivane Patiag.

Article by Ijaz Ahmed

SparkPoint at Skyline College and Opportunity Fund kicked off the month of February with the spring 2015 semester’s first College Savers Orientation.  Approximately 30 students attended the orientation to learn about Opportunity Fund’s College Savers Program.

The program is an asset building program which promotes the positive financial behaviors of saving money and building assets.  For every $1 a student saves, they receive an additional $2 in matched savings.  Students may save up to $2000 in a two-year period, earning up to an additional $4000 in matched savings for a total of up to $6000.  The students may use their savings and matched funds for educational expenses, thus using their savings to invest back into their education. Included in the program are financial education workshops and assistance with establishing a savings account and online account management. This is a great financial support program for students, especially those preparing to transfer to 4-year universities.

This was the first orientation of the semester, and there will be two more orientations on March 19, and April 7.  Thank you to Mayra Cerda of Opportunity Fund for facilitating the orientation, and a big thanks to Annie Trinh, The Career Center, and The English Language Institute for providing space for the orientations.  For more information, please contact SparkPoint at Skyline College at (650) 738-7035, or email Melanie Espinueva at espinuevam@smccd.edu.

Article and photo by Melanie Espinueva

On Wednesday, February 4, the Career Services Center kicked off its Career Talk Series: Soft Skills at Work, with guest speaker Erik Mindermann. Erik is the volunteer coordinator for Sutter Health in the Mills-Peninsula region and oversees the Skyline College Mills-Peninsula Internship Program.

During his presentation, Erik offered helpful suggestions for conflict resolution both in the workplace and in our personal lives. Everyone in attendance felt they gained new skills to help them navigate and positively approach crucial conversations and conflicts in an effective way.

There are five more Career Talks this semester with guest speakers including authors, entrepreneurs and business owners. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to network, develop your soft skills and participate in engaging dialogue. Visit us in Building 1, Room 1219B or call 650-738-4337.

Article by Brian Jenney

Professors John Ulloa (History/Honors Transfer Program), Chanel Daniels (English/Learning Center), and Nathan Jones (English/ASTEP), invite you to join them and other members of the Skyline College community in their bi-weekly examination and discussion of Michelle Alexander’s book, The New Jim Crow.  Participants in this book discussion group will explore selected passages and/or chapters from Alexander’s book

The book discussion group will meet bi-weekly beginning Friday, February 20, from 12:00-1:00pm, in the Multicultural Conference Room, located in Building 4, 2nd Floor.  For more information, contact Chanel Daniels or John Ulloa.

Article by Chanel Daniels

On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, Skyline College students, staff and faculty welcomed internationally renowned Chinese American documentary filmmaker, author, poet, Asian folkteller, educator, community therapist and master diversity trainer, Lee Mun Wah to our campus to screen his documentary, If These Halls Could Talk, and facilitate diversity and conflict resolution training specifically for Skyline College students.  If These Halls Could Talk is a documentary that focuses on college students and their dialogue about race and racism as well as other diversity issues in higher education.

Skyline College professors, including Communication Studies Professors Jennifer Mair and Danielle Powell and English Professor and Professional Development Coordinator, Nina Floro, joined the day’s event and brought their classes to participate in training.

Skyline College student Boris Shkurko said, “I felt enlightened by Mr. Lee’s willingness to dig deeper into biases that society is often unwilling to address.”

By using a combination of film, personal stories, experiential exercises, discussion and lecture, the program offered:

• a deeper understanding of how gender and race can enhance and stimulate a stronger sense of community and cooperation
• a deeper understanding of divergent communication styles, perspectives, and expectations
• ways to mediate gender and race issues cross-culturally
• strategies for beginning conversations about gender and race.

Lee Mun Wah believes that when we value others for their uniqueness and differences, then we enhance the possibilities for our children and ourselves.  He is the Executive Director of Stirfry Seminars & Consulting, an agency that provides educational tools and workshops on issues pertaining to cross-cultural communication and awareness, mindful facilitation, and conflict mediation techniques.  Lee Mun Wah’s films include award-winning The Color of Fear, Stolen Ground, and Walking Each Other Home.  Other films include Last Chance for Eden and, most recently, If These Halls Could Talk.

To read about Lee Mun Wah and Stirfry Seminars and Consulting go to http://www.stirfryseminars.com.

Special thanks to the Associated Students of Skyline College for organizing this event and to Professional Development Coordinator Nina Floro and the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning for co-sponsoring this event and connecting the students to Stirfry Seminars and Consulting.

Article by John Saenz

Skyline Women’s Basketball Defeats Chabot College on Sophomore Night

Skyline College made sophomore night special by beating the #2 ranked team in Nor Cal, Chabot College.  Chabot’s stellar first half play earned them an 11 point halftime lead, but the Trojans refused to give up.  Skyline College battled back in the second half through great defense and rebounding, as well as some timely shooting.

The timeliest shot came from sophomore Monique Garrett who sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer to send the game to overtime.  The Trojans used more of Monique’s outside shooting in the extra period to seal the game and a 75-68 win.  Skyline College was led by Monique Garrett and Tianna Mitchell who both had 17 points, while Sahara Clay chipped in another 15.  Mitchell also led the team in rebounds with 21 and blocks with 4.  Skyline College has made great strides this year and much of the team’s success can be attributed to its sophomores: Clay, Garrett, Mitchell, forward Marielle Beltran, point guard Jazel Talauta, and shooting guard Chloe Tinio.

Article by Christopher Watters

Celebrate Chinese New Year in grand style with the Chinese Lion Dance and a Shoalin Gongfu showcase.  Enjoy the movie The Taking of Tiger Mountain, and a Chinese Food Fest!  Please join us for the festival at the quad in front of Building 6 for the Lion Dance and Food Fest, and at the Multicultural Center in Building 4 for the movie from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m on Monday, February 23rd, 2015.

The Chinese New Year Celebrations are sponsored and hosted by Skyline College’s Asian Studies Center assisted by the Skyline College International Student Affairs Association. These events are funded by the Skyline College President’s Innovation Fund.

Article by Hui Pate

Drawing from the spring 2014 district-wide survey results at Opening Day, Chancellor Ron Galatolo lauded all three colleges for providing students a stimulating and supportive educational experience.

In what areas did Skyline College receive such high marks, and in which areas might the College improve? In this town hall, held Monday, February 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 6203, you will have the opportunity to work in teams to analyze Skyline College’s student responses in regards to six survey dimensions: instructional effectiveness, student support services, career and transfer preparedness, social learning environment, responsiveness to diverse student populations, and physical learning environment. Your contributions will help to shape the final report on the campus climate survey, including recommendations for further action.

Please e-mail Karen Wong by Thursday, February 19, if you plan to attend so that you will receive a data packet in advance.

This event is co-hosted by the SLOAC/ IE Committee, Academic Senate, Classified Senate, and Planning, Research and Institutional Effectiveness Office.

Article by Karen Wong

For the fifth consecutive semester, Skyline College recorded an increase in international student enrollment. The International Student Program (ISP) welcomed 46 new students which will increase the international student population by 25% from last semester. This growth will result in benefits to the local economy, domestic students and international networks. For these reasons, Skyline College has implemented several measures to boost international student enrollment.

In addition to the economic benefits, international students bring an international perspective to our campus. During the spring 2015 semester the international student program will organize many events and programs to help domestic students and community members access a global perspective. Every month of the semester the International Affairs Student Club will hold an open meeting, all international and domestic students are welcomed to join. The first week of April, the ISP office will take a number of international students on a field trip to explore a few attractions in the Bay Area.

If you’re interested in exploring other cultures, we will post the complete list of ISP events and activities on our website. For more information about international student enrollment and activities please contact ISP at (650) 738-4430/7179.

Article by Pcyeta Stroud

Please join the College in celebrating African American Heritage Month by attending one of a variety of events open to students throughout February. These events are meant to celebrate the culture and diversity of the students and staff here at Skyline College through cultural, artistic and intellectual expression.

Upcoming Events

The African American Experience: A Dialogue on Social Justice

• Thursday, February 19
• 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. in Building 6, Room 6202
• A community dialogue about media, social justice, activism and empowerment.
• Sponsored by ASSC

ASTEP Family Night

• Monday, February 23
• 5:00 -8:00 p.m. in Building 4, Multicultural Center Building
• ASTEP Family Night is a bi-annual event that brings students, families, faculty, and administrators together for a night of food, entertainment, networking and celebrating our students at Skyline College.
• Sponsored by ASTEP

African Drum Djam Circle with Afia Walking Tree

• Wednesday, February 23
• 12:00 p.m. in Building 6, Room 6202
• An African Diasporic Drumming Workshop on the history of drumming as a community lifeline. Participants will have the opportunity to use authentic African instruments. afiawalkingtree.com
• Sponsored by ASSC

The ASTEP Poetry Spoken Word Event 

• Wednesday, February 25
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in Building 4, Multicultural Center
• Skyline College students will showcase their poetry skills as they read and perform original works, discussing subject matter relating to the African American experience.
• Sponsored by ASTEP

Moments in Black History: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

• Wednesday, February 25
• 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Building 1, Theater
• Featuring: Stan Nash, Time Zone Fashion/Hair Show, Black History Moment Presentation, Special Presentation on Skyline College President Regina Stanback Stroud and U.S. President Barack Obama
• Sponsored by the Cosmetology Department

The Brothers and Sisters Conference

• Thursday, February 26
• 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Building 6, Room 6202
• In collaboration with the ASTEP learning community, the Brothers and Sisters Conference will be a great transition and welcoming opportunity for students as they graduate high school and come to Skyline College. The conference will expose students to opportunities, success stories, and positive affirmation.